Innovations
Tactical and technological innovations in drone warfare — what showed up first, where, and what it changes. Each entry is sourced, dated, and linked to the drones involved.
USAF A-10C deploys probe refueling adapter and Angry Kitten pod in CENTCOM
Imagery shows A-10Cs operating in CENTCOM with a new field-installable probe refueling adapter, enabling hose-and-drogue refueling from HC/MC/KC-130s (and KC-46 drogues) and improving low-altitude/short-field tanker pairing. The same deploy…
Claim: Russian EW redirected Ukrainian drone into Estonian airspace
The post claims Russian electronic warfare systems can "redirect" Ukrainian UAVs, causing one to enter Estonian airspace and be shot down by a NATO F-16. If accurate, this suggests effective GNSS spoofing/control-link manipulation used to d…
Germany unveils Tranche 4 Eurofighter with ECRS AESA radar and EW functions
Germany’s new Tranche 4 Eurofighter introduces the ECRS AESA radar (Mk 0 initially, Mk 1 planned) which adds improved detection/tracking performance plus integrated electronic-warfare and high-speed communications functions. This is a notab…
Claims Russia redirects Ukrainian long-range drones via GNSS manipulation
The article highlights Baltic-state claims and expert commentary that Russian forces may be able to manipulate/steer Ukrainian long-range drones by interfering with satellite navigation/communications (GPS/GNSS), causing them to stray into …
Claim: Russian EW diverts Ukrainian long-range drones into Baltic airspace
The article cites Ukraine’s foreign minister attributing wayward Ukrainian drones in Latvia/Baltics to Russian electronic warfare deliberately diverting them off-course. If accurate, this indicates an operational EW tactic focused on naviga…
RAF Lakenheath F-15Es prioritized for AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS EW suite
The article notes Lakenheath’s forward-deployed F-15Es have been first in line to receive the AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS), a new radar warning/electronic warfare suite. This is a notable survivabili…