Europe
LANCASHIRE, UK — BAE Systems has released around six minutes of new footage showing the United Kingdom’s Combat Air Flying Demonstrator under construction at its facilities in Lancashire. The footage provides a new view of the aircraft as its major structural sections continue to take shape. The demonstrator is the UK’s first crewed combat air demonstrator in more than 40 years, following the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP), which first flew in 1986. The aircraft is being developed as part of the UK’s Team Tempest effort to test and mature technologies and engineering processes that will support the country’s contribution to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the joint UK-Italy-Japan programme for a future combat aircraft. The demonstrator itself is a UK-only programme and is not a prototype of the final GCAP fighter. BAE Systems has released new footage showing the UK’s Combat Air Flying Demonstrator under construction in Lancashire. The demonstrator is part of Team Tempest and supports technology development for the sixth-generation GCAP fighter being developed by the UK, Italy and Japan. pic.twitter.com/DQUvXQAByj — The Defense News (@TheDefenseNews) August 14, 2026 Manufacturing Progress Construction of the demonstrator is now well advanced. Aviation Week reported in June that around 75% of the aircraft by volume had been manufactured, with major structural sections having been in production for between 12 and 18 months. BAE Systems said in July that more than 11,500 parts had been designed and released, representing about 90% of the aircraft’s overall weight. Around half of the main aircraft structure was then in final assembly. The front, centre and rear fuselage sections are being assembled at BAE Systems’ Samlesbury facility. The large cranked or cropped-delta wings and vertical stabilisers are being produced at the nearby Warton facility. Three sets of wings and stabilisers have been produced, with one set of each intended for structural testing. The demonstrator uses advanced digital engineering and manufacturing methods. BAE Systems has highlighted the use of digital design, simulation, robotics, additive manufacturing and other manufacturing techniques as part of the programme. Aircraft Design and Testing The demonstrator is a twin-engine, piloted supersonic aircraft and will use Eurojet EJ200 engines with modified nozzles. It is larger than the Eurofighter Typhoon and has two internal weapons bays in the centre fuselage, positioned ahead of the main landing gear. The aircraft is being used to examine technologies and design approaches relevant to future combat aircraft, including low-observability features, propulsion, aerodynamics, flight controls and internal systems. The programme has already made extensive use of simulation. Test pilots from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and the Royal Air Force have completed more than 300 hours of simulator flying on the demonstrator. BAE Systems says the simulator work is being used to assess flight-control systems and aircraft handling before the aircraft begins real flight trials. A modified Boeing 757 known as the Excalibur flying testbed is also being used for testing new sensing and communications technologies for the future combat-air programme. BAE Systems said in July that the aircraft had completed modifications and was ready for the next stage of flight trials. Workforce and Industrial Base More than 1,000 people across the UK have worked on the demonstrator programme, while more than 100 UK suppliers and organisations have contributed to the project. Around 150 people in early-career roles have received training through the programme, and about 200 people who worked on the demonstrator have since moved into GCAP roles. The demonstrator is intended to provide experience in designing, manufacturing and preparing a new combat aircraft for flight while developing engineering and manufacturing skills needed for future programmes. Flight Schedule Final assembly of the fuselage sections is progressing, with the completed fuselage expected to move from Samlesbury to Warton for mating with the wings. The programme is targeting a power-on milestone in the second half of 2027, followed by completion of the aircraft toward the end of 2027. Flight testing is planned to begin around the end of 2027 or early 2028, depending on the programme timeline. The flight-test programme is expected to examine areas including aircraft handling, propulsion, airflow, low-observability characteristics and internal weapons release. Link to GCAP The Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is intended to reduce technical and manufacturing risks before the full GCAP aircraft programme progresses further. Data and lessons from the programme are being shared with GCAP partners in a controlled manner. GCAP is being developed by the UK, Italy and Japan. On July 3, 2026, the GCAP Agency awarded the industrial joint venture Edgewing a £4.6 billion contract for the next stage of the aircraft’s design, including establishing requirements and testing activities. The UK has also committed £8.6 billion to GCAP over four years under its Defence Investment Plan. The final GCAP aircraft is planned to enter service from 2035 and is intended to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in UK and Italian service and the F-2 in Japanese service. The UK demonstrator therefore serves as a separate test and technology programme rather than a production version of the future GCAP fighter. Its main purpose is to demonstrate technologies, engineering methods and manufacturing processes that can be carried into the next-generation combat-air programme.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 16:19:42
World
