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.
ESNA proposes 22m Surface Effect Ship for UK-Norway Joint Commando Craft
ESNA unveiled a high-speed Surface Effect Ship concept for the UK-Norwegian Joint Commando Craft program, emphasizing 67-knot sprint speed, air-cushioned ride, and shallow beach landing via integrated bow ramp. The design is positioned as f…
Explorer-class T-AGOS to use hybrid IEP with LM2500+G4 in composite enclosure
The U.S. Navy’s new Explorer-class ocean surveillance ships (T-AGOS 25) will use an Integrated Electric Propulsion hybrid setup combining diesel generators with a GE LM2500+G4 gas turbine and electric motors. The notable innovation is the l…
Davie and Kraken to establish Canadian production of autonomous USVs
Davie Shipbuilding and Kraken Technology Group announced a collaboration to produce, integrate, and further develop Kraken’s autonomous uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and next-generation maritime autonomy systems in Canada. The novelty is …
RNZN plans expanded unmanned surface vessels for long-duration ISR
New Zealand’s FY2026/27 defence budget and Maritime Fleet Renewal planning explicitly emphasize introducing more uncrewed systems and simulation technologies, including long-endurance unmanned surface vessels for ISR in the southwest Pacifi…
Finland launches second Pohjanmaa-class multi-purpose corvette
Finland’s Rauma shipyard launched the second Pohjanmaa-class corvette under the Squadron 2020 program, an arctic-optimized multi-role surface combatant intended as the Finnish Navy’s future backbone. The article notes capability requirement…
Canada selects Thales S2087/CAPTAS towed sonar for River-class destroyers
Canada’s future River-class destroyers will integrate Thales’ S2087 (CAPTAS-family) low-frequency towed array sonar, boosting long-range detection/tracking of quiet submarines in littoral and open-ocean environments. While the sonar is a pr…
IAI DIAMOND concept: remotely operated modular wing-ships for frigates
IAI unveiled DIAMOND, a distributed naval warfare concept where a frigate controls small modular “wing-ships” as remote extensions of its own combat system (radar/fire control), effectively adding deck space and magazine depth. The wing-shi…
Hyperion unveils 3D-printed Astra 460 USV and TitanCell container factory
Hyperion Systems presented the Astra 460, a compact uncrewed surface vessel with a 3D-printed HDPE hull, alongside the TitanCell containerised “factory-in-a-box” intended to rapidly print USV hulls in austere or shipboard settings. The nove…
L3Harris Iver4 900 torpedo-tube launched AUV for US Navy attack subs
L3Harris is producing the Iver4 900 as a torpedo-tube launch and recovery autonomous undersea vehicle for U.S. Navy attack submarines, effectively an underwater “loyal wingman.” The novelty is submarine-integrated TTL&R launch/recovery plus…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat
PLAN Type 054B frigate debuts in Liaoning carrier strike group
Japan publicly confirmed the first operational integration of China’s new Type 054B (Jiangkai III) frigate Luohe (545) into a Liaoning-led carrier strike group in the Western Pacific, including operations beyond the first island chain. This…