Innovations
Tactical and technological innovations in drone warfare — what showed up first, where, and what it changes. Each entry is sourced, dated, and linked to the drones involved.
MQ-25 T-1 demonstrator embarked on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250
The MQ-25 Stingray T-1 prototype was physically embarked on USS Nimitz, highlighting ongoing carrier-deck integration and handling procedures for a large carrier-based unmanned aircraft. While it did not launch or recover from the carrier, …
US Navy completes COD transition from C-2 Greyhound to CMV-22B Osprey
The post describes the US Navy ending carrier onboard delivery (COD) operations with the C-2A Greyhound and fully handing the role to the CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotor. This is a logistics/operational shift that changes how carriers are resuppli…
MQ-25A Stingray demonstrator spotted on USS Nimitz flight deck
The post notes Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray demonstrator (T-1) was seen embarked on USS Nimitz, indicating continued at-sea integration/testing of a carrier-based unmanned aircraft. This matters because MQ-25 is intended to add organic carrier …
US Army seeks 30–100 heavy autonomous drone boats for Pacific logistics
The US Army is pushing to rapidly test and field heavy-duty autonomous watercraft (“drone boats”) to move supplies across the Pacific, potentially building a fleet of 30–100 vessels. The novelty is the planned use of large unmanned craft fo…
Poland A26 submarines to deploy drone swarms controlled from onboard
Poland’s A26 submarine purchase is described as including the ability to deploy and control swarms of drones from aboard the submarine for Baltic infrastructure and shoreline security. Submarine-launched, submarine-controlled drone swarming…
Australian 3rd Brigade adopts drone/UGV logistics and mine-clearing UGV variants
Australia’s 3rd Brigade modernization includes adopting aerial drones for logistics/surveillance/attack and introducing unmanned ground vehicles, including minefield-breaching variants that drag explosive line charges to clear lanes. While …
USMC awards production contract for fully autonomous ground vehicles
The US Marine Corps awarded a $20M production agreement to Overland AI for about a dozen fully autonomous ground vehicles to move air-defense systems and support resupply/ISR with reduced human oversight. This marks a shift from experimenta…
Ukrainian drone 'DDOS' saturation tactic against Russian air defenses
The post describes Ukraine massing large numbers of UAVs to saturate ("DDOS") Russian air defenses in Crimea and southern regions, stressing limited interceptor capacity despite high shoot-down rates. It also highlights the need for dedicat…
US considers hardening and relocating Middle East bases after Iranian strikes
The post claims repeated Iranian missile/drone attacks on the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain caused heavier damage than publicly acknowledged, prompting discussion of new basing concepts: moving command posts underground, reducing forward p…
JMSDF commissions Mogami-class frigate with high automation and 16-cell Mk41 VLS
Japan commissioned the 10th Mogami-class frigate (JS Nagara), highlighting a highly automated surface combatant designed to operate with ~90 crew and even enable one-person joystick-controlled berthing via an Integrated Ship Handling System…