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.
HUR details new Russian Filin ground-launched cruise missile
Ukraine’s HUR reports Russia has begun using a new low-cost, ground-launched cruise missile “Filin” since late summer, publishing a 3D model and component breakdown. Reported specs include up to 1,200 km range, ~800 km/h speed, very low-alt…
Ukraine reports new Russian cruise missile 'Filin'
Ukrainian military intelligence claims Russia has a newly identified cruise missile called 'Filin'. If accurate, it indicates a new or newly fielded Russian precision-strike munition that could affect air-defense planning and threat librari…
US Navy F/A-18F seen carrying AIM-174B and AIM-260 together in test config
A VX-31 F/A-18F was photographed captive-carrying both the AIM-174B (SM-6-derived very long-range AAM) and the AIM-260 JATM on the same aircraft, alongside an IRST21 pod. The novel aspect is the first publicly documented combined loadout, i…
US expands APKWS laser-guided rocket kit production for counter-drone use
The Pentagon signed a framework agreement with BAE to procure up to 25,000 APKWS guidance kits per year (with a path to 35,000 for allies), scaling a low-cost precision rocket that has been used as an economical alternative to air-to-air mi…
Australia tenders Land 6504 medium-range ground-based air defense
Australia has launched Project Land 6504 to procure an off-the-shelf medium-range ground-based air and missile defense system, including terminal ballistic-missile intercept capability and integration with ADF C2. The solicitation also high…
Anduril Steelfin affordable interceptor missile planned, Europe production discussed
Anduril’s newly unveiled Steelfin interceptor missile is positioned as a lower-cost complement to systems like Patriot amid interceptor shortages. The post highlights potential localization/production in Poland and Europe, which could accel…
US Army shifts to multi-interceptor air defense architectures (Patriot, Enduring Shield)
The article describes the U.S. Army moving away from single-interceptor air defense systems toward architectures that can field multiple interceptor types across tiers (e.g., Patriot mixing PAC-3 MSE with PAC-2 GEM-T and pursuing LCI/Future…
Avio USA to supply solid rocket motors for ER GMLRS and PrSM
Avio and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement to qualify Avio USA as a new solid rocket motor supplier for Extended Range GMLRS and the Precision Strike Missile. While not a new battlefield tactic, it is a notable industrial/munitions-produc…
Adapter lets legacy TOW launchers fire Spike LR2 missiles
Rafael USA and Leonardo DRS unveiled a more mature adapter that enables vehicles with legacy TOW launchers (e.g., Bradley) to fire Spike LR2 missiles with minimal vehicle modifications. This adds longer range and an imaging seeker with man-…
Lockheed proposes PAC-3 ACE Patriot interceptor and EU production for Ukraine
Lockheed Martin is discussing producing PAC-3 Patriot interceptors in Europe (and potentially later Ukraine) and highlights the newer PAC-3 ACE variant as a cheaper option for simpler threats. ACE differs from PAC-3 MSE by using a single-pu…