unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

Japan Confirms Chinese Military Drone Flew off the Japanese Coast

By Takahashi Kosuke

For the first time, Japan’s Defense Ministry confirmed that a Chinese military reconnaissance and attack drone had flown off the coast of Amami Oshima, Kagoshima.

Japanese Defense Firms Unveil High-energy Laser Anti-drone Weapons

By Takahashi Kosuke

MHI and KHI publicly showed off new laser systems designed to shoot down hostile UAVs.

Is There Anything New Under the Technological Sun?

By Jacob Parakilas

Even categories of military technology that seem novel, like UAVs, are actually refinements of previous forms, rather than a wholly new innovation.

DARPA Awards Contract to 5 Companies Under Aerial Combat Evolution Program

By Abhijnan Rej

This follows the August AlphaDogfight trials which saw an AI system beat a human pilot in a simulated dogfight.

Countering the ‘Pirates’ Paradise’: Unmanned Systems and Marine Security in Southeast Asia

By Tobias Burgers and Scott N. Romaniuk

Drones could help close the capabilities gaps that allow pirates to flourish in Asian waters.

US Air Force to Retire Predator Killer Drones in Early 2018

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The service is slated to switch to an all MQ-9 Reaper force by the end of this year.

Will China Adhere to Its Own Norm Prohibiting Lethal Drone Strikes?

By Tobias Burgers and Scott N. Romaniuk

Think About It: Chinese drones filling Africa’s skies, watching over Beijing’s interests.

US Air Force to Receive 30 New Reaper Killer Drones

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The new unmanned aerial vehicles will join the U.S. Air Force by the middle of 2019.

To Become a Deadly Sub-Hunting Force, the Indian Navy Needs to Think Bigger Than Just P-8Is

By Pushan Das

The purchase of four P-8Is is a step in the right direction, but more work needs to be done.

Is China Establishing a Norm Prohibiting Lethal Drone Strikes in Asia?

By Tobias Burgers and Scott N. Romaniuk

China -- unlike the U.S. -- has so far refused to use UAVs to conduct targeted killings.

Russia Reveals New Flame-Throwing Anti-Tank Multicopter UAV

By Franz-Stefan Gady

A prototype of a new missile-firing multicopter drone was presented at a robot conference near Moscow.

Israel and South Korea to Develop Next Generation Drones

By Franz-Stefan Gady

The Israeli and South Korean defense industries are partnering up to develop a new Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV.

Russia Might Be Working on New ‘F-35 Killer’ Drone

By Franz-Stefan Gady

An aircraft model at the MAKS airshow near Moscow might provide some clues on future Russian UAV programs.

Pentagon to Increase Drone Flights Over South China Sea

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Over the next four years, the number of daily U.S. drone flights is planned to increase by 50 percent.

US, Singapore Launch Maritime Warfare Exercise

By Prashanth Parameswaran

Joint exercise kicks off with a focus on honing conventional maritime warfare capabilities.

Meet the US Military’s New Army of Mini-Drones

By Franz-Stefan Gady

A tiny new drone developed by the Naval Research Laboratory could be used to detect enemy submarines.

Will China Sell Armed Drones to US Ally?

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Jordan might be in talks with Chinese officials over the purchase of Beijing’s most capable armed UAV.

US Will Continue Deadly Drone Strikes in Pakistan

By Franz-Stefan Gady

American lawmakers are still in favor of killing militants with UAVs in Pakistan despite civilian casualties.

China Topples Germany in Arms Exports

By Franz-Stefan Gady

Two thirds of Chinese arms exports went to just three countries.

Australia Eyes US Drones

By Prashanth Parameswaran

Canberra is moving closer to acquiring drones from its ally.

US Authorizes Sale of Armed Drones

By Franz-Stefan Gady

However, many restrictions will remain in place.

Amazon Will Test Drone Delivery System in India

By Zachary Keck & Kelwin Choi

Amazon Prime Air might first be tested in Indian cities like Mumbai and Bangalore.

Taiwan’s Using Drones to Spy on China

By Zachary Keck

According to local media reports, Taiwan is expanding the scope of its UAV surveillance operations on China.

Drone Warfare Version 2.0: Great Power Edition

So far drones have been used to target terrorists, but the era of great power drone warfare is quickly taking shape.