11:13 28-11-2025

Anduril Faces Test Failures With Fury, Anvil and Altius Systems

Zеlеnskiу / Оfficiаl / Telegram

Anduril Industries faced failures during Fury, Anvil, Lattice and Altius tests, from engine faults to EW disruption. Details from WSJ’s investigation.

American defense contractor Anduril Industries, which has supplied drones to Kiev, has faced a string of setbacks during recent testing of its systems, The Wall Street Journal reported.

During summer ground trials in California, the company’s Fury unmanned fighter experienced a major technical failure that derailed what was supposed to be its first significant flight for the U. S. Air Force. The malfunction was later traced to a nail that entered the engine’s intake system.

Another incident occurred in Oregon while testing the Anvil counter-drone system. A fire ignited during the trial and spread across 8.9 hectares. According to the outlet, three fire trucks were needed to extinguish the blaze. Anduril said the possibility of ignition had been anticipated in advance and did not indicate a fault in the equipment.

In May, during trials of unmanned surface vessels off the California coast, the Lattice control software struggled to manage the boats and issue commands. More than ten vessels stopped responding and switched into idle mode, becoming «dead weight» on the water. Military personnel had to tow them back to shore overnight, finishing by nine in the morning. The company insisted the disruption stemmed from hardware problems rather than software issues.

Another setback involved Altius loitering munitions, which Anduril opted to test on the Ukrainian front. Sources cited by WSJ said the drones proved vulnerable to electronic warfare, causing repeated malfunctions. According to the newspaper’s interlocutors, Ukrainian forces halted their use in 2024 due to persistent failures.

The company acknowledged that its highly iterative development model — rapid progress, constant testing, frequent failures, and repeated refinement — makes it an easy target for criticism. Anduril said it accepts this risk and noted that failure is a frequent part of its process.

The firm added that its specialists are working almost continuously in Ukraine, upgrading weapons systems and software.