Featured News

Trending News

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>27 August 2025</em></span></p>
<p class="pw-incontent-excluded article-paragraph skip">Sneak peeks of China's loyal wingman drones&mdash;such as the FH-97, which was first seen as a model at 2021's Zhuhai Airshow&mdash;are starting to emerge ahead of Bejing's 2025 military parade on September 3.</p>
<p class="pw-incontent-excluded article-paragraph skip">Satellite images of preparation for the event appear to reveal at least five loyal wingman UAVs&mdash;named "Collaborative Combat Aircraft" (CCA) by the United States Air Force&mdash;slated for public introduction. Obviously, China isn't revealing any details at this time, but experts assume these new drones may promise higher performance than previous models, as well as enhanced autonomy. Current images seem to show some drones without tails and modified delta wings, others with slender noses and wider bodies, and, given the perspective of the UAVs on the transport trucks, larger sizes overall.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="pw-incontent-excluded article-paragraph skip">If China <em>is</em> "sizing up" its combat drone fleet, it would be following a different concept from some other militaries, who are exploring smaller, less-expensive drones&mdash;especially after the success of Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack against Russian airfields with small Osa drones.</p>
<div class="pw-ad-scroll-container pw-clearfix" data-pw-in-article="true" data-batch-id="in_content6">
<div class="pw-footer-container-incontent">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<h5 class="article-paragraph skip"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See a Preview of China's Military Parade</strong></span></h5>
<p class="article-paragraph skip"><iframe style="width: 670px; height: 377px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hGw7UqXCEO8?si=BPQ0_kGLs35PkKRQ" width="670" height="377" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p class="article-paragraph skip"><iframe style="width: 665px; height: 374px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TiSnHiOUYmg?si=L1-0zvlLur4yJ1yW" width="665" height="374" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h5 class="article-paragraph skip"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>What is China's Loyal Wingman Program?</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 658px; height: 370px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zd5TBQ6WqFg?si=FHCHYf1h4J3CyZkG" width="658" height="370" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>

Spotted! Chinese Next-Gen Loyal Wingman Drones

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>17 July 2025</em></span></p>
<p>There has been a fair amount of talk about David and Goliath-style asymmetric warfare as Ukraine's drone force has punished Russian invaders&mdash;and even more discussions have launched since the global surprise of the Ukrainian military's <a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/when-a-mouse-annihilates-a-lion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Operation Spider Web</strong></span></a> that decimated Russian bombers <em>on their own airfields</em>.</p>
<p>It appears the United States fears it might be next&mdash;<em>if</em> a small, agile threat goes up against our expensive and woefully inadequate drone tech.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Happily, America is taking steps to improve its ability to wage drone wars. Our potential savior?</p>
<p>Ukraine.</p>
<p>It has been reported that President Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky are drafting a significant deal that would bring combat-tested drones from the Ukraine to the U.S., in exchange for Kyiv purchasing American weapons. Sharing aerial technology is part of the accord, as well&mdash;although it seems we need them more than vice-versa.</p>
<p>&ldquo;If we had to go to war tomorrow, do we have what we need? No,&rdquo; said Trent Emeneker of the military&rsquo;s Defense Innovation Unit, in speaking with the <em>New York Times</em> about the U.S. drone-technology lag behind China and Russia. &ldquo;We all know the same thing. We aren&rsquo;t giving the American war fighter what they need to survive warfare today.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Zelensky has long attributed drones as the essential weaponry that has kept Russian invaders from victory for more than three years.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&ldquo;We will be ready to share our experience with America and other European partners,&ldquo; said Zelensky in an interview with <em>The Post</em>. "The people of America need this technology, and you need to have it in your arsenal. I think this is really a mega deal, a win-win, as they say."&nbsp;</p>
<p>The potential deal has arisen at a critical time for America. At a Defense Department testing camp in Alaska this June, U.S. soliders failed miserably at shooting down prototype drones and tech foul ups were also reported.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We were brought here to rebuild the military and match capabilities to the threats of today,&rdquo; said U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a Pentagon memo. &ldquo;So while our adversaries have produced millions of cheap drones before us, we were mired in bureaucratic red tape. Not anymore.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Ukraine/USA Drone Tech "Mega Deal" Considered</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 668px; height: 376px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aMNGk00rvrQ?si=gKkQ1TFY-On3Zs-x" width="668" height="376" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 667px; height: 375px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8BviiwobdZQ?si=F7VCRzfvm7ehp4sg" width="667" height="375" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