DUHOK, Kurdistan Region — Anwar Atroshi Company, also known as SHIELD, a private defense manufacturer based in Duhok, has unveiled the B70, a 25-ton combat tank that the company describes as the first tank in the Kurdistan Region to be designed and built locally by Kurdish engineers and technical specialists. Company owner Anwar Saeed, also referred to as Anwar Atrushi, Enwer Said or Anwar Saeed, said the B70 was developed through the company’s own engineering work and was not copied from a foreign tank design. “The design process was carried out entirely by our own engineers and technical specialists. We did not imitate any foreign model; we created the B70 based on an original design,” Saeed said in comments reported by Kurdistan24. B70 Underwent Field Testing According to SHIELD, the B70 incorporates modern military technology, including sensors and laser-based systems. The vehicle has undergone testing in different environments to assess its durability and operational performance. The tests included mountainous terrain, open plains and marshy or water-covered areas. The company said most of the vehicle is manufactured locally, while some specialized components, including the engine and tires, are sourced from Germany. SHIELD also said final technical adjustments are being made to the tank’s track and running systems before full deployment. Company Claims Lower Production Cost SHIELD says the B70 could provide a lower-cost option compared with foreign armored vehicles. According to Saeed, the company can produce the B70 for approximately $500,000. He compared this with what he described as a roughly $2 million price for comparable 2025-model foreign tanks available on the global market. The company estimates that its Duhok facility could produce approximately one B70 per month when operating at full capacity. SHIELD’s Expansion Into Vehicle Manufacturing SHIELD began operations in 2014, initially providing maintenance and repair services for armored military vehicles. The company later expanded into manufacturing military, security and civilian protected vehicles. Some of its earlier armored vehicles have been supplied to Peshmerga forces. The company is licensed by the Kurdistan Region’s Companies Registry and the Engineers Syndicate and employs local engineers and industrial specialists. Earlier reporting on SHIELD's vehicles stated that most components for previous models were produced locally, while engines and tires were sourced from Germany. Focus on Peshmerga Support Saeed said the company's main objective with the B70 project is to support the Peshmerga forces with domestically developed technology. He has also expressed hope for stronger coordination and support from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs to help the company expand production and work on additional military platforms. The project reflects SHIELD’s broader effort to develop local engineering and manufacturing capabilities for armored and protected vehicles in the Kurdistan Region. Government Attention The company has also received attention from Kurdistan Region leadership. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani previously visited SHIELD’s exhibition stand at the Zakho International Exhibition, where he reviewed the company’s work. During the visit, Barzani described the company’s achievements as unique or unprecedented and expressed support for the development of local industry. The B70’s introduction represents a new development in the Kurdistan Region’s domestic defense manufacturing sector. SHIELD says local production could help reduce future procurement costs for armored vehicles and related equipment while providing opportunities for local engineers and industrial specialists to participate in military technology development. The information in this report is based on statements from SHIELD and reporting by Kurdistan24 and related local coverage published in August 2026.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 16:00:20
U.S
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy is preparing to deploy the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has remained on an extended deployment supporting U.S. military operations in the region. The Lincoln left its home port in San Diego on November 21, 2025, for what was initially expected to be a roughly seven-month deployment in the Indo-Pacific. The carrier was redirected to the Middle East in January 2026 ahead of U.S. military operations involving Iran. Its deployment has since been extended several times, with no public return date announced as of mid-August. Recent reporting says the carrier has spent more than 250 days deployed, including a lengthy period continuously underway. The deployment was originally scheduled to end in May 2026, but it was extended amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The more than 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard the carrier have reportedly had only two days on land during the deployment, in Guam in December and Oman in July. Extended Deployment The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area while supporting ongoing operations. The extended deployment has limited opportunities for the crew to spend time ashore. The carrier made brief stops in Guam in December 2025 and Oman in July 2026. Reports from families and sailors have described the deployment as physically and mentally difficult, with concerns about long working periods and repeated extensions. In April, reports of conditions aboard the carrier generated public criticism after photographs emerged showing poor-quality and rationed food. Other reports cited water shortages, moldy showers and broken laundry machines. The Navy has previously confirmed that the Lincoln has continued conducting operations in the region. In March, U.S. Central Command said a sailor was injured during flight operations aboard the carrier in the Arabian Sea and was taken ashore for additional medical care. Reports