Iran Fires Missiles, China Hunts the F-35, America Builds a Drone-Killer

Three war-tech stories from 13 October 2026 — in one article. Iran is reported to be staging missile drills, researchers in China say a new sensor could in simulation detect a stealth jet, and an American company has announced a sight designed to bring down drones.

IRAN: Reports say Iran's IRGC missile readiness drills entered a third day, with at least three ballistic missiles launched from Isfahan (JFeed, 13 Oct). The Institute for the Study of War's 13 Oct Iran Update says Iran is conducting drone, missile and anti-aircraft tests while trying to deter renewed US operations.

CHINA vs THE F-35: Researchers at China's Air-to-Air Missile Research Institute published SIMULATION results (reported 13 Oct via SCMP / Seoul Economic Daily) claiming a missile-mounted single-photon lidar sensor could detect a US F-35C stealth fighter from up to 61.5 km at night and 27.7 km in daytime. Important: this is a simulation claim, not a fielded weapon.

That claim matters because it targets the one thing stealth jets rely on, radar invisibility, because laser light still reflects off the airframe. It is presented here only as a simulation claim, not as proven performance in the field.

AMERICA: At AUSA, SIG SAUER unveiled the XRAY9-CUAS, a counter-drone electro-optic for remote weapon stations (company announcement, 13 Oct). The company says its SWIR laser rangefinder and slew-rate sensors instantly calculate a drone's distance, speed and vector and generate a custom disturbed reticle — engaging out to about 300 yards depending on drone size, day/night thermal-fused, 24 oz, up to 50 hours of battery.

All claims are attributed to their sources above; nothing is presented as proven fact. Follow Daily Info Dose for a daily dose of history, technology and amazing facts!