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.
Boeing low-cost missile seeker and Northrop cannon-based interceptor concept
The post describes Boeing developing a cheaper missile seeker to reduce interceptor costs and Northrop Grumman detailing a cannon-based approach to defeat drones and cruise missiles. While not confirmed as fielded, these are notable emergin…
Lockheed launches Strigo modular missile seeker/datalink/RF sensor hardware line
Lockheed Martin announced Strigo, a modular family of missile and sensor components (RF sensors, datalinks, seekers) built on a common architecture and sold via a dedicated product center aimed at accelerating fielding. The novelty is the “…
Boeing ULCS ultra-low-cost active radar seeker using commercial parts
Boeing unveiled an in-development Ultra Low-Cost Seeker (ULCS), an active radar seeker built largely from commercial off-the-shelf components and designed to be reused across interceptors, guided bombs, and cruise missiles. If fielded, it c…
DARPA NGHCM hypersonic scramjet cruise missile concept for IADS penetration
DARPA is soliciting industry input for the Next Generation Hypersonic Cruise Missile (NGHCM), an air-breathing scramjet cruise missile intended to be survivable against modern integrated air defenses while remaining affordable for mass prod…
Australia to field AIM-260 JATM beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
Australia will become the first foreign operator of the AIM-260 JATM, a next-generation BVR air-to-air missile intended to replace AIM-120 with substantially greater range and improved performance. The post also notes planned integration ac…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
US Navy begins production of jet-powered JDAM-LR (GBU-75) stand-off weapon
Boeing has been cleared to begin production of the JDAM-Long Range (GBU-75/B), a turbojet-powered JDAM-derived weapon with pop-out wings that turns a 500-lb bomb into a low-cost stand-off strike munition. With claimed range over 300 nautica…
Boeing GBU-75 jet-powered JDAM LR enters initial production
The U.S. Air Force funded an initial production run of Boeing’s BSU-111/B wing-and-turbojet kit that converts a 500-lb JDAM into the GBU-75 (JDAM LR), extending standoff range to 300+ nautical miles—approaching cruise-missile reach. The kit…
Talks on Ukraine co-producing Patriot interceptors incl. cheaper PAC-3 variant
The post reports negotiations for Ukraine to manufacture some Patriot components domestically with final assembly in Europe, and possibly receive permission to produce a cheaper PAC-3 variant. If realized, this would be a new localized prod…
Ukraine Fire Point integrates European subsystems for Freyja ballistic missile defense
Ukraine’s Fire Point is integrating European radars, seekers/guidance, and a command center into the Freyja ballistic-missile defense project using an open-architecture approach. The interceptor is a faster FP7.X variant aimed at a sub-€1M …
US Army seeks NGCM extended-range missile for Group 2/3 drone defense
The US Army is soliciting an extended-range, quick-response counter-sUAS missile (NGCM) with a radar seeker, designed to integrate into the existing Coyote Launch System and work with Sentinel/LTAMDS/TPQ-53 radars. The novelty is a purpose-…
Drones: Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle · Shahed-136