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.
MDA seeks rapid-deploy 'FBM Radar Next' to replace AN/TPY-2
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is soliciting prototype concepts for a more mobile successor to the AN/TPY-2 forward-based radar, emphasizing rapid setup/teardown, reduced signatures, remote operation, and survivability against missile/dron…
European Sentinel Strike contest to test loitering munitions in Portugal
Post describes a planned Sentinel Strike competition where five European firms will demonstrate loitering munitions under standardized conditions from launch and target search through strike and battle-damage assessment. The novelty is the …
Thales Australia prototypes armed UGV 'Guardian Angel' with minigun ROWP
Thales Australia rapidly prototyped an armed four-wheeled unmanned ground vehicle (Guardian Angel) in six weeks and completed live-fire testing, integrating a low-cost remote weapon mount (ROWP) shown with a Dillon M134D Minigun. While not …
Turkey’s TF Kaan P1 prototype begins powered taxi tests
Turkey’s second airworthy TF Kaan prototype (P1) has begun powered taxi tests, indicating imminent first flight and a shift from the earlier P0 demonstrator toward a more production-representative development aircraft. Visible refinements (…
USAF F-47 NGAD enters EMD, producing test aircraft for 2028 first flight
The post describes the USAF’s sixth-generation F-47 (NGAD) moving into engineering and manufacturing development with production of a small number of test aircraft and a planned 2028 first flight. While not a battlefield deployment yet, it …
Ukrainian interceptor drone downs ZALA UAV at 6,617 m altitude
The post claims a record-setting combat interception where Ukrainian marine brigade interceptor-drone operators destroyed a Russian ZALA reconnaissance UAV at 6,617 meters. If accurate, it indicates improved interceptor-drone performance (a…
USAF NGAP adaptive-cycle engines (XA102/XA103) targeting aircraft integration by 2030
The post describes the USAF’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program and its GE XA102 and Pratt & Whitney XA103 prototype adaptive-cycle engines, with integration activities aimed around 2030. The novelty is the maturation timel…
US Army prototypes ISV-Heavy with 60kW export power and drive-by-wire
The US Army is funding competing ISV-Heavy prototypes designed to export 60 kW continuous DC power and recharge to 90% within six hours, enabling mobile use of counter-drone, EW, and directed-energy systems at squad/brigade level. The requi…
Russian military district expo shows new/updated UGVs incl. Kornet-armed 'Karacal'
The post claims several new or updated Russian ground robotic systems (НРТК/UGVs) were presented: a 'Karacal' armed with a Kornet ATGM and cannon, the multipurpose 'Nerekhta', an updated 'Omich', and a 'Kuryer' said to already be used at th…
Russian NRTK 'Kurier' fitted with Shmel-4 module and Kornet missile
The post describes a new remote-controlled unmanned ground vehicle configuration: an NRTK 'Kurier' carrying a removable 'Shmel-4' combat module combining four flamethrowers and a Kornet ATGM under control of a single operator. It also menti…