On the evening of 20 February 2026, an ATR-72-600 passenger aircraft operated by Myanmar National Airlines was preparing for take-off at Myitkyina Airport in Kachin State when it was struck in an alleged First-Person View drone attack. State media and official press releases reported that suicide drones caused minor damage to the nose, mid-body, and tail sections of the plane.
According to security forces, air defence systems detected the incoming threat, preventing a direct detonation inside the airport and forcing the devices to crash on the runway where they were subsequently defused. Fortunately, no passengers or flight crew sustained injuries.
The military junta was quick to blame the Kachin Independence Army and allied Peoples Defence Force units, describing the targeting of civilian transport infrastructure as a war crime. However, a spokesman for the Kachin armed group firmly denied the allegations, insisting they have no policy of attacking civilian airlines and took no part in the operation.
Regardless of the perpetrator, the airport incident underscores a rapidly evolving asymmetric war in Myanmar, a nation now recognised as the world’s second most intensive theatre for drone warfare behind only Ukraine. Following the 2021 military coup, tech-savvy resistance fighters, including young engineers and students, began weaponising commercially available agricultural and photography drones to counter the militarys vast superiority in traditional airpower and heavy artillery.
What began as rudimentary operations dropping 3D-printed munitions has transformed into a sophisticated, decentralised shadow air force. Rebel units have increasingly turned to agile First-Person View racing drones, modifying them to act as highly manoeuvrable loitering munitions capable of precision kamikaze strikes against junta targets.
This alleged strike on a fixed-wing aircraft follows a clear pattern of increasingly audacious anti-aviation operations by rebel forces. In May 2025, the Kachin Independence Army successfully used a similar drone to down a military Mi-17 transport helicopter that was hovering just feet off the ground while attempting to land with supplies in Shwegu. Resistance forces have also repeatedly penetrated high-security airspace, executing coordinated kamikaze drone strikes against the juntas military headquarters and the Aye Lar airbase in the capital city of Naypyidaw.
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Working with unmanned systems means solving a simple but demanding problem: how do we help operators see more, stay safer, and make better decisions in difficult environments?
Over the past months, our team has been focused on exactly that.
And now we begin a new step: working together with DOK-ING, a company with extensive experience in developing dual-use robotic systems engineered for high risk operations.
Vegvisir has been selected as the best bidder in a public tender in Croatia for the development and integration of an immersive interface, with DOK-ING as the contracting party.
As part of this project, we will integrate our solutions – Vegvisir Remote and the Vegvisir Virtual Command Station – into DOK-ING’s unmanned systems. These tools support safer remote operation, clearer visibility, and more informed decision-making for unmanned platforms.
The system is planned to be integrated onto DOK-ING’s unmanned ground vehicles, which are performing in demanding environments where technology for additional awareness matters significantly.
It’s meaningful work, and we value the chance to bring both teams’ experience together toward a shared goal.
The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund.
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A trusted marketplace expanding NDAA and Blue UAS compliance services.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – UAS Nexus known across the global drone ecosystem for its industry leadership and behind-the-scenes engineering, has launched the Drone Syndicate Store, a comprehensive and vetted marketplace for NDAA and Blue UAS compliant components.
“It can be tough to scour the globe for drone parts when you’re looking to build an NDAA or BlueUAS compliant platform, so we developed a resource for OEMs and end-users to procure hardware quickly and reliability that layers into our technical engineering services. ” said CEO Bobby Sakaki of the next step for UAS Nexus.
The launch also introduces Platform One, UAS Nexus’ MOSA-first FPV platform that is compatible with most COTs components, offering a truly modular and scalable solution that leverages decentralized manufacturing to output over 10,000 aircraft per month.
“It’s simple, and it works with just about everything on the market – so you have a truly resilient supply chain because if one vendor is maxed out, you can leverage dozens of others. Plus when you manufacture on the edge, you can customize it however you want” said Head of Mechanical, Ryan LaBarre, who designed Platform One.
The Syndicate store operates through a membership request system, reflecting UAS Nexus’ ongoing work sourcing components with limited availability and specialized compliance requirements, as well as vetting end users..
This update represents a significant brand refresh and the debut of a dedicated storefront that highlights the work UAS Nexus has been building for years.
