It's been an excellent year for tech releases, with the arrival of everything from new TV panel developments, to groundbreaking drones, to awesome spatial audio speakers, to a new breed of AI-connected screenless fitness wearable.

It's also been a really difficult year in tech, though, due to the component crisis and rising prices across nearly all products. In the middle of that tension, it only makes sense for us to find out which companies navigated the challenges best by asking the community of tech lovers out there — and so here are the first TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards.

The results are in, so below we've listed the TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 winners winners in every category, all 100% voted by you!

Phones & tablets

Phone of the Year

Phone Brand of the Year

Phones Innovation of the Year

Best Value Phone

Best Mid-Range Phone

Best Folding Phone

Best Flip Phone

Best Camera Phone

Best Gaming Phone

Best AI Phone

Cameras & drones

Camera of the Year

Camera Brand of the Year

Camera Innovation of the Year

Best Beginner Camera

Best Mid-range camera

Best Professional Camera

Best Compact and Instant Camera

Best Action and Vlogging Camera

Best Camera Lens

Best camera accessory

Best drone

Computing

Computing Brand of the Year

Best Computing Innovation

Best Value Laptop

Best AI Laptop

Best Gaming Laptop

Best PC Gaming Handheld

Best Gaming Keyboard

Best Gaming Monitor

Best Gaming Mouse

Gaming

Gaming Device of the Year

Gaming Brand of the Year

Gaming Innovation of the Year

Best Console Accessory

Best Gaming Service

Best Gaming Controller

Best Gaming Headset

Best Gaming Chair

TV & home theater

TV of the year

Home Entertainment Brand of the Year

Home Entertainment Innovation of the Year

Best Gaming TV

Best TV for Sound

Best OLED TV

Best mini-LED TV

Best Value TV

Best Projector

Best Soundbar

Best Wireless Home Theater Speakers

Streaming

Streaming Service of the Year

Best Streaming Service for Movies

Best Streaming Service for Documentaries

Best Streaming Service for TV Series

Best Free Streaming Service of the Year

Audio

Headphones of the Year

Audio Brand of the Year

Audio Innovation of the Year

Best Wireless Headphones

Best Wireless Earbuds

Best Open Earbuds

Best Value Headphones

Best Value Earbuds

Best Value Open Earbuds

Best Wired Headphones

Best Wired Earbuds

Best Bluetooth Speaker

Best Wireless Speaker

Best Portable Audio Player

Best Turntable

Best DAC

Best Stereo Speakers

Health & Fitness tech

Health and Fitness Device of the Year

Health & Fitness Brand of the Year

Health and Fitness Innovation of the Year

Best Smartwatch

Best Running Watch

Best Fitness Tracker

Best Smart Ring

Best Electric Toothbrush

Best Connected Fitness Tech

Home tech

Home Device of the Year

Home Tech Brand of the Year

Home Tech Innovation of the Year

Best Home Light Tech

Best Home Security Device

Best Robot Vacuum

Best Vacuum

Best Air Fryer

Best Coffee Machine

Best Value Coffee Machine

Best Fan

• Mesh networking chips from Shenzhen Xingkai Technology have been found to be installed in Russian drones in Ukraine
• The discovery was made after a Gerbera was downed during a recent attack on Ukrainian targets
• The discovery was made after a Gerbera was downed during a recent attack on Ukrainian targets

Russian drones are using Chinese mesh networking technology to communicate over Ukraine, a new investigation has claimed.

Technology recently retrieved from a downed Gerbera drone in Ukraine kicked off research into the hardware, but it remains unclear whether Shenzhen Xinghai Technology was aware of the destination of its mesh networking hardware.

Although traces of the mesh modems were found in drones as far back as 2024, it is thought Russia embraced mesh technology following the blocking of its access to Starlink in February 2026.

The path to Shenzhen

Embedding superior networking technology in its drones gives Russia an advantage, and according to the CIA, Gerberas could be used to attack Europe.

Following an earlier investigation in which it found that an order had been placed for 30 mesh modems to be shipped from Shenzhen Xingkai to Vladivostok in Russia, The Insider opened another probe. This one centered on a mesh modem found in a Gerbera drone also equipped with a vertical stabilizer.

Working with independent investigators Nordsint, whose investigator posted as a Russian military supply chain business, it was established that Xingkai Tech was both supplier and sole manufacturer of the hardware.

The mesh modems were being shipped directly to Russian military suppliers in Alabuga for assembly with the Gerbera drones.

The Insider’s report also highlighted the use of AMD FPGA (field-programmable gate array) chips within Shenzhen Xingkai Technology’s hardware. AMD told the publication:

“Xingkai Technology is not an AMD customer or authorized partner, and AMD has not sold products to the company. AMD complies with all applicable U.S. export control and sanctions laws and strictly prohibits the export or reexport of AMD products to Russia in violation of those requirements.”

Growing Russian reach

The discovery that Russia is employing mesh networking to direct its drones has raised further concern about the scale of its operations. With the technology to hold its UAV fleets in formation using mesh networking, Russia has the capability to direct its craft against targets further afield.

Spain’s El Mundo newspaper reported earlier in 2026 that US intelligence has informed European governments that Russia could launch drone strikes on any Mediterranean country. A Lithuanian government official was quoted on condition of anonymity, stating "They will use drones launched from the sea, hidden in the container of a ship; it is not difficult at all."

The feasibility of the risk of attack pivots on the Kremlin leveraging its “shadow fleet” of seagoing vessels. Consequently, the discovery of mesh technology in the Gerbera drones makes the risk of attack seem more likely – should Russia wish to extend itself and its military resources further.

• Laser-based technology is being trialed in the US to remotely charge UAV batteries while the craft are in flight
• The “power beaming” technology from PowerLight Technologies is known as Aerial ReCharge (ARC)
• ARC can recharge UAVs remotely as well as their payloads, where appropriate

The United States Department of War’s (DOW) Operational Energy - Innovation (OE-I) Directorate has awarded a contract for the development of a laser-based remote recharging system for drones.

Known as the Aerial ReCharge (ARC) system, it uses directed lasers to recharge an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or a payload, and can be used over long distance.

Described as “power beaming” the system relies on a wireless power beaming transmitter and a receiver on the UAV. With remote recharging capabilities, drones can be deployed and retain use of the same battery without landing and recovery, which saves time -- and potentially even lives.

Power beaming over distance

The notion of transmitting energy from one point to another has been a staple of science fiction for decades.

With advances in laser technology, it appears to be making headway, with PowerLight’s system relying on a power beaming transmitter that directs lasers to a drone-mounted receiver. This in turn charges the UAV’s battery, and can also be used to charge a payload the drone may be carrying.

It uses optical power beaming, which while delivering the same outcome (a charged device) is very different to the electromagnetic induction used on wireless phone chargers. Crucially, it can charge UAVs while they (and it) are in motion.

“Power beaming means more time on mission and less time on the ground, ” said OE-I Combat Power Portfolio Lead Chris DePuma. “By enabling autonomous, in-flight recharging, the Aerial ReCharge system reduces the need to land and swap batteries, extending mission endurance and reducing risk in contested environments.”

Autonomous ARC transmitter

Like the UAV it powers, the ARC transmitter unit is autonomous, and can follow the drone, providing recharge while the UAV is in flight.

Demonstration of the technology has been released by PowerLight, which saw a Kraus Hamdani Aerospace K1000ULE (pictured) taking to the skies equipped with a power beaming receiver.

“This new DOW award reflects confidence in where wireless power beaming is today and in the operators who are shaping it,” said Tim Jenks, the CEO of PowerLight. “Power beaming applies well beyond a single domain, from ground-to-ground, ground-to-air, air-to-air, and space-to-space, and that is the opportunity ahead.”

Development of the technology is taking place at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, and PowerLight has designed it to be usable with various drone classes. This includes Group 2 fixed-wing platforms and larger aircraft with heavier sensor or effects payloads.

• Russia has updated the concept of barrage balloons to defend oil refineries
• Barrage balloons were first deployed over 100 years ago to defend against air raids
• It is not clear what the measures are defending against, as they only appear suitable for disabling smaller drones

Russia has deployed barrage balloons around its oil refineries to defend against Ukraine drone attacks – but the demonstration using a small drone has raised questions about the effectiveness of the measure.

Protecting oil refineries from drone strikes is key to Russia’s economic strength and supports its efforts in the invasion and occupation of Ukraine. But while the barrage balloons employ intriguing radar-based altitude-adjusting motors to ensure drones are slowed or caught, the deployment seems unsuited to the drones Ukraine would actually send for such a strike.

Sharing the information via Telegram, the Vesti news organization has reported on the deployment of the modern barrage balloons. But the report has a sense of propaganda, rather than portraying a competent military defense strategy.

Oil refinery targets

Russia’s defense of its oil refineries from Ukrainian drone strikes has so far relied on balloon-attached nets, which are designed to create a barrier. The problem with that solution is that drones can just fly over the net.

So, its latest solution is a series of cables, elevated by barrage balloons, and a system of motors that adjusts the height of the balloons and the cables. This is controlled by a system that uses radar information to detect the height of the incoming drone strike. So far so good – it seems like a sound deployment

But is it successful? To date, the strategy hasn’t been tested. Demonstrations, such as the one shared on Telegram, indicate that smaller unmanned aerial vehicles might run into trouble. However, the demo uses a smaller craft, and it isn’t unreasonable to foresee Ukraine mounting its drones’ wings with blades to cut through the cables...

V1s and UAVs

The original deployment of barrage balloons occurred towards the end of the First World War, when Britain and Germany both employed the countermeasure. Their targets were early aircraft engaging in bombing raids, and the use of balloons was successful enough to be repeated by Britain again in the 1940s to defend against V1 rockets.

Launched from Nazi Germany’s territory, the V1s were essentially single-use drones, rockets deployed with enough fuel to reach the target. But in the 1940s, the use of barrage balloons took out around 200 V1s as they descended onto their targets, but were ineffective against high altitude bombers.

The deployment of barrage balloons by Russia in an attempt to defend its oil refineries appears almost ingenious. But a few moments of analysis indicate the unsuitability of the countermeasure for drones and UAVs, leaving us to suspect that this could merely be some elaborate propaganda.

• The US exported 7,592 military drones, narrowly ahead of Iran's 6,800
• Iran overtook America in 2025 after US deliveries dropped to 402
• Russia received 99% of Iran's exported drones, mostly Shahed-136 attack systems

The United States exported the most military drones between 2022 and 2025, narrowly beating Iran, which ranked second worldwide during the period.

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) records 7,592 American exports against 6,800 Iranian deliveries, while Germany ranked a distant third with 1,000 exports.

Together, the US and Iran accounted for 86% of global exports, with Ukraine receiving 95% of American shipments while Russia got 99% of Iran’s deliveries, most of which were Shahed-136 one-way attack drones.

Iran overtakes the US as exports shift

Although Washington maintained the lead across most of the period, annual figures changed significantly in 2025, when Iranian deliveries exceeded American shipments.

Iran exported 2,002 drones that year, compared with 402 delivered by the United States.

The decline of American shipments is due to the suspension of military assistance to Ukraine, which had received most US exports during the preceding years.

Subsequent American deliveries were directed mainly toward Taiwan, marking a change in the destinations receiving these systems.

The figures cover military drones weighing at least 150 kilograms, equivalent to approximately 331 pounds, including loitering munitions and one-way attack aircraft.

Small first-person-view drones and commercial models were excluded, meaning the figures do not capture every type of unmanned aircraft supplied internationally.

One-way attack platforms accounted for 97% of recorded exports, indicating that expendable systems dominated the shipments measured by SIPRI during the period.

Their prevalence also explains why the figures should not be interpreted as a comprehensive count of military drones worldwide.

Poland and others trail the leading exporters

In addition to the top exporters, within the same period, Poland exported 690 drones to take fourth place while Turkey occupied fifth place with 381 exports, despite supplying customers across a considerably wider international network.

Ankara delivered drones to 28 countries, including Pakistan, Kuwait and Romania, which belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Its Bayraktar TB2 accounted for 58% of worldwide exports of reusable drones, distinguishing Turkey’s position within that category.

The Czech Republic, Sweden and the next seven countries in the rankings collectively exported just 89 drones, considerably fewer than Germany or Poland.

Their combined deliveries also fell far below Turkey’s total, despite the latter ranking behind both European countries in overall export numbers.

The figures therefore distinguish the country’s leading total military drone shipments from those supplying particular categories of aircraft.

