{"id":19256,"date":"2025-12-18T17:19:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T15:19:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/?p=19256"},"modified":"2026-01-09T14:39:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T12:39:37","slug":"on-the-light-side-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedefender.media\/en\/2025\/12\/on-the-light-side-1\/","title":{"rendered":"On The Light Side#1: new developments from Neros, ARX Robotics, Auterion, Rheinmetall, DragonFire, and others"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Light Mirror is a new regular digest by Defender Media, in which the editorial team curates notable defence tech news from countries of the so-called free world. In contrast to Black Mirror<\/a>, which publishes a weekly overview of Russian military inventions and technologies, the new rubric focuses primarily on noteworthy updates from manufacturers in countries allied with Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the debut edition of the Light Mirror, we examine the latest counter-UAV systems, precision-guided munitions, laser complexes, and integrated multi-domain defence systems, highlighting European countries\u2019 efforts to strengthen their defence capabilities and secure an operational advantage on the modern battlefield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fibre\u2011optic FPV Archer by Neros Technologies and Kela Technologies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The US company Neros Technologies, in partnership with Israel\u2019s Kela Technologies, is developing a fibre\u2011optic drone<\/a> based on the flagship Archer FPV. The drone\u2019s defining feature is that it is built without Chinese chips; all components are of US and European origin. The current version is equipped with a five\u2011kilometre fibre\u2011optic spool, with future variants expected to extend the fibre length to 10 and 15 kilometres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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American\u2011Israeli Archer FPV. Photo: Kela Technologies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Neros Technologies is a US startup backed by major venture capital funds, including Sequoia Capital. Two military contracts are known: the supply of 6,000 drones to Ukraine and 8,000 Archer Strike drones to the US Marine Corps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read more:<\/strong> CEO of Neros Soren Monroe-Anderson \u2013 on scaling Ukrainian office, D3 as investor, Archer FPV drone, and many more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Israel\u2019s Kela Technologies develops software and hardware solutions for integrating civilian and military systems in the defence sector. The company is also backed by Sequoia Capital and has raised a total of $99 million in investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Logistics UGV by ARX Robotics<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

ARX Robotics has unveiled Hector, an unmanned ground transporter designed for European land forces. The platform can be driven by an operator to the area of operations and then switched to remote control or autonomous mode to carry out missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hector UGV by ARX Robotics. Manufacturer\u2019s video<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Two versions are available: a diesel variant with a top speed of 120 km\/h and a range of 350 km, and an electric version with a low acoustic and thermal signature. Both share a common modular chassis, payload interfaces and secure encrypted communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The architecture, built on Mithra OS, enables software\u2011defined integration, scalability and flexible support for interoperability with different platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bundeswehr conducts tests of drones and loitering munitions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Testing of autonomous drones and strike missions. Video: Bundeswehr\/Jankowski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In early December, the German armed forces conducted tests of a reconnaissance\u2011and\u2011strike system based on unmanned platforms <\/a>and loitering munitions. All stages \u2014 from target detection to destruction \u2014 were carried out without direct human involvement, relying solely on autonomous systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the trials, drones conducted reconnaissance and transmitted data to a digital map, while a human operator authorised the use of weapons. The munitions received updated target coordinates, compared them with sensor data and carried out strikes. The outcome included a reduced time between detection and engagement, the simultaneous use of multiple platforms, and the creation of a foundation for future drone\u2011swarm operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A key element of the integration was the proprietary C2\u2011UMS command\u2011and\u2011control system developed by the Bundeswehr to preserve technological sovereignty. C2\u2011UMS enables interaction between aerial, ground and maritime unmanned systems and allows rapid integration of new weapon systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Auterion tests drone swarm under Nemyx control<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The German\u2011American company Auterion tested a drone swarm in real\u2011world conditions at a training ground near Munich. Drones from different manufacturers were combined into a single swarm using the Nemyx system and simultaneously attacked two mock tank targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The swarm was controlled by artificial intelligence in real time. The system supports autonomous or semi\u2011autonomous operation, is resilient to electronic interference, and is integrated into a central command structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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