Drones

China’s National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) has developed a microdrone the size of a mosquito, raising global concerns about surveillance and potential military use. Chinese state media showcased the miniature device on Friday, describing it as ideal for "information reconnaissance and special missions on the battlefield."

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado warned this week that Venezuela has become the only nation in the Western Hemisphere capable of producing Iranian combat drones. Speaking from hiding due to threats of arrest by the Maduro regime, Machado exposed the growing military ties between Venezuela and Iran, warning that this alliance represents a strategic threat to regional and U.S. security.

Israel has successfully deployed a prototype laser weapon to intercept Hezbollah drones along its northern border.

Admiral James Kilby, the acting Chief of Naval Operations, has expressed concerns over the U.S. Navy's reliance on expensive missile interceptors to counter Houthi drone attacks in the Red Sea.

The rapid evolution of drone warfare in the Ukraine war has led to battles where nearly all combat is conducted by autonomous and semi-autonomous machines, both on the ground and in the air. This shift is bringing the world closer to the concept of “hyperwar,” where human commanders may struggle to react quickly enough to control their machines.

The United States has increased its use of drones in finding fentanyl labs in Mexico, according to a report from The New York Times.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Tuesday that the drones spotted flying over New Jersey and other parts of the country in late 2024 were authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During the first press briefing of President Donald Trump’s second term, Leavitt conveyed a direct statement from the president to address the public's concerns.

The United Kingdom has announced the delivery of a newly developed air defense system to Ukraine, designed to bolster the country’s ability to protect its cities from aerial attacks. Dubbed the "Gravehawk," the system adapts existing air-to-air missiles for ground-launch use and will be operational this year, according to UK officials.

Unauthorized drones caused firefighting aircraft to be grounded over the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles, significantly hampering efforts to contain California's most destructive wildfire, which has already scorched over 21,000 acres and claimed at least 11 lives.

The suspect in the Cybertruck explosion attack outside the Trump hotel in Las Vegas is believed to have served at the same military base as the suspect in the New Orleans attack.