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.
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…
South Korea announces Jang Bogo N nuclear-powered submarine development plan
South Korea published a formal basic plan to develop its first nuclear-powered attack submarine class (Jang Bogo N), marking a major new naval capability versus its current diesel-electric fleet. Nuclear propulsion would provide effectively…
Hydra-class frigates to receive Thales Tacticos, NS100 AESA radar and STIR upgrade
Thales signed a contract to modernize the Hellenic Navy’s Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates with the latest Tacticos CMS plus new/updated sensors including the NS100 AESA radar and STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire-control system. While not a frontline …