Taiwan has introduced a new COBRA-3120 barrage munition, an analog of the American Switchblade

What is COBRA-3120 and who is it aimed at?

Taiwan has unveiled a new tactical unmanned munition called the COBRA-3120, developed as part of efforts to modernize its own defense systems. The device is positioned as an analogue of the American Switchblade barrage ammunition, widely used in modern conflicts due to its accuracy, mobility and the ability to destroy targets with minimal risk to the operator.

The COBRA-3120 is designed for use by units of the Army and Marine Corps, providing a rapid response to threats in the field. Its compactness and ease of operation make it possible to deploy the system at the squad level, making it an important element of modern tactical aviation.

Key technical specifications

According to the stated data, the COBRA-3120 has the following parameters:

Flight speed: 60-250 km/h (adjustable, including camouflage and attack mode)

Range: 30-40 km — sufficient to hit targets beyond the line of sight

Time spent in the air: up to 40 minutes, which allows the drone to wait for a target in a given area.

Warhead: 1-2 kg — sufficient to defeat lightly armored vehicles, shelters and groups of infantry

The munition is launched from a transport and launch tube, similar to the Switchblade, and is controlled by the operator via a secure radio channel. It is equipped with a real—time camera, which allows you to adjust the trajectory and cancel the attack if necessary - an important advantage in terms of reducing the risk to the civilian population.

Comparison with the American Switchblade

The COBRA-3120 is similar in concept to the American Switchblade 600, which is also designed to engage armored targets at the tactical level. However, the Switchblade 600 has a longer range (about 100 km) and a more powerful warhead (up to 5.4 kg).

Nevertheless, the COBRA-3120 demonstrates a similar architecture: compact body, folding wings, guidance system with video transmission and a barrage mode. Its development indicates Taiwan's desire to build up its own defense capabilities and reduce dependence on imported systems.

Role in modern tactical defense systems

The COBRA-3120 is part of Taiwan's broader strategy to introduce small unmanned systems to counter potential threats. In the context of increased geopolitical tensions amid activity in the Taiwan Strait, such drones allow for a quick response to incursions, reconnaissance actions and accumulations of equipment.

The integration of such systems into the army increases the autonomy of units, reduces dependence on heavy weapons and makes it possible to effectively use the "strike-disappear" principle in urban and coastal areas.

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.

Startup Grid Aero is developing an autonomous cargo drone for the US Army

Startup Grid Aero from San Leandro, California, has unveiled an innovative project to develop an autonomous cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of traveling thousands of miles with a payload of thousands of pounds. The new drone is aimed at expanding the capabilities of the US Army in carrying out transport and logistics tasks over long distances.

The company was founded in 2024 and has since raised $6 million in seed funding. These funds are aimed at developing and testing technologies that will create an efficient and reliable platform for autonomous freight transportation.

The Grid Aero project is part of a growing trend towards integrating unmanned vehicles into the military sector, where demand for autonomous systems is increasing that can reduce the burden on personnel and increase the speed of delivery of logistical resources.

Autonomous cargo drones promise to become a key element of modern military logistics, providing flexibility in operations in hard-to-reach areas and reducing risks for personnel. Grid Aero is taking an important step in this direction by offering solutions that can significantly change the U.S. Army's approach to transportation.

F-35A and PDW C100 drone conducted joint airstrikes: a new era of air support

In July 2025, as part of a large-scale demonstration of the next-generation air warfare concept, a landmark event took place: the fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter carried out targeted airstrikes for the first time in close cooperation with the PDW C100 unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Performance Drone Works (PDW). This operation was an important step in the implementation of the strategy of joint fire support between manned and unmanned aircraft.

How it works: pilot and drone in a single network

During the tests, the PDW C100 drone, equipped with a laser designator, served as a scout and spotter. He approached the target at low altitude, providing stealthy detection and illumination of objects, while the F-35A fighter remained at a safe distance. After receiving data on the target, the F-35A aimed and dropped four GBU-12 Paveway II inert bombs, which hit the specified coordinates with high accuracy.

This format of interaction — when a drone "lights up" a target and a fighter strikes — demonstrates the transition to a new model of air operations, where artificial intelligence and autonomous systems become full-fledged partners of the pilot.

Significance for the future of war

This demonstration was conducted as part of the US Department of Defense's initiative to develop the Team Navy/Team Air Force concept, aimed at integrating UAS into combat formations. The use of drones in the role of "advanced observers" allows:

Reduce risks for manned aviation,

Increase the accuracy of strikes,

Expand the control zone in difficult air defense conditions.

Performance Drone Works, a company specializing in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, has confirmed that the PDW C100 is capable of operating as part of a tactical network, exchanging real-time data with other platforms, including aircraft, ground stations and command posts.

What's next?

Successful tests pave the way for the mass implementation of such solutions in combat aviation. In the future, drones like the PDW C100 can accompany not only the F-35A, but also future sixth-generation fighters, forming hybrid air groups of manned and unmanned vehicles.

The Austrian company Schiebel has introduced an improved rotary-wing UAV S-300 with anti-submarine capabilities

At the Paris Air Show 2025, the Austrian company Schiebel demonstrated a new enhanced configuration of its unmanned aerial vehicle with an S-300 rotary-wing engine. The platform is now equipped with an L3HARRIS WESCAM MX-10 turret, an IMSAR NSP-3 radar, an additional optical system in the bow, and an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonar buoy. These innovations transform the S-300 from a traditional reconnaissance vehicle into a full-fledged system of multi-domain maritime surveillance and underwater warfare.

Technical features and capabilities

- The L3HARRIS WESCAM MX-10 turret provides high-quality electrostatic and infrared imaging, improving surveillance and targeting capabilities.

- The IMSAR NSP-3 radar with multifunctional operating modes (SAR, MTI, CCD) allows for effective detection and tracking of marine and ground targets in all weather conditions.

- A secondary optical system in the bow expands the range of reconnaissance capabilities and improves navigation accuracy.

- The ASW hydroacoustic buoy allows you to perform tasks of detecting and classifying submarines, which previously was the prerogative of only manned helicopters and large offshore platforms.

The extended payload and versatility of the S-300 make it a unique tool for maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare, especially for small naval forces that do not have the resources to operate manned ASW helicopters. The compactness and the possibility of vertical takeoff and landing make it possible to use UAVs from ships of small and medium tonnage without the need for an airfield.

With the new equipment, the S-300 meets the growing demand for multifunctional, cost-effective and efficient means of monitoring and combating underwater threats in the context of the escalating geopolitical situation in offshore areas such as the Baltic and Red Seas. The integration of advanced American and European sensors also ensures compatibility with NATO systems.