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 F-22 'Catfish' 757 testbed seen carrying new stealthy IR sensor pod
A modified Boeing 757 F-22 avionics testbed ('Catfish') was photographed carrying a stealthy under-fuselage infrared sensor pod tied to the F-22 'Raptor 2.0' upgrade effort. This indicates expanded flight-testing of new IRST/IR defensive se…
Ukraine highlights creation of Unmanned Systems Forces as separate service branch
The post emphasizes Ukraine’s 2024 creation of a dedicated Unmanned Systems Forces branch, framing drones as a primary instrument across air, land, and sea. While not detailing a specific new device, it reflects an organizational/doctrinal …
Ultra Maritime trials MSARS multistatic active receive sonobuoy for MQ-9B
Ultra Maritime conducted the first in-water deployment trial of its next-generation Multistatic Active Receive Sonobuoy (MSARS), aimed at improving multistatic ASW detection/localization versus current Royal Navy sonobuoys. The planned inte…
German F123 MLU adds compact TRAPS towed sonar and common systems with F128
Germany’s F123 frigate mid-life update reportedly restores ASW capability by integrating Elbit/GeoSpectrum’s compact TRAPS towed active/passive sonar, chosen due to space constraints. The modernization also emphasizes system commonality (e.…
Claim of US AI-enabled drones autonomously selecting targets
The post claims Ukrainian forces are using American drones with AI that can independently choose targets, framing it as a shift toward "neural network warfare." If accurate, this implies increased autonomy in target selection and potentiall…
Rybar teases "Geran interceptor" concept and discusses GPS jamming from space
The digest points to a new Rybar Tactical video about the real nature and prospects of "Geran" interceptor drones (a claimed counter-UAV adaptation of the Geran/Shahed family). It also links to a post claiming GPS is being jammed "from spac…
Photos show modular build progress on US Columbia-class SSBN-826
New construction photos of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) highlight design and build features such as an X-shaped stern control plane arrangement, updated quieting/propulsion and control-s…
Germany unveils Cobra 600 'missile taxi' drone carrying IRIS-T
Diehl Defence and Polaris revealed the Cobra 600 (AirLAS), a jet-powered reusable drone that carries and launches an IRIS-T missile while networked to a ground-based IRIS-T air-defense battery. The concept extends the effective engagement f…
Drones: Shahed-136 · MQ-1 Predator · Sting FPV interceptor
MQ-28 Ghost Bat Block 3 adds internal bays for AMRAAM/SDB and BLOS control
Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Block 3 CCA introduces internal weapon bays able to carry AIM-120 AMRAAMs or SDBs while preserving low observability, plus a 25% larger wing, higher thrust, and beyond-line-of-sight (SATCOM) control for longer-range…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat · Kazhan heavy FPV bomber
Ukraine to build anti-drone corridors in Shatsk community (Volyn)
The post reports plans to construct designated “anti-drone corridors” in Volyn, implying engineered protected routes/areas intended to reduce UAV threat. If implemented, this represents a defensive adaptation of terrain/infrastructure to mi…