Daily digest, 14 August 2026

Warbirds TRX — a new Ukrainian long-range reconnaissance-strike UAV

The Ukrainian company Boiovi Ptakhy Ukrainy (Warbirds) presented the TRX UAV. Specifications: range up to 450 km, flight time over 200 minutes, cruising speed 120 km/h, operating altitude 50–500 m, takeoff weight up to 46 kg, combat payload 7–12 kg. Control via a satellite or digital radio link, day and thermal cameras. The target acquisition system "provides for automatic launch" (the meaning of the wording is not disclosed — possibly auto-tracking/machine vision). According to a Russian source, the TRX is undergoing codification and is already used as a relay; the strike modification is planned to be deployed in the near future. source

update Starlink V5 — the first new-generation terminals with the AFU, a specifications analysis

Images of the first Starlink V5 terminal in Ukraine have appeared (so far a single unit owned by a private researcher; there is no established supply channel — the wording "the AFU have begun to receive" is ahead of reality). Key characteristics: area ~50% smaller than the V4 (≈117,500 mm² vs ≈227,500 mm²), weight 1.1 kg vs 2.9 kg, power consumption reduced from 75–100 W to 35–50 W, wind resistance raised from 96 to 265 km/h. Important: there is no GNSS module inside the V5. In essence, the standard V5 has become close to the Mini version — this will simplify installation on UAVs and USVs and reduce power consumption at positions. source

update "Geran-4 Seeker" — intensive use against rail logistics in the Odesa region

In a single day, jet-powered "Geran-4 Seekers" hit several locomotives and a repair-and-recovery train in the Odesa region (Rozdilna, Chornomorska, Buialyk, Serbka stations), including locomotive VL80T-1436 of the Odesa–Dnipropetrovsk train. These UAVs have hundreds of pieces of equipment to their credit, including dry cargo ships in the Black Sea and the waters of the Dnipro-Bug estuary. In total, over 5500 strikes have been delivered on Ukraine's railways since the start of the conflict; what is critical is not the tracks but the locomotives and qualified personnel — their restoration takes time. source

update Gerbera-2 — further "Geranization" of the Russian decoy drone

Wreckage of a new version of the Gerbera (provisionally "Gerbera-2"): considerably enlarged, carries a 20–30 kg warhead, and has received a 63 l fuel tank, new electronics and a more powerful engine — effectively half of a Geran-2 engine. The new Gerberas are approaching the old piston-engined Gerans, which are fading into the background in favor of the jet-powered Geran-4/5. source

update MICH 2000 — serial production and SBU scaling (new figures)

Ukrainian sources confirm serial production and intensified use of the MICH 2000 loitering munitions (a refined version of the Hong Kong ZTK-150) by the SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center. 8 modifications, range up to 2000 km, warhead 25–60 kg. Attacks on Ust-Luga, Kronstadt, Engels-2 airfield. Engines, launch boosters and warheads have been localized; annual output has been brought to 6000 units (outlook — 10,000). The base cost is 48 thousand dollars; installing a CRPA antenna raises the price by 20–25 thousand dollars. source

[TECH] S-71M Monokhrom — Nvidia Jetson Orin confirmed, and an appearance in the southern direction

Wreckage of an S-71M Monokhrom low-observable cruise missile was found near Moldova's Crocmaz (on the border with the Odesa region). Inside is an Nvidia Jetson Orin single-board computer for machine-vision guidance (unification with the Geran-2 and Molniya). Warhead estimates are 100–150 kg. The geography points to a possible operation to isolate the AFU's southern logistics (Odesa, Mykolaiv, Reni, Izmail, the bridges at Zatoka and Mayaky). Whether the Monokhrom has an advantage over the jet-powered Geran remains an open question. [TECH: analysis of the layout and warhead estimates] source

5400 middle-strike drones handed over to the SBU's "Alpha" + the scale of the program

The Come Back Alive foundation shipped 5400 medium-range strike UAVs to the SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center — operating at a depth of 30–300 km against logistics, launchers, fuel and ammunition depots, artillery and air defense. In addition — pickups and 123 heavy bombers. Ukraine's MoD is launching the second stage of the "Basic Supply Level": heavy middle-strike drones are being transferred to the corps level, with distribution depending on the intensity of fighting. In July, Unmanned Systems Forces units carried out 449 thousand tasks, delivering over 250 medium-range drone strikes daily. source

