U.S. Marine commandant hints at classified tech: MQ-9s can now “disappear” on radar

(H/T to Seapower magazine)

The U.S. Marine Corps’ MQ-9A Reaper drone fleet appears to be gaining a new edge in low-observability technology. During a recent event at the Brookings Institution, General Eric M. Smith, the 39th commandant of the Marine Corps, alluded to a classified pod system called T-SOAR that enhances the drone’s ability to evade enemy radar detection.

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CNAS report outlines drone strategy for defending Taiwan

A new report by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) titled “Swarms Over the Strait” examines the evolving role of drones in potential conflicts within the Indo-Pacific, particularly a scenario involving China and Taiwan. The report analyzes recent wars with drone use (Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, Ukraine) and emphasizes the need for the United States and Taiwan to adapt their drone strategies for a large-scale conflict.

UAV 9717 Display at No.11 Pier Left Rear View 20130504
玄史生, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Posted in UAV

Red Sea drone attacks prompt U.S. Navy C-UAS scramble

The U.S. Navy has issued an Area of Interest (AOI) seeking proposals for a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution called Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems – NEXT (Counter NEXT). This initiative comes amid growing concerns about drone attacks targeting naval vessels and commercial shipping in strategic maritime regions, particularly the Red Sea.

240321-N-BT677-1002 RED SEA (March 21, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) conducts a pre-action calibration practice fire of its 5-inch gun in the Red Sea, March 21. Gravely is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

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