U.S. Drone Warfare Tech Doesn't Have What It Takes

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>30 June 2025</em></span></p>
<p><span class="PbdDt_txt2">As the Trump Administration continues to champion a lasting ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the combatants appear to be seeking anything but.</span></p>
<p><span class="PbdDt_txt2">Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb at the beginning of June shocked&mdash;and educated&mdash;militaries around the world by destroying Russian bombers with a barrage of its inexpensive Osa "Wasp" drones (estimated at $500-$2,000 each).</span></p>
<p><span class="PbdDt_txt2">Over the weekend, Russia launched its largest aerial attack on Ukraine, sending a reported 477 drones and 60 ballistic and cruise missiles to destroy homes and infrastructure. Of this number, Ukraine's Air Force claimed to have shot down 249 weapons and caused 226 to miss targets, potentially due to electronic jamming.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span class="PbdDt_txt2">However, six people&mdash;including a child&mdash;were injured, and a Ukrainian F-16 and its pilot were lost in the battle.</span></p>
<div class="ss ss_pg">
<div class="pst_opt">
<div class="pst_icn-btn">
<div class="SSR_drp SSR_rgt">
<div class="SSR_drp-nav SSR_WEB">
<p>"The Russians were targeting everything that sustains life," posted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X. "Almost all night long, air raid alerts sounded across Ukraine. Most of the drones were Russian-Iranian Shaheds, along with 60 missiles of various types. Emergency services are responding wherever they're needed. Tragically, while repelling the attack, our F-16 pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, died. He destroyed 7 aerial targets. My condolences to his family and brothers-in-arms. I have instructed that all the circumstances of his death be investigated. Ukrainian aviation is heroically protecting our skies. I am grateful to everyone who is defending Ukraine."</p>
<p>Poland also reported that it&mdash;and other allied countries&mdash;scrambled aircraft to guard Polish airspace.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See Video of the Russian Attack</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7Xc3J2-Oqs8?si=qNXtJMCG-l0lGe1l" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

Russia Committed to Waging Large-Scale Aerial Attacks on Ukraine

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>27 June 2025</em></span></p>
<p>If you're into the <em>Terminator</em> series of sci-fi flicks, you know the movie's&nbsp; AI-guided Skynet defense network becomes self-aware and tries to nuke humanity out of existence. For those humans not blown to bits in the global war, robots and UAVs armed with weapons are deployed to mop up what is left of flesh-and-blood humans.</p>
<p>The idea was scary enough to warrant several sequels, video games, graphic novels, and countless collectible toys.</p>
<p>Now, the <em>Terminator</em> scenario could be (mostly) true, as AI-powered drones carrying not just explosives, but also guns, could seek out enemies and kill them <em>without</em> human intervention.</p>
<p>Are future soldiers to be targets for automated warriors from above? Will future battlefields deploy human soldiers?</p>
<p>When will we see Terminators coming after the Sarah Conners of the world?</p>
<p>Watch the video below ...</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Are Drones the Future of Warfare?</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 665px; height: 374px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kW074gGEn90?si=1r6l-a-RAlCvhD3A" width="665" height="374" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>

