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The Air Force Research Laboratory is developing an autonomous shotgun designed to counter drones, while also pursuing a blood-recirculation machine intended to provide lifesaving battlefield support. The projects reflect AFRL efforts to translate AI-enabled defense concepts and medical technology into systems usable by military personnel.
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The Air Force Research Laboratory is developing an autonomous shotgun designed to counter drones, while also pursuing a blood-recirculation machine intended to provide lifesaving battlefield support. The projects reflect AFRL efforts to translate AI-enabled defense concepts and medical technology into systems usable by military personnel.
Elroy Air has expanded its previously announced private investment in public equity commitments to $175 million. Existing investors, including Lockheed Martin Ventures and Inflection Point, are participating in the increased financing, providing additional capital to the aircraft developer.
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Indian startup TakeMe2Space plans to launch its sub-50-kilogram MOI-1A satellite on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 rideshare mission on Oct. 1. Equipped with Nvidia Orin NX processors, the spacecraft is designed to run AI models in orbit and process Earth-observation data before transmission to ground stations.
The U.S. is expanding operational testing of uncrewed combat aircraft, accelerating B-21 Raider flight testing and production, and integrating F-35s into a multinational Indian exercise. The developments underscore parallel efforts to field collaborative combat aircraft while strengthening interoperability with allies and partner forces.
SATS is piloting autonomous cargo vehicles carrying up to 800 kilograms between Changi terminals and freight forwarders’ warehouses, while Singapore Airlines and DHL Express renew an agreement covering five Boeing 777 freighters. SIA will continue providing crews and maintenance for DHL’s Singapore-based intercontinental network.
High activity
Google plans to launch prototype satellites with Planet by early 2027 to test whether orbital infrastructure can support large-scale AI computing. The Project Suncatcher experiments will evaluate TPU performance, radiation exposure, cooling and launch survival—early steps toward potential space-based data centers.
BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse are partnering to advance autonomous flight through software solutions. The collaboration centers on software-defined capabilities, highlighting the partners’ effort to develop more adaptable and potentially scalable approaches to autonomy across aerospace applications.
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Canada’s first F-35A, identified as AR-1, has completed a roughly 90-minute maiden flight from Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth plant. The milestone comes as Ottawa remains obligated to purchase 16 aircraft but has yet to commit to the full planned fleet of 88 fighters.
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