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.

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navalotherfirst seen 2025-08-01

OKI OQQ-25 towed sonar selected for Australia's Upgraded Mogami frigates

Australia will field the Japanese OKI OQQ-25 towed passive sonar on its new 06FFM “Upgraded Mogami” frigates, marking OKI’s first overseas transfer of this sonar equipment. The novelty is the cross-national adoption and integration of a Jap

navalfirst seen 2023-08-01

USV (БЭК) shadowing Chinese destroyer near the Philippines

The digest highlights an incident where an unmanned surface vessel (БЭК/USV) reportedly approached and monitored a Chinese destroyer near the Philippines, suggesting USV use beyond the Black Sea context. It also flags prioritization of coun

navalnatofirst seen 2024-01-01

Seasats Lightfish long-endurance USV operates near Chinese Type 052D

The post describes the Seasats Lightfish, a small solar/hybrid uncrewed surface vessel capable of months-long endurance, operating autonomously across the Pacific and approaching a Chinese destroyer while tracking it via onboard radar and v

navalisraelfirst seen 2024-01-01

Rafael delivers Typhoon Mk-30c RWS to Israeli Navy for Sa’ar 6 upgrade

Rafael reports recent deliveries of TYPHOON Mk-30c remotely operated naval weapon stations to the Israeli Navy as part of upgrading Sa’ar 6 corvettes and replacing legacy mounts. The system’s claimed improvements—advanced fire control/track

navalnatofirst seen 2025-08-01

US Navy conducts first live-fire SINKEX with GARC uncrewed surface vessel

The US Navy conducted its first live-fire training exercise using the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) uncrewed surface vessel during RIMPAC, demonstrating a tactical sUSV engaging a target ship in a SINKEX event. The GARC’s mo

navalnatofirst seen 2026-02-01

US Navy torpedo modernization and new MK-58 CRAW/RAPTOR undersea weapons push

The article describes a congressionally mandated overhaul of U.S. Navy torpedo inventories, testing infrastructure, and surge production planning for a two-war scenario, plus efforts to improve resistance to advanced acoustic countermeasure

navalnatofirst seen 2026-07-17

US Navy GARC kamikaze USV conducts first live-fire attack at RIMPAC 2026

The US Navy confirmed its Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) uncrewed surface vessel executed its first live-fire, end-to-end destructive attack during RIMPAC 2026 SINKEX against ex-USS Peleliu. The strike reportedly used a full

navalnatofirst seen 2024-01-01

U.S. Navy uses one-way attack USVs to sink ex-USS Peleliu at RIMPAC

The post describes U.S. Navy-piloted one-way attack unmanned surface vessels (kamikaze sea drones) detonating at the waterline during a RIMPAC SINKEX to help sink a decommissioned amphibious ship. This is notable as a milestone in operation

navalrussiafirst seen 2026-07-01

Russian unmanned boat “Pegas” used for logistics and minelaying near Kherson

The post claims Russian forces showcased and are already using a domestically developed unmanned surface vessel (USV) called “Pegas,” reportedly quiet and capable of 33 knots. It is described as being employed on the Kherson axis for cargo

navalnatofirst seen 2026-07-01

Dutch MoD fields containerised fibre-optic towed array “ASW in a box”

The Netherlands is procuring and developing OPTICS11’s containerised OptiArray towed-array sonar so advanced ASW sensing can be rapidly deployed from many crewed ships and uncrewed maritime platforms. The novelty is packaging a next-gen pas