Hardcore Strategy
@hardcorestrategy.bsky.social
Here for lurking, lulz, autonomous weapons, drones and the automation of war // Independent Technical Peace- and Conflictresearch // OSINT // @[email protected]
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Sometimes I wonder if my postgraduate education was a well-disguised monkey's paw wish, wherein I can't just switch off and play Genshin Impact at the weekend any more because I now know what shaping operations to bomb Iran look like
a cartoon of snow white sitting in a cell
ALT: a cartoon of snow white sitting in a cell
media.tenor.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Sometimes I wonder if my postgraduate education was a well-disguised monkey's paw wish, wherein I can't just switch off and play Genshin Impact at the weekend any more because I now know what shaping operations to bomb Iran look like
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
A new set of eyes for 🇺🇦 drones
‘The Optical System of Coordinates with Automatic Relocalization, or OSCAR, uses onboard cameras to match live imagery with mapped landmarks, allowing a drone to determine its position without relying on satellite signals’.
nextgendefense.com/ukraine-dron...
‘The Optical System of Coordinates with Automatic Relocalization, or OSCAR, uses onboard cameras to match live imagery with mapped landmarks, allowing a drone to determine its position without relying on satellite signals’.
nextgendefense.com/ukraine-dron...
Ukraine Gives Drones Vision-Based Navigation to Push Past Heavy Jamming
OSCAR enables drones to navigate without GPS by matching onboard camera imagery to mapped landmarks, resisting jamming and spoofing in contested environments.
nextgendefense.com
January 31, 2026 at 7:41 AM
A new set of eyes for 🇺🇦 drones
‘The Optical System of Coordinates with Automatic Relocalization, or OSCAR, uses onboard cameras to match live imagery with mapped landmarks, allowing a drone to determine its position without relying on satellite signals’.
nextgendefense.com/ukraine-dron...
‘The Optical System of Coordinates with Automatic Relocalization, or OSCAR, uses onboard cameras to match live imagery with mapped landmarks, allowing a drone to determine its position without relying on satellite signals’.
nextgendefense.com/ukraine-dron...
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
When the war will end, one of the things that IMO NATO armies should buy in large quantities from Ukrainian companies are decoys - even high-fidelity decoys are very cheap and they massively help preserve very expensive assets, while the enemy wastes ammo on them.
January 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
When the war will end, one of the things that IMO NATO armies should buy in large quantities from Ukrainian companies are decoys - even high-fidelity decoys are very cheap and they massively help preserve very expensive assets, while the enemy wastes ammo on them.
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
The BM-35 UAV (“Italmaz”) is Russia’s second most significant strike drone by range, payload, and usage. It reportedly uses Starlink and recently struck Kyiv.Not a whole lot has been published on their specs yet. It has a 4‑sensor detonation system with ~99.5% reliability.
Continued in part 2
Continued in part 2
January 28, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The BM-35 UAV (“Italmaz”) is Russia’s second most significant strike drone by range, payload, and usage. It reportedly uses Starlink and recently struck Kyiv.Not a whole lot has been published on their specs yet. It has a 4‑sensor detonation system with ~99.5% reliability.
Continued in part 2
Continued in part 2
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Satellite imagery helps you understand what’s happening on the ground, from above.
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
January 28, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Satellite imagery helps you understand what’s happening on the ground, from above.
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for).
Thread 👇🛰️
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
The Bundeswehr is getting a new system to kinetically shot down small drones. Will be integrated into existing detection system.
Good, small, step forwards.
augengeradeaus.net/2026/01/dron...
Good, small, step forwards.
augengeradeaus.net/2026/01/dron...
DroneWatch: Bundeswehr bekommt „skalierbaren und Szenario-spezifischen Sensor-Effektor-Mix“ – Augen geradeaus!
augengeradeaus.net
January 28, 2026 at 6:39 AM
The Bundeswehr is getting a new system to kinetically shot down small drones. Will be integrated into existing detection system.
Good, small, step forwards.
augengeradeaus.net/2026/01/dron...
Good, small, step forwards.
augengeradeaus.net/2026/01/dron...
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Someone just made a digital painting of a JD Vance meme by spoofing Air Force One flight data onto web-service adsbexchange.com.
January 28, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Someone just made a digital painting of a JD Vance meme by spoofing Air Force One flight data onto web-service adsbexchange.com.
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
The ocean freighting industry is woke now (the containers spell Renee, for Renee Good).
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
January 27, 2026 at 4:13 AM
The ocean freighting industry is woke now (the containers spell Renee, for Renee Good).
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
www.reddit.com/r/Tacoma/com...