However, SIPRI’s weight threshold and exclusion of smaller commercial and first-person-view models limit comparisons with estimates covering the entire unmanned aircraft market.

Via The Drone Front

• US Army awarded $4.15 billion in counter-drone contracts to 10 companies
• Seven of the ten winners each received a $500 million base award
• The framework carries a maximum ceiling of $7 billion across all awards

The US Army has awarded contracts worth $4.15 billion to 10 companies developing technologies against cheap drones threatening military installations and critical infrastructure across the country.

The awards fall under Domestic Shield, a Department of Defense initiative intended to strengthen protection against unmanned aircraft without restricting procurement to individual suppliers.

Seven companies will receive $500 million each, while three others secured smaller awards, establishing a multi-vendor arrangement with a maximum value of $7 billion.

Ten suppliers share billions in counter-drone contracts

Allen Control Systems, Digital Force Technologies, DroneShield, L3Harris WESCAM, Napatree Technology, RADA Technologies and SRC each received contracts with $500 million base values under the initiative.

Echodyne and PVP Advanced EO Systems secured awards worth $250 million apiece, while Smart Shooter received a contract valued at $150 million.

The contracts allow military services, federal agencies and allied partners to obtain commercially available counter-drone equipment through a common procurement framework rather than relying on separate purchasing arrangements.

Officials expect further awards below the established contract threshold before the end of October 2026, keeping additional suppliers eligible to participate as procurement continues.

The Army is working with Joint Interagency Task Force 401, the Pentagon unit responsible for coordinating efforts against unmanned aerial threats, to administer the initiative.

The arrangement uses multiple suppliers to maintain competition and reduce dependence on technologies controlled by individual vendors.

Open architecture allows different counter-drone systems to work together

The contracted technologies include robotic weapon stations, optical rifle sights, compact radars, long-range tracking cameras, and command-and-control software.

These systems handle different tasks, including detecting aerial threats, tracking their movements and supporting responses, making coordination between equipment an important consideration.

To support that coordination, the Army is requiring open architecture standards that allow equipment from different suppliers to connect with existing defense networks.

“This multi-vendor marketplace enforces strict open architecture standards, breaking proprietary vendor lock, and ensuring new technologies can immediately integrate into our existing defense networks,” said Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.

The need for these systems became more apparent during the 2026 US–Iran war, when Iranian drone attacks damaged American military facilities and equipment across the Middle East.

On March 3 2026, two Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing physical damage estimated at approximately $11.5 million.

Iranian drones also struck a fuel tank and damaged a US Army asset in Kuwait, while attacks against power stations and desalination plants continued after the ceasefire.

In Saudi Arabia, Iranian drones struck a CIA station in Riyadh, while attacks within a week left 29 American servicemen wounded.

Congressional Research Service estimated that 81 American aircraft and drones were destroyed or damaged during the conflict, with potential losses reaching $3.3 billion.

Iran carried out many of these attacks with swarms of cheap drones and bombs, necessitating affordable counter-drone systems that can intercept incoming threats without exhausting expensive military assets.

Via The Drone Front

Thinking of buying a drone? It can be tricky to know where to invest your money, and it's worth doing your research before you commit. Our product testers try out every major release, and in this roundup I've gathered together all our reviews from the start of 2025 onward. Tap the View Details button to see a summary of exactly what we thought of each one, plus a link to read each full, in-depth review.

It might not come as a surprise that DJI is particularly well represented — every 5-star drone of the past 20 or so months is a DJI model. The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a compact drone that's beginner-friendly yet boasts features more in line with far pricier models (including "class-leading video quality"). It's no surprise this model takes the #1 spot in our general best drone ranking.

We also loved the DJI Avata 360, calling it "wonderfully versatile and surprisingly affordable", and dubbing it "the 360 drone to beat". Professional users, meanwhile, will struggle to find fault with the stunning DJI Mavic 4 Pro.

Other drone brands are of course available, and price-conscious shoppers should take a look at the Potensic Atom 3 — this compact drone delivers an excellent feature set for a very affordable cost, and proves it's not all about DJI. (Although in the UK it does face stiff competition from the fantastic DJI Lito X1.)

Scroll down for a full roundup of the new drones we've put through their paces in recent months, and to find out exactly what we thought of them. Note: you'll only be able to see product cards for the drones that are available to buy in your region.

Flying high

The robots are among us. They’re carrying passengers through the streets of San Francisco, delivering parcels over the air, and working their way across farms, factories, mines, and industrial sites.

The collision we’re now witnessing between artificial intelligence and the physical world is often described as “Physical AI” – machines capable of perceiving their surroundings, making decisions, and taking action among us in the real world. But every new machine that clocks in has a second job we rarely see. It creates data. Lots of it.

In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration expects the commercial drone fleet to grow from approximately 966,000 aircraft at the end of 2024 to around 1.18 million by 2029. And in factories around the world, there was an estimated 4.66 million industrial robots working in 2024, while another half a million were installed during the year – more than twice the number installed a decade earlier.

Today’s autonomous machines are vastly more capable, but moving all that accumulated experience off them can still be surprisingly manual. In 2026, the fastest way to move masses of data off a machine is still a person carrying a hard drive. And as autonomous machines spread further into our cities and industries, keeping that information moving could become one of the defining infrastructure challenges of the robotics age.

Data runs both ways

Imagine what an autonomous vehicle experiences. Cameras watch the roads from multiple angles, sensors and AI measure and make sense of the surrounding environment, while on-board systems track position and performance of the vehicle itself. Decisions are made and recorded in real-time as pedestrians cross roads, traffic lights change, and thousands of other vehicles and connected technologies move and exchange data around it.

Delivery drones, agricultural machinery, warehouse robots, and autonomous industrial equipment may operate in different environments, but the logic tracks. Every journey or task leaves behind a digital trail of sensor readings, video, telemetry, diagnostics, and operational logs.

And the information doesn’t travel in only one direction. These machines may also need fresh maps, software updates, configurations, AI models, and instructions from the computing infrastructure behind them. What they experience in the physical world flows back toward data centers, while the intelligence needed for their next task travels outward.

Multiply that exchange across millions of machines and an interesting new layer of internet traffic begins to emerge that we’re only just beginning to think about.

The direction of travel was visible as early as 2019, when a landmark university paper on 6G identified mobile robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles would drive demand for ubiquitous wireless intelligence – its vision for the 6G era included networks capable of supporting a 10,000-fold increase in traffic. The US commercial drone fleet alone is now heading toward seven figures, while industrial robots already number in the millions globally.

Perhaps most notable to casual observers, autonomous vehicles are becoming far more prevalent on the streets of our capitals and major cities. In June of this year, machines surpassed 57% of web traffic globally – the first time that bots have outnumbered humans – and they use networks in a very different way. Cloudflare predicts that non-human traffic could eventually surpass human traffic by a factor 1,000 within the next five years.

And a lesson learned by one machine needn’t remain with that machine. There’s an opportunity here that only connectivity can unlock. Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics 1.5 showed skills transferring “zero-shot” between physically different robots – a task taught using a two-armed Franka robot was executed by a humanoid, without any data collected on the target machine.

Sit with that implication. A person who masters a technique carries that knowledge around in their head, and when they retire, much of that experience leaves with them. A robot can potentially hand what it has learned to every other robot on the network, which means experience stops being “local” and starts becoming a shared asset across the network, compounding intelligence for the company’s moat.

The physical footprint of robots is spreading outward, but the data traffic they create remains concentrated at central locations. AI may increasingly have wheels, wings, and arms, but their intelligence and interactivity with the world remain still wholly dependent on their relationship with the nearest data center hub, and that’s a problem we now have to solve.

What’s the hold up?

When a robot arrives back at the depot and “clocks out” for a while, it presents an ideal opportunity to recharge, undergo inspection, run self-diagnostics, download updates, and get the data it needs for its next shift. This is when potentially enormous volumes of data, depending on the fleet size, need to be moved both to and from the device.

Sites that house, charge, or service machinery can therefore find themselves functioning as miniature data hubs, dealing with bursts of traffic as machines arrive and depart. And as fleets grow, so does the strain on the network connecting all these hubs. When uploading and downloading take longer than charging or maintenance, the network becomes the operational bottleneck to scale.

A new layer of connectivity

A wired network simply can’t evolve at the same speed as the mobile economy. A fleet operator might need to open a new depot in another city, place drone nests closer to customers, or connect autonomous equipment at temporary industrial sites. Extending fiber to each location would involve trenching, permitting which are often cost and time intensive.

Wireless connectivity offers a faster and more flexible approach. Links can be installed without digging or waiting for permits, allowing operators to connect new sites quickly. Links can also be redeployed or expanded as fleets grow as their physical footprint expands dynamically.

Wireless optical communication (WOC) could provide that high-capacity bridge. Using narrow beams of light, it carries fiber-like capacity through the air between two points with a clear line of sight, up to 20 Gbps across distances of up to 20 kilometers. It can be installed on existing radio masts or buildings in a matter of hours.

For autonomous fleets, that creates a way to rapidly offload telemetry and operational data, upload new maps and models, and return high-value assets to work instead of leaving them waiting at the depot.

WOC isn’t magic though. Optical links still need line of sight, and heavy fog and rain can degrade their connectivity. That’s why serious deployments pair them with an RF path and engineer them for availability rather than simply assuming it. It won’t replace fiber, but it will extend fiber’s reach to the places fiber can’t go, and it’s getting smaller, faster, and more affordable as the technology moves from mechanical to solid-state beam steering with silicon photonics. Light is the answer.

The arrival of electric vehicles taught us to look beyond the machine and consider the infrastructure behind it. Autonomous machines will require us to do the same again, but this time what needs to be replenished isn’t just the machine’s battery – it’s the machine's experience, and from it, the shared intelligence of the entire fleet.

Robots are becoming extraordinarily good at navigating the physical world. We shouldn’t leave the final mile of their learning journey to someone carrying a hard drive across a parking lot.

We've featured the best AI chatbot for business.

This article was produced as part of TechRadar Pro Perspectives, our channel to feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today.

The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/pro/perspectives-how-to-submit

• US soldiers in Germany built and flew an armed drone without contractors
• The live strike took less than five minutes from launch to impact
• Officers say the 3D-printed casing can carry almost two pounds of explosives

The US Army has tested an attack drone assembled and operated by soldiers, marking an unusual step toward independently produced battlefield systems.

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducted the live-fire exercise on September 30 2026, at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany.

It used an Orqa MRM2-10 aircraft carrying a custom 3D-printed explosive container that soldiers designed and prepared themselves.

Soldiers build and operate the strike system

According to unit company commander Capt. Michael Bapp, the exercise followed more than two years of development.

The soldiers assembled the aircraft from manufacturer-provided components before adding an electronic safety mechanism and their printed explosive housing.

The regiment named the device “Dragoon bomb” after its nickname, with the container capable of carrying nearly two pounds of explosives.

This weapon can reportedly strike from over three miles away under guidance from experts from the military.

An additional receiver could extend the stated operating distance beyond 12 miles, though battlefield performance remains dependent on conditions.

“If we hit the right spot on the vehicle, we’d be able to get a 100% kill as well,” said 1st Lt. Eugene Lee, reconnaissance platoon leader.

“We can modify the Dragoon bomb, make it into a shape charge, which would be very effective in destroying smaller tanks.”

For the live-fire event, soldiers loaded 250 grams of C-4 alongside M6 low-voltage blasting caps.

The casing can also accommodate different configurations, including ball bearings arrangement for specific battlefield applications.

“This is a conventional Army first, potentially an Army-wide first as far as a live, kinetic drone strike conducted without any contractor support,” said Capt. Bapp.

Staff Sgt. Angel Caliz flew the explosive-carrying aircraft more than one mile before reaching the designated target during the exercise.

The flight from launch to impact required less than five minutes, while another drone transmitted the strike to soldiers watching nearby.

Army drone push builds on Ukraine lessons and in-house assembly

These efforts follow the conflict in Ukraine, where cheap commercial drones, widely available since the start of the war in 2022, have been changing the dynamics of the war.

Drone warfare has since spread to Middle Eastern conflicts, where Iran recorded some devastating wins against the U.S. using cheap drones.

The US Army has begun pursuing in-house production and repair capacity of its own after watching how the war unfolded in Ukraine.

It now operates a three-week course in additive manufacturing and piloting, while the Marine Corps and Navy pursue their own drone fabrication projects.

