Innovations
Tactical and technological innovations in drone warfare — what showed up first, where, and what it changes. Each entry is sourced, dated, and linked to the drones involved.
ISL conducts first open-range free-flight test of European railgun
The French-German ISL reports its first outdoor, free-flight test shot of a domestically designed electromagnetic railgun, moving from lab-scale work to open-range validation. This enables progressive energy scaling across shots and studyin…
Germany agrees to buy ground-launched Tomahawk Block Vb with Typhon launchers
Germany plans to procure ground-launched Tomahawk (likely Block Vb) and the U.S. Army Typhon launcher, giving Berlin a new >1,000-mile conventional standoff strike option. While Tomahawk is not new, this would be a notable new European land…
Ukraine developing FP-7.x interceptor for domestic anti-ballistic shield
The article notes Ukraine’s Fire Point is developing an “anti-ballistic shield” centered on its FP-7.x interceptor missile, with tests demonstrated in February 2026. The novelty is a domestically designed interceptor concept that depends on…
Turkey tests TAYFUN Block-3 as anti-ship ballistic missile vs moving sea target
Türkiye reportedly achieved a direct hit with the TAYFUN Block-3 ballistic missile against a small moving maritime target, implying an anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) capability. Hitting a moving sea target suggests a new/updated termina…
China builds retractable-roof fixed launch structures at Jilantai test base
Satellite imagery indicates the PLA Rocket Force constructed a new type of hardened, retractable-roof fixed launcher at the Jilantai test/training base starting in late 2022. The structures appear too shallow for ICBMs and may be intended f…
AGM-181A LRSO nuclear cruise missile flight testing on B-52 faces readiness delays
The post describes ongoing flight testing and development of the new AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile, including multiple test flights since October 2024 and sightings of B-52s carrying LRSO test articles. Wh…
Indonesia signs contract to procure BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles
Indonesia and India signed a contract for the BrahMos missile system, indicating a new coastal-defense/land-based anti-ship missile capability for Indonesia aimed at A2/AD across key maritime chokepoints. While BrahMos is not new globally, …
Rheinmetall-Lockheed plan to co-produce ATACMS missiles in Germany
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall signed an MOU to manufacture ATACMS at Rheinmetall’s Unterlüß site, which would be the first ATACMS production line outside the United States. While not a new battlefield capability, it is a significant indus…
China conducts rare SLBM test launch into Western Pacific (JL-2 or JL-3)
China reportedly launched a submarine-launched ballistic missile (likely JL-2 or possibly JL-3) from a PLAN SSBN into a Western Pacific impact area, an exceptionally rare open-ocean SLBM shot in recent years. While not a brand-new weapon, t…
Destinus unveils Kryla cruise missile concept for Ukraine with container and airdrop launch
Post describes Destinus’ new Kryla strike cruise missile family aimed primarily at Ukraine, including a 12-round containerized ground launcher and an airdropped 30-missile pallet/launcher concept for high-altitude sequential launches. The n…