A drone mothership, $4.1B contract, upcoming sanctions on China, and more!
BLOS Update Week 48: 25 Nov – 01 Dec
Happy December Monday!
50 stories today + 3 further reading articles.
Defence & Security
Ukraine – Russia
Sweden announced will fund Ukrainian long-range drone production, enabling drones capable of over 1,000 km to target critical enemy sites and bolster Ukraine's defences. Also in Sweden, a drone dropped paint on the Russian embassy grounds in Stockholm.
Ukraine surpassed its goal of delivering one million drones to the frontlines in a year. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy warned of Ukraine becoming a "testing ground" for Russian munitions, as Shahed drone and missile attacks intensify, including the debut of the Oreshnik missile.
Ukraine's electronic warfare systems are redirecting Russian Shahed drones back to their launch points, and the Hitchhiker drone interceptor developed by IronNet and Asterion Systems in the U.S. has been successfully tested in Ukraine to counter kamikaze drones like the Shahed.
The Ukrainian Dovbush T10 drone now serves as a mothership for FPV kamikaze drones, extending their range and enabling “nested” drone strategies.
A Russian drone strike in Kherson targeted a minibus, injuring four civilians.
Capability and Tech development Trials and Exercises
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and the University of Iowa successfully tested AI-controlled jets directed by a human aboard an L-39 Albatros.
German company Avilus’ Grille drone system completed logistics missions with the German Army, integrating with military systems.
Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer validated the European Detect and Avoid System (EUDAAS), achieving safe uncrewed aircraft operations alongside manned aircraft.
Contracts and Partnerships
Teledyne FLIR was selected to provide thermal imaging and AI software for Red Cat Holdings’ Black Widow drone, supporting the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance program with advanced object detection and tracking.
Ukraine and Lithuania signed a memorandum to boost defence cooperation, with Lithuania committing €10 million to develop long-range drones and advance joint military projects.
RapidFlight completed a $10 million milestone under the U.S. Air Force's AFWERX Autonomy Prime program, delivering operational SPX UAVs within 90 days to meet urgent mission needs.
BSS Holland BV joined Orqa FPV’s Manufacturing Licensing program, advancing FPV technologies for defence and public safety sectors through European collaboration.
The DIU’s Blue UAS Refresh event evaluated 35 drones in 150 flights, streamlining DoD access to advanced UAS and strengthening the U.S. drone industrial base.
Latvian startup Origin secured €4.5 million from the European Defence Fund to develop the MPortISTAR, a lightweight UAV with laser targeting to enhance NATO precision strikes.
Dynetics won a $4.1 billion U.S. Army contract to deliver 18 IFPC Inc 2 launchers, bolstering defence against drones, missiles, and rockets for critical infrastructure protection.
Summa Defence Ltd is opening a drone production facility in Finland to boost capacity for Ukrainian and European defence needs, with full-scale production set for 2025.
C-UAS
Thales Australia and the University of Adelaide are developing advanced Ultrashort Pulse Laser technology for long-range counter-drone systems, offering greater range, fog penetration, and adaptability for mobile platforms.
Allen-Vanguard and Metis Aerospace are partnering to combine RF detection and defeat technologies, aiming to deliver mobile, cost-effective counter-drone systems for evolving threats, with a focus on the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Unidentified drones were spotted over three U.S. Air Force bases in Britain, raising security concerns as authorities investigate their coordinated, non-hobbyist origins.
Bluelight (Emergency Services)
In Corpus Christi, Texas, police used a drone to safely track and apprehend a teen suspect who fired shots and fled.
Cleveland police faced criticism for using a drone to monitor protestors without authorization, sparking debate about accountability and technology in public demonstrations.
Lower Township Police in New Jersey invested $70,000 in a solar-powered drone command vehicle to enhance emergency response, featuring thermal imaging and real-time operational tools.
Commercial
New Service
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía has opened a centre of excellence in Madrid to advance its leadership in UAS navigation technologies, supporting major defence projects like the FCAS program.
