Daily digest, 28 August 2026

update Strike on Donetsk — a new GBU-75 JDAM-LR glide bomb with a jet engine identified

On the debris of munitions used against Donetsk on August 26, the CAGE code 6F8W of Australia's Ferra Aerospace — the manufacturer of JDAM-ER/JDAM-LR wing kits — was found. Since the range of the JDAM-ER (~75 km) is insufficient for a strike on Donetsk, the use of the newest GBU-75 JDAM-LR (BSU-111/B) is more likely — a 500-pound bomb with a deployable wing and a small turbojet, with a range of 550+ km. Boeing launched it into serial production in August 2026; tests in April confirmed a target hit at 370 km (source, source). Boeing's first contract for the GBU-75 is $75 million, the first batches go to the US Navy (source). [TECH] The @payloadUAV posts contain the identification chain via CAGE codes and the link to official contracts.

update AGM-188 Rusty Dagger is turning into a family: a naval/ground variant, CHAOS, confirmed

A synthesis of primary documents from Zone 5/KONGSBERG/the Pentagon shows that a single development is being stretched across the FAMM (Air Force), export ERAM, LCCM and naval/ground CHAOS programs. On August 20, the US Navy, via PMX-201, selected Zone 5 for CHAOS ($65 million) — precisely the AGM-188 variant, as confirmed by Zone 5 itself. The logic: first ground-based expeditionary launch (serial production by 2028), then surface carriers, and if necessary airborne. KONGSBERG is ramping up production in the US (500+ employees) and is setting up a European plant (source). An important caveat: ERAM ≠ automatically Rusty Dagger (the delivery of up to 3350 ERAMs for Ukraine involves two contractors, Zone 5 and CoAspire). [TECH] A full reconstruction of the transnational production ecosystem.

Cellebrite C-TEK — field forensics of captured UAVs in 5 minutes

Cellebrite has unveiled the Tactical Extraction Kit — a backpack for extracting data from captured devices right on the spot: a Getac K120 tablet/S410 Pro laptop with Inseyets, a 4 TB Digital Collector module, Faraday bags (blocking remote wipe), autonomous power for NATO 5590/2590 batteries. Deployment <5 minutes, initial triage is performed by ML, and any trained operator can work with it (source). Critically: UAVs are explicitly named as a target — a captured vehicle with an unencrypted flight log gives away the route, launch and return points, i.e., the crew's position. The takeaway for crews: full-disk encryption and minimal logs are standard hygiene. [TECH] The PDF summary contains the full kit composition and the three-stage EDGE→ANALYSIS→COMMAND chain.

"Iskander-1000" (9M723-2) — first combat use against Kyiv confirmed, range 550 km

Ukraine's HUR has officially confirmed the first combat use of the upgraded 9M723-2 ballistic missile against Kyiv this summer. An enlarged motor and launcher give a range of up to 550 km (versus 390 km for the 9M723-1); the rest of the design is identical to the baseline (source). An important discrepancy: MilitaryRussia (the author of the name "Iskander-1000") claims that the 9M723-2 is a simplified, lightened mobilization variant of the 9M723-1, and NOT a missile with a range of 1000 km; the real "Iskander-1000"/SS-X-33 is a separate development, and in December 2025 test launches to 800 km from a standard launcher were recorded (source). Claims of "decoy release" and missile defense penetration aids have not yet been confirmed.

update Strila (WIY Drones) — interceptor switched from GPS to jam-resistant SINE.LINK

The Ukrainian interceptor UAV Strila has received a number of updates; the key one is the switch from classic GPS modules to the SINE.LINK positioning system, which works by trilateration without satellite signals. This provides resistance to jamming and spoofing and stable course holding under active EW (source). Separately, WIY Drones has begun testing the Spys interceptor against jet-powered drones: operating speed 450 km/h (up to 600 in tests), warhead ~300 g, range 20–30 km, the first batch of 50 units has been handed over to the troops (source).

Norda Dynamics ↔ Palladyne AI — integration of SwarmOS swarm software into the Underdog terminal guidance system

Ukrainian-Estonian Norda Dynamics and America's Palladyne AI are integrating the SwarmOS swarm control software into the Ukrainian Underdog terminal guidance system. SwarmOS allows several drones to autonomously detect and track targets, Underdog takes over the last stage — pursuit and engagement; the decision to attack remains with the operator. The system should allow groups of UAVs to simultaneously strike several ground and naval targets (source).

Astra ("Astra-PVO") — a Russian interceptor with onboard machine vision

The external appearance of the "Astra" family UAV has been revealed. The presence of an "artificial intelligence" module is noted — judging by the footage, machine vision for target recognition and lock-on. It intercepts drones kinetically, and in the version with a warhead — by remote detonation (source).

Astravision Viron — a Ukrainian AR/AI simulator for infantry training

An augmented reality system for combat training: the instructor builds scenarios and places AI-controlled adversaries on a virtual map; the system records the soldier's movements, accuracy and behavior in real time and generates a debrief. The kit includes AR glasses, an AK-74 dummy and a vest with vibration motors simulating hits (source).

Military space and space-based data

update "Rassvet" (Bureau 1440) — 16 satellites failed to rise to their operational orbits

After the recent launch of 16 satellites of the Russian low-orbit "Rassvet" constellation (an analog of Starlink), American observers recorded a problem: the satellites that were supposed to rise to their design orbits failed to do so. A couple are already dangling at the edge of the dense atmosphere (they will burn up), three more are steadily descending, and the rest are creeping upward "worse" than the previous batch (source). A second consecutive unsuccessful orbit-raising is a systemic signal of problems with completing the constellation's orbital insertion.

Night light map reveals blackouts resulting from strikes on energy hubs

Based on satellite images (comparing summer 2025 and 2026), a map of changes in night lighting in the occupied territories has been built. Blackouts affected Mariupol, Berdiansk, Melitopol and practically all of Crimea; in Donetsk, by contrast, there is more lighting (source). A vivid example of using open Earth observation data (VIIRS/night lights type) to reveal the results of a strike campaign against infrastructure.

Shield AI Hivemind — first run of an AI pilot on an operational LEO satellite

Shield AI, together with Sedaro and NOVI Space, for the first time ran the Hivemind AI pilot directly on an operational satellite in low orbit. The real NOVI spacecraft was the lead in a group of six (five were simulated virtually); Hivemind independently optimized imaging tasks, spacecraft health, charge and attitude — in 24 hours it generated 189 commands that passed Sedaro SAFE validation. Autonomous organization of an ISR mission was demonstrated on a spacecraft not originally designed for it (source).

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

Tencore TerMIT 2.0 — a weapon module with 8 RPV-16 rocket flamethrowers

Ukraine's Tencore has unveiled for the TerMIT 2.0 UGV a weapon module of 8 RPV-16 thermobaric flamethrowers of 93 mm caliber with an aimed range of up to 600 m (maximum ~1 km), for hitting shelters. Single and salvo fire. The module was demonstrated at the drone parade in Kyiv; the TerMIT 2.0 itself (speed 12–15 km/h, range 40 km, up to 400 kg of payload) can be used for mine-laying, as an FPV carrier or as a counter-drone platform (source).

Ukraine: UGV with twin AK-74s in combat trials

Under a Brave1 specification, a strike UGV with twin turrets for two AK-74s on a four-wheeled chassis with airless tires was created in less than 6 months. The use of ordinary assault rifles simplifies production and scaling. Several units are testing the system; the SBU's "Alpha" Special Operations Center has confirmed its use against ambushes with "waiting" ambush drones (source).

UGV parade in Kyiv confirmed: 30 ground robotic systems

Footage of preparations for the UGV parade on Khreshchatyk has been published, refuting the version that it was AI-generated. The parade featured TerMIT, "Rys", "Simba", Ardal, "Zmii", Ratel and others — 30 ground robotic systems in total (source).

Impact Drones (US): "air defense as a service" — HUNTER (300 km/h) and SABLE (750 km/h) interceptors

America's Impact Drones has unveiled the HUNTER (up to 300 km/h) and SABLE (up to 750 km/h) interceptors. The concept is a shipping container with autonomous interceptors for neutralizing piston-engine and jet-powered UAVs, to protect civilian infrastructure (source).

Turkey (ROKETSAN): ground launch of the ÇAKIR cruise missile

Turkey's ROKETSAN has carried out a successful launch of the new ÇAKIR cruise missile from a ground launcher (source).

