Bloomberg
• Jen Judson
India’s next battlefield test may be whether its missiles, radars, drones and air defenses can be trusted, sustained and upgraded under electronic attack—not simply built. Separately, a US military test in Arizona exposed shortcomings in efforts to turn counter-drone defenses into operational capability.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
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India’s next battlefield test may be whether its missiles, radars, drones and air defenses can be trusted, sustained and upgraded under electronic attack—not simply built. Separately, a US military test in Arizona exposed shortcomings in efforts to turn counter-drone defenses into operational capability.
U.S. authorities are investigating suspected unauthorized drone activity at a U.K. air base. The inquiry follows security personnel moving several aircraft away from nearby RAF Mildenhall on Monday; the reports do not identify the aircraft or provide details on the suspected drone activity.
The U.S. Army awarded Kraus Hamdani Aerospace a $14.95 million contract for its solar-powered K1000ULE uncrewed air vehicle. The available report does not specify aircraft quantities, delivery timing or the Army’s intended operational use.
High activity
U.S. Air Force security forces responded Friday evening to suspected unauthorized drone activity over RAF Lakenheath in eastern England, prompting an alarm and reports of a lockdown. The service said no personnel, aircraft or infrastructure were affected; the reports do not identify the drone’s origin or operator.
Italian-developed LIVET pairs eight Benelli M4 shotguns with airburst ammunition and AI-assisted target tracking on a remotely operated turret. The system represents a kinetic approach to countering drones, combining automated detection and tracking with multiple shotgun barrels in a compact platform.
At the U.S. Army’s Bavarian training grounds, soldiers tested a ground-based approach to overwhelming enemy air defenses using drone swarms and robotic missile launchers. Separately, the Air Force’s Force Design 2026 calls for greater use of artificial intelligence, autonomy and integrated sensors to counter emerging threats.
High activity
Ukraine-founded UForce raised $700 million at a $6 billion valuation to expand production for Ukraine and allied customers. In France, Tekever opened a factory producing its AR3 and AR5 drones under a seven-year procurement agreement, while U.S. maker Powerus reported $130 million in signed orders and highlighted the cost gap between Patriot missiles and interceptor drones.
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