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Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has shown how combat drones can think on the fly with a demonstration of its AI-Driven Mission Contingency Management (AI/MCM) system that can adjust missions in the face of unforeseen events.

Robotic submarines are poised to become a major addition to the fleets of the world's major navies and as the technology matures more attention is being paid by the likes of the European Defence Agency (EDA) to making them quieter and stealthier.

The uncrewed fighter plane field is getting a tad crowded and Northrop Grumman is adding to the congestion with Project Talon. Intended to operate alongside jets like the F-35 and F-22, Talon is designed as a multi-mission Loyal Wingman aircraft.

Hypersonic vehicles aren't much use if you don't know where they're going, so Northrop Grumman is developing new navigation systems for autonomous craft that can stand up to the rigors of flying at speeds of over Mach 5.

Britain's DragonFire laser weapon upped the ante on November 20 at the Ministry of Defence's Hebrides Range in Scotland when the high-powered, solid-state laser for the Royal Navy shot down drones flying at 351 knots (404 mph, 650 km/h).

The Loyal Wingman concept has taken a major step toward reality as Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works pulled off an aerial demonstration where a 5th-generation F-22 Raptor interceptor took command of a drone for the first time.

Through its Tactical Technology Office (TTO), DARPA wants to move drones to the next level with its Lift Challenge - a US$6.5-million competition aimed at creating small drones capable of lifting payloads four times their weight.

Joby Aviation's latest iteration of its autonomous all-electric S4 air taxi VTOL aircraft has made its maiden flight. The new variant aimed at the defense market boasts a turbine-electric hybrid powertrain for greater range and endurance.

A few days ago, California-based defense tech firm Anduril concluded the first test flights of its semi-autonomous Fury fighter jet without a pilot in the cockpit. Oh wait, there's actually no cockpit in there at all.