Skyeton buys a site in Bavaria; a strike on a drone plant in Slovakia was prevented

Ukraine's Skyeton (manufacturer of the Raybird reconnaissance UAV) has bought land in the Herrsching industrial park (Bavaria) for production/service/logistics (source). In parallel, a sabotage group (two Latvian citizens and one Ukrainian) with napalm was detained in Slovakia and Hamburg; it was preparing to set fire to a UAV plant near the Ukrainian border — Skyeton's Slovak site in Haniska fits the description (source).

Russia: PSB is building an investment support ecosystem for special equipment — 35 billion rubles by 2030

"PSB Spetstekh" is building an ecosystem to support dual-use/special-purpose projects: a "seamless transition" from prototype to serial production, financing through investment partnerships. By 2030 — ~35 billion rubles in partnerships, with a total volume within the loop of at least 100 billion rubles (source).

Priority 3. Conflict developments and forecast signals

• The CIA Director's visit to Moscow — a warning about the Baltics. WSJ/Politico/NYT concur: on August 25, Ratcliffe warned Russia against escalation against NATO countries (primarily the Baltics) and demanded an end to support for Iran. No direct threats were made; the calculation is that Putin, as a former intelligence officer, will find a message from the head of an intelligence service more credible. The 2021 precedent (Burns's visit before the invasion) is alarming.

• Economic warfare as Russia's priority. Massive strikes on Kyiv's logistics (warehouses of Roshen, Comfy, "Dom Igrushek", Epicentr, Fozzy, Rozetka in Boryspil) are presented as a response to Ukrainian strikes on Ozon/Wildberries warehouses. Insiders report a decision to "destroy Kyiv's economy as much as possible" — although the source cannot be verified, the trend is confirmed by the pattern of strikes.

• Preparation of a new wave of mobilization in Russia. HUR/SZRU: the Russian General Staff has prepared a plan for 300 thousand in 2026 and 300 thousand in 2027; a decision is likely after the State Duma elections on September 18–20. Russian losses for January–July 2026 — ~240 thousand (≥140 thousand irrecoverable), contract recruitment — 232 thousand.

• Sloviansk-Kramatorsk direction. Gerasimov claims to have overcome the first line of the fortified area, 4 km to Sloviansk, 3 km to Kramatorsk, 1.5 km to Druzhkivka. Rybar is more sober: an assault on Sloviansk is still far off, stabilizing the flank near Lyman is critical, otherwise — a vulnerable salient.

What to watch

1. GBU-75 JDAM-LR (550+ km) at the front — if the identification is correct, this is a qualitative leap: a cheap glide bomb with a turbojet acting as a quasi-cruise missile, usable from the F-16 and modified MiG-29/Su-27 without conversion. Boeing is already in serial production.
2. AGM-188 as a transnational ecosystem — the US is building a family (air/ground/sea) out of a single missile and moving production to Europe via KONGSBERG. This is about scale and the supply chain, not about the specifications of a single missile.
3. Forensics of captured drones is entering serial production (Cellebrite C-TEK) — the route and the crew's launch point can be read in 5 minutes by any operator. A direct requirement for encryption hygiene on aircraft on both sides.
4. SINE.LINK/SNS is actually going into interceptors (Strila) — GPS-free trilateration as a response to EW is becoming a standard solution rather than an exotic one.
5. "Rassvet" fails to reach orbit for the second time — the Russian analog of Starlink is stalling at the stage of completing orbital insertion; a signal of systemic problems with the constellation.

What's new in UAVs and counter-UAV

• GBU-75 JDAM-LR (US/Boeing) — glide bomb with a turbojet, 550+ km, probably used against Donetsk.

• Strila (WIY, Ukraine) — interceptor on SINE.LINK instead of GPS; Spys — against jet-powered drones, 450–600 km/h.

• Astra-PVO (Russia) — interceptor with onboard machine vision.

• Impact Drones HUNTER/SABLE (US) — containerized interceptors, up to 300/750 km/h.

• Norda Underdog ↔ Palladyne SwarmOS — swarm terminal guidance with an operator in the loop.

• Tencore TerMIT 2.0 — module with 8 RPV-16 flamethrowers.

• UGV with twin AK-74s (Ukraine, Brave1) — against "waiting" ambush drones.

• Cellebrite C-TEK — field data extraction from captured UAVs.

• Archimedes 1A (US) — 24 GHz mini-radar, lock-on range 1 km, ~$4 thousand/unit, on Ukrainian interceptors (source).

Under the radar

• [TECH] Reconstruction of the AGM-188 → CHAOS chain from primary documents — a detailed breakdown of how a single development is stretched across FAMM/ERAM/LCCM/CHAOS while keeping to the limits of what has been proven (source).

