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Archive for the ‘Unmanned Systems’ Category

GA-ASI Partnering With Spirit Defense For FQ-42 CCA Production

Saturday, October 24th, 2026

SAN DIEGO — 23 October 2026 — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), today is announcing our partnership with Spirit Defense, a Boeing Company, to support airframe production of the new FQ-42 Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). In June, GA-ASI won a contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to produce FQ-42. Spirit Defense’s role as a fuselage design-build partner brings together the company’s engineering and advanced manufacturing capabilities to support the program from design through production.

GA-ASI has been the sole manufacturer of its line of UAS — which includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian — since the company’s inception in 1992. For the FQ-42 program, partnering with Spirit Defense is a strength multiplier for the company and the nation, offering manufacturing capacity and industrial depth to scale CCA production faster, while strengthening production resilience, and reducing the risk of single points of failure. 

“We’re excited to be working with Spirit Defense,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “We’ve established our proven design, development, and manufacturing capability for the FQ-42. With Spirit Defense we add capacity, which is exactly the kind of production resilience our U.S. Air Force customer is looking for with its CCA ramp-up. This kind of partnership represents the scalable industrial base the Air Force and the U.S. Department of War are looking for from industry.”

“We’re proud to bring deep manufacturing expertise and proven capabilities to this important program,” said Keith Schrader, president and CEO of Spirit Defense. “Our team understands the responsibility that comes with supporting critical national defense programs, and we’re ready to deliver for our customer and the warfighter.” 

FQ-42 is a purpose-built, uncrewed fighter, developed with USAF as part of ongoing investment in next-generation semi-autonomous combat aircraft. The jet’s modular design enables rapid integration of mission systems and mission autonomy software. GA-ASI’s software architecture, demonstrated through live flight tests on multiple airframes, provides the foundation for human-machine teaming in complex combat scenarios.

Potential CCA manufacturing partnerships don’t end here. Around the world, GA-ASI is in discussions with numerous international militaries interested in our Gambit Series of modular CCAs. The Gambit Series is a family of uncrewed combat jets, derived from our work on FQ-42, XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station, and MQ-20 Avenger, and optimized for roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) and stand-off precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving security needs.

Nations interested in procuring aircraft from the Gambit Series also have an opportunity to insert indigenous manufacturing into those programs, as well as integration of their own sensors, weapons and other combat technologies.

AUSA 26 – Whippet Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Wednesday, October 21st, 2026

The US Army currently has a ratio of about one aircraft for every 39 ground vehicles. I believe that is a good analogue to what we should expect in the future regarding unmanned systems. So if you think drones are everywhere, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

AUSA had a wide variety of new UGVs including the Whippet UGV from Outrider USA.

Weighing 400 lbs it boasts a 400 lbs payload. The four-wheel, silent electric UGV has a top speed of 35 mph and a 60 mile radius. Whippet is a modular system with payload swaps in 20 minutes by crews in the field and exports 10 kW of power for payloads.

US Naval Academy Announces New School Focused on Super Intelligence, Information Warfare, and Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Names Dean Capt Mathias Roth

Monday, October 19th, 2026


Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Baldock

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The United States Naval Academy (USNA) announced a major academic restructuring today that will establish both a standalone school for computing, cybersecurity, super intelligence, robotics and autonomous systems and a standalone school of engineering. Transitioning from the former School of Engineering, Computing and Weapons, this strategic division formalizes the presence of the Information Warfare (IW) community at the U.S. Naval Academy and creates a dedicated organizational hub to advance critical capabilities in emerging technologies. The restructuring is expected to be complete by Summer 2027.

The new School will consolidate the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Weapons, Robotics, and Control Engineering; Computer Science; and Cyber Science, which will continue to be physically housed in Hopper Hall. As part of this realignment, the Center for Cyber Security Studies will be renamed the Center for Cyber Security and Emerging Technology, and oversight of USNA’s Special Security Office (SSO) and Information Warfare pipeline activities will transition directly to the new School.

“This new school represents a massive leap forward for both the Naval Academy and the broader Information Warfare enterprise,” said U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte. “By aligning our world-class computing faculty, cutting-edge Hopper Hall infrastructure, and operational community leadership under this School, I am establishing a premier focal point to drive the Navy and Marine Corps’ institutional priorities in SI, robotics, and autonomous systems, which will lay the foundation for tomorrow’s naval leaders.” In keeping with the Academy’s leadership model where School Deans and Division Directors are post-command O-6 officers dual-hatted as service community leaders, the new Dean will serve as the Senior Information Warfare community leader at the U.S. Naval Academy. Borgschulte chose U.S. Navy Capt. Mathias Roth, to serve as the inaugural Dean of the School.