Warrior Drones with Machine Guns May Be "Real" Terminators

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>17 June 2025</em></span></p>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-0">As the tiny island of Taiwan strategizes against potential threats by China's massive armed forces might, it is adopting the Ukrainian army's asymmetric warfare tactic&mdash;a campaign that crippled several Russian bombers during Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb in early June.</div>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-0">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-0">To that end, Taiwan has entered into a partnership deal for Ukraine's battle-tested drone software with <span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://auterion.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Auterion</strong></a></span>&mdash;a tech company based in the United States and Germany. It is anticipated the software may eventually power millions of drones for Taiwan's UAV warfare fleet.</div>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-0">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1">"What we're bringing to the table has been combat-proven in Ukraine to deter aggression and destroy tanks, naval assets, and other really expensive equipment," said Auterion chief executive Lorenz Meier about his company's strategic partnership with Taiwan's defense ministry's research and development arm, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. "By building a large autonomous fleet, Taiwan can deter China. The partnership is super long-term. We're expecting millions of drones eventually over multiple years and hundreds of millions of dollars in value that's being created."</div>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1">&nbsp;</div>
<h5 class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See How Taiwan is Implementing Asymmetric Warfare</strong></span></h5>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="text__text__1FZLe text__dark-grey__3Ml43 text__regular__2N1Xr text__small__1kGq2 body__full_width__ekUdw body__small_body__2vQyf article-body__paragraph__2-BtD" data-testid="paragraph-1"><iframe style="width: 667px; height: 375px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CiiBffaXiFg?si=juHihUfMesXKchvj" width="667" height="375" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>

Taiwan Is Learning Combat Lessons from Ukraine

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>13 June 2025</em></span></p>
<p>In retaliation for Israel's missile strike on Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities and other sites&mdash;which claimed the lives of the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Commander of the IRGC, and the head of Iran&rsquo;s Emergency Command&mdash;Iran sent more than 100 combat drones towards Israeli territory.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Israeli strike&mdash;which occurred days before Iranian and U.S. officials were scheduled for the <em>now-cancelled</em> sixth round of nuclear deal discussions&mdash;is the largest attack on the Islamic Republic since the 1980s Iran-Iraq war.</p>
<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the strikes on Iranian nuclear installations were &ldquo;very successful" in a televised address, adding Israel will attack Iran &ldquo;until the threat is removed.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had his own response on social platform X, vowing retribution for Israel&rsquo;s attacks.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/EqE7u3PGtFY6n6oL6viNTNAYl4zovJQCXEzM7Uve.png" alt="" width="463" height="184" /></p>
<p>Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry also warned it would hold the United States responsible for Israeli military actions.</p>
<p>Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites came one day after the United Nations' nuclear sentinels &mdash; the IAEA Board of Governors &mdash; declared Iran in noncompliance with its nuclear-safeguard obligations for the first time in 20 years.</p>
<div class="MidResponsive-midResponsiveContainer">
<div id="MidResponsive-1" class="" data-module="mps-slot"></div>
</div>
<div class="group">
<p>&ldquo;If Iran does not come back to the negotiating table &mdash; as the U.S. has already called on it to do &mdash; then I think, and I fear, Israel will have to take successive rounds of action to take out what&rsquo;s left of Iran&rsquo;s nuclear program,&rdquo; said Firas Maksad, managing director for the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See Iran's Drone Attack on Tel Aviv</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 663px; height: 373px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/md0T03T_0Tg?si=Q9G7ykHac-TvIlVn" width="663" height="373" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
</div>

