![BD_Maximus_Globe_Footage](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/BD_Maximus_Globe_Footage-350x197.jpg)
![In fiery speech, Aussie defense chief urges support for ‘extraordinary’ AUKUS subs](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/IMG_1938-scaled-e1715282178449-225x150.jpeg)
Gen. Angus Campbell also defended the conduct of the Australian military after a recent run-in with Chinese helicopters.
By Colin Clark![UK drone test squadron fails to register a single test since forming in 2020: Procurement minister](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/03/Drone-Swarm-e1709733112687-225x150.jpg)
“Since the formation of 216 Squadron in 2020 there have been no completed tests or trials conducted either in-house or with industry,” said James Cartlidge, UK minister for defence procurement.
By Tim Martin![UK’s Excalibur test bed hits phase 2, flight target set for 2026](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/07/230717_excalibur_RIAT_White-e1689618408503-225x150.png)
Leonardo UK and 2Excel recently won a $150 million contract for the converted 757 aircraft to be packed with tech.
By Andrew White![UK Protector leads MQ-9B development in Europe](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/2205_RIAT-Program-Editorial_UK-Protector_Countryside_A3_P05907-225x150.jpg)
The Royal Air Force is set to become the world’s first operational user of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, the world’s most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance RPAS.
By General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.![The UK killed its Project Mosquito drone program, but a follow-on could come soon](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/LANCA-concept-art-225x150.jpg)
Mosquito had been scheduled to fly by the end of 2023, supported by a consortium of US firms Northrop Grumman and Spirit AeroSystems, along with UK company Callen-Lenz.
By Andrew White![Brown: Air Force Serious About E-7 Wedgetail](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/08/Boeing-airborne-early-warning-E-7A-Royal-Australian-Air-Force-225x150.jpg)
Acquiring the Wedgetail “gives us a path” while the service awaits a space-based capability, Air Force Chief of Staff CQ Brown said, as “an option to be able to get the capability much faster than if we were to start a new start from scratch.”
By Theresa Hitchens![Protector Takes Flight](https://breakingdefense.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/09/1907_GA-ASI_UK_Protector_P03526_1-scaled-225x150.jpg)
The MQ-9B is the latest in a line of highly successful and well-proven remotely piloted aircraft operated by a number of other sophisticated allied air forces, from those of the United States to France to Italy and beyond.
By General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.,