The Army's experiment therefore combines commercially sourced aircraft components with locally produced additions and soldier-level assembly.

Col. Timothy Price said the exercise showed how existing equipment could be adapted while soldiers develop capabilities without relying entirely on external support.

Army officials said its system could eventually give smaller formations access to precision weapons beyond the reach of conventional equipment.

The US Army even compared the potential of this device with the AT4, which soldiers commonly use against armored threats at relatively short engagement distances.

The unit's account suggests squads could gain precision strike options cheaply, though one success says little about performance against moving or defended threats.

Via Stars and Stripes

• DoorDash has unveiled the drone it's testing with deliveries
• An average delivery time of under five minutes is promised
• The drones will be tested in a limited trial in North California

The future of doorstep delivery is drones apparently (well, drones and robots): DoorDash has unveiled a new drone ready to get food to you in under five minutes on average, even as Amazon faces a growing number of complaints over its own drone delivery service.

DoorDash has been planning drone deliveries for a while, calling the scheme DoorDash Air, and we've now been given a look at the six-propeller aircraft that'll be doing the delivering. A trial is planned for Northern California, in partnership with restaurant brands including Chipotle and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.

A lot of work has gone into the pick-up and drop-off infrastructure and ordering system, DoorDash says, as well as the drone itself. The company estimates that around 80% of customer orders are light enough to transport by drone, and initial tests suggest orders can be delivered in less than five minutes on average.

Reaction online hasn't been overwhelmingly positive though. "Wait until the birds learn there’s food in those boxes," writes one Redditor, while others express concerns about bad weather, cold food, and packages accidentally being dropped from the skies.

Noise complaints

"Any local business should be able to reach consumers by air," says DoorDash Air chief Harrison Shih. "We built the whole system so that they can deliver by air without being disruptive to how they run their business."

The drones won't land when they deliver — they'll lower their cargo in front of your door or in your backyard and then zoom away again. According to DoorDash, failsafes will be built in so the drones can safely land in emergencies, and their cruising noise will be comparable to a passing car "at delivery height".

That noise element might be crucial to the scheme's success. As TechSpot reports, residents in Richardson, Texas are none too pleased about the constant buzzing being created by Amazon drones, which launched Prime Air in the area last December. The sound has been compared to that of a flying lawnmower.

Dozens of drones can pass overhead each day, residents say. The Prime Air aircraft are allowed to fly between the hours of 7am and 8pm, and Amazon says noise complaints have been a small share of customer feedback.

• A study carried out by researchers in France looked at drone delivery for defibrillators
• It found that wait times could be cut by 3.76 minutes on average
• Provision of more fixed defibrillators and better placement of the devices is important too

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are currently survived by fewer than 1 in 10 people, but researchers in France have explored a new defibrillator delivery method that could help push these figures in the right direction: delivery by drone.

In an analysis carried out by Lariboisière Hospital emergency physician Hillary Minka and her colleagues, drone delivery capabilities were added to the current network of fixed automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in areas surrounding Paris.

Using drones could cut delivery times by an average of 3.76 minutes, the simulations showed, with 95% of cardiac arrest patients reached within five minutes, compared to the current 30-40% figure when relying on foot and road transport of the devices.

However, the researchers emphasize that the provision of more AEDs should be a priority too, not just the use of drones to deliver them, and say locating more AEDs in places that are publicly accessible, rather than in private spaces, will also help. Together, they say these measures could increase the five-minute coverage rate to 99.4%.

Real-world testing is next

"Drones will never replace bystanders, resuscitation efforts or emergency medical teams," says Minka. "However, they could represent an additional link in the chain of survival and help make defibrillation available more quickly."

The researchers' work also showed the importance of the geographical distribution of AEDs. Better placement reduces the need for additional units, given the drone range of around 3,900 meters (12,.795 feet).

Next, the researchers want to set up real-world trials. This new study was based on simulations and modeling — no actual drones were flown — and so it doesn't take into account any day-to-day variables, such as weather conditions.

The study hasn't yet been peer-reviewed, but it has been presented at the European Emergency Medicine Congress 2026 in Paris. Defibrillators are already delivered by drone in some parts of Sweden, and it may not be too long before other countries follow its lead.

• Over 1,000 small drones are being added to the British Army’s modernized battlefield surveillance kit
• 245 FOXE-NATO drones from Evolve Dynamics in Hampshire, England, have been ordered by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), with a further 670 built by California-based Skydio
• A further £400 million investment in “long-endurance surveillance drones” has also been announced

The British government has announced spending on over 1,000 small surveillance drones for the British Army, as part of its Defence Investment Plan. This includes compact, lightweight devices assembled at UK-based Evolve Dynamics, designed for fast deployment.

Announcing the spending plans and investment, the UK’s Ministry of Defence has emphasized the use of what it terms Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) drones as a step forward in detecting emerging threats.

In addition, a huge £400 million is being invested in replacing the Watchkeeper Uncrewed Air System. This unmanned drone surveillance program has been in operation since 2014, and is being retired in 2027.

UK companies handling delivery

In total, 1,025 smaller drones are being procured in the £16 million deal, which involves deals with a trio of UK-based companies. Among these small and medium sized companies is Evolve Dynamics, a Hampshire-based company which is supplying the army with 245 FOXE-NATO drones. Weighing under 250g and equipped with infrared cameras for nighttime use, the FOXE-NATO drones are also designed for quick deployment from a backpack or pouch.

Meanwhile, Marlborough Communications Limited, in Surrey, England, is supplying the MoD with 670 Skydio X10 INTL drones, also capable of a fast deployment and speeds of up to 45 mpg. Skydio is a California-based company.

Finally, Exeter-based Brigantes Consulting and and Harmattan AI are delivering 110 SONORA drones. These are training devices, to prepare soldiers for using field-ready drones.

“Our soldiers deserve the best technology, and that’s what we’re delivering,” said Luke Pollard MP, the UK’s Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry.

“From small drones giving troops eyes on the enemy, to the AR5 offering commanders better intelligence over the battlefield, we’re transforming the Army’s ability to see, understand and act first.”

“This is defence procurement that backs British industry, creates skilled jobs and keeps our Armed Forces ahead of our adversaries.”

Long-endurance

Joining the smaller surveillance and training drone expenditure, the MoD has announced a £400 million spend on a fleet of Tekever AR5 surveillance drones (initially six, rising to 24 by 2029), designed and built for endurance. These craft have already seen action in Ukraine.

“We are proud to be delivering the AR5 to the British Army at this critical moment for national security,” said Tekever UK’s Managing Director Karl Brew. “This investment allows us to grow our UK operations, create hundreds of skilled jobs and bring cutting-edge surveillance technology, proven on the battlefield in Ukraine, into service with British forces.”

These units, capable of carrying up to 50kg of cameras and sensors, are being assembled at Swindon, UK, and the contract is expected to create 1,000 jobs at sites around the UK, including sites in the South West, Edinburgh, and London.

• Scaleout's onboard AI let a BAE Systems ALMA drone rank, select, and strike an armored engineering vehicle in a January 2026 demo
• Humans set the mission, started the system, and kept a pilot in reserve, but did not ultimately use them during the test
• The test underscores how small AI models can essentially take over not only the target-selection part of the equation, but also perform the actual mission end-to-end without human intervention needed

A small drone flying over a snow-covered Swedish test range in January 2026 found several objects, ranked an armored engineering vehicle as the most valuable, and made a beeline for it, successfully targeting it; Uppsala-based Scaleout Systems told TechRadar Pro that no actual explosives were used during testing.

The process involved no human input, though a pilot remained on standby to monitor the process; the drone handled selection, targeting, and neutralization, making it far more autonomous than current battlefield systems.

The flight, part of BAE Systems Bofors' Affordable Loitering Modular Ammunition (ALMA) program with onboard AI supplied by Scaleout Systems, resurfaced this month as AI safety became a key topic among industry and government stakeholders alike.

A growing threat and capability for modern militaries

Scaleout Systems tested the AI in question with a pilot on standby and a continuous connection throughout the exercise, during which the drone used AI to detect, identify, and geolocate potential threats.

Depending on how you frame it, you can argue that this is both a threat to modern militaries and a boon: an autonomous drone that can select targets without oversight or a backlink is essentially immune to jamming, offering a much higher likelihood of completing its mission than alternatives.

At the same time, it becomes riskier when it is completely cut off from communications, malfunctions, or fails to select the correct target without human oversight.

Interestingly, BAE Systems Bofors' own release on Winter Demo 2026 does not mention the strike at all. It frames the three-day Karlskoga event around roughly 20 startups and technology companies, with Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson joining a panel and saying, "We need more actors and entrepreneurs in the defense industry."

The test, despite lacking human interaction in its end-game, still relied on human input to some degree: a user pushed a button to start the exercise, and humans set the parameters overseeing the entire exercise.

This isn't the first machine to choose its own target, however; Israel's Harpy loitering munition, fielded since the 1990s, can autonomously detect and attack radar emitters whose locations were unknown at launch.

This is awkward timing for regulators, to say the least: on September 5, the 128 states party to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons agreed on a non-binding text on lethal autonomous weapons, after the United States and Russia pushed late changes, including to a section on human judgment and control.

As a result, Nicole van Rooijen of Stop Killer Robots told Reuters that three years of work had been "substantially diluted in the last hours." For now, Scaleout has shown that detection, ranking, and targeting can run on a small airframe without a data link, within parameters that people set.

Whether this makes it to a modern battlefield is increasingly likely, even as the Russia-Ukraine conflict becomes more reliant on autonomous machines. The more pressing question is one that will be answered sooner or later: how does such a drone make decisions if it is jammed from its source without any human oversight?

Drone technology has rapidly advanced in the last five years. They are recording sports events, helping to track the movements of wildfires, and even delivering McDonalds. But their rise has a far more sinister side.

As the war in Ukraine has demonstrated on sea, land, and in the air, their capacity as warfighting tools is evolving, with high-precision first-person view (FPV) drones being used for targeted strikes in warzones around the world.

But the drone industry relies heavily on Chinese hardware - with China's DJI commanding an 80% global market share - and with that comes the risk of supply chains being cut, costs increasing, or malicious software being secretly installed.

How drone tariffs address supply chain risk

In an attempt to address these risks, President Trump has recently introduced sweeping tariffs on drones and drone components in an attempt to bolster domestic production and reduce the risk of supply chain disruptions.

Drones over 25 kilograms or with thermal imaging capabilities now face a 100% tariff, while those smaller in size without “certain capabilities that particularly implicate national security” face a 25% tariff. The 25% tariff also applies to drone components.

But Trump - not wanting to strain relations with allies further than they already are - has applied a 15% tariff for drones and components from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The United Kingdom has also received a much more lenient tariff of just 10%.

But the question remains on how drone manufacturers in the US will adapt to increased import costs and how the tariffs will affect manufacturing while addressing the growing demand for drones from civilian, law enforcement, and military markets.

Latronix provides compute, System-on-Module platforms, and flight-ready reference designs for drones and Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles (UAVs). I spoke to Latronix CEO Saleel Awsare to understand the challenges facing domestic component suppliers and how the tariffs will affect competition at home and abroad.

• As soon as I heard of Trump’s new tariffs on foreign-made drone parts, I immediately thought of the supply chain issues the US encountered after the tariffs imposed towards the start of 2025. How adaptable is the US drone supply chain to these new tariffs, and does the grace period provide enough time for adaptation?

The broader supply chain impact is that the market is being pushed toward more regionalized, transparent, and trusted sourcing rather than globally optimized sourcing based purely on cost. Drone manufacturers will have to look much more closely at where key components are designed, manufactured, assembled, and supported.

At Lantronix, we are well positioned because our System-on-Modules (SOMs) are dual-use platforms designed for a broad range of commercial and defense applications, helping ensure customers aren't exposed to unnecessary regulatory or supply-chain risk. Our SOMs are already production-ready embedded compute platforms, and our Drone Reference Platform is designed with NDAA and Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance in mind. With U.S. manufacturing options also coming online, we can give customers a path toward American-made SOM solutions without sacrificing the performance, software support, and scalability next-generation drone platforms require.

Lantronix is already positioned with compliant SOM and reference-platform solutions, but the grace period could still be challenging for customers because qualifying and designing a new compute platform into a production drone takes time, even when a compliant alternative is available today.

• What challenges and benefits do you see the US drone industry encountering as a result of these tariffs?

