Category Archives: Drones-UAV-UAS

SOCOM’s Black Arrow in the Quiver

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From yesterday’s DOD/DOW contract announcements, emphasis mine:

Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, is being awarded a $27,202,497 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract modification (H9240826CE001P0001), for the procurement of All Up Rounds for the AGM-190A Small Cruise Missile program, in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Fiscal 2025 procurement funds in the amount of $548,665; and fiscal 2026 procurement funds in the amount of $23,653,832, will be obligated at time of award. The total award amount is $24,202,497. The work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 26, 2029. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. USSOCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Meet the AGM-190A Small Cruise Missile

In the interest of “quantity has a quality all its own,” the AGM-190 Black Arrow SCM is almost as basic as it gets.

It weighs right at or under 200 pounds.

The above means the warhead is probably around 50 pounds, but you have to add all the kinetic energy behind it as a bonus factor. That’s more than enough to flatten a medium-sized building, sink or at least disable a patrol boat, obliterate a small bunker, destroy a SAM or radar installation in the open, get a ground kill on any size aircraft not in a hardened shelter, end any armored vehicle, et al.

It has a published 400nm range when air-launched at altitude (which means it probably goes further) using Pratt & Whitney’s proven 150-pound-thrust TJ150-7 one-stage turbojet, which is used in several target decoys (the MALD) and UAVs. 

It can be used as either pylon ordnance dropped from things such as an MQ-9 Reaper UAV, used in a roll-on/roll-off palletized Dragon Cart-style system from the back of a C/KC/AC/MC-130, and so on. It can reportedly also be launched from HIMARS, though with a shorter range.

While the actual cost-per-unit is not advertised, it is believed the Black Arrow runs somewhere in the $150-$300K (still pennies on the dollar compared to a $3M TLAM or $1M JASSM), a figure that can be whittled down through large buys.

It is known the Pentagon wants somewhere around 10,000 of these little gems, with 3,000 to start, but if you even try to apply those quantities to the $27 million award, you are looking at more like $2,500-$9,000 a pop, which is too insane to be true especally when you see P&W selling commercial TJ-150 powerpacks for $79,999 apiece, so this week’s buy is probably for a lot fewer missiles. Like for maybe the first block of 100 or 200.

AFSOC debuted the Black Arrow as Havoc Spear quietly last month during SOF Week, describing it as “a low-cost, mission adaptable, modular-design cruise missile that can be rapidly produced.”

Could prove very interesting.

A model AGM-190A small cruise missile stands on display inside Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 14, 2026.(U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Brandon DeBlanc)

$35 Billion for Mr. THAAD

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The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Interceptor, first fielded in 2008, is, along with Aegis SM-3, the exo-atmospheric ballistic missile defense “meat” in the layered air defense sandwich between the full-on ICBM-killing Ground-Based Interceptor, and shorter-range MIM-104 Patriot and SM-2.

The thing is, the Army only has a grand total of eight THAAD batteries, and in the recent escapades in the Middle East, reportedly anywhere between 15 and 50 percent of the total U.S. THAAD interceptor stockpile has been expended.

So the meat is getting pretty thin on that sandwich.

As it moves toward rebuilding and expanding that inventory (keep in mind all the Gulf States are buying them as well), the Pentagon has just given Lockheed a 7-year, $35 billion award for more THAADs.

For that same amount of taxpayer slush, the Navy could get 13 of the newest SM-3 slinging Flight III Burkes (maybe even 14 or 15 if done in a block buy), each of which will serve for 30 years, or almost three new Ford class CVNs (airwings not included), which would each serve for 50.

Just saying.