Iran Sends Attack Drones to Israel

Product News

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>13 June 2025</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.uavnavigation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UAV Navigation</a></strong></span>, a division of Grupo Oes&iacute;a specializing in advanced guidance, navigation, and control solutions, has been selected as a key technology provider for the European VANTAGE project. This ambitious initiative, funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), aims to develop the next generation of tactical VTOL unmanned aerial systems for European defense.</p>
<p>Coordinated by Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), the VANTAGE project represents a major milestone in Europe&rsquo;s pursuit of technological superiority and operational autonomy&mdash;capabilities that have proven critical on today&rsquo;s battlefields, as starkly demonstrated by recent conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. The resulting platform will be a modular VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) drone, capable of executing a wide range of C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions as well as kinetic strikes, with a strong emphasis on adaptability to complex and contested environments.</p>
<p>In this context, UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a brings its extensive expertise in high-precision<strong> </strong>inertial navigation and robust flight control, ensuring superior performance even in GNSS-denied environments where GNSS signals are blocked or degraded. The Spanish company autonomous navigation technology guarantees mission integrity and safety, allowing the UAV to operate without human intervention under adverse conditions or safely return to a designated location if communication links are lost.</p>
<p>&ldquo;At UAV Navigation, we are proud to contribute our cutting-edge technology at the core of the VANTAGE project, a crucial effort to enhance European security and set new standards in unmanned aerial system capabilities,&rdquo; said Miguel &Aacute;ngel de Frutos, Director &amp; CTO at UAV Navigation &ndash; Grupo Oes&iacute;a. &ldquo;Our guidance and navigation solution is essential for enabling UAVs to perform coordinated, resilient autonomous operations on the battlefield of the future, delivering precision and reliability when it matters most, with proven operational capability and a commitment to European strategic autonomy.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The unmanned VTOL platform developed under the VANTAGE project will also incorporate UAV Navigation &ndash; Grupo Oes&iacute;a&rsquo;s advanced algorithms for fully autonomous operations. These include<strong> </strong>sense-and-avoid capabilities, dynamic flight replanning, and coordinated swarm functionality. Such innovations empower the platform to execute complex tactical missions with a high degree of autonomy and operational safety. At the same time, manual intervention mechanisms are embedded within the system to ensure that human oversight remains integral in high-stakes scenarios, reinforcing both operational responsibility and the ethical deployment of systems with kinetic capabilities.</p>
<p>The project is supported by the European Commission (European Union) through the European Defence Fund and is coordinated by Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA. It brings together a consortium of leading organizations across Europe, including UAV Navigation&ndash;Grupo Oes&iacute;a, C&amp;V Defence, CAVOK UAS, Centro de Observaci&oacute;n y Teledetecci&oacute;n Espacial SAU, Vegvisir, Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Aerospațială "Elie Carafoli" (INCAS București), and M3 Systems Belgium. Together, these partners are working collaboratively to advance innovation and technological capabilities in the field of defense.</p>
<p>With VANTAGE, UAV Navigation &ndash; Grupo Oes&iacute;a strengthens its position as a European leader in UAV guidance, navigation and control systems, delivering innovative solutions that enable a safer, more flexible, and technologically advanced defense for Europe.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About the VANTAGE Consortium</strong></span></h5>
<p>The VANTAGE consortium brings together 8 renowned organizations from 7 countries across the continent and includes Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA (Coordinator), C&amp;V Defence, CAVOK UAS, Centro de Observaci&oacute;n y Teledetecci&oacute;n Espacial SAU, Vegvisir, Institutul Național de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Aerospațială "Elie Carafoli" (INCAS București), M3 Systems Belgium, UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About UAV Navigation - Grupo Oes&iacute;a</strong></span></h5>
<p>UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a is a company specializing in the design of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) since 2004. UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a's flight solutions are used by a wide range of leading aerospace manufacturers for a variety of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or "drones."</p>
<p>UAV Navigation is part of Grupo Oes&iacute;a, a Spanish multinational company dedicated to dual-use digital and industrial engineering, which develops and implements projects in more than 40 countries. It has 3,600 professionals in 19 corporate headquarters in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Throughout almost 50 years of experience, it has innovated products and services that benefit millions of people around the world, with the aim of creating a better, more efficient, safer and sustainable world. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The industrial companies within the Grupo Oes&iacute;a ecosystem are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining cutting-edge technology for the Security, Defense, and Aerospace sectors, with a long track record of work in avionics for significant projects such as the Eurofighter EF-2000, A-400M, F-18, C-295, P3-B Orion, or MH-60R. The group is now involved in the most important UAV projects, including FCAS/NGWS, Eurodrone, and SIRTAP, among others.&nbsp;</p>

