Quantum Systems and ADV Defense signed a memorandum of understanding during the German-Baltic Defence Industry Conference in Vilnius to expand German–Lithuanian cooperation in defense technology. The partnership focuses on industrial collaboration, market development, localization and joint research and development of unmanned systems. The agreement supports Quantum Systems’ long-term strategy to deepen its industrial presence on NATO’s Eastern Flank and bolster Lithuania’s defense ecosystem.
Mountain Horse Solutions, working with S3Werx and Argus Industries, was named one of four winners in the U.S. Army’s 2025 xTechCounter Strike competition, earning $350,000 to advance its counter-UAS technologies. The team demonstrated a modular suite of detection, interception, and defeat systems during the event, held in Germany.
IonQ and Heven AeroTech Partner to Develop Quantum-Enabled Drones for National Security Applications
IonQ and Heven AeroTech have entered a strategic partnership to integrate quantum computing, sensing, networking and security technologies into hydrogen-powered long-endurance drones for national security missions. The collaboration aims to unlock new capabilities in GPS-denied environments, autonomous operations and secure aerial communications. The partnership further expands IonQ’s footprint in defense innovation and quantum-secure network development.
KULR Technology has developed a next-generation 400V battery prototype for a counter-UAS directed energy system just five weeks after receiving the purchase order, showcasing its rapid engineering and integration capabilities. The system leverages advanced modeling, modular design and in-house prototyping to meet the demanding power and safety requirements of emerging directed energy weapons. The effort positions KULR as a key partner for high-performance defense energy systems heading into production in 2026.
GA-ASI has completed its third and final full-scale fatigue test on the MQ-9B airframe, validating 120,000 hours of simulated operational use to support NATO STANAG 4671 certification. The testing confirms the aircraft’s structural integrity and provides critical data for future maintenance and inspection schedules. MQ-9B continues to expand globally with procurement contracts across multiple allied nations.
Echodyne has partnered with Poland’s Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology to integrate its counter-drone radar technology into unmanned ground vehicles. Working alongside distribution partner Linc Polska, the collaboration aims to demonstrate C-UAS radar capabilities for both civil and military applications. The effort supports broader modernization of land systems with high-fidelity situational awareness solutions.
Cyberlux Corporation has launched the next phase of its UAS strategy, focused on scalable, attritable FPV drone systems designed for mass deployment in modern defense environments. The new modular Family of Systems supports a range of payloads, mission profiles and localized manufacturing options. With more than 2,000 UAS delivered under DoD contracts, Cyberlux is positioning itself as a leader in low-cost, high-impact battlefield drone capability.
Aerodata AG has unveiled AeroForce X, a modular medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV designed for ISR, electronic reconnaissance and heavy-payload missions. With 40-hour endurance, 1.3-tonne payload capacity and ITAR-free availability, the German-built system strengthens international defense and critical infrastructure protection capabilities.
Digital Force Technologies has selected Echodyne’s EchoShield and EchoGuard radars as core sensors for its Seraphim Counter-UAS family, enhancing detection and tracking of UAS threats. The integration supports the U.S. Marine Corps TERAPIN project, advancing all-domain autonomous defense and situational awareness capabilities.
uAvionix and OneSky have partnered to integrate FlightLine ADS-B traffic data into OneSky’s UTM platform, enhancing real-time situational awareness for BVLOS and UAM operations. The collaboration delivers reliable, low-latency airspace visibility and safety tools to accelerate scalable uncrewed flight management.
BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace have signed an MoU to collaborate on developing advanced uncrewed air systems (UAS). The partnership combines each company’s strengths in combat air and autonomous technologies to accelerate innovation and expand global defense capabilities.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has unveiled the Gambit 6, a new variant in its modular UCAV family that adds air-to-ground capability to its existing air-to-air mission set. Designed for SEAD, electronic warfare and precision strike, Gambit 6 supports GA-ASI’s global CCA strategy, with international deliveries expected by 2027.
Insitu has upgraded its ScanEagle UAS with PLEO SATCOM datalinks and laser-targeting capability, boosting over-the-horizon ISR-T mission performance. The enhancements extend range, resilience and precision, strengthening ScanEagle’s role as one of the most trusted small UAS platforms for land and maritime operations.