Learn more about UAS Nexus, Platform One, and The Syndicate by visiting uasnexus.com
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| Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, today announced its selection by the U.S. Army to provide Flex FPV drone systems. |
| Under the initial order, Draganfly will deliver Flex FPV drones designed for high-performance operations as well as help establish on-site manufacturing of the Flex FPV (First Person View) within overseas U.S. Forces facilities to accelerate deployment and reduce supply-chain timelines. The Company will also provide both flight and manufacturing training to enable Army personnel to sustain operations, and will manage logistics to ensure a secure, NDAA-compliant supply chain practice. This marks a significant milestone in evolving critical drone capabilities closer to the theater of operations, reducing logistical vulnerabilities and enhancing force readiness. |
| Recent exercises have underscored the importance of FPV technology for U.S. forces. During the Swift Response 2025 exercise in Lithuania, paratroopers operated and detonated in-house-built FPV drones against dismounted and vehicle-sized autonomous targets. The unit has also established its own drone lab for design, training, and rapid innovation. In August 2025, the U.S. Army executed the first-ever air-to-air kill with an armed FPV drone, advancing the evolution of drone warfare. Draganfly’s Embedded Manufacturing Program and the Flex FPV Drone systems are in direct support of this strategic shift to decentralized and agile innovation. |
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| “We are honored to support the U.S. Army as it moves critical drone capabilities closer to front lines,” Cameron Chell, President & CEO |
| “We are honored to support the U.S. Army as it moves critical drone capabilities closer to front lines,” said Cameron Chell, President & CEO of Draganfly. “By combining advanced Flex FPV Drone systems, embedded manufacturing, training and secure logistics, we are helping reinforce operational agility and sustainment for forward-deployed forces. This helps ensure personnel have the tools, training and capabilities required when and where they need them most.” |
| About Draganfly |
| Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) 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. |
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The lawsuit between Red Cat Holdings’ Teal Drones and Vector may be filed in Utah, but there could be further fallout from this. There could be weight applied in Washington, not just Salt Lake City. What is unfolding is not just a private-sector IP dispute , it has questions that could result in a direct challenge to the trust model that underpins the Department of Defense’s engagement with the U.S. and Global innovation base.
Vector’s CEO is not an outsider to that ecosystem. He was a career military officer whose last posting, from September 2023 through June 2024, was inside the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital. His title? Director of Army Investments, with a concurrent role as Co-Director of Strategic Engagement.
That trusted position comes with intimate proximity to some of the most sensitive technologies, investment strategies, and commercial partnerships in the U.S. defense space.It is a role predicated on confidentiality, fiduciary restraint, and an unambiguous firewall between government knowledge and private commercial activity.
The court filings in Teal vs. Vector allege that individuals from Vector, toured Teal’s facility. What followed, according to the complaint, involved conduct that, if proven, could be classified as corporate / industrial espionage. These are not my words ; they are the allegations that Red Cat’s legal team have placed before a judge.Red Cat is a publicly listed company. It operates under the scrutiny of institutional investors, SEC reporting obligations, and internal governance that does not allow frivolous legal filings. They are not chasing social media engagement. They are pursuing a legal relief pending possible financial remedy.
If those allegations survive challenge by Vector, we are not simply debating whether Vector has a product or an edge in the drone market. We are confronting a far more consequential question: if the CEO of Vector believed such conduct was reasonable within the commercial sphere just after having his post in Washington, then if this is found in Favour of Teal, then what confidence should anyone have that the intellectual property and proprietary data he accessed while serving in the Office of Strategic Capital is untouched, un-compromised, and may bring questions in the minds of innovators that perhaps anything presented in that timeframe could now be open to have been surreptitiously duplicated or repurposed?
This is where the Utah courtroom becomes a possible catalyst for take up by the Department of Defense Inspector General, congressional oversight committees, and federal investigators, where they must ask:
- Have any technologies, concepts, or investment intelligence acquired through Pentagon channels subsequently been leveraged for Vector’s commercial benefit?
- Are there any records or indications to suggest that any private-sector innovators unknowingly briefing a future competitor under the guise of a trusted DoD investment official?
