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.
Russian army aviation shifts to standoff strikes and UAV-cued targeting
The post describes a tactical adaptation: Russian Ka-52/Mi-28/Su-25 increasingly avoid the forward edge, using short pop-up sorties, standoff launches and lofted rocket attacks (NAR from cabrирование) due to dense air defenses. It also high…
Operational F-15EXs conduct first live bomb drops in training
Oregon ANG’s 142nd Wing employed live Mk 82 and Mk 84 bombs from operational F-15EXs for the first time, marking a shift from the unit’s former F-15C air-superiority role toward a multirole strike capability. This reflects a new operational…
Claimed Ukrainian UAV attack on Russian Ro-Ro ship launched from Libya
The post claims Ukraine conducted a long-range maritime strike in the central Mediterranean using a group of attack UAVs, allegedly launched from Libyan territory. If accurate, this reflects an expeditionary basing/logistics model (forward …
Claim of 'waiting' ambush drone ('zhdun') used near Krasnoarmiisk
The post alleges the use of a concealed 'drone-zhdun' that rises from bushes to attack evacuees/vehicles, implying an ambush-style loitering/FPV employment tactic rather than continuous overhead patrol. If accurate, it highlights increased …
U.S. adopts 'tanker-for-tanker' retaliation strikes on Iranian oil tankers
The post describes a new U.S. targeting policy/tactic: retaliating for IRGC attacks on shipping by striking Iranian government oil tankers (including aiming at engine rooms) rather than only interdicting blockade-runners. This represents a …
Ukrainian F-16s reportedly flying gun-only A2A sorties amid missile shortages
A Ukrainian Air Force commander says F-16s are sometimes forced to conduct daytime air-defense sorties using only the internal M61 cannon due to shortages and rationing of AIM-9/AIM-120 stocks. The article also notes APKWS II 70mm laser-gui…
Ukrainian drone operators show tactic to defeat Russian anti-drone cloak
The post claims Ukrainian UAV operators demonstrate a step-by-step method to quickly neutralize an enemy using an "anti-drone cloak," implying a practical countermeasure/tactic against visual/thermal concealment. If accurate, it reflects ad…
Claim of massed 1,600 UAVs on a narrow rear direction
The post claims Ukraine can concentrate up to 1,600 drones on a narrow rear-area axis, implying a massed-drone saturation tactic aimed at overwhelming air defenses and creating strategic effects in the rear. While not a specific new system,…
Russia shifts Kyiv strikes from mass barrages to frequent small drone waves
The post describes a change in Russian strike tactics against Kyiv: instead of short, high-amplitude mass barrages, Russia is reportedly launching many smaller drone groups repeatedly across the day, creating prolonged air-raid alerts. The …
Drones: FP-1 · Backfire long-range FPV
Rybar claims new Shahed/Geran maneuvers in strikes on Ukraine
The digest references a separate item titled “New maneuvers of Geran,” implying a change in how Shahed/Geran loitering munitions are flown/employed (tactics/flight profiles). If accurate, altered maneuvering can affect air-defense intercept…