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Explore UST’s round-up of this week’s five most read articles, featuring new technologies, demonstrations, and industry successes.
1. Hydrogen-Powered Raybird UAV Enters Combat Duty for Long-Range Reconnaissance & Stealth Operations
A hybrid version of Skyeton‘s Raybird Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has officially entered full-scale combat duty with the Ukrainian Defense Forces following successful interagency testing.
The new platform utilizes an electric motor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. To accommodate this propulsion system, engineers developed a specialized airframe architecture designed to optimize weight distribution and space. This design has been further refined to support the mass production of the hydrogen-powered variant.
2. Kraken Robotics Advances UUV Power Systems with New SeaPower Battery Orders
Kraken Robotics has secured $35 million in battery sales through new agreements with three undisclosed customers. The orders focus on the company’s SeaPower battery technology, which is designed to facilitate long-endurance subsea operations for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).
These systems offer 200% greater energy density and 46% less weight per kilowatt-hour compared to traditional oil-compensated or pressure-housed battery alternatives. This weight and density advantage allows for extended and more complex underwater missions within the defense, commercial, and marine research sectors.
3. GA-ASI Advances Mission Autonomy & Executes Live Aerial Intercept During MQ-20 Avenger Demo
In its latest demonstration of advanced autonomy development, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully executed a mission autonomy flight using its MQ-20 Avenger® jet equipped with the latest government reference autonomy software.
The test included a live engagement between the MQ-20 and an aggressor aircraft flown by an onboard human pilot, highlighting the advanced maturity of autonomous systems, seamless integration of mission elements, and the ability of autonomy to leverage onboard sensors to make independent decisions and execute complex tasks.
4. EMSA Selects Airbus Flexrotor for Enhanced Maritime Surveillance & Coast Guard Support
Airbus has been awarded a €30 million framework contract by The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide multipurpose maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS).
This turnkey contract facilitates the first operational flights of the Flexrotor in Europe, providing extended coastal range and long-endurance capabilities to support national authorities in EU Member States, Norway, and Iceland. The initial agreement spans two years, with options to extend the timeframe up to four years, and service is scheduled to commence in 2026.
5. VideoRay Launches Mission Specialist Wraith for Compact Unmanned Subsea Operations
AeroVironment, through its subsidiary VideoRay, has expanded its Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) lineup with the introduction of the Mission Specialist Wraith, a compact system developed for demanding, high-precision subsea missions.
The new platform is designed to deliver true six-degree-of-freedom maneuverability using 10 vectored thrusters, enabling it to maintain full stability and control in any orientation, including vertical, inverted, or fully rolled positions. This configuration allows the vehicle to operate effectively at depth and in strong currents while retaining precise handling. The system is capable of producing up to 80 pounds of forward thrust along with simultaneous lift, supporting rapid transit to target areas and accurate station-keeping during complex operations.
