Category Archives: News

China’s Large Cargo UAV TP1000 Completes Maiden Flight with One-Ton Payload

A large unmanned cargo aircraft, independently developed by Yitong UAV System Co, completed its maiden flight on Saturday at Laixi Dianbu Airport in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, with a payload capacity exceeding one ton, marking another significant breakthrough for China in the field of high-end unmanned aviation equipment, Science and Technology Daily reported. Continue reading

Azov Brigade Armed with Ukrainian-Made ‘Shahed-like’ SETH Attack Drones

Based on recently published images, it has been confirmed that Ukraine has begun deploying its new SETH drones, which feature a design similar to the Iranian-origin Shahed loitering munitions used by the Russian Armed Forces. According to local media reports, these new platforms are in the hands of the 12th “Azov” Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, provided by the “Come Back Alive” foundation. Continue reading

Ukrainian Firms Among Four Companies Selected to Provide Long-Range Attack Drones for DIU Evaluation

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced that four companies were awarded contracts for Artemis, a project to operationally evaluate long range, one way platforms. DIU is partnering with the Department of Defense Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S) to execute a FY24 Budget line item directing operational testing of platforms in relevant Electronic Warfare (EW) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environments. Continue reading

MIT Swarms of Tiny Robotic Insect Drones Could Aid in Mechanical Pollination

With a more efficient method for artificial pollination, farmers in the future could grow fruits and vegetables inside multilevel warehouses, boosting yields while mitigating some of agriculture’s harmful impacts on the environment. To help make this idea a reality, MIT researchers are developing robotic insects that could someday swarm out of mechanical hives to rapidly perform precise pollination. However, even the best bug-sized robots are no match for natural pollinators like bees when it comes to endurance, speed, and maneuverability. Continue reading

Sikorsky Flies Rotor Blown Wing UAS in Helicopter and Airplane Modes

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully validated the advanced control laws to successfully fly a ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in both helicopter and airplane modes. Powered by batteries, the 115 pounds (52kg) twin prop-rotor prototype has demonstrated operational stability and maneuverability across all flight regimes, and the potential to scale the unique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design to larger sizes requiring hybrid-electric propulsion. Continue reading