of Conditions and Mental Health Concerns Recent reports from Military Times, Navy Times, Stars and Stripes and other outlets have highlighted concerns raised by sailors' families about conditions aboard the carrier. Families have described problems including broken toilets and plumbing, mold in showers, limited hot water, laundry equipment problems, disruptions to mail and care packages, and periods of food shortages or rationing. Representative Mike Levin, a Democrat from California, has described reports of moldy showers, broken toilets, laundry being out of service for weeks, long periods without hot water, reduced meals and shortages of basic hygiene products. Mental health concerns have also been raised. Families told news organizations that some sailors had experienced severe exhaustion, low morale and thoughts of self-harm. Reports have also described incidents in which sailors allegedly attempted or prepared to go overboard. Military families and members of Congress have raised concerns about what they describe as an intensifying mental health crisis aboard the carrier. Navy Times and Stars and Stripes have reported multiple incidents involving sailors attempting to jump overboard during the current deployment. One sailor's spouse, Annabelle Loma, told Military Times that her husband, a sailor with about 13 years of service, attempted to go overboard after the deployment was repeatedly extended and was later placed on medical hold. She said he was concerned that his actions could result in a dishonorable discharge and affect his military career. Another sailor's wife told the publication that her husband was involved in a separate incident in which he prevented a fellow crew member from jumping by grabbing the sailor and bringing them back onto the deck. At an emotional town hall meeting in San Diego, around 200 family members raised concerns with Navy leaders about the length of the deployment and the conditions faced by their relatives aboard the carrier. The meeting was attended by Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and other senior officials. One spouse told Cao that the Navy had “broken trust between us and the leadership.” Another family member said her husband had sent her a message saying he hoped he would not wake up the following day. A U.S. official also told CNN that a sailor went overboard from the Lincoln earlier in August. The sailor was rescued within about an hour, medically evaluated and transferred from the ship for further care. The official did not say whether the incident was treated as a suicide attempt. Navy Response Navy officials have acknowledged the strain associated with the extended deployment but have disputed some of the more serious claims. The Navy has said it has not identified a statistical increase in reported suicidal ideation or suicide attempts aboard the Lincoln based on the information available to it. Officials have also said that medical and mental health personnel, chaplains and deployment-resilience counselors are available to the crew. The Navy said that extended deployments can place significant strain on service members and their families and that the health and well-being of Lincoln sailors remain a priority. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described reports of extreme shortages and poor morale as “completely misrepresented.” In earlier comments, Hegseth also dismissed the accounts as “more fake news.” Officials said disruptions to traditional supply hubs caused by combat operations contributed to some shortages and mail delays. The Navy has maintained that the carrier has access to clean water, functioning air conditioning and healthy meals. A Navy official said current reports from the ship confirmed continuous access to those resources. Lawmakers Seek Answers The reported conditions have also prompted questions from members of Congress. Senator Richard Blumenthal wrote to senior Navy officials seeking information about deployment extensions, supply problems, water and plumbing issues, mental health support, deck safety and mail disruptions. Representative Mike Levin has also publicly raised concerns about reports of moldy showers, broken toilets, laundry problems, reduced meals and shortages of basic hygiene supplies. Levin criticized Hegseth's response to the reports, saying service members should have access to basic necessities including hot water, working toilets and adequate meals. Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado and former Army Ranger who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, has also warned that the strain on service members and their families aboard the Lincoln is building week by week. Families of sailors and Marines have raised similar concerns directly with Navy officials during meetings in San Diego. Mental Health Challenges Among Deployed Sailors The concerns surrounding the Lincoln come amid broader research into mental health challenges faced by active-duty Navy personnel. A study published last year examined stress factors experienced by sailors during deployments. The research identified factors including loud noise, lack of rest, and inadequate mental and physical healthcare. Researchers surveyed deployed sailors and found that almost half reported that they were not receiving adequate help in coping with stress while at sea. The study concluded that, given the high rates of military suicide, including within the Navy, improving access to healthcare aboard ships was an urgent need. USS George Washington Heads West The Navy is now moving the USS George Washington toward the Middle East as the planned relief carrier for the Abraham Lincoln. The George Washington is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that normally operates in the western Pacific from Yokosuka, Japan. It recently completed a port visit in Da Nang, Vietnam, and is moving west