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<p><strong><span style="color: #34495e;"><em>Above photo: Multi-class XTEND drones simultaneously controlled by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works MDCX.</em></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>18 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2=""><a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/business-areas/aeronautics/skunkworks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Lockheed Martin Skunk Works</strong></span></a> and <a href="https://www.xtend.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">XTEND</span></strong></a> collaborated to integrate the XTEND Operating System (XOS) into Skunk Works' MDCX autonomy platform, allowing simultaneous Command and Control (C2) of multiple classes of UAS, creating improved situational awareness for lower-level mission execution in joint all-domain C2 (JADC2) scenarios.</p>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">In November, the two companies demonstrated an integrated Multi-Class MDCX (MC-MDCX) workstation in support of a marsupial drone mission. In the demonstration, a larger class UAS delivered a smaller UAS class 1 drone to perform a close-in mission.</p>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">In previous constructs the operator of the larger class UAS would pass control over to an operator with lower-level controls for classes 1 or 2 vehicles. These types of controls include first-person views, mark-and-fly commands, and immersive environments for the drone operator to fully execute the mission. With the planned integration of XTEND's XOS into Lockheed Martin's MC-MDCX, a single operator can conduct both missions.</p>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">The integration demonstration proved a reduction in total manpower for complex mission executions, removing the need for mission handoffs to lower-tiered operators, and improving situational awareness across the mission space.</p>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">XTEND is a leader in&nbsp;combat-proven drone C2 solutions, deployed by militaries around the world. Their products provide a layered response and operational stepdown processes, enabling platform operations even when Global Positions System (GPS) signals are denied, or radio frequency datalinks are jammed. XOS allows new operators to conduct missions at near expert-level proficiency, thus reducing training time, increasing operational effectiveness, and improving informed decision-making. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and XTEND are now focused on how these techniques can be applied to JADC2 missions and decision loops for advancing autonomous systems.</p>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">Skunk Works is dedicated to enabling piloted and drone teaming to optimize operational flexibility, abbreviate data-to-decision timelines and improve pilot safety. We continue to collaborate with and invest in enabling technologies to keep our customers ahead of emerging threats.&nbsp;</p>
<h5 class="mdc-article-paragraph"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong class="mdc-article-strong" data-v-479a2324="" data-v-602de5d2="">About Lockheed Martin</strong></span></h5>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">Lockheed Martin is a&nbsp;global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security<span data-v-602de5d2="">&reg;</span>&nbsp;vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.</p>
<h5 class="mdc-article-paragraph"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong class="mdc-article-strong" data-v-479a2324="" data-v-602de5d2="">About XTEND</strong></span></h5>
<p class="mdc-article-paragraph" data-v-602de5d2="">XTEND's AI-driven autonomous and tactical drone solutions serve the worldwide defense, law enforcement, and security markets, providing mission-critical systems and capabilities. Its proprietary XOS operating system fuses human intelligence and machine autonomy to enhance operator capabilities and reduce cognitive load. XTEND is a global company with offices in&nbsp;<span data-v-602de5d2="">Tampa</span>&nbsp;(<span data-v-602de5d2="">Florida</span>),&nbsp;<span data-v-602de5d2="">Tel Aviv</span>&nbsp;(<span data-v-602de5d2="">Israel</span>),&nbsp;<span data-v-602de5d2="">Singapore</span>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<span data-v-602de5d2="">Latvia</span>.</p>

