Events
Drone strikes, counter-UAS deployments, civilian incidents and exercises worldwide. Each entry is linked to the relevant drone, country and counter-UAS systems where possible.
US Army to shutter 173rd Airborne Brigade's Unmanned Assault Battalion, prompting lawmakers' questions
US lawmakers asked the Army to explain why it is shutting down the 600-member Unmanned Assault Battalion less than a year after it was created. The unit is expected to revert to its airborne infantry mission after partic…
US Army awards $464.8M contract for E-HEL laser system to counter small drones
The U.S. Army awarded AeroVironment a $464.8 million production contract for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, intended to defeat small unmanned aircraft with a 30 kW laser. The announcement cites prior tes…
Drones: RQ-7 Shadow
UN probe says foreign support and drones are fueling Sudan war and possible war crimes
A UN investigation cited by Reuters says foreign support and the use of drones are fueling the conflict in Sudan and may be contributing to possible war crimes. The report discusses drone use in the broader conduct of th…
Ukraine warns Russian airspace may become unsafe due to expanded Ukrainian drone and missile launches
A Russian milblog reports that on 1 September Ukraine's leader claimed Russian airspace could become de facto closed due to expanded Ukrainian drone and missile launches against targets in Russia. The post discusses flig…
DCMA US-X commander urges drone buyers to avoid prioritizing unit cost over capability
An op-ed by the commander of the DCMA’s Unmanned Systems – Experimental Command (US-X) argues that unit cost should not be the primary driver in procuring small drones, warning against stockpiling systems that may quickl…
Putin says Russian forces instructed to conduct mass strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
A Telegram post reports Vladimir Putin said Russian forces were instructed to carry out mass strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. It also mentions Putin commenting on reports of a Russian UAV in Germany, with…
Ukraine’s Armed Forces commander publishes leadership principles emphasizing mass adoption of unmanned systems
A post cites Ukraine’s Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi publishing principles for leading the AFU, including prioritizing technological advantage through mass implementation of unmanned, robotic, and aut…
Ukraine and Germany finalize text of a “Drone Deal,” Zelenskyy says after call with Merz
A Telegram post reports that President Zelenskyy held a phone call with Friedrich Merz and said Ukraine and Germany are finalizing the text of a “Drone Deal.” The post also mentions a new German air-defense package expec…
Ukraine HUR urges blocking Russian scientific institutions involved in dual-use and UAV-related research
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (HUR) published data on 17 Russian scientists and developers it says support Russia's military-industrial complex, including work related to UAV materials and AI control systems. HUR called…
Zelensky urges airlines to avoid Russian airspace amid escalation of Ukrainian drone operations
Ukraine's president warned airlines to avoid flying through Russian airspace as Ukraine escalates drone operations. Russia said it would intensify its own attacks on Ukraine.