toward the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Malacca. The Associated Press reported that the carrier is heading toward the Middle East as part of the planned rotation. U.S. officials have described the deployment of the George Washington as part of a scheduled rotation rather than an emergency response to the reports surrounding the Lincoln. The exact timing of the George Washington's arrival has not been publicly disclosed. Once the relief process is completed, the Abraham Lincoln will be able to leave the Middle East and begin its return journey. The rotation will also temporarily reduce the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft-carrier presence in the Pacific. For the Abraham Lincoln's crew, the relief will mark the end of one of the Navy's longest recent carrier deployments. Navy officials have said the health and well-being of the sailors and Marines remain a priority while the carrier continues its current mission.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 15:48:34
U.S
DETROIT — The U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, known as the “Iron Horse” Brigade, is preparing to receive prototypes of the next-generation M1E3 Abrams main battle tank and XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle for operational testing. Brigade commander Col. Todd Hertling said at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering and Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Detroit that soldiers are looking forward to evaluating the new platforms, particularly their improvements in lethality, survivability and mobility. M1E3 Abrams The M1E3 Abrams is intended to replace the Army’s current M1A2 Abrams. Unlike earlier upgrade packages that pushed the Abrams above 70 tons, the M1E3 is being redesigned to bring its weight closer to 60 tons, improving mobility and reducing logistical demands. The tank will use a diesel-based hybrid-electric powertrain instead of the Abrams’ traditional gas turbine. The Army expects it to reduce fuel requirements by about 50 percent and provide a “silent watch” capability. Another major change is an unmanned turret with an autoloader for the 120mm smoothbore gun. The crew will be reduced from four to three soldiers, with the crew positioned deeper inside the hull. Hertling called the unmanned turret a “game changer.” The M1E3 will also use open systems architecture and a 360-degree situational awareness system. The digital architecture is designed to support continuous software updates, integration of different applications and connectivity between platforms. Hertling said this could allow soldiers to “fight on a cloud” with improved battlefield awareness. Former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said the tank’s targeting capability can engage a target at a quarter-mile range in about a tenth of a second. General Dynamics Land Systems is scheduled to deliver an undisclosed number of M1E3 prototypes to the Army by the end of 2026. Four additional Roush-built prototypes are scheduled to reach the Iron Horse Brigade later this year. XM30: Wolf vs. Lynx The Iron Horse Brigade will also evaluate the XM30, which is being developed to replace the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. The competition is between General Dynamics Land Systems’ Wolf and American Rheinmetall’s Lynx. Both designs feature an unmanned turret, hybrid-electric powertrain, exportable power, open systems architecture and enhanced computing capabilities. Both will use a 50mm cannon, replacing the Bradley’s 25mm weapon, and support tactical high-explosive airburst ammunition designed to detonate in the air. The vehicles can also carry additional missiles and loitering munitions. The Wolf is being developed with AeroVironment’s Switchblade 300 loitering munition. General Dynamics has about 15 partners, including SAPA and STC. The Lynx can launch Raytheon’s tube- or rail-launched Coyote counter-drone interceptor and integrate the Javelin anti-tank missile. Rheinmetall’s partners include Anduril, Textron, Allison Transmission, Raytheon and L3Harris. GDLS has delivered its initial XM30 prototypes to its facility in Lima, Ohio, for government acceptance. One is expected to go to Aberdeen Proving Ground, while seven more are expected to reach the Iron Horse Brigade in Texas around October. American Rheinmetall is also preparing to send its vehicles to Aberdeen for testing. National Training Center Evaluation The Iron Horse Brigade will operate the M1E3 and XM30 during a rotation at the National Training Center (NTC). Soldiers will assess the vehicles during maneuver, maintenance, refueling, resupply, networking and combined-arms operations. The Army could select the XM30 winner late next spring after the NTC evaluation. However, Brig. Gen. Troy Denomy said the Army wants to keep both competitors involved as long as possible if testing does not produce a clear winner. Funding will be a major factor in determining whether both vendors remain in the program. The Iron Horse Brigade’s testing will give the Army direct soldier feedback on the M1E3 and XM30 and help shape final design decisions and the future path of both modernization programs.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 15:32:26
World
