Anduril’s Test Site, China Cuts Off Drone Supplies, and Everything Is Dual Use

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This Week in Tech for War and Peace

MIT Technology Review has visited Anduril’s weapons test site to observe how its system can destroy incoming drones.

Chinese manufacturers have started to limit sales of key components used to build unmanned aerial vehicles in the US and Europe. This is expected to impact Ukraine, which is largely dependent on cheap Chinese commercial drone parts.

At the inaugural DefenseTech Summit in Tel Aviv, Dr Avital Schrift, VP of Core Technologies at IAI, spoke on how it is no longer possible to separate technology into non-dual use:

“There are no more dual-use technologies. Everything can be defense and can be a civilian application [...] You can take you microwave oven and look at radar technology, and it’s the same [...] so everything is dual use. Whatever you are doing and thinking: it may have the best medical application but it can be used for defense as well, and the other way around.”

— Dr. Avital Schrift, VP of Core Technologies at IAI

The Big Story

A Visit to Anduril’s Test Site

The MIT Technology Review reporter James O’Donnell recently visited Anduril’s weapons test site east of San Clemente, California, to see a demo of how its system would take down an incoming drone threatening a base of the US military or its allies.

The site’s command center hosts Sentry, a security tower of cameras and sensors currently deployed at US military bases and the US-Mexico border. It is surrounded by the company’s hardware suite, which includes advanced radars and drones, including the eerily quiet model called Ghost. Inside the center, two large TV screens serve as the site’s command station.

The demonstration started with a truck driving toward the base in the distance. The Sentry tower automatically recognized the object as a possible threat, highlighting it on one of the screens. Lattice, Anduril’s software, then sent a notification asking the human operator if he would like to send a Ghost drone to monitor it. After just a click by the operator, the drone piloted itself toward the truck, and the software sent information on its location gathered by the Sentry to the drone.

By the time the truck disappeared behind some hills and the Sentry tower camera lost contact, the Ghost drone had identified it and made the location visible on the screen. The truck stopped, and someone got out and launched a drone, which Lattice again labelled as a threat. The system asked the operator if he’d like to send a second attack drone, which then piloted autonomously and locked onto the threatening drone. With just one more click, it could be instructed to fly into it and take it down. The whole operation could be managed by just one person in front of a computer.

“You’re going to need to really empower lower levels to make decisions, to understand what’s going on, and to fight,” Andurils CEO Brian Schimpf says. “That is a different paradigm than today.”

He continues to explain that information flow is poor between people on the battlefield and decision-makers, and this is what they are targeting to change.

Lattice Mesh, a software suite, allows other companies to use Anduril’s software and share data. Currently, over 10 companies are building their hardware into the system. Military personnel operating hardware can “publish” their own data to the network and “subscribe” to receive data feeds from other sensors in a secure environment.

“There’s so much information in this battle space, particularly with the growth of drones, cameras, and other types of remote sensors, where folks are just sopping up drones of information,” Zack Kallenborn, a warfare analyst who works with the Center from Strategic and International Studies told MIT Technology Review. “There might be something in there, but there’s so much of it that we can’t just set a human down and to deal with it,” he said.

China Cuts Off Drone Supplies Critical to Ukraine

Chinese manufacturers have begun limiting sales of key components used to build unmanned aerial vehicles to the US and Europe. This is expected to be followed by broader export restrictions on drone parts. The rules could take the form of license approvals based on the intended use of the components or softer requirements for Chinese companies to notify the government of their shipment plans.

The limits on shipments of drone components impact both US and European companies. In October, China placed sanctions on three US firms that supply the American military, citing the Pentagon’s plans to provide assistance to Taiwan. On December 5, China added another 13 US companies to its sanction list for similar reasons. The new group includes Shield AI Inc.

James Earl, a former UK military pilot who has started multiple drone companies, told Bloomberg that European drone developers have started shifting supply chains outside of China.

“Buying Chinese drone parts is no longer acceptable in the West,” Earl said.

Still, China is the hub for producing cheap drone equipment. China controls nearly 80% of the commercial market.