A 2002 Naval Academy graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Oceanography, Roth earned his Doctorate in Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2016. He brings a powerful mix of operational, technical, and manpower expertise to the role, having begun his career as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard USS Preble (DDG-88) as the Auxiliary Officer, followed by subsequent sea time aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) and USS Essex (LHD-2). He later gained deep insight into community force structure while serving as an Information Warfare detailer in Millington, Tennessee. Roth’s command experience includes leading Information Warfare Training Group (IWTG) Gulfport and commanding Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) in Monterey, California.

“Capt. Roth is the perfect leader to establish the new School,” said U.S. Naval Academy Provost, Dr. Samara Firebaugh. “He is an absolute rockstar, with an outstanding reputation as a thoughtful and well-spoken leader. This initiative is central to our efforts to modernize our curriculum in order to produce officers who are equipped to operate in a warfighting environment that is being rapidly reshaped by super intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems.”

Capt. Roth will report to the U.S. Naval Academy this October where he will lead the transition team for this initiative.

The establishment of the School parallels information warfare and robotic and autonomous systems integration initiatives in the Fleet, ensuring these foundational capabilities are woven into every warfare domain, kill chain and training pipeline. Midshipmen will graduate with deck-plate relevant skillsets and technological literacy needed to lead hybrid units, master technical advancements, operate ethically and build combat resilience.

The U.S. Naval Academy is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically to become professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body known as the Brigade of Midshipmen. U.S. News and World Reports has recognized the Naval Academy as the #1 top public school, #3 national liberal arts college, and #5 best undergraduate engineering programs. Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 26 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps.

Story by Elizabeth Wrightson 
United States Naval Academy

Future Focused: Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Details Army Autonomy Advancements

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026

WASHINGTON — General Christopher LaNeve, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and Acting Chief of Staff of the Army, has selected U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command for redesignation as U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM).

Gen. LaNeve’s decision follows the release of Acting Secretary of the Army Adam Telle’s Army Autonomous Initiatives memo on October 1. “This goes beyond drones,” said Gen. LaNeve. “FASCOM will pioneer operational concepts that harness autonomous capabilities across all warfighting functions.”

Led by a three-star general officer, FASCOM will consolidate, integrate and ultimately accelerate the work of the Combat Capabilities Development Command, Medical Research and Development Command, 75th Innovation Command, Joint Modernization Command and the Transformation Decision Analysis Center. This change unifies expertise that the new Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Autonomy will depend on to meet Acting Secretary Telle’s directive to rapidly integrate autonomous technologies across the Army.

One of the first challenges Gen. LaNeve issued to FASCOM was to develop corps-level autonomous capabilities. Each of the Army’s five corps will test equipment, evaluate tactics and make recommendations on accomplishing autonomous mission sets. This approach leverages experimentation to validate concepts that can then be scaled across the Army, according to Gen. LaNeve. As this top-down approach is pursued, the Vice Chief of Staff noted that he will continue “clearing the way for Soldiers to innovate and solve tactical problems with the tools they have on hand.”

The Army’s autonomous development plan includes the testing of an autonomous fires battery and autonomous watercraft company in I Corps, an autonomous armored reconnaissance company in III Corps, an autonomous breaching company in V Corps, autonomous aerial ISR and lift companies in XVIII Airborne Corps, and the pairing of manned and unmanned rotary wing aircraft in 8th Army. This last experiment, initially conceptualized at the Army Aviation Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, gives attack aviation pilots direct control of UAS sensors to enable over-the-horizon targeting and synchronize manned-unmanned fires. “Fort Rucker is unique in that we can bring together warfighting experts and cutting-edge commercial capabilities to test technology the way we intend to fight it. To ensure that we move swiftly to achieve the Army’s autonomy goals, as of today Fort Rucker will serve as our UAS Autonomy Center of Excellence,” said Gen. LaNeve.

The Vice Chief of Staff’s direction to FASCOM also includes the creation of capability-based formations centered on autonomous long-range fires, protection, tanks, logistics and obstacle breaching. These capabilities were specifically selected for their role in enabling operational maneuver and are aligned to the four elements of convergence, strike, close battle, and endurance outlined in the operational warfighting guidance released by the U.S. Army last week.

Notably, these experimental formations will receive some of the Army’s first 390A Robotic Technicians. The move, first announced by Gen. LaNeve at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference in September, expands the assignment of trained autonomy and robotics specialists beyond special operations units to more swiftly proliferate expertise across the force.

