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Latest articles and analysis on counter-UAS technology and drone warfare
Connect Tech Launches Deployment-Ready Tactical Edge AI System, Sentry-X2 Mini, MIL-SPEC Certified for Aerospace and Defense Autonomous Applications - Connect Tech Inc.
Connect Tech Inc. launched the Sentry-X2 Mini, a ruggedized, MIL-SPEC certified Edge AI system designed for aerospace and defense applications. The system is optimized for autonomous platforms like UAS payloads and autonomous ground vehicles, offering real-time AI processing at the tactical edge. It aims to reduce development time and costs for defense contractors.
UK to contribute drones, jets and warship to Multinational Mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz - GOV.UK
The UK is deploying a multi-faceted force package to a multinational mission securing the Strait of Hormuz, including drones, jets, and the HMS Dragon warship. A £115 million investment will fund advanced autonomous mine-hunting systems and counter-drone capabilities. The deployment signals a commitment to freedom of navigation and regional stability.
Netherlands Special Forces Acquire Zulu Defence’s Autonomous DRAP Loitering Munition with AI-Based Edge Vision Capabilities | Defence News India
Netherlands Special Forces have procured the DRAP loitering munition from Zulu Defence, a Bengaluru-based startup. The DRAP is an autonomous system featuring AI-powered edge computing, automatic target recognition (ATR), and navigation independent of satellite positioning. This acquisition signals a growing demand for resilient, AI-driven loitering munitions capable of operating in heavily contested electromagnetic environments.
Joint Interagency Task Force Enables Standardized Counter-UAS Assessment | ASDNews
Project Flytrap 5.0, a multinational counter-UAS exercise in Lithuania, evaluated over 20 emerging systems for performance and interoperability. This marks the first time standardized testing and evaluation standards from Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) were applied, creating a common data set for all participating agencies. The exercise focused on integrating counter-UAS technologies with existing command-and-control systems like the integrated battle command system – maneuver.
Chinese Perspectives on Arms Control and Strategic Stability in Emerging Technologies | Asia-Pacific Leadership Network
China has released a white paper outlining its concerns regarding 'cross-domain entanglement' in emerging technologies – space, cyber, and AI – and proposing arms control measures. The paper highlights risks of miscalculation stemming from blurred civilian/military lines, cyberattacks on nuclear C3, and AI-driven escalation. China seeks a proactive role in shaping global security architecture in these domains.
Three companies join Swarmer’s autonomous air defence project
Swarmer, a Ukrainian-American defense tech company, is partnering with three Ukrainian firms – X-Drone, Norda Dynamics, and Kara Dag Technologies – to develop a rapidly deployable, autonomous air defense system. The system aims to counter a wide range of aerial and surface threats, including drones and unmanned surface vessels, with a 24-hour deployment timeframe. The system will leverage existing technologies from each partner and operate with minimal human intervention during engagement.
Ukrainian experience against FPV drones has reached the IDF: simple barbed wire has become part of the new war in the north - NAnews - news Israel
The IDF is adopting a low-tech counter-UAS tactic – motorized rotating barbed wire – observed to be effective against fiber-optic guided FPV drones used by Hezbollah, mirroring strategies employed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This adaptation highlights the challenges posed by inexpensive, difficult-to-counter drones that bypass traditional electronic warfare defenses. The implementation is a bottom-up initiative driven by field experience rather than formal military cooperation.
Smart Shooter lands $10.7m US Army contract for SMASH 2000LE systems
Smart Shooter has been awarded a $10.7 million follow-on contract by the US Army, via PAE Defensive Fires and ADS, to supply SMASH 2000LE fire control systems. The SMASH 2000LE is a rifle-mounted system designed to counter small drones and other aerial/ground targets using AI-powered target tracking and engagement. This builds on previous contracts with the Army, Marine Corps, and Joint Interagency Task Force 401.
Key Changes in U.S. and Chinese Military Capabilities, 2017–2024 | RAND
A RAND Corporation report analyzes the evolution of U.S. and Chinese military capabilities between 2017-2024, identifying China as the primary military competitor to the United States. The study, commissioned by the Secretary of the Air Force, compiles open-source data for policymakers and the public. The report was published in May 2026, suggesting a delayed release of analysis on recent developments.
Pentagon Chooses Sites for Directed Energy C-UAS Pilot Program
The Pentagon, via JIATF-401, is rapidly deploying directed energy (DE) counter-UAS systems – high-energy lasers and high-powered microwave weapons – to five key military installations across the US. This pilot program aims to address the growing drone threat to critical infrastructure and personnel, spurred by recent incidents and lessons learned from conflicts abroad. AV's LOCUST laser weapon is a strong candidate for deployment, having recently passed FAA and JIATF-401 safety assessments.