GBAD - The return of 'FOBS'

[Kirkhill]

An academic article on what the US Air Defense Artillery Branch has lost since 2005 and what it needs to get back and develop.

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/September-October-2025/Air-Defense/

It is not just Canada that has lost a step apparently.

@SeaKingTacco and @FJAG

 

[Kirkhill]

Can the MASS system be brought ashore?

MASS nova ship protection system breaks cover at DSEI UK 2025 - Naval News

At DSEI UK 2025, Rheinmetall unveiled the new MASS nova decoy launching system. Based on the proven MASS, the newly developed launcher...

www.navalnews.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

Can we have some of these?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1968350638858752157

 

[Kirkhill]

16 year old with a shotgun, some string and some lead slugs. CUAS entrepreneur.

How a Ukrainian Teen Created Anti-Drone Ammo That Saves Soldier’s Lives

At 16, Yurii launched a start-up to design anti-drone ammunition. Now 18, he balances school, prototypes, and a call to defend Ukraine’s ski…

united24media.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Apollo laser takes down 200 drones unplugged

Australian defense company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has unveiled its Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) that pumps out up to 150 kW of power yet can take out 200 medium-sized drones running on its own internal power supply.

newatlas.com

 

[Kirkhill]

More on my favourite 70mm rockets.

Laser-Guided Rockets Now Primary Anti-Drone Weapon For USAF Jets In Middle East

APKWS II rockets have become the Air Force's go-to air-to-air munition against drones thanks to their low cost and small size.

www.twz.com

One launcher with multiple tubes.
One rocket per tube.

Rocket plus warhead plus point detonating fuze is a low cost ballistic artillery round comparable to a 105 howtzer in effect.

Rocket plus 12000 USD laser guidance plus warhead plus point detonating fuse is a guided anti-tank / anti-structure weapon.

Rocket plus 12000 USD laser guidance plus warhead plus proximity fuze is an anti-aircraft / cuas guided missile.

And then you can start playing with programmable fuzes and air bursts and swapping HE for flechettes, smoke, illumination....

 

[Kirkhill]

And the Koreans have...

A surface to surface, anti ship, fire and forget variant with an 8 km range based on an IR seeker.

LIG Nex1 showcases K-LOGIR Rocket at RIMPAC 2022 - Naval News

South Korean defense company LIG Nex1 is showcasing its “Poniard” Korean-Low cOst Guided Imaging Rocket (K-LOGIR) at Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. LIG Nex1 hopes that this will open up more export opportunities for the platform in the future.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Ukrainians Shoot Down Drone in Danish Airspace During Demonstration Operation - Militarnyi

Ukrainian operators successfully destroyed several drones in Danish airspace during a demonstration operation.

militarnyi.com

Is this the future of point defense?



How many of those could you park on the roof of a building?

 

[Kirkhill]

And at the low end of the scale - a ballistic computer for the infanteer.

Track the target and squeeze and hold the trigger. The computer will decide when to fire and actually release the firing pin.

IWI's Arbel smart rifle system taking down drones | The Jerusalem Post

The Arbel system is deceptively simple yet profoundly effective, making any shooter a precision shooter

www.jpost.com

 

[Kirkhill]

70mm rockets in demand.

Ukraine is Taking Down Shaheds, but Missiles Running Low — Thales Struggles to Keep Up With FZ275 | Defense Express

Thales ramps up production of its FZ275 LGR rockets to counter drones, but current output of a few thousand a year isn't enough

en.defence-ua.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Ukraine's war surges demand for a 100-year-old heavy machine gun

FN Browning told Business Insider that annual global demand for its machine guns, including the M2, has doubled compared to 2022.

www.businessinsider.com

And Ma Deuce is back

 

[HavokFour]

Sweden is coming up with something with Spider Web type attacks in mind, kinetic micro missiles.

Nordic Air Defence

Nordic Air Defence builds cutting-edge solutions for modern aerial security. Made in Sweden.

www.nordicairdefence.com

 

[Colin Parkinson]

And at the low end of the scale - a ballistic computer for the infanteer.

Track the target and squeeze and hold the trigger. The computer will decide when to fire and actually release the firing pin.

