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<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>28 October 2025</em></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.birdaero.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>BIRD Aerosystems</strong></span></a>, a global leader in defense technology, has successfully completed the delivery, integration, and commissioning of its Advanced Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) for an African Air Force.</p>
<p>The project included the installation and flight testing of AMPS on a fleet of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters, ensuring full operational readiness and enhanced protection against advanced surface-to-air missile threats.</p>
<p>At the heart of the AMPS solution is BIRD&rsquo;s proprietary SPREOS DIRCM (Self-Protection Radar Electro-Optic System), an advanced, patented countermeasure that integrates radar infrared tracking to detect, verify, track, and defeat missile threats with unmatched accuracy. SPREOS automatically confirms and neutralizes incoming threats with virtually zero false alarms for reliable, real-time protection against MANPADS.</p>
<p>The installation also includes BIRD&rsquo;s &mu;EYE Missile Warning Sensor (MWS), a compact electro-optical sensor that delivers fast, wide-area missile detection and enhances crew situational awareness. The seamless integration of both SPREOS and &mu;EYE provides an accelerated time-to-market advantage, offering a fully field-proven and interoperable solution ready for immediate deployment.</p>
<p>This milestone marks BIRD Aerosystems&rsquo; ability to deliver complete, end-to-end programs that include system design, integration, testing, and certification, ensuring minimal aircraft downtime and rapid return to service.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The successful delivery and commissioning of this AMPS configuration, featuring our in-house-developed SPREOS and &mu;EYE sensors, is a significant milestone that deepens our partnership with this key African Air Force,&rdquo; said Ronen Factor, Co-CEO and Founder of BIRD Aerosystems. &ldquo;By developing and manufacturing these MWS entirely in-house, we ensure unmatched flexibility, swift customization, and dramatically improved time-to-market for our customers. We are proud to deliver a combat-proven turnkey solution that enhances fleet readiness and ensures maximum crew safety in challenging environments.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><br /><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About BIRD Aerosystems</strong></span></h5>
<p>BIRD Aerosystems, a global provider of innovative defense technology and solutions, protects the fleets and ground assets of governments and related agencies. The company specializes in two main business segments: Airborne Missile &nbsp;Protection Systems (AMPS), which protect helicopters, transport aircraft, narrow and wide-body commercial aircraft and VVIP heads-of-state aircraft against ground-to-air &amp; MANPADS. The second segment, ASIO, is an end-to-end Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence, and Observation solution designed for maritime and ground surveillance, search and rescue, patrol, and monitoring. By combining world-class engineering and patented technologies, BIRD Aerosystems delivers end-to-end solutions for airborne and land-based protection. The company provides turnkey programs that include design, certification, and installation. Customers include the U.S. government, UN Air Operations, NATO forces, and leading defense organizations worldwide.</p>

BIRD Aerosystems Delivers Advanced Missile Protection Systems

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<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>22 October 2025</em></span></p>
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<p>Although Top Gun-style jet aces are likely not cheering over the introduction of <a href="https://shield.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="color: #ba372a;">Shield AI</span></strong></a><span style="color: #ba372a;"> </span>'s AI-guided <a href="https://shield.ai/x-bat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>X-Bat </strong></span></a>fighter, the future is here.</p>
<p>And it ain't inviting human pilots into the cockpit.</p>
<p>The unmanned X-Bat won't need a runway (as it can takeoff and land vertically), has a ceiling of 50,000 feet, offers a 2,000-mile range, can carry missiles, and will be piloted by Shield AI's Hivemind software.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The software is a cornerstone and foundation for everything we do,&rdquo; said Shield AI CEO Gary Steele. &ldquo;It will ultimately be the long-term growth driver of this business, because it enables the development of this next generation aircraft. We fundamentally believe we can save service members&rsquo; lives by reducing the risk that you have of putting people in danger. What I&rsquo;m particularly excited about is the mission we&rsquo;ve been on, and the opportunity that it unlocks from a business perspective.&rdquo;</p>
And guess what? The X-Bat is also a <em>deal</em>.&nbsp;</div>
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<div class="InlineVideo-featuredMediaInlineVideo InlineVideo-title">A single Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter can cost more than $100 million to produce. The X-Bat is budgeted at a cost of $27 million &mdash; a price Shield AI claims it is on track to offer.</div>
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<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See the Possible Future of AI "Fighter Aces"</strong></span></h5>
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Sneak Peek! Shield AI’s AI combat drone