Skunk Works and XTEND Partner for Advanced Mission Execution

<p><strong><em>Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman.</em></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>16 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p>The threat of rogue and enemy drones today is starker than ever. Threats from swarms of drones are no longer on the horizon, they are here. With a proliferation of low-cost systems arming adversaries, U.S. warfighters, allies, and critical infrastructure are at risk.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The solution?&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/counter-unmanned-aerial-systems-c-uas/aion-counter-uas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AiON</a></strong></span>, Northrop Grumman&rsquo;s pioneering, cost-effective and low-risk counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS) command and control system.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Proven Capability</strong></span></h5>
<p>After a decisive performance during a recent live fire test,&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;successfully&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;various counter drone capabilities through a prototype project with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Following this achievement, any U.S. Department of War (DoW) organization may award a follow-on production transaction for&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;without further competition.&nbsp;</p>
<p>AiON&nbsp;was rigorously tested at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, where it successfully&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;the use of advanced decision aids and full autonomous engagements.</p>
<ul>
<li>AiON&nbsp;showcased&nbsp;its&nbsp;state-of-the-art&nbsp;technology by detecting, tracking,&nbsp;identifying&nbsp;and neutralizing both simulated and real targets during four engagements with perfect precision and efficiency.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Beyond its operational excellence,&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;proved its advanced safety features, such as friendly air track avoidance.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>AiON&rsquo;s&nbsp;command and control system also allows operators to manage multiple sites from any location. Its flexible, open architecture&nbsp;facilitates&nbsp;the integration of new&nbsp;application programming interfaces (API),&nbsp;sensors&nbsp;and effectors, providing unmatched agility to counter any UAS threat effectively.</li>
</ul>
<p>&ldquo;Northrop Grumman rapidly developed&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;to meet the urgent needs of the U.S. military,&rdquo; said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, command and control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman. &ldquo;With&nbsp;AiON&rsquo;s&nbsp;strong performance at Yuma we&rsquo;ve demonstrated our ability to innovate and quickly deliver proven capabilities into the hands of our warfighters.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The Path Forward</strong></span></h5>
<p>With any&nbsp;DoW&nbsp;organization now able to award a follow-on production transaction for&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;without further competition, new possibilities are available domestically and abroad for the system.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We see significant future opportunities to partner with other customers and allies who recognize the critical need for innovative solutions like&nbsp;AiON,&rdquo; Todorov said.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Northrop Grumman</strong></span></h5>
<p>With&nbsp;nearly 100,000&nbsp;employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space &ndash; more than 500 football fields &ndash; Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company&rsquo;s manufacturing approaches do more than just produce; they accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. Northrop Grumman has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&amp;D, its workforce, and its supply chain to deliver today and tomorrow&rsquo;s&nbsp;national security needs.</p>
<p>Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the&nbsp;world, and&nbsp;push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers&rsquo; toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">AiON&nbsp;was granted a prototype agreement through DIU's competitive commercial solutions opening (CSO) process, which included a standard cost-sharing arrangement.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About AiON</strong></span></h5>
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<p>AiON is a new&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/counter-unmanned-aerial-systems-c-uas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS)</a></strong></span>&nbsp;solution from Northrop Grumman. Designed to meet the mission needs of public safety, security, and defense, AiON was built to deliver agility and adaptability to meet the needs of a wide range of operations.</p>
<p>AiON&rsquo;s cutting-edge C-UAS technology has an intuitive user interface, and advanced AI-powered decision aids allow the integration of new technology. AiON is a low cost and low risk command-and-control solution that enables an operator&rsquo;s ability to command multiple sites from anywhere.</p>
<p>Simplifying security operations to a single-click, AiON&rsquo;s open design allows rapid integration of new sensors, effectors and third-party decision algorithms, ensuring adaptability and applicability to a broad range of potential threats and security risks.</p>
<p>AiON&rsquo;s software runs seamlessly on edge devices, mobile devices and web browsers. It integrates smoothly with over 45 different sensors and 50 different effectors, providing flexibility to use the latest anti-drone technology. With AI-enhanced decision aids and an automatic mode, AiON autonomously addresses and manages multiple risks, ensuring efficiency and safety.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch AiON Get Into the Fight</strong></span></h5>
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Northrop Grumman AiON Tackles drone threats

