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.
HD Hyundai–Skaramangas MoU includes unmanned surface and manned-unmanned naval projects
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Greece’s Skaramangas Shipyard signed an MoU covering Greek Navy/Coast Guard vessel programs and explicitly including unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and combined manned–unmanned system projects. While not a …
New Chinese 'sailless' submarine design observed in Shanghai satellite imagery
Satellite imagery shows a previously unreported Chinese submarine class with a streamlined, near-sailless design and X-form rudders, suggesting a hydrodynamic/stealth-focused hull evolution. Analysts speculate it may relate to the Type-095 …
NATO tests autonomous interceptor drones and mothership launch at Latvia range
The article describes multiple European/NATO counter-UAS innovations being demonstrated and prepared for deployment, including autonomous interceptor drones with radar + computer vision and a winged mothership that can launch interceptors a…
HUR claims 3,500 km deep-strike drone ops and use of decoy UAVs
Ukraine’s HUR describes scaling deep-strike UAV operations to “hundreds” of launches and claims reach out to 3,500 km, implying expanded long-range strike capacity against targets deep inside Russia. The post also highlights routine use of …
Drones: AN-196 Liutyi
RNZN fleet renewal: uncrewed systems and 'Ship Zero' shore-based training concept
The Royal New Zealand Navy outlines a fleet renewal transformation that explicitly integrates uncrewed maritime systems alongside crewed ships and introduces a 'Ship Zero' simulation-based shore training model. It also proposes more flexibl…
USAF designates Next Generation Penetrator bunker buster as GBU-76/B
The U.S. Air Force has designated its Massive Ordnance Penetrator replacement as the GBU-76/B Next Generation Penetrator and is initiating contracting groundwork for R&D, production, and testing. Notable planned advances include new fuzing …
Ukrainian Mirage 2000-5F appears to conduct low-level toss-bomb strike with AASM
New footage suggests Ukraine’s Mirage 2000-5F fleet may have begun air-to-ground strike sorties, likely employing French AASM-250 Hammer guided bombs. While toss/loft bombing is a known technique, its apparent adoption on the Mirage in Ukra…
SOCOM to divest manned ISR aircraft (U-28) with no direct replacement
USSOCOM confirms it will retire U-28A Draco ISR aircraft and has no plans for a direct replacement, aligning with a phased divestment of all manned ISR platforms by 2029. This reflects a doctrinal shift away from dedicated crewed ISR in spe…
US Navy begins at-sea trials for Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) prototypes
The US Navy selected seven firms for competitive at-sea testing of Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels, aiming to rapidly field operational MUSVs by FY2027. The solicitation highlights long-range, high-speed autonomous operation with heavy payl…
US plans 2028 demo of scalable high-energy laser weapons for Golden Dome
The Pentagon says directed-energy weapon science is largely complete and is now pushing engineering and scaled production, aiming for a Golden Dome architecture demonstration including lasers in summer 2028. The novelty is the explicit shif…