[TECH] Discussion: ducted propeller vs impeller for a UAV's tail propulsion unit

A detailed engineering analysis (2 parts) on choosing a propulsor for a pusher-configuration fixed-wing UAV: a ducted propeller (the duct gives +10–20% thrust, lighter, more aerodynamic — for range/speed) versus an impeller (stable thrust in a turbulent wake, blade protection, cooling, quietness, lower vibration for optics — for difficult conditions/stealth). It is noted that impeller efficiency is lower than that of a classic propulsion unit, but a ducted propeller is more efficient than an open propeller. Context — the Americans are "cosplaying" the Pchyolka UAV. [TECH: a full engineering analysis of thrust, drag, thermal regime] source

[TECH] Russian C-UAS tactics: "Katran PVO" — an autonomous loop with the Martyshka interceptor drone

The PPSh Laboratory presented an automated system: the Lun radar (with AESA) detects a target → passes it to the tracking system → the Martyshka interceptor drone goes after the target on its own (ramming or a fragmentation warhead). The whole cycle without an operator. The Martyshka is a carbon-fiber multirotor with an IR camera to distinguish a drone from a bird, machine vision, terminal guidance under EW, a radius of up to 10 km; it can work as a relay or a laser designator. Limitations — short flight time and subsonic targets. [TECH: a full description of the architecture and the platform] source

Rheinmetall FV-014 — launch of a loitering munition from the CML containerized launcher tested

Rheinmetall demonstrated the launch of the FV-014 from the modular CML containerized launcher (up to 18 munitions, mounted on trucks/ships/stationary). FV-014 specifications: range up to 100 km, flight time up to 70 min, weight 22 kg, warhead 6 kg, penetration of up to 600 mm of homogeneous steel, low observability, support for swarm attacks to suppress air defense. The launch was shown both stationary and on the move. source

Kalashnikov: an anti-drone version of the Vikhr ATGM + adaptation of the Ka-52

The Kalashnikov concern has begun using an anti-drone version of the Vikhr ATGM with a proximity fuze for engaging aerial targets. The Vikhr was chosen because of its serial production and experience in destroying armored vehicles. Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopters are being adapted to intercept UAVs with upgraded Vikhr-M missiles with a new proximity target sensor (speed >600 m/s, range up to 10 km). source

Palladyne SwarmOS + Shield AI Hivemind — swarm autonomy trials (US/Taiwan)

At Project Convergence Capstone 6, Palladyne AI tested SwarmOS integrated into Anduril Lattice: multi-vendor autonomy of Group 1/2 UAVs as a single system (search, identification, handoff to C2, a Gremlin-X strike on human decision, damage assessment). Separately, Shield AI together with Taiwan's NCSIST installed Hivemind AI pilots on three Mighty Hornet III UAVs in less than 3 months — autonomous swarm search with no-fly zone compliance and automatic landing. source

Lockheed Martin NetSense — turning commercial 5G networks into a distributed radar for C-UAS

Lockheed Martin with Verizon, NVIDIA and Keysight conducted a live demonstration of NetSense Airspace Awareness-as-a-Service in the Miami area: AI (NVIDIA AI Aerial) analyzes RF anomalies/distortions of the 5G signal when a drone crosses the coverage area of the towers, predicts the trajectory and sends alerts — without installing any radar equipment. It builds on the 5G.MIL initiative. source

[TECH] iFinder — a neural network found 84 vulnerabilities in the core of 4G/5G mobile networks

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) set the iFinder multi-agent LLM system on 7 open-source core releases (Open5GS, free5GC, OAI and others): 84 previously unknown vulnerabilities were found in the PFCP and GTP-C protocols, 81 received CVEs, 58 have been patched. The root cause is an "implicit trust error" (a node does not verify the sender). Critical: interception of 5G traffic via a forged PFCP request (CVE-2026-8233), crashing the SGW-C with a malformed QoS (CVE-2026-8232). The accuracy of the agent combination is 75% versus 28% for the bare model. Conclusion: the cost of finding vulnerabilities in protocol code has dropped sharply — for all sides. [TECH: an analysis of the iFinder architecture and the mechanics of the vulnerabilities] source

