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DroneShield – Australia LAND 156 Initial Contracts Announcement

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

Hon Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry, has today announced the initial LAND 156 contract awards
DroneShield has received approximately $5 million in orders, of $16.9 million total

DroneShield (ASX:DRO) is pleased to share the announcement by the Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, regarding the award of a contract under Project LAND 156 to supply handheld counter-drone equipment to the Australian Defence Force.

DroneShield was awarded approximately $5 million of a $16.9 million in contracts (across 11 vendors, including 5 Australian Companies).

The contract involves the provision of portable drone detection and defeat systems designed to support ADF personnel in identifying and mitigating unmanned aerial threats. This procurement forms part of the Commonwealth’s broader initiative to accelerate the acquisition of counter-drone capabilities.

DroneShield will deliver equipment in accordance with the contract terms and project timelines.

In addition to this equipment delivery, DroneShield stands ready to support the ADF as Systems Integration Partner under the broader LAND 156 program. With deep expertise in sensor fusion, electronic warfare, and command-and-control integration, DroneShield is well positioned to contribute to the development of scalable, interoperable counter-drone architectures that meet Defence’s evolving operational requirements.

Image: Minister Conroy’s LAND 156 announcement

Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, has commented, ”Australian industry is critical to delivering this technology, and they are demonstrating world leading innovation while creating Australian jobs.”

“We welcome the opportunity to support the Australian Defence Force through Project LAND 156. This contract reflects the growing operational need for portable counter-drone capabilities and DroneShield’s continued role in delivering solutions aligned with Defence requirements,” said DroneShield Chief Executive Oleg Vornik.

“DroneShield’s handheld systems are designed for rapid deployment and ease of use in complex operational environments, offering frontline personnel reliable tools to detect and neutralise hostile drones. The awarded contract builds on DroneShield’s track record of delivering counter-UAS solutions to military and law enforcement customers globally, including in Ukraine.”

The full ministerial release is available here: www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2025-07-24/accelerating-acquisition-drone-counter-drone-technology

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Schiebel Camcopter S-100 Demonstrates Cross-Domain Logistics Capabilities During EDA’s Inaugural OPEX Campaign

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025

Vienna, 22 July 2025: Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) successfully participated in the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) first-ever Operational Experimentation (OPEX) campaign, showcasing its autonomous cross-domain logistics capabilities in a complex, simulated operational environment.

Held over five weeks at the Italian Army’s Multifunctional Experimentation Centre (CEPOLISPE) and UTTAT (Ufficio Tecnico Territoriale Armamenti Terrestri di Nettuno), the campaign brought together six leading European defence companies to showcase the performance of Unmanned Air and Ground Systems (UAS and UGS) executing autonomous logistics missions across both the aerial and terrestrial domains. The event marked a significant step in fostering innovation and interoperability within the European defence landscape.

Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 conducted multiple daily logistics missions using an underslung cargo net, successfully transporting suspended cargo of more than 50 kg under challenging battlefield conditions. The UAS consistently demonstrated its robustness, reliability, and mission effectiveness – even when exposed to degraded communications, adverse weather, and contested operational environments.

“We are proud to have contributed to this important initiative led by the European Defence Agency,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. “The S-100’s proven operational track record, combined with its autonomous logistics capability, underscores its value as a force multiplier in multi-domain operations.”

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DIU, USNORTHCOM, US Army Announce Finalists for C-UAS Low-Cost Sensing Challenge

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025

10 companies advance scalable, cost-effective solutions to bolster U.S. counter-sUAS capabilities and meet evolving DOD strategic priorities

Washington, D.C., July 21, 2025 — The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in close collaboration with U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command representatives, today announced the selection of ten finalists to advance in the Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Low-Cost Sensing (LCS) challenge. These selected companies, chosen against a rigorous set of criteria from 118 outstanding submissions, will move forward to demonstrate their sensor technologies during USNORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak exercise in September.

