British Apaches will receive drone cover: the army is creating an autonomous "assistant" for aerial combat

The British Army is preparing a major upgrade for its Apache AH-64E attack helicopters — and this is not about new weapons, but about a real "twin in the sky." As part of the new initiative, a ground—based autonomous collaborative platform (LACP) is being developed - in fact, a drone that will fly with the Apaches and perform the most dangerous tasks instead of them.

This drone is not just a radio—controlled toy. It will operate in a highly autonomous mode, meaning it will not require constant operator intervention. He can be "sent forward" with one command: "Go, look, find targets, cover for me" — and then he will decide for himself how to maneuver, where to hide and when to transfer the data to the pilot. As they say in the army: this is a "command-controlled, not controlled" device — like a war dog, not like a toy car on a remote control.

What can he do? Almost everything you need on the battlefield:  

— Reconnaissance — it will fly into an area where it is too dangerous for a helicopter;  

— Target designation — highlights the target for missiles;  

— Strike — if equipped with a weapon;  

— Suppress air defenses — distract or disable enemy radars;  

— And work with Launched Effects systems — in other words, launch even smaller drones, like matryoshka dolls.

The idea is simple: the Apache pilot remains relatively safe, while his "unmanned partner" goes ahead, takes risks and transmits information in real time. This not only increases the chances of survival, but also makes the strikes more accurate and faster.

LACP is still under development, but one thing is clear: the future belongs to the human + drone teams. And British helicopter pilots are already preparing to work in such a duo.

The US Army will begin production of the IFPC Increment 2 system in 2026

 

IFPC Inc 2

The U.S. Army plans to begin production of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 mobile air defense system in early 2026, with initial operational availability by mid-2027. This system is designed to protect key military installations and infrastructure from a wide range of aerial threats, including subsonic cruise missiles, drones (UAS), as well as rocket, artillery and mortar attacks (RAM).

IFPC Inc 2 fills the critical gap between short-range systems and strategic missile defense capabilities, providing flexible and scalable protection. It includes a Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) mounted on a mobile platform capable of launching various types of interceptors, including the AIM-9X Sidewinder, AGM-114L Hellfire and Israeli Tamir missiles used in the Iron Dome system.

The system integrates with the control architecture of the Army Integrated Air Defense and Missile Defense System (AIAMD) and uses the Sentinel A4 radar, which provides 360-degree detection and high-precision tracking of low-flying and low-visibility targets. The program also includes the development of variants with high-energy lasers and powerful microwave systems as an addition to kinetic interceptors.

Despite the delays in testing, the U.S. Army intends to ensure the deployment of the first IFPC Inc 2 battalion by 2027, including plans to deploy the systems to Guam in the Pacific Ocean. This will significantly increase protection against modern and future aerial threats, especially in the face of the growing threat from hypersonic and cruise missiles.

The US Navy is stepping up the use of AI to combat drones with laser weapons

In today's world of technology and military innovation, the US Navy continues to strengthen its position in the field of protection against new types of threats, such as autonomous unmanned systems (UAS). One of the most promising areas is the development of laser weapon systems (LWS), which are complemented by artificial intelligence (AI) to increase efficiency. This makes it possible to counter the rapidly evolving threat from small but highly efficient drones.

The process of using laser weapons against drones is as follows: when the radar detects the signature of an approaching UAS, it automatically transmits the data to the LWS system. After that, the operator turns on the infrared sensor, which begins to track the movement of the drone. To maintain accurate fixation, a special component of the system is used — a telescope capable of providing stable target acquisition even at considerable distances.

However, the key step is to classify the threat. The operator must determine whether the object is really dangerous by comparing its characteristics with a database of known drones and their capabilities. This is where artificial intelligence plays a crucial role, offering instant recommendations on classification and suggestions for further action.

The main difficulty lies in the fact that modern drones can vary in size, function, and purpose. Some of them perform reconnaissance tasks, others carry combat loads, and still others can be completely civilian. The human factor in the decision-making process can slow down the reaction or lead to mistakes. That is why the introduction of AI is becoming a critical step.

Artificial intelligence analyzes huge amounts of data, including historical examples of encounters with similar drones, their behavior and tactics of use. Based on this information, the system helps the operator make decisions faster, reducing the risk of errors and increasing the overall efficiency of the system.

Lasers have a number of obvious advantages over traditional air defense systems.:

1. Unlimited Ammo: Laser weapons do not require bullets or missiles, making them an almost endless source of protection.

2. High Precision: Lasers are capable of accurately hitting targets without the risk of collateral damage to the environment or innocent objects.

3. Cost-effectiveness: Although the initial cost of building the system is high, the operating costs are significantly lower than those of traditional air defense systems.

4. Reaction Speed: Lasers travel at the speed of light, allowing them to react instantly to moving targets.

Despite the many advantages, there are also technical and organizational challenges faced by developers.:

- Atmospheric interference: Fog, rain, or sandstorms may affect the effectiveness of the laser beam.

-Development of defensive technologies: Opponents may start using new materials or technologies that make drones more resistant to laser attacks.

- Ethics of using AI: Automation of the decision-making process raises ethical questions, especially if the system gets the right to open fire on its own.

The introduction of artificial intelligence into the US Navy's laser weapon system demonstrates the military's commitment to adapting advanced technologies to protect against modern threats. The combination of precision, cost-effectiveness, and automation makes such systems a powerful tool in the face of evolving aerial threats. However, for successful implementation, it is necessary to overcome technical limitations and develop a clear ethical framework for the use of such technologies.

Thus, the future of countering drones is seen as increasingly digital and automated, where a person will play the role of a controller, rather than the main performer.

Cyberlux Corporation Tests AI-Powered UAV for US Special Operations Command in Arctic Conditions

 The American technology company Cyberlux Corporation has tested its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAS) for the US Special Operations Command in Norway.

The event, held in Rennes, was dedicated to the use cases of the solution in the missions of the US and NATO special operations forces in the Arctic.The model selected for evaluation included the Omniscience artificial intelligence software developed by the California-based OKSI company.Autonomous control and computer vision technologies were used to maneuver the UAV in the presented scenarios.