[TECH] Ubiquiti AirMAX — RCE from 1.7 km without authentication (details and a checklist)

At Black Hat USA 2026 / DEF CON 34, CVE-2026-21639 and CVE-2026-21638 in Ubiquiti radio bridges were disclosed: code execution with kernel privileges without network access, credentials or operator actions — it is enough for the attacker's signal to reach the receiver (it worked from 1.5 and 1.72 km). A password does not help: service data is parsed by a kernel module before authorization is checked. The airMAX AC/M and airFiber families are vulnerable. MikroTik, LigoWave and Keenetic are not affected. Relevant because of the mass of radio bridges on shared masts in the SMO zone. [TECH: a list of versions and architectural protective measures] source

[TECH] An analysis of radio communication range: why datasheet kilometers do not work in the field

An engineering analysis from Bespilot/ZAS: doubling the distance requires not doubling but quadrupling the power (+6 dB = twice as far). An antenna gives +6 dB on both sides = +12 dB = four times the range without extra watts. Radio horizon = 4.12×√(height in m); height and the Fresnel zone (60% clear) matter more than power. A practical checklist: first raise the antenna and check the cable/connectors, the amplifier comes last. [TECH: formulas and calculations] source

Volna Kupol Garant — the second Russian anti-Starlink EW system destroyed

In Gelendzhik, a second Volna Kupol Garant system was destroyed (cost $1.5 million, produced in Simferopol) — Starlink jamming in the 14–14.5 GHz band on 8 channels, a claimed zone of 20 km². 12 Ku-band transmitters, 40 dB antennas, a 14 kW generator. The material questions its effectiveness: the system could not even protect itself near "the palace in Gelendzhik" with its layered air defense. source

Russian MESH "Shahed Seekers" — a warning about new EW requirements

Flash (a Ukrainian communications expert) warns EW manufacturers: against "Shahed Seekers" with target lock-on, only EW whose operating range exceeds the camera's target acquisition range is effective (with high-quality cameras in clear weather — many kilometers, realistically 2–3 km). The "one-kilometer EW dome" became obsolete six months ago. The second requirement is changing the frequencies of the MESH modems: the enemy has moved away from 1300–1500 MHz, the bands will vary, and the EW system must change them. source

update The Russian Rassvet satellite constellation — 12 satellites provide communications over Ukraine

The Russian analog of Starlink from Bureau 1440 has reached operational modes: 12 satellites provide stable communications over Ukraine, and drones get communications where there were none before. Another 16 satellites are ahead, with round-the-clock coverage by 2027. Serial production of terminals for installation on drones is being prepared. (Presented by a vendor/propaganda source; the claims of "panic among Ukrainian experts" are unverifiable.) source

Military space and space-derived data

[TECH] An OSINT method for determining a vessel's load from a satellite image (Open Source Centre)

The Open Source Centre disclosed a methodology for determining a tanker's draft (= load) from a satellite image — using the example of the North Korean Yu Son, which carried Russian oil in circumvention of UN Security Council sanctions. The method: a digital twin of the vessel (32 million polygons, MCP photogrammetry + rotoscoping) + shadow trigonometry in ArcGIS (H = shadow length × tan of the Sun angle). From an Airbus Pléiades Neo image of 17.10.2024 (Sun at 37°, shadow 15 m), the freeboard height was calculated at 11.3 m → draft ~6 m → the vessel was loaded. A direct threat to the Russian "shadow fleet": an evidence base for sanctions and strikes. [TECH: full methodology, formulas] source

Space Command: priorities for the "next space war"

US Space Command commander Whiting outlined the first two priorities: "integrated space fires" (military effects against adversary space assets) and "counter-pLEO" (countering proliferated LEO constellations of hundreds/thousands of satellites). Key thesis: against a constellation of thousands of satellites it is pointless to hit a single spacecraft — "critical nodes" must be hit. Recognized kinetic and non-kinetic means are required for deterrence. source

