The Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Directed Energy Stryker, an updated version of the Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle, was unveiled at AUSA 2024. Developed by Leonardo DRS and BlueHalo, the system combines advanced weapons with rapid deployment capabilities, offering a new approach to the U.S. Army’s defense against unmanned aerial systems. The vehicle features high-tech weapons,…

One of the many lessons learned from Ukraine’s war against Russia’s illegal invasion is the effectiveness of drone warfare. While the offensive advantages to drones are clear, the ability to defend troops against drones in the hands of bad actors is equally crucial. This was the motivation behind Operation Hard Kill, a critical counter-drone warfare…

The acting director of the Secret Service said he cannot defend why the roof the shooter used in an attempt to assassinate former President Trump was not better secured. During a Senate hearing on the incident, Acting Director Ronald Rowe said he has lost sleep over multiple failures that took place that day.  Rowe released…

Yakkety-yak! It’s a counter-drone attack! Right now, in the skies above Ukraine, a 50-year-old propeller-driven airplane is racking up kills against 21st century unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). An unknown number of the Soviet-era Yak-52 training aircraft —crewed by Ukrainians from a local civil air patrol chapter — appear to be flying free-hunt missions in southern…

Israel’s Iron Dome is one of the world’s premier air defense systems. It was first put into service to protect land-based targets more than a decade ago. Now, the technology behind it is scoring kills at sea too. The C-Dome is the naval version of the Iron Dome. It uses advanced radars and sensors to…

This week Weapons and Warfare is all about drones. Host Ryan Robertson talks with some former Air Force leaders and defense and security experts on what U.S. national defense is doing right, and where it needs to improve when it comes to drones in the hands of today’s operators. Also featured in this episode: You…

Since October, Houthi militants in Yemen have shot down five U.S.-operated MQ-9 Reapers. These unmanned aerial systems, larger than some planes, are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), but they can also carry munitions, such as Hellfire missiles. Straight Arrow News’ Ryan Robertson spoke to Jonathon Molik, a U.S. intelligence officer with 30…

The modern battlefield is as dynamic as it is deadly. Small, unmanned aerial systems are taking out larger weapons for pennies on the dollar, forcing NATO nations to adapt and deal with attack vehicles that are often the same kind of devices one can buy at a store, just with some extra kit. “It’s a…

Unmanned aircraft are the common thread in the way militaries could fight future conflicts. Military leaders are already factoring technology for fully autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft into battle plans. While this weapon of the week is not a part of those plans yet, it soon could be. The Bell V-247 Vigilant is the unmanned…

The weapon of the week is Metal Shark’s Prowler — a new unmanned surface vessel (USV) that could help out the Navy and Marine Corps. Ryan Robertson had a conversation with the president and CEO of Metal Shark, Christopher Allard, at the U.S. Navy League’s annual exposition for America’s maritime forces and commercial partners. This…