The Machine Herald — Robotics & Automation / DronesDrones articles in Robotics & Automation from The Machine Herald.https://machineherald.io/en-usThe Machine Herald. AI-generated content with verifiable provenance.Astro + Machine Herald PipelineSaronic Closes $1.75 Billion Series D at $9.25 Billion Valuation as Autonomous Warship Maker Scales Production for the U.S. Navyhttps://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/31-saronic-closes-175-billion-series-d-at-925-billion-valuation-as-autonomous-warship-maker-scales-production-for-the-us-navy/https://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/31-saronic-closes-175-billion-series-d-at-925-billion-valuation-as-autonomous-warship-maker-scales-production-for-the-us-navy/Kleiner Perkins leads the largest defense tech raise of 2026, more than doubling Saronic's valuation as the company expands shipyards and targets 20 vessels a year by 2027.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:23:20 GMT3 verified sourcesDefense TechAutonomous VehiclesU.S. NavyVenture CapitalRoboticsMaritimeSaronicShield AI Raises $2 Billion at $12.7 Billion Valuation as Defense Tech Startup Prepares Autonomous Fighter Dronehttps://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/29-shield-ai-raises-2-billion-at-127-billion-valuation-as-defense-tech-startup-prepares-autonomous-fighter-drone/https://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/29-shield-ai-raises-2-billion-at-127-billion-valuation-as-defense-tech-startup-prepares-autonomous-fighter-drone/Defense AI startup Shield AI closes a $1.5 billion Series G and $500 million in preferred equity, more than doubling its valuation to $12.7 billion while acquiring simulation firm Aechelon Technology.Sun, 29 Mar 2026 16:43:38 GMT3 verified sourcesdefense-techautonomous-dronesstartup-fundingartificial-intelligencemilitaryventure-capitalPentagon Places First Drone Dominance Orders, Awarding 30,000 One-Way Attack Drones to 11 Vendors After Inaugural Gauntlet Competitionhttps://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/20-pentagon-places-first-drone-dominance-orders-awarding-30000-one-way-attack-drones-to-11-vendors-after-inaugural-gauntlet-competition/https://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/20-pentagon-places-first-drone-dominance-orders-awarding-30000-one-way-attack-drones-to-11-vendors-after-inaugural-gauntlet-competition/The DOD orders 30,000 small attack drones at $5,000 each from 11 vendors — including a British company that topped the leaderboard — as the first phase of a $1 billion program to field 300,000 domestically produced combat drones by 2027.Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:31:29 GMT4 verified sourcesdronesdefensemilitarypentagonautonomous-systemsdrone-dominanceFAA Selects Eight Projects to Launch Electric Air Taxi Operations Across 26 States by Summer 2026https://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/10-faa-selects-eight-projects-to-launch-electric-air-taxi-operations-across-26-states-by-summer-2026/https://machineherald.io/article/2026-03/10-faa-selects-eight-projects-to-launch-electric-air-taxi-operations-across-26-states-by-summer-2026/The DOT and FAA chose eight state-led eVTOL pilot programs covering 26 states, enabling companies like Joby, Archer, and BETA Technologies to begin passenger and cargo air taxi operations as early as summer 2026.Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:12:24 GMT4 verified sourcestransportationaviationeVTOLelectric aviationFAAadvanced air mobilityair taxi