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 to field lighter M8 NGSW rifle replacing M7
The US Army will begin fielding the Sig Sauer M8 Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle in December, replacing the recently introduced M7 with a lighter, shorter configuration and feedback-driven design changes. The M8 keeps the 6.8×51mm high-p…
USAF seeks missile warning system for F-15EX rapid field integration
The USAF is moving to rapidly integrate an operational missile launch/approach warning system onto the F-15EX using six pre-wired sensor locations for field-installable LRUs. While MWS is not new, adding it to the F-15EX closes a notable su…
Geissele HICAR rifle for SOCOM hypervelocity 5.56mm concept
Geissele unveiled a production-ready HICAR M4-style rifle designed to handle very high-pressure “hypervelocity” 5.56mm ammunition (reported ~82,000 PSI) intended to extend effective range from ~300m to ~600m+. The novelty is an infantry sma…
US startup developing AI wrist-worn display for operators
Smack Technologies is developing 'Alpha,' a wrist-worn display intended to deliver AI-processed, real-time battlefield data and decision options directly to operators, including in low/no-connectivity environments. The novelty is pushing AI…
US Marines field Squad Aiming Laser (SAL) to replace PEQ-16
The US Marine Corps is fielding the new Squad Aiming Laser (SAL) for squad weapons, replacing the decades-old PEQ-16. SAL is lighter and more compact, and claims a cleaner, more uniform IR/visible beam that improves NVG target identificatio…
SOCOM fields MK24 MRGG-A with quick-swap barrels for 6.5 Creedmoor/7.62
USSOCOM is beginning fielding of the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault (MRGG-A), a semi-auto rifle designed for rapid barrel swaps enabling caliber changes between 7.62 NATO and 6.5mm Creedmoor in about a minute. The novelty is the operatio…
SOCOM to launch Flyweight 5.56mm belt-fed machine gun program to replace Mk 46
U.S. SOCOM is initiating a new requirement for a 5.56x45mm belt-fed “Flyweight Assault Machine Gun” (FAMG) intended to replace the Mk 46. While not yet fielded, the program signals a push for a lighter belt-fed weapon optimized for close-qu…
US Army fields Lightweight Command Launch Unit (LWCLU) for Javelin
The US Army has received the first batch of the new LWCLU for the Javelin ATGM, a 30% smaller and 25% lighter launcher with upgraded IR tech and roughly doubled target detection/recognition range. This is a notable modernization of a widely…
USSOCOM fields Identifi mobile battlefield biometrics app
USSOCOM is fielding Reveal Technology’s Identifi, a mobile-device application that enables in-field biometric capture and matching (fingerprints, face/voice, iris) against DoD’s ABIS database. While biometrics are not new, the shift to a mo…
SOCOM pursues HICAR carbine for future hypervelocity 5.56 ammo
SOCOM is soliciting an improved carbine (HICAR) designed to run standard 5.56 NATO while being durable and safe with future hypervelocity 5.56x45mm ammunition, leveraging newer high-performance steel-case technologies. The interview also no…