IWI's Arbel smart rifle system taking down drones | The Jerusalem Post

The Arbel system is deceptively simple yet profoundly effective, making any shooter a precision shooter

www.jpost.com

That idea was fielded on a hunting rifle about a decade ago. I gave the simulator version a try at SHOT.

 

[Kirkhill]

That idea was fielded on a hunting rifle about a decade ago. I gave the simulator version a try at SHOT.

How did you find it?

I was wondering how it might work with more conventional targets. Does it make it easier for a rookie to effectively engage static targets by minimizing shake and flinch for example? How about engaging running targets?

 

[KevinB]

How did you find it?

I was wondering how it might work with more conventional targets. Does it make it easier for a rookie to effectively engage static targets by minimizing shake and flinch for example? How about engaging running targets?

None of them do a great job.

The only setup where they can help the shooter is a stabilized system which are unbelievably bulky for small arms.

As much as they can help already decent shooters the disturbed reticle generally tends to make experienced shooters start to chase it, and so they have their own learning curves.

I’d stick to conventional optics at this juncture.

 

[Kirkhill]

The last few posts have dealt with the low end of the air defence spectrum.
This article goes some way towards demonstrating the complexities associated with the IAMD (Integrated Air and Missile Defence) role being mooted for the DoC (Defence of Canada) Division. i am going to guess that it will be a full time job.

Huge £251m UK missile defence contract awarded to Chemring

Roke Manor Research, a subsidiary of Chemring Group, has been awarded a £251 million contract by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to lead a major multi-year missile defence research effort, known as the Science & Technology Oriented Research & Development in Missile Defence (STORM) framework. The...

ukdefencejournal.org.uk

Chemring's primary business seems to be in providing mortar launched counter measures for ships.

 

[Kirkhill]

Layers.

https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/how-layered-defense-systems-are-adapt

I am going to suggest that even base defence systems are likely to be vehicle mounted rather than static like the old GDF005s. But uncrewed with some degree of autonomy.

 

[Kirkhill]

Why the Ukrainians are going through 70mm rockets like crazy:

Entire Family Of VAMPIRE Counter-Drone Systems Unveiled

Drone boats, attack helicopters, unmanned ground vehicles and other platforms are being earmarked to carry improved versions of the anti-drone system. Drone boats, attack helicopters, unmanned ground vehicles and other platforms are being earmarked to carry improved versions of the anti-drone...

www.twz.com

https://www.navalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-08-144849.png

"While the baseline VAMPIRE (which stands for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment) is a land-based system, the expanded family of systems includes additional specialized variants for maritime, airborne, and electronic warfare operations. Once again, the primary role remains defeating drones — although it should be noted that Ukraine has also used its VAMPIRE systems to attack targets on the ground, too. Potentially, the system has also been used to down Russian cruise missiles, as well."

Army Counter Drone System Pops Out Of A Shipping Container

Containerized counter-drone systems could provide valuable added defenses, even at remote and austere forward locations.

www.twz.com

Thales Anti-Drone Rockets Now Being Used In Ukraine

Thales' new rocket system combines a 70mm laser-guided rocket with a purpose-built anti-drone airburst warhead and proximity fuse. Combining a 70-milimeter laser-guided rocket with a shotgun-style airburst warhead provides a potent anti-drone weapon.

www.twz.com

 

[Kirkhill]

And sticking with the 70mm theme ..... NGSRI - Next Generation Stinger Replacement Interceptor

Raytheon’s Stinger missile replacement will allow the US Army to reach drones farther than ever

Raytheon’s Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor will replace the FIM-92 Stinger and extend the U.S. Army’s ability to defeat drones and low-flying threats.

www.armyrecognition.com

 

[Colin Parkinson]

How did you find it?

I was wondering how it might work with more conventional targets. Does it make it easier for a rookie to effectively engage static targets by minimizing shake and flinch for example? How about engaging running targets?

You select a visual image of the target, then hold the trigger until it senses the rifle is lined up with that image. I suspect it failed in real world applications as the Buck moves behind foliage, you can see it, but the imager can't match the image and you have to start again.