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.
Russia bans night vessel movements at Novorossiysk port due to drone threat
Russia reportedly imposed an overnight (00:00–05:00) ban on ships entering/leaving Novorossiysk port in response to Ukrainian drone attacks. This is a defensive operational measure—changing port/sea traffic patterns to reduce exposure durin…
U.S. Navy seeks SOUTHCOM 'mothership' to support manned/unmanned platforms
The U.S. Navy issued an RFI for a Special Mission Vessel acting as a multi-mission 'mothership' to launch/recover and support a mix of manned helicopters plus VTOL Class 2/3 UAS and potentially USVs, with containerized UAS control/maintenan…
US Navy funds ground-launched RAACM-ER low-cost cruise missile under CHAOS
The post describes the U.S. Navy investing $70M to prototype CoAspire’s RAACM-ER as an affordable, ground-launched mid-range cruise missile for allies, able to hit moving maritime and land targets. Novel elements include a low-cost, scalabl…
BAE unveils Brontanax loyal-wingman collaborative combat aircraft prototype
BAE Systems revealed Brontanax, an operational prototype collaborative combat aircraft (loyal wingman) for the UK RAF’s new Storm Fighter CCA program. It is intended for EW, precision strike, and air-to-air roles with an internal weapons ba…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
USAF begins F-15EX air-to-ground training and weapons loading (SDB II)
USAF operational and test units are expanding the F-15EX mission set beyond air-to-air by conducting first-ever training bomb drops and practicing loading live GBU-53/B SDB II (StormBreaker). This reflects a shift toward multi-role employme…
Skyfall unveils faster interceptor drone variant for Shahed defense
Ukraine’s Skyfall presented a new variant of its interceptor drone with increased top speed (370 km/h vs 310 km/h). The higher speed is intended to improve engagement success against fast-moving Shahed-type one-way attack drones and reduce …
US Army hackathon to source Abrams engine components
The US Army is using a structured “hackathon” with industry to identify new vendors for 166 critical Abrams engine components that are driving readiness shortfalls. While not a new weapon, it is a novel sustainment/logistics approach aimed …
Ukraine's Skyfall unveils 'JetKiller' interceptor drone
Ukrainian defense firm Skyfall unveiled a new interceptor UAV dubbed 'JetKiller,' indicating continued development of dedicated counter-drone aerial interceptors. If fielded, it could improve Ukraine’s ability to shoot down reconnaissance a…
BAE unveils Brontanax collaborative combat aircraft concept
BAE Systems revealed Brontanax, a new unmanned fighter-sized Collaborative Combat Aircraft intended to operate as a “loyal wingman” alongside piloted jets. The novelty is the UK’s push toward a sovereign, modular/open-architecture CCA with …
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
MQ-28 Ghost Bat flies in multinational CCA exercise with F-35s
Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft participated in Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 alongside coalition F-35s, signaling practical adoption of crewed-uncrewed teaming tactics in joint operations. The article also notes a liv…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber