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Carnegie Mellon Develops AI-Powered Drones Capable of Constructing Mid-Air Structures With High Accuracy

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Engineers at Carnegie Mellon University have combined drones, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing to develop flying robots capable of constructing structures in mid-air. These AI-controlled drones use magnetized blocks instead of traditional extruded plastic, allowing them to assemble sturdy structures even while airborne. A large language model (LLM) translates simple instructions into construction plans and adjusts them in real time, achieving a 90 percent success rate in lab tests. Devamını Oku

Small U.S. defense stocks surge as demand rises for next-gen battlefield tech

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Smaller U.S. defense companies are delivering standout gains on Wall Street this year, driven by surging demand for low-cost, next-generation military technology designed for modern combat. Global conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have fueled higher military spending, boosting stocks tied to AI-powered drones, unmanned vehicles, and software-enabled systems that reduce reliance on traditional ground troops.

“The winners in this new market will be those companies leaning into change and investing in low-cost, upgradable, and software-enabled weapon systems,” said Jon Siegmann, managing director for aerospace and defense at Stifel.

The NYSE Arca Defense Index (.DFII) has climbed about 34% in 2025, far ahead of the S&P 500’s (.SPX) 12% gain. Mid- and small-cap firms lead the rally, including drone makers Kratos Defense (KTOS.O) and AeroVironment (AVAV.O), components supplier Astronics (ATRO.O), and Mercury Systems (MRCY.O). Larger players such as RTX (RTX.N) and Northrop Grumman have also advanced, gaining 37% and 23% respectively.

Policy signals from Washington are shaping the surge. President Donald Trump has proposed renaming the Pentagon to the “Department of War,” while requesting $892.6 billion for fiscal 2026 defense spending, with nearly $6 billion earmarked for unmanned aircraft and counter-drone systems—a 78% jump from last year.

AeroVironment’s growth chief Church Hutton noted the administration’s push to get equipment to U.S. forces faster, a priority echoed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Mergers and acquisitions in aerospace and defense are also climbing, though deal values remain modest. Lockheed Martin’s $360 million purchase of Amentum’s Rapid Solutions unit, aimed at expanding radar capabilities, is one recent example. Venture capital has followed suit, with startup funding in the sector hitting $14.17 billion by August, the highest in a decade.

“The demand signal we’re seeing is for tens of thousands of lower-cost munitions systems and unmanned systems,” said Lukas Czinger, CEO of Divergent Technologies, which 3D-prints parts for Lockheed, Raytheon, and others.

U.S. to Restrict Chinese Drone and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Imports Over Security Concerns

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The Trump administration is preparing new rules that could restrict or ban imports of Chinese-made drones and medium-to-heavy duty vehicles, citing national security risks tied to foreign technology. The Commerce Department said Friday it expects to issue the regulations as soon as this month but did not provide details on the scope of the restrictions.

Chinese firms currently dominate the U.S. drone market, with DJI alone accounting for over half of all commercial drone sales. Washington has grown increasingly wary of Chinese technology embedded in vehicles and aircraft, warning that onboard computers, communications systems, flight controls, and data storage could expose U.S. infrastructure to espionage or cyberattacks.

The move builds on earlier measures targeting Chinese cars and trucks, with rules finalized in January under the Biden administration that will bar nearly all Chinese-made vehicles from the U.S. by late 2026. The Commerce Department has also opened national security probes into both drones and heavy-duty vehicles, which could pave the way for new tariffs.

Trump has already signed executive orders this year to boost domestic drone manufacturing and harden defenses against “threatening drones.” Meanwhile, Congress passed legislation in December, under Biden, that could eventually ban DJI and Autel from selling new drone models in the U.S.

The latest restrictions underscore bipartisan concern in Washington over supply chain dependence on China, as well as the push to secure strategic sectors like transportation and aerospace against foreign influence.