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.
Sig Sauer 3D-printed suppressors cut toxic blowback; proposes training vs combat cans
Sig Sauer describes using DMLS 3D-printing to create complex internal gas paths in SLX/SLH suppressors, claiming up to ~70% reduction in toxic gas blowback—addressing a key issue reported with suppressed NGSW weapons. The novel concept is f…
Rheinmetall Lynx XM30 prototype delivered for US Army soldier trials
Rheinmetall’s Lynx XM30 prototype (a Bradley replacement contender) has been delivered to the US Army and is now being handled by soldiers for iterative testing. The design highlights a hybrid-electric powertrain, an uncrewed 50mm turret, a…
US Army creates Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM)
The US Army is standing up a dedicated command (FASCOM) and a new acquisition executive focused on autonomy to accelerate fielding of unmanned/autonomous systems across fires, vehicles, breaching, resupply watercraft, ISR, and manned-unmann…
PERCH 2.0 under-armor Switchblade launch and Leonidas HPM C-UAS showcased
General Dynamics showcased PERCH 2.0, a kit enabling Abrams and Stryker crews to launch Switchblade 300 loitering munitions while remaining under armor, reflecting a push to integrate organic loitering munitions into armored formations. The…
Drones: Switchblade 600 · AeroVironment Switchblade 300
Lockheed proposes PAC-3 ACE Patriot interceptor and EU production for Ukraine
Lockheed Martin is discussing producing PAC-3 Patriot interceptors in Europe (and potentially later Ukraine) and highlights the newer PAC-3 ACE variant as a cheaper option for simpler threats. ACE differs from PAC-3 MSE by using a single-pu…
Anduril unveils Steelfin modular surface-to-air interceptor missile family
Anduril announced Steelfin, a configurable two-stage surface-to-air interceptor family designed around a common architecture to enable multiple variants with shared parts, avionics, and software. The novelty is the modular, mass-producible …
US Army LOCUST X3 palletized high-energy laser for counter-UAS on JLTV
The U.S. Army is moving toward fielding AeroVironment’s LOCUST X3 modular, palletized high-energy laser as an operational counter-drone weapon, with first delivery targeted for late FY2027 and potential readiness by early 2028. The novelty …
BAE unveils MDACS cannon air defense and HPM microwave C-UAS prototypes
BAE Systems introduced a layered air-defense concept pairing MDACS (a cannon-based system firing Hypervelocity Projectiles integrated with IBCS and designed to function when GPS is denied) with a trailer-mounted High-Power Microwave directe…
US Army renames futures command to focus on autonomous systems (FASCOM)
The U.S. Army is reorganizing and rebranding its futures command as the U.S. Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command (FASCOM) and directing it to develop corps-level autonomous capabilities through experimentation. The announced focus i…
US Army scales Anduril NGC2 AI-enabled command-and-control data layer
The US Army is moving Anduril’s Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) from experimentation to broader fielding, expanding an AI-enabled common data layer (Lattice-based) beyond a single division toward I Corps. The novelty is the attem…