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.
USAF moves AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile from testing to production
The U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $694M contract to begin production and fielding of the AGM-183A ARRW boost-glide hypersonic missile, marking a shift from prototyping/flight tests to operational procurement. If fielded, ARRW add…
Ukrainian StarGate CASEVAC drone used to evacuate wounded under EW
Ukraine’s 475th Assault Regiment reports using the purpose-built SkyFall StarGate heavy-lift UAV to evacuate two seriously wounded soldiers, including a ~20-mile flight to the casualty and return while carrying a patient on a stretcher modu…
Serbia shows TSMB M-25 203mm self-propelled mortar on 6x6 truck
Serbia released first footage of the TSMB M-25, an unusual 203mm heavy mortar mounted on a relatively light 6x6 truck with an automated loading mechanism. The concept pairs very large mortar bombs (including concrete-piercing options) with …
USS Ronald Reagan remotely controls MQ-25A tanker drone beyond line-of-sight
The post describes USS Ronald Reagan using its new Unmanned Air Warfare Center and an MD-5C control station to connect to and control an MQ-25A Stingray tanker drone more than 2,100 miles away. This is a notable step in operationalizing car…
Report of new jet-powered UAV flying past Slavutych toward Kyiv region
The post claims a "new jet UAV" was observed flying past Slavutych toward Kyiv oblast, suggesting a potentially new Russian long-range strike drone type or propulsion variant. If accurate, jet propulsion could imply higher speed and differe…
USAF moves AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile from testing to production
The post reports the U.S. Air Force awarding a $694M production contract for the AGM-183A ARRW boost-glide hypersonic missile, marking a transition from prototyping/flight tests to fielding. It also notes planned Increment 2 upgrades includ…
Helsing unveils Contra air defense design and two new interceptors
Helsing claims its new Contra air defense concept can track and engage hundreds or thousands of drone and missile threats simultaneously, implying heavy automation/AI-enabled battle management for mass-raid defense. The rollout also include…
Pentagon 'Fortress America' plan for 90-day self-sustaining bases
The post describes a new U.S. basing resilience concept: major installations sustaining essential operations for ~90 days without external support, enabled by microreactors, microgrids that can island from the civilian grid, and large-scale…
US startup Warhound plans genetically enhanced military working dogs
A new US defense startup (Warhound) claims it will use genetic engineering/breeding to produce healthier, mission-suited military working dogs and reduce training washouts and foreign supply dependence. If realized, this would be a novel bi…
Aim-assist and semiauto grenade launcher concepts for counter-drone at AUSA 2026
The post highlights new infantry-scale counter-drone concepts shown at AUSA 2026, including a semiautomatic grenade launcher and an aim-assist system intended to help shooters engage small UAVs. This matters because it points to a shift tow…