Trending News

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>11 December 2025</em></span></p>
<div class="featured-template-dek">China may have logged a significant lead in the combat drone battle with the December 11 launch of its jet-powered Jiutian "mothership" in Pucheng County.</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">Jiutian is a big boy&mdash;certainly as compared to other uncrewed combat aircraft&mdash;with a wingspan of about 82 feet, a 54 foot fuselage, a takeoff weight of approximately 17.6 tons, and a payload capacity of nearly 13,228 pounds. Of course, its size makes Jiutian a near perfect delivery system for deploying drone swarms wherever they might be needed. In addition, the unmanned UAV can fly for up to 12 hours at a speed of 435 miles per hour with an operational ceiling of 49,212 feet.</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">Last year, <span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em>The War Zone</em></strong></a></span> commented on China's drone swarm developments: &ldquo;China&rsquo;s <strong><a href="https://www.twz.com/17698/chinas-is-hard-at-work-developing-swarms-of-small-drones-on-multiple-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;">interest in swarming capabilities</span></a></strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/42694/chinese-flying-wing-drones-launch-swarming-decoys-at-enemy-warships-in-industry-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the ability to launch them</a></strong></span>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/42694/chinese-flying-wing-drones-launch-swarming-decoys-at-enemy-warships-in-industry-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">various platforms</a></strong></span>,&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/china-sees-balloon-launched-drone-swarms-in-its-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including high-altitude balloons</a></strong></span>, is not new. For military purposes, swarms have a number of inherent benefits, including the ability to rapidly fan out across a broad area to carry out various missions depending on how they are configured, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and kinetic strike. Individual drones in a swarm can also be equipped with different payloads to give the entire grouping a multi-mission capability. Large numbers of uncrewed aerial systems operating closely together also present significant challenges for defenders who could easily find themselves overwhelmed or otherwise confused about how to best respond to the incoming threats.&rdquo;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">Apparently, there's more to Jiutian than its potential deployment as a strategic combat weapon. Both China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and <span class="Yjhzub">Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) have identified non-military uses for the "mothership."</span></div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&ldquo;Its modular payload system enables roles ranging from precise deliveries of heavy cargo to remote regions, to emergency communication and disaster relief, to geographic surveying and resource mapping,&rdquo; the China Military Bugle&mdash;an official media outlet for China&rsquo;s military&mdash;posted on X, .</div>
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<div class="pw-border-incontent-after">However Jiutian ends up being deployed, its existence further showcases China's massive dominance in the global drone market&mdash;military or otherwise.&nbsp;</div>
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<h5 class="article-paragraph skip"><strong style="color: #ba372a; font-size: 18px;">Get a Sneak Peek at Jiutian</strong></h5>
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China's Jiutian Mothership Drone Takes First Flight

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>05 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p class="pf0"><span class="cf1"><a href="https://news.northropgrumman.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Northrop Grumman</strong></span></a> has unveiled <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Project Talon</strong></span>, an autonomous aircraft built to fly alongside crewed fighters. As the latest addition to the company&rsquo;s elite autonomous portfolio, Project Talon represents a paradigm shift in air dominance as an adaptive, collaborative teammate for combat missions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<ul>
<li class="pf0"><span class="cf0">Project</span><span class="cf1">&nbsp;Talon combines greater mission versatility with the most advanced modular manufacturing techniques. This disruptive approach shortens timelines, emphasizing speed and simplicity.</span></li>
<li class="pf0"><span class="cf1">Project Talon advances collaboration between crewed and uncrewed aircraft, acting as a force multiplier to enhance lethality, adaptability and mission effectiveness.</span></li>
<li class="pf0"><span class="cf1">Project Talon expands previous boundaries of collaborative aircraft technology to give U.S. and international customers the ability to project power in dynamic threat environments.&nbsp;</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="pf0"><span class="cf0">Northrop Grumman has more than 500,000 autonomous flight test hours across seven decades of experience in autonomy. Along with the release of Beacon earlier this year, Northrop Grumman continues to demonstrate it is advancing autonomy with speed and decisive action.&nbsp;</span></p>
<h5 class="pf0"><span class="cf0" style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Details on Project Talon&nbsp;</strong></span></h5>
<ul>
<li class="pf0"><span class="cf0">Project Talon was designed, built and on track to fly in under 24 months.</span></li>
<li class="pf0"><span class="cf0">The Northrop Grumman autonomous testbed ecosystem, Beacon, accelerated Project Talon, testing its avionics software in real-world environments.</span></li>
<li class="pf0"><span class="cf0">Project Talon builds on Northrop Grumman&rsquo;s seven decades of advanced, battle-tested autonomous systems across every domain.&nbsp;</span></li>
</ul>
<p class="pf0"><span class="cf0">Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers&rsquo; toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.&nbsp;</span></p>