“The evolving threat from unmanned aerial systems demands that we leverage every tool at our disposal – from cutting-edge commercial solutions to robust partnerships across government and industry,” said DIU Director Doug Beck. “This challenge directly supports DOD’s strategic priorities by tapping into non-traditional defense companies to develop scalable, cost-effective sensing solutions that help our forces at home and abroad to identify threats with the speed and fidelity needed to counter them.”

The solutions selected represent a diverse range of sensor modalities, including radio frequency passive detection, active radar, acoustic, optical cameras, infrared cameras, and several mixed modality technologies. The selected approaches have the potential to deliver significant value compared to current DOD systems for key coverage areas, at a potential cost savings of 50-80 percent in total cost of ownership. The ten finalists selected are:

BLUEiQ
CHAOS 1
Fortem Technologies
Guardian RF
Hidden Level
MatrixSpace
REVOBEAM
Squarehead Technology
Teledyne FLIR Defense
Thalrix

Launched in May 2025, the LCS challenge was designed to address a critical need: to complement exquisite sensor systems with affordable, distributed sensing technologies that can scale. Protecting the homeland from small UAS threats requires broad situational awareness with reach, redundancy, and resiliency.

“These ten finalists represent the forefront of sensor innovation, demonstrating how diverse technological approaches can enhance our layered defense,” said Director of Replicator 2, David Payne. “Our collaboration with USNORTHCOM, the US Army, and other partners has been instrumental in aligning this effort with the Department’s most critical sensing needs. Ultimately, this prize challenge is about helping to provide the tools to extend cost-effective sensing capabilities to our most critical installations.”

Selected finalists now advance to live demonstration and testing at USNORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak 25.2 exercise. Falcon Peak will provide a real-world test of these low-cost sensing solutions and the prize purse will be distributed based on performance at the event.

Beyond the prize money, top performers may also be considered for follow-on opportunities, including Other Transaction (OT) agreements, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), and direct transition into operational use, accelerating the deployment of these capabilities and making the best tech available to the warfighter with the speed and scale required.

Posted in Army, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DIU, USNORTHCOM, US Army Announce Finalists for C-UAS Low-Cost Sensing Challenge

Belgian Aircrew Completes MQ-9B Training

Monday, July 21st, 2025

GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Training Was Conducted at Multiple Sites, Including Flight Test & Training Center and Desert Horizon

SAN DIEGO – 17 July 2025 – The first Belgian aircrew has completed training to operate the world’s leading remotely piloted aircraft (RPA): the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), designer and developer of the MQ-9B, provided the extensive aircrew training that culminated at GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon test facility in El Mirage, California, following stops in Belgium and GA-ASI’s Flight Test & Training Center in North Dakota.

“Providing all-encompassing training for the aircrews of our customers goes hand-in-hand with delivering the world’s most capable RPA,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Completing this training ensures that Belgium is ready and able to operate their MQ-9Bs and maximize the benefits that come from long-range, high-endurance RPA.”

The scope of the training is focused on the foundational skills required to operate the MQ-9B SkyGuardian air vehicle and its equipment, including the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Mission Intelligence Station (MIS), and System for Tasking and Real-Time Exploitation (STARE). Training involves building solid foundations for both normal and emergency operations in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, instrument flying, and Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) and more.

The first flight of Belgium’s initial MQ-9B aircraft took place in February. That aircraft will soon complete Acceptance Test Procedures and is expected to be in Belgium before the end of September. It’s the first of a four-aircraft purchase by the Belgian Ministry of Defence. The Foreign Military Sale to Belgium also includes two Certified Ground Control Stations.

MQ-9B is the world’s most advanced RPA system, delivering exceptionally long endurance and range — with ATLC under pole-to-pole SATCOM-only control — and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, with multiple deliveries made to the U.K.’s Royal Air Force (Protector), as well as orders from Canada, Poland, Japan, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

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Beez Combat Systems DCMP for SKYDIO X10 Controller

Monday, July 21st, 2025

The (DCMP) DRONE CONTROLLER MOUNT/POUCH is designed to allow a tactical uncrewed drone operator an easy and effective way to carry and protect a drone radio controller while supporting short range reconnaissance operations.