Golden Dome — the first tests of space-based interceptors and the budget risk

SpaceX, Northrop Grumman and others have completed key tests of space-based interceptors (sensor→interceptor data transfer, engine operation). The next step is demonstrations in space. The program's cost is ~$185 billion, the first operational elements — summer 2028. At the same time (according to TWZ), the program is at risk of being halted: funding comes through reconciliation, and under a continuing resolution (CR) the money will not arrive — General Guetlein warned outright that "Golden Dome will cease to exist". 22.5 billion of the allocated amount has already been contracted. source

update Starlink V5 — no GNSS module

A separate fact from the V5 analysis: there is no GNSS module inside the terminal (see the UAV section). This affects the methods of geolocation/navigation when using the terminal on mobile platforms. source

Changes to Starlink roaming

Global changes to roaming availability are being introduced for Starlink users — important for use at the line of contact. Details are in a satellite communications specialist's blog. source

Under the radar

Gilat — AI detection and cancellation of interference in satellite links (a 10-fold improvement)

Gilat Satellite Networks showed an AI technology for detecting/cancelling interference in satellite links: up to a 10-fold improvement in detection/cancellation over traditional methods, handling non-stationary and non-cooperative interference with almost no degradation of the useful signal. The next step is a demonstration on a dedicated AI accelerator. Directly relevant to protecting satellite communications at the line of contact. source

[TECH] Playfra Map — an OSINT platform integrating FIRMS, terrain and satellite data

An update of the Playfra interactive map: a fortifications map, topography/terrain analysis, heat maps, Horizon Finder, Route Planner, Elevation Chart, 3D mode, search by WGS-84/MGRS, satellite imagery layer management, fire analysis via NASA FIRMS. A single environment for geolocation, verification and event analysis. An early stage of development. [TECH: a set of geospatial tools] source

DARPA ICE — synthetic biology for Arctic equipment (phase 3)

DARPA has moved the ICE program into its third phase (applied testing): the performers are Michigan Technological University, the University of Michigan and Ginkgo Bioworks. The goal is antifreeze proteins (modeled on Arctic fish/frogs) for coating fuselages, optics and blades of equipment in the Arctic (protection down to –10 °C). Separately — the idea of controlled ice formation as temporary infrastructure (ice bridges). Context — the struggle for Arctic logistics corridors. source

US Army AHSS — a competition for a new long-range missile for HIMARS

The US Army is evaluating proposals for Affordable High Speed Strike (AHSS) — "an entirely new missile" with a range greater than 1000+ km (exceeding PrSM Increment 4). Two options are being considered: a conventional rocket-ballistic one and one with an air-breathing (scramjet) engine. A program with the participation of Australia (a HACM partner). source

[TECH] Parametric CAD Bench — AI agents for military design are getting cheaper and smarter

A benchmark of "AI model + agent" combinations on 100 parametric CAD tasks: in 3 months Claude Opus 5 + Claude Code reached 0.906 (the previous leader, GPT-5.5, — 0.832), while the cost of a 0.8-level result fell from ~$170 to $36.59. The trend: CAD agents for design (including military design) are becoming better and many times cheaper. Plus the startup gNucleus — a specialized AI for Text-to-CAD trained on an enterprise's proprietary data. [TECH: benchmark figures] source

And what about our Chinese comrades?

Taiwan's Han Kuang 42 exercise — the new Xuanjie EW system debuted at the front edge

In Hualien, the Taiwanese Xuanjie tactical ELINT/EW system was publicly shown for the first time: two signals intelligence vehicles and two EW vehicles. Its tasks are detecting radio emissions, jamming military UHF/VHF channels, countering small UAVs and covering friendly units. Use at the army/brigade level with the possibility of transfer to the battalion level. Taiwan is building its defense around the idea of "blind reconnaissance → disrupt communications → limit drones → fire engagement". The system's specifications are classified. source

Taiwan is forming a mass strike UAV echelon by 2027

Taiwan's military leadership plans to form a specialized strike UAV unit in early 2027. The basis is the Chien Hsiang anti-radiation drones (the first serial batch of 200 units has already been handed over to the air defense/missile command of the Air Force) plus new cheap strike UAVs with target-image guidance (possibly the Jinfeng-2). The logic: the Chien Hsiang provokes radars to switch on and strikes the emission (first echelon), then a mass cheap second echelon exhausts China's air defense, forcing it to spend expensive interceptors. source

A Chinese reconnaissance UAV with container launch and parachute landing

The Chinese have applied the container launch scheme (usually for kamikaze drones) to a reconnaissance UAV: recovery by parachute ensures the preservation of expensive onboard equipment. source

