Dual Use

The British Army has taken a major step forward in counter-drone technology by successfully testing a new radio-wave weapon designed to knock out swarms of drones. In a recent trial, soldiers used the Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) to neutralize over 100 drones, including two swarms in a single engagement—the largest such exercise ever… Read more: British Army Zaps Drone Swarms With Radio-Wave Weapon in Historic Test

Canadian Drone Company Selected as Preferred UAS Provider for Explosive Threat Mitigation in Ukraine and Beyond by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Saskatchewan-based drone solutions developer Draganfly Inc. recently announced that it was selected by SafeLane Global Ltd. (“SafeLane”) as its preferred unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and aerial survey provider. SafeLane, a world-renowned specialist… Read more: Draganfly Partners with SafeLane to Support Global Landmine Clearance Efforts

How Malware-Equipped Drones Are Shaping Modern Conflict—and What It Means for Global Drone Security Concern Ukraine’s use of malware-equipped drones to sabotage captured Russian systems highlights a new frontier in cyber-physical warfare—a tactic that underscores broader global concerns about drone security. Ukrainian forces have embedded malware in their drones to disrupt Russian attempts to reuse… Read more: Ukraine’s Trojan Horse Drones: A New Frontier in Cyber Warfare

Strategic alliance with Motorola Solutions aims to speed adoption of 911 response drones across public safety agencies BRINC, a U.S.-based drone manufacturer focused on emergency response, has announced $75 million in new funding. The investment will help BRINC grow its team, increase drone production, and develop new technologies. The round was led by Index Ventures,… Read more: BRINC Raises $75 Million to Expand Emergency Drone Production

KAiDEN, a 150 mph AI-Powered Drone for Real-Time Threat Neutralization, Takes Silver in Autonomous Security Solutions at the 2025 Edison Awards by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Korean drone AI company Nearthlab, a leading drone AI company, has been awarded Silver at the 2025 Edison Awards in the category of Autonomous Security Solutions, under… Read more: Nearthlab’s Autonomous Interceptor Drone Wins Edison Award for Innovation in Security

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) recently announced the addition of 11 U.S. drone-related companies to its “Unreliable Entity List” (UEL). The move, disclosed on April 4, 2025, has escalated trade tensions between the two nations and could have significant implications for the affected firms and the broader drone industry. The Companies Added to the List… Read more: China Adds 11 U.S. Drone Companies to Unreliable Entity List Amid Rising Tensions

Inspired Flight, a leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer, has been at the forefront of the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, producing NDAA-compliant platforms like the IF1200A and IF800 Tomcat. These drones serve diverse applications across sectors such as energy, construction, public safety, and infrastructure inspection. With certifications under both Blue UAS and Green UAS frameworks, Inspired… Read more: Blue UAS to Green UAS: the Evolution of Secure Drone Certification for Inspired Flight

During his Senate confirmation hearing on March 27, 2025, Dr. Troy Meink, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Air Force, underscored a dominant theme in current military thinking: the integration of drones and unmanned systems as a cornerstone of modernization efforts. Meink’s vision for the future of the Air Force signals a growing… Read more: Troy Meink’s Confirmation Hearing Highlights the Role of Drones in Modern Military Strategy

The Ukrainian government has recently made significant strides in expanding its drone capabilities, as evidenced by two major announcements from official sources. Bird of Prey Drone System Approved for Combat On March 26, 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced the approval of the domestically produced Bird of Prey unmanned aviation system for combat operations. This system,… Read more: Ukraine Expands Drone Capabilities with New Approvals and Ambitious Procurement Plans

Small drones biggest development in combat since nuclear weapons By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Small, first-person view (FPV) drones are rapidly becoming the most significant weapon of modern warfare, the CEO of a technology-oriented defense contractor said in an interview. Ryan Gury, CEO of Performance Drone Works (PDW), said the widespread and effective use… Read more: The New King of Combat: How Small FPV Drones Are Reshaping Modern Warfare

