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.
India commissions INS Malvan, Mahe-class shallow-water ASW craft
India commissioned INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, highlighting a modern littoral ASW platform with indigenous sensors, lightweight torpedoes, ASW rocket launcher, ESM/ELINT and mine-warfare cap…
HUR Ferrata describes modular naval drones carrying FPV, interceptors and EW
Ukraine’s HUR Ferrata unit claims its maritime drones are used as modular “mothership” platforms for other systems—FPV drones, interceptor drones, and onboard EW—enabling coordinated operations by groups/squadrons rather than single USVs. I…
U.S. Navy seeks SOUTHCOM 'mothership' to support manned/unmanned platforms
The U.S. Navy issued an RFI for a Special Mission Vessel acting as a multi-mission 'mothership' to launch/recover and support a mix of manned helicopters plus VTOL Class 2/3 UAS and potentially USVs, with containerized UAS control/maintenan…
US firm ReconCraft to produce Ukraine-tested Magura USVs in the United States
The post claims US manufacturer ReconCraft will begin producing Ukraine-developed Magura-type unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the US under a partnership with Uforce. The novelty is the transfer and scaling of a combat-tested Ukrainian na…
UK firms propose USV-mounted counter-UAS missile launcher for maritime air defence
Babcock, ACUA and Frankenburg signed an MoU to integrate a multi-domain launcher and low-cost precision-guided missiles onto ACUA uncrewed surface vessels to provide persistent maritime counter-drone air defence. The novelty is the concept …
Tethered DroneBox integrated on DriX USV for persistent aerial ISR
Elistair and Exail integrated the Khronos automated tethered DroneBox onto Exail’s DriX unmanned surface vessel, enabling a deck-launched tethered UAV to provide up to 24 hours of continuous overhead surveillance while the USV is underway. …
Brazil orders Bofors 40Mk4 naval guns with programmable 3P ammo
Brazil’s Navy is procuring two Bofors 40Mk4 naval gun systems featuring programmable 3P ammunition with multiple function modes, marketed for anti-UAS/drone, anti-missile, and anti-swarm boat defense. While not a battlefield report, it refl…
Naval Group selects Saft Li-ion batteries for Barracuda and Scorpene submarines
Naval Group contracted Saft to supply next-generation lithium-ion battery systems for Barracuda and Scorpene submarine families, replacing/advancing beyond lead-acid energy storage. Higher energy density and safety claims imply longer subme…
JAGM-armed Saildrone Surveyor USV deployed for RIMPAC 2026
A 20m Saildrone Surveyor unmanned surface vessel has been fitted with a Lockheed Martin launcher for four AGM-179 JAGM missiles and is participating in RIMPAC 2026. This represents a notable step toward arming long-endurance USVs for surfac…
Canada Victoria-class subs to receive new optronic mast modernization
The article notes Canada’s Victoria-class submarines will be modernized with new optronic masts (non-penetrating periscope systems). This is a capability upgrade that can improve surveillance/targeting, reduce signature and crew exposure ti…