TEKEVER and Arkeus have completed flight testing of the Warden Hyperspectral Optical Radar on TEKEVER’s AR3 EVO UAS, confirming its readiness for long-range ISR missions. The integration enhances detection, classification and tracking capabilities in degraded visual conditions, expanding operational performance across defense and security applications.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems will showcase its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft at the International Fighter Conference in Rome, reinforcing its leadership in autonomous fighter development. The company’s rapidly expanding fleet, including the MQ-20 Avenger and XQ-67A, is shaping the future of manned-unmanned air combat and scalable UAS production.
Anduril Industries has begun flight testing its YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, a semi-autonomous fighter developed with the U.S. Air Force to advance manned-unmanned teaming and affordable mass production. Designed and flown in just 556 days, the YFQ-44A marks a major step toward integrating autonomy into next-generation air combat operations.
Wisk Aero, an autonomous aviation company, and Liebherr-Aerospace, a first-tier provider of onboard solutions in the aerospace and transportation industries, announced an agreement for the development and supply of the actuation system for Wisk’s Generation 6 autonomous, all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
Joby Taps NVIDIA to Accelerate Next-Era Autonomous Flight; Named Launch Partner of IGX Thor Platform
oby Aviation, Inc. announced a collaboration with NVIDIA, marked by NVIDIA’s selection of Joby as the only aviation launch partner for the new NVIDIA IGX Thor platform. Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture, the industrial-grade platform is designed to power the next generation of physical AI applications. This unique collaboration will advance development of Joby’s autonomous flight technology Superpilot across military and civil platforms.
Textron Systems, with more than three decades of expertise in designing, integrating, and manufacturing uncrewed systems across domains, continues to invest in and expand its portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the modern battlefield. Building on this foundation, the company has introduced the newest addition to its uncrewed systems portfolio—the Damocles™ launched effect.
DroneShield announced the integration of Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) into its ecosystem. The integration fuses traditional aviation surveillance data with counter-drone detection, allowing operators to intuitively differentiate legitimate aircraft from potential drone threats.
AeroVironment, Inc. has been selected to deliver the U.S. Army’s Next-Generation C-UAS Missile. Along with this selection, AV was awarded a $95.9 million contract for the U.S. Army's Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor (LRKI) program through the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium.
Shield AI announced the unveiling of X-BAT, an AI-piloted, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) fighter jet designed for expeditionary and maritime operations in contested environments.
AeroVironment, Inc. announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding that positions Korean Air as its priority partner in the Republic of Korea. This alliance will focus on integrating and adapting AV’s JUMP 20 Group 3 vertical takeoff and landing, fixed-wing uncrewed aircraft to meet the specific needs of the Korean Defense market.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) was selected to work on Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) designs emphasizing a modular approach to platform selection, capable of being rapidly reconfigured and upgraded to meet changing mission requirements, including operations on and from aircraft carriers. GA-ASI's approach supports the Navy's revolutionary acquisition strategy of smaller, frequent purchases that enable rapid technology insertion rather than traditional long-lifecycle programs
Anduril Industries and Raytheon successfully completed a static fire test of an advanced solid rocket motor featuring a Highly Loaded Grain configuration — a major advancement in propulsion technology for air-to-air weapon systems.
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has started prototyping commercial and dual-use technology solutions to provide Counter UAS solutions that defeat group 3 and above adversarial threats, ensure the sovereignty of our national airspace, and protect our personnel, equipment, and facilities at home and abroad.
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, has completed critical testing on its small turbofan engine family for use on Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCAs. Testing confirms that the business can increase thrust on these existing engines for use on CCA platforms.
The YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, designed and developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), is now conducting flight testing in coordination with the U.S. Air Force. This historic achievement continues the company’s rapid creation of new, jet-powered uncrewed platforms chartered by the U.S. Air Force.
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has selected American autonomous drone leader Skydio, alongside its European partner COBBS BELUX BV, as part of a new agreement to supply and support small ISR drones across NATO member nations within the Uncrewed Aerial Systems Support Partnership.
Northrop Grumman Corporation announced the first six strategic partners who will use its Beacon™ testbed ecosystem to rapidly test and deliver new autonomous solutions at scale. Partners will test and refine their solutions using the Scaled Composites-built Model 437 aircraft, along with Northrop Grumman’s proven flight autonomy hardware and integration expertise, during a series of flight demonstrations planned for this year.
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