NRL's flying swimmer (Flimmer) is combining the characteristics of an unmanned undersea vehicle and a gliding aerial vehicle. This specific platform is designed to test the transition between free flight by conventional aerodynamic controls and underwater swimming, by utilising powered fins. Flying emplacement will enable the navy to rapidly deploy payloads from long distance, into cluttered and densely vegetated marine areas, where underwater movement would be slow or difficult. The technology would be suitable for operations in riverine or mangrove environment, posing significant challenge to conventional deployment techniques.
AUVSI 2014 Photo Report – all photos by Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
It took the Rapid Composite’s team about one month to design, develop, build and fly this unique ‘flying boat’ rotorcraft. The drone’s capabilities are not less impressive. Propelled by three powerful electrical motors, this waterproof (IP65) is carried by a single person. Pre-flight preparation takes only only few seconds with no assembly required. The drone can carry a variety of payloads, internal and external; some are attached using a standard Picatinny rail. The drone can carry up to 20 pounds on a mission of 30 minutes, and, at the cost that Rapid could produce them, the Navy would even consider using these flying robots expendable.NRL’s flying swimmer (Flimmer) is combining the characteristics of an unmanned undersea vehicle and a gliding aerial vehicle. This specific platform is designed to test the transition between free flight by conventional aerodynamic controls and underwater swimming, by utilising powered fins. Flying emplacement will enable the navy to rapidly deploy payloads from long distance, into cluttered and densely vegetated marine areas, where underwater movement would be slow or difficult. The technology would be suitable for operations in riverine or mangrove environment, posing significant challenge to conventional deployment techniques.The Stop Rotor UAV is tested by the Naval Research Laboratory to evaluate potential platforms that could rapidly deploy torpedo decoys as part of a surface fleet anti-submarine defense. The drone takes off vertically from the deck, than transitions to forward flight, powered by a tail rotor, by stopping the rotor and flipping one blade to form a wing. The complete process takes only one second. To date the stop Rotor UAV was tested in flight only in helicopter mode, while rotor transitions were demonstrated on the ground.This cruciform-winged experimental fuel-cell UAS (XFC UAS) was launched from a simulated submarine tube in December 2013, as part of a test by the Naval Research lab (NRL) demonstrating the feasibility to deploy an expendable UAV on a reconnaissance mission from a submerged submarine.Another view of the XFC UAV.When folded, the XFC UAV is stored in a canister that fits the submarine torpedo tube.
President Trump’s June 6, 2025 executive order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” sets an aggressive timeline for FAA BVLOS rulemaking, launches an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, and prioritizes domestic manufacturing and export of U.S. drone technologies—aiming to modernize logistics, public safety, and defense while securing global leadership in advanced air mobility.
The first week of June 2025 marked significant defense technology milestones, including Ukraine's 4,300km drone strikes, Israel's operational laser weapon deployments, and major AI partnerships. Capital markets showed strong confidence with over $6 billion in investments and acquisitions, while localized manufacturing accelerated across European and Middle Eastern markets.
Hermeus Corporation achieved the first flight of its Quarterhorse Mk 1 hypersonic demonstrator on May 27, 2025. Quarterhorse Mk 1 went from a clean sheet to flight-ready in a little over a year. The...
On June 1, 2025, Ukraine’s Security Service launched “Web,” a covert FPV drone operation targeting four Russian airbases. Containerized launch modules smuggled drones deep into Russia, striking more than 40 bombers and AEW&C platforms. This unprecedented long-range attack signals a shift in drone warfare and compels Russia to rethink rear-area air defenses.
Israel has crossed a historic threshold by becoming the first nation to successfully deploy laser weapons in actual combat. During the Swords of Iron War, Israeli forces used Rafael's high-energy laser systems to intercept enemy threats, marking the transition from experimental technology to operational directed energy warfare.