drones

In a world first, Japanese researchers flew a lightning-proof drone in a thunderstorm, using it to induce and direct natural lightning strikes. The team is now working on how this flying lightning rod might capture and store lightning energy.

The British Army has successfully tested a Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) that took out multiple swarms of drones simultaneously and near instantaneously using high-frequency radio waves at a cost of 10p (US$0.13) per shot.

Looking like something out of a science fiction thriller, Diehl Defence is showing off its CICADA eMissile, which is the centerpiece of the company's Sky Sphere system for defending against Class 1 and 2 small drones with minimal collateral damage.

Teledyne FLIR Defense's Black Hornet 4 nano-drone has won the US Department of Defense's Blue UAS Refresh award. That may not mean much to the average person, but it does give us an excuse to talk about the palm-size infantry recon helicopter.

AeroVironment has just revealed its latest heavy-duty medium uncrewed aircraft system known as the Jump 20-X. With an impressive range of capabilities, the drone could easily become a cornerstone of sea-based combat and surveillance.

Hybrid-electric aircraft maker Pipistrel just ushered its Nuuva V300 electric vertical takeoff and landing craft through a major milestone. A recent video shows it break the chains of gravity and hover midair in a first for the vehicle.

It's only fitting that the company generating electricity by loop-de-looping a ground-tethered winged drone is from North Carolina. After all, North Carolina is the birthplace of human flight.

The latest in crazy impressive drone technology isn't from DJI (or "research drones" approved by the FAA). It's called the "safety-assured high-speed aerial robot," also known as SUPER. Check out what actually makes it super.

Drones have another weapon in the arsenal thanks to "Crazy Li" Xiao: lasers. Not just lasers, but ones powerful enough to vaporize human tissue on contact and cut through metal.

Looking like a miniature F-22 crossed with an equally small F-35B, SkyDefense's CobraJet is being marketed by the company as an AI-enabled eVTOL interceptor. It sports electric jets capable of speeds of over 200 mph (322 km/h) for taking out hostile drones.

Technology group Rohde & Schwarz has upped the ante in countering the threat of commercial drones to civil and military aviation with its Ardronis Wi-Fi system that doesn't just knock out drones, but infiltrates them and steals their data.

Three of America's leading AI companies have now signed up to share their technology with the US defence forces and military contractors, even after initially insisting they wouldn't – and the age of autonomous warfare seems close at hand.