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>15 October 2025</em></span></p>
<p class="speakable">The U.S. Army is watching the conflict in Ukraine&mdash;and learning lessons&mdash;as it seeks to modernize resources for its warriors.</p>
<p class="speakable">"We envision a future where every infantryman will have a drone with them," says Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. "We&rsquo;re doing essentially a call to arms where we are ingesting the lessons being learned in Ukraine. Ukraine was able to take out almost $10 billion worth of Russian equipment with $100,000 worth of drones. When you meet with our lead units like the Ranger Regiment or Delta Force, they envision drones being a core part of every action they do."</p>
<p>Driscoll shared the Army's vision at the annual Association of the United States Army conference in Washington. One of the Army's largest events for defense executives and Amry leaders, as well as the showcasing of cutting-edge battlefield technology, this year's AUSA was nearly scuttled due to the government shutdown. However, AUSA donated $1 million to ensure travel and other costs didn't prevent Army officers from around the globe from attending the conference and discussing&nbsp; modernization strategies.</p>
<p>The Army is also developing defensive networks&mdash;populated by sensors and drone interceptors&mdash;to guard key assets from aerial threats.</p>
<p>"Drones and counter-drones are different sides of the same coin," explained Driscoll. "You can&rsquo;t really defend against one without being an expert in the other, and future soldiers will need to be proficient at both. We&rsquo;re using new technologies such as drones to create a sensing layer that, paired with interceptors, will essentially allow us to build mini &lsquo;Iron Domes&rsquo; over protected assets."</p>
<p>Driscoll also reported that the Army's&nbsp; "drone-pervasive" vision is part of a broad modernization campaign that includes AI, industrial reform, and energy resilience.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch Dan Driscoll's AUSA Address</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HBPC1_h-8z0?si=F__-zNqvKeL3Rvu5" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>
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Army Secretary says U.S. Army is Learning from Ukraine COnflict

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>13 October 2025</em></span></p>
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<p><a href="https://draganfly.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Draganfly Inc.</strong></span></a>, an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems today announced that it has executed a formal agreement with <strong><a href="https://www.global-ordnance.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;">Global Ordnance</span></a>,</strong>&nbsp;a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) prime contractor, whereby Global Ordnance will serve as a U.S. defense partner for Draganfly&rsquo;s line of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and related solutions.</p>
<p>Under the agreement, Draganfly and Global Ordnance will collaborate to accelerate U.S. defense adoption of Draganfly platforms, embed manufacturing and responsive supply chain support, and integrate mission-specific capabilities tailored to U.S. and allied defense applications.</p>
<p>This partnership marks a significant step toward delivering sovereign, mission-ready drone systems to U.S. defense and security markets, harnessing the strengths of both companies to meet evolving operational requirements.</p>
<p>Global Ordnance is headquartered in Sarasota and Tampa, Florida, with subsidiaries Global Military Products and Mountain Horse, LLC<strong>.</strong>&nbsp;The company supplies the U.S. and allied armed forces with defense and security solutions, logistics support, program management, and tactical hardware.</p>
<p>Draganfly is a long-standing UAS and autonomous systems developer with multiple defense and public safety customers. Its Commander 3XL and Flex FPV drones have been adopted by branches of the U.S. Department of Defense and other international defense organizations, positioning Draganfly as a key player in defense modernization and sovereign supply initiatives.</p>
<p>The partnership leverages Global Ordnance&rsquo;s extensive defense contracting and logistics expertise with Draganfly&rsquo;s advanced drone technology, creating synergies in U.S. market access, regulatory compliance, logistics integration, mission system tailoring, and supply chain resilience. Together, the companies aim to enhance the availability and operational readiness of mission-critical UAS technologies across defense and allied sectors.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are thrilled to join forces with Global Ordnance as a leading defense provider,&rdquo; said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. &ldquo;Their track record in U.S. defense, logistics, and mission support complements Draganfly&rsquo;s capabilities in advanced autonomy systems and defense-grade UAS manufacturing.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Global Ordnance has long focused on delivering responsive, mission-proven solutions to defense customers,&rdquo; said Marc Morales, CEO of Global Ordnance. &ldquo;Partnering with Draganfly enables us to expand into next-generation unmanned systems.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The global defense unmanned systems market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing demand for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities, autonomous operations, and secure communications. The U.S. Department of Defense continues to prioritize investment in small UAS, counter-UAS, and interoperability initiatives, underscoring the importance of trusted, NDAA-compliant suppliers such as Draganfly and Global Ordnance.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Global Ordnance</strong></span></h5>
<p>Global Ordnance is a veteran-led defense solutions provider based in Sarasota/Tampa, Florida. Global Ordnance delivers mission-critical capabilities in munitions, weapons, tactical gear, logistics, program management, and integrated supply chain solutions. With over 250 years of aggregated experience, Global Ordnance supports U.S. and allied military, defense industry prime contractors, and government clients<strong>.</strong></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Draganfly</strong></span></h5>
<p>Draganfly Inc. is a pioneer in drone solutions and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.</p>
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Draganfly Announces Partnership with Global Ordnance

