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Drones and Unmanned Systems - Air, Sea, Land, Micro & Robot Systems

Northrop Grumman XRQ-73 SHEPARD

Source: DARPA

DRONE DOMINANCE PROGRAM PLANS TO ACQUIRE SMALL BOMBERS

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Northrop Grumman XRQ-73 SHEPARD

Source: DARPA

DETROIT. MICHIGAN -- The Pentagon is expanding to include the acquisition of recoverable bomber types of uncrewed aerial systems. These systems, such as Northrop Grumman's experimental XRQ-73 or Ukraine's VAMPIRE, are designed to carry and drop heavy payloads.

Source: Aviation Week
Associated URL: https://aviationweek.com/defense/missile-defense-weapons/small-bombers-added-drone-dominance-program-shopping-list

Shield AI - Thunder Tiger Partnership

Source: Shield AI

SHIELD AI EXPANDS HIVEMIND MARITIME AUTONOMY IN TAIWAN WITH THUNDER TIGER PARTNERSHIP

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Shield AI - Thunder Tiger Partnership

Source: Shield AI

TAIPEI -- Shield AI and Thunder Tiger announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software across Thunder Tiger’s unmanned systems portfolio

Shield AI notes that the integration will begin with unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

Hivemind will serve as the AI pilot on a Thunder Tiger USV, with a live demonstration planned for this summer.

The agreement establishes a phased approach to integration and testing, including simulation-based testing, hardware-in-the-loop integration, and live vehicle testing. The goal is to validate how multiple autonomous systems can operate together as a coordinated team across Thunder Tiger’s platforms.

Source: Shield AI
Associated URL: https://shield.ai/shield-ai-expands-hivemind-maritime-autonomy-in-taiwan-with-thunder-tiger-partnership/

A Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Source: DoD/Army Spc. Randis Monroe

RENK AMERICA ENABLES AUTONOMOUS CAPABILITY FOR AMPV THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH BAE AND FORTERRA

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

A Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Source: DoD/Army Spc. Randis Monroe

MUSKEGON, Mi. -- RENK America announced its role in providing autonomous capability for the U.S. Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) through collaboration with BAE Systems and Forterra.

RENK America contributed its HMPT transmission "drive-by-wire" system for autonomous vehicle operation. The integrated solution enables Forterra’s AutoDrive and maintains the same space claim as the current transmission.

The drive-by-wire kit can also deploy autonomous capability to other platforms powered by RENK America’s HMPT transmission, including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, M109 Paladin, and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System.

Source: RENK
Associated URL: https://www.renk.com/en/newsroom/news/press-releases/2026/renk-america-enables-autonomous-capability-for-ampv-through-collaboration-with-bae-systems-and-forterra

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