- How can the Pentagon assure current and future partners that their proprietary disclosures will not follow departing officials into the portfolios of their own private ventures?
The defence innovation sector operates on two currencies: capability and trust. Lose capability and you lose a market. Lose trust and you lose the supply chain, the capital flow, and the will of innovators to work with you. If the allegations in Teal vs. Vector stand up in court, they don’t just burn Vector’s brand , they could then move rapidly to then char the connective tissue between critical government innovation programmes and the companies they seek to accelerate.
This is why the Pentagon must be cognisant of the ramifications of this case and treat this not as an isolated corporate squabble but contemplate a potential breach of its own institutional safeguards. We are now in a situation where a single compromised actor could cast doubt on the entire Office of Strategic Capital’s credibility. And that doubt will not remain domestic , allies, foreign partners, and joint development programmes will all be asking the same question: how secure is our data when we share it with those entrusted in Washington?
The Pentagon spends hundreds of millions every year on innovation outreach precisely to pull cutting-edge technology into its operational base faster. That effort depends on founders, engineers, and investors believing that what they share in secure settings will remain secure. If the firewall or trust appears porous, the model collapses.
For Vector, the immediate legal and reputational horizon is stark. A preliminary injunction could halt operations. Federal attention could expand the scope of discovery far beyond Teal’s complaint. Investors could see not just a startup risk, but a federal investigation risk. Defence primes and procurement officers will avoid even the perception of contamination ; there are always safer vendors This is why the CEOs past service, far from shielding him, substantially raises the stakes. Military service does not confer immunity from commercial accountability. If anything, it imposes a higher standard, because the breach, if proven, is not merely a matter of corporate misconduct; it is likely going to raise further questions of possible betrayal of a public trust, accepted by the presence of a military commission and a uniform.
The Utah court will rule on the commercial dispute. But regardless, Washington must decide whether the integrity of its technology capture and investment arm faces a full investigation. The implications are too large, and the precedent too dangerous, to view this as just another IP fight between defence startups. Because if this injunction is upheld in Utah, then the Department of Defense then possibly faces a crisis of confidence with industry that could take years to repair.
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Orqa unmanned aerial vehicles were officially presented for the first time within the framework of the Croatian Armed Forces’ modernization program, at the ceremonial military parade held in Zagreb.
The decision by the Ministry of Defence to include advanced UAV systems developed in Croatia within the military program, demonstrates both the technological maturity of the Armed Forces and the nation’s standing at the forefront of cutting-edge defence developments.
At a time when many NATO member states are actively modernizing their defence capabilities, Croatia demonstrates that the real strength of rearmament comes from the technological potential within the Alliance itself.
We are especially proud that Orqa, a company grown out of the civil technology sector, now has the knowledge and capabilities to provide sophisticated equipment that meets military demands. Therefore, we are honored that, together with the Croatian Armed Forces, we are strengthening the security of Europe and NATO members.
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Harmattan AI, a pioneering French startup in advanced drone technology, today announced the launch of Gobi, a revolutionary high-speed interceptor drone engineered to neutralize enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in under a minute. This innovative system offers a cost-effective and highly efficient solution to the growing threat of adversarial drones.
The Gobi drone boasts impressive specifications designed for rapid deployment and effective neutralization. Weighing less than 2 kg, it can achieve speeds of up to 250 km/h and has an operational range of 5 km. Remarkably, the Gobi is engineered to intercept and disable drones weighing up to 600 kg, showcasing its versatility against a wide range of aerial threats.
“The Gobi represents a significant leap forward in counter-UAV technology,” said a spokesperson for Harmattan AI. “Its lightweight design, rapid production capabilities, and reduced cost make it a highly efficient alternative to more expensive and complex counter-UAV systems currently on the market. We believe the Gobi will redefine how we approach aerial security.”
Harmattan AI has already secured a significant contract with the Ministry of Armed Forces of France, committing to supply 1,000 AI-enabled drones for training and exercises by the end of the year. The Gobi is currently under evaluation as a potential addition to future procurement programs, signaling its strategic importance to France’s defense capabilities.