Anyways, via DOD/DOW contracts:

Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is awarded a multi-year procurement sole-source, fixed-price incentive, undefinitized contract for the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Interceptors. The total value of this contract is $35,327,237,604. Under this contract, the contractor will produce THAAD missile rounds, under fixed-price contract line-item numbers. The work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Sunnyvale, California; Troy, Alabama; and Camden, Arkansas. The performance period is from March 2026 through June 2032. One offer was solicited, and one offer was received. Fiscal 2026 procurement funds in the amount of $842,871,672 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

 

Magazine Depth Concerns are Real

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Pushing 15 weeks into Operation Epic Fury, with over 1,000 TLAMs, 1,100 JSSAMs, and 1,400 Patriots burned up (and more launching every day), coming on the heels of firing untold SM-2/3/6s expended during Operation Prosperty Guardian to counter 470 Houthi/Iranian recorded one-way drone events, 70 ballistic missiles, and 155 multi-use drone sorties in the Red Sea, not to mention $61 billion in military aid to Ukraine, you have to worry just how empty is the Arsenal of Democracy.

The Center for Strategic & International Studies has done the open-source math and has the tally sheets.

It is not good, but there should still be a good bit left, and, on the bright side, if nothing else happens in the next four or five years, and expanded production goals on these extremely complex devices that require advanced chips, exceptionally skilled labor, and clean rooms are met, the numbers should return to pre-OEF levels.

Fingers crossed.

Here’s to 2031 without a war.

The full report here. 

Getting Shotgun (and Rifle) Serious About Drone Defense

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Increasingly, rifles and shotguns would appear to be the last-ditch C-sUAS (counter-small unmanned aerial systems) answer. Ukraine is buying thousands of 12-gauge shotguns from Turkey (which makes “Turknellis” of all sorts), and American mil-journalists have vouched for them in action, with the caveat that you only have about two seconds of response once you hear the overhead drone inbound.

It is all getting pretty kinetic in a sort of 21st-century Shooting Clays of Death kinda way.

The Marines are actively using their M1014 Benellis to conduct “realistic training in countering low-altitude sUAS threats, highlighting the necessity to continually adapt to rapidly evolving technologies.”

Thus:

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ean Gibson, a ground electronics, telecommunications, and information technology systems maintainer with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, fires an M1014 shotgun during a counter-small unmanned aerial systems shotgun range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 18, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela Watts)

A U.S. Marine with 1st Marine Logistics Group, fires an M1014 shotgun during a night counter-small unmanned aerial systems shotgun range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 22, 2026. During the range, Marines practiced engaging simulated sUAS, providing realistic training in countering low-altitude aerial threats while reinforcing the need to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela Watts)

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Logistics Group, fire M1014 shotguns during a counter-small unmanned aerial systems shotgun range at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 22, 2026. During the range, Marines practiced engaging simulated sUAS, providing realistic training in countering low-altitude aerial threats while reinforcing the need to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mhecaela Watts)

Further, the Marine Corps is moving to acquire 5.56x45mm L Variant anti-drone ammunition for standard M4, M4A1, and M27 rifles.

“Aim High, Air Force”

The USAF is bringing in Security Forces members for two-day shotgun courses using enhanced Remington 870s, specifically to counter drones. It has something the Air Force has been mulling for a minute, having trialed C-sUAS shotgun ammo as far back as 2017. 

As part of a Department of War strategy to counter adversary use of small unmanned aerial systems across all military branches, the Air Force is addressing these new threats by training Airmen to mitigate drone incursions at U.S. installations. While security forces personnel traditionally carry rifles and handguns, the 12-gauge M870 offers another tactical option against fast-moving aerial targets.

Airmen assigned to the 124th Security Forces Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, participate in counter-drone training at Saylor Creek Range, Idaho, June 5, 2026. USAF 260605-Z-LB832-9443 by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jadyn Eisenbrandt

Big Green’s efforts

The Army, at least the 10th Mountain, is now running a weeklong Counter‑Unmanned Aerial Systems Academy.

During the course, Soldiers learn how drones operate, how they are used tactically, and how to maintain and integrate them into maneuver formations.