GUANGZHOU, China — Researchers at the Guangdong Aerospace Research Academy have completed a project to develop a star-based navigation system for hypersonic vehicles operating at Mach 5 or faster. The project passed its final expert review on Monday, and the academy published details of the results on August 10. The system is designed to provide a navigation option when satellite signals from systems such as GPS or China’s BeiDou become unavailable because of jamming or other interference. The research addresses a specific problem in high-speed flight: using stars for navigation is possible without external signals, but detecting stars becomes difficult when a vehicle is surrounded by intense aerodynamic heating and radiation. How the star-based navigation system works Celestial navigation uses the known positions of stars as reference points. A modern star sensor observes patterns of stars and uses them to determine the vehicle’s position and orientation. Unlike satellite-based navigation, the method does not depend on signals transmitted from satellites or other external sources. This means it can provide an independent navigation reference when satellite signals are disrupted. The system can also be combined with an inertial navigation system. In such an arrangement, the inertial system provides continuous navigation data while the star sensor can provide an independent reference for determining the vehicle’s orientation and position. The main challenge for hypersonic applications is that the sensor has to identify very faint stellar light while the vehicle is moving through an extremely hot and rapidly changing environment. Why hypersonic flight makes star navigation difficult At Mach 5 and above, friction between the vehicle and the surrounding air produces a shock layer and plasma sheath around the vehicle. The temperature of the hot gas can exceed 1,000 degrees Celsius. This environment creates two major problems for a star sensor. First, the hot gas can bend incoming starlight, changing how the stars appear to the sensor. Second, the heated gas produces strong radiation, including infrared radiation, that can overwhelm the much weaker light coming from stars. As a result, a star sensor designed for normal conditions cannot simply be used in the same way on a hypersonic vehicle. The navigation system must account for the changing radiation environment around the vehicle. Chinese researchers developed radiation databases and simulation software To address the problem, the research team created two databases. One covers the thermal-chemical radiation produced by hot air, while the other focuses on radiation interference caused by thermal effects. The team also developed simulation software to model the radiation environment around a high-speed vehicle. The software achieved a spectral resolution of 0.12 nanometres, while the reported simulation errors were kept within 18.9 percent. These tools were used to predict how atmospheric heating and radiation would affect the appearance of stars as seen by a sensor during high-speed flight. Based on this work, the team built a prototype star sensor designed to operate under radiation interference. Prototype performance Laboratory tests showed that the prototype achieved a star-pattern recognition rate of more than 99 percent when there was no radiation interference. Under strong aerodynamic radiation interference, the recognition rate remained above 80 percent. The prototype also achieved attitude measurement accuracy better than 5 arcseconds. One arcsecond is 1/3,600 of a degree. These results demonstrate that the prototype can continue identifying stellar patterns even when strong radiation from the surrounding high-speed flow interferes with the sensor. Technology also used for civilian applications The Guangdong Aerospace Research Academy said the radiation measurement and simulation technology developed through the work has already been used in mission-critical projects at several aerospace institutes. According to the academy, the technology has generated nearly 10 million yuan, or about US$1.5 million, in additional sales. The same technology has also been adapted for civilian applications. These include aircraft engine test stands and industrial boiler combustion monitoring, where it can provide real-time views inside combustion chambers. A backup for satellite-denied navigation The project is focused on navigation in high-speed flight environments where conventional satellite signals may not always be available. The prototype does not eliminate the need for other navigation systems. Instead, its purpose is to provide an independent reference based on stars and to work with inertial navigation when external satellite signals are disrupted. The key challenge remains maintaining reliable star detection through the intense thermal and radiation environment created during hypersonic flight. The research team's radiation databases, simulation tools and prototype sensor were developed specifically to address that problem. The project therefore represents an approach to maintaining navigation capability for hypersonic vehicles when satellite-based positioning signals are unavailable or affected by interference.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 15:22:09
U.S
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on August 13 the creation of Task Force Falcon Strike, described as the first multinational, multi-domain attack drone task force. The new unit will bring together U.S. military personnel and regional partners to operate unmanned systems across the Middle East. Falcon Strike will focus on low-cost, one-way attack drones and other unmanned systems operating in three domains: air, sea surface and underwater. CENTCOM said the task force is intended to create a unified multinational capability for regional deterrence and operations. Building on Scorpion Strike Falcon Strike builds on Task Force Scorpion Strike, established by CENTCOM in December 2025 as the U.S. military's first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East. Scorpion Strike used low-cost systems including the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). Its unmanned systems were deployed during Operation Epic Fury, while unmanned attack vessels were used in strikes on Iranian port facilities in July 2026. In December 2025, Scorpion Strike also conducted the first launch of an aerial one-way attack drone from a U.S. Navy warship, using the littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara. Regional Partners to Join CENTCOM has begun consultations with regional countries and is formally inviting partners to participate in Falcon Strike. No specific partner countries have been publicly named so far. The task force is intended to combine U.S. and regional capabilities and support deterrence in the Middle East, including around strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Falcon Strike will build on Scorpion Strike's experience and the innovation taking place among U.S. regional allies and partners. “Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on Scorpion Strike’s success given the tremendous innovation happening among our regional allies and partners.” Cooper also said that integrating and deploying new capabilities together would help the partners develop new possibilities more quickly. SOCCENT to Lead the Task Force Personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) will lead Falcon Strike's integrated staff of U.S. and regional representatives. SOCCENT also launched Scorpion Strike and is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. SOCCENT plans and conducts special operations across CENTCOM's 21-country area of responsibility, covering the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. Falcon Strike will expand the approach developed by Scorpion Strike by bringing air, surface and underwater unmanned systems into a single multinational structure. As regional countries join, CENTCOM expects the task force to expand its multi-domain drone capabilities across the region.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 14:51:31
Space & Technology
Bhubaneswar, Odisha — Bhubaneswar-based space-tech startup Serendipity Space has successfully tested Alchemy, its autonomous pharmaceutical manufacturing module, during a near-space mission, demonstrating the company’s approach to pharmaceutical processing in microgravity. The startup, founded in 2024, completed the mission with a team of eight and operated an orbital-class vehicle prototype under near-space conditions. The system carried out pharmaceutical crystallisation and the resulting crystals were preserved through the return and recovery process. Serendipity Space is developing reusable satellite systems designed to process pharmaceutical compounds in microgravity and return the products to Earth. The company’s website identifies Alchemy as part of its technology for processing pharmaceutical compounds in space and describes its planned reusable satellites as having re-entry capability. Bhubaneswar-based Serendipity Space (@serendipityind) has successfully tested India’s first autonomous pharma factory, Alchemy, on a near-space mission.It crystallized drug compounds and preserved them during recovery, testing key tech for future microgravity manufacturing. pic.twitter.com/bNHhoX6Z8W — Runtime (@RuntimeBRT) August 14, 2026 Near-Space Mission And Alchemy Module The mission used a stratospheric balloon platform, drawing on expertise from scientists at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Balloon Facility in Hyderabad. During the flight, the Alchemy module operated continuously in harsh conditions and performed crystallisation of commercial monoclonal antibody therapeutics and small molecules. The payload also included additional proteins intended for drug-discovery work. The test was not limited to pharmaceutical processing. It also provided an opportunity to validate technologies required for the company’s planned orbital systems, including avionics and advanced heat-shield systems for controlled return and touchdown. The successful recovery of the vehicle allowed the company to examine the pharmaceutical material after its near-space processing and return. Why Microgravity Matters For Pharmaceutical Crystallisation Serendipity Space’s technology is based on the effects of microgravity on crystal formation. On Earth, gravity produces processes such as sedimentation, buoyancy and convection currents. These can interfere with crystal growth and contribute to defects in pharmaceutical crystals. In microgravity, these effects are significantly reduced, allowing crystals to grow under different conditions. Serendipity Space says its objective is to use microgravity to produce higher-quality pharmaceutical compounds and materials. The company has specifically focused on protein and drug crystallisation. Its earlier funding announcement described the inability to produce certain high-quality protein and drug crystals on Earth because of gravity-related defects as a key problem it is seeking to address. Potential Application For Protein-Based Medicines The company has highlighted monoclonal antibody medicines such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) as an example of the challenges associated with highly concentrated protein formulations. At high concentrations, large protein molecules can interact and form highly viscous formulations, creating difficulties when trying to deliver large quantities through a conventional injection. Microgravity-grown crystals can provide a different structure and greater uniformity. The company’s approach is aimed at using these properties to support the development of more concentrated formulations. Serendipity Space also proposes a “mother batch” approach. Instead of manufacturing every commercial batch in space, a relatively small quantity of high-quality crystals produced in microgravity could serve as a template or seed for larger production batches on Earth. From Prototype To Orbital Manufacturing Serendipity Space was founded in 2024 by Antariksh Parichha, CEO; Jivitesh Debata, CTO; and Dr. Monica Ekal, Chief of Space Systems. The company is based in Bhubaneswar and is developing reusable satellites capable of autonomously processing pharmaceutical compounds in low Earth orbit and returning them to