“We’ve got to change our approach from bolting on technology to rethinking how we fight,” declared Gen. LaNeve. “Acting Secretary Telle and I see things the same way. Technology doesn’t fight; Soldiers do. Our job is to get them the best kit; theirs is to make it lethal. It’s that magic between industry, leadership, and Soldiers that keeps our Army ahead of anyone looking to do America harm.”

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

Rheinmetall at REPMUS26: Interconnected Unmanned Systems for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructure

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026

Rheinmetall AG is continuously testing modular and interconnected solutions for maritime operations. As a leading international systems provider for security, the company is participating in the multinational REPMUS26 (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) proving exercise in Portugal from 31 August to 25 September 2026. Already since 2024, the DAX-listed group has been contributing its expertise as a systems integrator for complex, multidimensional maritime systems to this large-scale trial.

The exercise on the Troia Peninsula and in the surrounding Portuguese waters brings together navies, research institutions, and industry to further develop unmanned systems within a realistic, multidimensional operational environment.

Interoperability as key to strategic security:

The networked deployment of unmanned platforms, from seabed to space, is crucial for protecting critical port infrastructure, strategically important port facilities, and coastal waters. At REPMUS26, Rheinmetall is demonstrating that mission success is determined not merely by the performance of individual platforms, but by their seamless networking. Integrating all sensor data into a multidimensional operational picture creates the conditions for early situational awareness and graded, precise courses of action.

An overview of the technological trial setup:

Mobile Mission Control

A key element of this year’s contribution is a containerised, relocatable demonstration setup. This will serve as a mobile command and control centre for the German Navy during the four-week exercise, supporting operational port security.

Open integration architecture

The Rheinmetall Battlesuite is based on the Tactical Core Middleware from blackned GmbH and is the technological backbone. This architecture creates an open environment for the flexible and application-specific integration of innovative sensors, effectors and mission modules from various technology partners.

Graded underwater sensor system

A particular focus in 2026 is on experiments involving unmanned underwater sensors from renowned industry partners. The aim is to generate a persistent operational picture and enable operators to control multiple unmanned systems of different types and from various manufacturers via a common user interface.

“REPMUS offers us an excellent opportunity to test our prototype development in realistic scenarios”, explains Gregor Mannherz, Head of the Rheinmetall Delegation. “By collaborating with operational experts from our naval customers and government agencies, we can design our products and solutions more efficiently, thus accelerating development in a targeted manner”.

By validating collaborative operational concepts and enhancing interoperability, Rheinmetall is making a significant contribution to strengthening the defence capabilities of NATO partners and to safeguarding global maritime supply routes.

MA-DOSS Secures Field Exercise in Support of Provost Marshall

Wednesday, September 16th, 2026

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. —

During a live-fire exercise in support of Service Level Training Exercise 4-26 in coordination with the Provost Marshal’s Office Aug. 19, 2026, a new capability quietly demonstrated how the Marine Corps is adapting the rules of expeditionary force protection.

The Mobile All-Domain Observation and Sensing System (MA-DOSS), developed by Program Manager Ground-Based Air Defense (PM GBAD), successfully provided automated, continuous physical security during the event, proving that the cutting-edge system is no longer just a concept—it is now a deployable asset.

The nature of the event required the Marines to make sure that members of the public didn’t infringe onto the area designated for the exercise to prevent any dangers to those members of the public, and to prevent interference with the testing and operations on the installation. The system’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) driven automated target recognition quickly proved its worth when the integrated radar and camera capabilities in MA-DOSS allowed the operators to rapidly locate and verify potential ground incursions.

MA-DOSS instantly detected and classified the vehicle at the edge of the alert zone, alerting two Marine operators inside the command post. The operators verified the intrusion on their monitors and immediately relayed the tracking data to range safety personnel, ensuring the live-fire event remained secure without interrupting the training flow.

Historically, securing command posts and ranges during exercises has been a tedious, manpower-intensive task. Units routinely dedicated multiple Marines to manual surveillance using binoculars and radios. MA-DOSS directly fills this critical capability gap in force protection by acting as a mobile, sensor-integrated force multiplier that can track targets across the air, land, and littoral domains simultaneously.

While in operation, the system processes data on site to distinguish between natural clutter and incursions without passing heavy video feeds over tactical networks. By deploying advanced Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), in coordination with the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), MA-DOSS isn’t just detecting threats—it is continuously learning. This rapid feedback loop means the AI models adapt to the battlefield in real time, reducing false alarms and increasing operator trust.

