News
- Samsung's new portable SSD combines 8TB capacity with 4,000 MB/s reads
- The 8TB P9 offers ample storage for massive media libraries
- Samsung's fastest portable storage arrives with an unusually high price
Samsung's 8TB P9 portable drive has appeared on an ecommerce platform for $2,879.99, making it an unusually costly option for portable storage.
B&H Photo lists the drive alongside 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB versions, priced at $2,520, $2,160, and $1,440, respectively.
The pricing makes the 8TB model cheaper per terabyte than its smaller counterparts, despite its unusually high overall purchase cost.
USB4 performance comes with 8 TB capacityThe P9 connects through USB-C and supports USB4 at 40 Gb/s, giving it enough bandwidth for the listed transfer speeds.
Sequential read performance can reach 4,000 MB/s, while sequential writes can reach 3,800 MB/s under suitable operating conditions.
Samsung says the drive is intended for professional creators handling large RAW photo collections and high-resolution video files, as the 8TB capacity can also support 12K video recording and direct capture when connected equipment supports those functions.
This portable SSD draws power through the host connection, so users do not need a separate power supply for normal operation.
Samsung claims the drive is protected against drops and can survive falls from up to 6.5 feet, approximately two meters.
Thermal controls are also designed to manage heat during demanding workloads, while the enclosure also resists vibration.
The enclosure measures 3.54 x 2.56 x 0.33 inches, making it roughly comparable in length and width to a typical smartphone.
It weighs just 3.39 ounces, or 96.11 grams, so the drive adds little weight to a portable work kit.
With 8TB available, the Samsung P9 can also reduce the need to carry multiple drives when handling large media files.
Security and device support are added to the packageThe P9 uses AES 256-bit hardware encryption and password protection, which can help keep stored files inaccessible to people without the required credentials.
Samsung Magician Software also lets users manage the drive's password protection, giving them another way to control access to stored data.
The drive works with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, game consoles and tablets, so users can connect it to many types of devices.
It also works with USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 at 20 Gb/s and earlier USB standards, although those connections cannot deliver the drive's full USB4 speeds.
Samsung says sustained write performance can support demanding tasks such as recording content directly to the SSD and editing files stored on it.
That could be useful for users who need to record or work with large files without first moving them to another storage device.
However, B&H currently lists the 8TB model as unavailable while offering customers the option to request an availability alert.
Anyone who submits that request should receive a notification when the drive becomes available, with shipping details then provided through the retailer.
The iPhone 18 Pro was unveiled at yesterday's Surprise and Shine event, and if you've decided this is the smartphone for you, now's the time to get a case sorted. After all, this new handset isn't cheap, and if you're investing all that cash you'll want to take precautions against bumps, scrapes and scratches.
You can pick up cases from no-name brands for ultra-cheap prices at Amazon, but if you're serious about protecting your new iPhone 18 Pro, I wouldn't recommend it. I'd spend a bit more to pick up a case from a trustworthy brand, so you'll know it'll be good quality. Below, I've rounded up my favorite cases from my favorite brands — there are options direct from Apple, as well as CASETiFY, Mous, OtterBox, Snakehive and Spigen.
Each offers different things — some are more robust, some have fun designs, and some have useful extras like built-in grips and stands. I've added a little brand overview to the start of each section to help you make sense of the different ranges (because, let's face it, most of these look roughly the same).
Not bought your phone yet? Here are our iPhone 18 Pro first impressions, and a guide to Apple iPhone 18 Pro preorders.
In the UK? Head to my iPhone 18 Pro case roundup instead
Official Apple iPhone 18 Pro casesAt time of collecting this Collection, there are a couple of official Apple cases available for the iPhone 18 Pro. The TechWoven case is made from a custom woven technical fabric, created using 100% recycled polyester. It's available in a range of colors. If you'd prefer to let the color of the phone itself shine through, you'll be better off with the Clear case, crafted from "optically clear polycarbonate and flexible materials".
