Advancements in Fire Support for Defense Technology

UGV + LASER-GUIDED ROCKETS Short take from Ukraine: FRDM GROUP just showed a small unmanned ground vehicle that fires laser-guided rockets. It’s a simple idea with big consequences. What changes on the ground - GPS-proof precision. Semi-active laser guidance doesn’t care about GNSS jamming. - Cheaper survivability. A robot takes the back-blast risk and post-shot geolocation, not a crew. - Distributed kill chain. A quadcopter designates; the UGV shoots from cover. - - Shorter sensor-to-shooter time, less radio chatter. - Urban utility. Low silhouette, drive-in/drive-out shots from alleys, treelines, culverts. - Cost-per-effect. Legacy rockets with modern seekers beat firing an expensive missile at a $2k target. Build notes for teams in NATO countries - Fire-control openness. Expose a clean API so any NATO-grade laser designator or drone can hand off a spot. - Recoil/back-blast management. Blast shields, interlocks, and auto-stow to avoid self-damage in confined spaces. - Comms and latency. Sub-200 ms end-to-end (control + video) or add aim-assist to keep the spot stable. - Powertrain for real terrain. Hybrid drive, silent mode, and hot-swap batteries beat lab runtimes. - Deconfliction. Blue-force tracking and no-fire arcs baked into the FCS to prevent fratricide. - Weather plan. Smoke/fog kill lasers; add RF/EO fallback or a cues-to-quit rule. Treat these as mobile, disposable launch cells attached to infantry/artillery EW teams. Train the drone-spotter + UGV-gunner as one crew and measure them on time-to-effect, not just hits. Net: it’s not a silver bullet, but it’s the right direction—turning old rockets into precise, low-signature tools that still work when the spectrum is dirty. #DefenseTech #UGV #Robotics #Ukraine #CUAS

**Eastern Eye: Episode 3 -- Directed Energy Weapons** (This is the third entry in a series of highlights from the Airshow China 2024 exhibition in Zhuhai) Regional #military forces in Northeast Asia are beginning to field ground-based high-energy lasers (#HEL) for short-range air defence operations. In October I had the opportunity to check out Republic of Korea Army's 20 kW-class Cheongwang (Skylight) Block-I HEL that was ceremonially inaugurated into service at the #KADEX2024 exhibition at RoK Combined Forces Command. (Please see -- https://lnkd.in/gFM8pVNS). Meanwhile, Japan unveiled its new 10 kW-class HEL under development by the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) with technical assistance from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in November. (Please see -- https://lnkd.in/gGmAzd3c) China is also actively involved in military HEL development, and several notable examples were displayed at the recent Airshow China exhibition in #Zhuhai. These include the People Liberation Army (#PLA)'s Vehicle-Mounted Tactical Laser System, the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (#CASIC) LW-60 Laser Defense Weapon System, and the newly launched Guangjian (Light Arrow) family of short-range HEL integrated air-defence systems developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (#AVIC). China North Industries Group Corporation (#NORINCO) was the most prolific having revealed three new vehicle-based HEL solutions comprising the airmobile 6x6 All Terrain 10 kW Laser Weapon System, a VN-22 6x6 armoured vehicle-based tactical HEL system, and the OW5 High Energy Laser Weapon System mounted on a 8x8 utility truck. What is noteworthy is that all these domestic HEL developments are programs of note for China's top state-owned defence industrial primes, demonstrating the importance that the scientific superpower has placed in this specific area of capability development. Besides industry efforts, several military universities in China are also involved in high-power laser, advanced electro-optics, and photonics research. These institutions often combine academic research with potential military applications, and include the Changsha-based National University of Defense Technology renowned for its research in high-power lasers, adaptive optics, and directed energy weapons and the PLA Naval University of Engineering in Wuhan which is exploring the naval applications of lasers. Elsewhere in the establishment, the PLA Air Force Engineering University in Xi'an conducts research on airborne laser systems; and the Army Engineering University in Nanjing which is advancing ground-based laser systems and electro-optical targeting systems. Finally, the Strategic Support Force Information Engineering University also conducts research in space-based laser systems. The race for regional military laser supremacy is on! #China #Korea #Japan #DEW #laser #defenceindustry #defencetechnology #photonics #energy #radiation Images: Kelvin Wong/PENxSWORD