The academy includes instruction on detection, defeat methods, concealment, battle drills, and survivability, reinforced through practical exercises.

Pfc. Anthony Leap, an infantryman for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), practices avoiding detection from small unmanned aircraft systems May 13, 2026, at Fort Drum, NY. Through the Mountain Innovations Systems Lab, Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division trained to understand their tactical applications, maintenance requirements, and integration into maneuver operations. Photo by Spc. Isaiah Mount

Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division (LI) practice firing live rounds at small unmanned aircraft systems as part of a training exercise on May 14, 2026, at Fort Drum, NY. Through the Mountain Innovations Systems Lab, Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division trained to understand their tactical applications, maintenance requirements, and integration into maneuver operations. Photo by Spc. Isaiah Mount

Meanwhile, proven Ukrainian devices, such as the Obriy 1.3 drone detector, are increasingly being spotted in the field with U.S. troops in training.

For a quick reality check on how hard it is to down a drone with small arms, check this out from Garand Thumb:

Livet? I love it!

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Imagine a remote control 8-shotgun turret optimized for drone killing, capable of dumping 80 12-gauge anti-drone shells in under two seconds if needed, as solenoids are faster than fingers. Load each one up to the brim with specialized heavy-dram tungsten counter drone rounds, and you can create a cloud of heavy metal out to 100m.

You know, this kind of stuff:

Such a mount, even with motor, guns, and tracking, shouldn’t be over a few hundred pounds, so you can install them on the roof of bunkers and pillboxes, or on small trailers that can be pulled by something as small as a bongo truck. Plus, as it is mostly commercial-off-the-shelf stuff, you can field these cheaply and quickly, which means you can field several in small detachments.

Sure, you have to stop and reload after such an 80-round salvo– and pronto if other UAVs are incoming and you don’t have supporting mounts to cover the slack, but you get the idea.

And it is apparently a real thing.

Meet the LIVET RCWS.

Via Beretta Defense Technologies:

At the upcoming Eurosatory 2026 in Paris (15-19 June), visitors to the BDT booth will have the opportunity to discover one of the latest additions to the growing BDT C-UAS portfolio: the new LIVET RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Station).

Born from the proven and pioneering B.A. S.p.A. Drone Guardian M4 platform, and enhanced through DUALEE technology integration, LIVET represents a new step forward in kinetic Counter-UAS capabilities.

Equipped with 8 B Drone Guardian systems, the LIVET platform integrates advanced target auto-tracking functionalities, remote engagement capabilities, and extremely rapid reaction times designed for today’s operational C-UAS scenarios, supporting the protection of strategic assets and critical infrastructures.

This new solution further strengthens the already extensive BDT Counter-UAS portfolio, offering layered and modular capabilities tailored to different operational contexts and threat environments.

Come and visit us at our impressive 221 sqm modular BDT booth to experience LIVET RCWS up close, together with one of the most comprehensive C-UAS solution portfolios currently available on the market.

(Keep in mind this is a military-only item that is being advertised overseas. Civilians shooting down drones over here on this side of the pond is what they call a “felony,” so we are not advertising anything of the kind.)

Palmer Luckey at the USMA

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Palmer Luckey recently held a fantastic talk at West Point. If you are interested in the future of warfare (Anduril Industries has a plant near me and seems to be doubling in size every six months), this is a great way to kill an hour.

He talks not only about drones (air, sea, and ground) and the changing quantity of warfare but also subterrenes (underground or through-ground vehicles) and a number of other subjects.

Enjoy.

NOAA: USV Powerhouse?

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NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey (OCS) is currently utilizing fully uncrewed contract USVs for an offshore hydrographic survey mission along the Florida Gulf Coast.

Operated by Woolpert, the mission is being conducted by Chance Maritime’s Chance MC29 and larger MC40 platforms.

