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.
Ukrainian 'Lava' regiment runs AI-guided UGV logistics mission (93% autonomous)
Ukraine’s NGU 'Khartia' 2nd Corps UAV/robotics regiment 'Lava' reports its first combat-conditions autonomous logistics run using an AI-controlled ground robotic complex (UGV). The vehicle reportedly completed 93% of a 20 km route without o…
Russia builds new UAV launch site near Millerovo; Geran-4/5 upgrades claimed
Ukraine's HUR reports satellite imagery showing Russia rapidly constructing a new dedicated launch site (“droneport”) near Millerovo airbase for jet-powered strike UAVs (likely Geran-4/5), potentially enabling up to ~100 launches/day. The p…
U.S. Army plans autonomous kits and up to 100 uncrewed surface vessels
The U.S. Army’s watercraft units in the Pacific are experimenting with retrofitting existing vessels with autonomy kits (e.g., Sea Machines SM300 autonomous navigation integrated in nine days on the HOS Resolution) and planning to acquire u…
F-22 pilots direct YFQ-44A Fury CCA in-flight via high-level autonomy
The USAF demonstrated an F-22 acting as an airborne “quarterback,” issuing high-level directives to an Anduril YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft whose onboard autonomy executed maneuvers and simulated combat tasks in real time. Thi…
US Army xTechHumanoid tests humanoid robots and subsystems for combat tasks
The US Army ran the xTechHumanoid competition to evaluate humanoid robots and key subsystems (voice-command control, autonomy, tactile sensors, and hydrogen fuel-cell power) against small-unit combat task scenarios like checkpoint security …
F-22 issues in-flight tactical commands to YFQ-44A Fury CCA drone
The post describes a first-of-its-kind airborne demonstration where an F-22 pilot sent high-level tactical directives via datalink to a pre-production YFQ-44A Fury, whose onboard autonomy interpreted and executed them in real time. This adv…
US Army highlights autonomous systems and armed drone tests at AUSA 2026
The post describes multiple emerging battlefield-relevant capabilities showcased at AUSA 2026, including a reusable quadcopter (Fire Storm 250) firing Sig Sauer’s new M250 machine gun and the Army’s LOCUST X3 palletized high-energy laser co…
Kratos U740 Valkyrie makes first European test flight with Airbus MARS mission system
Kratos reports the first European test flight of its U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft, integrating Airbus’ sovereign European mission system (MARS) aimed at loyal-wingman roles and affordable combat mass. The flight demonstrated rocke…
Airbus MQ-72C uncrewed cargo helicopter demoed for U.S. Army
Airbus demonstrated the MQ-72C cargo helicopter drone to the U.S. Army, highlighting autonomous flight behaviors including complex hover patterns and dynamic rerouting around pop-up no-fly zones. The program also showed beyond-line-of-sight…
Forterra AutoDrive autonomy integrated on Hypercraft Razorback UGV
Forterra and Hypercraft unveiled an autonomous ground vehicle concept by integrating Forterra’s AutoDrive platform onto the Razorback, aimed at contested logistics and high-risk missions without onboard crew. The article also describes Fort…