WindShape M500 — an aerial manipulator robot with a robotic arm

China's WindShape (based on the WINDY Lab of Westlake University) presented the M500 — a UAV with a robotic arm for contact operations at height: interchangeable tools, mating accuracy of 0.80 ± 0.33 cm in wind/airflow of up to 13.18 m/s. Applications — power lines, bridges, ships, wind turbines. It is based on the FlyingToolbox work (Nature, 2025) on passing tools between copters in the air. A dual-use technology. source

The Y-20B Kunpeng has gained tanker (MRTT) and other role capabilities

CCTV announced: the Chinese Y-20B transport can be reconfigured as a tanker with underwing pods, and can also perform AEW and EW functions — all on WS-20 engines. It is deployed in at least two PLA air regiments. China is turning a transport platform into a universal multi-role system. source

The SkyX dual-medium UAV — the "flying fish" is ready for series production

Changsha Nighthawk is completing tests of the SkyX drone: folding wings for underwater travel (up to 50 km/h) and unfolding them for fixed-wing flight (endurance up to 1 h). Its performance exceeds foreign analogs (6 km/h underwater). Potential uses — covert reconnaissance of coastal areas, survey of port/naval infrastructure, strike tasks after adaptation. source

External analysis

DIA director: the main problem of US intelligence is the fragmentation of disciplines, not a lack of data. Lt. Gen. Adams pointed out that HUMINT/SIGINT/GEOINT work in isolated systems, whereas modern conflicts require integration with decision times measured in minutes. DIA is introducing a unified data architecture (MARS, Common Intelligence Feed), and AI cuts analytical search from hours to minutes. Unlike the Russian-Ukrainian picture, where AI is discussed at the level of tactical guidance, this is about a strategic restructuring of the entire intelligence architecture. source

Kalashnikov's Kub-10ME according to Janes — independent confirmation of the announcement: range >100 km, warhead ~10 kg, AI seeker, cruise 120 km/h, altitudes 80–1800 m, pairing with the Skat 350M relay UAV. The CEO confirmed readiness for combat use. This adds neutral verification to Russian claims about new loitering munitions with AI guidance. source

Siemens is converting a WWII warehouse into a drone component plant for the US Army ($80 million). Production of stator assemblies for UAV electric motors at Anniston Army Depot, a 12-month timeline, using digital twins and AI to design the lines before construction. The goal is secure domestic production of UAV components under military control and reduced dependence on external chains (read — on China). A direct parallel with Russia's problem of localizing its component base. source

GIS Reports: the Israeli-Emirati defense alliance has become self-sufficient. In the war with Iran, Israel deployed Iron Dome, the Iron Beam laser and the Spectro electro-optical system for detecting drones in the UAE — bilaterally, without the US, after ~550 missiles and >2200 drones fired by Iran at the Emirates. Tellingly, regional air defense/C-UAS integration is taking shape outside American mediation. source

GRU sabotage in the EU: a drone with explosives in Leipzig, explosives in canned food, recruitment via Telegram. Investigators in Poland, Germany and Lithuania are investigating a series of incidents with explosives hidden in cans of corn and the discovery of a drone with explosives in Leipzig. They point to the involvement of Russian military intelligence and courier networks via Telegram. This takes the hybrid threat beyond the front — onto NATO territory using civilian UAVs. source

Crytica iNSiM: a compact (<100 KB) instruction-set integrity probe for embedded systems. It monitors integrity from inside the device (rather than external traffic), is integrated into the RDAi rapid threat isolation system, and is compatible with SOC/SIEM/XDR. Against the background of a 56% y/y rise in AI attacks (IBM), the solution is aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and military embedded systems — where software compromise affects combat readiness. source

Priority 2. Military innovation (Ukraine, Europe, NATO)

🔵 The Ukrainian market for codification and drone investment is accelerating. The TerMIT UGV + the Khyzhak combat module have been codified as a single integrated system (shown at DALO Industry Days in Denmark). The OWL-APC/Sova-BTR armored personnel carrier with a 360° all-round VR vision system has been codified by the MoD. Vyriy Industries became the first Ukrainian deftech company to issue corporate bonds (via the Inzhur MilTech fund, minimum UAH 1000, projected yield 25–29%, first stage — UAH 2 billion). Katran (MAC HUB + Sky Defenders) is integrating Vyrii kamikaze drones and Yaryi and Zigzag interceptors. source

