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.
US Navy sets specs for carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
The US Navy issued new requirements for an autonomous, carrier-capable Collaborative Combat Aircraft designed to team with manned fighters, including catapult launch/arrested recovery, MD-5 control integration, and a heavy external weapons …
Rybar claims new Geran variant can sharply maneuver in flight
The post claims a new version of the Russian Geran loitering munition can abruptly change course mid-flight, increasing survivability and complicating Ukrainian air-defense engagement. If accurate, this suggests upgraded guidance/autopilot …
Ukraine converts BRDM-2 armored cars into remotely controlled UGVs
Ukraine is adapting Soviet-era BRDM-2 armored reconnaissance vehicles into remotely controlled uncrewed ground vehicles, aiming for beyond-line-of-sight operation and integration of a remote weapon station (12.7mm+). The upgrade package inc…
Hivemind autonomy demo on SeaShark USVs with radar/AIS teaming
Shield AI and Thunder Tiger demonstrated multi-asset autonomous teaming on water using SeaShark 600/800 unmanned surface vessels running the Hivemind AI pilot. The USVs autonomously planned waypoints, searched an area, identified a vessel o…
Anduril YFQ-44A semi-autonomous CCA begins production for US Air Force
The post reports the first Anduril YFQ-44A (missionized FQ-44 “Fury”) rolling off a new production line for the USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, signaling near-term fielding of semi-autonomous uncrewed wingmen. It also notes a fi…
BAE unveils Brontanax autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype
BAE Systems revealed Brontanax, a UK-built autonomous uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft intended to team with crewed fighters (e.g., Typhoon) for electronic warfare and precision strike. The novelty is the UK’s first domestically desig…
Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous attack rotorcraft drone wingman
Anduril revealed “Thunder,” a Group 5 autonomous VTOL/tilt-rotor attack rotorcraft intended to team with crewed attack helicopters and operate in autonomous formations using Lattice autonomy software. Novelty is the combination of high-payl…
Anduril unveils Thunder autonomous hybrid-electric tiltrotor attack drone concept
Anduril revealed “Thunder,” a Group 5 hybrid-electric tiltrotor combat UAV concept intended as a highly autonomous uncrewed wingman for crewed helicopters/tiltrotors (e.g., Apache, MV-75). Novel elements highlighted include nap-of-the-earth…
Drones: Elbit Hermes 900 Kochav · AeroVironment Switchblade 300 · MQ-9 Reaper · MQ-1C Gray Eagle / Gray Eagle ER · Anduril Altius-600 / Altius-700 · Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat
UK launches Storm Fighter autonomous loyal-wingman (CCA) program
The UK RAF announced Storm Fighter, a new autonomous collaborative combat aircraft (loyal wingman) effort intended to operate alongside Typhoon, F-35, and Tempest, emphasizing low cost and rapid production. While not a front-line battlefiel…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
US Army tests driverless Autonomous Volcano mine-laying system
The US Army tested an Autonomous Volcano variant that pairs the legacy M139 Volcano mine dispenser with a driverless Palletized Load System truck to emplace minefields without human assistance. It also auto-logs minefield locations and uplo…