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.
RU milblog notes Ukrainian long-range drones using satellite online control
The post claims Ukrainian long-range UAVs are increasingly controlled in an online mode via satellite communications (not only Starlink), reducing the effectiveness of simple countermeasures. It also mentions British FP-5 missiles as effect…
Turkey's STM unveils YAKTU swarm-capable kamikaze unmanned surface vessel
STM introduced the YAKTU KUSV, a high-speed (50+ knots) one-way attack unmanned surface vessel designed for coordinated swarm operations with AI-enabled autonomy. It emphasizes low observability, 200 nm range, and networked control via LOS …
Russia’s Khabarovsk submarine purpose-built to carry Poseidon nuclear torpedoes
The post describes new open-source details on Russia’s Project 09851 Khabarovsk, a dedicated carrier submarine for the Poseidon (2M39) autonomous nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed underwater weapon. The novelty is the specialized submarine arc…
US test-fires Tomahawk from land-based Typhon launcher in Philippines
The US conducted the first Philippines-based live test of the Army’s land-based Typhon Mid-Range Capability launcher firing a Tomahawk cruise missile in a Balikatan exercise scenario. This demonstrates deployable ground-launched long-range …
ASELSAN unveils KILIÇ kamikaze AUVs and TUFAN swarm-capable USV
ASELSAN is introducing new unmanned naval strike systems: KILIÇ 10 and KILIÇ 200 expendable “kamikaze” autonomous underwater vehicles with RF/wire-guided control options, acoustic comms, low-signature design, and autonomous/swarm modes, plu…
Drones: Wing Loong-10 (CH-AS-1 / WJ-700)
Turkey unveils Neşter bladed, non-explosive precision munition (MAM-L variant)
Turkey’s Roketsan introduced Neşter, a MAM-L-derived precision-guided munition that replaces an explosive warhead with deployable blades to achieve ultra-low-collateral targeted strikes. The novelty is the R9X-style kinetic/bladed kill mech…
Drones: Bayraktar TB2 · MQ-9 Reaper
US Navy to demo at-sea rearming of Mk41 VLS using USNS Montford Point
The U.S. Navy plans to demonstrate an At-Sea Reload of Vertical Launch System (ASRV) capability using the Montford Point-class expeditionary transfer dock, aiming to reload Mk 41 VLS cells without returning to port. This would create a mobi…
US developing compact AIM-9X Sidewinder variant for internal bays
The US Navy and Air Force are developing an AIM-9X “Compact Variant” that repackages SIP IV upgrades into a smaller airframe optimized for internal carriage on advanced/stealth aircraft. The novelty is combining reduced size (higher interna…
Low-cost interceptor drones (Merops and Ukrainian peers) for Shahed defense
The post describes the growing battlefield adoption of ultra-low-cost interceptor drones (e.g., Perennial Autonomy’s $15k Merops and multiple Ukrainian-made interceptors) to shoot down Shahed-type UAVs, aiming to replace or reduce use of ex…
Drones: Sting FPV interceptor
US Army OPFOR unit in Germany trains drone and EW warfare
The US Army stood up a dedicated OPFOR company (Eerie Company, 1-4 Infantry) at JMRC Hohenfels to replicate modern drone and electronic-warfare threats seen in Ukraine during large-scale training. This reflects an institutional shift toward…