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>07 October 2025</em></span></p>
<p>Less than a year after proving the flight efficiency and reliability of a novel rotor blown wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), <a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/sikorsky.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Sikorsky</strong></span></a>, a <a href="Lockheedmartin.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Lockheed Martin</strong></span></a> company is unveiling its <a href="https://lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/sikorsky-nomad.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Nomad</strong></span></a> future family of aircraft.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>The twin proprotor design combines the versatility of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing airplane. A Nomad aircraft can take off, hover, and land vertically, plus cruise on the wing for extended periods. Nomads are operated via Sikorsky&rsquo;s MATRIX autonomy technology and predominantly use hybrid-electric propulsion, while larger variants will feature a conventional drivetrain.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/oxmnkXGCD9OI4fOtDiGwaK5Y7PMbUt9QsW0ojGSZ.png" alt="" width="674" height="317" /></p>
<p>&ldquo;We use the term &lsquo;family&rsquo; to point to a key attribute of the design; its ability to be scaled in size from a small Group 3 UAS to the footprint equivalent of a Black Hawk helicopter,&rdquo; said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. &ldquo;The resulting Nomad family of drones will be adaptable, go-anywhere, runway independent aircraft capable of land and sea-based missions across defense, national security, forestry and civilian organizations. Nomads are a force multiplier, complementing the missions of aircraft such as the Black Hawk to retain the strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific and across broader regions.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Sikorsky announced in March 2025 the successful extended flight test of its 10.3-ft wingspan prototype Nomad 50 aircraft. Today, Sikorsky is building its Nomad 100 aircraft. This is a Group 3, 18-ft wingspan variant with first flight expected in the coming months.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Nomad VTOL UAS</strong>&nbsp;</span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/ugC0RK7yJtUZPMNiRhRK2VBGT63EX1Db9WGrllGW.png" alt="" width="677" height="283" /></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Nomad UAS are designed for reconnaissance, light attack, contested logistics and more.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The Nomad family can be scaled from a Group 3 UAS (56 pounds to 1,320 pounds) to Group 4/5 (1,320 pounds and up). The Nomad family is powered by fuel-efficient hybrid-electric drivetrains, with larger variants featuring a conventional drivetrain.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>MATRIX technology, developed by Sikorsky Innovations and DARPA, is an open system, which allows seamless integration with rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. MATRIX has already been demonstrated across a range of applications, including aerial firefighting, logistics resupply, and advanced aerial mobility.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p>&ldquo;Nomad represents new breakthroughs for Sikorsky and the next generation of autonomous, long-endurance drones,&rdquo; said Dan Shidler, director of Advanced Programs. &ldquo;We are acting on feedback from the Pentagon, adopting a rapid approach and creating a family of drones that can take off and land virtually anywhere and execute the mission &ndash; all autonomously and in the hands of Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Lockheed Martin</strong>  &nbsp;</span></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<sup>&reg;</sup> vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Take a Deeper Dive into Nomad</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 661px; height: 372px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GH9nt8FdZy8?si=mKvmTtceLbBcXN8E" width="661" height="372" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Introduces Nomad Family