Apple Techwoven Case With Magsafe – Olive Apple Clear Case With Magsafe Apple Techwoven Case – Chambray Blue CASETiFY iPhone 18 Pro casesCASETiFY is a great brand to look at if you want fun designs. Its main collection is the Impact range, which is designed as a strong all-rounder. If you'd like more protection, there's the Ultra Impact case, which adds bumpers to the corners. You can also choose to add a stand, which takes the form of a hinged frame around the camera array.
If you really want to be able to throw your phone around, there's the Bounce case, with even bigger corner bumpers (this one doesn't seem to be available for the iPhone 18 yet, but I assume it'll arrive soon). All of these cases are available with a wide variety of different patterns and designs on their back panels.
The Ripple case range is made from soft-touch silicone, with a subtle rippled effect on the back panel. It's available in a selection of colors. Finally, the Alloy Ripple case has the same design but fashioned from aluminum.
CASETiFY Navy Dots CASETiFY Compact 2.0 case — clouds CASETiFY Compact case — stripes CASETiFY Compact case — Zebra-brown CASETiFY Ultra Impact case — clear CASETiFY Ripple Case - yellow CASETiFY Alloy Ripple Case Mous iPhone 18 Pro casesMous makes a selection of sleek, streamlined cases. There aren't tons of patterns to choose from, but the build quality is premium. The brand's flagship case is the Limitless, but it also has a transparent Clarity case, a new Super Thin with two molded plastics fused for extra resilience, a barely-there Ultra Thin Aramid case, and an IntraLock case with patented mechanical mounting, designed for use on bikes and the like.
Mous Ultra Thin Aramid Fiber Case Mous Limitless Light Blue Cover Mous Limitless Speckled Black Cover Mous Scratch Resistant & Shockproof Clarity case Mous Super Thin cover, Navy Blue Mous Intralock Phone Case — Black OtterBox iPhone 18 Pro casesOtterBox makes a few different case ranges, a number of which have added features like built-in grips and stands. The Defender Series case is built for maximum protection against drops and scrapes. The Commuter Series has special grippy sections and/or a retractable finger grip for secure, single-handed use, while the Symmetry Series features a 360-degree swivel stand / finger loop.
The minimalist Lumen Series is ideal if you want something streamlined, and the Sole Series comes with ridged tread around the case edge and fun, distinctive designs.
OtterBox Sole Series Phone Case - Midnight Circuit Black OtterBox Defender Pro Series Case - Green Intrigue OtterBox Commuter Series Case - Blue Sentiment OtterBox Commuter Series Grip Case - Black OtterBox Symmetry Series Stand Case - Umbra Black OtterBox Lumen Series Case - Clear Snakehive iPhone 18 Pro casesSnakehive specializes in high quality leather products. It makes a slim leather case in a few different colors, and a leather wallet case in a few colors, and that's it.
Snakehive Leather Wallet Case — navy Snakehive Slim Leather Case - Green Spigen iPhone 18 Pro casesSpigen makes a wide range of case options, with a particular focus on rugged protection. The core range has 'Armor' on the end: the Optik Armor has a sliding lens cover, Tough Armor T has a triple-layer build and built-in kickstand, Rugged Armor uses flexible TPU, Core Armor is streamlined with a grippy finish, and Slim Armor is an even more minimalist option.
Spigen Tough Armor T Case, Black Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case, Clear White Spigen Enzo Aramid T, Black Spigen Thin Fit Case, Black Spigen Liquid Air Case, Navy Blue Spigen Rugged Armor Case, Matte Black Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case, Neo One Spigen Optik Armor Case, Abyss Green Spigen Classic LS Case, Stone Spigen C11 Series Velocity Edition Spigen Ultra Hybrid C-One case, Bondi Blue- AMD is putting data center-class AI hardware inside a desktop workstation
- The Halo Station combines 96 CPU cores with four powerful AI accelerators
- Up to 2.6TB of memory gives enormous AI models more local headroom
AMD's Threadripper Halo Station could become one of the most extreme desktop workstations ever built for demanding artificial intelligence workloads.
