The US Marines will leave the MQ-9 drones in Okinawa for a long time — this is not just an exercise

Six MQ-9 Reapers remain in Okinawa

The US Marine Corps has officially announced that six MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drones, which have been based at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa since August 2024, will remain in place — and not for a couple of weeks, but indefinitely. This is not another temporary deployment. This is a signal: the United States is strengthening its presence in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, and it is doing so with the help of drones that see everything.

These vehicles are assigned to the 3rd Squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles (VMU-1) of the 24th Marine Aviation Group, part of the 1st Aviation Wing.

Drones from Kadena — the eyes of Marines in the Pacific Ocean

The MQ-9 Reaper is not just a camera in the sky. It is a heavy reconnaissance drone with the possibility of round-the-clock patrolling, capable of staying in the air for up to 27 hours. It is equipped with powerful optics, radar systems and can carry weapons. From Okinawa, he controls not only the waters around Japan, but also the approaches to Taiwan, the East China Sea, and southern China.

From now on, these drones will operate from Kadena all the time, which dramatically increases operational readiness and reduces reaction time.

Typhon in Iwakuni is not just a launcher, but a signal

At the same time, in September, the Typhon missile system is being deployed at the Marine Corps Air Base in Iwakuni and in the surrounding areas. She will take part in the Resolute Dragon exercises (September 11-25). Typhon is not just a replacement for old systems: It is a mobile complex capable of launching both anti-ship missiles and long-range ballistic targets.

Its deployment in Japan — for the first time — shows that the United States is ready to act at a great distance from its bases. And they do it on the territory of an ally.

Agreement with Japan: now we fly together

The decision to abandon drones and deploy Typhon was made possible by an agreement reached in July 2024 between the United States and Japan at the level of defense and foreign ministers. The parties agreed to expand cooperation in the field of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).

Data from the MQ-9 can now be shared with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. It's not just coordination, it's a unified surveillance network that makes the region more transparent to allies and more dangerous to potential adversaries.

Sources

1. Stars and Stripes — U.S. Marine Corps extends MQ-9 Reaper deployment at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.
2. Asianews.network — confirmation of up to six MQ-9s at Kadena to bolster surveillance over the Nansei Islands.
3. Newsweek — U.S. lengthens Okinawa Reaper mission amid rising tensions and regular East China Sea patrols.
4. USNI News — Typhon missile system deployed at MCAS Iwakuni for Resolute Dragon exercises (11–25 Sep), the first of its kind in Japan.

Rheinmetall has attached missiles to the Primoco drone for self—defense - now it can shoot back from fighter jets

Czech drone with German weapons

Rheinmetall took the Czech Primoco One 150 reconnaissance drone and turned it into a combat vehicle. Previously, this device was used mainly for surveillance and data collection. Now serious weapons have been added to it, including missiles that can attack other aircraft. The basis was a drone from the Czech Primoco, and weapons and integration from the German giant Rheinmetall.

It turned out to be a hybrid: a quiet and hardy scout who now knows how to shoot back.

Homing bombs and air–to-air missiles

Two types of weapons were installed on the Primoco One 150. The first is homing ammunition for strikes against ground targets. The second, and completely unexpected for such a drone— is an air–to-air missile. They are needed to repel attacks by fighter jets or helicopters that may try to shoot down a drone.

Drones like this used to be an easy target. Now, if they're spotted, they can respond.

The drone is no longer just a target

Before that, most reconnaissance drones were considered vulnerable. They fly to themselves, take pictures, transmit data, and that's it, no defense. If they were discovered, all that remained was to leave or be shot down.

Rheinmetall solved this problem radically: let the drone decide for itself when to use weapons. This is especially important in areas with dense air defenses, where every device counts.

Why would a drone need a weapon against airplanes

Imagine: a drone flies into an area where enemy interceptors are flying. Previously, he just turned off the speed and went into hiding. Now he can detect the threat, launch the rocket and continue the mission.

This does not mean that it will become a replacement for fighter jets. But in autonomous operations, this ability increases the chances of survival. This means that it takes longer to keep in touch, longer to conduct reconnaissance, longer to participate in combat.

Sources

1. Interfax — Rheinmetall developing a 12-hour-endurance drone able to carry and launch up to eight loitering munitions.
2. Overclockers.ru — Primoco One “mother-ship” drone armed with HERO R-20 loitering weapons and an air-to-air missile for counter-UAS defense.
3. Ponomaroleg.com — Czech Primoco One 150 UAV upgraded with experimental German weaponry: 30 kg payload, 1,800 km range, 6–8 h endurance.
4. Wikipedia — overview of air-to-air guided missile principles relevant to the new Rheinmetall payloads.