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>06 October 2025</em></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.mistralinc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Mistral Inc.</strong></span></a>, a leading provider of advanced defense solutions, together with <a href="https://uvisionusa.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Uvision Inc.</strong></span></a> (formerly known as UVision USA), announced today that the U.S. Army awarded a multi-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract valued at $982 million for the Lethal Unmanned System (LUS) program to procure, field, train and sustain the <a href="https://uvisionusa.com/loitering-munition-systems/hero-120-tactical-drone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>HERO 120</strong></span></a> loitering munition system. The award underscores the Army&rsquo;s focus on precision strike capabilities and operational effectiveness.</p>
<p>The HERO 120, developed by <span style="color: #34495e;">Uvision Air Ltd.</span> (the parent company of Uvision Inc.) is a mid-range loitering munition optimized for precision engagement of armored and high-value targets. As a global pioneer and design authority in the field of loitering munitions, Uvision brings deep technical expertise and extensive experience in training and fielding loitering munitions for armies and special forces worldwide. Mistral Inc. will serve as the prime contractor responsible for system integration, the lethality package, program management, and sustainment support.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This contract marks a significant milestone in our partnership with the U.S. Army and our strategic collaboration with UVision,&rdquo; said Yoav Banai, Senior Vice President at Mistral Inc. &ldquo;The HERO 120 delivers a powerful combination of lethality, flexibility, and operational simplicity. We are proud to field this capability for U.S. forces and to combine Uvision&rsquo;s innovation with Mistral&rsquo;s integration and program-execution expertise.&rdquo;</p>
<p><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/StacfFE8o0CLBaE9LJyMLlbwWEE86qXihY36D4Zz.jpg" alt="" width="678" height="452" /></p>
<p>The HERO 120 has demonstrated effectiveness across varied operational environments, providing soldiers with organic battlefield awareness, identification, tracking, and precision engagement capabilities. Its open architecture, modular design, and advanced payload options make it ideal for both conventional and asymmetric operations.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are honored to support the U.S. Army operational needs with smart loitering munitions,&rdquo; said Dr. Ran Gozali, CEO of Uvision Group. &ldquo;This award reflects the growing demand for loitering munitions and validates the operational value of the HERO 120 and the HERO family of systems. Together with Mistral, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of the modern warfighter.&rdquo;</p>
<p>This contract covers system deliveries, training, and lifecycle sustainment. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in early 2026.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Mistral Inc.</strong></span><u> </u></h5>
<p>Mistral Inc. is a leading U.S. systems integrator and defense technology company delivering innovative, mission-ready solutions to the U.S. government and allied partners. For more than 37 years, Mistral has connected warfighters&rsquo; operational requirements with state-of-the-art, effective, and proven systems. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, with production and integration facilities in Nottingham, Maryland, Mistral is a trusted member of the U.S. defense industrial base, committed to advancing national security and next-generation defense capabilities.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Uvision Inc.</strong></span></h5>
<p>Uvision Group is a global leader in loitering munitions and smart integrated systems. With a proven track record of delivering combat-proven solutions worldwide, Uvision combines cutting-edge autonomy, AI-based advancements, and multi-platform integration to empower modern armed forces with unmatched operational flexibility, precision, and survivability.</p>
<p>Uvision Inc. is a fully owned subsidiary of Uvision Air Ltd., Headquartered in Stafford, VA, Uvision Inc. has two production facilities in the US, supporting its customers with training, Integrated Logistic Support (ILS), System Integration ,and sustainment, delivering customers operational flexibility and effectiveness to dominate today&rsquo;s battles and prepare for tomorrow&rsquo;s challenges<strong>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</strong></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Hero 120 in Action</strong></span></h5>
<p><strong><iframe style="width: 672px; height: 378px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dqbgYqv2M6E?si=lTeoMGSFDgrCOtQz" width="672" height="378" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></p>

