Loitering Munition Supply Chain: The Factory Is Only Half the Weapon
During RIMPAC 2026 the U.S. Navy and Naval Postgraduate School demonstrated a logistics chain in which parts were fabricated, moved by a digitally crewed surface vessel and assembled for operational testing in less than 24 hours. Separately, Firestorm Labs says its containerized xCell produced more than 1,000 parts and supported assembly of 12 Squall FPV […]
Loitering Munitions: Inside the New Border Kill Zone
From the India-Pakistan border to the Taiwan Strait, from the Donbas front to the Sahel, the same weapon class often reappears wherever two forces face each other across a line neither fully controls. This is no coincidence. What follows is a look at why frontier operations have become the loitering munition’s natural habitat, how forces […]
US Marine Corps’ GCE 2040 Roadmap signals major expansion of loitering munitions
The U.S. Marine Corps has unveiled its Ground Combat Element (GCE) 2040 strategic framework, providing one of its clearest indications yet that loitering munitions, autonomous systems, counter-UAS technologies, and human-machine teaming will become integral to future ground combat operations. The vision outlines how Marine forces will evolve between now and 2040 as they prepare for […]
South Korea’s maritime loitering munition test ends in setback as drones crash during sea trial
South Korea’s efforts to develop a maritime-capable loitering munition encountered an obstacle this week after two prototype drones crashed into the sea during their first operational test from a naval vessel.
U.S. Army places $51 million Switchblade 600 order
The U.S. Army has awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $51 million delivery order for additional Switchblade 600 loitering munition systems, highlighting the continued priority being placed on long-range precision strike capabilities and the growing role of loitering munitions within modern military operations. Announced on August 26, 2026, the order includes Switchblade 600 Block 2 systems for […]
AEVEX secures $41 million contract from US for one-way attack systems
U.S. defense technology company AEVEX Corp. has announced a $41 million contract award to deliver one-way attack systems in support of U.S. government customers, highlighting continued investment in autonomous strike capabilities and the growing role of loitering munitions across modern military operations. According to AEVEX, the award will support the delivery of one-way attack systems […]
The state-led emergence of loitering munitions in Africa
A new capability arrives in Africa It marked what might become a watershed moment for the African continent’s defense sector and a significant marker for the global industry more broadly. The inauguration of the new BlueBird Aero Systems production plant in the Moroccan town of Benslimane, some sixty kilometers south of the capital Rabat, in […]
Rosoboronexport reportedly introduces Garpia-A1E loitering munition to export market
Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport has announced the international marketing of the Garpia-A1E long-range loitering munition system, a development that reflects the growing emphasis on extended-range unmanned strike capabilities within the global defense market. The announcement comes amid growing global demand for loitering munitions, driven largely by lessons learned from conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle […]
New AV Eagle venture positions Greece as future hub for loitering munition manufacturing
AeroVironment (AV) has announced plans to establish an industrial presence in Greece through a new joint venture, AV Eagle, formed in partnership with Athens-based defense company Eyeonix SA. The move reflects growing demand across Europe for autonomous systems, loitering munitions, and counter-UAS capabilities amid a rapidly evolving security environment. The joint venture follows the completion […]
US Department of War expands Drone Marketplace to accelerate acquisition of unmanned systems
The US Department of War (DoW) has launched an expanded version of its Drone Marketplace, providing military users and acquisition professionals with enhanced tools to identify and access approved unmanned systems capabilities. The enhanced Drone Marketplace forms part of a broader Department of War effort to create a unified digital gateway for unmanned systems acquisition. […]