“[AI implementation] is going to help us not just learn what the enemy’s already thrown at us, but learn what new systems may come our way in different ways and how the enemy may employ them,” explained Capt. Griffen Hedrick, PM GBAD’s MA-DOSS project officer. “So it’s not just a giant library of what they’ve done before, but predictions of the future.”

MA-DOSS represents a massive leap forward in mobility compared to the legacy Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (G-BOSS). While the older G-BOSS towers were highly effective, they were heavy, static, and restricted unit maneuverability. In contrast, MA-DOSS requires only two Marines and just 30 minutes to be fully set up and operational.

Recognizing that static towers are incompatible with the highly mobile, distributed requirements of Force Design, the PM GBAD team took a creative acquisitions approach as opposed to traditional, slow procurement timelines. By partnering with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and utilizing Physical Security Enterprise Analysis Group (PSEAG) funding, the team rapidly developed and fielded two MA-DOSS Medium prototypes currently in use.

The successful integration of MA-DOSS during the field exercise serves as a blueprint for future Marine Corps acquisitions and expeditionary operations. Although the MA-DOSS is not an official program of record, as PM GBAD looks to the future, field user evaluations like this are critical in proving MA-DOSS’s efficiency and contributions to force protection as it continues to support the Provost Marshal.

Ultimately, the system’s greatest success is its ability to give time back to the unit, letting technology handle the tedious weight of guard duty so Marines can focus on the mission.

“In traditional security setups, maintaining that level of persistent, multi-domain awareness forces Marines to spend endless hours fixed to surveillance monitors,” explained Master Sgt. Daniel Sloniker, operations chief, Provost Marshal’s Office. “By automating detection and cueing the cameras directly to the threat, MA-DOSS eliminated screen fatigue and served as a true force multiplier—freeing our trained military policemen from passive observation so they could focus on dynamic patrols and rapid tactical response.”

By Helena Yared | PEO Land Systems

Quantum Systems Launches Maritime Domain, Introducing Seavex and Subvex

Tuesday, September 15th, 2026

Quantum Systems is expanding into the maritime domain, connecting autonomous operations above and below the waterline with its existing capabilities in the air and on land. With the launch, the company introduces Seavex and Subvex, its first two maritime systems designed for persistent surveillance, critical infrastructure protection and Counter-UAS operations.

Sesimbra, Portugal, 14 September 2026 – Quantum Systems today announced the launch of its maritime domain, expanding its unmanned systems portfolio from air and land to sea.

The launch takes place in Portugal on the sidelines of a major NATO maritime exercise and introduces two new systems, Seavex and Subvex. Both systems will test and validate capabilities as part of sea trials, extending Quantum Systems’ autonomous capabilities above and below the waterline in an operational environment.

Seavex and Subvex are fully integrated into MOSAIC UXS, enabling their deployment alongside unmanned air and ground systems through a common software architecture. The result is an interoperable system across air, land and sea that can be expanded with additional platforms, sensors and third-party technologies.

“We started in the air, expanded to land, and now we are going to sea. But the real step forward is not adding another domain. It is connecting them,” said Florian Seibel, Co-CEO and Founder of Quantum Systems. “With Seavex and Subvex integrated into MOSAIC UXS, we are building one autonomous system across air, land and sea. That is where unmanned operations are heading, and that is what we are delivering.” 

Seavex and Subvex: autonomous capabilities on the water and below the surface

Seavex is a long-endurance unmanned surface vehicle (USV) designed for persistent maritime ISR missions. With an endurance of up to two months, the system includes surveillance radar, counter-drone radar and electro-optical sensors with onboard AI processing. Seavex launches and recovers UAVs while docking, recharging and retrieving mission data from UUVs.

Subvex is an AI-enabled unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) designed for autonomous ISR missions at depths of up to 6,000 metres. Equipped with sonar and acoustic sensors as well as onboard edge processing, the system can operate for up to four days in active movement and supports distributed operations with multiple Subvex vehicles. It can also remain on the seabed in passive surveillance mode for persistent underwater monitoring for weeks.

Together, both systems extend reconnaissance from the surface into the deep sea and support missions including the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, maritime border security, anti-submarine surveillance and blue-water surveillance. Their integration into MOSAIC UXS enables sensor information from different systems and domains to be combined within a single operational environment.

The expansion comes as maritime security is gaining strategic importance, with coastlines, ports and critical marine infrastructure facing a growing need for persistent surveillance. At the same time, threats increasingly span the air, surface and underwater environment, requiring information from across the waterline to be detected, connected and understood as part of one operational picture.