Laser Defense at Scale, The First 100 kW Combat Laser System Arrives - A new era of air-defense technology is taking shape as the world’s first 100-kilowatt combat laser moves from testing to real deployment. This is important to know because low-cost drones and drone swarms are rapidly changing modern conflict, and traditional defenses struggle to keep pace. A laser capable of disabling drones for just cents per shot introduces a dramatic shift in both cost efficiency and tactical response, giving militaries a scalable way to counter threats that were previously expensive or difficult to neutralize. The system combines high-energy lasers with advanced sensors, radar, and automated targeting to track and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles with extraordinary precision. Developers report that a single 100 kW unit can eliminate up to 20 drones per minute, offering a major advantage against swarm tactics that overwhelm conventional air-defense systems. Unlike missiles or kinetic rounds, which require significant logistics and come with high per-intercept costs, directed energy weapons provide nearly instantaneous engagement with minimal operational overhead. The mobility of these systems also allows them to be deployed on vehicles, ships, or fixed sites, creating flexible coverage against fast-moving aerial threats. Several nations are now testing or preparing to field these high-energy laser weapons as part of their short-range air-defense strategies. The technology is not intended to replace missile-based systems but to complement them, forming a layered approach where lasers handle close-range, high-volume drone threats while traditional systems focus on larger, long-range targets. As drone technology becomes cheaper, more agile, and more accessible to hostile actors, the ability to neutralize them quickly and affordably is becoming essential. The arrival of a combat-ready 100 kW laser marks one of the most significant developments in modern defense, signaling a shift toward energy-based weapons that redefine how nations protect their airspace. #DirectedEnergy #DefenseTechnology #CounterDrone #FutureWarfare #MilitaryInnovation

Drone Warfare Is Evolving: Ukraine’s Improvised Turrets, Automated Towers, and the Rise of Next-Gen Shaheds Drone warfare in Ukraine is entering a new phase. On one side, improvised anti-UAV setups—simple, cheap, and effective—continue to proliferate. On the other, fully automated fire towers with AI integration are being deployed. Meanwhile, Russia is rolling out advanced Shahed variants—faster, harder to intercept, and more jam-resistant. The battlefield now reflects a new paradigm: rapid adaptation vs. industrial-scale automation. Ukrainian teams, supported by Brave1—a state-run defense innovation platform (akin to Poland’s PFR, but focused solely on military tech)—have developed robotic towers with 12.7 mm machine guns, thermal optics, and autonomous targeting. One example, Sky Sentinel, can detect and destroy drones without human input. But at the tactical edge, simpler PKT- or PKM-based turrets still dominate—manually operated, often locally built, and guided using thermal displays and tracer rounds. Ukrainians are also testing more exotic setups, like the GShG 7.62 mm quad-barrel machine gun, originally built for helicopters. Despite its high rate of fire (up to 6,000 rounds/min), its adoption is limited by maintenance demands and part shortages. For most units, the standard PKT remains more practical: robust, simple, and easy to service. Meanwhile, Russia and Iran are introducing upgraded Shaheds. The Shahed-238 (Geran-3), powered by a turbofan engine, reaches up to 800 km/h—too fast and high for basic defenses. Other Russian versions, like the Geran-2 “N” series, include advanced avionics, jamming resistance, and warhead variants (thermobaric, penetrator, incendiary). Swarming attacks and better stealth challenge Ukraine’s defenses at every level. Until now, Ukraine’s strength has been its ability to combine improvisation with fast prototyping. But newer Shaheds are forcing a shift. They demand 3D radar, auto-cannons, AI-guided sensors, and real-time target fusion—systems that can match drone speed and complexity. Nonetheless, improvised PKT turrets and cheap optics still deliver results where availability and response time matter most. This war proves that success isn’t about the most advanced gear—it’s about deploying what works, fast. Ukraine has excelled under pressure, but with Shahed-238s in the sky, the margin for improvisation is shrinking. The race is on—to control the air just above the battlefield.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 by Samuel Cranny-Evans I recently came across an insightful briefing that examines how Russian counter-battery tactics have shifted from relying on massed firepower to using precision-guided munitions. Authored by Sam Cranny-Evans, the analysis explores the integration of advanced UAVs, modern radar systems, and real-time data to transform target detection and engagement. Key insights include: Doctrinal Shift: Transitioning from overwhelming mass fire to precision-guided counter-battery operations. Enhanced Detection & Targeting: The growing role of uncrewed aerial vehicles and agile sensor systems in pinpointing enemy artillery. Strategic Implications: How these developments not only boost the lethality of Russian artillery but also challenge Western military strategies and operational planning. For anyone interested in modern military strategy and the evolving nature of artillery warfare, this briefing offers a thought-provoking look at emerging trends that could shape future conflicts. #MilitaryStrategy #Artillery #CounterBattery #PrecisionStrike #UAV #DefenseAnalysis

