Raw Intel

U.S. Soldiers from the 127th Military Police Company are deploying the Black Hornet 4 micro-drone system to enhance surveillance and threat detection along the U.S. southern border, providing real-time intelligence to support security operations. According to the U.S. Army, Soldiers are leveraging miniature unmanned aerial vehicles to improve monitoring of remote areas, helping to identify […] The post U.S. Army uses micro-drones for border surveillance first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

DEUTZ, a German system provider for mobility and energy solutions, and ARX Robotics, a European defense technology company developing next-generation unmanned ground systems, have announced plans for a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Europe’s defense innovation. According to a joint statement issued on October 16, DEUTZ intends to become the lead investor in an upcoming […] The post DEUTZ and ARX Robotics announce strategic defense partnership first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

L3Harris Technologies has showcased an upgraded version of its “Diamondback” unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) at the 2025 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., presenting a next-generation platform for autonomous reconnaissance and security missions. According to the company, the new Diamondback is “a rapidly configurable and highly mobile autonomous ground […] The post L3Harris shows improved robotic recon vehicle first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Sometimes, the answer to high-tech threats lies in low-cost, proven solutions. Just as shotguns have earned their place as an effective tool against drones, another old-school method is gaining traction on the front lines: nets. The concept is simple — stop the drone before it reaches its target. Improvised “tunnels” made of mesh are now […] The post Ukrainian troops trap drones with farming mesh first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian state media has revealed the creation of a new airborne unit tasked with intercepting Ukrainian drones using modified civilian aircraft. In a recent TV segment aired, Russian Central Television showcased a formation of Cessna 172 light planes outfitted with machine guns and onboard targeting systems, marking another adaptation in Russia’s response to continued long-range […] The post Russia turns Cessnas into drone hunters first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

As the regulars know, my love of the naval gun is unmatched. Not just the ones we should have had. That is why I’ve enjoyed the tempest of the last few weeks about “bringing back battleships” that I fully credit to our friend John Konrad, with a little help recently from President Trump. As for me, in the end I am trending towards a rather cold analysis of the situation. We are well past the point of reactivating the IOWA Class BB for a whole host of reasons. I won’t summarize them here, they are too numerous. I also don’t think we can build new ones, even if there were the money and will to so so. To be blunt, we would first have to build a foundry to make the barrels. N…

South Korean Hanwha Aerospace has signed a joint development agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to co-develop and co-produce the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (GE-STOL) unmanned aircraft system, the companies announced during the AUSA 2025 exhibition in Washington, D.C. The contract was signed by Sun Kim, Senior Executive Vice President of […] The post GA-ASI selects Hanwha to co-produce tactical unmanned aircraft first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Germany’s Siemens and Illinois-based Ingersoll Machine Tools have unveiled a next-generation, containerized 3D printing and milling platform designed for field deployment. The system—called MasterPrint Deployable—combines additive and subtractive capabilities in a transportable unit powered by Siemens’ SINUMERIK ONE CNC control platform. Ingersoll, a 133-year-old builder of large-format machine tools, has collaborated with Siemens to create […] The post Ingersoll unveils containerized 3D printing factory first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Schiebel Group showcased its CAMCOPTER S-100 unmanned aerial system during NATO’s REPMUS 2025 exercise, underscoring the platform’s versatility, operational maturity, and seamless integration with evolving naval combat systems. The large-scale event, hosted by the Portuguese Navy, brought together allied forces and defense industry partners to evaluate the role of robotic and uncrewed systems in multi-domain […] The post NATO trials feature upgraded CAMCOPTER drone first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent comments on Russia’s military capabilities have sparked a wave of ridicule from Russian state-affiliated media, which accused the alliance of shifting its tone to justify a lack of response to repeated airspace provocations. Speaking at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s 71st Annual Session in Ljubljana, Rutte said that while Russia […] The post Russia mocks NATO’s response to airspace violations first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Russian forces have begun fielding an upgraded version of the Lancet loitering one-way attack drone, according to Ukrainian military sources and experts. The enhanced drone is reportedly striking targets at longer distances and proving more difficult to counter using existing electronic warfare systems. The Lancet, identifiable by its distinctive cross-wing design, has been a fixture on the […] The post Ukrainian frontlines face deadlier Lancet drone variant first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Pick a time, any time, in the last dozen years that there wasn’t a clear bipartisan agreement that this nation needed a Navy to match the strategic challenge on the other side of the International Date Line. From President Obama’s Pacific Pivot 14 years ago, to the Davidson Window, to Trump-45’s 350-ship Navy, to the Trump-47 re-focus on the Pacific. It is all right there. Where a bit under a century ago, in the midst of a global depression, those in Congress and industry saw the same threat for their time. In 1936, they turned into the wind so by the time war was upon them a half decade in the future, they already had a head of steam going to bring the fleet in early 194…

