Unmanned Vehicles

The modular payload bay enables the transport of defibrillators as well as adrenaline for anaphylaxis, opioid overdose antidotes, bandages, and tourniquets.

By operating autonomously in contested littoral zones, Squire can handle routine and persistent delivery of supplies, ammunition, medical equipment, and intelligence, thereby allowing manned ships and aircraft to focus on complex, high-value combat and command roles. It can plug directly into current maritime and aviation logistics chains, without requiring changes to how those forces operate.”

Q: Many contested regions lack reliable airfield infrastructure. How was Squire designed to operate effectively in austere environments such as dispersed islands or remote coastal areas?

“Squire was built specifically for environments without reliable airfields or port infrastructure. REGENT’s Seagliders are designed to take off from, and land directly on the water, removing dependence on runways or prepared landing zones. This capability makes it ideal for dispersed islands and remote coastal areas, where military forces often operate from temporary or mobile positions and need the versatility offered by Squire and other Seagliders in terms of deploying quickly and effectively.”

The milestone follows the weapon’s test from a C-130 aircraft, where the missile achieved a stand-off range of over 400 nautical miles (460 miles/741 kilometers).

“This capability will provide warfighters with the operational flexibility they need for today’s missions, and help them counter emerging threats in the future,” said Cindy Gruensfelder, president of defense sector at Leidos.

Launch system inspired by how birds poop?

A fundamental capability requirement is improving the surveillance of infrastructure which, as previously noted, is extensive in nature and frequently located in remote and hostile environments. A range of solutions have been implemented, or are under development, to alleviate these challenges. These include the use of satellite imagery to track the activity of potential hostile surface vessels, the use of autonomous USVs to undertake remote surveillance of the seabed and the use of fixed-point sensors to detect anomalies. The pace of technological development is rapid. For example, in November 2024, Thales announced an agreement with another French company, FEBUS Optics, to utilise the latter’s distributed fibre optic sensing (DFOS) technologies to enhance the functionality of its existing BlueGuard sonar system. DFOS can be used to monitor the water space around the entire length of a piece of CUI, detecting acoustic signals generated close to the infrastructure being monitored.

Another important example of technological development is the down-scaling of sonar technologies to integrate with the new generation of uncrewed platforms. In December 2025, SEA, part of the British Cohort group, revealed it had been awarded a multi-million-pound contract to supply 22 of its KraitArray undersea sensing systems to Liquid Robotics, a Boeing Company, for integration into the company’s Wave Glider uncrewed surface vessel (USV). Described by the company as delivering high-end, passive acoustic detection performance in a compact, modular form, KraitArray – and similar compact sonars – offer the prospect of significantly improving the ability of uncrewed platforms to provide enhanced intelligence and maritime domain awareness in support of CUI protection.

The vehicle would carry the DART AE, a 10-foot (3-meter) 3D-printed hypersonic unmanned aerial system developed by Australia-based Hypersonix Launch Systems, on its first flight.

Rocket Lab did not announce a new target date.

“Video games help a lot,” Fano said with a laugh. “If you’re a gamer, adapting to the controller isn’t that much harder. But it still takes a lot of effort and practice.”

The two used commercially available simulators such as Liftoff FPV, Uncrashed and FPV Kamikaze to build muscle memory. The simulations replicate what drone pilots see through their goggles: a first-person view that rolls and rotates with the aircraft, complete with signal strength indicators and crosshairs.

The H-POMBS (Heavy Portable Obstacle Minefield Breaching System) itself is a line-charge system originally conceived as a man-portable solution carried in rucksacks by combat engineers. In its baseline form, the system consists of a detonating cord with distributed explosive charges, packed into two backpacks and deployed across the target area by a rocket. Once in place and detonated, it clears a narrow but continuous lane through mines, booby traps and other explosive obstacles.

Looking ahead, the tactical AI architectures demonstrated on the X-62A VISTA could, hypothetically and through careful, incremental validatio, transition onto other U.S. Air Force platforms as onboard tactical autonomy layers. In the near term, selected decision logics may be deployed as optional, tightly bounded assistance modes within current fourth- and fifth-generation fighters. These could recommend or autonomously execute pre-authorized evasive maneuvers when specific threat envelopes are detected, always preserving pilot authority and override capability. Over the longer horizon, similar AI agents might be integrated more deeply within collaborative combat aircraft concepts, forming the cognitive core of self-protection suites for uncrewed escorts operating alongside crewed fighters in contested airspace.