Northrop Grumman Reveals Project Talon

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>28 November 2025</em></span></p>
<p><a href="https://uvisionuav.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Uvision Group</strong></span></a>, a global pioneer in smart integrated systems, has announced &nbsp;the complete acquisition of <a href="https://spearuav.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>SpearUAV</strong></span></a>, an Israeli defense tech company, developer of encapsulated AI-based loitering systems. The acquisition marks another significant step in Uvision&rsquo;s continued expansion, and in its strategy to deliver a comprehensive, multi-layered approach of loitering munitions across all domains to customers around the globe.</p>
<p>This acquisition will accelerate SpearUAV&rsquo;s ability to realize its vision as the integral "battalion-level air force", providing persistent support and operational reach It is centered on the Viper family of encapsulated AI-driven loitering systems that bring reconnaissance, attack, Electronic Warfare (EW) and Counter-UAS (C-UAS) advanced capabilities,&nbsp; amplifying multi-Mission dominance across air, ground, sea and Sub-sea domains.</p>
<p>The Viper family and product portfolio complement Uvision&rsquo;s HERO family of Loitering Munitions, together forming an integrated suite of systems that can set new versatile solutions for the growing demand in the global defense market. While HERO systems address missions at higher echelons, providing precision surveillance, target acquisition, and strike capabilities for tactical and operational formations, Viper systems focus on lower tactical levels, including units operating from ground vehicles, navy vessels and submarines.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/mN0h55Hye4Jw2zQ1fm9e7WjViPm5jr3yjoFfxYEL.jpg" alt="" width="465" height="394" /></p>
<p><strong><em>HERO 120</em></strong></p>
<p>Dr. Ran Gozali, CEO of Uvision, stated: &ldquo;We have great confidence in SpearUAV&rsquo;s management team, technologies, innovation and capabilities. Over recent years, Spear&rsquo;s strategy has aligned closely with our long-term vision. As UVision continues to expand - including our recent move into a new facility with advanced production, R&amp;D and testing infrastructure &mdash; the merger strengthens our ability to deliver a robust and versatile product portfolio. By combining forces, we will deliver strong, versatile product portfolio and integrated solutions with greater operational impact and value to our customers.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Yiftach Kleinman, CEO of SpearUAV, added: &ldquo;Since Uvision&rsquo;s initial strategic investment four years ago, our collaboration has proven very effective and successful. This acquisition is first and foremost an achievement of SpearUAV&rsquo;s team, whose innovation and professionalism - utilizing the vision of our founder, Gadi Kuperman - have positioned the company today as a global leader in encapsulated loitering weapon systems. Joining forces under the Uvision group will allow us to expand our reach and deliver greater value to global customers".</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About UvisionAir Ltd</strong></span></h5>
<p>Uvision group designs and manufactures combat-proven smart integrated systems, providing military organizations around the globe with precise and effective operational attack capabilities. Its innovative, cost-effective systems are based on cutting-edge technology and 30 years of extensive field experience by military professionals, engineers, and management.</p>
<p>The HERO series of systems provides high-precision strike capabilities, based on unique aerodynamic platform configurations, flight qualities for precision-attack, integrated advanced airborne guidance, navigation and computer vision algorithms.</p>
<p>Uvision group offers a common operating system that allows mission management, that can be integrated with any host C4I system &ndash; thereby meeting the requirements of today&rsquo;s modern battlefield for combat in complex and dynamic environments.</p>
<p>The HERO series of loitering munitions is suitable for tactical and strategic targets ‒ whether for short, medium or long-range &ndash; utilizing a variety of warheads to ensure maximum mission effectiveness. The units are operationally deployed and combat proven. ISO certified, Uvision is fully committed to providing turnkey solutions to its extensive network of partners and customers around the world, with high-quality service and customer support.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About SpearUAV</strong></span></h5>
<p>SpearUAV Ltd. is a system house, specializing in encapsulated, AI-based loitering weapon systems for cross-domain applications - ground, air, sea, and sub-sea.</p>
<p>Spear provides military customers, organizations, and governments around the globe with a unique, field-proven, MIL-STD solutions. Spear&rsquo;s solutions are at the core of the emerging &ldquo;Organic Air Force&rdquo; for battalion level, empowering maneuvering forces with autonomous, on-demand capabilities such as loitering munitions, ISR, EW, and more.</p>