U.S. Army to Field HERO 120

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>02 October 2025</em></span></p>
<p class="p1"><a href="https://orbotix.tech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Orbotix</strong></span></a>, a European defense tech company developing next-generation AI-powered autonomous drone systems, has secured approximately $7.6 million in strategic funding to scale its mission of strengthening Europe&rsquo;s technological and operational sovereignty. The investment round was led by BVVC Fund, with participation from Gustav S&ouml;hne Verwaltung GmbH &amp; Co. KG and Leryon Global Holdings.</p>
<p class="p1">Founded by Bogdan Ochiana (Romania) and Sebastian Straube (Poland), Orbotix brings together a diverse European team and engineering network with HQ in Poland, and operational presence in Romania, and Spain. The company is committed to designing and delivering autonomous aerial defense solutions tailored to the challenges and terrain of the European continent.</p>
<p class="p1">&ldquo;This investment is more than just capital &mdash; it&rsquo;s a signal that the EU is ready to elevate defense to its full potential,&rdquo; said Bogdan Ochiana, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. &ldquo;Our generation will be measured by how we rise to the challenge now, not tomorrow, and we are proud to be among the innovators safeguarding the peace and prosperity our forefathers fought to achieve."</p>
<p class="p1">The company's immediate development plans are directly aligned with its mission to strengthen Europe's technological and operational independence in defense. The funding will accelerate the development of AI technologies, specifically drone swarming solutions, and support the expansion of micromanufacturing facilities across the European Union.</p>
<p class="p1">According to Sebastian Straube, Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer, &ldquo;This marks not only a milestone for Orbotix, but also underscores the strategic importance of building such capabilities within Europe, with the emergence of a company like ours on the Eastern Flank ensuring that the region most exposed to modern threats leads in developing the technologies that will safeguard Europe&rsquo;s future&rdquo;.</p>
<p class="p1">The funding round is more than a financial investment; it's a strategic endorsement of Orbotix's role in shaping the future of European defense. Joe Musselman, Founder &amp; Managing Partner of Bravo Victor Venture Capital, highlights this shared vision, &ldquo;Swarm autonomy will decide outcomes on tomorrow&rsquo;s battlefields. Orbotix is building it now, in Europe, at scale, and under allied control. Their distributed production model and operator-first design deliver the sovereign capacity NATO needs to prevail in a contested world. At BVVC, we back founders who compress timelines and move capability from prototype to throughput at a wartime pace. Orbotix embodies that ethos. We are proud to back companies that move at a no-fail pace and understand that the United States and our allies must grow stronger together and win."</p>
<p class="p1">Over the past decade, defense innovation has undergone a quiet revolution. In the United States, initiatives such as the Defense Innovation Unit challenged traditional primes and lengthy procurement cycles. This shift created space for a new generation of defense tech companies that move with startup speed and embrace software-driven adaptability. Today, that same shift is beginning to take hold in Europe, where companies are emerging to deliver sovereign, mission-focused capabilities at scale.</p>
<p class="p1">As one of Europe&rsquo;s defense tech autonomy startups, Orbotix reflects the future of defense innovation: venture-backed, mission-driven, and built to scale at speed. Through AI-driven, modular, and interoperable systems designed for collaboration, the company is advancing its ambition to make European defense more autonomous, adaptive, and ahead of the curve.</p>
<p class="p1">Legal counsel for the transaction was provided by Baker McKenzie and Kondracki Celej.</p>
<h5 class="p1"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Orbotix Industries</strong></span></h5>
<p class="p1">Orbotix Industries, is a defense and security startup established in response to modern threats, notably highlighted by the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Operating in the EU, the company specializes in autonomous systems and AI-powered solutions for military and security applications.</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>