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
On Signal:
1. No publicly available comms are completely secure in and of themselves.
2. Never underestimate the ability of someone to do something mind-bogglingly stupid.
3. Never put anything online or on a device you think you own that you would not want to be brought up in court. (1/2)
1. No publicly available comms are completely secure in and of themselves.
2. Never underestimate the ability of someone to do something mind-bogglingly stupid.
3. Never put anything online or on a device you think you own that you would not want to be brought up in court. (1/2)
January 27, 2026 at 8:01 AM
On Signal:
1. No publicly available comms are completely secure in and of themselves.
2. Never underestimate the ability of someone to do something mind-bogglingly stupid.
3. Never put anything online or on a device you think you own that you would not want to be brought up in court. (1/2)
1. No publicly available comms are completely secure in and of themselves.
2. Never underestimate the ability of someone to do something mind-bogglingly stupid.
3. Never put anything online or on a device you think you own that you would not want to be brought up in court. (1/2)
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
World-historical batshitness: "We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength & force where we would be frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that. Now everyone's saying 'oh good.' …I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland."
Trump: Greenland “is the northern frontier of the Western hemisphere. It’s our territory.”
January 21, 2026 at 2:14 PM
World-historical batshitness: "We probably won't get anything unless I decide to use excessive strength & force where we would be frankly, unstoppable. But I won't do that. Now everyone's saying 'oh good.' …I won't use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland."
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
An interesting and long thread. While I agree with some parts, I disagree with others (hunting infantry is IMO necessary due to the very sparse infantry coverage of the FLOT)
So, here is my thread on this topic:
x.com/RyanO_Chosen...
So, here is my thread on this topic:
x.com/RyanO_Chosen...
Ryan O'Leary on X: "Ukraine is not losing drone warfare tactically. Ukrainian units still kill large numbers of enemy infantry with FPVs daily. Ukraine is losing operationally and strategically because it never defined depth ownership as the goal." / X
Ukraine is not losing drone warfare tactically. Ukrainian units still kill large numbers of enemy infantry with FPVs daily. Ukraine is losing operationally and strategically because it never defined depth ownership as the goal.
x.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:46 PM
An interesting and long thread. While I agree with some parts, I disagree with others (hunting infantry is IMO necessary due to the very sparse infantry coverage of the FLOT)
So, here is my thread on this topic:
x.com/RyanO_Chosen...
So, here is my thread on this topic:
x.com/RyanO_Chosen...
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Chinese commentators having a lot to be thankful for these days
January 20, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Chinese commentators having a lot to be thankful for these days
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
European staff officers working on NATO's Defence Plans
January 19, 2026 at 9:37 AM
European staff officers working on NATO's Defence Plans
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Ukrainian air defense intercepted a Russian BM-35 kamikaze drone controlled via Starlink satellite terminal—first confirmed case on this drone type
The system provides stable communications & helps bypass electronic warfare defenses, military specialist says
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/16/u...
The system provides stable communications & helps bypass electronic warfare defenses, military specialist says
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/16/u...
Ukrainian forces down Russian drone using Starlink for satellite control
Analysis of wreckage from a downed Russian BM-35 drone revealed a Starlink terminal providing satellite control, a technological advancement that allows the aircraft to partially circumvent Ukrainian…
euromaidanpress.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Ukrainian air defense intercepted a Russian BM-35 kamikaze drone controlled via Starlink satellite terminal—first confirmed case on this drone type
The system provides stable communications & helps bypass electronic warfare defenses, military specialist says
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/16/u...
The system provides stable communications & helps bypass electronic warfare defenses, military specialist says
euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/16/u...
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Graphic updated with records within the year:
January 16, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Graphic updated with records within the year:
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
🇺🇦🦅 The Ukrainian Raybird reconnaissance drone with an electric motor running on hydrogen fuel was involved in carrying out combat missions at the front, - Militarnyi
The production Raybird, powered by an internal combustion engine, allows for a flight duration of over 28 hours.
The production Raybird, powered by an internal combustion engine, allows for a flight duration of over 28 hours.
January 15, 2026 at 9:30 AM
🇺🇦🦅 The Ukrainian Raybird reconnaissance drone with an electric motor running on hydrogen fuel was involved in carrying out combat missions at the front, - Militarnyi
The production Raybird, powered by an internal combustion engine, allows for a flight duration of over 28 hours.
The production Raybird, powered by an internal combustion engine, allows for a flight duration of over 28 hours.
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Michail Fedorov - der designierte neue Verteidigungsminister und ehemalige Digitlaisierungsminister - hat auf Telegram seine “Bewerbungsrede” als neuer Verteidigungsminister publiziert.
