AeroTime
• Clement Charpentreau
Lockheed Martin’s NetSense technology detected and tracked drones around Miami by analyzing disturbances in Verizon’s existing 5G network. The demonstration used deployed radios without requiring hardware modifications, pointing to a network-based approach to drone awareness and monitoring.
UAV Development & Drone Programs
Latest source-backed stories
Boeing is divesting its electric aircraft and defense drone units in exchange for a 20% stake in Archer Aviation, valuing the air-taxi company at $5 billion. The transaction shifts Boeing’s exposure to advanced air mobility from direct development to an equity position in Archer.
Lockheed Martin’s NetSense technology detected and tracked drones around Miami by analyzing disturbances in Verizon’s existing 5G network. The demonstration used deployed radios without requiring hardware modifications, pointing to a network-based approach to drone awareness and monitoring.
Latvia is assessing light combat aircraft to strengthen its short-range air-defense capability, with Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano under consideration for intercepting drones. The evaluation could give Latvia a fixed-wing combat aviation capability focused on countering Russian drone threats rather than conventional light-attack operations.
BAE Systems’ FalconWorks is exploring autonomous-technology collaboration with Turkish defense-electronics company Tualcom, while General Atomics AeroTec Systems is partnering with Sweden’s TRAKKA Systems to offer integrated advanced camera systems on the Do228 NXT multi-purpose aircraft.
High activity
DNA recovered from an explosive drone that struck an Antonov An-124 at Leipzig/Halle reportedly matches evidence from the 2024 DHL incendiary parcel plot. The finding could connect an attack on an aircraft at a major European cargo hub with a broader suspected GRU-linked campaign.
Boeing is promoting an off-the-shelf radar seeker designed to reduce the cost of guided missiles, while Northrop Grumman has introduced Raid Hunter, a 50mm gun-based air defense system for countering drones, cruise missiles and other aerial threats in layered, short-range defense.
Multiple drones of unknown origin overflew an Australian air base hosting some of the country’s most sensitive military aircraft over three days. The incident is the latest in a growing series of drone incursions into secure facilities worldwide, raising questions about the protection of high-value defense infrastructure.
High activity
Joby Aviation will acquire Ohio-based defense technology company Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million, expanding beyond its commercial eVTOL program. Resonant’s radio-frequency, sensing, mission-system and stealth capabilities will form Joby’s dedicated defense business, which is expected to be established following the deal’s anticipated 2027 closing.
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