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.
Textron/Merlin propose uncrewed Cessna 408 SkyCourier UX for military logistics
Textron and Merlin Labs are developing the SkyCourier UX, an uncrewed variant of the Cessna 408 with the cockpit removed and replaced by a hydraulically opening nose cargo bay, aimed at U.S. military contested-environment logistics. It leve…
USAF forward battle-damage repair keeps KC-135s flying after shrapnel hits
The post describes USAF Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) teams rapidly patching a shrapnel-riddled, fuel-loaded KC-135 to make it airworthy for a transoceanic ferry flight, plus a broader shift to pushing maintainers/parts forward to Eu…
Indra unveils Squall low-cost cruise missile concept for mass attacks
Spain’s Indra introduced “Squall,” a new low-cost small cruise missile marketed for mass-attack salvos to help militaries replenish depleted inventories. The novelty is the emphasis on affordability and quantity for saturation strikes, refl…
FTS unveils TAHR light air-droppable combat vehicle for German special forces
The post describes TAHR, a new lightweight combat vehicle designed for German Special Forces that can be air-dropped and is compact enough that two can fit inside a Chinook helicopter. The novelty is the emphasis on rapid airborne insertion…
Ukraine tests new anti-drone interceptor weapon, claims Shahed kill
Zelenskyy says Ukraine is testing a new domestically developed weapon intended to intercept drones and reports a successful shootdown of a Shahed during overnight attacks. While details are not provided, it indicates continued development o…
Indra unveils low-cost 300+ km 'Squall' cruise missile concept
Spain’s Indra announced a new low-cost cruise missile, Squall, intended for massed salvo/saturation strikes with a 50–60 kg warhead and 300+ km range, launched from land or naval platforms (ramps/containers/tactical vehicles). The novelty i…
USAF CCA fighter drones to join Emerald Flag large-force exercise
The USAF will integrate Collaborative Combat Aircraft (YFQ-42A/FQ-42A and YFQ-44A/FQ-44) into a large-force employment exercise for the first time, aiming to demonstrate an end-to-end operational chain with 4th/5th-gen fighters. The novelty…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
Anduril YFQ-44A Fury CCA fit-checked with JDAM, SDB and rocket pods
Anduril shared imagery of its YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft configured in ground fit-checks with air-to-ground stores (JDAM, GBU-39 SDB, rocket pods) and discussed integrating low-cost cruise missiles. This signals an expansion…
Lockheed proposes AGM-158 FLEX modular JASSM/LRASM airframe concept
Lockheed Martin unveiled the AGM-158 FLEX concept: a common stealth missile airframe with interchangeable nose sections for different sensor/seeker packages and a removable boat-tail to enable multiple launch methods (air, surface, subsurfa…
US Space Force used ground-based EW to disrupt Iranian space comms in Epic Fury
The post describes Space Force’s forward-deployed 42nd Electromagnetic Warfare Combat Detachment conducting non-kinetic electromagnetic fires during Operation Epic Fury, likely using a Counter Communications System (CCS)-type ground jammer …