Raytheon’s GhostEye Radar Achieves Milestone in Live-Fire Test Successful Interception of High-Speed Cruise Missile Raytheon has successfully conducted a live-fire test of its Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), demonstrating its ability to detect, track, and intercept high-speed cruise missiles. During the test, LTAMDS guided a Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) Guidance Enhanced Missile-T (GEM-T) to engage and neutralize a simulated threat, marking a key step in advancing U.S. Army missile defense capabilities. A Major Advancement in 360-Degree Radar Technology The LTAMDS system, part of Raytheon’s GhostEye radar family, provides a full 360-degree threat detection and tracking capability. Unlike traditional radar systems, which have limited coverage, LTAMDS features three antenna arrays—one primary array in the front and two secondary arrays in the rear—allowing it to engage multiple threats simultaneously from any direction. This represents a major upgrade for the U.S. Army’s Patriot missile defense system, significantly improving battlefield awareness and response time. Implications for Global Air Defense According to Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, this test validates LTAMDS as a transformational upgrade for Patriot air defense systems. With adversaries deploying increasingly complex and maneuverable threats, including hypersonic and stealth missiles, LTAMDS will play a crucial role in defending against next-generation air and missile threats. Future Deployment and Fielding LTAMDS is undergoing rigorous Army testing, moving closer to full operational deployment. As threats to airspace security grow, this advanced radar system is expected to enhance not only U.S. military readiness but also allied defense capabilities worldwide, reinforcing multi-layered missile defense strategies against evolving threats.

Land-based RAPIDFire system 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 🤔 I like it. At the 2025 Paris Air Show, KNDS and Thales unveiled RAPIDFire Land, a next-generation, land-based rapid-fire system designed to close the short-range air-defense gap against drones 👏 , loitering munitions, and missile threats. Borrowing from a proven naval turret, this modular platform integrates the 40 mm Cased Telescoped Armament System (CTAS) with advanced optronics and programmable ammunition—most notably the Anti-Aerial Air Burst (A3B) round 👋 , which disperses tungsten pellets to neutralize small, low-signature targets at up to 4 km. RAPIDFire Land’s key innovation lies in its dual-mode deployment: a semi-mobile ISO-container variant for fixed-site defense (air bases, command posts) 👋 and a tactical-vehicle-mounted version for convoy protection and forward maneuvers 👋 . Both versions share a linkless 70–140-round carousel, support shoot-on-the-move operations 👏 , and can function autonomously or within broader C2 networks. High-resolution thermal and visible-light cameras, laser rangefinding, and automatic tracking deliver real-time target acquisition 👏 in all conditions. With France committing to an initial 48-unit production 👋 👋 contract and overseas export interest already brewing, RAPIDFire Land exemplifies a low-collateral, cost-effective layer that complements medium- and long-range systems. Its fusion of naval heritage, modular design, and AI-assisted engagement marks a significant step in short-range air defense innovation. ❓ ➡️ How will RAPIDFire Land’s rapid-fire, AI-assisted engagement handle the sheer volume and unpredictability of coordinated drone swarms in contested environments?