Sie ist lang, hat es aber in sich. Es lohnt, sich diese durchzulesen.
/2
Sie ist lang, hat es aber in sich. Es lohnt, sich diese durchzulesen.
/2
January 14, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Michail Fedorov - der designierte neue Verteidigungsminister und ehemalige Digitlaisierungsminister - hat auf Telegram seine “Bewerbungsrede” als neuer Verteidigungsminister publiziert.
Sie ist lang, hat es aber in sich. Es lohnt, sich diese durchzulesen.
/2
Sie ist lang, hat es aber in sich. Es lohnt, sich diese durchzulesen.
/2
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
“The first photos of fragments and a rendered image of the Geran-5 jet attack UAV”
January 11, 2026 at 10:08 AM
“The first photos of fragments and a rendered image of the Geran-5 jet attack UAV”
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
No flag
No insurance
No problem!
Rustbucket zombie-tanker ARCUSAT/TAVIAN/TIA will enter Baltics in ~3 days.
This will be her third fetch of Russian oil since October.
No flag, no state, no identity and no registry -> she is basically lawless.
Some would even argue states have obligations here.
No insurance
No problem!
Rustbucket zombie-tanker ARCUSAT/TAVIAN/TIA will enter Baltics in ~3 days.
This will be her third fetch of Russian oil since October.
No flag, no state, no identity and no registry -> she is basically lawless.
Some would even argue states have obligations here.
January 9, 2026 at 11:55 PM
No flag
No insurance
No problem!
Rustbucket zombie-tanker ARCUSAT/TAVIAN/TIA will enter Baltics in ~3 days.
This will be her third fetch of Russian oil since October.
No flag, no state, no identity and no registry -> she is basically lawless.
Some would even argue states have obligations here.
No insurance
No problem!
Rustbucket zombie-tanker ARCUSAT/TAVIAN/TIA will enter Baltics in ~3 days.
This will be her third fetch of Russian oil since October.
No flag, no state, no identity and no registry -> she is basically lawless.
Some would even argue states have obligations here.
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
My analysis of the Trump-class "battleship" is out!
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
The Trump-Class Battleship: Spectacle Wins Out Over Combat Power - Foreign Policy Research Institute
After finishing my last article on the inability of the US Navy to build frigates, I was hopeful that I could have a bit of a break before the next crisis in
www.fpri.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:15 PM
My analysis of the Trump-class "battleship" is out!
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
(TL;DR please just build more destroyers)
www.fpri.org/article/2026...
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
"Ukraine has used these autonomous systems effectively to substitute for other capabilities that it lacks, like artillery and infantry mass."
Where pretty much all of these types of articles collapse is their presumption that NATO has such capabilities.
Where pretty much all of these types of articles collapse is their presumption that NATO has such capabilities.
“Ukraine’s battlefield technologies — especially drones — do not yet constitute a new way of warfare. Instead, they function mainly as substitutions for missing capabilities and have produced stalemate rather than decisive maneuver.”
A New Way of Warfare Requires More Than New Tech
When I look back at my 45 years of military service, one of the highlights of my military education was a battlefield tour I participated in during 2001
warontherocks.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:46 AM
"Ukraine has used these autonomous systems effectively to substitute for other capabilities that it lacks, like artillery and infantry mass."
Where pretty much all of these types of articles collapse is their presumption that NATO has such capabilities.
Where pretty much all of these types of articles collapse is their presumption that NATO has such capabilities.
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
I've seen a million posts like this but that's just not how international politics works. What really matters is power, not credibility or moral consistency. If Xi Jinping thinks he can successfully invade Taiwan at acceptable cost, he will do it
If Xi Jinping invaded Taiwan right now, and toppled the president there, on what grounds would the United States object? Or have any credibility to say anything?
January 4, 2026 at 12:44 PM
I've seen a million posts like this but that's just not how international politics works. What really matters is power, not credibility or moral consistency. If Xi Jinping thinks he can successfully invade Taiwan at acceptable cost, he will do it
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
It’s possible to hold both views at once: that Maduro was a tin-pot dictator who deserved to be removed from power, and that unauthorised military action to depose a foreign head of state is a troubling development. Especially given Trump’s rhetoric towards other nations.
January 3, 2026 at 12:11 PM
It’s possible to hold both views at once: that Maduro was a tin-pot dictator who deserved to be removed from power, and that unauthorised military action to depose a foreign head of state is a troubling development. Especially given Trump’s rhetoric towards other nations.
Reposted by Hardcore Strategy
Pretty sure this is the plan
January 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Pretty sure this is the plan