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Latest articles and analysis on counter-UAS technology and drone warfare
NATO Jets Scrambled After Unidentified Drone Breaches Latvian Airspace From Russia
NATO jets were scrambled after an unidentified drone breached Latvian airspace from Russia, triggering air raid warnings and a deployment of ground-based air defense assets. This incident follows a recent pattern of airspace violations in the Baltic region and Finland, linked to the conflict in Ukraine and increased drone activity. The Latvian Prime Minister resigned following previous drone impacts on critical infrastructure.
Royal Air Force fields APKWS guided rockets on Typhoon fighters for low cost counter-drone missions
The UK RAF has rapidly deployed APKWS guided rockets on Typhoon fighters in the Middle East to provide a lower-cost counter-drone capability. The system, developed in under two months with BAE Systems and QinetiQ, has already seen operational use, including successful air-to-air engagements. This deployment addresses the increasing threat of drones against UK forces and regional partners.
U.S. firm builds a 360-degree rotating turret to kill drone swarms
Picket Defense Systems is developing the Inferno RTC, a counter-UAS turret utilizing a continuously rotating multi-barrel system to eliminate aiming latency. The system offers a 40-meter assured kill zone against drones and swarms, addressing a critical vulnerability in conventional C-UAS systems. It will be showcased at SOF Week 2026.
Air Defense Downs 279 Drones in Massive Overnight Russian Barrage
Russian forces launched a massive drone barrage against Ukraine, utilizing 287 UAVs including Shaheds and radar-spoofing decoys. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 279 drones, but eight strike drones penetrated defenses, causing damage and casualties in multiple regions, particularly Dnipropetrovsk. This attack highlights Russia’s continued reliance on drone swarms and electronic warfare tactics.
NATSEC Roundtable No. 14: Civilian Drone Defense – 2PM
This article highlights a critical asymmetry in drone defense preparedness, noting a significant gap between the understanding of drone warfare by populations actively engaged in conflict (e.g., Ukraine, Sudan) and the American public. The core issue is the inability of current systems to reliably distinguish between friendly and hostile drones, as demonstrated by the attack on Tower 22 in Jordan. This lack of preparedness presents a substantial market opportunity for civilian drone defense solutions.
British jets to get new anti-drone missile systems
The UK is equipping its Typhoon fighter jets with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) to counter the increasing threat of low-cost Iranian drones in the Middle East. This move aims to significantly reduce the cost per intercept compared to current missile systems, with APKWS rockets costing approximately $30,000 each. Qatar is also pursuing a purchase of 10,000 APKWS units from the US.
APKWS Rockets Deployed Operationally on RAF Typhoons Just Two Months After First Test Firing - The Aviationist
The RAF has rapidly integrated APKWS guided rockets onto its Typhoon FGR4 fleet, achieving operational capability in just two months following initial testing. The system is now deployed with 9 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, and is being used for counter-UAS missions in the Middle East, including defensive patrols over Cyprus, the UK's interests in the region, and support for HMS Dragon in the Red Sea. The APKWS offers a cost-effective solution for engaging drone swarms.
UK Typhoons make operational debut in Middle East carrying counter-drone APKWS rockets - FlightGlobal
The UK RAF has rapidly deployed BAE Systems' APKWS laser-guided rockets on Eurofighter Typhoons operating in the Middle East for counter-drone operations. This integration, completed in under two months, provides a cost-effective solution for engaging one-way attack drones. Initial operational use occurred during the recent escalation involving Iran, alongside MBDA ASRAAM missiles.
Russian-Ukraine War: NATO is Grappling With a Unique Enemy on Russia’s Doorstep—Robots, UAVs in Combat. How Soldiers Are Adapting to Drone Warfare
NATO forces participating in 'Crystal Arrow 2026' exercises in Latvia were deliberately confronted with a simulated enemy force utilizing Russian-style Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and UAVs, highlighting a significant capability gap. The exercise aimed to expose vulnerabilities and accelerate adaptation to integrated drone and robotic warfare tactics. This represents a shift in focus from traditional soldier-on-soldier deterrence to countering autonomous systems.
Hezbollah drone strike videos show evolving tactics against Israel
Hezbollah is increasingly employing inexpensive, commercially-sourced FPV drones, often controlled via fiber-optic cables, to effectively target Israeli forces and infrastructure. These tactics are proving difficult for Israel to counter, resulting in casualties and a shift towards more defensive postures. The use of fiber-optic control significantly reduces the effectiveness of traditional electronic warfare countermeasures.