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Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American:UMAC), a leader in drone technology and component manufacturing, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement,effective June 12, 2025, to acquire Rotor Lab Pty Ltd, an Australian developer and manufacturer of electric motors and propulsion systems for unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The proposed acquisition is substantially an all-stock deal valued at $7.0 million (which includes a $3.0 million earnout).
Founded in 2022, Rotor Lab is a trusted provider of high-performance motors for both commercial and defense drone applications. Its product line includes precision-wound electric motors across multiple classes, from sub-400W units for small UAS to high-power motors supporting larger rotary and fixed-wing platforms.
Unusual Machines and Rotor Lab have already been working together for nearly a year, co-developing a family of motors including the 2207, 2807, and 3220 sizes. These motors will be among the first to enter production at Unusual Machines’ new U.S.-based motor factory in Orlando, Florida, which is expected to begin operations in September 2025.
The closing of the acquisition is contingent on satisfaction of customary closing conditions by the parties including the negotiation of an employment agreement with current Rotor Lab Chief Executive Officer Andrew Simpson, and required regulatory approvals.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew and the entire Rotor Lab team into Unusual Machines,” said Allan Evans, CEO of Unusual Machines. “Rotor Lab’s engineering and production capabilities accelerate our goal of building a resilient drone supply chain. Their technology and team will be a cornerstone of our motor development efforts as we scale manufacturing across both Australia and the United States.”
The existing Rotor Lab facility in Canberra will continue operations and serve as Unusual Machines’ engineering center for motor design, prototyping, and low-to-medium volume production. These capabilities will complement the company’s expanding U.S. manufacturing footprint and act as a second source for supply chain resiliency.
Andrew Simpson, CEO of Rotor Lab, added, “We founded Rotor Lab to deliver high-performance, sovereign propulsion solutions for drones. By joining Unusual Machines, we gain the resources and scale to grow faster, serve more customers, and expand our impact on the global drone ecosystem.”
About Unusual Machines
Unusual Machines manufactures and sells drone components and drones across a diversified brand portfolio, which includes Fat Shark, the leader in FPV (first-person view) ultra-low latency video goggles for drone pilots. The Company also retails small, acrobatic FPV drones and equipment directly to consumers through the curated Rotor Riot e-commerce store. With a changing regulatory environment, Unusual Machines seeks to be a dominant Tier-1 parts supplier to the fast-growing multi-billion-dollar U.S. drone industry. According to Fact.MR, the global drone accessories market is currently valued at $17.5 billion and is set to top $115 billion by 2032.
For more information, visit www.unusualmachines.com
About Rotor Lab
Rotor Lab Pty Ltd, headquartered in Canberra, Australia is a provider of high-performance electric motors for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including fixed-wing and rotary platforms.
For more information, please visit www.rotorlab.com.au
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Ghost Wing Search is your launchpad into the global unmanned systems industry. We’re connecting UAS/CUAS pilots, engineers, and technicians from Ukraine, the EU, the USA, and worldwide with top companies in defense, security, and commercial drone operations.
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By Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Warren, U.S. Marine Corps
A recent report from Task and Purpose’s YouTube channel discussed the role of shotguns in the Ukraine-Russia War. It discussed shotguns as a potential long-term solution to target small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at short range. Two thoughts came to my head after watching the video. First, maybe I can finally carry my beloved Remington 870 2.75-inch pump shotgun on a deployment. More seriously, considering shotguns’ effectiveness in the anti-UAV role, the U.S. military, and the Sea Services in particular, should conduct universal shotgun familiarization and training.
UAVs are a well-established part of the modern battlefield, as their widespread use in Ukraine confirms. And though most vessels and installations possess anti-UAV capabilities, swarms of smaller drones have skirted even the best defenses. All means of countering unmanned capabilities should be explored.
Sophisticated anti-air defense and electronic-warfare systems are the preferred defense against drones, but when UAVs overwhelm or bypass these systems, as they sometimes do in Ukraine, shotguns offer a practical last line of defense. The ease of use and procurement of these legendary firearms make them useful for quickly neutralizing drones. The U.S. Army and Marine Corps have requested information from private firms on new counter-drone small-arms technologies, which is a step in this direction, but shotguns provide an immediate solution that the services should integrate into their defensive strategies for future conflicts. The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy need to rapidly implement training with shotguns to counter UAV threats.
