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.
U.S. Army resumes new-production PAC-2 GEM-T Patriot interceptor buys
The U.S. Army is placing its first domestic order in over 30 years for new-production PAC-2 GEM-T Patriot interceptors, apparently pulling missiles directly from Raytheon’s active production line. While not a new missile design, this is a n…
US EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jets deploy to RAF Fairford
The post reports the arrival of EA-37B Compass Call aircraft (G550-based) at RAF Fairford, indicating forward deployment of a new-generation electronic-attack platform intended to replace EC-130H. While Compass Call is a known mission set, …
AH-64 Apache fires Spike NLOS at full-size ship during RIMPAC 2026 SINKEX
RIMPAC 2026 featured multiple allied helicopters employing precision anti-ship missiles in a SINKEX, notably U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches firing Spike NLOS at the ex-USS Mobile Bay cruiser. Using an operator-in-the-loop, ~20-mile-range missile f…
Proposed US Trump-class nuclear battleship with railgun and 300kW laser suite
The article describes the planned Trump-class nuclear-powered battleship concept featuring very large VLS arrays for conventional/nuclear (including hypersonic) missiles plus an electromagnetic railgun and a planned ~300kW-class laser—capab…
Greece to field Israeli-led multilayer air defense 'Achilles Shield'
Greece approved procurement of a new multilayer air defense architecture (“Achilles Shield”) built around Israeli radars and missiles (Rafael/IAI) to cover anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft, and anti-drone roles. While not a battlefield-front i…
Ukrainian F-16 scores first reported air-to-air kill vs Russian Su-35
The post reports Ukraine achieving its first air-to-air kill with an F-16 (allegedly a Su-35), marking a shift from primarily using F-16s for defensive cruise-missile/drone interception to engaging Russian fighters. If accurate, it suggests…
Claim: Ukrainian USV launched from fishing vessel near Azores
The post alleges a Ukrainian unmanned surface vessel (USV/BEC) appeared near the Russian tanker Arctic Pioneer east of the Azores, possibly deployed from a nearby Ukrainian-flagged fishing vessel (Santa Isabel). If accurate, this suggests a…
India commissions INS Malvan, Mahe-class shallow-water ASW craft
India commissioned INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, highlighting a modern littoral ASW platform with indigenous sensors, lightweight torpedoes, ASW rocket launcher, ESM/ELINT and mine-warfare cap…
RIMPAC 2026 showcases joint ground-based anti-ship kill chain (HIMARS + Type 12)
RIMPAC 2026 SINKEX highlighted a combined allied maritime strike kill chain, including coordinated U.S. HIMARS and Japan’s Type 12 coastal anti-ship missile fires against maritime targets. While the missiles themselves are largely known, th…
HUR Ferrata describes modular naval drones carrying FPV, interceptors and EW
Ukraine’s HUR Ferrata unit claims its maritime drones are used as modular “mothership” platforms for other systems—FPV drones, interceptor drones, and onboard EW—enabling coordinated operations by groups/squadrons rather than single USVs. I…