Challenges: The biggest short-term impact will hit the consumer and commercial drone market, where cost-sensitive products still rely heavily on foreign motors, electronic speed controllers, batteries, cameras and electronics. Tariffs could make affordable alternatives difficult to source until U.S. or allied suppliers scale. Defense suppliers should be better positioned because many already design around NDAA, Blue UAS and trusted-supply-chain requirements that are already in place.

Benefits: Longer term, the tariffs should accelerate a stronger U.S. and allied drone supply chain, with more focus on trusted sourcing, controlled bills of materials (BOMs) and domestic manufacturing. This creates an opportunity for Lantronix because our solutions already provide compliant, production-ready compute platforms with long lifecycle support and North American engineering.

• Do you see the lesser tariffs on US allies hindering or helping competition within the US drone industry, and are there key component industries (software or hardware) that will be affected to a greater extent?

The lower tariffs on U.S. allies should help the drone industry stay competitive while domestic capacity grows, giving manufacturers continued access to trusted suppliers in Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Europe and the UK.

Hardware will be affected far more than software, especially motors, batteries, ESCs, sensors and structural components where China has significant scale.

The tariffs should also accelerate investment in U.S. manufacturing and technologies like additive manufacturing. For Lantronix, this is favorable because we can provide trusted, compliant compute platforms while still leveraging established U.S. and allied semiconductor supply chains, rather than competing in the hardware categories facing the most disruption.

• What effect will the US Commerce Department's onshoring exemption have on the competition with existing domestic suppliers, particularly with reference to the reduced duty rates they will receive?

The onshoring exemption should benefit companies that were already proactive about compliance, supply-chain planning, and U.S. operations. Lantronix already had a plan in place to bring SOM production to our Plymouth, Minnesota facility, so the exemption strengthens our ability to support compliant U.S.-based drone programs. Companies with the right operational infrastructure and trusted supply chains should not be negatively impacted, and, in many cases, should be better positioned to grow and support the U.S. drone market.

• What effects will these tariffs have on the US drone industry's exports? Do you see US allies shifting purchases towards the US drone market or turning away as a result of these tariffs?

There is a potential downside internationally. Some EU and other non-U.S. customers could view U.S. localization requirements as a precedent or competitive threat, particularly if more countries begin mandating local manufacturing. It would be difficult for the industry to operate efficiently if every market required its own domestic supply chain.

Today, many international markets have less restrictive component-origin requirements than the U.S. does, but this could change as governments look to reduce dependence on Chinese or other sole-source suppliers. Longer term, we may see more emphasis on regional manufacturing, trusted allied supply chains, and diversified sourcing rather than purely global supply chains.

• Is the US drone industry better positioned to compete within the global market? Where can the US offer greater value in its drone manufacturing over the economies of scale driving drone production for DJI and China?

The US is now better positioned to compete, but historically there was not the same urgency to rebuild domestic drone manufacturing and supply chains. That is rapidly changing, although the timeline is challenging because moving and qualifying supply chains takes time.

There is also a wide range of critical components: from motors, batteries and electronics to magnets, rare-earth materials and other underlying resources. Additionally, there is a need for domestic or trusted-allied capacity to ramp up production. The US may not match DJI and China purely on cost and scale in the near term, so the greater opportunity is to compete on trusted supply chains, advanced AI and autonomy, cybersecurity, customization, and engineering support. For companies like Lantronix, that creates an opportunity to provide compliant, production-ready compute platforms with U.S.-based engineering and expanding domestic manufacturing support.

• Russia's Scientific and Production Center Ushkuynik says ten disassembled Skorlupa hulls fit in one GAZelle van
• Each hull can be assembled in an estimated four hours (by Russian estimates) using a cordless screwdriver and can travel up to 200 km while carrying up to 250 kg of payloads
• The Skorlupa comes with up to four communication modules and can carry up to four fiber-optic drones, allowing it to serve as both a mothership for attack or recon drones and a one-way attack craft

Russia's Scientific and Production Center Ushkuynik has released new details on Skorlupa, a light uncrewed surface vessel whose headline feature isn't speed, stealth, or sensors.

According to www1.ru, company CEO Alexey Chadayev says ten of the boats fit into the cargo bed of a single GAZelle light van when broken down, and that one hull goes together in about four hours with an ordinary screwdriver.

The hull is cut from water-repellent plywood, and Chadayev told the Russian government daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta, in an interview published on September 8 (RU) around the International Technological Congress 2026, that the craft can be produced at any furniture factory and costs roughly a fifth of a conventional naval drone.

A low-cost alternative in an increasingly asymmetrical war?

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its fifth year, both sides have innovated, focusing on drones and autonomous vehicles to save lives, operate remotely, and minimize costs.

The Skorlupa does just that: the developer cites a 200 km range and a 250 kg payload, letting operators use it remotely while cutting costs as Russia and Ukraine struggle to fund their war efforts.

It can also be used in two ways: as a one-way strike platform, delivering an explosive against a ship's hull; or as a mothership, carrying four fiber-optic aerial drones housed under a deck skin that folds open on command.

As the war drags on, it's increasingly becoming one that demands practical and cost-effective solutions that do not endanger lives, with Ukraine also often pulling off similar approaches, including retrofitting remote-controlled kits to Humvees and Operation Spiderweb, which ingeniously launched attacks from within Russia's borders on its airfields, dealing damage that amounted to billions of dollars.

Skorlupa does something similar that makes it immune to jamming: it is controlled by a physical fiber-optic cable that lets it function even in areas where it would otherwise be cut off from wireless communications. This is also why the KVN has become one of Russia's most-used FPV drones.

A non-emitting boat carrying non-emitting drones is effectively unjammable and hard to counter, and with millions of Russia's KVN drones already in play, it would be a well-supplied Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) to build up a naval and aerial threat in a region where Ukraine regularly takes the initiative on the former.

As Alexey Chadayev pointed out in his interview, "With a Skorlupa like this, you can wreck any seaport without missiles," while noting that it can be made at any furniture factory.

It's time for TechRadar's annual tech awards, and this year we're doing it differently. For the first time, we have a complete set of categories where the winners are chosen 100% by you, the TechRadar readers.

The TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 comprises nearly 100 categories, but we know that not everyone is interested in voting in every one, so on this page you can vote in just our Phones and Cameras categories.

These include tablets, ereaders, drones and more, as well as various phones and cameras awards. You can vote in the survey just below — or follow the links to see other specific categories, or to vote on the full list instead.

The shortlists were chosen by TechRadar's editors based on the best products we've tested or the most popular products of the year. You'll need to vote before 00:01am PST / 03:01am EST / 08:01am BST on Wednesday October 7th 2026 for it to be counted.

• All categories
• Computing & Gaming
• TV & Audio
• Fitness & Home Tech

Once the deadline has passed at 00:01am PST / 03:01am EST / 08:01am BST on Wednesday October 7th 2026, we'll tally your votes to find the winners in each category.

We'll announce the winners in our big TechRadar Awards 2026 Week, starting Monday October 19th. We'll reveal the winners of the Reader's Choice Awards, as well as the winners of our TechRadar Product of the Year Awards, which are chosen solely by our expert judges.

How many products will do the double? We'll be curious to see — but right now, all you can do is vote for what you think should win, so vote away!

• Ukraine’s navy has claimed victory over a Russian drone boat in the first recorded seaborne drone battle
• The exchange took place in the Black Sea
• Russia has yet to confirm that its craft was sunk by the Ukrainian Sargan-3000 closed

An unmanned Ukrainian naval vessel has destroyed a Russian drone boat in what is thought to be the first military exchange of its kind. The uncrewed vessels encountered each other in the Black Sea, with the Ukrainian Sargan-3000 destroying the enemy craft using its Protector RWS turret.

While described as a first, the claim has not yet been independently verified. Ukraine has not confirmed the date, time, or location of the engagement. In addition, Russia has so far declined to confirm whether the exchange took place, or that it lost a vessel.

The news, however, follows an increase in seaborne drone activity by Ukraine, and comes just a few months after launching the Sargan-3000 into service.

What is a Sargan-3000?

Introduced into active service in April 2026, the Sargan-3000 was described as a “multi-purpose platform” which suggests the craft can be easily modified to house weapons, sensors. The term typically indicates a design that can house mission-specific modules, and the Sargan-3000 seems to have been involved in a wide variety of missions since its commissioning.

Ukraine has expanded maritime drone operations within the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov during 2026, with 105 Russian vessels known to have been attacked in the Sea of Azov. The Sargan-3000 has been described as “highly maneuverable”, but its physical characteristics are currently unknown.

We do know, however, that it can carry a Protector RWS, itself a modular system capable of mounting various weapons systems: machine guns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank missiles.

A remote-controlled 12.7mm machine gun turret (possibly an M2 Browning, or an NSV) was used in the encounter with the Russian vessel.

Drone engagements

Ukraine has other unmanned sea vessels at its disposal. While the Sargan-3000 is under the Ukrainian navy, a craft called Sea Baby is used by the Security Service of Ukraine. This 6 meter long boat is believed to have a 1,000 km range, and can carry a payload of around 850 kg. It is believed to be used primarily against moored (anchored) targets, which suggests it can be deployed pretty quickly.

The Magura V5, meanwhile, is under the Defence Intelligence group. This is a shorter craft with a lighter payload and cannot manage the same range as the Sea Baby, but has a similar role.

In the most recent incident, we’re told that the Russian vessel was identified by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, clearing the Ukrainian Navy unmanned craft to engage with the enemy. An earlier incident, in July 2026, featured a similar Ukrainian vessel remotely sink a Russian craft in the Black Sea.

Taking place off Gelendzhik, the Russian border patrol ship PSKR Izumrud was a casualty of an overall strategy that has seen Ukraine force Russia’s Black Sea Fleet into retreating from Crimea.

• Boeing receives $12.68 million investment to update the MQ-25's RF blanker, encrypted storage, and mission computer security, running through November 2029
• The change is a recent one: the Navy's April 2026 acquisition report lists refueling as the MQ-25's primary mission and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as secondary, with no electronic warfare requirement and only two key performance parameters
• An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility hardware that stops an aircraft's own transmitters from deafening its receivers, allowing it to conduct EW more effectively

A single line buried in a recent US Department of War contract announcement is being read across multiple channels as the Navy's first carrier-based drone acquiring multiple electronic warfare upgrades.

The details, however, seem to focus on the defensive side of the spectrum and include a Radio Frequency Blanker Unit and an updated Encrypted Mass Storage System carrying an embedded Data Transfer System.

The modification also provides an option for deficiency analysis and corrections, supporting security assessments of the aircraft's Mission Management System Computer.

Why do these upgrades matter?

The most important upgrade for the MQ-25 Stingray, arguably, is its RF Blanker. An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility equipment. When an aircraft carries several transmitters and sensitive receivers within a few meters of each other, a transmitter firing at full power can deafen or damage a nearby receiver operating in an overlapping band.

A blanker fixes that by taking a blanking request from each transmitter and issuing a suppression pulse to the affected receivers for the duration of the transmission, as GE Aerospace describes. For a drone that could also house sophisticated EW capabilities in the future, this is essentially a prerequisite.

The Navy's Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 21, 2026, offers a relatively narrow scope for the drone for now; however, it states that the MQ-25 conducts aerial refueling as its primary mission and provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capability as a secondary mission.

It is fairly possible that the upgrades are purely defensive, to prevent rogue players from accessing the drone or knocking it offline with relative ease. In its current capacity, the MQ-25 serves as an unmanned aerial refueling drone for the US Navy, offering capabilities including the ability to carry roughly 14,000 to 16,000 pounds of fuel at a combat radius of 500 nautical miles.

This could change even as the US continues hardening its EW offerings and prepares for potential hostile actors to have the same capabilities it currently harbors. For now, the $12 million invested in what is a $19 billion program is essentially a rounding error at the end of the day.

This sudden investment may signal more to come: Boeing has already pitched a land-based MQ-25 variant with external pylons and marketing language about ISR, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning roles, though the aircraft has no customer yet.

Potensic Atom 3: One-minute review

Many have tried and failed to produce drones to rival DJI's, but the Potensic Atom 3 is a DJI drone alternative that's actually worth considering — and not just on paper, but in actual flight conditions.

The folding quadcopter impresses with level 5 wind resistance and a 10% bigger battery than its predecessor, the Atom 2, making for robust flight performance even in tricky conditions. It's gargantuan RC PTD 2 touchscreen controller (in the pricier bundle) feels top-drawer, too.

