🕸️ Florida Firm Conducts ‘World’s First’ Non-Lethal Human Takedown With Drone

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🕸️ Florida Firm Conducts ‘World’s First’ Non-Lethal Human Takedown With Drone — Read More

🔦 New French Laser System Lets UAVs Mark Targets for Guided Strikes — Read More

✈️ Ukraine Reveals FA v1 Jet-Powered Drone Concept With Twin-Fin Layout — Read More

💼 Defense CEOs Still See 2025 as “Manageable” If Congress Backfills Later — Read More

⚙️ General Tells Industry to “Bring More Prototypes” So Forces Can Move at Speed — Read More

🎱 Plus 12 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🕸️ Florida Firm Conducts ‘World’s First’ Non-Lethal Human Takedown With Drone — Read More

• Florida-based Wrap Technologies successfully completed the first-ever non-lethal human takedown using a drone, employing its Merlin-Interdictor to deploy a BolaWrap device that safely entangled a human target from above.

• Conducted in partnership with Mithril Defense, the trials validated consistent and controlled aerial interdiction — a milestone for drone-based, non-lethal response in active shooter and public safety scenarios.

• Company officials said the system aims to protect schools and public spaces while minimizing collateral damage, with pre-orders and training packages for government agencies expected to open next month.

🔦 New French Laser System Lets UAVs Mark Targets for Guided Strikes — Read More

• French defense firm MERIO unveiled a drone-mounted laser designator system enabling UAVs to mark targets for artillery, aircraft, or naval-guided munitions from safe standoff ranges.

• The system integrates MERIO’s Milvus electro-optical and infrared gimbals, offering stabilized targeting and imaging capability for both defense and civil security missions.

• MERIO also signed an agreement with Portuguese UAV maker TEKEVER to integrate Milvus sensors into its ISR drone family — part of a broader European push for sovereign, networked targeting technologies.

✈️ Ukraine Reveals FA v1 Jet-Powered Drone Concept With Twin-Fin Layout — Read More

• Ukraine debuted its FA v1 jet-powered canard-delta drone concept at the Drone Warfare Summit, positioning it for short-range air defense, reconnaissance, and potential interceptor roles.

• Capable of reaching 250 km/h with a 30 km range, the FA v1 features twin tail fins, a lightweight frame, and a centerline store for modular payloads or strike ordnance.

• Though still a concept, officials say the design signals Ukraine’s growing domestic capability in unmanned systems, focusing on rapid reaction and indigenous production amid wartime demand.

💼 Defense CEOs Still See 2025 as “Manageable” If Congress Backfills Later — Read More

• Major defense CEOs said the ongoing government shutdown has delayed contract awards but not yet caused major financial harm, with most firms projecting recovery if the government reopens by mid-November.

• L3Harris, Northrop, and General Dynamics executives warned that extended furloughs could strain cash flow and smaller suppliers but reaffirmed their full-year guidance if Congress restores funding soon.

• HII and Leonardo DRS reported only minor impacts so far, while Lockheed Martin and RTX downplayed risks, citing steady support for national defense priorities despite the budget deadlock.

⚙️ General Tells Industry to “Bring More Prototypes” So Forces Can Move at Speed — Read More

• Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James Glynn urged defense firms to deliver multiple prototypes — and leave them behind — during Indo-Pacific exercises so troops can iterate faster on real-world systems.

• Glynn said combat units “don’t have time for perfect solutions,” citing the Joint Fires Network as an example of how experimental technologies can evolve into operational capabilities.

• He pressed industry to trust military partners with test hardware, emphasizing weeks and months—not years—as the decisive development window for staying ahead of regional threats.

🌏 Other Important News

🌊 Maritime

• U.S. Unveils Philippine Task Force to Deter Chinese Coercion in South China Sea — Read More

• “Systems, Not Silver Bullets,” Are Key to Victory in Pacific, SOCPAC Chief Says — Read More

• U.S. Forces Strike Suspected Narco Boat in Pacific, 4 Killed — Read More

• HII CEO: New Contracts for 15 Submarines Could Be Done by End of Year — Read More

• Civilian to Lead Office of Naval Research as Former Commander Rothenhaus Reassigned — Read More

💰 Budget & Policy

• Trump Admin to Redirect $2.8B from Shipbuilding & Weapons RDT&E to Cover Troop Pay — Read More

• Shutdown Delays Contracts But “No Major Financial Hit Yet,” Defense CEOs Say — Read More

⚛️ Energy

• AFRL Pursues Nuclear Power System to Keep USAF Assets Running in Denied Theaters — Read More

• U.S., Norway Roll Out “GPS Shield” to Warn Ships Off Spoofed Signals — Read More

• US Nuclear Arsenal “Currently Safe, Reliable,” STRATCOM Nominee Says — Read More

🪖 People & Appointments

• Senate Confirms Wilsbach as Air Force Chief — Read More

• STRATCOM Nominee Takes Heat Hours After Trump’s Nuclear-Test Bombshell — Read More

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