Unmanned Aerial System

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How Russia is using Iran's secretive Shahed 'kamikaze' drones against Ukraine

Putin has turned to Iranian Shahed-131/136 drones to target Ukraine’s population, including its civilians. AirForces Monthly unveils more on the secretive aircraft

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Humble beginnings: Rise of the quadcopter

Amid guided this and high-tech that, might the humble quadcopter be the real force multiplier on the battlefield?

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Uncrewed acquisition: Demand surges for tactical UAVs

As militaries gain greater experience of the role that tactical uncrewed aerial vehicles can fulfil, the market for such platforms continues to develop and mature

BlueBird delivers 100 UAS to European customer

BlueBird Aero Systems has completed the delivery of 100 WanderB-VTOL unmanned aerial systems to an undisclosed European customer

Italian MQ-9A fleet to receive mid-life update

The Italian Air Force has partnered with the US government and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to provide a mid-life update for its fleet of MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft and associated ground control stations

IAI expands unmanned aerial systems service network

Israel Aerospace Industries has signed a $200m contract to provide unmanned aerial systems services, based around the company’s Heron UAV, to a country in the Asia-Pacific region

Germany approves funding for additional Heron 1 UAV in Mali

The German government has approved the release of funding to lease an additional Heron 1 UAV to aid UN operations in Mali, bringing the in-country total to four, as well as securing the use of a third ground control station

Growler goes autonomous

Boeing and the US Navy have successfully flown a pair of EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft autonomously.

Leonardo invests in Skydweller UAS

Leonardo has announced it has invested in US/Spanish start-up company Skydweller Aero, to develop a new generation of large solar-powered unmanned aerial systems (UAS), capable of perpetual flight and carrying heavy payloads.

VSR700 prototype takes flight in France

Airbus Helicopters' VSR700 unmanned aerial system (UAS) successfully completed its first flight on November 8.