The device combines a 96-core processor with AMD Instinct accelerators and a huge memory pool designed for large local models.
Unlike conventional workstations, AMD is building this system around data center-class computing hardware inside a single deskside machine.
AMD packs data center hardware into a desktopAt the heart of the Halo Station is the Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX, based on AMD's Zen 5 architecture and carrying 192 threads.
AMD lists up to 2TB of RDIMM system memory, while the accelerator side can add as much as 576GB of HBM3e memory.
Together, the system's CPU and accelerator memory can reach 2.6TB, giving large AI models far more room to run locally.
AMD also claims up to 16.4TB/s of combined memory bandwidth, giving large datasets rapid access to both system and accelerator memory.
The accelerator configuration can use four Instinct MI350P units, with each device carrying 144GB of HBM3e memory and 4TB/s bandwidth.
That design gives the machine a far larger high-speed memory pool than typical professional desktops built around a single graphics card.
AMD compares the system with Nvidia's DGX Station, whose GB300 platform offers 748GB of coherent memory across its CPU and GPU resources.
The comparison shows why AMD is focusing heavily on memory capacity, rather than treating processor core count as the main selling point.
A machine with this much memory can keep larger models and datasets close to the compute hardware instead of constantly shifting them elsewhere.
Halo Station is built for local AI workAMD says the workstation is intended for researchers, model developers, engineers, creators, and organizations that need intensive workloads handled locally.
Its main role is running, training, and fine-tuning large AI models that would normally require access to expensive remote computing infrastructure.
The system can handle frontier-class models while supporting hundreds of AI agents operating within the same local environment.
That capability makes it useful for development tasks where repeated cloud transfers create delays, added costs, or data control concerns.
AMD also says the design allows sensitive data and intellectual property to remain on premises instead of moving through external cloud services.
The company unveiled a prototype at IFA 2026, with commercial availability planned for 2027.
AMD senior vice president Jack Huynh described the device as “the most powerful workstation in the world,” emphasizing its unusual computing scale.
Industry estimates suggest fully equipped systems could cost around $150,000, although AMD has not announced an official retail price.
Rack-mounted systems can cost far more than desktop workstations, so the Halo Station is not necessarily the world's most expensive computer.
The estimated price reflects the cost of combining a high-end CPU with multiple AI accelerators and several terabytes of memory.
I've known John Ternus for almost a dozen years, but not this John Ternus, the newly minted Apple CEO and sudden global tech celebrity. So, color me pleased when he and his Global Marketing SVP Greg Joswiak agreed to sit down with Tom's Guide Global Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer and me for a podcast discussion that ranged from bringing Pencil to the iPhone and excitement around the foldable iPhone Duo to what AI means for innovation, and the big moment when Ternus realized he was about to become CEO of arguably one of the biggest and most important tech companies in the world.
It's kind of wild to watch someone who you think of as a brilliant but also normal and approachable guy transform into an industry rockstar almost overnight, and while Ternus, who is a 25-year Apple veteran and came directly from leading Apple's hardware operations, doesn't seem outwardly fazed by the transition, he's also attuned to the moment.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)"What an extraordinary privilege, right?" said Ternus with a wide grin. The reality is, I just love this place, right? It's in my blood. ...I love the people I work with. I love to be able to build the products that we all build together. And so, goosebumps...and excitement."
What Ternus didn't say is that he was in any way nervous, worried, or even had any fear about the sheer scope of the role. But then, that shouldn't surprise anyone, certainly not Joswiak, who sat next to Ternus and told me, "John will be too humble to say it. The product quality that we have is really — there's nobody in the industry close to what we have — and this has really accelerated during the time that John has started leading the hardware organization that became such an incredible part of designing for that reliability and as well as testing for it. It's just off the charts."