India becoming on of the top nations advancing directed energy weapons for drones and missiles. Can kill drone swarms. Dr. B.K. Das, Director General (Electronics & Communication Systems), India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) The future of warfare is increasingly being shaped by directed energy weapons. While current missile defense systems like the S-400 and other ballistic missile interceptors are operational, they come at a cost. Every time a missile is intercepted, another missile is expended. In prolonged wars, this becomes an issue of economic sustainability. Directed energy weapons, such as lasers and microwaves, offer a more cost-effective and enduring solution. For example, India has developed a 2 kilowatt laser system capable of neutralizing drones within a one kilometer range, and a more advanced 30 kilowatt system that can engage multiple targets at greater distances. Increasing the power improves range and reaction time, enhancing defensive capabilities. However, scaling up presents technical challenges, including managing heat, focusing multiple beams on a single point, and maintaining pinpoint accuracy. Despite these hurdles, India is now among the top nations to successfully develop and demonstrate 30 kilowatt laser systems capable of eliminating swarms of drones. These advancements reflect a broader trend visible in recent conflicts such as Operation Sindoor, the Russia–Ukraine war, and the Israel–Iran clashes. Each of these has shown how AI-driven systems, photonics, quantum technologies, and directed energy weapons are beginning to reshape the battlefield. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, or DRDO, is undergoing a transformation it calls DRDO 2.0. Historically, DRDO focused on developing systems and transferring technology to public and private industry for production. Today, with industry scaling up conventional weapons and systems, DRDO is freeing up its own capacity to focus on next-generation technologies that will define future wars. This shift is already producing results. India has developed its first photonics-based radar and is investing in low-power systems, quantum technologies, and artificial intelligence to build a future-ready defense ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/gx3RVzGH

The U.S. Marines are dropping the Long Range Fires (LRF) launcher built around the Mark 41 VLS cell for Tomahawk missile, and is doubling down on shore-based anti-ship capabilities. The current LRF launchers will be retired, with Tomahawk missiles transferred to the Navy and Army. However, procurement for the NMESIS program is ramping up with 36 Block II launchers planned, featuring advanced GPS, fire control, and leader/follower software, with deliveries starting in 2028. The Corps is also investing over $500 million in Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (ER GMLRS) for HIMARS, and exploring future capabilities like the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and extended range Naval Strike Missiles (NSM-ER) with maritime seekers. https://lnkd.in/eAzmEU9D #USMC #LongRangeFires #NMESIS #HIMARS #Tomahawk #DefenseIndustry #MaritimeStrike #MilitaryInnovation #PrecisionStrike #NavalStrikeMissile #MissileDefense #MilitaryTech Whelan Machine #MadeinKY

U.S. ARMY BATTLEFIELD ADAPTION & INNOVATION - IMPROVISED URGENCY MEETING MILITARY ENGINEERING COMBINE TO CREATE TACTICAL "MOBILE FIRE GROUPS" - (2 Clips) - 1. U.S. ARMY FIELDS UKRAINE-INSPIRED MOBILE FIRE TEAMS TO COUNTER DRONES - KEY POINTS -Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd ADA Brigade operated Mobile Fire Team vehicles near Baltadvaris, Lithuania on May 9, 2026. - The Mobile Fire Team vehicles feature CROW weapon stations custom welded onto Humvees to counter drone threats under the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. - The U.S. Army has fielded Mobile Fire Teams in Lithuania, adapting a concept developed and battle-tested by Ukrainian forces fighting drone swarms since 2022 and deploying it along NATO’s eastern flank as part of the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. - The vehicles themselves tell the story of improvised urgency meeting military engineering: a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station, known as CROW, was removed from an older platform and custom welded onto a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to create a purpose-built counter-drone fighting vehicle. The result is a fast, maneuverable truck-based weapons platform capable of engaging unmanned aerial systems with directed fire while moving through terrain that fixed air defense installations cannot cover. - Since mid-2023, Ukraine’s military has deployed what it calls Mobile Fire Groups, known by the Ukrainian acronym MVG, across the country’s defensive network to counter the avalanche of relatively inexpensive kamikaze drones that Russia has been firing at Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure. These Ukrainian units, typically operating light tactical vehicles equipped with anti-aircraft gun mounts or heavy machine guns, proved that mobile, distributed point defense could meaningfully degrade drone attack effectiveness even without sophisticated radar-guided systems. - Their success in defending urban areas and critical infrastructure against Shahed-series drones demonstrated a tactical model that militaries with far greater resources than Ukraine’s took notice of, and the U.S. Army’s Mobile Fire Team vehicles in Lithuania represent a direct institutional descendant of that Ukrainian operational experience. - drone threats that Mobile Fire Teams are designed to counter spans a wide range of system types and attack profiles. - Mobile Fire Teams fit into the gun-based layer of that defense, providing coverage for the gaps between fixed installations and the ability to reposition as threat axes shift. - https://lnkd.in/exydfeZD 2. MEET THE CROWS: AMERICA’S $190K REMOTE WEAPON STATION GUN - https://lnkd.in/equGSzhK