autonomous systems – The Defense Post

May- 2026 -

15 May

US Special Ops Chiefs Push for Right-to-Repair Authority for Military Systems

US special operations commanders have revealed that proprietary restrictions imposed by defense contractors are slowing efforts to rapidly repair military equipment, particularly unmanned aerial systems, as adversaries move faster with commercially available technology.

15 May

Air

150326-N-ZZ999-001 WATERS TO THE SOUTH OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA, Republic of Korea (March 26, 2015) – An MV-22 Osprey, from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, demonstrates its vertical takeoff and landing (VSTOL) capabilities aboard the amphibious assault ship ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111) during training to strengthen the interoperability between the Navy and Marine Corps of both the U.S. and Republic of Korea. The Marines of the 31st MEU are embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and currently conducting a regularly-scheduled patrol of the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ROK Navy / Released)

Rojoef Manuel

Airbility, Schübeler Launch eVTOL Propulsion Tech Collaboration

South Korea’s Airbility has signed a memorandum of understanding with Germany-based Schübeler to jointly develop electric ducted fan propulsion systems for next-generation eVTOL aircraft, the companies announced.

15 May

Asia Pacific

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

India Flaunts ‘CHEEL’ Long-Range VTOL Drone With Swappable Multi-Engine Architecture

A new long-range, high-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle from India is aiming to extend the reach of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

15 May

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Maris-Tech Pushes Drones Closer to Fully Autonomous Target Tracking

Maris-Tech is addressing a key challenge in drone-based surveillance missions: maintaining stable target tracking while reducing reliance on external systems and operator input.

14 May

Air

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a drone demonstration at the Pentagon, July 10, 2025. The event was hosted to portray the Secretary of Defense’s initiative of Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alondra Y. Lopez Gonzalez)

Rojoef Manuel

Pentagon Sends Reps to Absorb Ukraine’s Drone Warfare Techniques

The US Department of Defense has deployed representatives to Ukraine to study drone combat and apply battlefield lessons to American military operations.

14 May

Air

The Disruptor loitering munition, part of the Phoenix Ghost Group 3 unmanned aerial system

Rojoef Manuel

AEVEX to Supply Drone for US Air Force One-Way Attack Ops

California drone developer AEVEX has received an $18.5-million contract to provide a tactical unmanned aerial system for the US Air Force.

14 May

Americas

A row of Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPV) sit in a motorpool for issue and receiving for the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 15, 2024. The Spartan Brigade is the second brigade in the Army to receive the AMPVs and is currently undergoing familiarization and training to prepare Soldiers on the next generation of tracked combat vehicles in accordance with the Army’s key initiatives for lethality, readiness and modernization. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bernabe Lopez III)

Rojoef Manuel

RENK Brings Autonomous Driving Solution to US Army’s AMPV

RENK America has partnered with BAE Systems and Forterra to integrate autonomous capability into the US Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle.

14 May

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Germany Advances Plans for Next-Gen ‘Drone Defense Shield’

Germany’s next-generation “drone defense shield” is beginning to take shape as Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom launch a joint effort aimed at protecting critical infrastructure from emerging airborne threats.

14 May

Americas

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

MQ-9 Reaper Tests New Rocket Capability Against Airborne Targets

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the US Air Force have pushed the MQ-9 Reaper drone deeper into the precision-strike role with successful tests involving APKWS laser-guided rockets.

13 May

Air