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has announced the shipment of an additional 30 Self-Defense Forces (SDF) vehicles to Ukraine. According to a release issued by the ministry on October 14, the shipment includes 28 “1/2-ton trucks” and two high-mobility vehicles, intended for personnel and cargo transport. The latest delivery brings the total number of SDF vehicles […] The post Japan sends 30 more military vehicles to Ukraine first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

South Korea’s top military officer has raised concerns that North Korea may have received Russian assistance in developing its newly unveiled Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). During a parliamentary audit session on Tuesday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Gen. Jin Yong-sung told lawmakers there is “sufficient possibility” that Russia supported North Korea’s […] The post Russian hand suspected in North Korea’s new ICBM first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Ukraine’s Brave1 defense-technology initiative has expanded its “Army of Drones. Bonus” (ePoints) program, a digital incentive system that allows frontline units to exchange verified drone strikes for drones, electronics, and other urgently needed equipment. Brave1, the government-run tech accelerator responsible for fast-tracking new defense capabilities, says the program is reshaping how Ukraine’s armed forces engage […] The post Ukrainian frontline units trade drone kills for more drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Brisbane-based Skyborne Technologies has unveiled its CODiAQ robotic weapons platform at AUSA 2025, introducing a new class of autonomous ground systems that combine four-legged mobility with modular lethality and AI-assisted targeting. The system — formally named Controller-Operated Direct-Action Quadruped (CODiAQ) — is designed to deliver direct-fire precision using Skyborne’s proprietary payloads while remaining lightweight, low-cost, […] The post Australian firm arms robotic dog with grenade launcher first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Dragon 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle program, once presented as the flagship modernization effort of Spain’s Army, is now facing mounting public criticism following repeated delays, integration failures, and unresolved technical issues. In a sharply worded op-ed titled “Detengan esto, por favor” (“Stop this, please”), defense commentator Jorge Estévez-Bujez calls for the complete shutdown of […] The post Defense analyst slams Spain’s Dragon vehicle program first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

AM General has introduced the next-generation version of its Hawkeye 105mm Mobile Howitzer System at AUSA 2025, showcasing a newly redesigned artillery platform that reflects direct combat lessons from Ukraine and advances in lightweight fire support mobility. The updated Hawkeye system integrates a restyled tactical truck chassis with a new powertrain and improved architecture, offering […] The post Combat-tested Hawkeye gets new look at AUSA 2025 first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Target Arm Inc., a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), has introduced its Ralar Modular Mission Payload (MMP) drone system at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2025 exposition, presenting a breakthrough in launch-and-recovery technology for small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) operating in high-risk, mobile environments. According to the company, the Ralar MMP is […] The post U.S. firm develops robot arm to grab drones in flight first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has unveiled its full-sized Battery Revolving Adaptive Weapons Launcher (BRAWLR) system at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition, introducing a compact, multi-missile ground platform designed for mobile air defense operations. According to the company, the 7-foot-tall BRAWLR is part of its Expeditionary Adaptive Air Defense (EAAD) family of […] The post SNC unveils modular air defense launcher at AUSA first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article