UAV Navigation–Grupo Oesía Joins VANTAGE Project

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>10 June 2025</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a href="https://aeronautics-sys.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;">Aeronautics Ltd</span></a><span style="color: #ba372a;">.</span></strong></span>, a global leader in the design, development, and manufacture of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for defense and homeland security markets, is announcing contracts from numerous customers worldwide in excess of $50M.</p>
<p>These awards encompass the supply of the advanced Orbiter 4 UAS in various configurations, representing Aeronautics&rsquo; commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions to its global customers for the modern battlefield.</p>
<p>The Orbiter 4 System is set apart as a powerful UAS asset for advanced, flexible and precise operations. It is easy to use, with a low logistical footprint and small crew, suitable for diverse operational needs including payloads of various types and functions which provide optimal solutions for modern battlefield requirements. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Designed for both land and maritime operations, Orbiter 4 stands out with its extended endurance, operational flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. An advanced Group 3 tactical UAS, the system enables multi-mission and multi-payload operation, operating in adverse weather conditions. The ability to rapidly change in the field between various configurations (such as the launcher and VTOL configurations) enables agility and flexibility for the ever-changing battlefield needs.</p>
<p>Dan Slasky, President &amp; CEO of Aeronautics, stated: "We are proud to announce these new contracts for our Orbiter 4 systems. This state-of-the-art and battle-proven UAS enables exceptional operational capabilities, setting a new benchmark for flexibility, mission excellence, operational efficiency, and survivability. We see great potential going forward with these important customers as we continue our dedication to providing innovative solutions for the challenges ahead"<strong>.</strong></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About the Aeronautics Group</strong></span></h5>
<p>Established in 1997, Aeronautics is a world leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for the global defense &amp; HLS markets. Backed by continuous research and development and with proven performance and operability, Aeronautics&rsquo; broad product portfolio includes the expertise of its subsidiaries and offers solutions for a wide range of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions that lead the segment with innovative systems for the modern battlefield.&nbsp;</p>

Aeronautics Ltd. Secures $50M in Contracts for Orbiter 4

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>05 June 2025</em></span></p>
<p>More evidence of attack on Russian bombers by Ukrainian combat drones just released.</p>
<p>Note ineffective "tire defenses" deployed by Russia splayed across some of the aircraft.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See the Attack</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aukyzgAGHM4?si=st2d8xvYWh9yMdGV" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Ukraine Shares Footage of Drone Attack on Russian Airbases