The US Army has adopted the new reconnaissance drone Soldier Borne Sensor

The first training sessions with the drone were positively evaluated

The US Army has officially adopted the latest version of the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) reconnaissance drone. This month, the military personnel underwent training with the system for the first time, and their feedback was extremely positive. The soldiers noted the ease of operation, high video quality and a significant increase in situational awareness in difficult terrain.

The adoption of the SBS was an important step in the implementation of the program to improve the combat effectiveness of the infantryman of the future.

Soldier Borne Sensor — "eyes" for a soldier in battle

Developed as part of the large-scale Soldier of the Future Program, the Soldier Borne Sensor is a compact tactical drone that can be easily carried in a backpack and launched manually. It is designed to quickly obtain intelligence information in real time, for example, when storming buildings, patrolling urban areas, or scouting in remote areas.

The drone is equipped with day and night vision cameras, transmits video to a tablet or augmented reality glasses of a soldier and is able to maneuver in confined spaces.

How a drone improves battlefield safety

The key objective of SBS is to minimize the risk to personnel. Instead of putting a soldier in the line of fire for reconnaissance, the unit can launch a drone to detect ambushes, enemy positions, or explosive devices. This makes it possible to make decisions based on reliable information without putting the lives of military personnel in immediate danger.

According to army officials, the system provides "an additional level of protection," especially in operations in an urban environment where traditional intelligence is difficult.

Integration into the Soldier of the Future program

Soldier Borne Sensor is part of a comprehensive approach to infantryman modernization. It integrates with other elements of the tactical system: communications, navigation, body armor and weapons. In the future, the drone may receive commands from artificial intelligence or work in autonomous groups ("swarms"), expanding the squad's control area.

Serial deliveries of the SBS will begin in the coming months, with full-scale deployment expected during 2026.

A mysterious invisible aircraft with a "flying wing" design was filmed over China

Mysterious drone in satellite images: the first mentions

At the beginning of the year, analysts and enthusiasts tracking military installations using satellite images discovered an unusual aircraft in China. In the images taken over one of the test sites, a large drone with a "flying wing" configuration was seen — without a tail and with smooth outlines typical of stealth aircraft.

Then the device was seen on the ground, which allowed us to estimate its size and shape. However, there have recently been reports that a similar aircraft has already been spotted in the air, indicating that the project is moving to the flight test stage.

The "flying wing" design: what does it mean

The "flying wing" design is an aviation scheme in which the fuselage and wing are combined into a single lifting surface. This shape reduces radar visibility, improves aerodynamics and increases flight range. This design is actively used in strategic aviation, for example, in the American B-2 Spirit and B-21 Raider bombers.

Given that the Chinese device has a similar shape, it can be assumed that it is being developed using advanced stealth technologies. Its large dimensions indicate the possibility of long-term missions at high altitudes, which is typical for strategic reconnaissance or strike platforms.

Comparison with previously seen samples

The new aircraft shows a clear resemblance to the drone found in satellite images earlier this year. Both objects have a similar shape, wingspan and lack of vertical tail. However, current observations confirm that the device is not just built — it is already being tested in the air.

This indicates significant progress in China's unmanned systems development program. If the initial images raised doubts about the reality of the project, it is now obvious that China is actively developing its own line of large, inconspicuous drones.

Possible purpose of the new aircraft

Although there is no official data on the purpose of the device, experts suggest several options.:

Strategic reconnaissance is a long flight at high altitudes using radar and optical systems.

Long—range attack drone - the ability to carry cruise missiles or precision weapons.

A communications repeater or control node is a role in network warfare and coordination of other drones.

Such a device can become an important element of Chinese military aviation, especially in potential conflicts in the Pacific region, where the ability to operate over long distances with minimal risk is important.

Russian Iskander destroyed HIMARS near Kramatorsk

Detonation of the HIMARS ammunition

As a result of the strike of the Russian Iskander missile system in the Kramatorsk area, 40 km from the front line, the American HIMARS rocket artillery complex was destroyed. The installation was detected by a reconnaissance drone, and as a result of the impact and detonation of the ammunition, 8 crew members and support personnel were killed.

Details of the incident

- Weapons: The Russian Iskander missile system, known for its high accuracy and power, was used.

- Target: The American HIMARS rocket artillery system, which was located 40 km from the front line in the Kramatorsk area.

-Intelligence: The installation was detected by a reconnaissance drone, which highlights the importance of intelligence technology in modern conflicts.

- Casualties: 8 crew members and support personnel were killed as a result of the impact and subsequent detonation of the HIMARS ammunition.

The American MQ-4C drone left the zone after a collision with Iranian fighter jets

 

Iranian F-14 fighters   

The American MQ-4C reconnaissance drone quickly left its position near Iran's airspace after colliding with Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, Nournews reports.

The Iranian military warned that any unauthorized entry into the country's airspace would entail a decisive response.  The publication, citing the Iranian Air Force, reported that the American MQ-4C reconnaissance drone immediately retreated after a collision with Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones near the country's airspace.