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.

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navalnatofirst seen 2024-01-01

US Army seeks 30–100 heavy autonomous drone boats for Pacific logistics

The US Army is pushing to rapidly test and field heavy-duty autonomous watercraft (“drone boats”) to move supplies across the Pacific, potentially building a fleet of 30–100 vessels. The novelty is the planned use of large unmanned craft fo

swarmnatofirst seen 2026-06-29

Poland A26 submarines to deploy drone swarms controlled from onboard

Poland’s A26 submarine purchase is described as including the ability to deploy and control swarms of drones from aboard the submarine for Baltic infrastructure and shoreline security. Submarine-launched, submarine-controlled drone swarming

logisticsotherfirst seen 2024-01-01

Australian 3rd Brigade adopts drone/UGV logistics and mine-clearing UGV variants

Australia’s 3rd Brigade modernization includes adopting aerial drones for logistics/surveillance/attack and introducing unmanned ground vehicles, including minefield-breaching variants that drag explosive line charges to clear lanes. While

autonomynatofirst seen 2025-01-01

USMC awards production contract for fully autonomous ground vehicles

The US Marine Corps awarded a $20M production agreement to Overland AI for about a dozen fully autonomous ground vehicles to move air-defense systems and support resupply/ISR with reduced human oversight. This marks a shift from experimenta

counter-EWukrainefirst seen 2024-01-01

Ukrainian drone 'DDOS' saturation tactic against Russian air defenses

The post describes Ukraine massing large numbers of UAVs to saturate ("DDOS") Russian air defenses in Crimea and southern regions, stressing limited interceptor capacity despite high shoot-down rates. It also highlights the need for dedicat

doctrinenatofirst seen 2024-01-01

US considers hardening and relocating Middle East bases after Iranian strikes

The post claims repeated Iranian missile/drone attacks on the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain caused heavier damage than publicly acknowledged, prompting discussion of new basing concepts: moving command posts underground, reducing forward p

navalotherfirst seen 2022-01-01

JMSDF commissions Mogami-class frigate with high automation and 16-cell Mk41 VLS

Japan commissioned the 10th Mogami-class frigate (JS Nagara), highlighting a highly automated surface combatant designed to operate with ~90 crew and even enable one-person joystick-controlled berthing via an Integrated Ship Handling System

navalnatofirst seen 2026-06-01

UK Royal Navy to build Common Combat Vessels as uncrewed-systems control hubs

The UK plans at least six new Common Combat Vessels to replace Type 45 destroyers, emphasizing a hybrid fleet concept where the ship acts as a control hub for multiple uncrewed platforms. The novelty is the explicit design shift toward inte

doctrinenatofirst seen 2025-04-01

Pentagon updates JP 3-60 doctrine to expand AI role in targeting

The post claims the US DoD quietly revised Joint Publication JP 3-60 (Joint Targeting) to add guidance on using AI in targeting and strike decision processes, allowing AI to initiate certain actions under human control. It also cites a foll

payloadrussiafirst seen 2024-09-01

Russia reportedly uses Geran UAVs with heavier warheads vs Ukrainian fuel stations

The post claims Russian forces expanded strikes on Ukrainian fuel infrastructure, shifting from medium-range strike drones to full-size Geran loitering munitions with a more powerful warhead under higher-level command. If accurate, this ind