The Chance MC40

Chance MC40

Over the multi-month project, Woolpert will survey approximately 11,000 linear nautical miles. Woolpert hydrographers, positioned across multiple time zones, will remotely conduct hydrographic surveys around the clock. Survey data is uploaded to a cloud server via Starlink satellite communications, where it is ingested into Woolpert’s Automatic Survey Production Environment (ASPEN) and made ready for further postprocessing by Woolpert’s hydrographic processing team.

In an expansion of the concept, NOAA just awarded Chance a $21.6 million contract for up to eight Chance LR30 platforms, equipping NOAA with a fleet of long-endurance USVs purpose-built for hydrographic and fisheries surveys.

Coupled with what the USCG is doing with Saildrones, this is all some very good vetting of programs with some serious 21st-century military applications, without which Big Navy can surely piggyback off of.

I hope people are paying attention.

Chance LR30 Uncrewed Surface Vessel

Chance LR30 Uncrewed Surface Vessel

Meanwhile, CTF 66 and CTF 68 are operating robotic and autonomous systems alongside our Norwegian Allies to strengthen our collective ability to conduct operations in the Arctic. (Photos by MC1 Brandie Nuzzi).

RAMSUND, Norway (May 12, 2026) — A Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft and Lightfish Unmanned Surface Vessel, attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66, operate in Breivika Bay during Arctic Sentry 2026. Launched in February 2026, Arctic Sentry reflects Allies’ collective understanding that NATO must do even more as an alliance to ensure security in the Arctic and the High North, and to further strengthen its ability to operate in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Cla

RAMSUND, Norway (May 12, 2026) — A Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft and Lightfish Unmanned Surface Vessel, attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66, operate in Breivika Bay during Arctic Sentry 2026. Launched in February 2026, Arctic Sentry reflects Allies’ collective understanding that NATO must do even more as an alliance to ensure security in the Arctic and the High North, and to further strengthen its ability to operate in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Cla

RAMSUND, Norway (May 12, 2026) — A Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft, attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66, operates in Breivika Bay during Arctic Sentry 2026. Launched in February 2026, Arctic Sentry reflects Allies’ collective understanding that NATO must do even more as an alliance to ensure security in the Arctic and the High North, and to further strengthen its ability to operate in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brandie Nuzzi)

RAMSUND, Norway (May 12, 2026) — Commander, Task Force (CTF) 66, Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron Three (USVRON 3) Division 32, Black Sea and technical support personnel pose for a photo during Arctic Sentry 2026. Launched in February 2026, Arctic Sentry reflects Allies’ collective understanding that NATO must do even more as an alliance to ensure security in the Arctic and the High North, and to further strengthen its ability to operate in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1

The Return of SHORAD

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An AIM-92 Stinger missile is fired down-range from the US Army’s new Interceptor launch platform at the Eglin Air Force Base range on March 23. The 96th Test Wing hosted the Army’s Stinger-Based Systems and Raytheon for two days to demonstrate the new launch platform’s capabilities. The interceptor can hold up to four missiles and can be mounted and launched from a variety of ground vehicles.(Photo: Samuel King Jr./US Air Force)

Via the Army University Press, this great 31-minute film covers the return of Short Range Air Defense, a doctrine and skill set thought all but dead after 1991, but now more important than ever.

It starts with some great Cold War footage of the old-school Vulcan Air Defense System (VADS) and M48 Chaparral system, then advances through Stingers, Avengers, C-RAMs, and current initiatives like Sgt Stout.

It’s good stuff!

Innovative Portuguese Drone Carrier takes to the water

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Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania this week launched the future NRP Dom João II, a Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) 10720 series ship for the Portuguese Navy.

The 353-foot, 7,000-ton vessel is designed for minimal manning (48 full-time crew) and can conduct everything from scientific research and drone experimentation to humanitarian relief and disaster support.

With a 308×36 foot flight deck and 650m² of hangar space, the vessel can transport and launch unmanned underwater, surface, and aerial vehicles, as well as carry up to 12 TEU containers housing mission-specific modular systems like a Role 2 NATO hospital or ROV equipment.

