KYIV, Ua. -- Circus SE entered into an agreement with the 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to deploy the company's autonomous CA-1 robotic systems for tactical meal supply at training facilities of the 3rd Assault Brigade.

The agreement includes a framework arrangement for the procurement of up to 25 artificial intelligence-enabled robotic systems.

The company notes that troop supply via embodied AI systems within active defense environments is a first.

Source: Circus Defence
Associated URL: https://www.circus-group.com/articles/circus-defence-deploys-ai-robotics-with-ukrainian-ground-forces-acjx1

BERLIN, Germany - The German Navy has been approved to pursue the purchase of four MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems from American defense firm General Atomics.

In a report published on December 24, Hartpunkt revealed that the Bundestag’s Budget Committee has approved the purchase of the four systems, each of which includes two UAVs, to make for eight MQ-9Bs in total. The acquisition is expected to cost EUR1.52 billion, which will include the provision of spare parts, training services, and other support.

The MQ-9B deal will be handled on Germany’s behalf by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.

Germany expects to take delivery of the drones from 2028-2030, at which time they will be stationed at Nordholz naval air base, located near the North Sea coast.

The acquisition will help reinforce Germany’s maritime patrol capabilities. According to Hartpunkt’s sources, the drones will be upgraded after delivery to be capable of performing anti-submarine warfare missions. Those upgrades are projected to run from 2031-2032.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/12/german-navy-to-procure-mq-9b-seaguardian-for-reconnaissance-asw/

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Air Force has officially designated Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon as the YFQ-48A, making it the third uncrewed fighter aircraft identified under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The designation signals that Project Talon is viewed as a strong contender, despite Northrop losing out in the initial CCA Increment 1 competition. The announcement coincided with the Air Force awarding nine undisclosed "concept refinement" contracts for CCA Increment 2.

Officials have not clarified how Increment 2 differs from Increment 1 or which companies received awards. Project Talon was self-funded by Northrop and features a significantly redesigned airframe that is lighter, has fewer parts, and can be built faster and more affordably than its earlier concept. While Increment 2 details remain vague, a wide range of established defense primes and emerging startups are expected to compete, underscoring the Air Force’s intent to foster competition and explore diverse, cost-effective uncrewed fighter concepts.

Source: Air & Space Forces
Associated URL: https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-designates-northrop-new-cca-yfq-48a/
Author: Greg Hadley