Atlantic’s Simon Shuster in early February 2026 reflects a burgeoning trend of anti-drone technologies making their way through military forces worldwide.
For example, global naval units have incorporated high-powered laser systems on warships such as the U.K.’s Type 45 destroyer. Unmanned aerial, surface, and subsurface drones pose an increasing risk to aircraft carriers, battleships, and cargo ships, beginning to level the battlefield for naval military powers. The Russo-Ukrainian conflict, notably, has played a crucial role in fostering these advancements as both countries utilize and respond to the unmanned weapons systems transforming land, air, and maritime drones.