August, 2026

AVIDrone Inc., from Columbia, Md., pushed the limits of electric helicopter design to an incredible level of efficiency, setting an early competition benchmark with a 3.8:1 ratio. Source: DARPA | Paul Flacks
Air, Business News

Avidrone’s Katana Wins DARPA Lift Challenge, Company Plans Commercialized Version

By Inside Unmanned Systems

The single-rotor helicopter drone posted the competition’s best payload-to-weight ratio at 3.84 to 1, just short of DARPA’s 4-to-1 goal,…

A Soldier flies a small unmanned aerial system at the range during the inaugural Unmanned Advanced Lethality Course (UALC) at Fort Rucker. Photo Credit: 2nd Lt. Veronica Jordan
Air, Land, Military, Robotics

Army Seeks Commercial Controllers for Drones and Ground Robots Under New C2 Architecture

By Inside Unmanned Systems

A Commercial Solutions Opening posted Aug. 13 asks vendors to integrate controllers and human-machine interfaces for Group 1-3 UAS, launched…

U.S. Army Sgt. Jimmy McCain, with the 114th Aviation Regiment, assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border, aims the Wingman and Pitbull Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) toward a drone during a joint training exercise at Fort Bliss, Texas, April 9, 2026. Soldiers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents participated in the event to enhance familiarity with drone capabilities and counter C-sUAS technology in support of ongoing operations along the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Northern Command is working side-by-side with the Department of Homeland Security and the CBP within narrowly defined authorities to provide unique military capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of the U.S. southern border. (Dept. of War photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Melvin J. Gonzalvo)
Air, Business News, Military

DHS Awards $1.5 Billion Counter-UAS Contract to 12 Companies

By Inside Unmanned Systems

The five-year IDIQ splits hardware and services into two tracks, giving Secret Service, CBP, the Coast Guard and other components…

A 90th Ground Combat Training Squadron Airman pilots a drone carrying balloon targets during the X4 and SMASH 2000L Systems Firing Qualification at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center’s North Training Area, Wyoming, May 15, 2026. The controlled drone allowed defenders to practice engaging simulated aerial threats during the live-fire qualification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael A. Richmond)
Air, Business News, Cyber, Military

Pentagon’s Counter-Drone Task Force Expands Its Online Marketplace

By Inside Unmanned Systems

The Pentagon is widening access to its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) marketplace, an online catalogue meant to let the military,…