Events
Drone strikes, counter-UAS deployments, civilian incidents and exercises worldwide. Each entry is linked to the relevant drone, country and counter-UAS systems where possible.
China’s army introduces UAV-deployed aerosol smoke screens to counter optically guided drones
The post says the Chinese army is implementing a new counter-drone protection method: deploying aerosol smoke screens from UAVs. The system is described as creating a multispectral cloud to conceal equipment, including m…
Russia discusses shifting UAV defense costs to enterprises amid law enabling private security forces
A post cites Finance Minister Anton Siluanov saying enterprises can fund their own protection from UAVs, alongside discussion of a new State Duma law allowing commercial companies to form small private armed units to def…
Report describes faster commercial satellite intel pipeline supporting Ukrainian drone strikes
A post citing a Wall Street Journal report says commercial near-real-time satellite imagery is being routed directly to Ukrainian tactical units, shortening the detect-to-strike cycle for drone operations. It describes p…
US Marine Corps seeks to procure 5.56x45mm anti-drone “L Variant” ammunition for rifles
The U.S. Marine Corps announced intent to buy 5.56x45mm “L Variant” anti-drone cartridges for M4/M27 rifles via a sole-source contract with Drone Round. The ammunition is intended to improve small-arms effectiveness agai…
US Air Force outlines modular, lower-cost requirements for an MQ-9 Reaper successor dubbed “MQ-9 Next”
The article describes USAF leadership discussing early requirements for an MQ-9 Reaper replacement emphasizing modular hardware/software, open architecture, and lower-cost, more attritable operations. It reflects an evol…
Drones: MQ-9 Reaper · Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat
Manturov claims Russia can produce 15,000 FPV drones per day for the army
A Telegram post cites Denis Manturov saying Russia’s defense industry can produce 15,000 FPV drones per day for the military. The author questions the real-world performance and combat effectiveness of these drones, but …
Ukraine’s commander says Russia plans to increase use of jet-powered Geran drones in attacks
A Telegram post cites Ukraine’s commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi saying Russia plans to expand the use of jet-powered strike UAVs against Ukraine, potentially up to 50% of drone attacks. It mentions Geran-3 and Geran…
Drones: Geran-3 (jet-powered)
Ukrainian analyst warns Russia will increasingly use jet-powered Shahed drones and Ukraine will take countermeasures
A Ukrainian UAV specialist (Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov) states that jet-powered “Shahed” drones will be used more and more in Russian attacks and that countermeasures will be implemented. The post does not describe a spe…
US explores industry and training changes for manned-unmanned teaming “drone wingman” concept
The article discusses anticipated industry and training hurdles as the US military increasingly integrates drones as wingmen alongside manned aircraft in combat. It focuses on future changes rather than a specific incide…
U.S. urges NATO allies to increase unmanned aircraft contributions as U.S. reduces forces in NATO crisis pool
A senior U.S. commander said European NATO allies and Canada should increase manned and unmanned aircraft and naval vessels assigned to NATO defense plans as the U.S. reduces forces allocated to the NATO Force Model. The…