Its 3-axis gimbal camera isn't half-bad, either — being equipped with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and offering 4K video up to 60fps in standard, HDR or Log profiles, slow-motion recording, and up to 50MP stills in RAW and JPEG.

The larger sensor, higher 4K video frame rates and bitrates, plus improved battery life and transmission range are all meaningful upgrades on the Atom 2, and make the Atom 3 a compelling DJI Mini rival, especially given Potensic's competitive pricing.

Despite a few handling issues (which I'll get into below), the Atom 3 could have pinched top spot in our beginner drones guide... six months ago. The bad news for Potensic is that the DJI Lito X1 is now in the picture, raising the bar for any would-be challengers.

For practically the same money, the Lito X1 is the slightly more polished drone overall — and it features object sensing, which the Atom 3 lacks, delivering this incredibly useful feature at a new-low price point (compared to DJI's Mini 5 Pro). Ultimately, the Lito X1 gives consumers so much for the money that the fight here feels unfair.

Would I still recommend the Atom 3? Absolutely. It's way better than the Ruko U11Mini 4K, which we recently tested, and the next best thing for consumers who don't want, or can't buy, a DJI drone (US pricing is displayed on the Potensic website, suggesting it could become available there, unlike new DJI products, but currently Potensic is locked out of the US too). Ultimately, Potensic's best drone yet is a highly capable beginner option — but it remains one big step behind the DJI competition.

Potensic Atom 3: Price and availability

• Priced from $429.99 / £339.99
• Touchscreen RC3 controller bundle costs $424.99 / £499
• Available now direct from Potensic and via Amazon; not available in Australia at launch

The Potensic Atom 3 is available now directly through Potensic's website and via Amazon in the UK. There's US pricing on the Potensic site, but the company told me the Atom 3 is not available there, while it's yet to hit stores in Australia.

Pricing varies considerably depending on the region and the bundle. In the UK, the base package costs £339.99, with the price rising to £579.99 for the Fly More Combo with RC PTD 2 bundle (which I tested), which includes two additional batteries, a charging hub, case, and the touchscreen RC PTD 2 controller in place of the standard smartphone-based remote.

US pricing starts at $429.99, while the Fly More Combo, which includes the standard smartphone-based remote, costs $549.99. At the time of writing only two of the five bundles have pricing — none of which include bundles with the touchscreen RC PTD 2 controller. However, despite pricing being on the Potensic site, the drone is not available there "due to FCC regulations", Potensic told me, and that "our team is actively working on the relevant certification to make it available in the future".

At the time of writing, the Potensic Atom 3 is not available in Australia, but Potensic does have a dedicated Australia website which is the best place to check for future availability.

DJI's Lito X1 is the Atom 3's obvious rival, and it costs from £359 at Amazon UK, so just a little extra money gets you that drone's massively useful object-sensing feature. However, like other DJI drones, the Lito X1 is not available to buy in the US.

• Price score: 4/5

Potensic Atom 3: Specs

Potensic Atom 3: Design and build quality

• Folding mini design, weighing under 249g
• USB-C charging and MicroSD card slot, but no internal storage
• Optional touchscreen RC PTD 2 controller is huge

The Atom 3's hard-plastic design is strikingly similar to recent models in DJI's Mini and Lito series of sub-250g folding quadcopter drones. It's a familiar formula — the drone folds down to a coat pocket-able size and, like most beginner models, weighs under 249g. Sub-250g drones are exempt from the strictest drone registration requirements in most regions, including the UK and US.

At the rear of the drone is a USB-C slot for charging the device directly, and for transferring images from the inserted microSD card. The card slot is also at the rear — there's no internal storage.

I was able to transfer files directly onto a MacBook Pro via that USB-C wired connection, but when I tried connecting the memory card directly my computer was unable to read it. Another option for file transfer is to download the desired files through the Potensic app, which is a reliable albeit slower process.

A clip-on cover ably protects the camera and gimbal mechanism when the drone isn't in use, and this is locked in place with a rear clip by stretching an elasticated band that connects the two (see above).

The Fly More Combo (with RC PTD 2 remote controller), which Potensic supplied for this review, comes with a padded zipped case that holds the drone, the charging hub with its two additional batteries, and the sizable controller. The case is notably larger than the one for the equivalent DJI Mini 4K bundle.

The touchscreen controller feels high-quality; the screen is huge, detailed, and provides a 1080p feed up to 60fps, with Potensic's latest PixSync 5.0 video transmission system boosting the range from 10km to up to 16km, and reducing latency to 150ms. In short, the on-screen feed is smooth and immersive beyond distances that you'll ever realistically fly over.

I found certain movements of the controller's joysticks a little jerky, which spoiled some of my footage, but with practice I was able to find the sweet spots of those controls for smoother moves.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Potensic Atom 3: Features and flight performance

• Battery life quoted at up to 40 minutes; the drone typically lasted around 20 minutes in real-world testing
• No object sensing, just the usual downward-facing sensors for landing and takeoff
• Decent selection of flight and tracking moves, but some have frustrating restrictions

Potensic quotes a battery life of 40 minutes for the Atom 3, which is an improvement over the Atom 2, thanks to a 10% (approx) higher-capacity 2,590mAh unit, and on paper, this performance beats the comparable DJI; however, I didn't get close to this in real-world use.

The best battery performance I got during testing was more like 25 minutes on a calm day, while in windy coastal conditions I rarely, if ever, got more than 20 minutes. The drone's level 5 wind-resistance rating (19-24mph) seems fair, though — I used the Atom 3 in such conditions, and I found flight to be impressively stable and smooth, even if headwinds further drained the battery as I fought to bring the drone home when power was low.

When battery life drops to 10%, the drone automatically initiates landing (avoiding it simply dropping from the sky), so that's something to bear in mind, especially if you're flying over risky areas such as bodies of water.

The Atom 3 has downward-facing sensors for takeoff and landing, with the useful Return to Home feature, but there are no front-, side- or rear-facing sensors, like you get with pricier drones equipped with omni-directional object sensing.

Six months ago I wouldn't have expected any more from a drone at this price point, but DJI has since brought object sensing to the much more affordable Lito X1. If Potensic is to go up a level, adding this incredibly useful feature is the logical next step for the Atom series.

Return to Home (RTH) worked flawlessly, with the drone automatically updating its position at takeoff — there's also an on-screen guide indicating where the RTH position is in relation to where the drone is in the air. It's possible to update the RTH position mid-flight, say if you move to a different location during flight and want it to land at your new location.

For regular flight, there are three speeds to choose from, with the Sport Mode being the quickest at 16m/s (horizontal), 5m/s ascent and 4m/s descent. It's not the quickest drone around, but it's zippy enough for beginner use.

I really did miss object sensing, given that I regularly fly in object-packed areas to capture dynamic footage, so I needed to be extra cautious about where I flew the drone. It is possible to get smooth and stable-looking footage, though, after much practice to get a feel for the controller's joysticks.

There's a good selection of DJI-style 'QuickShot' flight moves, which perform an automated move using a selected subject as the reference point. To do this, you drag a box over the subject using the controller's touchscreen (or your smartphone's screen if using the basic controller). There are seven automated moves in all, including pull-away, rocket and boomerang.

I was happy to see three tracking modes too: Follow, Parallel and Spotlight, each of which keep your subject in the center of the frame as they move. 'Follow' tracks your moving subject from behind (though remember there's no object sensing), while 'Parallel' does the same but from the side. 'Spotlight' simply keeps the subject central as they move around the frame.

The tracking modes are hamstrung by several frustrating limitations, while the omission of object sensing further limits where you can fly. For example, to initiate Follow, the angle of the camera needs to be pointed down a certain degree — in other words the drone needs to be quite high up.

For me, the most dynamic 'follow' footage would be from a lower angle. It's possible to override the limit in the app's menu, which requires checking the option to say that propellor guards are installed (whether in reality they are or are not). Even with the options selected to free up the drone for tracking from a lower altitude, I regularly found that the drone reset itself, reimposing the restriction.

I also found that the tracking functions gave up altogether in less-open areas, when the GNSS (GPS/ GLOSNASS / Galileo / BeiDou) signal was weak. One example was trying to get tracking video of myself biking in my local woods — the drone kept stopping just a second or so into sequences. I had no such issues in the same scenario when testing the DJI Mini 5 Pro (which also has omni-directional object sensing).

Those flight moves are great to have, but adding object sensing, and addressing the other limitations, would make them way more useful for dynamic footage.

• Flight performance score: 3.5/5

Potensic Atom 3: Image and video quality

• 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, 4K video up to 60fps
• Wider 24mm f/2.8 lens (vs 26mm f/1.8 lens of the Atom 2)
• RAW stills and flat P-Log video color profile provide editing latitude

Video and photo quality are an upgrade from the older Atom 2, with the Atom 3's camera using a larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that's comparable to those in the DJI Mini 4 Pro / Lito X1, rather than the Atom 2's 1/2-inch sensor. There's also a slight change to the lens — it's a wider 24mm f/2.8, where the Atom 2 uses a 26mm lens with brighter f/1.8 aperture, which somewhat counters the sensor-based advantage the Atom 3 has.

4K video recording up to 60fps can be done the easy way or the hands-on way, using the standard or detail-rich HDR profiles for ready-to-go footage, or the flat P-Log profile, which holds more detail in highlight and shadow areas, but which requires editing to taste later.

I tried all three profiles at 30fps and 60fps, and then took P-log footage to Adobe Premiere Pro for editing and compared the footage. There are incremental image quality gains when using P-Log, but on the whole I found myself happy with the quality of HDR footage, saving myself the editing hassle.

In addition to 4K video, there's slow-motion capture up to 7x, but only in 1080p HD resolution. Meanwhile, stills are reasonable: 12.5MP as standard, or 50MP in the '8K' mode, with JPEG and RAW formats available.

Where photo quality impresses is in how much tonal depth is retained, although images benefit from a little sharpening afterwards. Another option for further increasing shadow and highlight detail is the 'bracket' mode, which combines multiple photos at different brightness values into one with a wider range of tones, but the standard mode already does a good job.

Interval and burst shooting modes are also included, while a panorama mode combines multiple images into one ultra-wide perspective that covers 180 degrees, with the drone automatically capturing multiple frames one after the other.

I'd say image quality is just about on par with the DJI Lito X1 / Mini 4 Pro, and it's clearly a cut above the recent Ruko model.

• Image and video quality score: 4.5/5

Potensic Atom 3: Testing scorecard

Should you buy the Potensic Atom 3?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Potensic Atom 3: also consider

How I tested the Potensic Atom 3

• I tested the Atom 3 in a range of conditions — in daylight and at dusk, and in both calm and windy weather
• I shot video at every available resolution and frame rate combination, and still photos in all modes
• I assessed battery life and wind resistance over several flights in various conditions

Potensic sent me the Atom 3 Fly More Combo kit with the RC PTD 2 touchscreen controller. The kit included the drone, battery hub with three batteries, controller, ND filter pack, spare propellors and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable.

I conducted multiple flights in daylight and in low light at dawn / dusk, and in both calm and particularly windy coastal conditions. I tried the various flight settings and modes, and regularly ran the three batteries down, making notes of real flight times and flight stability.

I took the same video sequences in the various color modes; standard, HDR and P-Log, and at 30fps, 60fps and 6x slow motion, and compared the 4K footage. I also tried the various photo modes, including RAW & JPEG capture, panorama and 8K (48MP) modes. I edited photos in Adobe Camera Raw and videos in Premiere Pro.

• First reviewed: September 2026
• Read more about how we test

• US senators call on Army to answer questions over disbanding of futuristic drone battalion
• Letter to General LaNeve raises concerns over US commitment to NATO allies and Ukraine
• Drones are changing the face of the battlefield, and the US could miss out on important lessons and innovations

A group of bipartisan US senators is questioning why the US Army has decided to shut down a cutting edge drone battalion that was set up to understand the shifting battlefield dynamics in Ukraine.

The 3rd battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was founded in November 2025 by former chief of staff for the US Army Gen. Randy George. But less than a year later, acting chief of staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve announced plans to disband the battalion as part of a ‘back to basics’ approach.

But there are concerns the decision could harm the US military's warfighting capacity, and its ability to learn from a rapidly evolving battlefield technology.

Senators question decision to disband drone battalion

The letter, signed by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Angus S. King, Jr., and Rep. Michael R. Turner, requests that Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and General LaNeve provide the data and analysis behind the decision to disband the drone battalion, and also questions “if this decision was based on Department of Defense leadership guidance or was an Army-internal decision.”