Orbotix Drives Europe’s next-gen of autonomous defense systems

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>24 September 2025</em></span></p>
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<p><a href="https://eos-aus.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Electro Optic Systems (EOS)</strong></span></a>, which in August secured the world&rsquo;s first export contract for its 100 kW-class High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) with a European NATO member state - a historic milestone for both the company and the global HELW sector - today announced the official identity of its HELW: <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://eos-aus.com/defence/high-energy-laser-weapon/apollo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apollo</a></strong></span>.</p>
<p>Scalable to 150 kW, Apollo is being unveiled ahead of DSEI UK (9&ndash;12 September 2025), where EOS will showcase its high energy laser capabilities as part of Team Defence Australia.</p>
<p>Drones have become a defining feature of modern conflict, used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. Their increasing numbers, fast and erratic movements and autonomy make them increasingly difficult to defeat with conventional systems.</p>
<p>Apollo has been developed to counter these threats at the speed of light. It is designed to defeat Group 1&ndash;3 drones and to disrupt their sensors at range. With scalable power up to 150 kW, Apollo provides 360&deg; coverage including vertical engagements, unlimited shots with external power, and more than 200 stored engagements when isolated. It is packaged for mobility, whether containerised or vehicle mounted.</p>
<p>Apollo can be fielded as a stand-alone weapon or integrated into a layered counter-drone defence alongside kinetic effectors such as EOS&rsquo; Slinger remote weapon system and missile-based defences. It is designed to connect with NATO fielded command-and-control and integrated air defence systems.</p>
<p><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/R4PD8jbMeSgRBbw1zu85WJVc6V8DRVspYQ75BQMz.webp" alt="" width="680" height="293" /></p>
<p>Building on its longstanding heritage in laser and optical technologies, EOS has leveraged this expertise to develop Apollo - a next-generation system designed for counter-drone operations.</p>
<p>Dr Andreas Schwer, EOS Group CEO, said: &ldquo;EOS has developed its high energy laser weapon to meet the urgent market need and emerging strategic requirement to defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost. There is strong international interest in high energy laser weapons, and it is increasingly clear they will play a central role in counter-drone defence. The demand is urgent and accelerating, which is why EOS has invested for years to bring this capability to a level of maturity. Being ITAR-free and fully controlled by EOS, Apollo is ready for partners to adopt, localise and sustain as their own.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>NATO to Fight Drone Theats with Apollo's "Light"</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 672px; height: 378px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfYSTOq3mps?si=8LUjI8GeBjGXyee2" width="672" height="378" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
</div>

EOS unveils Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>24 September 2025</em></span></p>
<div class="article-dek font-secondary text-base lg:text-2xl mb-2">The writing has been etched on walls for a while now, but that doesn't mean what's coming won't be a painful pivot for trained U.S. Army pilots, as well as those in aviation support positions.</div>
<div class="article-dek font-secondary text-base lg:text-2xl mb-2">As the strategic value of unmanned drones in modern warfare increases with each conflict, the Army is planning to cut approximately 6,500 active duty pilots, flight crews, and maintenance personnel from its current roster of 30,000 aviation-branch soldiers.</div>
<div class="article-dek font-secondary text-base lg:text-2xl mb-2">&ldquo;The use of airspace for maneuver that was once unique to our formations is now becoming accessible to soldiers in multiple formations via drone technology,&rdquo; said Army spokesperson Maj. Montrell Russell to <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><em>Task &amp; Purpose</em></strong></span></a>. &ldquo;The Army is rapidly transforming to meet the changing character of war and leverage these technological advancements, which is inducing changes in both ground and air formations to optimize our collective force structure.&rdquo;</div>
<h5 class="article-dek font-secondary text-base lg:text-2xl mb-2"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Talent Panels to Determine Pilots' Fates</strong></span></h5>
<div class="article-dek font-secondary text-base lg:text-2xl mb-2">"Talent Panels"&mdash;currently scheduled for October&mdash;will be tasked with determining which aviation officers (first and second lieutenants, captains, and junior warrant officers) will be retained in their current positions as Apache and Black Hawk helicopter pilots, and which will be transferred to another branch of the Army. Enlisted aviation soldiers&mdash;who mostly populate flight and maintenance crews&mdash;may also be required to have a talent panel decide their fate. (At press time, that decision has not yet been made by Army leadership.)</div>
<div class="article-dek font-secondary text-base lg:text-2xl mb-2">
<p class="article-paragraph skip"><span style="color: #34495e;">On a message posted on the MILPER (Military Personnel Message) section of the <span class="only-large">United States</span> Army Human Resources Command website, it was revealed the panels will consist of a&nbsp;brigadier general, a former brigade commander, and senior warrant officers. The leaders will recommend retention or reclassification based on officer evaluations, input from aviation leaders, and tactical aptitude. In addition, aviation officers will be welcomed to re-evaluate their own career aspirations to see if they have a desire to do a job outside of aviation that would benefit the Army.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="article-paragraph skip"><span style="color: #34495e;">"The Army is doing an ongoing analysis to determine the appropriate approved excess strength to minimize turbulence,&rdquo; said Russell. "The effort to conduct the Aviation talent panel in an expeditious manner is with the intent of providing notification in sufficient time for our officers and warrant officers to consider these opportunities and submit applications."</span></p>
</div>

