VECTORDEFENCE DRONE
INTELLIGENCE
INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE
THE EVOLVING FIELD GUIDE
Editor

Editorial review

September 2026 global coverage review

Reviewed all 90 original research topics: 6 resolved, 80 partially resolved and 4 still open. Added 192 sourced system and family profiles across air, land and maritime domains.

What this review covers

The September review worked through every topic in the previous 90-row research register. It added 192 system and family profiles and strengthened 12 existing system records. Individual variants are grouped where the available sources do not justify separate full profiles. Counts refer to catalogue entries, not aircraft or vehicles in service.

Additions by domain

  • Air: 126 new profiles
  • Land: 13 new profiles
  • Underwater: 31 new profiles
  • Sea surface: 22 new profiles

Evidence and unresolved work

Operational use, contracts, trials, manufacturer claims and announced concepts retain separate labels. Specifications identify their source and configuration; missing figures remain explicitly unknown. Where official or supplier accounts conflict, the disagreement is attributed rather than resolved by guessing.

All original topics received a research disposition. A resolved topic means its named scope was addressed; it does not certify national or global completeness. The live coverage register contains the remaining questions, and the linked regional and domain audits preserve the review history.

Continued maintenance

Editors can add profiles, revise source tables, record programme milestones and update the research register through the editorial desk. Publishing changes updates directories, comparisons, internal links, the XML sitemap and the update feed. Existing editor work and private drafts are protected during content releases. Corrections can be submitted from each profile.

Audit results

North America defence drone coverage audit

3 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 3 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Western & northern Europe defence drone coverage audit

15 original research topics reviewed: 4 resolved, 11 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Central & eastern Europe defence drone coverage audit

8 original research topics reviewed: 2 resolved, 6 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Asia defence drone coverage audit

12 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 11 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Middle East defence drone coverage audit

6 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 6 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Africa defence drone coverage audit

2 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 2 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Latin America defence drone coverage audit

4 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 3 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Oceania defence drone coverage audit

2 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 1 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Land systems coverage audit & research gaps

8 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 8 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Sea surface systems coverage audit & research gaps

15 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 14 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Underwater systems coverage audit & research gaps

15 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 15 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Publication history

  • — Reviewed all 90 original research topics: 6 resolved, 80 partially resolved and 4 still open. Added 192 sourced system and family profiles across air, land and maritime domains.

Suggest a correction to this entry →

Follow the evidence

Source types identify who makes the claim. Programme milestones and supplier statements should be read in context.

  1. S45 current product specifications (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme
  2. Bundestag historic unmanned-aircraft inventory and technical table (opens in a new tab)Government / parliamentary record
  3. Intracom exchange-filed LOTUS certification-process announcement, 30 January 2023 (opens in a new tab)Company regulatory announcement
  4. AVIC Chengdu: 2022 prospectus, product tables pp.110–111 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  5. Aeronautics current family configuration evidence (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  6. Denel: company profile, Seeker product distinctions (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  7. Xmobots Nauru 100D product page (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme
  8. PPDS-HL manufacturer brochure, version 082023 (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer / programme
  9. UFORCE: LIUT land platform (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  10. CUSV configuration comparison (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer
  11. Exail A18-M (opens in a new tab)Manufacturer

Explore the connections

Air · Coverage auditNorth America

North America defence drone coverage audit

3 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 3 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read
Air · Coverage auditAsia

Asia defence drone coverage audit

12 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 11 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read
Air · Coverage auditMiddle East

Middle East defence drone coverage audit

6 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 6 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read
Air · Coverage auditAfrica

Africa defence drone coverage audit

2 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 2 partially resolved and 0 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read
Air · Coverage auditLatin America

Latin America defence drone coverage audit

4 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 3 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read
Air · Coverage auditOceania

Oceania defence drone coverage audit

2 original research topics reviewed: 0 resolved, 1 partially resolved and 1 still open. The remaining register identifies specific evidence needs.

Reviewed 21 Sept 2026Read