“We have deep concerns that eliminating this specialized drone unit will limit our ability to learn from allies, particularly the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and hinder our efforts to modernize drone warfare at the speed necessary to compete on the modern battlefield. This specialized unit was a prudent response in a moment when the character of warfare is changing faster than a conventional formation’s ability to adapt,” the letter states.

The letter also points out that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided the basis for the new battalion, providing a “prudent response in a moment when the character of warfare is changing faster than a conventional formation’s ability to adapt.”

Additionally, disbanding the unit “hurts our ability to acquire the critical knowledge and skills that can be gained from working with and learning from Ukrainian soldiers.”

“We respectfully request the Army brief us on how it intends to continue learning lessons on drone warfare from Ukraine in the absence of the Unmanned Assault Battalion. We request this briefing to occur no later than September 21st, 2026,” the letter concludes.

Why are drones changing the battlefield?

The conditions on the frontlines of Ukraine, often compared to the trench warfare of the Great War, have spawned a boom of specializations in drone technology.

From reconnaissance and electronic warfare to logistics and CASEVAC, drones are now essential to Ukraine’s war effort.

Numerous innovations in drone technology are keeping Ukraine in the fight. Autonomous drones capable of hunting and destroying Russian Shahed drones have been used to great effect, and supply lines across open ground are being bolstered by ground robots capable of lugging 210 kilograms cross-country.

But not all drone innovations are in Ukraine’s favor. Ukraine’s military intelligence recently warned that Russia is developing new drones designed to cut electricity cables to cause power cuts through the winter months.

So there is a valid level of concern over the disbanding of the US drone battalion. If the US army has no way to deploy or test systems within a dedicated drone unit, it may miss out on vital lessons that could shape future conflicts.

• The US Army is phasing out its relatively new drone and robot assault battalion
• The change is part of a "back-to-basics" push from acting chief of staff of the Army Gen. Christopher LaNeve
• The battalion will "refocus on its core warfighting tasks as an airborne infantry battalion" rather than continuing the development of drone capabilities

The sudden transformation of drone tactics demonstrated in the Ukraine war since 2022 has prompted the militaries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other world powers to shift their focus to a new asymmetric battlefield where drones play a major role.

Former chief of staff for the US Army Gen. Randy George set up a futuristic drones and robot assault battalion specifically to meet the needs of new forms of warfare. The Defence Innovation Unit previously said it would draw on Ukrainian expertise to become “the world champions” of drone production.

But now, under the orders of Gen. Christopher LaNeve, acting chief of staff, the US Army has decided to phase out the futuristic drone and robot assault battalion in a “back-to-basics” approach, drawing criticism from military experts.

US Army to go “back-to-basics”

The Army has not said how the service’s drone abilities would adapt following the phase-out of the drone battalion.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson for the Army said it “is committed to accelerating U.S. military drone dominance to meet the demands of large-scale combat operations”.

The drone battalion, issued with the moniker of ‘3rd battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment’, is composed of around 600 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Once the battalion is phased out, it will “refocus on its core warfighting tasks as an airborne infantry battalion,” the spokesperson said.

A memo written by LaNeve, also obtained by WSJ, said, “U.S. Army forces must be prepared to overcome the most complex challenges our adversaries can impose and master an operational environment that looks fundamentally different from the battlefields of yesterday.”

“Ukraine has essentially revolutionized the close fight. Gen. George was starting to get that, and any setback in what he was doing would be deeply regretful and dangerous," said Michael O’Hanlon, a defense expert at the Brookings Institution speaking to WSJ.

Before being phased out, the battalion will participate in the annual Saber Junction exercise in Germany through August and September, before reporting on its findings to the Army to help guide future experimentation.

The direction of drone warfare in the US Army

The decision to phase-out the drone battalion may be a move by the US Military to unify its doctrine. As has been demonstrated in recent wars, the US military tends to prefer quick, decisive action, such as the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, and long-range engagement, as demonstrated during the war with Iran.

These forms of warfare avoid the boots-on-ground tactics that can quickly turn into the protracted warfare seen in Afghanistan and Iraq that lead to far higher casualty rates and a quick erosion in public support.

This isn’t to say that the US military isn’t preparing for the battlefields where drones can give a smaller, less well equipped adversary the upper hand - as Ukrainian troops demonstrated during exercise Combined Resolve. The US Marine core has been experimenting with tactics to counter consumer-sized drones using the automatic rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers troops already carry with them.

But electronic warfare systems still remain a key part of the military’s doctrine for countering drones. The Army is working with private firms to test and deploy countermeasures such as radio-frequency jamming to cut communications between drone and operator, GPS spoofing to confuse operators as to the location of their drone, and high-powered microwave (HPM) systems to disable drones entirely.

LaNeve’s predecessor George introduced the drone battalion as part of a wider push for “transformation in contact”, allowing troops on the ground to have a say in how new technologies and tactics are adopted rather than relying on decision makers behind the frontlines to develop new battle plans.

• Flock's CEO says its drone business is doing well
• The drones are deployed in first responder situations
• Privacy groups say the devices are open to misuse

While the public backlash against Flock's camera technology continues, it seems it's not damaging the company's bottom line too much: Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley says that drones are "probably our fastest growing business right now", accounting for just under half of forward-looking revenue at the last count.

The comments were made on The All-In Podcast (via Business Insider), in a wide-ranging interview that covered AI, facial recognition, the criticism that Flock is facing, and how the company is improving on safety and misuse. Default data retention for Flock's license plate readers has now been reduced from 30 days to 7 days, for example.

On the drones, these flying machines are being sold to law enforcement agencies and local authorities as DFRs — Drones as First Responders. The idea is that a drone can take off and weigh up a potentially volatile situation before police officers can get there, leading to valuable intel being gathered as quickly as possible.

Langley actually gives an example in his interview: an emergency report in the Dallas-Fort Worth area about a man brandishing a gun. A drone was dispatched, found that the 'gun' was actually a large lighter, and the incident was de-escalated before any face-to-face confrontation had happened.

Privacy concerns continue

Despite Flock's insistence that its drones and license plate readers are more helpful than harmful, privacy groups continue to question the guidelines in place around the technology, and the potential for misuse. The company says it's working hard to stop its cameras being used for unauthorized spying, as has happened in the past.

Without proper oversight, the worry is that drones will be used for an increasing number of surveillance tasks — and not always with the right oversight. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has said that the adoption of drones like the ones Flock sells "jeopardizes privacy in communities across the country".

That's particularly true when automated AI is involved, or vulnerable people are targeted, the EFF suggests. Meanwhile, American Civil Liberties Union analyst Jay Stanley has written about multiple concerns with drones: their use for intimidation and surveillance, a lack of proper oversight, and a squeezing out of consumer drone operations.

Judging by the reactions to The All-In Podcast interview, the general public — or at least those on X — aren't happy about the increased use of drones as first responders,. even if Flock's CEO is. "Do not normalize mass surveillance," comments one user, summing up the overall feeling on the thread.

• Versa is the world's first 2-in-1 pocket gimbal camera and drone
• It launched on Indiegogo on August 18, with pricing starting at $499
• HoverAir said Versa has FCC approval, however FCC granted it 'erroneously'

Editor's note: HoverAir's promotional material stated that the Versa had received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification — meaning it's cleared for import, sale and use in the US.

However, the FCC since wrote to TechRadar, stating that the certification was granted 'erroneously' and that it's 'considering further action against HoverAir for apparently willfully violating the FCC’s Covered List rules'.

DJI dominates the drone space, leaving precious little room for others. However, HoverAir has repeatedly had a go at cracking the market, innovating in gaps left by the leading drone maker.

First we had the X1, the first self-flying drone that took off from the palm of your hand for easy aerial 4K selfies, which was followed up by HoverAir's X1 Pro with beefier 8K video. DJI reacted swiftly, answering with the Neo (and consequently Neo 2), which cost much less than HoverAir's.

Then there was HoverAir's Aqua, the world's first waterproof drone, which remains unique today. Now, we have the new Versa — the first 2-in-1 pocket gimbal camera and drone — making a trio of firsts.

The Versa looks like HoverAir's previous X1-series efforts, only its wings can be removed in a simple motion, leaving the drone body as a DJI Pocket-like pocket gimbal camera. Drones and gimbal cameras are two increasingly popular camera categories — and the Versa can be both.

It seems like an obvious move when you think about it. After all, both camera types feature a camera unit supported with a 3-axis gimbal. But can the Versa genuinely serve in both capacities? We'll find out very soon, once our Versa review sample lands.

HoverAir has, it seems, another advantage over DJI, saying the Versa has US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification. This means the Versa can be sold in the US, while DJI is still banned from selling its new products there.

There could be light at the end of the US ban tunnel for DJI, mind you, with recent news that a judge is set to review evidence that has categorized DJI as a Chinese military company. It's a decision that DJI described as "a significant step toward correcting an unjustified designation".

For now, though, the DJI ban remains in place, and it's a huge headache for the leading drone maker — and one that was just compounded by an impressive-looking rival product that will be sold in the US.

The lowdown on the Versa

We learnt more about the Versa when HoverAir launched the product on Indiegogo on August 18, and it will make its public debut at the IFA consumer electronics show, which takes place in Berlin, Germany, from September 4-8.

The self-flying camera shoots 4K video up to 60fps onto a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 4K HDR video up to 30fps with 10-bit color depth and up to 17.5EV dynamic range, plus 12MP photos (there's no mention of RAW format).

It features a host of flight modes that simplify aerial selfies, including palm take-off and landing, AI subject tracking, auto framing, bird's-eye flight mode, plus voice and gesture commands.

It can pair with your phone or HoverAir's Beacon device (debuted with the Aqua) for clear audio, and has a maximum 14-minute flight time (realistically it will be less than that), with flight speeds up to 36km/h and a solid Level 5 wind resistance.

The drone / pocket camera weighs 230g, placing it in the restriction-free category of beginner drones, or just 163g with its propellor guards removed when in use as a pocket gimbal camera.

In the hand, the Versa features a DJI Pocket-like rotating OLED haptic screen, which measures 1.64 inches on the diagonal and can hit 800 nits of brightness.

Overall, those look like a solid set of features for what could be a game-changing 2-in-1 camera. Where HoverAir struggles to compete with DJI, however, is on price.

According to the Versa's Indiegogo page, it will cost $499 for the Versa only, $887 for the Fly More Combo, which presumably will include additional batteries and a charging dock, or $1,270 for the Creator Combo. For the next 24 hours, those prices are slashed for early backers, who do so at their own risk (HoverAir is a reputable drone maker, though if you're in the US it could still be worth proceeding with caution).

HoverAir has shared a product promotional video on its YouTube, below. What are your first impressions of the HoverAir Versa? Let me know in the comments below.

• US Marines have been training to handle drone attacks, using rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers
• The simulated threats used small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), consumer drones typically equipped with explosives, or used for recon
• The exercise aimed to build confidence in US Marines with their standard-issue weapons

When troops are in the field and facing drones without electronic countermeasures, there is only one response possible. To ensure confidence and decisiveness in combat with sUAS attacks (small Unmanned Aerial Systems), US Marines have been training in the skill of taking out a consumer-sized drone with small arms and light weapons.

A three-day event held in Twentynine Palms, California, featured operatives from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions training in C-sUAS (counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems) tactics, with drones from the US Marine Corps’ Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, 7th Marine Regiment, and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

Kinetic weapons used in dealing with the simulated drone threat included automatic rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers.

Realistic threat

While electronic countermeasures were available to the assembled Marines, the use of small arms and light weapons has drawn attention. The soldiers were targeted by well-trained drone pilots, presenting a real challenge, rather than a duck shoot.

“The pilots that we had were really good,” said US Marine Corps Capt. Faith Richardson, a platoon commander with TTECG. “Those Marines were a huge contributor. We tried giving the training audience a realistic look at the threat, and having proficient, well-trained pilots was really important.”

Weapons used by the Marines included M27 automatic rifles firing 5.56mm rounds, M1014 combat shotguns using 12-gauge shells, and M32A1 and M320 grenade launchers equipped with 40mm antipersonnel rounds. The sUAS craft were flying at over 90 miles per hour, with attack runs coming as close as 20 meters from the Marines.

Drone threats have increased in prominence over the past decade thanks to the proliferation of off-the-shelf components and consumer drones.