• Vernius Systems: how a radar seeker was made for $4 thousand — a team of three people with a Tomahawk (Sandia Labs) and Defence Tech Ukraine background; three trade-offs: a range of 1–1.5 km, commercial chips instead of Mil-Spec, guidance only on the "last mile" (source).

• DELTA as the "nervous system" of the AFU — an NYT report — the kill chain has been shortened from 20 to 3–5 minutes; the AI assistant SPECTR (a battlefield chatbot) connects to DELTA; at NATO exercises in Estonia, Ukrainian drone units "destroyed" alliance formations (source).

• InformNapalm: the inside of Russian mobile fire groups — footage from inside Russian mobile fire groups hunting the "Liutyi"; skepticism of the operators themselves about their capabilities against it (source).

• Zvook: passive hydrophones for underwater monitoring — the Ukrainian acoustic systems company has moved to passive underwater listening to protect ports and underwater infrastructure (source).

What are the Chinese comrades up to?

• The Chinese HC-545 VTOL has passed Indonesian Navy trials — a mid-size fixed-wing UAV with VTOL, carbon fiber, up to 8 h of flight, payload up to 50 kg, communication range up to 150 km; modular payload for ISR/communications/mapping (source).

• The PLA deployed WL-2H UAVs and the Y-20 in a rescue operation in Tibet — after a mudflow in Gyirong County, the Wing Loong-2H provides high-resolution aerial monitoring and restoration of communications via an onboard mobile communications node and a satellite channel; a Y-20 delivered a coordination team (source).

• Purges in the PLA Rocket Force are not only about anti-corruption (according to Taiwanese generals) — malfunctions in navigation and launch silos have been uncovered that call into question the combat readiness of the strategic forces; Xi is breaking up the closed structure of the former Second Artillery Corps by appointing generals from other services (source).

• MSS: attacks by foreign intelligence services on UAV control network platforms — anomalous cross-border traffic to the backend of inspection drones via authentication bypass has been recorded; the problems are unpatched vulnerabilities, weak passwords, unencrypted transmission over 4G/5G (source).

• A mobile aerosol smoke screen system — a Chinese development for rapidly covering large areas; it is claimed as a means of blocking the view of FPV drones and loitering munitions (source).

External analysis

• Sweden has for the first time launched a Taurus KEPD 350 cruise missile from a Gripen (Janes) — a 1400 kg missile, range up to 500 km, flight at ~30 m, MEPHISTO penetrating warhead for buried targets. Directly relevant to the Gripens promised to Ukraine: it confirms that the platform is acquiring long-range strike capability (source).

• A Ukrainian Mi-8 with ≥3 F7 Litavr interceptors (Janes) — external confirmation of what the Russian-Ukrainian sphere presented as "integration of interception on the Mi-8": the F7 Litavr (350 km/h, up to 40 km, tested to 80 km, ceiling 9 km) with autonomous GPS-free navigation and integration via Larag software (source).

• The Netherlands is launching a shipborne C-UAS program based on the Hornet B2 interceptor (Janes) — together with Destinus, integration on several RNLN ships, IOC by Q2 2027. It complements the previously covered topic of kinetic naval air defense against cheap drones (source).

• Aquark AQlock 2.1 — cold-atom atomic clocks for PNT and UAVs (Janes) — in tests with Saab, two AQlock 2.0 units synchronized Giraffe 1X radars into a single coherent picture. Quantum time synchronization as an alternative GPS-free navigation is leaving the lab (source).

• AeroVironment Switchblade 600 Block 2 — $51 million, autonomous target recognition (IE Military) — SPOTR AiTR, jam-resistant Silvus MANET radios, navigation under GPS jamming, range 110+ km. An indicator of the maturity of Western loitering munitions for contested airspace (source).

• IPOs of AI labs will force the US to formalize state control (GIS Reports) — Anthropic/OpenAI are filing for IPOs at a valuation of ~$1 trillion; the government has by directive suspended and restored access to Anthropic models on national security grounds, and a 5% state stake in OpenAI is being discussed. Defense customers are a key protected segment, access to which is controlled by the state (source).

Top mil-tech signals of the day

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8. ↗24 · 👁717 · @militaryrussiaru — Did you know that….🤔 🇺🇸 The US Air Force B-52 strategic bomber can literally…
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