Lastly, and interestingly, the firm is also offering a helicopter target variant of Alpha 900 as Alpha 900T, meant to test out air defence systems and aircraft against helicopters. Alpha 900T can simulate different types of helicopters in terms of flight characteristics, like attack helicopters and utility helicopters, for accurate representation.

also see https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/u-s-army-awards-prototype-agreement-to-textron-for-damocles-loitering-munition

HAVELSAN has integrated its ADVENT combat management system with Bayraktar TB3 shipborne drones aboard TCG Anadolu, tightening the Turkish Navy’s reconnaissance-to-engagement loop by pushing UAV-derived imagery and mission data directly into the ship’s tactical picture and enabling distribution across the wider task group rather than keeping it confined to a single platform.

“The test site will serve as a controlled real-world validation environment (“sandbox”) designed to evaluate aircraft operations alongside the supporting systems required for safe AAM deployment, including vertiports, digital air traffic management, and secure communication systems,” said SALAAM.earth in a new release. “The first aircraft to participate will be the FlyNow eCopter, an electric unmanned air taxi capable of flying up to 50 km at speeds of 130 km/h and carrying up to two passengers or 200 kg of cargo. The site will assess multiple operational use cases, including urban passenger transport, logistics, and emergency response applications such as firefighting and medical evacuation, evaluating how electric vertical mobility platforms perform across real-world operational scenarios.”

The SAND-X DOV is built around a hybrid mobility architecture: wide-set forward wheels paired with a tracked rear drive module, a layout intended to keep ground pressure low and stability high on soft substrates while retaining road mobility. The platform features a low center of gravity and can transition between manned and unmanned employment in seconds, with unmanned control supported by mesh-network extenders. The configuration displayed at Enforce Tac reflects that logic, with an open crew position forward and a rear mission deck engineered for payload modules, sensor masts, communications packages, or weapon stations.

Yo dawg I heard you like snowmobiles so I made a snowmobile that doesn't need snow!

At Enforce Tac 2026, the Norwegian company Eelume presented its Eelume S autonomous underwater vehicle configured for mine countermeasure missions in coastal and confined seabed environments. The articulated AUV integrates sonar and optical sensors to perform detection, classification, and identification within a single platform. With a range up to 64 km, the Eelume S targets operations in shallow waters, harbors, slopes, and high-relief terrain where conventional AUVs and minehunting vessels face maneuverability constraints.

A minisubmarine for every safe harbor! I mean, I guess the silver lining here is kids will absolutely think these are the coolest toys ever...

South Korea is exploring hydrogen-powered autonomy with Hyundai Rotem’s “Black Veil,” a stealthy unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for long-endurance missions in high-threat areas.

The platform combines four-wheel drive with a fully open cargo bed, offering flexibility for multiple mission roles — from frontline combat to logistics support.

According to ARG (Army Recognition Group) analysis, while multiple drones have been adapted to carry light machine guns or rocket systems, no previously documented heavy multi-rotor UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) has been purpose-built around a stabilized twin .50 cal configuration with integrated recoil mitigation. This distinction places the HD-606 in a new capability category between loitering munitions and manned attack helicopters.

When mounted on an unmanned platform, the missile’s full capability can be used without risking exposure of infantry during launch or post-launch tracking. The remote operator can remain under cover while the UGV positions itself forward, designates targets through its onboard electro-optical suite, and conducts engagements from concealed firing points. This configuration enhances survivability for both personnel and the launch system, particularly in environments saturated with counter-sniper, artillery, or drone surveillance threats.

Operationally, the system is tailored for distributed infantry formations operating in contested environments. Its small footprint enables it to accompany troops through dense wooded terrain, narrow urban streets, and restrictive mountain passes where heavier vehicles cannot deploy. The electric propulsion system reduces acoustic and thermal detection risk, improving survivability in counter-reconnaissance scenarios. In defensive operations, multiple units could be prepositioned along likely armored avenues of approach, creating concealed anti-armor kill zones that are controlled remotely from protected positions.