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.
USAF plans ARRW Increment 2 with terminal seeker and datalink for moving targets
The post describes a planned new ARRW hypersonic boost-glide variant (“Increment 2”) adding a terminal seeker and datalink, enabling engagement of moving targets, including ships at sea. This is a notable capability expansion from the curre…
Russia claims successful RS-28 Sarmat ICBM test ahead of operational deployment
The post reports Russia’s claimed successful test of the RS-28 Sarmat heavy ICBM and plans to place the first regiment on combat duty, marking a potential transition from troubled testing to fielding. Sarmat is described as incorporating mi…
UK to begin P-8A flight trials for Sting Ray Mod 1 torpedo integration
The UK is moving toward operationally integrating the domestically developed Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight ASW torpedo onto RAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft, with initial air-carriage and jettison trials planned for Q3 2026. While Sting Ray is not …
Turkey unveils Yildirimhan 6,000 km road-mobile liquid-fueled ICBM concept
Turkey publicly revealed a previously unknown ICBM-class ballistic missile concept, Yildirimhan, advertised with ~6,000 km range, road mobility, and a very large (~3,000 kg) payload. The design details shown (single-stage, four engines, liq…
Turkey unveils Yıldırımhan liquid-fueled long-range ballistic missile propellant
Turkey claims a breakthrough in domestically producing UDMH/N2O4 liquid propellants and integrating them into the Yıldırımhan long-range ballistic missile program. If validated in upcoming field tests, this would represent a new indigenous …
Türkiye unveils Yildirimhan ICBM with 6,000 km range
Report describes Türkiye's newly unveiled Yildirimhan intercontinental ballistic missile, claiming ~6,000 km range, Mach 25 top speed, and 3,000 kg payload. If accurate, this represents a major new strategic missile capability and potential…
Balikatan 2026 SINKEX features dispersed coastal anti-ship missile fires (NMESIS/Type 88)
Balikatan 2026 reportedly combined multiple anti-ship strike methods in the Luzon Strait area, including U.S. Marine NMESIS (ROGUE-Fires JLTV with Naval Strike Missiles) and Japan’s land-based Type 88 coastal anti-ship missile firing outsid…
US test-fires Tomahawk from land-based Typhon launcher in Philippines
The US conducted the first Philippines-based live test of the Army’s land-based Typhon Mid-Range Capability launcher firing a Tomahawk cruise missile in a Balikatan exercise scenario. This demonstrates deployable ground-launched long-range …
Turkey unveils Neşter bladed, non-explosive precision munition (MAM-L variant)
Turkey’s Roketsan introduced Neşter, a MAM-L-derived precision-guided munition that replaces an explosive warhead with deployable blades to achieve ultra-low-collateral targeted strikes. The novelty is the R9X-style kinetic/bladed kill mech…
Drones: Bayraktar TB2 · MQ-9 Reaper
US developing compact AIM-9X Sidewinder variant for internal bays
The US Navy and Air Force are developing an AIM-9X “Compact Variant” that repackages SIP IV upgrades into a smaller airframe optimized for internal carriage on advanced/stealth aircraft. The novelty is combining reduced size (higher interna…