Made to fit on the front of a chest rig or plate carrier. The pouch supports multiple radio controller mount variants. The pouch has an internal molle mounting grid to support the mount. An internal pocket on the inside of the outer flap is provided so the end user can add an additional protective material. An additional benefit of a pouch is to help reduce light/IR omitted from the controller.

Future mounts are still in development. If your team is in need of a more effective way to carry a radio controller for an unmanned system. Please reach out to collaborate on a mount to help get the drone into the fight.

For additional information and availability –

Beez Combat Systems

***all SKYDIO trademarks, brands, etc are the sole property of the respective companies. SKYDIO does not endorse this product***

Posted in Load Carrying, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Beez Combat Systems DCMP for SKYDIO X10 Controller

XQ-67A Demonstrates Autonomy and Datalink Interoperability During High Desert Flight Test

Friday, July 18th, 2025

HIGH DESERT TEST RANGE, Calif. – 16 July 2025 – AFRL’s XQ-67A, a second-generation Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP), successfully demonstrated integration of government reference autonomy during a recent flight test in the California High Desert.

The flight showcased the integration of government-owned autonomy on the XQ-67A, paired with active tactical datalink communications, to enable dynamic mission execution and real-time coordination with both crewed and uncrewed systems. The event marked a major milestone in advancing scalable, modular autonomy and seamless interoperable crewed-uncrewed teaming (C/U-T).

GA-ASI unmanned jets include (top to bottom) MQ-20 Avenger®, XQ-67A and YFQ-42A.

“This successful test underscores the Department’s commitment to fielding autonomous systems that can integrate into joint operations using existing tactical networks,” said Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs for General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). “Government owned autonomy on the XQ-67A is a concrete step toward deployable, combat-relevant autonomy that works with and alongside crewed platforms.”

During the flight, the XQ-67A executed test points to validate the integration of mission systems on the aircraft, including autonomy, mission computing, networking, power and thermal management, and datalinks. Through a tactical datalink, the aircraft received real-time updates and situational data, giving it the ability to coordinate seamlessly with crewed aircraft and other autonomous systems in the future.

The XQ-67A platform, built by GA-ASI under contract with AFRL, plays a critical role in exploring the platform sharing approach to achieving scalable affordable mass. Its performance in this flight test advances the Air Force’s vision for an integrated autonomous force that can support and augment current and future crewed platforms.

The successful demonstration in the high desert highlights the promise of combining government-owned autonomy with proven tactical communications infrastructure. This approach accelerates technology transition and supports AFRL learning objectives regarding the integration of mission systems within the context of the highly relevant XQ-67A testbed.

Posted in Aviation, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on XQ-67A Demonstrates Autonomy and Datalink Interoperability During High Desert Flight Test

Gray Eagle Armed Persistence

Thursday, July 17th, 2025

Source General Atomics;

An essential element of the U.S. Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan, GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is an innovative and technologically advanced derivative of the combat-proven Predator®. Gray Eagle offers a reliable, affordable, low-risk, and compelling next-generation tactical UAS solution to meet challenging service requirements for persistent Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) and attack operations.

Gray Eagle has an endurance of 25 hours, speeds up to167 KTAS, can operate up to 29,000 feet, and carries 1,075lb (488 kg) of internal and external payload. The aircraft can carry multiple payloads aloft, including Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) with laser designation, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), communications relay, and four Hellfire missiles.

Compared to the Predator predecessor, Gray Eagle’s Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) supports the Army’s “single fuel in the battlefield” concept and provides increased horsepower and significantly improved fuel efficiency, utilizing either jet or diesel fuel.

