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 Army scales Anduril NGC2 AI-enabled command-and-control data layer
The US Army is moving Anduril’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) from experimentation to broader fielding, expanding an AI-enabled common data layer (Lattice-based) beyond a single division toward I Corps. The novelty is the attem…
Ukrainian 'Lazar' unit pioneered Starlink-linked heavy strike drone bombers
The post claims the NGU special unit "Lazar" (founded Oct 2022) created and fielded one of the first heavy strike drone units using Starlink communications, including a serial, reliable "Starlink-bomber" and an operational concept that scal…
Forterra OASIS-OneLink unified control UI for multiple autonomous systems
Forterra debuted OASIS-OneLink, a single operator interface intended to monitor and command multiple heterogeneous autonomous systems, building on its OASIS-Fabric network for connectivity in comms-degraded environments. The novelty is a st…
AI-enabled C2 platform Nexus integrates sensors and interceptor drones in Ukraine
Dutch firm Intelic is rolling out its AI-powered Nexus command-and-control software in Ukraine to fuse multiple radars/sensors/cameras and coordinate reconnaissance verification plus interceptor-drone engagements from a single interface. Th…
Europe accelerates sovereign satellite ISR/comms procurement to reduce US reliance
European governments and industry are moving toward sovereign satellite communications and ISR (including national manufacturing and controlled supply chains) after access restrictions to US-linked services highlighted battlefield dependenc…
US develops Looking Glass-Next airborne nuclear NC3 modernization
The article describes the early-stage Looking Glass-Next (LG-N) program to modernize the USSTRATCOM airborne backup nuclear command, control, and communications mission as E-6B roles shift to the future E-130J and E-4B transitions to E-4C S…
US provides Saudi Arabia real-time battlefield picture and targeting support
The post claims the US deployed a system enabling real-time battlefield visibility and provides targeting/strike guidance support to Saudi forces via a newly formed joint command. If accurate, this indicates a notable operational adoption o…
Layered, networked sensor architecture for counter-UAS detection
The article describes an evolving counter-UAS approach emphasizing networked, layered sensing (radar bands plus EO/IR, acoustic, and EW sensors) and physically distributed/elevated sensor placement to reduce blind spots and improve reaction…
Royal Navy Kraken K3 USV cameras flagged for China-linked data transmissions
A cyber assessment found situational-awareness cameras on Royal Navy Kraken K3 Scout unmanned surface vessels were sending "heartbeat" traffic to an IP address in China, prompting the MOD to remove internet connectivity from the cameras. Wh…
US Navy E-130J Phoenix II TACAMO aircraft program expands to 31 planes
The US Navy plans to field 31 E-130J Phoenix II aircraft (C-130J conversions) to replace 16 E-6B Mercury ‘doomsday planes’ for the TACAMO nuclear submarine command-and-control mission. The novelty is the shift to a new airframe with a moder…