Uvision acquires SpearUAV

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>20 November 2025</em></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Lockheed Martin Skunk Works</strong></span></a> with industry partners and the U.S. Air Force, controlled an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) from the cockpit of a 5th Gen fighter while in flight.</p>
<p>During the flight out of&nbsp;<span class="xn-location">Nellis</span>&nbsp;Air Force Base,&nbsp;<span class="xn-location">Nevada</span>, an F-22 Raptor pilot successfully used an open interface in the cockpit to send control directions to another airborne UAS.</p>
<p>"This effort represents Skunk Works driving a breakthrough in air combat capability, where single-seat aircraft command and control drones with simple and intuitive interfaces in the cockpit," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The F-22 pilot used a pilot vehicle interface (PVI) to command the drone to execute a specific mission profile. The PVI represents a flexible system to provide integration-ready capabilities for both current and future platforms.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This event demonstrates human-machine teaming capabilities and the future of air combat, today. Lockheed Martin has been focused on the transformative power of autonomous and AI-enabled operations in crewed and uncrewed systems for years, with particular focus on integrating autonomous drones with the F-22 and F-35.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This flight event and other ongoing evaluations are crucial steps in realizing the Air Force's family of systems vision. Human-machine teaming enhances situational awareness, interoperability, survivability and flexibility, unlocking a significant advantage for the U.S. Air Force. By integrating the F-22 with other advanced systems we're bolstering the capabilities of our warfighters, ensuring American airpower dominance.</p>
<p>Lockheed Martin's proactive approach to building, testing and improving 5th Gen teaming capabilities is at the forefront of innovation, demonstrating the future of air combat today.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">About Lockheed Martin&nbsp;</span><br /></strong></h5>
<p>Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security&reg; vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.&nbsp;</p>

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor Pilot Commands Drone from Cockpit

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>17 November 2025</em></span></p>
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<p class="content__meta content__meta--timestamp">On the November 16 episode of <em>Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan</em>, U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll spoke about the threat of combat drones. He appeared to take a Defcon 2 (high readiness) stance.</p>
<p class="content__meta content__meta--timestamp">"This is the threat of humanity's lifetime," he stated. "What's occurring in Ukraine, what's happening in Russia&mdash;if you look at the speed and scale of the devastation that can come from drones, we as a federal government have got to lead on it. This problem is different from nearly anything faced in a long time&mdash; a flying IED [Improvised Explosive Device]. Drones are cheap, you can 3D-print them at home, and they cross borders incredibly quickly."</p>
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<p>Interestingly, the U.S. Army, rather than the Air Force, is leading the charge to counter drone threats for the Pentagon.</p>
<p>"What we are going to do is we are going to invest in things like sensors and brushless motors and circuit boards and a lot of the components that are really hard for the private sector to get right now," said Driscoll, alluding to China's current dominance in drone manufacturing and technology. "The United States Army is going to build those on our bases and empower the private sector to purchase from us. We will make drones. Our private partners will make drones. And we will catch up and surpass the Chinese incredibly quickly."</p>
<p>Thanks to CBS' transcript of Sunday's <em>Face the Nation </em>interview, we have been been able to compile selected quotes from Driscoll regarding drones ...&nbsp;</p>
<p>"<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The problem with the drone fight</strong> </span>is you need all sorts of layered defense. One solution does not work. If you just try to jam them&mdash;if you look at what's happening in Ukraine&mdash;people have started to hard wire drones, and so you can't do RF jamming on a hard wire drone. And so there are things like net guns that are coming back. We're using all sorts of solutions and tools, and it makes it even more complicated. When you're by an airport and you're doing it in your own homeland, you just have different authorities. And so a lot of this is a human problem of communication, command and control, and having a layered set of solutions that you can use for any given problem."</p>
<p>"<strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">I'm pretty optimistic that we will be able to figure out a solution</span> </strong>where we will know what is in the sky at every moment across our country, all at once. We're not there yet, but under the President's Golden Dome&mdash;I would think about this like a golden mini dome&mdash;if you took one of the sites for the World Cup, we are heavily focused on being able to see everything in the area, have all of the interceptors we will need, have all of the training for all of the different forces that will have to be able to act."</p>
<p>"<strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">I don't think I've talked to a single person who has said we shouldn't be learning from what's occurring in Ukraine</span>.</strong> All of our equipment, all of the exquisite features we will need, are definitionally going to come. The data set the Ukrainians are getting for their generative AI models of when they have drones&mdash;they're flying, they're learning, and they're doing counter drone&mdash;and they're taking all of this information from their sensors and trying to figure out what's going on. There's not a single person I know that doesn't think that is an incredible treasure trove of information for future warfare."</p>
<p>"<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>We're working on something with Congress called SkyFoundry.</strong></span> And basically the idea is to do it right from the beginning. What the army has historically gotten wrong in the last couple of decades is, we're either all in or all out&mdash;meaning we either use our organic industrial base and we make the drones ourselves, or we say, 'This is too complicated for us, we're going to have private industry do it.' We are not doing that with drones. Because Ukraine is manufacturing four million a year, China, I think, is at 12 to 14 million drones a year. We, as a nation, will have to have our private sector able to help us."</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch the Interview</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 670px; height: 377px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FVWOgl12RWc?si=ycU_EA6jjNA1a_f4" width="670" height="377" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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"The Threat of Humanity's Lifetime!"

