#unmanned systems

Highlights from the first day of Sea Air Space 2026 pointed to a Navy trying to advance next-generation carrier aviation while widening its interest in medium unmanned surface vessels and other autonomous systems.

A reported Chinese hybrid propulsion approach for battlefield drones suggests military designers are increasingly trying to balance endurance, acoustic discretion and operational flexibility in one system.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll says the service aims to purchase one million drones within 18 to 24 months and will launch a soldier-led marketplace next month where private companies can sell drone innovations directly to military units. The push follows the Army's inaugural Best Drone Warfighter Competition.

Israel Aerospace Industries has delivered the BlueWhale unmanned submarine to Germany's naval forces, marking the first autonomous submarine developed by an Israeli defense company. The vessel can operate independently for up to three weeks and is designed for anti-submarine warfare and covert maritime operations.

The U.S. Army is establishing a competitive event in Huntsville to identify the best drone pilots in the force, modeled on the tradition of the Best Ranger Competition. The initiative is designed not just as a showcase but as a tool to shape how the service selects, trains, and develops unmanned systems operators.