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.
HD Hyundai–Skaramangas MoU includes unmanned surface and manned-unmanned naval projects
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Greece’s Skaramangas Shipyard signed an MoU covering Greek Navy/Coast Guard vessel programs and explicitly including unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and combined manned–unmanned system projects. While not a …
New Chinese 'sailless' submarine design observed in Shanghai satellite imagery
Satellite imagery shows a previously unreported Chinese submarine class with a streamlined, near-sailless design and X-form rudders, suggesting a hydrodynamic/stealth-focused hull evolution. Analysts speculate it may relate to the Type-095 …
US Navy begins at-sea trials for Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) prototypes
The US Navy selected seven firms for competitive at-sea testing of Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels, aiming to rapidly field operational MUSVs by FY2027. The solicitation highlights long-range, high-speed autonomous operation with heavy payl…
AUKUS project to develop UUVs for seabed infrastructure patrol
The post describes a new AUKUS initiative (US/UK/Australia) to develop unmanned underwater vehicles to patrol, monitor activity, and protect undersea critical infrastructure like internet cables. While details are sparse, the novelty is the…
Suspected small Chinese structure monitored inside Scarborough Shoal
Philippine officials report monitoring a suspected new ~6x6 m “small structure” inside Scarborough Shoal, with uncertainty whether it is floating or fixed. If confirmed as an installed or anchored feature, it could represent a new increment…
South Korea launches Jang Bogo-N roadmap for nuclear-powered attack submarines
South Korea has formally adopted a national plan (Jang Bogo-N) to develop and field nuclear-powered attack submarines using low-enriched uranium, long-cycle reactors, and a vertical-launch missile section. The concept also highlights potent…
AUKUS launches joint development of payloads for uncrewed undersea vehicles
AUKUS Pillar II names its first “Signature Project”: developing new payloads and enabling systems for partners’ uncrewed undersea vehicles, with deliveries starting in 2027. The novelty is the formal, trilateral program to field UUV payload…
Drones: Shark
AUKUS agreement advances underwater drones alongside submarine plan
The post describes AUKUS partners signing an agreement focused on underwater drones (unmanned undersea vehicles), indicating accelerated development/procurement and integration into allied undersea warfare plans. It also notes Australia shi…
Saronic launches Marauder medium unmanned surface vessel prototype
Saronic unveiled and began on-water trials of its first Marauder MUSV, a long-range autonomous/remote-supervised unmanned surface vessel with modular containerized payload capacity. The novelty is the combination of endurance (claimed 5,400…
U.S. deploys uncrewed underwater vehicles for Hormuz counter-mine effort
The post notes CENTCOM deploying uncrewed underwater vehicles (underwater drones/UUVs) to help clear or neutralize sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz as part of enforcing/ending a naval blockade. While UUV mine countermeasures are not new gl…