“Maritime operations have a fundamental challenge: the areas are vast, while crews and assets are limited,” said Dirk Zademack, VP Quantum Maritime at Quantum Systems. “In the air and on land, we have built an ecosystem in which unmanned systems operate together rather than individually. We are now applying the same principle at sea with Seavex and Subvex: extending collaborative presence on the water and below the surface and compiling the information for the operator.”

The launch marks the next step in Quantum Systems’ consistent expansion as a global deep-tech defence prime. The company has expanded beyond aerial systems into a broader portfolio of unmanned capabilities, while building the software, AI and system integration expertise to connect them. With MOSAIC UXS as the common software backbone, Quantum Systems brings these capabilities together into an integrated, scalable system.

American Rheinmetall Selected to Support US Marine Corps with Advanced Mission Master SP Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Sunday, September 13th, 2026

Auburn Hills, MI — American Rheinmetall has been awarded a $7.28M contract to support the U.S. Marine Corps through the manufacture and delivery of Mission Master SP Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs), associated Marine Kits, and supporting equipment. The procurement is being executed through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) with ADS Inc. serving as the prime contractor in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL). 

The effort includes the delivery of 12 Mission Master SP A-UGVs and five amphibious kits, marking the most advanced Mission Master configuration developed by Rheinmetall to date. The vehicles will support continued operational evaluation, experimentation, and capability development as the Marine Corps expands its autonomous logistics and expeditionary mobility initiatives.

“This award represents a significant milestone in our long-standing partnership with the United States Marine Corps,” said Matt Warnick, CEO, American Rheinmetall. “For more than four years, we have worked side-by-side with Marines to mature, refine, and advance autonomous ground capabilities. The Mission Master SP captures the full breadth of those lessons learned and showcases Rheinmetall’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge, reliable, and mission-ready autonomous systems.” 

President and CEO of Rheinmetall Canada Pietro Mazzei said, “This collaboration between Rheinmetall colleagues enables the U.S. Marine Corps to deploy the Mission Master SP in multi-domain environments and continue to push boundaries of Canadian innovation”.

A New Phase in Marine Corps Autonomous Capability Development

The new Mission Master SPvehicles incorporate Rheinmetall’s PATH autonomy architecture, expanded vehicle characterization, and modular payload integration. The systems also feature the Marine Kit—an upgrade enabling reliable, extended amphibious operations in littoral environments. The combined enhancements represent the latest evolution of the Mission Master family, driven by extensive user feedback, developmental testing, live-fire events, and operational experimentation.

The procurement includes a comprehensive suite of program management, engineering support, logistics coordination, technical documentation, operator training, and acceptance testing. Work will be led by American Rheinmetall in the United States with engineering and production support from Rheinmetall Canada, the original equipment manufacturer and technical partner.

Supporting Strategic U.S. Autonomy Initiatives

This effort aligns closely with American Rheinmetall’s strategy to expand U.S.-based autonomous ground vehicle capabilities and advance long-term technology transfer. It also supports the ongoing development of American Rheinmetall’s Maine facility as a future U.S. Advanced Land Autonomy Center of Excellence (ALACOE) focused on PATH integration, production, sustainment, and lifecycle support.

While this procurement does not immediately require facility expansion, it represents an important step toward future U.S. manufacturing, workforce growth, and long-term sustainment activities.

Strengthening Marine Corps Readiness and Modernization

The Mission Master SP systems will contribute to the Marine Corps’ efforts to enhance autonomous logistics, enable distributed operations, and extend operational reach while reducing personnel exposure to risk. The vehicles are designed to support emerging concepts related to expeditionary advanced base operations and multi-domain operations.

This effort builds on several major milestones, including:

•    More than four years of collaboration with the U.S. Marine Corps

•    Successful fielding of twelve Mission Master systems supporting Fleet Marine Force operations

•    Development and integration of the Marine Kit for amphibious tasks

•    Integration and fielding of the Fieldranger Remote Weapon Station

•    Ongoing expansion of PATH autonomous capability development

•    Future establishment of American Rheinmetall’s ALACOE initiative

This award reflects the deep collaboration between American Rheinmetall, Rheinmetall Canada, and the U.S. Marine Corps, and underscores the collective commitment to advancing autonomous ground technologies that empower Marines in the field. With the Mission Master SP, American Rheinmetall is poised to continue supporting the Corps’ modernization objectives with proven, mission?ready systems.

www.rheinmetall.com/americanrheinmetall