Recent Funding Rounds Highlight Growing Investor Interest in Defense-Oriented Drone Technologies The drone industry is experiencing a significant shift in funding priorities, with military and defense applications attracting substantial investments. Announced today, Israel’s SpearUAV successful funding round, led by Deep Insight venture fund, comes at a time when the global military drone market is projected… Read more: Drone Industry Funding Shifts: Military Applications Take Center Stage

Czech Manufacturer Becomes First to Secure Military and Civilian Clearance for Medium-Sized UAV Primoco UAV Sets Industry Milestone Primoco UAV SE, based in Prague, has achieved a major breakthrough in the drone industry. The company announced that its One 150 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is now the first in the world to receive both NATO… Read more: Primoco UAV One 150 Achieves Dual NATO and EASA Certifications

New Boson+ and Hadron 640R+ Cameras Provide Real-Time Temperature Data with Industry-Leading Sensitivity Teledyne FLIR OEM has announced the release of radiometric versions of its high-performance Boson+ thermal and Hadron 640R+ dual thermal-visible camera modules. These new models provide pixel-level temperature measurement, expanding their capabilities for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), security,… Read more: Teledyne FLIR Introduces Radiometric Thermal Camera Modules for Defense and Industrial Applications

The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has selected Pierce Aerospace’s B1 Remote ID Beacon for inclusion in the Blue UAS Framework. The selection marks a significant step in the verification process for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance and cybersecurity, paving the way for the B1’s Authority to Operate (ATO) under the… Read more: Pierce Aerospace B1 Remote ID Beacon Selected for DIU’s Blue UAS Framework

New Capabilities Enhance Defense and Commercial Application AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (NYSE: UAVS) has released version 2.1.0 of its eBee VISION application software. This update introduces new mapping tools, enhanced situational awareness, and tactical advantages for defense and commercial users. Enhancements to Mapping Capabilities The eBee VISION software now supports circular and grid mapping. These… Read more: AgEagle Releases eBee VISION Software Update with Advanced Mapping and Tactical Features

Strategic Investment and Collaboration Unites Indian and Silicon Valley Drone Innovators to Deliver Advanced Military and Commercial UAVs by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Mumbai-based drone developer ideaForge recently announced a strategic investment and partnership agreement with Silicon Valley-based Vantage Robotics, a developer of small form factor (nano/micro) UAVs focused on military clients. ideaForge… Read more: ideaForge and Vantage Robotics Partner to Expand UAV Solutions Across India and the U.S.

Company Doubles Manufacturing Capacity to Meet Urgent Demand Quantum Systems is increasing its production capacity in Ukraine in 2025, responding to the growing need for advanced drone technology in the ongoing war. The expansion aligns with Ukraine’s broader push to develop its domestic drone industry and strengthen its defense capabilities. The company, which has production… Read more: Quantum Systems Expands Drone Production in Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

Challenge to allow start-ups to show off counter-UAS tech By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Entrepreneurs hoping to develop the next big thing in counter-UAS technology will get an opportunity to show their stuff as part of the Proven in Pendleton Challenge, hosted by the Oregon UAS Accelerator this spring. The Challenge will offer more… Read more: Startups Compete for $120K in Proven in Pendleton c-UAS Challenge

Indian Companies Introduce Advanced Drones as Global Demand Grows India is rapidly expanding its presence in the global drone industry as it works to establish itself as a key supplier of uncrewed systems. As the United States seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese-manufactured drones, Indian companies are stepping up with new offerings. At Aero India… Read more: India Expands Drone Market with New UAVs at Aero India 2025

Advanced Drone Designed for Critical Missions ideaForge Technology Limited has introduced NETRA 5, a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for defense and security applications. The drone offers adaptability, advanced intelligence, and durability for complex missions. AI-Driven Capabilities and Modular Design NETRA 5 integrates ideaForge’s onboard computing system, enabling AI-powered mission workflows. The drone can… Read more: ideaForge Unveils NETRA 5 UAV for Defense and Security Operations