Lessons from Ukraine and Europe
The Ukraine-Russia War has provided valuable insights about how UAVs shape the modern battlefield, especially first person view (FPV) drones. FPVs’ ability to target infantry, vehicles, and logistical support assets has significantly affected both sides of the lines. FPVs can loiter over the area of operations and conduct precision strikes. They can deliver explosives while relaying crucial information, or they can hug the terrain to enable operators to approach targets undetected. Ukrainian and Russian forces use them to disrupt enemy movements, degrade armored capabilities, and create logistical bottlenecks.
Ukrainian soldiers have adopted various methods to counter these threats, but their semi-automatic shotguns have proven remarkably effective at disrupting Russian UAV operations. The shotgun is practical because it is durable and easily deployable, and its spread of pellets gives even a minimally trained warrior a good chance of getting a hit; training is still required to be more effective, though.
Allied nations such as France, Italy, and Belgium noted the lessons from Ukraine and have started incorporating shotguns into their defensive strategies against drones. All three countries have deployed different Benelli shotguns with traditional and specialized drone shells. During field tests, these weapons have proven very effective at taking down FPV drones from 80–120 meters away, leading to their employment with operational forces. The U.S. military needs to follow their lead, at scale, and fully train its forces to employ shotguns against close-in aerial targets.
We Need Shotgun Training Now
Naval forces in particular should incorporate this training, since they tend to be the first large-scale units inside an enemy’s weapons engagement zone. The concept of training on shotguns for counter-aerial combat is not new or untested. During World War I and World War II, aerial gunners on U.S. bombers used shotguns as part of their training to improve accuracy and reflexes by shooting skeet with 12-gauge shotguns from moving vehicles. This helped gunners learn to track and shoot fast-moving objects, which simulated enemy aircraft. This unconventional method was surprisingly effective at preparing gunners for the intense combat situations they would face throughout the war. Shotgun training helped diminish aerial threats then and can do so again today.
The easiest and quickest way to start this training is via micro-learning videos. These short-form videos can be easily posted on service-training sites and on platforms such as YouTube. They should cover the basics of shotgun functions, various ammo types, simple marksmanship, and maintenance. Further videos can just as easily be uploaded to discuss targeting moving aerial targets.
Next, individual units should conduct practical application training at on- and off-base trap and skeet facilities. These evolutions will help troops of all occupational fields familiarize themselves with shotguns and engage aerial threats from various angles and speeds. In addition, units should identify Marines and sailors who have bird-hunting or trap-and-skeet shooting experience. This cadre of experienced shotgunners can form initial internal security units within their respective commands and can be the basic trainers of their peers until service-level training is developed.
While some units across the services have already begun conducting drills and training with shotguns, these efforts need to be rapidly expanded. Intensifying this training across all branches will prepare frontline and support units for anti-UAV measures.
Drawing on Outside Sources
The Marine Corps Shooting Team, together with other service shooting teams, actively seeks out new shooting techniques and methods through participation in civilian and military competitions. These techniques are then adapted for combat marksmanship and shared with operational forces. To enhance their anti-UAV shotgun skills, these teams should immerse themselves in the civilian trap-and-skeet and bird-hunting communities, gaining valuable insights and lessons. Some service teams already have dedicated shotgun shooters who could spearhead these efforts and accelerate the development of training methods.
By participating in civilian training events, competitions, and bird hunts, the team could learn advanced techniques and strategies that could be incorporated into standard military training and specific anti-UAV programs. Organizations such as the National Skeet Shooting Association, Wings of Valor, or Ducks Unlimited could help identify competitions and organized hunts, as well as find instructors to train service members in simulated combat environments. These organizations could also help individual units find local training events and competitive opportunities. Any insights gained could be presented at the next annual Marine Corps Marksmanship Symposium, where new methods could be discussed and implemented for the Marine Corps, then transmitted to the other services.
The Ukraine-Russia war has highlighted the need for the U.S. military to adopt rapid shotgun training to counter drone threats. With their ease of use, deployment, and versatility, shotguns offer a practical last line of defense against this new aerial threat. Other NATO member-states have already incorporated shotguns into their defense strategies. The U.S. military, especially its naval forces, should quickly follow suit.
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