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>13 November 2025</em></span></p>
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<p><a href="https://edgegroupuae.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>EDGE</strong></span></a>, one of the world&rsquo;s leading advanced technology and defense groups, and <a href="https://www.anduril.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Anduril</strong></span></a>, a global defense technology company, will launch a joint venture to accelerate the design, development, and production of autonomous systems to support civil and defense mission sets in the Middle East and surrounding regions. The United States and United Arab Emirates have a long-standing defense partnership rooted in shared security and commercial interests. Through this collaboration, Anduril and EDGE are deepening that alliance by co-developing critical capabilities that strengthen both nations&rsquo; commercial aerospace and defense ecosystems and expand access to advanced, software-defined technologies.<br /><br />The joint venture will include the formation of a new jointly-owned production, sales and sustainment vehicle, the EDGE&ndash;Anduril Production Alliance, which will serve as a center of gravity for modern commercial and defense manufacturing in the region. The parties are in the process of finalising the detailed arrangements in line with the necessary US and UAE approvals required.<br /><br />The joint venture will combine EDGE&rsquo;s regional presence and established trust across the Middle East with Anduril&rsquo;s expertise in rapid, software-driven development and large-scale production. Together, the companies aim to deliver the kind of affordable, fieldable mass that modern deterrence requires &mdash; systems that are capable, scalable, and ready for operational use for a wide range of commercial and defense applications. The UAE has confirmed the acquisition of 50 Omen systems, representing a decisive investment that anchors production and will accelerate the development of future co-developed systems.<br /><br />H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of EDGE Group, said: &ldquo;Our strategic partnership with Anduril opens new pathways for EDGE to harness some of the most advanced autonomous systems engineering in the world. Embedding that capability in the UAE fundamentally accelerates how we innovate, build and field next-generation systems. Omen exemplifies this transformation, combining deep autonomy, operational intelligence, and local production to reinforce the UAE&rsquo;s position at the forefront of autonomous air capability.&rdquo;<br /><br />Trae Stephens, Co-Founder and Executive Chair, Anduril said: &ldquo;Defense innovation is measured not by ideas, but by the pace at which those ideas translate into capability. With EDGE, we&rsquo;re aligning the means of production with the urgency of modern deterrence.&rdquo;<br /><br /></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>An Alliance for Speed, Scale, and Sovereignty</strong></span></h5>
<p>Under the joint venture agreements, the parties will collaborate on defined projects, coordinate related business development globally, and oversee a shared portfolio of in-scope autonomous systems for military and civilian applications. Activities proposed for partnership through the joint venture may require U.S. and UAE government approval. EDGE and Anduril will work closely with U.S. and UAE authorities to ensure full compliance with applicable laws and regulations including trade compliance rules and regulations.<br /><br />For EDGE, the joint venture brings access to Anduril&rsquo;s continuously updated Lattice software platform, a foundational layer of AI-driven command and control that will supercharge both new and existing in-scope joint venture systems. For Anduril, the joint venture creates a trusted production base in the Middle East, allowing systems conceived in California and built in Ohio to be designed, adapted, and manufactured in Abu Dhabi for regional customers. Both companies share a philosophy: move fast, invest ahead of need, and deliver real capability.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Introducing Omen</strong></span></h5>
<p>The first of many systems that will be co-developed and locally produced is Omen, a hover-to-cruise Autonomous Air Vehicle (AAV) that will combine the endurance, payload, and autonomy of larger systems with the flexibility of a compact, runway-independent airframe. Omen builds on Anduril&rsquo;s $850 million investment in mission autonomy technology and Group 3 VTOL development, paired with nearly $200 million in new investment from EDGE. Together, the companies will take the aircraft from development to full-rate production by the end of 2028.<br /><br />The UAE has finalized an initial acquisition of 50 Omen systems, creating a guaranteed production base and manufacturing system, expanding local supply chains, and accelerating the country&rsquo;s path toward domestic mass production of autonomous dual use aircraft, establishing a clear transition from co-development to serial production, operational deployment, and future export to regional and international customers.<br /><br />Systems for the UAE and other allies will be produced locally by the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance in the UAE, while U.S. orders are expected to be fulfilled at Anduril&rsquo;s Arsenal-1 facility in Ohio.<br /><br /></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Designed for Multi-Domain and Dual-Use Missions</strong></span></h5>
<p>Omen will provide long-range and high payload for distributed and expeditionary operations. Powered by Anduril&rsquo;s Lattice for Mission Autonomy software, multiple aircraft will coordinate flight paths, share sensor data, and adapt behavior in real time, enabling new missions that bring the capabilities of much larger systems to smaller, more expeditionary units.<br /><br />Its lightweight, foldable frame will allow a two-person team to transport, assemble, and launch the aircraft in minutes without specialized infrastructure. Built for endurance and heavy payloads, Omen will support missions ranging from maritime surveillance and logistics resupply to air defense sensing and communications relay.<br /><br />Its open, modular architecture will enable reconfiguration for diverse missions across defense and civilian domains. Beyond military use, Omen will be optimized for a variety of commercial mission sets. For example, Omen could serve as an airborne cell tower to restore connectivity after natural disasters, support humanitarian relief, or deliver critical supplies to remote areas when ground access is cut off.</p>
<h5><br /><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Built and Produced in the UAE</strong></span></h5>
<p>In addition to the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance&rsquo;s expected production and sustainment facilities, Anduril is establishing a permanent UAE presence with a 50,000-square-foot research, development, and virtual simulation centre, purpose-built to expand and evolve with future programmes. The facility will serve as a regional hub for engineering, design, and prototyping &mdash; supporting the development, integration, and testing of advanced autonomous systems and related hardware.<br /><br />By co-investing ahead of need and embedding production capacity in the UAE, EDGE and Anduril are shortening the distance between concept and fielded capability. The joint venture represents a concrete step toward a more agile, self-reliant commercial and defense industrial base&mdash;one designed to produce real systems, at scale for the missions that matter most.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Meet Omen</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 668px; height: 376px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UeBtHNcrE7U?si=SLZ9KjJl5VmTSZcJ" width="668" height="376" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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EDGE Group and Anduril Form UAE-US Joint Venture