Many producers of UAVs in Ukraine rely on Chinese parts to make the cheap and effective weapons that have helped define the war with Russia. In July, China announced a ban on exports of drones for military use, and Beijing says it doesn’t provide weapons to any of the parties in the conflict.

In the News

US Military Eyes Joint Technology Through Japan Space Partnership

The U.S. Space Force has activated its Japanese branch to foster deeper technological collaboration, particularly in space domain awareness and deep-space observation. Japan’s Ministry of Defense heavily invests in orbital capabilities, aligning with the U.S. goal of enhancing allied interoperability. Upcoming launches include U.S. payloads on Japan’s Quasi-Zenith satellites for advanced GPS-like services. Both nations aim to develop capabilities such as deep-space radar, bolstering mutual defence strategies. Read more at Defense News.

Reveal Technology Raises $11M to Scale ‘Decision Dominance’ Tools for DoD

Reveal Technology, a US-based startup has raised $11.2 million to advance its “decision dominance” software for military use. Its flagship product, Farsight, uses drone footage to create real-time 3D maps for improved situational awareness on the battlefield. The technology, already adopted by several U.S. and foreign military branches, addresses the critical gap between outdated mapping and dynamic combat needs. Read more at TechCrunch.

Defence Department Launches New AI Office for Rapid Adoption

The US Department of Defense has introduced the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell (AI RCC), a new office to accelerate AI integration across military systems. Focusing on generative AI and autonomous drones, the initiative aims to enhance US military capabilities amidst rising global competition, particularly with China. The office will conduct rapid experimentation, invest in small businesses for AI solutions, and develop secure cloud sandboxes for testing. Initial funding of $100 million has been allocated for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Read more at The Hill.

Japan and Mongolia Sign Agreement on Defence Technology Transfer

Japan and Mongolia have formally agreed to share defence technologies and equipment to enhance regional stability and bilateral ties. The agreement is signed by Japan’s Ambassador and Mongolia’s Defence Minister and includes stringent measures to prevent misuse or third-party transfers. This partnership reflects Japan’s strategy to expand its global defence role while balancing its pacifist principles, and it may encourage similar collaborations in the Asia-Pacific region. Read more at Azer News.

Drone and AI Evolution Driven by Ukraine-Russia and China-Taiwan Conflicts

The Ukraine-Russia war and Taiwan Strait tensions are accelerating drone and AI technology advancements. These innovations are reshaping modern warfare, from AI-powered autonomous naval drones to advanced jamming-resistant systems. Companies like Anduril are collaborating with governments to refine these technologies, focusing on real-time adaptability and secure communication. As unmanned systems gain prominence, commercial and military tech convergence poses opportunities and challenges. Read more at Baird Maritime.

Spatial Computing: Redefining the Reality of Future Warfare

Integrating virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) in military operations, termed spatial computing, transforms modern warfare. Systems like the US’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) enhance soldiers’ situational awareness through real-time data overlays, while China and other nations are developing similar technologies. However, cognitive overload, cyber threats, and high costs hinder widespread adoption. Despite these issues, spatial computing is expected to play a critical role in future conflicts by blending physical and virtual realms. Read more at Modern Diplomacy.

Are AI Defence Firms About to Eat the Pentagon?

Leading AI firms like Palantir, Anduril, and Shield AI are reshaping the defence landscape, moving beyond traditional contractors to spearhead military innovation. The firms collaborate on projects integrating AI for battlefield data analysis, autonomous drones, and logistics. With Congress backing these initiatives under the 2025 NDAA, the Pentagon is fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate AI adoption. Critics warn of the emergence of an “AI military-industrial complex,” shifting influence toward software companies in defence procurement. Read more at Defense One.

US Successfully Tests ‘Dark Eagle’ Hypersonic Missile

The US Army and Navy have successfully tested the “Dark Eagle” hypersonic missile, achieving speeds over Mach 5 and demonstrating precision targeting and agility. This milestone advances the US’s hypersonic capabilities in response to Russian and Chinese developments. The missile, adaptable for land and sea deployment, enhances deterrence strategies and ensures a competitive edge in high-speed, precision weaponry. The technology is expected to be integrated into operational units shortly. Read more at DoD.