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.
Study urges hardened tanker shelters and resilient fuel infrastructure for USAF
A Hudson Institute report argues the USAF should prioritize hardened, tanker-sized aircraft shelters and more resilient bulk fuel storage/distribution (smaller hardened stores, over-the-shore systems, maritime tanker access) over simply buy…
USS Colorado assigned to AUKUS Submarine Rotational Force–West in Australia
The post describes the first US Virginia-class submarine (USS Colorado) being assigned to the new Submarine Rotational Force–West at HMAS Stirling, creating a rotational basing/sustainment construct for US/UK SSNs in Australia. While not a …
PLA Navy uses Liaoning for routine far-seas carrier training deployments
The article describes an evolving, routine pattern of far-seas training deployments by China's first carrier Liaoning, used to validate flight operations/sensors and to train newer carriers (Shandong/Fujian). The novelty is doctrinal/operat…
France-UK first joint airborne nuclear-strike exercise with Typhoon escort
France and the UK conducted their first joint simulated airborne nuclear-strike mission, with RAF Typhoons escorting French Rafales in a coordinated deterrence drill. The novelty is the operational integration/interoperability of a French n…
US creates Autonomous Warfare Command and pushes unmanned-centric force overhaul
The post describes the Pentagon standing up a new Autonomous Warfare Command and calls for rapid software/hardware iteration and force-structure changes to shift from legacy manned platforms toward mass unmanned/autonomous systems. This is …
USAF explores air-to-air combat roles for bombers like B-21 with CCA drones
The USAF is evaluating adding air-to-air combat capabilities to bombers (notably the B-21), potentially in cooperation with Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones. This represents a doctrinal/force-structure shift toward using long-range stea…
Drones: Bayraktar Akıncı
USAF force-structure plan includes 500 CCA drone wingmen by 2032
The U.S. Air Force force-structure report to Congress outlines a 2035 fighter mix and explicitly separates crewed fighter requirements from planned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) “drone wingmen,” targeting 500 CCAs by 2032. While not a…
Russian milblog proposes business-funded layered air defense vs UAV raids
The post argues for a new civil–military model where commercial/industrial sites fund and field their own layered counter-UAV defenses (small-arms teams, FPV interceptor crews, EW, and lasers) coordinated with the MoD for early warning and …
Drones: FP-1
Chinese analyses highlight USMC dispersed island warfare with missiles and drones
The post discusses the USMC’s post-2019 shift toward dispersed Marine units (MLR/EABO-style) operating in archipelagos with drones and anti-ship missiles to control chokepoints. It also notes experimentation with unmanned surface vessels po…
US Army stands up Indo-Pacific multi-domain command and Cross Domain Contact Layer
The article describes the US Army creating a new Indo-Pacific multi-domain command that integrates conventional forces with a "Cross Domain Contact Layer" linking sensors, drones, precision weapons, AI and electronic warfare into a continuo…