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>11 November 2025</em></span></p>
<p>The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict Capability Development &amp; Innovation Directorate competitively awarded <a href="https://www.xtend.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>XTEND Reality Inc.</strong></span></a>, a multi-million-dollar Firm Fixed Price Contract to rapidly develop and deliver Affordable Close Quarter Modular Effects FPV Drone Kits (ACQME-DK). The contract award is a testament to XTEND&rsquo;s leadership in the OWA market and a clear customer preference for a high-voltage Electronic Safe and Arm Device.</p>
<p>Next generation ACQME-DK lethal sUAS kits with training will be purpose built and provided to Department of War small tactical team operators to help increase their precision strike lethality and survivability when conducting assigned irregular warfare operations in complex urban terrain and rural confined spaces.</p>
<p>The company will deliver training, spares, maintenance and production from its Tampa, Florida headquarters, providing an important domestic source of supply.</p>
<p>Swarm-based autonomy is rapidly reshaping modern war fighting doctrine, shifting from single-platform control to distributed, collaborative robotic systems performing complex missions at the tactical edge. Remote-operated swarms deliver precision, lethality, and survivability effects deep inside contested battle spaces without risking personnel or relying on fragile beyond-line-of-sight links.</p>
<p>XTEND&rsquo;s focus on one‑way attack loitering munition delivers lethality at low cost‑per‑kill, aligns with Secretary of War Hegseth&rsquo;s Directives.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Key Innovation and Differentiation</strong></span></h5>
<p>- One‑way attack capability ,mission‑focused. A purpose‑built loitering munition converting tactical intentinto lethality while keeping operator cognitive load at a minimum.</p>
<p>- Safety &amp; certification. XTEND&rsquo;s ESAD high‑voltage fuse safety board approval, a key differentiator.</p>
<p>- Battle‑proven performance. System components and AI behaviors are derived from field experience in multiple theaters, and optimized for repeatable effectiveness in contested environments.</p>
<p>- Dual‑comms resilience (Fiber Optic Cable +hardened RF). Anti‑jam, low‑latency control to maintain mission continuity under heavy EW.</p>
<p>- Modular VTOL + munitions kit. Rapid reconfiguration in the filed as mission requires types (day/night recon surveillance, reloadable reusable distraction device, lethal inert training payload, lethal payload) with emphasis on lethal attack role.</p>
<p>- Measured cost effectiveness. System design and logistics optimized to reduce cost‑per‑kill and enable high operational tempo consistent with warfighters need.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">Aviv Shapira, XTEND CEO and Co-founder:</span>&nbsp;</strong>&ldquo;This is the first operational system in the world that allows one operator to command and deploy swarms of AI enabled tactical drones remotely, with resilient Fiber Optic-plus-RF dual-comms precision and zero-latency control,&rdquo; said Aviv Shapira, Co-Founder &amp; CEO of XTEND. &ldquo;After years of real combat deployments across five war zones, this is not a concept - it is a battle-proven system, lessons learned and applied, that gives warfighters reach and unparalleled tactical overmatch.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">Rubi Liani, XTEND CTO and Co-founder:</span>&nbsp;</strong>&ldquo;Our XOS unifies sensors, radars, payloads ,and third-party features and apps into a single AI-driven mission backbone,&rdquo;said Rubi Liani, Co-Founder &amp; CTO. &ldquo;This program extends that advantage deeper into complex terrain, scaling both precision and survivability throughfully coordinated swarm behavior.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About XTEND</strong></span></h5>
<p>XTEND is a world leader in battle-proven AI robotics, trusted by the U.S. Department of War and the IDF. At its core is XOS- the XTEND operating system - merging human intent with AI autonomy to turn mission goals into coordinated robotic action. With over 10,000 systems deployed across air, land, and sea in more than 32 countries, XTEND&rsquo;s platforms remove soldiers from harm&rsquo;s way while delivering zero-learning-time ,multi-mission capability. From close quarters combat to coordinated swarm operations, XTEND&rsquo;s drones execute complex missions even without GPS or communications. Scaled through its local-production model, and a global manufacturing network spanning the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Singapore, XTEND is now expanding its proven defense technologies into private security and critical infrastructure protection.</p>

