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 Navy fields AIM-174B and previews ramjet missile prototype at China Lake
The post highlights newly fielded/previewed naval aviation capabilities: the AIM-174B “Gunslinger” long-range AAM (air-launched SM-6) on F/A-18s, plus integration with the Angry Kitten EW pod and IRST21 sensor pod. It also shows an unidenti…
Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile supplied to Ukraine and cleared for F-16
The post reports Zone 5's Rusty Dagger low-cost cruise missile is already being supplied to Ukraine and has been cleared for use on multiple fighter types including the F-16, expanding employment options. It also highlights a 'high-low' mix…
German F125 frigates to add IRIS-T SLM Naval VLS launchers (32 missiles total)
Germany plans to upgrade F125 frigates with two 16-cell vertical launchers per ship for an IRIS-T SLM Naval configuration, addressing a major air-defense shortfall. The novelty is adapting the land-based IRIS-T SLM into a shipboard, permane…
ELSA plan for European ground-launched long-range missiles tied to Ukraine
The post claims Ukraine may soon field ground-launched ballistic/long-range strike missiles under the cover of a revived Sapсан/Hrim-2 program, potentially incorporating Western (ELSA) technologies and modular assembly in Ukraine. Novelty i…
USMC fields NMESIS unmanned NSM launcher in Balikatan island deployments
The post describes USMC employment of NMESIS: an unmanned JLTV-based launcher (ROGUE-Fires) carrying two Naval Strike Missiles with Forterra AutoDrive, air/sea-lifted to remote islands for short-duration emplacement and simulated anti-ship …
US Army NGSRI Mach 3 Stinger replacement for M-SHORAD
The US Army is pursuing the Next Generation Short Range Interceptor (NGSRI) to replace Stinger with a faster (~Mach 3), fire-and-forget, soldier-portable SHORAD missile optimized for aircraft and Group 2/3 UAS. The program emphasizes compat…
Ukraine tests Fire Point FP-7.X as low-cost Patriot-like interceptor path
Ukraine’s Fire Point published a test launch of its FP-7.X missile, described as a controlled maneuvering flight, as a stepping-stone toward the production Freyja interceptor intended to give Ukraine a domestic anti-ballistic missile capabi…
USAF designates Next Generation Penetrator bunker buster as GBU-76/B
The U.S. Air Force has designated its Massive Ordnance Penetrator replacement as the GBU-76/B Next Generation Penetrator and is initiating contracting groundwork for R&D, production, and testing. Notable planned advances include new fuzing …
Potential Ukrainian Gripen C/D with Meteor to engage Su-34s behind glide-bomb lines
Analysts argue that donating Gripen C/D fighters potentially armed with MBDA Meteor would give Ukraine a new long-range air-to-air engagement option to threaten Russian Su-34s launching glide bombs from standoff distances. The novelty is th…
Mark 58 CRAW next-gen compact torpedo enters Increment 2 testing
Raytheon and the U.S. Navy are advancing the Mark 58 Compact Rapid Attack Weapon (CRAW), a new compact submarine-launched torpedo family with planned anti-submarine and hard-kill anti-torpedo variants. Novel elements highlighted include exp…