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.
USMC awards production contract for fully autonomous ground vehicles
The US Marine Corps awarded a $20M production agreement to Overland AI for about a dozen fully autonomous ground vehicles to move air-defense systems and support resupply/ISR with reduced human oversight. This marks a shift from experimenta…
MQ-28 Ghost Bat CCA debuts in Valiant Shield 26 with IRST and coalition teaming
The MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft is participating in its first multinational large-force exercise (Valiant Shield 26), testing human-machine teaming with crewed fighters and coalition C2 integration. The aircraft shown is c…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
USAF moves CCA loyal-wingman drones (FQ-42A/FQ-44A) from prototype to production
The U.S. Air Force awarded its first production contracts for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (FQ-42A and FQ-44A), signaling a shift from prototypes to fieldable semi-autonomous 'loyal wingmen' intended to operate alongside crewed fighters. I…
AM General unmanned ground vehicle with Hornet C-UAS remote weapon station
AM General is marketing an unmanned ground vehicle concept integrating autonomous mobility for logistics/CASEVAC/armed missions and a Hornet counter-UAS remote weapon station. While not a confirmed frontline deployment, it reflects a notabl…
Claim: Pokemon GO 3D scans used to train GPS-denied drone navigation AI
The post claims Niantic/Pokemon GO player-generated 3D environment scans were transferred to a US military contractor and are being used to train neural networks for drone navigation and targeting in GPS-denied conditions. If true, this is …
Airbus unveils U760 Ravenstorm collaborative combat drone concept
Airbus revealed the U760 Ravenstorm, a stealthy uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft intended to team with fighters for air-to-air, strike, and electronic-warfare missions. The portfolio also highlights Airbus’ MARS mission system, descri…
Drones: Anduril Altius-600 / Altius-700
Ukrainian autonomous interceptor drones down Shahed UAVs
The post claims a Brave1-supported Ukrainian system enables interceptor drones to autonomously conduct ~95% of the Shahed interception process after an operator selects a target. It reportedly performs autonomous navigation, recognition, an…
Airbus unveils U145 uncrewed autonomous cargo helicopter concept
Airbus revealed the U145, a cockpit-less, fully autonomous uncrewed variant of the H145 optimized for high-volume cargo resupply with a nose loading door and AI/sensor suite. The concept also includes potential military roles like armed sco…
Airbus unveils U145 autonomous helicopter drone for cargo resupply
Airbus introduced the U145, an autonomous helicopter UAV aimed at cargo supply missions, with additional roles including armed scouting/ISR, crewed-uncrewed teaming, and serving as a mothership for air-launched effects. The novelty is the c…
Japan developing unmanned amphibious AAV with MUM-T for island landings
Japan is developing an indigenous amphibious assault vehicle designed for remote control and autonomous maneuvering (MUM-T concept), aiming to unmanned the first landing wave to reduce casualties. The design also adds improved reef-crossing…