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.
Russian troops feign being "valyanky" to evade Ukrainian FPV drones
The post describes a reported new Russian battlefield tactic: soldiers pretend to be inert objects/"valyanky" when Ukrainian FPV drones appear, attempting to avoid detection/targeting. Ukrainian drone operators from the 210th unit claim the…
Azov NGU 1st Corps expands frontage and forms new UAV regiment
Post describes organizational/doctrinal innovation: building a corps-level structure with integrated attached units (AFU/NGU/Borders/Police), standardized training, and a defined command-and-control system while expanding the corps’ sector …
L3Harris Iver4 900 torpedo-tube launched AUV for US Navy attack subs
L3Harris is producing the Iver4 900 as a torpedo-tube launch and recovery autonomous undersea vehicle for U.S. Navy attack submarines, effectively an underwater “loyal wingman.” The novelty is submarine-integrated TTL&R launch/recovery plus…
Drones: Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat
US LUCAS kamikaze drones linked via Starshield SATCOM terminals
The post describes LUCAS one-way attack drones using miniature beyond-line-of-sight satellite datalinks, shifting from commercial Starlink to the government-focused Starshield network for weapon-system connectivity. This reflects an operati…
Drones: Shahed-136
IDF troops use fishing nets as improvised anti-FPV protection
The post describes Israeli troops sourcing commercial fishing nets to hang around bases and vehicles to physically snag/deflect Hezbollah FPV kamikaze drones, a low-cost passive defense as EW is less effective (including against fiber-optic…
PLAN Type 054B frigate debuts in Liaoning carrier strike group
Japan publicly confirmed the first operational integration of China’s new Type 054B (Jiangkai III) frigate Luohe (545) into a Liaoning-led carrier strike group in the Western Pacific, including operations beyond the first island chain. This…
South Korea announces Jang Bogo N nuclear-powered submarine development plan
South Korea published a formal basic plan to develop its first nuclear-powered attack submarine class (Jang Bogo N), marking a major new naval capability versus its current diesel-electric fleet. Nuclear propulsion would provide effectively…
India completes trials of ULPGM-V3 drone-launched mini missile
India finished final development trials of the ULPGM-V3, a compact precision-guided missile launched from multirotor UAVs with both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes. The demonstrated ability to intercept another drone and strike ground ta…
DARPA solicits swarm-capable robotic medic system for casualty care
DARPA issued an SBIR solicitation for autonomous, self-deploying “medicbots” that can swarm/link together to drag casualties, assess wounds, inject drugs, and self-assemble into splints or smart tourniquets for hemorrhage control. The novel…
Hydra-class frigates to receive Thales Tacticos, NS100 AESA radar and STIR upgrade
Thales signed a contract to modernize the Hellenic Navy’s Hydra-class (MEKO 200HN) frigates with the latest Tacticos CMS plus new/updated sensors including the NS100 AESA radar and STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 fire-control system. While not a frontline …