The AI of it allThroughout our discussion, Ternus's excitement and commitment to doing things the Apple way is clear. He's clearly so deeply embedded in every aspect of the Apple product pipeline, and when I pressed him on innovation, he made it clear that, obviously, Apple is innovating, but that he also has a point of view and, naturally, it involves AI.
"[This is] the most exciting time in my career to be building product because AI presents all these new opportunities." Ever the big-picture thinker, Ternus quickly added that you can't develop AI without being "really thoughtful about and deliberate about" it.
(Image credit: Future)Still, Apple's next phase of innovation seems inexorably linked to AI. "You can see what we're able to do now in our products that we were never able to do before." Ternus mentioned the new Smart Take feature on the iPhone Duo, which essentially knows when you want to take a photo without you explicitly telling it so.
- Also read: Apple CEO John Ternus on iPhone Duo, fixing foldable screens, and the end of the no-stylus 'rule
"Those are incredibly new, exciting capabilities for the kind of products we've made. But this also opens the door for new kinds of products, and so we're just really excited....I couldn't be more excited about our roadmap and what we have ahead of us, and yeah, it's going to be fun."
Rules? There are no rulesTernus strikes me as maybe more flexible than Steve Jobs was on certain points. Take, for instance, Apple Pencil support on the iPhone Duo. That is an iPhone with digital stylus support.
In 2008, Steve Jobs famously dismissed stylus support for the iPhone. I think his exact words were, "Yuck."
Ternus, though, told me, " I've never really thought of it as a rule. We started with iPad. There was no Apple Pencil, right? And we proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that a touch interface on an iPad can be an amazingly capable and productive thing. But then there's things you can do with a pencil on that larger screen that are really powerful and capable. And I think we saw that opportunity here."
So no clear answer on innovation, but Ternus is smart about spotting and seizing opportunity.
His approach to whatever comes next is, it seems, rooted in his love of Apple and acting on those opportunities.
"I love making product," said Ternus, who added that he loves "doing it with the people here at Apple." He then pointed with some pride at the iPhone Duo, noting that he's "most excited to build amazing things like that."
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)iPhone is still the oneFor all the changes at Apple, in the industry at large, and even trends around smartphone use, the iPhone remains firmly at the center of Apple's Ring. The introduction of the iPhone Duo, a wholly new form factor and the first two-in-one iPhone, is evidence of that, but so is how Ternus sees screens, in general.
During the keynote, Ternus, who seemed so at home on stage (both live and in the pre-recorded bits), pulled a bit of a head fake, talking about an Intelligent Personal Hub that for a moment sounded like a mythical AI wearable (iGlasses, anyone?). In reality, he was talking about the iPhone.
Ternus told me the company is not changing any strategy on wearables (AI or otherwise). After all, it has the AirPods and the Apple Watch, which are more AI-infused than ever. But he also made it clear that screens will remain an important part of the business, mainly because that's Apple's answer to customer demand.
"People want displays. You want to see information. You know, humans process information way more effectively visually than through audio. And so, having a display is amazing, and it fits in your pocket. And so, we don't see the phone losing significance in any way, shape, or form."
(Image credit: Future)When I asked, though, about the missing iPhone 18 base model, Jozwiak reminded me that the Apple "Surprise and Shine" event was "the day to celebrate these new products."
I guess that's true. The iPhone 18 would've been less exciting and maybe less able to perform some of the feats now possible across Apple's myriad AI-enabled devices, and certainly would pale in comparison to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo. But this keynote was also, in fact, a sort of elevated event. It wasn't just about the new gear. It was also about the new CEO, and Ternus delivered the exciting goods in the most Apple way.
"I think, you look across our whole portfolio and the beauty of Apple is its hardware, software, services and what I love is when all of these things kind of come together and interact and create an experience that is just bigger than the sum of its parts."