An extremely reliable UAS, Gray Eagle features a fault-tolerant control system and a triple-redundant avionics system architecture, similar to the systems integrated in the battle-proven Predator B. Designed with airworthiness as a primary consideration, Gray Eagle is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.

This long-range, long-dwell UAS is dedicated to direct operational control by Army field commanders. Its expansive mission set includes, but is not limited, to wide-area Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), convoy protection, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection and defeat, close air support, communications relay, and weapons delivery missions.

Gray Eagle features an automatic takeoff and landing system (ATLS) that allows the aircraft to be launched and recovered without any operator interaction. Gray Eagle aircraft have successfully conducted tens of thousands of takeoffs and landings.

Gray Eagle Dugway:

Gray Eagle AV SN# 70125 was one of the first aircraft off the Gray Eagle production line, built specifically to meet the ARMY’s needs. AV 70125 is special to Dugway and the ARMY both, shortly after production, it was designated as a test asset and sent here to Dugway. While here, AV 70125 was a key asset to all 4 ARMY production prove out tests to ensure the Gray Eagles abilities and reliability. AV 70125 has also been an invaluable asset to testing, accomplishing, enhanced safety, reliability, combat effectiveness, and readiness of the fielded ARMY Gray Eagle fleet, supporting our troops in the real-world environments they see every day. Through the course of AV 70125’s 15+ year service life, it has flown over 230 flights, of which all were related to testing and evaluation to continue providing the most cutting-edge technology for the U.S. ARMY.

Most importantly, the Gray Eagle program still remains here at Dugway and continues to prove its value to the ARMY every day. UAS PMO plans on continual testing and technology insertions with the Gray Eagles that reside on Dugway, operated and maintained by General Atomics.

By Rodney Mitani

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on Gray Eagle Armed Persistence

MyDefence Receives Landmark $26 Million C-UAS Order from U.S. Army

Wednesday, July 16th, 2025

July 3rd 2025 – MyDefence, a global provider of Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) solutions, today announced it has received a landmark contract from the U.S. Army valued at $26 million. This is the largest order in MyDefence’s history. The agreement underscores the Army’s continued focus on strengthening its defense capabilities against unmanned aerial threats.

Under the contract, MyDefence will supply its advanced C-UAS technologies designed to detect and track a broad spectrum of drone threats. These systems will be deployed across U.S. Army operations to enhance force protection and tactical readiness.

“This historic contract represents a defining moment for MyDefence and a strong endorsement of our position in the global C-UAS industry.

We are honored to have been selected by the U.S. Army as supplier for C-UAS procurement – an endorsement of the trust placed in our team, our mission,and our ability to deliver battle-proven technology at scale. This commitment from the U.S. Army further strengthens our dedication to the U.S. market, and we are accelerating our investments and expanding job creation across multiple roles in response”

– Dan Hermansen, CEO, MyDefence Group

William Ostrowski, recently appointed President and CEO of MyDefence North America LLC, added:

“This agreement marks a strategic milestone for our North American operations. We are committed to long-term collaboration with U.S. defense stakeholders and to delivering high-performance systems that adapt to the complex and fast-evolving threat landscape. The growing use of unmanned aerial systems presents a persistent threat across operational environments. Following extensive testing and evaluation, MyDefence’s systems proved reliable, adaptable, and mission-ready. These capabilities will enhance force protection and enable our units to operate with greater confidence in contested airspace.”

– William Ostrowski, CEO, MyDefence North America LLC

MyDefence specializes in modular, scalable C-UAS solutions engineered for complex radio-frequency environments. Its technologies are fielded globally by armed forces and security agencies, enabling proactive defense against unmanned systems across diverse mission sets.

Editor’s Note: The US Army has purchased 485 Soldier-Kits, consisting of “Wingman” drone detector for real time scanning and “Pitbull” jammers from MyDefence. Of those, 15 have undergone evaluation during last month’s Project Fly Trap in Germany, along with other Counter-UAS systems.

Posted in Army, Contracts, International, Press Release, UAS | 3 Comments »