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.
US Army tests heavy-lift drone delivery of Bangalore torpedo for breaching
Oregon Army National Guard combat engineers tested using a heavy-lift commercial drone (Lorica Mule 28) to place and detonate a live Bangalore torpedo to clear wire obstacles, reducing exposure of soldiers during deliberate breaches. The tr…
UK defense plan shifts toward cheap drones and unmanned command ships
The post describes the UK adopting a Ukraine-modeled approach: rapid innovation cycles and emphasis on low-cost systems to destroy high-value targets. It also highlights planned investment in unmanned-focused naval command ships, autonomous…
Proposal for a distinct maritime Anti-Drone Warfare tier for Shahed-class threats
The article argues for a new three-tier air-defence/anti-drone framework that treats long-range one-way attack drones (e.g., Shahed-136 class) as a distinct operational domain requiring purpose-built sensors, effectors, and maritime platfor…
USAF demonstrates B-2 maritime strike using AGM-158C LRASM
The U.S. Air Force demonstrated B-2 Spirit employment of AGM-158C LRASM in a Pacific sinking exercise, signaling a new operational maritime strike role for the stealth bomber. This expands long-range, low-observable anti-ship capability bey…
USAF reveals B-2 bomber can launch AGM-158C LRASM anti-ship missile
The U.S. Air Force disclosed that a B-2 Spirit fired an AGM-158C LRASM during a SINKEX in the Western Pacific, a capability not previously known to be integrated on the platform. This adds a stealthy, penetrating long-range anti-ship strike…
UK plans Common Combat Vessels as drone-focused hybrid ships
The post claims the UK will drop the Type 83 destroyer program in favor of at least six Common Combat Vessels designed as launch/control platforms for air, surface, and undersea unmanned systems. This reflects a shift toward distributed mar…
Russian LNG tanker Marshal Vasilevskiy fitted with Kord HMGs in Baltic
Imagery shows Russia’s strategic civilian LNG tanker Marshal Vasilevskiy operating in the Baltic with sandbagged 12.7mm Kord heavy machine-gun positions on the bridge wings. This appears to be the first direct evidence of Russia arming a ci…
Drones: FP-1
MQ-25 T-1 demonstrator embarked on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250
The MQ-25 Stingray T-1 prototype was physically embarked on USS Nimitz, highlighting ongoing carrier-deck integration and handling procedures for a large carrier-based unmanned aircraft. While it did not launch or recover from the carrier, …
US Navy completes COD transition from C-2 Greyhound to CMV-22B Osprey
The post describes the US Navy ending carrier onboard delivery (COD) operations with the C-2A Greyhound and fully handing the role to the CMV-22B Osprey tiltrotor. This is a logistics/operational shift that changes how carriers are resuppli…
MQ-25A Stingray demonstrator spotted on USS Nimitz flight deck
The post notes Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray demonstrator (T-1) was seen embarked on USS Nimitz, indicating continued at-sea integration/testing of a carrier-based unmanned aircraft. This matters because MQ-25 is intended to add organic carrier …