Ternus is now a bigger part of that equation, which could make Apple's next epoch even bigger than the last.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Catch the rest of the John Ternus interview on Tom's Guide
Elon Musk has been at the heart of promoting various companies throughout the 21st century, with two of his most prominent companies anchored in the notion of mass production. In the case of his infamous clunky and angular Tesla Cybertruck, he encountered several difficulties in bringing the prototype to market.
Planting the seedMusk was speaking about the rigors of bringing the Cybertruck to life during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.
Quote of the dayThis article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.
Rogan asked how far away Musk was from delivering the vehicle to people, with Musk revealing at the time that the timing was about a month away.
But the prototype was initially unveiled in November 2019. Explaining the delay, the Tesla CEO hinted that the process of manufacturing the vehicle proved much harder than expected given the need for consistency in producing each model.
Rinse and repeatThere's an element of common sense in buying into the idea that making a prototype is much easier than mass-producing a finished version of that product.
Not only is there a much lower tolerance for error, but establishing the supply chain for materials, components, and resources is far more complex. Then there's the economics of it all – ensuring that the cost to produce one vehicle can, at least, be recouped by a customer should there even be a willingness to pay for it.
It's reminiscent of the "production hell" phrasing that Musk has also frequently deployed through the years – especially during a manufacturing crisis between 2017 and 2018. During this time, the Tesla production line became a futuristic and automated process known as the "alien dreadnought" – but this robotic network eventually slowed down manufacturing and prevented Tesla vehicles from being ready on time.
- Ukraine has started European production of its BARS jet-powered strike drone
- The latest BARS configuration reportedly has a 1,000 kilometers range
- BARS can now carry warheads weighing up to 60 kilograms
Ukraine has begun production of its BARS jet-powered strike drone in Europe, and the latest version has a range of 1,000 kilometers.
Production commenced in early September, intending to support higher output as developers continue to modify the drone for different mission needs.
This is a joint effort between Ukraine and Germany, with the first completed drones expected to reach Ukraine's Defense Forces from October 10 2026.
BARS enters European production with longer reachThe arrangement followed an agreement signed July 8 by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
Germany is financing the first production stage, while completed systems are intended for use by Ukraine's armed forces.
Engine availability remains a key limitation, since turbojet deliveries currently determine how quickly additional aircraft can leave production.
The BARS jet-powered strike drone can travel above 700 kilometers per hour while carrying a substantial warhead.
However, with several modifications and upgrades, the newest configuration can reportedly travel 1,000 kilometers.
Its maximum warhead weight has also increased substantially, rising from 22.5 kilograms on earlier models to 60 kilograms.
Its design allows developers to alter fuel storage and payload capacity based on the distance required for a particular mission.
Longer missions can use additional internal space for fuel, while shorter flights can devote more room to carrying additional weight.
Developers keep changing the drone and its guidanceBARS has reportedly gone through more than 40 design changes and upgrades since the prototype was developed.
The platform is divided into DeepStrike, MiddleStrike and FrontStrike configurations, covering different mission ranges and operational requirements.
The developer says artificial intelligence now contributes to several stages of the program, including engineering work and the drone's final guidance system.
“We use the tools that AI technologies provide us today, and we do not shy away from them at any level—from development and solving engineering problems to implementing machine vision in our target-guidance systems,” said the BARS developer.
During the final part of its flight, the operator can continue controlling the drone or transfer control to optical guidance.
This expansion of BARS production is a strategically sound move for Ukraine because German financing and supply chain ease pressure on Kyiv's defense budget.
Producing BARS in Europe also shields manufacturing from Russian strikes that have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian defense facilities.
For Germany, this partnership signals a deepening commitment to Ukraine's long-term defense industrial base rather than merely short-term arms transfers.
It strengthens bilateral ties and proves that European backing can translate into real, sustained battlefield capability.