🔵 [upd] The Ukrainian Katran USV as a drone carrier — a new configuration. A Katran has been shown with two launchers for fixed-wing (wing-type) UAVs and four for FPV drones — a multi-purpose maritime carrier of aerial unmanned vehicles. source

🔵 The Russian dual-use marketplace Roy.Market is exiting the pilot phase. The Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (TsBST) is beginning to connect third-party sellers (including those working on Wildberries and Ozon); by 2027 the catalog will have >10 thousand items: UAV components, PPE, electronics, field uniforms. In parallel, a "full-fledged marketplace for the military" is being created in Russia. source

🔵 The US is introducing 100% tariffs on imports of UAVs and components (Section 232). The maximum rate of 100% applies to drones of certain dimensions and characteristics significant for national security. The US imports ~500 thousand drones/year with its own output of <100 thousand; >50% of imports come from Malaysia (behind which stands DJI, with production in China/Malaysia, >70% of the US market), 18% from China. Section 232 targets the product, not the country — relabeling will not work. China tightened exports of drones and components to the US a week earlier. source

🔵 Anduril AI Grand Prix 2026 — races of fully autonomous drones. The first global autonomous racing competition: only code, identical Neros drones, the AI itself analyzes the camera/sensors and flies the course. Virtual qualification (April–June), an in-person stage in California (September 15–22), the final in Ohio (November). A $500 thousand prize + a job at Anduril (essentially recruiting the best autonomy engineers). Against the backdrop of the cancellation of Russia's Dronnitsa due to the UAV threat. source

🔵 The Russian counter-drone market has grown 6.5-fold, but from a low base. Procurement of anti-UAV protection in 1H2026 — 440 million rubles (×6.5 y/y), but that is ~73 million/month for the entire country — "nobody has started anything yet". A new driver is insurance: deductibles for industrial facilities have risen from 30–40 million to 250–500 million (sometimes up to a billion), and a new category of customers has appeared — shipowners, for whom there are almost no solutions. Wildberries has lost ~20% of its warehouse capacity to drone attacks (Reuters, based on satellite imagery). source

🔵 A Russian 130 nm lithography machine — the third stage of R&D delivered. ZNTC has signed the acceptance certificate for the third stage of R&D on a lithography machine for 130 nm chips (wafers up to 200 mm): two experimental 193 nm excimer lasers, photomasks, an inspection bench. The performers are Belarus's Planar and LASSARD (>1 billion rubles). The third stage — 2.46 billion of the total budget of 5.7 billion. Serial contracts are planned for 2027; industrial operation is a long way off. A replacement for Nikon/Canon/ASML with its own radiation source. source

🔵 The US has lost 45 MQ-9 Reapers (~25% of the fleet) in the war with Iran. According to the WSJ/Washington Post — at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs, ~25% of the prewar fleet, losses of >$1.3 billion (30–50 million per unit). Not all were shot down by Iran — some crashed due to loss of link, and some were probably lost on the ground. The YFQ-44A and YFQ-42A (CCA) are being tested as replacements, but there is no serial solution yet. A telling lesson: cheap drones acting as aerial sensors cued missile crews onto expensive F-15Es. source

🔵 UK MEWSIC — the first serial naval EW system for the Royal Navy. The UK MoD has received the first MEWSIC unit (Babcock + Elbit Systems UK, a £103 million contract): a wideband digital RESM sensor and an EW command and control subsystem (EWC2) for Type 45 destroyers, Type 26/31 frigates and Queen Elizabeth carriers. Detection of low-RCS targets, integration with Sea Ceptor. Trials in Portsdown. source

🔵 Explosions at European defense enterprises. At the KNDS Ammo Italy ammunition plant in Colleferro (60 km from Rome) — a powerful explosion in the powder pressing workshop; KNDS is a key supplier of shells to Ukraine. In the port of Rotterdam, at the Moezelweg oil terminal (Gunvor Energy) — an explosion during pipeline repairs, one dead. Police find no signs of sabotage, but the resonance is high against the background of a series of incidents in the European defense industry. source