A Drone Took My Job!

Military

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>23 September 2025</em></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Lockheed Martin Skunk Works</strong></span></a> introduces <span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Vectis</strong></span>, a Group 5 survivable and lethal collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to advance unparalleled air dominance for American and allied militaries.</p>
<div id="divReleaseHighlightffd6" contenteditable="false">Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' Vectis: highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework.</div>
<p>This system embodies the company's pedigree in fighter aircraft, autonomous systems and open mission architectures. As the future of air power takes shape, Skunk Works is charting a critical path with Vectis to unlock new, integrated capabilities at an ultra-competitive speed and price point.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Vectis is the culmination of our expertise in complex systems integration, advanced fighter development and autonomy," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "We're not simply building a new platform &ndash; we're creating a new paradigm for air power based on a highly capable, customizable and affordable agile drone framework."</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>What You Need to Know About Vectis</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Integration:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Seamlessly integrates with 5th and next-gen aircraft to advance the Family of Systems vision for next-gen air dominance.</li>
<li>Proven Lockheed Martin performance on common control systems like the MDCX ensure compatibility across the command and control spectrum.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Mission Flexibility:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Capable of executing precision strike,&nbsp;ISR targeting, electronic warfare and offensive and defensive counter air missions.</li>
<li>Provides multi-domain connectivity, whether standalone or as part of integrated teaming missions with crewed aircraft like the F-35.</li>
<li>Extended Range: Endurance ranges compatible with Indo-Pacific, European and Central Command theaters.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>How We're Making It:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li>Stealth: Leverages decades of experience in stealth advancement to deliver best in&nbsp;CCA class survivability.</li>
<li>Affordable: Applies advanced manufacturing and digital engineering techniques learned from next-gen aircraft development to drive affordability and speed.&nbsp;Vectis will be offered at a CCA price point. &nbsp;</li>
<li>Open Systems: Built to avoid vendor lock by aligning to Government Reference Architectures.</li>
</ul>
<p>Vectis' development is underway. Parts are ordered and a team is executing. Skunk Works is investing the funds and manpower necessary to build and test survivable systems to meet customers' evolving needs while broadening alignment with new tri-service architectures and global requirements as they are defined.</p>
<p>Skunk Works has decades of experience leveraging speed, altitude, shape, advanced materials and more to keep crewed and uncrewed platforms safe in the most challenging environments to solve the warfighter's hardest problems. All of this pioneering work is reflected in Vectis, which delivers class-leading survivability in an agile, multi-role package.&nbsp;</p>
<p>With Vectis, <a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/business-areas/aeronautics/skunkworks/skunk-works-origin-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Lockheed Martin Skunk Works</strong></span></a> is acting on a bold vision to deliver high-end survivability and mission systems capability at aggressive cost targets and design, build and fly within two years.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Lockheed Martin</strong></span></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 vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Meet Vectis "Loyal Wingman" Drone</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FrAOBuskffA?si=QQV29agSh3hxytSo" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></span></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Dig Deeper into&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Vectis</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 668px; height: 376px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eu7_XuTRLcc?si=6BS7h_k_kbLpgJ9T" width="668" height="376" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Vectis to Work with F-35 FIghters on Collaborative Combat Aircraft Missions</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 669px; height: 376px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zi8XZyAD8mM?si=N5RaXlAvYOGY03vT" width="669" height="376" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

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