As Richardson adds, “Small unmanned aerial systems have been around for a while, it’s just more prevalent in the battlespace today because it’s more cost-effective.”

Combating a prolific threat

Aiming to build confidence in combating sUAS attacks, the training took place alongside other exercises, including urban combat, with personnel evaluated on how they detected and defeated sUAS.

“Everywhere in the modern world, in all conflicts, the sUAS threat is becoming more prolific on the battlefield," added US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Jares is an instructor with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group. "We’re figuring out ways, with the squad’s organic weapons, to combat that threat and how to survive in today’s modern battlefield.”

The event seems to have been a success, and the results were deemed good enough for classroom and practical sessions on tactical responses to sUAS and C-sUAS to be included in future Service Level Training Exercises.

• MGI Engineering unveils cruise missile-like drone system, capable of speeds of 466 MPH and designed to operate autonomously in GPS blocked environments
• The TigerShark can carry a 300 kg payload, with a range of 900 km
• Parent company MGI Engineering has worked with Formula 1 teams, Formula E cars, and developed a car that won at the Dakar Rally

A British engineering company usually associated with Formula 1 and other motorsports has built an affordable “one-way effector” (meaning single-use) strike drone, essentially an intermediate-range cruise missile. MGI Engineering’s TigerShark is deployed from a ground-based vehicle with a rocket-assisted launch, whereby its onboard propulsion takes over and the rocket is detached.

Capable of delivering a 300-kilogram payload, the TigerShark uses GPS for navigation but is also designed to reach its target in terrain where GPS is unavailable or jammed.

The TigerShark is intended to be launched in multiples, with a swarm of the drones intended to attack targets, aiming to overwhelm air defense systems.

Complementary technologies

Based in Witney in Oxfordshire, MGI Defence — part of MGI Engineering — first unveiled the TigerShark at the DSEI exhibition in 2025. It now aims to bring the TigerShark to market within months, aiming to sell it to Britain’s strategic allies as a drone-based alternative to traditional cruise missiles.

Designed for faster assembly and delivery, the TigerShark can solve the problem of shrinking defense budgets, too, costing far less than Storm Shadow or Tomahawk cruise missiles.

As a one-way effector, the single-use drone is designed with a rocket-assisted propulsion for launch while twin turbojet engines drive the 661-pound payload to its target up to 900 kilometers (559 miles) away. Reaching speeds of up to 750 km/h (466 mph), the TigerShark can operate despite GPS jamming, thanks to inertial navigation.

This is one aspect of a pair of technologies used in conjunction to assure GPS-free targeting. While inertial navigation tracks position based on motion and speed from the launch point, a terrain-mapping system ensures what the TigerShark sees below matches its intended route, and makes adjustments. So, even if GPS is jammed, the TigerShark should reach its target.

Land-based salvo

MGI has announced that the drone is available from October 2026, and will be manufactured in the UK with export licenses to friendly countries.

The company states that “TigerShark enables defence forces to engage defended or distant targets with speed, precision, and autonomy, without relying on satellite navigation or real-time control. Its guidance suite combines inertial navigation with GPS-free terrain mapping for reliable operation in GPS-denied and spoofed environments.”

“Built for coordinated launch and rapid deployment, TigerShark can be fired as a salvo from a land-based vehicle launcher to overwhelm or degrade enemy defences. Its modular payload bay supports a wide range of mission types, from warhead delivery to electronic disruption.”

The TigerShark will enter increased production in late 2026, with MGI Defence aiming to sell to allies needing a more affordable and faster acquisition alternative to traditional intermediate-range cruise missiles.

• A Ukrainian drone strike in western Russia took out a TU-95 bomber while the craft was parked on the tarmac
• The drone technology used in the attack is based on the Chinese ZTK-150 UAV
• Ukraine’s MICH 2000s were built when China stopped selling its UAVs, adapted for use in the war with Russia

Ukrainian drones recently made a successful attack on a fleet of Russian military aircraft at an airstrip in western Russia, but while the TU-95 bomber and others were put out of action, the origins of the drones have raised eyebrows. The attack drones might have appeared to be Chinese ZTK-150s, but China has refused to sell the UAVs since 2023.

In fact, while they might look alike, the ZTK-150s have been effectively cloned by Ukraine, with customizations and improvements made to suit both the needs of the remote pilots and the demands of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Inspired by the performance and the unavailability of the ZTK-150s, Ukraine has instead developed the similar MICH 2000s, based on information gathered during trips to China.

Critical damage

Attack drones were launched at the Engels-2 air base in western Russia on July 16, 2026, in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle strike that targeted a Tupolev Tu-95 and four Tupolev Tu-22Ms. Aerial footage of the strike’s aftermath, assessed by the Ukrainian state security body the SBU, revealed considerable damage to the Tu-95.

“According to preliminary data, the plane suffered critical damage. It completely tore off the tail part,” says the SBU report.

How the Ukrainians achieved this has just been revealed, along with the story of how their forces managed to get their hands on drone hardware that seems extremely similar to the ZTK-150 — a drone that China has banned sales of.

The MICH 2000 is the response to a floated deal to buy some ZTK-150s from China in 2023, despite an existing restriction on exports of the hardware. So that deal switched to selling the technology itself, something the visiting Ukrainian military bosses were interested in, but was also eventually refused by the factory management. So, the intermediaries dealing with the Ukrainians took a different approach, enabling the export of eight drones to an assembly point with no export restrictions and facilitating training.

Just an outline

While a ZTK-150 costs $50,000, the Ukrainian MICH 2000 is $48,000 for the basic craft, and its resemblance to the Chinese drone is purely skin-deep.

EuromaidenPress reports that the intermediaries assisted with a certain degree of espionage at the ZTK-150 assembly line, with a source quoted: “We came there to teach pilots to fly Chinese drones. And in parallel with the training, we photographed everything that was there. Everything from the production process to the arrangement of the shelves and cabinets. They flew home with trained pilots and eight Chinese drones.”

Reports indicate an anonymous builder is assembling around 6,000 MICH 2000s a year with a possible increase to 10,000, with customizations to suit particular missions. These include warhead types, fuel tanks, electronic countermeasure protection, and even a choice of analog, digital, and Starlink communication.

MICH 2000 drones look set to lead UAV strikes against Russian targets, perhaps even breaking the conflict’s deadlock.

• Trump levies huge tariffs on 'sensitive' drones, such as those heavier than 25kg
• Tariffs have also been applied to a range of other countries, such as the EU, UK, Japan, and Taiwan
• Trump says the tariffs will help strengthen national security while also bolstering the domestic drone market

President Trump has levied a new set of tariffs against imported drones and their components for national security reasons.

For ‘particularly sensitive’ drones, such as those over 25kg, those with docking stations, or those with thermal imaging capabilities, the tariffs are 100%.

“President Trump’s drone tariff program will protect the national security of the United States and its defense and defense-adjacent industrial base, supporting and creating American jobs,” the White House fact sheet said.

Strengthening US industry through national security

Drones below the 25kg threshold will still be subject to a 25% tariff, with drones imported from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan subject to a 15% tariff. The United Kingdom has a lesser tariff of only 10%.

The intended consequence of these tariffs is to strengthen the US domestic drone construction industry and the wider domestic drone market.

Outside of outright upping the cost of drones in the US as vendors pass on the costs of drones to consumers, the tariffs will also likely increase the costs of an already constrained supply of specialized drones in the US market.

Many drones imported from abroad, particularly those from China, are used for specialized purposes such as search and rescue and power line inspection. As the US does not have the dedicated industries and resources to quickly begin manufacturing these drones, there will likely be a huge increase of demand for a very limited supply.

The new tariffs also close a loophole allowing Chinese parts to be assembled into a drone in the US. The fact sheet states that drones for commercial and US military purposes “rely on foreign sources for critical Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) components, which poses significant risks to U.S. national security and creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

The tariffs are due to kick in on September 3 2026, giving the US drone market just 21 days to adjust or pay massively inflated import costs.

• The FCC wants to take 'military-grade' DJI drones off sale
• Numerous DJI models would be affected
• You can comment on the proposals until September 2

There's been a ban on new DJI drones and cameras in the US since last December, but now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is making moves to retroactively take some models off shelves that were approved before the ban came into effect.

Specifically, the FCC wants to pull "military-grade" drones from stores (via PCMag), which apparently includes every model with LiDAR obstacle avoidance or thermal cameras. That would affect drones such as the DJI Air 3S, the DJI Avata 360, the DJI Mini 5 Pro, and the DJI Mavic 3T, for example.

Drones that weigh over 55 pounds (nearly 25 kilograms) will be included in the retroactive ban, as well models that use docking stations. The criteria laid out by the FCC is broad enough to cover a substantial number of drones in DJI's current range.

Now, if you've already bought one of these drones in the US, the FCC isn't going to come and take it off you. However, unless the regulator changes course, these models won't be available to buy in the US from September 2.

You can take action

DJI has already complained long and hard about the original ban, pointing out that its drones were blacklisted for security reasons without any actual security audit taking place. It's also taking a very dim view of the new proposals by the FCC.

"People could continue using DJI products they already own, but the same models in use today might no longer be available to purchase in the future," says DJI in a blog post. "This is a total reversal from the FCC's previous position, and it is U.S. operators that would bear the cost."

DJI argues that safety agencies, small businesses, and farmers in the US who rely on DJI equipment will be faced with more expensive and difficult upgrades in the future, and it's asking for the public's support while the FCC proposal is considered.

You can have your say during the public comment period up until September 2: head to the Drone Advocacy Alliance website to make your feelings known, and to explain to the FCC how you use drones and their capabilities for non-military purposes.

• Ukrainian drone destroys Russian flag moments after dramatic aerial deployment attempt
• Competing battlefield videos continue fueling disputed territorial claims across eastern Ukraine
• Analysts continue examining disputed battlefield footage for signs of digital manipulation

Ukrainian forces released footage showing a Russian flag destroyed roughly 30 seconds after a drone placed it on a damaged building in the Sumy region.

According to Ukraine's 105th Territorial Defense Brigade, Russian operators dropped the flag from a drone before Ukrainian personnel responded with an FPV drone strike.

The video shows a Russian drone placing a flag associated with Russia's Airborne Forces onto the roof of a damaged residential building in Velyka Pysarivka.

Drone operation quickly ends symbolic battlefield display

Footage later captures a Ukrainian FPV drone approaching the location before striking the flag shortly after it landed, ending the display within approximately 30 seconds.

The 105th Territorial Defense Brigade said drone operators located the position before Russian forces could use the footage to reinforce claims of battlefield progress.

"Enemy rags do not remain on Ukrainian soil for long," the 105th Territorial Defense Brigade said about the operation.

Velyka Pysarivka lies close to the Ukrainian border with Russia and has experienced repeated attacks while remaining an active area of military operations.

Fighting around the settlement continues as Russian forces conduct cross-border activities while attempting to expand operations across parts of the Sumy region.

The released footage focuses on the sequence involving the flag placement and the subsequent strike instead of showing any broader military engagement nearby.

Symbolic footage continues shaping competing battlefield narratives

Throughout the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both sides have repeatedly made competing claims about capturing territory, often supported by battlefield footage.

The latest video follows another disputed incident involving territorial gains that was circulated through Russian military communication channels.

Russian sources previously circulated a video claiming forces had captured Bilyi Kolodyaz in Ukraine's Kharkiv region after raising a Russian flag inside the settlement.

Analysts later questioned that recording after identifying what they described as signs suggesting digital manipulation within several parts of the footage.

Among those observations were an unusually oversized soldier together with a flag that reportedly disappeared from the frame during the recording sequence.

Neither side's battlefield footage can always be independently verified immediately because active combat conditions often limit direct access to the reported locations.

Military analysts therefore continue examining released videos alongside satellite imagery, geolocation evidence, and additional sources before confirming claims involving territorial advances or battlefield events.

The flag incident in Velyka Pysarivka adds another example showing how symbolic actions increasingly accompany frontline operations.

As of now, independent verification of the footage remains unavailable, making its authenticity difficult to establish.

Via United24media

• Zelensky says Ukraine's drones will soon fly far enough to hit anywhere in Russia
• Kyiv and Washington quietly push forward a plan to build drones on US soil
• Ukraine's drone range could jump to 10,000 km, but engineers still face big hurdles

In a recent interview with American conservative commentator Laura Loomer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian drones should exceed 4,000 km in range in 2026.

