Top story ·
Air
Two Anduril-built FQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft flew in formation and performed beyond-visual-range air combat maneuvers directed by Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software on Oct. 26 at the Nevada Test and Training Range, a first for the program. No pilot was airborne; a ground operator gave high-level direction against a virtual threat. Shield AI says larger teams come next, with live munitions later.
Original analysis · Every Monday
Congress is back Monday with two very different bills. The Senate’s would write the Pentagon’s autonomy rules into law and ban AI from nuclear launch decisions. The House’s tells the Pentagon to rewrite the rules itself. Here is what each would require.
Sea
Ukraine's SBU security service says its drones struck the Buyan-M class missile ship Naro-Fominsk on Nov. 11 near Gogland Island in the Gulf of Finland, about 40 kilometers off Finland. Finnish and Estonian officials said an explosion occurred aboard before the ship headed toward St. Petersburg. The type of drone used and the extent of damage have not been disclosed.
Land
An Army Materiel Command official says the service will replace small attack drones rather than repair or stockpile them, partly because Russia can counter a new design in Ukraine within about 72 hours. The Army is receiving 10,000 of the first 30,000 small drones from the Drone Dominance program for unit training. Critics question who will handle sustainment and obsolete parts.
Sea
The Royal Navy has agreed a multi-million pound deal with British scale-up Arondite to deploy its Cobalt mission orchestration software across UK Commando Force, the Ministry of Defence said on Nov. 12. The software is meant to pull the force's sensors, autonomous platforms and data feeds into one system. Arondite also announced a £35 million expansion into Norway.
Contracts
AeroVironment announced on Nov. 11 a $405 million direct commercial sales order for its LOCUST X3 high-energy laser weapon systems from an unnamed customer in the Middle East. The company says the systems will counter Group 1 to 3 drones, and that it intends to build an in-country maintenance and sustainment depot to support them.
Contracts
BAE Systems has selected Echodyne's EchoShield radar as a sensor for its Anti Threat System, or BATS, a modular counter-drone platform that recently finished live trials in Scotland. The radar will feed tracks on uncrewed aircraft into the system's command and control so it can classify threats and coordinate responses alongside other sensors and effectors. EchoShield is already the primary radar in a small-drone air defense system being delivered to the U.S. Air Force.
Air
The Royal Navy will work with Northrop Grumman toward launching the YFQ-48A Talon Blue collaborative combat drone from a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier in U.K. waters in 2027 under Project Vanquish. First Sea Lord Gen. Sir Gwyn Jenkins announced the plan and a statement of intent to be signed aboard HMS Prince of Wales. The carriers lack catapults and arresting gear, and it is unclear what changes the jet would need.
Autonomy RFIs, BAAs, SBIR topics and challenges across the Department of War, DHS and other federal agencies, soonest closing first.
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Military drone news: collaborative combat aircraft, loitering munitions, autonomous flight tests and the programs putting uncrewed aircraft in service.
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AUVSI ·
Washington, DC
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Global SOF Foundation ·
Fort Bragg, NC
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SAE Media Group ·
Washington, DC
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute ·
Simi Valley, CA
In-person attendance is by invitation; virtual registration is open.
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DSI Group ·
Huntsville, AL
No press or recordings; the summit runs under the Chatham House Rule.
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