Such a longer-range, heavier-payload drone with AI-assisted guidance raises Moscow's defensive costs by threatening targets deeper behind the front line.
This forces Russian air defenses to stretch across a wider geography, while the joint-production model may set a template for future allied co-production deals.
Via United24media
- The US Navy approved Rolls Royce engines for autonomous surface vessels
- The certified engines can support missions lasting up to 30 days
- Series 4000 engines completed two separate 720-hour durability trials
The US Navy has approved Rolls-Royce marine engines for unmanned vessels capable of operating for periods reaching 30 days without crews onboard.
The certification covers mtu Series 4000 and Series 2000 engines following tests examining their suitability for extended autonomous naval missions.
The approval comes as the Navy expands its use of unmanned surface vessels for missions where keeping sailors away from danger remains important.
Rolls Royce engines clear tests for autonomous vesselsThe Series 4000 completed two separate 720-hour durability assessments before receiving approval for propulsion and onboard electricity generation duties.
That engine can deliver as much as 4,300 kilowatts for propulsion while providing up to 3,000 kilowatts through its electrical generation system.
The smaller Series 2000 gained approval after component checks and operational trials, allowing it to provide propulsion output reaching 1,939 kilowatts.
Both engine families can now support Navy vessels designed for lengthy missions without requiring people aboard for routine maintenance or repairs.
The certification followed requirements established through the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets conditions governing equipment used within autonomous military platforms.
The Navy has already begun deploying unmanned boats, including Sea Hunter vessels fitted with twin mtu 12V 2000 engines supplied by Rolls Royce.
That deployment gives the newly approved engines a direct connection with the Navy's growing fleet of vessels designed for remote operations.
The company says its propulsion systems have supported naval operations for decades, while newer autonomous missions create different demands for endurance.
“For decades, mtu engines have been trusted to provide reliable, mission ready power for our crews at sea,” said Scott Hanson, vice president of governmental sales at Rolls Royce Power Systems North America.
Longer missions create new demands for naval enginesThe ability to keep a vessel operating for 30 days without onboard personnel changes how the Navy can use unmanned surface craft.
Such vessels can remain at sea for extended periods while avoiding the accommodation, support, and immediate safety requirements associated with crewed naval platforms.
Rolls-Royce said the certification gives the Navy additional options as unmanned vessels become part of its wider fleet plans.
The company also supplies propulsion equipment for several unmanned aircraft, including the MQ 4C Triton and MQ 25A Stingray platforms.
Its portfolio also includes engines used by the United States Air Force's RQ 4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft.
The latest approval therefore extends an existing relationship between Rolls Royce and American military programmes into autonomous maritime operations.
The certification does not mean every unmanned vessel using these engines will automatically achieve 30-day endurance during actual missions.
Actual operating duration can vary according to vessel design, speed, weather, payload, fuel capacity, mission demands, and maintenance requirements.
For the Navy, the immediate significance lies in having certified propulsion options for vessels expected to spend longer periods operating without crews.
As more unmanned boats enter service, engine reliability will remain important because failures far from support facilities can impede mission success.
Via The Drone Front
- The US Army has moved TITAN from prototypes into production
- Palantir received $127 million under the latest TITAN contract award
- Anduril secured $65 million for TITAN hardware and integration work
The US Army has shifted its Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) program from prototype status into full production this week.
Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries together received a combined $192 million award covering the next production phase.
The Army first selected Palantir back in 2024 to serve as lead contractor for developing this next-generation targeting system for ground forces.
Contract splits work between two defense firmsTITAN was built to streamline how soldiers collect and process data when locating and striking distant targets on the battlefield.
Palantir secured $127 million of the total award and will oversee TITAN's production alongside several supporting partners in the effort.
Those partners include L3 Harris Technologies, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Strategic Technology Consulting and World Wide Technology, each contributing specialized capabilities to the program.
