Innovations
Technological and operational innovations in the UAS and counter-UAS space — what emerged first, where, and what it changes. Each entry is sourced, dated, and linked to the drones involved.
France accelerates Rafale F5 with GaN radar, digital EW, stealthy datalink
France is accelerating the Rafale F5 upgrade, featuring a new Thales RBE2-XG GaN AESA radar with increased power/detection range and AI-ready processing, plus collaborative sensing. It also includes a fully digital overhaul of the SPECTRA s…
Report alleges COSCO cargo ships carry concealed SIGINT suites
The post alleges Chinese state-run COSCO container ships have long carried concealed, sophisticated signals-intelligence equipment to collect military communications and encryption-related signals near global coastlines. If accurate, it ref…
US Army plan to rapidly field commercial EW systems to soldiers
The post describes the US Army’s approach to quickly deliver new electronic warfare capability by procuring and fielding commercial/off-the-shelf EW systems rather than starting new programs. The novelty is the acquisition/fielding pathway …
EA-37B Compass Call II conducts EW/recon flight near Kaliningrad
The post describes the first noted appearance of the USAF’s new EA-37B Compass Call II operating near Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave as part of a specialized recon/EW package. While not a new battlefield tactic, it is a notable new deployment…
US Marine Corps contracts Epirus HAVOC high-power microwave counter-swarm system
The US Marine Corps is procuring Epirus' vehicle-mounted HAVOC high-power microwave system designed to defeat drone swarms, with autonomous target identification and a claimed major increase in power density, ruggedness, and effective range…
US EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jets deploy to RAF Fairford
The post reports the arrival of EA-37B Compass Call aircraft (G550-based) at RAF Fairford, indicating forward deployment of a new-generation electronic-attack platform intended to replace EC-130H. While Compass Call is a known mission set, …
UK RAF unveils Storm Chrome EW drone and Storm Fire one-way attack drone
The RAF announced new uncrewed “wingman” concepts: Storm Chrome for electronic warfare and Storm Fire as a long-range one-way attack drone. While not yet confirmed as fielded, the named designs indicate a planned expansion of EW and strike …
South Korea selects Global 6500 bizjets for standoff jammer (SOJ) aircraft
South Korea is acquiring two Bombardier Global 6500-based aircraft to be modified into standoff jammer (SOJ) platforms for airborne electronic attack. While SOJ concepts are established, this is a notable new national adoption and capabilit…
Planned delivery of Russian EW systems Krasukha-4 and Repellent to Niger
The post claims Niger is expanding counter-drone capabilities with planned deliveries of Russian electronic warfare systems, specifically Krasukha-4 and Repellent, alongside already-delivered air defense. If deployed, this would represent a…
Drones: Bayraktar TB2 · TAI Aksungur · DJI Matrice 300 RTK / Matrice 30T
GoDrone tests new directional antenna for NABAT-3 SIGINT/video intercept
GoDrone reports testing a new directional antenna for the NABAT-3 system, claiming ~10 km reliable detection and analog video interception with improved image quality. They also mention upcoming wide-angle and 360° antennas for vehicles/ind…