drones – Page 7 – The Defense Post

Apr- 2026 -

22 April

HII’s REMUS Underwater Drone Program Reaches 25-Year Mark

HII has announced the 25th anniversary of its REMUS unmanned underwater vehicle family, highlighting its global adoption and expanded mission capabilities.

22 April

Americas

A U.S. Marine Corps mortarman with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), launches a SkyDio X2D small unmanned aircraft system during attack drone training on Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, Nov. 21, 2025. 22nd MEU(SOC) Marines are being trained and certified by the 2d Marine Division and the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team on first-person view drone systems to enhance combat readiness. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Rojoef Manuel

SOUTHCOM to Create New Branch for Unmanned Capabilities

The US Southern Command is opening its first-ever dedicated segment to oversee unmanned missions in Central and South America.

22 April

Air

MQ-20 Avenger drone flying at altitude over a desert landscape, showing its stealthy blended-wing design, rear-mounted engine, and long wingspan during an autonomous flight demonstration.

Rojoef Manuel

MQ-20 Avenger to Support US Navy’s Autonomy Battle Planning Effort

The US Navy has partnered with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. to deploy its MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aerial system for the service’s Collaborative Autonomy Mission Planning and Debrief project.

21 April

Americas

Giulia Bernacchi

Echodyne to Supply Radar for USAF Counter-Drone Platform in $490M Program

Echodyne will provide radar technology for a counter-drone platform developed by Trust Automation under a US Air Force contract.

21 April

Americas

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Starlink 10-44 mission successfully launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on Mar. 30, 2026. This was the 34th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, SES O3B mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, Koreasat-6A, and now 23 Starlink missions. (U.S. Space Force photo by Gwendolyn Kurzen)

Rojoef Manuel

Starlink Glitch Leaves US Navy Drone Boats Drifting: Report

A global outage in Elon Musk’s Starlink network disrupted US Navy drone tests, cutting communications and leaving approximately two dozen unmanned surface vessels adrift off California for nearly an hour.

21 April

Americas

Christine Casimiro

US Army Selects AV Vapor CLE UAS to Support Medium Range Recon Program

The US Army has awarded AV a $14.6-million contract to produce its Vapor Compact Long Endurance (CLE) drone to support the service’s Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program.

21 April

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

A compact quadcopter drone in flight alongside a Royal Air Force roundel banner during Exercise Agile Warrior, used to illustrate advances in quantum-resilient drone navigation and communications

Jodesz Gavilan

UK Eyes Joint Drone Development With Kuwait

The UK is expanding defense ties with Kuwait with a new focus on joint drone development and emerging military technologies.

20 April

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion

Ethan M. Encarnacion

British Army Explores New Ways to Fight Drones From Inside Tanks

Around 350 British soldiers have tested new approaches to countering aerial threats without having to step out of their tanks, as the army adapts to drones becoming a constant presence on the battlefield.

20 April

Americas

Christine Casimiro

Pratt & Whitney Engine Powers Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A CCA Drone

Pratt & Whitney has supplied the engine for Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue drone, pitched for the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

17 April

Drones - Latest News, Features & Expert Opinion