Defense

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Sep 7

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A brilliant point of light with cross-shaped flare burns above a nighttime city skyline as an Army high-energy laser engages a small drone.

Defense · Counter-Drone

Army's $3-a-Shot Laser Cuts Cartel Drone Flights 75%, Military Says

Military officials say cartel drone flights over the Rio Grande Valley fell about 75% after an Army laser began downing them. The baseline is undisclosed.

Haye KestelooSep 77 min read

First-person GoPro view of a skier dropping into a deep powder line above a forested valley, with snow-covered peaks on the horizon.

Industry

GoPro CEO Promises 'More Cameras' After Merger, Names None

Woodman's letter says GoPro will keep building cameras after the Starman merger. It names no product, and GoPro's filings say details wait for closing.

Haye KestelooSep 4

GoPro MISSION 1 PRO ILS compact cinema camera fitted with a Laowa cine lens on a speed-rail rig, the newest hardware from the company Starman Optical is buying for $285 million.

Industry

GoPro Sells 90% Of Itself For $285 Million And Pivots To Defense

Starman Optical pays $1.14 a share for 90% of GoPro, clears $92 million in debt, and points the camera maker at defense, government, and AI markets.

Haye KestelooSep 2

A Quantum Systems Vector eVTOL reconnaissance drone staged in the field with Quantum Systems branding behind it.

Industry

Quantum Systems Says CIA-Backed Fund Opened Its US Doors

Co-CEO Sven Kruck says In-Q-Tel and other US investors opened Washington doors, helping the German drone maker land CIA and FBI work.

Haye KestelooAug 31

Counter-Drone

Pentagon Downs 3 Cartel Drones With Laser, Won't Say Whose Airspace

The Army's AMP-HEL laser destroyed three cartel drones at the Texas border, but USNORTHCOM won't say whether the shots crossed into Mexican airspace.

Haye KestelooAug 28

A white jet-powered unmanned aircraft with red accents and Kratos and NCSIST co-branded logos on its fuselage, displayed on an exhibition stand in Taipei

Industry

Taiwan Approves $7.6 Billion Drone Buildup, Rejects Lai's Own Plan

Taiwan's legislature passed a NT$240 billion (US$7.56 billion) drone act 60-50 and killed President Lai's special budget. The military says it falls short.

Haye KestelooAug 27

Lockheed Martin

Saildrone Fires First Missiles From Its Robot Ship at US Navy's RIMPAC

Saildrone and Lockheed Martin fired two JAGM missiles from a Surveyor USV at RIMPAC 2026, the first missile launch from the company's uncrewed ships.

Haye KestelooAug 22

Auterion drone swarm software coordinating multiple uncrewed aircraft as a single AI-guided strike formation

Counter-Drone

Northcom Cannot Stop A Homeland Drone Swarm. Its Deputy Commander Said So.

Asked if he could defeat a drone swarm launched inside U.S. borders, Northcom's deputy commander said no. Nine days earlier, five autonomous drones hit a tank in Maryland.

Haye KestelooAug 19

Defense

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