Dom João can carry a light battalion (300~ men) for brief periods and 10-12 RIBs to land them in a maritime raid force situation, backed up by at least two Agusta-Westland AW101 helicopters and assorted UAVs. The regiment-sized Portuguese Marines are certainly capable of providing such a force. 

Alternatively, Dom João can embark a force of light armor, provided a port is available, with her decks able to stow 18 vehicles, landed on a pier via an onboard 30-ton crane. The country’s army operates a decent quantity of Pandur 8x8s, 90mm-armed Commando V-150s, etc., and could make that happen.

In terms of UAVs, Dom João can also operate as a drone carrier with as many of the bad boys as you can stuff aboard her.

The fixed-wing UAVs are launched via a ski jump. Portuguese Navy image.

The mothership is shown with two notional fixed-wing UAVs on deck (they look like MQ-1C Grey Eagle, but the new MQ-9B STOL may be a better fit) as well as 6 quad-copter UAVs and one NH90 helicopter. The design seems to lack an aviation hangar. Below decks is a modular area to launch and recover AUV, UUV, and USV. Portuguese Navy image.

As noted recently by Jane’s:

The Portuguese Navy has acquired a wide range of unmanned systems in recent years, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as UAVision Aeronautics’ Spyro 4N and OGS42N/VN, Beyond Vision’s VTOne and HEIFU Pro, and Autel Robotics’ EVO II Dual 640T Enterprise V2 and EVO Nano; the LSTS’ Seacon-3 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV); and a shelter-based deployable ground control station.

The €132 million tender for Dom João was signed in 2023 and laid down in October 2024.

She will carry the name of the 15th-century Portuguese King who championed maritime exploration, broadening the work of his great-uncle, Henry the Navigator, and is scheduled for sea trials later this year.

While Dom João has no armament fitted, the MPV could be escorted in operations by the Damen-built former Dutch Karel Doorman-class frigates NRP Bartolomeu Dias (F333, ex-Van Nes) and NRP D. Francisco de Almeida (F334, ex-Van Galen) or the three newer Vasco da Gama (German MEKO 200) class frigates, which do.

Uno Reverso

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Not going to get into it in too much detail, as I am sure you guys are getting a firehose of this information right now on Epic Fury, or as I like to call it — Praying Mantis II — but I did see this interesting and important footnote to military history.

Saturday’s attack was the Pentagon’s first use of one-way (i.e., “kamikaze”) drones in combat, with CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike admittedly using SpektreWorks FLM-136 Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System one-way attack UAVs as part of a sweeping 4,000 items-of-ordnance blitz.

Of some hilarity, the $35K (or less) LUCAS is an unlicensed reverse-engineered knock-off of the Iranian HESA Shahed 136, which has given the Navy so much heartburn in the Bab el Mandeb in the past couple of years and has been extensively captured in Ukraine.

And that is a bit of delicious irony.

(Nov. 23, 2025) Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. The LUCAS platforms are part of a one-way attack drone squadron CENTCOM recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo)

(Nov. 23, 2025) Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23. The LUCAS platforms are part of a one-way attack drone squadron CENTCOM recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo)

One of the first publicized launches of the 10-foot LUCAS was via RATO from USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) while operating in the Arabian Gulf last December. She is one of three Independence-class ships, including USS Canberra (LCS 30) and USS Tulsa (LCS 16), that are currently forward-deployed to Bahrain with new MCM mission modules, replacing the legacy Avenger-class ships that have served in Task Force 55 for over 30 years

A Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) successfully launches from the flight deck of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) while operating in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 16. Task Force 59 operated the LUCAS drone, which is part of Task Force Scorpion Strike, a one-way attack drone squadron recently deployed to the Middle East. (Cpl. Kayla Mc Guire)

So it may be doubly interesting to see just from where those LUCAS UAVs were launched.

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