Below the reader will find recent news about unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are used in conflicts (Ukraine, Africa, etc.), new developments in drone use, and training by military units for using drones during combat operations. Curated articles on the topics below are provided:
- Countering Drone Swarms
- Oregon NG’s Drone Training Program
- ‘Falcon Peak’ and Counterdrone Measures
- CobraJet Interceptor
- Helicopters Replaced by Drones?
- Switchblade 600 Now Has a ‘Mothership’
- Ukraine Has a New Kamikaze Drone
- Ukraine and Drone Swarming
- New Playbook on Warfare
- Russia’s Rubicon Drone Unit
- Lethal Drone Operators of Ukraine
- Is it Possible to Annihilate Drone Swarms?
- Defending Against Drones with Lasers
U.S. and Drones
Defending Against Drone Swarms. Stacie Pettyjohn and Molly Campbell write about how to protect the Joint Force in the Drone Age. “Countering the Swarm”, CNAS.org, September 10, 2025.
Oregon NG’s Drone Training Program. The Oregon Army National Guard is continuing to develop its UAS capabilities at the Rees Training Center where soldiers learn to operate, maintain, and build unmanned systems. The training courses provide a comprehensive program that combines commercial systems, custom-built platforms, and innovative training methodologies to prepare soldiers for the future of unmanned warfare. “Oregon Guard Advances Drone Capabilities With New Training Systems”, U.S. Army, September 16, 2025.
‘Falcon Peak’ and Counter Drone Measures. The U.S. military is developing teams that will respond in 24 hors to drone incursions at homeland installations. A counter-drone evaluation taking place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida is where this coming capability was demonstrated. “New Quick Reaction Force Will Counter Military Base Drone Incursions”, by Howard Altman, The War Zone, September 18, 2025.
Cobra Jet Interceptor. SkyDefense LLC’s new drone is an autonomous eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) interceptor that is designed for counter-drone operations. This low-cost fighter drone uses artificial intelligence (AI) and exceed speeds of 200 miles per hour – faster than most military drones currently fielded. The Cobra Jet can operate independently or as part of an AI-powered “flight team”. The company says the Cobra Jet is an advanced air defense for smaller militaries and private security firms. Brandon J. Weichet provides more details in “Here’s How the New “CobraJet” Autonomous Vehicle Will Change Warfare Forever”, National Interest, August 22, 2025.
Helicopters Replaced by Drones? “Helicopter air assaults once symbolized the decisive strike behind enemy lines. Today, their role is fading as small, inexpensive drones paralyze logistics at a fraction of the cost and risk.” Elena Davlikanova and Yevhen Malik argue that the economics of using drones vs helicopter assaults to disrupt the rear areas of the enemy tilt the choice to drones. “Do Drones Make Helicopters Obsolete?”, National Interest, September 12, 2025.
Switchblade 600 Now Has a ‘Mothership”. The U.S. Switchblade 600 is a loitering munition that can now be launched from a MQ-9A Reaper. Although it is an expensive system there will be times that it is the right weapon in certain situations. (Defense Express, 14 Sep 2025)
Drones and the Ukraine – Russia Conflict
Ukraine Has a New Kamikaze Drone. A new UAS that has a range of more than 40 kilometers and that can overcome electronic warfare (EW) systems will soon be deployed by Ukraine. Kamikaze drones have become an efficient and cheap way to oppose the Russians. They are capable of precise targeting and can be mass produced. Ukraine has been faced with an enemy that has more people and a bigger industrial base. Russia has the advantage in artillery and in missiles. It is not far behind Ukraine the the advancement of drone technology and fielding drones. “Ukraine Set to Deploy New Kamikaze Drones”, The Defense Post, September 17, 2025.
Ukraine and Drone Swarming. Collaborative drone swarms that bring together kamikaze drones and wheeled robot grenade launchers could be coming to a battlefield near you. “This Ukrainian startup has re-invented drone swarming”, Defense One, September 15, 2025.
New Playbook on Warfare. Ukraine has developed a “creative destruction approach” with its battlefield innovation of utilizing drones on a massive scale. Ukraine’s success with the development of drone technology, ability to mass produce drones, and to train and kit up drone operators has caused a seismic shift in the wars are fought. “Drone Wars: How Ukraine’s Creative Destruction Rewrote the Playbook on Warfare”, National Interest, September 17, 2025.
Russia’s Rubicon Drone Unit. Much of Russia’s success in regaining ground in the Kursk Oblast this past winter was due to a Russian drone unit. The unit was established in the summer of 2024 and is known as the Rubicon Center of Advanced Unmanned Systems. It is thought to consist of seven units each with approximately 130-150 personnel. The unit employs electronic warfare and radio signal reconnaissance to assist in locating Ukrainian drones and their operators. “Inside Rubicon, The Elite Russian Drone Unit Wreaking Havoc on Ukraine’s Troops”, Radio Free Europe, September 17, 2025.
Lethal Drone Operators of Ukraine. Ken Harbaugh visits a drone unit on the front lines in Kherson and learns how drone teams compete for points . . . based on kills. “Ukraine’s Most Lethal Soldiers”, The Atlantic, September 15, 2025.
Drones Around the World
Is it Possible to Kill Drone Swarms? Saab’s Nimbrix missile appears calibrated to take on the threat of an AI drone swarm that will provide a valuable countermeasure against a weapon that so far has operated without one. “Did Saab Just Invent a Way to Annihilate Drone Swarms?”, by Brandon J. Weichert , National Interest, September 17, 2025.
Defending Against Drones with Lasers. Cheaper than advanced air defenses and more versatile than low-tech options, lasers have become a popular choice for nations worried about drone attacks. “The Hottest New Defense Against Drones? Lasers”, The New York Times, September 18, 2025. (subscription)
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Image. “Drone Swarm Over Desert” – Grok, 20 Sep 2025