Earth. In July 2025, the company announced that it had raised pre-seed funding from Campus Fund to advance its space-based pharmaceutical manufacturing technology and validate key systems for Alchemy. Following the funding, the team brought together pharmaceutical scientists and aerospace engineers. According to the company’s mission account, it designed and built a functional satellite prototype, conducted a month-long test campaign and completed the near-space flight in less than six months. The latest demonstration builds on that development effort by testing pharmaceutical processing together with spacecraft systems required for future reusable missions. Next Step: Orbital Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Serendipity Space now plans to move toward full orbital manufacturing and return missions. Its long-term objective is to provide microgravity-based pharmaceutical processing services to pharmaceutical companies using reusable satellite platforms. The company’s stated technology roadmap involves producing pharmaceutical compounds in microgravity and returning them to Earth, rather than requiring every commercial manufacturing operation to take place in orbit. The near-space mission therefore represents a technology demonstration between laboratory development and the company’s planned orbital manufacturing systems. The validation of autonomous processing, spacecraft avionics, thermal protection and controlled recovery provides the basis for further development of Serendipity Space’s reusable pharmaceutical-manufacturing platform. Serendipity Space has also previously signed a memorandum of understanding with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University in Bhubaneswar to collaborate on crystallisation experiments under laboratory, simulated-microgravity and spaceflight conditions.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 14:17:47
U.S
WASHINGTON — The United States continued training Ukrainian military personnel during the second quarter of 2026, including instruction for F-16 fighter pilots and ground crews, according to a joint report from the inspectors general of the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development. The report, released on August 13 as part of ongoing congressional oversight of U.S. activities related to Ukraine under Operation Atlantic Resolve, covers the second quarter of 2026. F-16 Pilot and Ground Crew Training According to the report, the United States continued training Ukrainian F-16 pilots in line with commitments coordinated through the Air Force Capability Development Coalition. The United States co-leads the coalition with Denmark and the Netherlands. The training effort also includes Ukrainian ground personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of the F-16 aircraft. The broader F-16 program involves training and sustainment support from several international partners. Ukraine began receiving F-16 fighter jets in the summer of 2024, while Ukrainian pilots had already begun training on the aircraft under the previous U.S. administration. Ukrainian pilots entering the F-16 training program have generally had previous experience operating Soviet-era aircraft, including the MiG-29 and Su-27. The training also requires specialized preparation for ground personnel responsible for maintaining and supporting the aircraft. Training on Bradley, Stryker and HIMARS U.S.-supported training during the reporting period was not limited to aviation. American personnel also trained Ukrainian forces to operate, maintain and repair several U.S.-supplied weapons systems. These included Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Stryker armored personnel carriers and HIMARS rocket systems. The instruction covered both the use of the systems and maintenance activities needed to keep them operational. A total of 575 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel completed training during the second quarter of 2026. The training was conducted at military bases in Germany, Poland, Romania, Spain, Kosovo, Ukraine and the United States. The number of personnel completing training was 29 percent lower than in the first quarter of 2026, according to the report. U.S. F-16 Training and Sustainment Support The current training effort follows a U.S. State Department determination in May 2025 approving a possible $310.5 million Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for F-16 training and sustainment. The package covers aircraft modifications and upgrades, personnel training for aircraft operation, maintenance and sustainment, spare parts, consumables, repair and return support, ground-handling equipment, software, technical documentation, studies and surveys, as well as U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support. The U.S. government said the proposed package was intended to ensure Ukrainian pilots receive effective training and increase interoperability between Ukraine and the U.S. Air Force. The F-16 support effort is part of the wider international coalition supporting Ukraine's transition to Western aircraft. The coalition's activities include pilot and maintainer training, sustainment support and other measures required to operate the aircraft. Continued Training Requirement Training Ukrainian personnel on Western military systems remains an ongoing requirement because the equipment requires specialized skills for operation, maintenance and sustainment. The inspectors general report confirms that U.S.-supported training continued during the second quarter of 2026, covering both F-16 aviation personnel and Ukrainian forces operating ground-based U.S.-supplied systems. The report is part of the regular oversight process for U.S. programs and operations supporting Ukraine. Under U.S. law, the Special Inspector General for Operation Atlantic Resolve is required to provide quarterly reports to Congress covering U.S.-funded programs and operations related to Ukraine.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 14:03:13
