XTEND C2 integration expands Skunk Works MDCX capabilities One operator could soon command a mixed fleet of drones from a single console, a shift that could redefine how missions are planned and executed. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has integrated XTEND’s drone command-and-control software into the MDCX autonomy platform, creating a unified control spine that keeps...

Defense planners are turning to Drone as a Service (DaaS) as a way to field air operations without the expense of a traditional drone fleet. DaaS bundles pilots, data processing, and secure analytics into a single, on-demand package, letting mission planners scale quickly from reconnaissance to complex ISR tasks. Recent Trends BVLOS rulemaking accelerates commercial...

Autonomous Defense Drones Expand: VisionWave’s Solar Drone Acquisition A wind of change is blowing through defense tech: multi-domain autonomy is moving from concept to fielded reality. VisionWave Holdings, Inc., a company building next-generation autonomous robotics, announced the acquisition of Solar Drone Ltd., a developer of AI-powered aerial platforms designed for persistent, large-area missions. The deal...

On today’s crowded battlefields, the speed of drone-enabled operations is reshaping how missions are planned and executed. A new collaboration between Lockheed Martin and XTEND aims to weave drone control into a single, secure command layer for military missions. The goal is a seamless interface that reduces latency, shortens decision cycles, and lightens the load...

Autonomous Systems Degree A new path for engineers is taking shape in Britain as NMITE partners with the UK Armed Forces to create an undergraduate program in Autonomous Systems. The plan centers on a three-year course that will culminate in a Master of Engineering (MEng) with a focus on drone technologies and their diverse applications....

Drone innovation is moving from hobby labs into board rooms and defense budgets. The next generation of operators, designers, and engineers will train for both battlefield and civilian missions. This shift underscores how quickly autonomous systems are crossing from niche tech into core national capabilities. Recent Trends Rising demand for defense-grade autonomous engineers More universities...

Anduril UK drones: a bold bet on Europe’s defense market Britain’s defense corridor is buzzing with a provocative idea: can a private contractor shoulder part of the cost for a next‑generation uncrewed aircraft in exchange for a fast-tracked, large-scale program? The question sits at the intersection of rising defense budgets, private capital in militaries, and...

On a windswept afternoon in 1954, a British field marshal warned that the future battlefield would be defined by machines that fly themselves. Recent Trends autonomous drone missions AI-enabled flight decisions multi-domain deterrence early warning networks Bernard Montgomery, then DSACEUR, addressed the Royal United Services Institute and argued that airpower would dominate, that large surface...

Arctic security is quietly shifting gears as Nordic neighbors deepen defense collaboration. Iceland is weighing a potential entry into a shared drone procurement program, a move that could reshape how the region develops unmanned aviation for defense and, potentially, civilian use. The government’s stance comes as Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway have already moved toward...

A wave of drone incursions near Belgian airports has pushed the country to accelerate counter drone defenses, signaling a broader shift in European security posture. Recent Trends Surge in counter-drone procurement across Europe More use of handheld jammers and surveillance radars NATO field trials on scalable defense kits The push centers on surveillance radars and...