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 HADES ME-11B jets to launch 1,000km-class long-range drones
The US Army’s ME-11B HADES ISR jets are planned to operate as high-altitude sensor platforms that can also air-launch extremely long-range drones (~1,000km) to extend sensing reach while keeping the manned aircraft outside hostile air defen…
Drones: Elbit Hermes 900 Kochav · MQ-9 Reaper · MQ-1C Gray Eagle / Gray Eagle ER
Royal Navy trials airdrop of Kraken K3 SCOUT USV from A400M
Kraken and Capewell, supported by the Royal Navy’s Project Beehive, demonstrated an extracted-load airdrop of a K3 SCOUT uncrewed surface vessel from an A400M into Sea State 4. This creates a new force-projection method to rapidly insert US…
Claim: Russian Orlan-10 UAVs launched from shadow-fleet ships over Europe
The post discusses an IISS report alleging Russia conducted an 18‑month UAV reconnaissance campaign over NATO and nuclear sites in Europe, potentially launching drones from “shadow fleet” tankers. If true, ship-based UAV launch for covert I…
U.S. Navy explores containerized and new VLS launch options for CPS hypersonic
The U.S. Navy is soliciting concepts to launch Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) hypersonic missiles via novel, flexible deployment methods including containerized launchers, air-transportable launchers, and modified/integrated large VLS for…
Royal Navy sea-launch trials of Nyan one-way effector from ship catapult
The UK Royal Navy demonstrated shipborne launch of the jet-powered Nyan one-way attack drone using a deck-mounted catapult while underway, with autonomous navigation to a programmed target. This indicates a move toward integrating low-cost …
Report alleges Russian shadow-fleet ships used to launch/recover UAVs over Europe
An IISS report assesses it is highly likely Russia ran a coordinated UAV campaign over Europe (Aug 2024–Feb 2026) using Russian-linked/shadow-fleet commercial vessels as launch and recovery platforms. This maritime basing concept would exte…
Drones: Orlan-10
Ukrainian Sea Baby USV used as FPV drone launch platform (incl. fiber-optic FPVs)
The article describes Ukraine adapting its Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessel into a mothership that carries and launches 6–8 FPV attack drones from onboard compartments, extending strike reach beyond the coastline. It also notes some embarke…
Drones: Sea Baby
China demonstrates truck-mounted EMALS catapult launching a drone
Footage shows a modular, road-mobile electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) made of linked trucks successfully catapult-launching a drone, indicating a deployable runway/catapult concept for rapid UAV operations from austere sites o…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat
MQ-25 T-1 demonstrator embarked on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250
The MQ-25 Stingray T-1 prototype was physically embarked on USS Nimitz, highlighting ongoing carrier-deck integration and handling procedures for a large carrier-based unmanned aircraft. While it did not launch or recover from the carrier, …
Ukraine develops balloon-launched DART missile for EW-resistant deep strikes
The post describes Ukraine’s DART concept: a guided weapon released from a high-altitude balloon to extend reach cheaply and reduce exposure to Russian EW. It uses satellite guidance until a cutoff altitude, then continues on a fixed course…