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>04 June 2025</em></span></p>
<div id="__next">
<div class="grid-layout"><main class="grid-main-standard">
<article class="grid-article mb-xxl-ns" data-qa="main">
<div class="grid-body">
<div class="meteredContent grid-center">
<div class="teaser-content">
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text" data-qa="article-body">
<p class="wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy" dir="null" data-apitype="text" data-contentid="VRUKJ6ZHKZBZ3KAJCNNAO6TEVA" data-el="text" data-scroll-pos="0" data-scroll-measured="true"><span style="color: #34495e;">In the throes of the 1947-1991 Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, it was all about nuclear capability, bomber and submarine fleets, large and deployable armies, and other combat-ready material produced and controlled by large nations.</span></p>
<p class="wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy" dir="null" data-apitype="text" data-contentid="VRUKJ6ZHKZBZ3KAJCNNAO6TEVA" data-el="text" data-scroll-pos="0" data-scroll-measured="true"><span style="color: #34495e;">This week, Ukraine just schooled the planet that inexpensive attack drones can cripple a superpower.</span></p>
<p class="wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy" dir="null" data-apitype="text" data-contentid="VRUKJ6ZHKZBZ3KAJCNNAO6TEVA" data-el="text" data-scroll-pos="0" data-scroll-measured="true"><span style="color: #34495e;">It was also a stunning example of "asymmetric warfare" &mdash; where a smaller combatant can bring a monster to its knees. World media has already tagged Ukraine's Spider Web attack on Russian airfields as a "David vs. Goliath" event. You get the idea.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-subscribe-cta" data-qa="article-body">
<div class="wpds-c-fdwMEW overrideStyles hide-for-print" data-qa="subscribe-promo" data-testid="subscribe-promo"><span style="color: #34495e;">And guess what?</span></div>
<div class="wpds-c-fdwMEW overrideStyles hide-for-print" data-qa="subscribe-promo" data-testid="subscribe-promo">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="wpds-c-fdwMEW overrideStyles hide-for-print" data-qa="subscribe-promo" data-testid="subscribe-promo"><span style="color: #34495e;">The United States&mdash;and other nations for that matter &mdash; is similarly vulnerable to, as the Washington Post put it, "low-tech, low-cost strikes."</span></div>
</div>
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text" data-qa="article-body">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
<div><span style="color: #34495e;">&ldquo;The Pentagon should be very worried about this,&rdquo; said Stacie Pettyjohn, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "A Ukraine-style attack &mdash; using drones hidden in shipping containers or trucks &mdash; could very well happen on U.S. soil, or against U.S. air and naval bases overseas."</span></div>
<div>&nbsp;</div>
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-video" data-qa="article-body">
<div class="ma-auto" data-qa="article-video" data-testid="article-video">
<figure class="wpds-c-gPjxah mr-auto-ns ml-auto-ns hide-for-print flex flex-column items-center ml-neg-gutter mr-neg-gutter mb-md">
<figcaption>
<div class="mt-xs mr-auto-ns ml-auto-ns left font--subhead font-xxxs gray-dark square-vertical-video" data-qa="video-caption"><span style="color: #34495e;">One of the darkest days in America &mdash; the 911 al-Qaeda attacks on U.S. soil &mdash; is another example of asymmetric warfare. According to the 911 Commission, the strikes that toppled the World Trade Center, damaged the Pentagon, and killed nearly 3,000 people likely cost the terrorists less than $500,000. Compare that figure to the reported $8 trillion the United States spent on the war on terror, post-9/11.</span></div>
</figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text" data-qa="article-body">
<p class="wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy" dir="null" data-apitype="text" data-contentid="2GD6YTB2RNB4RBWCVC456AYJDA" data-el="text" data-scroll-pos="5" data-scroll-measured="true"><span style="color: #34495e;">The &ldquo;character of warfare is changing at a ratio faster than we&rsquo;ve ever seen,&rdquo; said Army Gen. Bryan Fenton, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, in a Congressional meeting in April 2025. &ldquo;Our adversaries use $10,000, one-way drones that we shoot down with $2 million missiles. That cost-benefit curve is upside down.&rdquo;</span></p>
</div>
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text" data-qa="article-body">
<p class="wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy" dir="null" data-apitype="text" data-contentid="FACDHSDOWZELJGVYXISFD6X4R4" data-el="text" data-scroll-pos="7" data-scroll-measured="true"><span style="color: #34495e;">Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian military has showcased that inexpensive drones &mdash; some being DIY projects and off-the-shelf consumer models &mdash; are viable weapons, beating back tanks, personnel carriers, soldiers, and, yes, a bomber force.</span></p>
</div>
<div class="wpds-c-PJLV article-body type-text" data-qa="article-body">
<p class="wpds-c-heFNVF wpds-c-heFNVF-iPJLV-css overrideStyles font-copy" dir="null" data-apitype="text" data-contentid="ESPBP5MIAVBBFOF57VFW24XHMU" data-el="text" data-scroll-pos="8" data-scroll-measured="true"><span style="color: #34495e;">&ldquo;That very same strike can be conducted against us,&rdquo; said Bradley Bowman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank.</span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>
</main></div>
</div>

Featured News Trending NewsSpotted! Chinese Next-Gen Loyal Wingman Drones

Featured News Trending NewsU.S. Drone Warfare Tech Doesn't Have What It Takes

Featured News Trending NewsRussia Committed to Waging Large-Scale Aerial Attacks on Ukraine

Featured News Trending NewsWarrior Drones with Machine Guns May Be "Real" Terminators

Featured News Trending NewsTaiwan Is Learning Combat Lessons from Ukraine

Featured News Trending NewsIran Sends Attack Drones to Israel

Featured News Product NewsUAV Navigation–Grupo Oesía Joins VANTAGE Project

Featured News Product NewsAeronautics Ltd. Secures $50M in Contracts for Orbiter 4

Featured News Trending NewsUkraine Shares Footage of Drone Attack on Russian Airbases

Featured News Trending NewsWhen a Mouse annihilates a Lion