XTEND WINS MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR U.S. DEPARTMENT OF WAR CONTRACT

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>07 Novemner 2025</em></span></p>
<p>In a significant strategic shift, the United States Army is committing to acquiring approximately one million drones in the next two or three years.</p>
<p>While there have been several statements by military officials and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth regarding the need to embrace modern drone warfare, today's announcement by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is putting a "Purchase Order" on the plan.</p>
<p>However, there are some challenges ...</p>
<p>First, one could argue that standard operating procedure in the U.S. military is to spend tons of money on very expensive drones. It wasn't until drone campaign successes in the Ukraine war pointed strategists across the globe to see the massive battle value of expendable UAVs&mdash;even the use of cheap "hobbyist" models converted to aerial fighters.</p>
<p>Secondly, to date, the U.S. Army has been purchasing just 50,000 drones per year&mdash;a number that's galactically less than what other armies acquire.</p>
<p>For example, it is assumed that Russia and Ukraine produce <em>four million</em> drones annually.</p>
<p>China appears to manufacture even more than that number.</p>
<p>Finally, China's drones tend to be more technologically advanced and significantly less expensive than current American-made drones.</p>
<p>To beef up America's drone armament, U.S. lawmakers allegedly want to build a million drones each year at a single Texas plant. Driscoll, however, seems to prefer partnering with several commercial drone companies to fill future needs. Driscoll also feels it is critical to invest in offensive <em>and</em> defensive drone capabilities for the future of warfare.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>More Breaking News</strong></span></h5>
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