Anduril received the remaining $65 million and will build the hardened, vehicle-mounted units required for field deployment.
Anduril's portion also covers integrating power systems and thermal management components, so TITAN functions reliably in harsh operating conditions.
The program includes two distinct configurations built for different vehicle platforms and mission requirements across Army units.
An advanced version will mount on tactical trucks and can pull data directly from orbital sensor networks overhead.
A simpler basic version is intended for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, giving smaller units similar targeting capability.
Under the current award, contractors must deliver four advanced units and four basic units within eighteen months.
Production ramp builds on existing prototype fleetThese newly ordered units will supplement nine prototype systems the Army already operates and uses in current exercises.
Army officials have indicated they plan to issue further production contracts for TITAN sometime during fiscal year 2027.
The move from prototype to production status marks a milestone for a program meant to modernize how ground troops gather targeting information.
TITAN forms a central piece of the Army's broader push to overhaul aging ground systems across its combat formations.
By linking space-based sensors with vehicle-mounted terminals, the system aims to shorten the time between spotting a target and engaging it.
Whether that translates into a meaningfully faster targeting cycle in real combat conditions remains to be tested at scale.
The involvement of five separate companies alongside Palantir and Anduril suggests the Army is spreading technical risk across multiple vendors.
That approach could either strengthen the program's resilience or complicate coordination as production accelerates toward the 2027 follow-on orders.
For now, the contract signals steady progress rather than a dramatic leap forward for the broader modernization effort.
The scale of future procurement will depend on Army requirements, funding decisions, and how the systems perform during operational evaluation.
Via Defense News
- Boeing receives $12.68 million investment to update the MQ-25's RF blanker, encrypted storage, and mission computer security, running through November 2029
- The change is a recent one: the Navy's April 2026 acquisition report lists refueling as the MQ-25's primary mission and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as secondary, with no electronic warfare requirement and only two key performance parameters
- An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility hardware that stops an aircraft's own transmitters from deafening its receivers, allowing it to conduct EW more effectively
A single line buried in a recent US Department of War contract announcement is being read across multiple channels as the Navy's first carrier-based drone acquiring multiple electronic warfare upgrades.
The details, however, seem to focus on the defensive side of the spectrum and include a Radio Frequency Blanker Unit and an updated Encrypted Mass Storage System carrying an embedded Data Transfer System.
The modification also provides an option for deficiency analysis and corrections, supporting security assessments of the aircraft's Mission Management System Computer.
Why do these upgrades matter?The most important upgrade for the MQ-25 Stingray, arguably, is its RF Blanker. An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility equipment. When an aircraft carries several transmitters and sensitive receivers within a few meters of each other, a transmitter firing at full power can deafen or damage a nearby receiver operating in an overlapping band.
A blanker fixes that by taking a blanking request from each transmitter and issuing a suppression pulse to the affected receivers for the duration of the transmission, as GE Aerospace describes. For a drone that could also house sophisticated EW capabilities in the future, this is essentially a prerequisite.
The Navy's Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 21, 2026, offers a relatively narrow scope for the drone for now; however, it states that the MQ-25 conducts aerial refueling as its primary mission and provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capability as a secondary mission.
It is fairly possible that the upgrades are purely defensive, to prevent rogue players from accessing the drone or knocking it offline with relative ease. In its current capacity, the MQ-25 serves as an unmanned aerial refueling drone for the US Navy, offering capabilities including the ability to carry roughly 14,000 to 16,000 pounds of fuel at a combat radius of 500 nautical miles.
This could change even as the US continues hardening its EW offerings and prepares for potential hostile actors to have the same capabilities it currently harbors. For now, the $12 million invested in what is a $19 billion program is essentially a rounding error at the end of the day.
This sudden investment may signal more to come: Boeing has already pitched a land-based MQ-25 variant with external pylons and marketing language about ISR, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning roles, though the aircraft has no customer yet.