Ghost Bat achieves first flights in US airspace
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat has completed three operational flight tests on the Point Mugu Sea Range at US Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California, to validate autonomous operations and demonstrate rapid deployment and sustained operations from an allied location. The deployment is the Australian-developed Ghost Bat’s first international operation in allied airspace and signals…
Defence appoints AECOM to prepare Henderson Defence Precinct
Defence has appointed engineering consulting firm AECOM Australia to undertake site characterisation studies of the site, waters and surrounding environment at the defence precinct at Henderson, Western Australia. AECOM will carry out environmental and ground studies across Western Australia’s Cockburn Sound region, laying the groundwork for future infrastructure at the Henderson Defence Precinct, said Defence…
Saab and GA-ASI fly world’s first uncrewed AEW aircraft
Swedish company Saab and California-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) have successfully completed the first flight of the world’s first uncrewed Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. Saab’s LoyalEye radar sensor was integrated with GA-ASI’s unmanned MQ-9B aircraft. The partnership between the two companies, announced in 2025, aims to enhance airborne early warning surveillance capabilities…
Defence names new Chief of Joint Capabilities
Defence has appointed Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz as the new Chief of Joint Capabilities, replacing the incoming Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle. Air Vice-Marshal Braz will be promoted to Air Marshal and start in his new role in July 2026 for four years, said Defence in a media release. In his new job Air…
ASCA awards undersea navigation contracts to three Australian companies
Defence has awarded three Australian companies awarded contracts to develop new undersea navigation technology and strengthened the nation’s ability to operate Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). As part of Defence’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Undersea Navigation Challenge, contracts worth $7.2 million have been awarded to Phasor Innovation Pty Ltd, Nomad Atomics Pty Ltd and Q‑CTRL…
US Navy’s autonomous MQ-25A Stingray tanker moves into LRIP
Following a successful first flight in April, the US’s Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has announced that the MQ-25A Stingray autonomous air refueller has received Milestone C approval to move into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The milestone marks a major step forward in the Navy’s commitment to unmanned carrier aviation, says the US…