The Ukrainian leader added that long-range drones could achieve distances between 5,000 km and 10,000 km, or about 6,000 miles, by 2027.

Such a capability would theoretically allow a drone to cover Russia’s entire territory and reach distances comparable to the route between Kyiv and San Francisco.

Ukraine plans expanded drone cooperation with the United States

The projected increase in range forms part of Kyiv’s efforts to expand drone production through cooperation with Washington and possible manufacturing facilities inside America.

The discussions include joint production, technology exchanges, testing arrangements, and the development of production lines for advanced unmanned systems.

Ukraine has gained extensive experience with aerial drones, naval drones, and deep-strike platforms in its ongoing war with Russia.

Those battlefield developments have become central to discussions about future cooperation, as Kyiv seeks wider access to industrial capacity and advanced manufacturing resources.

The first stage of agreements between Ukraine and the United States has already been completed, while further documents remain under preparation.

"We're going to build a great factory," Zelensky said, describing plans for production lines that could support future drone manufacturing.

Both parties have already signed documents allowing various Ukrainian drone systems to undergo testing in the United States.

Those arrangements involve aerial drones, sea-based systems, and other high-technology products before any broader production agreement receives final approval.

Ukraine has also pursued similar defence partnerships with European countries as it attempts to expand its role in defence technology development.

Long-range drone ambitions face technical challenges

The planned range increase would require significant advances in propulsion, communications, navigation systems, and endurance capabilities before becoming operationally realistic.

Flying thousands of kilometres would create new challenges involving reliability, electronic warfare threats, satellite connectivity, and the ability to maintain accurate targeting.

Military analysts have often noted that extending drone range involves more than increasing flight distance because other systems must operate effectively.

A drone capable of travelling up to 10,000 km would require dependable control systems and protection against attempts to disrupt communications.

The development timeline could also depend on access to funding, manufacturing capacity, and successful testing under demanding operational conditions.

While Ukraine has rapidly expanded its unmanned capabilities during the war, achieving the announced range goals would require continued technological progress.

The proposed timeline shows Kyiv’s ambition to develop longer-range strike capabilities, although the final performance of such systems remains dependent on future development outcomes.

Via NV

• US Army commits $447 million to surveillance balloons despite drone vulnerabilities
• Cheap drones continue challenging expensive military surveillance systems across modern battlefields
• Hezbollah attacks exposed growing risks facing large airborne surveillance platforms during conflicts

The US Army has awarded TCOM LP a contract worth as much as $447 million to continue producing, deploying, and supporting its Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered aerostat fleet.

The award signals continued confidence in large surveillance balloons despite increasing reliance across modern militaries on budget drones, satellites, and autonomous platforms.

Analysts have questioned whether these highly visible systems can remain effective against increasingly sophisticated adversaries capable of detecting and destroying fixed aerial assets.

A costly bet against a cheap threat

The Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered program traces back to 2016, when the Army merged two earlier aerostat efforts into one unified initiative.

Those tethered balloons proved valuable in identifying roadside bombs and tracking insurgent movement across Iraq and Afghanistan for over a decade.

TCOM has remained the Army's core partner throughout, having previously won a nearly $979 million contract back in September 2019.

That earlier deal covered engineering, logistics and operations support across facilities in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Each aerostat can reportedly fly at altitudes up to 16,000 ft (4,880 m) and watch an area continuously for over 30 days straight.

Yet recent battlefield lessons from Lebanon suggest that the same altitude offers little protection against a determined, low-cost adversary.

Hezbollah fighters used a swarm of cheap drones to kill four Israeli soldiers and wound 61 others near Binyamina in October 2024.

Israeli officials later said Hezbollah was launching more than 10 drones daily against troops, alongside rockets and anti-tank fire.

One Israeli commander described the wider campaign bluntly, saying "this is full-scale war," after drones struck an Iron Dome battery on camera.

Al Jazeera reported that Israel's costly defense systems were rendered ineffective by drones costing only a fraction of what they threatened.

Betting on persistence over cheaper alternatives

American defense planners have pushed hard toward cheaper, expendable drone and satellite platforms as a modernization priority in recent years.

A large tethered aerostat is neither cheap nor easily replaced once it comes under serious attack.

It remains fixed in place and clearly visible, making it a plausible objective for any adversary armed with modern strike weapons.

That vulnerability has fueled quiet debate within defense circles about how long aerostat surveillance stays viable against a well-equipped adversary.

Still, the Army solicited bids from ten companies for this contract and received responses from only two, suggesting limited industrial appetite for this niche.

The agreement will run through July 20, 2031, suggesting that the service still values an aerostat's unmatched ability to loiter continuously over one location for weeks.

However, the Army is simultaneously investing in smaller, more distributed drone and satellite alternatives across its wider surveillance architecture.

Via Defence Blog

• Ukraine converts long-range kamikaze drones into reusable missile-launching platforms
• Liutyi now carries four missiles instead of sacrificing itself during attacks
• Germany funds 500 additional Liutyi drones through a $100 million defense package

Ukraine's state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom has unveiled a reusable version of its An-196 Liutyi drone at the Farnborough International Airshow.

According to a report from Ukrainian outlet Oboronka the new configuration carries four compact air-to-surface missiles beneath its wings.

Until now, the Liutyi has flown only as a single-use weapon, striking a location once before being destroyed on impact.

A Kamikaze airframe rebuilt to fly home

The standard Liutyi is a propeller-driven, satellite-guided drone with a claimed operational range of nearly 2,000 km per mission today. It carries a 50-to-75 kg warhead and relies on inertial navigation corrected by satellite signals for improved overall strike precision.

Ukraine has used the standard version to strike oil refineries as far as 1,700 km inside Russia, near the Urals region.

Liutyi drones have also struck the Izhevsk military plant deep inside Russia's Udmurtia region, roughly 1,400 km from the border.

Germany is financing 500 additional Liutyi drones at a cost of roughly $100 million, signaling continued Western interest in the program.

Each Liutyi airframe reportedly costs around $200,000 to build, a comparatively low price for a long-range strike platform of its kind.

The reusable variant carries four small missiles reported to have a maximum range of 200 km and speeds above 500 km/h, which is apparently achieved through a small jet engine mounted inside the missile's own fuselage.

No further technical details about either the airframe or the missiles have been disclosed so far.

A commercial statement for foreign buyers

Displaying an armed, reusable Liutyi there functions as a clear commercial statement almost as much as a purely military signal.

Ukraine has displayed naval drones, interceptor drones and strike systems at major international defense exhibitions throughout 2026

A drone combat-tested through hundreds of deep strikes on Russian territory offers foreign buyers a rare, already-proven track record overall.

The reusable Liutyi may also compete with Ukraine's own FP-1 drone, which reportedly offers comparable performance at a lower cost, and in design, the new missiles resemble Anduril's Barracuda-250, an American cruise missile with an 18 kg warhead and 370-plus km range.

Ukraine relied heavily on the Bayraktar TB2 for years before Russian air defenses eventually pushed the drone from contested skies.

The shift could allow the Liutyi to fill the niche once occupied by the Bayraktar TB2, a symbol of Ukraine's early resistance.

Whether the new missiles and airframe hold up under real combat conditions remains to be seen.

Via Defense Express

Fancy taking to the skies? DJI is the brand you're probably looking at — it's the name behind almost all the best drones around right now. If you're new to the world of drones, figuring out your options is tricky. This article is here to guide you through your options. I'll run through the main DJI ranges and who they're aimed at, and then once you've narrowed things down you can hop to the relevant section to read our reviews for each model. Let's get started...

Note: You'll only be able to see product cards for the models currently available to buy in your region. Due to FCC issues, not all DJI drones are available in the US. Hit the More details button to read our main takeaways for each model, and for a link to the full review.

DJI range guide

DJI Mini
DJI's flagship compact drones, and the best-selling range for beginner pilots. These are all sub-250g models, which means they come with little-to-no flight restrictions, depending on where you fly.
• Check out the Mini lineup

DJI Air
A step up from the Mini series, aimed at enthusiasts. These drones fall into the next weight category up, which means they're sturdier and you'll be able to fly for longer, but you'll need your region's equivalent of a certificate of competency before you fly.
• Check out the DJI Air lineup

DJI Mavic
Top-tier consumer drones with industry-leading camera performance. These are another step up from the DJI Air range, and again you'll need a certificate of competency before you fly.
• Check out the DJI Mavic lineup

DJI Neo
The cheapest, smallest, lightest and simplest DJI drone. It comes with single-push take-off from your hand, designed for aerial selfies (this kind of drone is sometimes referred to as a selfie drone).
• Check out the DJI Neo lineup

DJI Avata
FPV (first person view) drones, designed to be used with goggles for immersive high-speed and responsive flight — legally you need a 'spotter' with you when flying drones through goggles.
• Check out the DJI Avata lineup

There are a few standalone options to be aware of. The Lito is a straightforward beginner drone at an extremely wallet-friendly price — it's a step down from the Mini range in both price and capabilities. The DJI Flip is another beginner drone with vlogger-friendly features. At the other end of the scale is the DJI Inspire range, aimed at professionals — the kind of thing that might be hired for productions.

DJI Mini drones

DJI Mavic drones

DJI Air drones

DJI Neo drones

DJI Avata drones

Outliers

• Pentagon eyes swarms of cheap drones over a handful of expensive fighter jets
• Carrier decks may soon be crowded with robots doing eight different combat jobs
• US Navy next fighter wing could fly itself from takeoff to target and back

The US Navy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking a new family of carrier-based drones which would operate alongside manned aircraft while supporting missions across the full range of naval combat operations.

The service wants these systems to fly from Ford-class and Nimitz-class nuclear carriers, while some designs could operate from smaller vessels.

Its requirements seeking industry proposals for platforms capable of eight missions, including attacks against ships and land targets, anti-submarine warfare, air combat, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Navy seeks autonomous aircraft for eight missions

The aircraft would also support aerial refuelling and resupply missions for naval task forces, creating a broad set of requirements for a single aircraft or connected family of systems.

Strike variants must have a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles, equivalent to roughly 1,150 miles.

The service also wants advanced autonomy for carrier operations, mission changes and threat avoidance during flight.

Proposed systems must support automated aerial refuelling and remain compatible with existing unmanned aircraft control systems.

The Navy is seeking “affordable mass, risk-tolerant platforms” capable of addressing current and emerging threats, which points toward affordable aircraft designed to be produced in larger numbers than traditional high-cost combat jets.

Future carrier wings could rely on scalable drone fleets

The RFI asks companies to explain how their production methods could expand rapidly during a surge while keeping recurring flight and sustainment costs within sustainable limits.

Manufacturers must also describe ways to reduce maintenance demands and use existing naval supply networks.

The Navy is also open to aircraft that can operate from platforms beyond its largest carriers - vertical-takeoff and landing UAVs could fly from destroyers, expeditionary sea bases and other vessels with suitable aviation facilities.

“The Navy is interested in novel concepts that can operate from any air-capable platform,” the RFI states, including destroyers and mobile sea bases.

This could give naval commanders more options for deploying autonomous aircraft across different maritime environments.

The Air Wing of the Future Family of Systems forms part of the Trump administration’s Golden Fleet expansion plan.

Existing related programmes include the MQ-25A Stingray tanker and Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative.

The RFI also asks companies to explain planned capital investments and internal research commitments needed to mature their designs.

The Navy’s requirements suggest that future carrier aviation could combine advanced manned aircraft with larger fleets of autonomous systems designed for scale and operational risk tolerance.

Via Defense News

• Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck a Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter in flight over the Belgorod region with a SkyFall Shrike 10 FPV drone, hitting the helicopter from above
• The attack, which saw a $400 drone strike and 'kill' a $19 million attack helicopter as per Skyfall, represents an impressive 47,500x exchange ratio
• The attack isn't isolated: Russia has lost over 20+ Mi-28s in similar attacks since the conflict began in 2022

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to expand as the latter continues to leverage asymmetric warfare to hold its own against a rival with superior technology and manpower, even as the conflict heads into its fifth year.

Much of this is due to Ukraine's pivot to home-grown drone and bot manufacturing, which helps to counter heavy Russian weaponry such as tanks, helicopters, and APCs using cheap but effective drones and bots to hold the line.

It has also allowed several startups to join the fray, offering low-cost options, often funded by external partners and allies to bolster Ukraine's war effort, and SkyFall's Shrike 10 FPV drone is one of them.

An impressive achievement, albeit with disputed claims