The all-stock deal, expected to close mid-2026, will create a Nasdaq-listed defense robotics company trading under the ticker XTND. Israeli defense technology company XTEND and JFB Construction Holdings (Nasdaq: JFB) announced a $1.5 billion all-stock merger July 27, 2026. The transaction will create XTEND AI Robotics, a publicly traded company. The new entity will focus on … [Read more...] about XTEND and JFB Announce $1.5 Billion Merger to Form XTEND AI Robotics
Military
High Lander and Thirdeye Bring Ground-Based Detect and Avoid to the Field
Israeli UTM developer High Lander integrates Thirdeye Systems' MeduzaX optical radar into its Vega platform in a multi-aircraft trial designed to clear the path to routine BVLOS drone operations. High Lander and Thirdeye Systems announced July 13, 2026, the launch of a joint field program deploying a multi-aircraft, ground-based detect and avoid capability. Under a newly … [Read more...] about High Lander and Thirdeye Bring Ground-Based Detect and Avoid to the Field
Department of War Creates Central Office to Oversee U.S. Military Unmanned Systems
New Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager will consolidate acquisition, standards, budgeting, and industry engagement for drone and autonomous programs The U.S. Department of War announced on July 1 a major reorganization of its unmanned systems enterprise, creating a new Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) that will oversee the Department's drone … [Read more...] about Department of War Creates Central Office to Oversee U.S. Military Unmanned Systems
DRONELIFE Exclusive Interview: Inside PDW’s Strategy to Build Drones That Can Operate When GPS and Communications Fail
PDW works to develop advanced drone communications systems By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As modern warfare increasingly relies on the use of drones for surveillance, targeting and attacks, militaries across the world are beginning to recognize the vital importance of maintaining communications links with UAVs that are operating in highly communication-contested … [Read more...] about DRONELIFE Exclusive Interview: Inside PDW’s Strategy to Build Drones That Can Operate When GPS and Communications Fail
Collective Defence Acquires Asterion in $1 Billion Deal Combining Cybersecurity and Counter-Drone Technology
Transaction creates Luxembourg's first defense unicorn and brings together cyber defense and combat-tested counter-UAS capabilitie Collective Defence has announced its acquisition of counter-drone company Asterion in a transaction that values the combined business at more than $1 billion. The deal creates Luxembourg's first defense unicorn and establishes one of Europe's … [Read more...] about Collective Defence Acquires Asterion in $1 Billion Deal Combining Cybersecurity and Counter-Drone Technology
