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.
North Korea flight-tests updated Hwasong-11Ma-1 hypersonic glide missile
The post describes imagery from a North Korean test of an updated Hwasong-11Ma variant (Hwasongpho-11Ma-1 / Hwasong-11E-1) using an SRBM booster with a hypersonic glide vehicle. Novel elements include the apparent iterative “-1” configurati…
French Navy tests Naval Group Rampart modular point-defense launcher at sea
Photos show Naval Group’s new Rampart modular point-defense launcher installed on a French Mistral-class ship, indicating shipboard testing has begun. Rampart’s novelty is an open, interchangeable-module launcher that can mix low-cost guide…
USAF pursues Massed Modular Aircraft to replace costly MQ-9 losses
The article notes the USAF is accelerating a lower-cost, more attritable MQ-9 replacement concept dubbed the Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA), targeting roughly $10M per airframe (excluding sensors). It also cites specific candidate designs (e…
Drones: MQ-1C Gray Eagle / Gray Eagle ER · MQ-9 Reaper
PrSM Increment 2 enters initial production with multimode seeker for moving targets
The US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a major contract to begin initial production of Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 2, a longer-range ATACMS replacement (~500 km) compatible with HIMARS/MLRS. Increment 2 adds a multimode seeker en…
US CENTCOM employs unmanned surface vessels for combat strike and SAR
The post describes CENTCOM/Navy Task Force 59 using unmanned surface vessels (Corsair) for both search-and-rescue and, reportedly for the first time, combat strike against Iranian naval facilities. It also notes the creation of dedicated on…
Royal Navy Excalibur UUV launches US Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo in test
The Royal Navy demonstrated launching a US Mk 48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo from its Excalibur uncrewed underwater vehicle using an external cradle, validating mechanical/electrical/software integration of a US kinetic payload on an allied a…
Satellite imagery shows new Chinese SSN with pumpjet and X-stern features
New satellite imagery from Bohai Shipyard appears to show a next-generation Chinese nuclear attack submarine (often dubbed Type 095) with a pumpjet propulsor and X-shaped stern planes, both associated with quieter operation and improved man…
Rybar discusses shift toward underground defenses due to drone surveillance
The post highlights a doctrinal/tactical shift toward deeper trenches, bunkers, and underground communications as a response to pervasive drone reconnaissance and strike threats. It frames underground infrastructure (up to “underground city…
USAF FQ-42A Vengeance CCA flies in formation with F-35A and F-15E
General Atomics released imagery and details of the FQ-42A Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft flying alongside crewed USAF fighters, indicating advancing crewed-uncrewed teaming. The article also highlights semi-autonomous/autonomous o…
ADM-160 MALD decoy wreckage appears in Iran, suggesting ongoing air-defense probing
Photos circulated by Iranian media appear to show wreckage of a Raytheon ADM-160 MALD air-launched decoy, implying U.S./allied use of deception assets to stimulate Iranian radars and map air-defense command-and-control. While MALD is not ne…