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.
Possible Saudi combat use of Chinese DF-15A SRBM revealed by debris in Yemen
Imagery of debris in Yemen suggests a Chinese-made DF-15A short-range ballistic missile may have been launched by Saudi Arabia, potentially the first observed combat use of this previously unacknowledged Saudi SRBM capability. If confirmed,…
AFSOC seeks broad deployment of Leidos Havoc Spear 200-lb cruise missile
The post describes the Havoc Spear, a ~200-pound class cruise missile from Leidos with a stated range over 400 nautical miles, and AFSOC interest in integrating it across many aircraft types after reported combat success. The novelty is the…
PAC-3 MSE interceptor production surge via new L3Harris propulsion contract
Lockheed awarded L3Harris a $4.7B contract to scale production of PAC-3 MSE propulsion components (two-pulse solid rocket motor, attitude-control motors, and a lethality enhancer), supporting a planned ramp from ~600 to ~2,000 interceptors …
US Army advances IFPC Inc 2 second interceptor for Enduring Shield
The post describes the U.S. Army’s IFPC Inc 2 competition to add a new mid-tier surface-to-air interceptor to the Enduring Shield launcher, beyond the existing AIM-9X loadout, with emphasis on cruise-missile defense and magazine depth. Boei…
Throttleable propulsion pitched for Golden Dome boost-phase interceptors
The piece highlights throttleable propulsion systems and expanded manufacturing capacity as enabling technologies for boost-phase missile interception within a proposed “Golden Dome” missile-defense architecture. While not a confirmed battl…
Germany considers Covenant 'Anthem' ground-launched cruise missile
Germany is reportedly in talks with startup Covenant about procuring its Anthem cruise missile, described as production-ready, ground-launched, and cheaper than legacy systems like Taurus. If adopted, it would represent a new entrant and po…
Ukraine unveils Shershen SAM using multiple adapted air-to-air missiles
Ukraine presented the Shershen ground-based air-defense system with an open architecture designed to fire a mix of adapted air-to-air missiles (R-27, R-73, AIM-9, AIM-132) from a common launcher and C2/radar suite. The novelty is the interc…
US DTRA live-fire testing to improve deep-bunker strike capability
The post describes urgent, classified DTRA live-fire testing at the ALT-SHIST subterranean site at White Sands, likely aimed at validating improved capabilities for striking very deeply buried facilities (e.g., Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain bunke…
U.S. Army tests Covenant 'Anthem' mass-producible long-range strike missile
The post describes a new long-range precision-strike munition, Covenant's Anthem, already tested with U.S. Army-linked trials and Project Convergence, designed explicitly for high-volume, low-cost production as an alternative to more expens…
Iran claims first combat use of Qassem Basir anti-ship ballistic missile
The article reports Iranian-affiliated channels claiming the IRGC fired the Qassem Basir medium-range anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) at U.S. Navy ships on Sept. 5, 2026. If accurate, this would be the first known combat employment of a …