🔵 US Army CAML — an uncrewed universal missile launcher. A request for the Common Autonomous Multidomain Launcher: the AMP platform carries 16.3 t and loads/unloads itself; armament — Tomahawk, PAC-3, AIM-9X. Bids by September 1. Plus — Lockheed Martin conducted the first live-fire tests of the Kodiak containerized launcher (20-foot container format, up to 12 GMLRS/ER-GMLRS/ATACMS/PrSM missiles). source

Priority 3. Conflict development and forecast signals

The logistics war: strikes on ports and warehouses have reached a systemic effect. Three out of three grain terminals in Novorossiysk have been stopped (79% of Russia's grain exports went through it — exports could collapse 3–4-fold). Ukraine's wheat exports in August fell 4.3-fold, barley — 5.6-fold. The ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi (92% of cargo) were suspended after strikes. Oil refining in Russia is ~4 million bpd (with a critical level of 3.3–3.5); the Orsk refinery has been put out of action for six months, and production is below the OPEC+ quota by almost 1 million bpd. Mutual strikes on railways, Wildberries warehouses (Bashkortostan, ~20% of capacity lost), refineries (Salavat, 1300–1400 km from the border).

A maritime truce as "Koschei's death". Ukraine proposed a mutual halt to strikes on civilian vessels and related infrastructure in the Black Sea (via a third party). Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grushko: no formalized proposals have been received — the strikes will continue. Putin announced a mirror response to seizures of Russian vessels "not necessarily in the same waters" (with an emphasis on the Pacific Fleet). Signal: Russia sees Ukraine's vulnerability without maritime exports and refuses concessions for now.

The AFU's covert counteroffensive near Pokrovsk/Novopavlivka has been declassified. For several months the AFU quietly advanced (Ternovatoye–Ivanovka, the Pokrovske–Komar zone), pushing the Russian Armed Forces back from the "New Donbas" line. The commander of the 95th Air Assault Brigade disclosed details of the operation with a grouping of 6 brigades. Western analysts (Molen) note high OPSEC as the key to success. In parallel, the Russian Armed Forces are advancing on the Kramatorsk/Druzhkivka and Kostiantynivka axes and forming a "cauldron" on the Burluk axis.

Signals of a new Russian mobilization in the autumn. Insider channels (unverifiable) report General Staff plans for mobilization after the September elections: a hybrid call-up with an emphasis on Russian regions (the ethnic republics and the capitals are bypassed), a first stage of ~300 thousand, another ~200 thousand in the spring. Ukrainian sources also forecast a new mobilization in Russia of several hundred thousand.

Jet-powered Gerans are displacing the piston-engined ones. According to Ukrainian data, Russia has stopped producing the jet-powered Geran-3 and is moving to the more powerful Geran-4 (higher speed, harder to intercept). A-50Us are increasingly used to counter Ukrainian long-range drones and cruise missiles in the rear.

Top mil-tech signals of the day

1. ↗3804 · 👁35154 · @insider_best_tg — Received details of mobilization plans from a source in the MoD - this ti…
2. ↗139 · 👁2102 · @zas_svo — Your radio bridge can be taken from two kilometers away. Without a password and without your involvement At…
3. ↗18 · 👁386 · @theaterVD — 🚢 🇵🇱 Poland to launch the frigate Wicher On August 12, at the PGZ Naval Shipya…
4. ↗18 · 👁423 · @theaterVD — 🚢 🇺🇸 The new aircraft carrier John Kennedy has entered the final stage of trials before…
5. ↗71 · 👁1797 · @darpaandcia — How the Pentagon is learning to control ice If anyone thinks that Washington will ar…
6. ↗10 · 👁259 · @kapotta — Mobile fire group — a roaming anti-drone patrol In the new episode of "Assembly Point" we talk about mob…
7. ↗21 · 👁640 · @Ghost_Malleus_Maleficarum — A complete set of drawings, drawings for CNC machines, a 3D model. Developed by Pervou…
8. ↗21 · 👁645 · @aiobor — #AItests Who tested: Lockheed Martin, Verizon, Keysight Technologies, ODC and…
9. ↗14 · 👁445 · @theaterVD — ✈️ Japan is completing trials of the new XEC-2 electronic warfare aircraft The Min…
10. ↗21 · 👁703 · @uavural — The result of a laser's effect on the skin of a Lyutyi (I won't say the power, it's a secret). What…