Duke Robotics is generating revenue from its IC Drone through a deal with the Israel Electric Corporation for high-voltage insulator cleaning.
Development and Trials
Titan Dynamics’ Falcon V3 drone set a record with a 6-hour, 48-minute flight over 387.6 km, demonstrating groundbreaking endurance and efficiency.
Grenoble INP and Saint Joseph University are developing an autonomous drone to clean solar panels in hard-to-reach locations, supported by a €10,000 prize.
High Lander’s Vega UTM platform is supporting Canada’s RPAS Traffic Management project to develop suburban drone airspace systems for medical and emergency operations.
Investment and Acquisitions
Meteomatics acquired R2Home’s glidersonde technology, rebranding it as “Meteoglider” to enhance its sustainable atmospheric sensing solutions.
Contract and Partnerships
Northwest UAV partnered with Silvus Technologies to distribute advanced radios that enable secure, adaptive mesh networks for UAV communications in challenging environments.
Elistair and ARX Robotics integrated drone and ground vehicle technologies for mobile surveillance, tested by the German Army, to improve intelligence and defence operations.
Product Launches
New Technology
Jeep patented a drone-assisted system for off-road driving, allowing real-time terrain scouting and obstacle navigation without leaving the vehicle.
DJI launched the Mic Mini, a $169 wireless microphone system for drone pilots and content creators, and the Power Expansion Battery 2000, a $899 portable power station with 2048Wh capacity.
New UAS
DJI also introduced three agricultural drones — Agras T100, T70, and T70P — featuring AI, AR, and payload versatility for sustainable farming.
Sphere Drones delivered HubX, a BVLOS drone system for mining and construction, to distribution partner Aptella. HubX has completed over 25,000 km of tests in Australia, offering 24/7 off-grid operations and regulatory compliance.
Bwine’s new F7MINI SE drone unveiled last week features a 9,842-foot range, 70-minute flight time, and enhanced stability for aerial photography and videography.
PLP’s RAPTOR CLAMP Drone Kit enables DJI drones to install bird diverters on powerlines, reducing reliance on bucket trucks and improving utility efficiency.
Researchers in Korea developed a spider-inspired drone that flies and walks, ideal for solar panel cleaning and airplane inspections.
Drones for Good
In Mexico, drones with multispectral cameras are aiding in the search for clandestine graves by detecting ground anomalies.
Mass General Brigham Hospitals in Boston plans to use drones for home healthcare delivery, targeting 22% of U.S. patients with limited mobility.
Legal
The EU’s upcoming sanctions target Chinese firms supplying military drones to Russia among other things.
A Texas bill proposes deploying armed drones for school safety, requiring one drone or officer per 200 students.
Loretta Lynch has stepped down as DJI’s legal representative in its Pentagon lawsuit, amid criticism over the company’s alleged military ties to China.
Policy and Regulatory Updates
AVSS has secured ISO 21384-3 certification, ensuring drone safety compliance and demonstrating its commitment to global safety standards through its partnership with Altomaxx Technologies.
In other news…
Ukrainian UAV manufacturers excelled in drone tenders, leading interceptor bids (32%) and placing second in FPV proposals (26%), boosting defence capabilities and economic growth.
A CSIS simulation revealed weaknesses in the U.S. defence industrial base, highlighting shortages, foreign dependencies, and inadequate capacity, urging partnerships and investments to address these vulnerabilities.
Donald Trump Jr. joined the advisory board of Unusual Machines to support U.S.-based drone manufacturing, focusing on reducing reliance on Chinese components and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Further Recommended Reading
Transforming UK Airspace: A New Era for Drones and Aviation with NATS OpenAir
UAVs Across Europe: Commercial Drone Applications in the UK
Chinese drone prepped for mass production as demand for aerial deliveries soars
That’s it for today, have a great week and a fantastic start of December!
-Adit
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This newsletter is authored by Adit Shah, a UK-based independent consultant specialising in helping companies and investors understand, develop and adopt aerospace, drones, and space technologies. If you are interested in Adit’s expertise for your business, please email adit.shah@elantar.com.