U.S
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. Navy to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWE) with steam-powered catapults and hydraulic systems on future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, beginning with the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81). Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum on August 13 titled “Rebuilding the United States Navy and America’s Shipbuilding Industrial Base.” The memorandum is primarily focused on rebuilding the U.S. Navy and strengthening the country’s shipbuilding industrial base, but it also directly intervenes in the detailed engineering of the Ford-class carrier program. The memorandum gives the Secretary of War, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, 60 days to submit a plan to the President through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA). The plan must identify the measures required to replace EMALS and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems for the construction of CVN-81, including the required timelines and resources. The first three Ford-class carriers — USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) and USS Enterprise (CVN-80) — will retain EMALS. Unless the policy changes again, USS Doris Miller and subsequent carriers would incorporate the steam and hydraulic systems. Major Change to the Ford-Class Design The Ford class was designed from the beginning around extensive electrification. Its two A1B nuclear reactors provide substantially greater electrical generating capacity than the preceding Nimitz-class design, while electricity replaces many functions that previously depended on steam, hydraulic or mechanical equipment. EMALS uses electrical energy and linear induction motors to accelerate aircraft along the catapult track. The system provides more precise control of the acceleration delivered to an aircraft than a conventional steam catapult. The Navy says EMALS is designed to launch aircraft ranging from lightweight uncrewed aircraft to heavy strike fighters. The system can adjust the launch profile according to aircraft requirements, while its smoother acceleration can reduce stress on airframes. Replacing EMALS on CVN-81 is therefore considerably more complicated than exchanging one catapult for another. A steam catapult requires high-pressure steam from the ship's propulsion system, together with substantial piping, accumulators and associated water and condensation systems. The Ford-class design was developed without much of the infrastructure used to support traditional steam catapults. As a result, restoring steam systems would require changes to internal compartments, energy distribution and other supporting ship systems. USS Doris Miller Is Already Under Construction The future USS Doris Miller is the fourth Ford-class carrier and is being built at Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding. Because construction is already underway, the presidential directive comes after the detailed design of the Ford-class has been developed and after work on CVN-81's original systems has already begun. General Atomics, which produces EMALS and the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG), received the contract for the systems for Doris Miller in 2023. The company has said that work on the EMALS and AAG equipment for CVN-81 is already nearly 50 percent complete. Changing the system at this stage could therefore require already completed work to be abandoned or redesigned, followed by the design, production and integration of replacement equipment. The exact financial and schedule impact has not yet been established. The 60-day Navy study ordered by Trump is intended to determine the engineering requirements, timelines and resources involved. Ford Program's Difficult Beginning The Ford-class introduced 23 significant new systems, including EMALS, Advanced Arresting Gear, Advanced Weapons Elevators, new reactors, new radar systems and extensive automation. The introduction of so many new technologies created significant technical and reliability challenges during the early years of the program. Problems involving EMALS, AAG and the weapons elevators contributed to delays in bringing USS Gerald R. Ford into full operational service. Government reviews, including work by the Government Accountability Office, previously highlighted reliability problems and the risks associated with installing immature systems aboard the first ship while development was still continuing. Trump's criticism of EMALS therefore dates back to the early development period of the Ford program. However, EMALS has since accumulated substantial operational experience. By March 2026, USS Gerald R. Ford had completed 36,863 electromagnetic aircraft launches, according to Pentagon figures. USS Gerald R. Ford's 326-Day Deployment USS Gerald R. Ford returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 16, 2026, after a 326-day deployment. The deployment was the longest U.S. carrier deployment since the Vietnam War era. During the deployment, the carrier sailed more than 57,700 nautical miles and operated across multiple U.S. fleet areas. Carrier Air Wing Eight recorded more than 5,760 flying hours and 12,200 aircraft launches using EMALS during the deployment. The figures provided significant operational experience with the electromagnetic launch system after the reliability problems seen during the early stages of the Ford program. The Navy has also stated that EMALS and AAG support higher aircraft launch and recovery rates than the systems used on Nimitz-class carriers. The Electric Carrier The Ford-class was designed as a highly electrified carrier rather than simply as a Nimitz-class carrier with new catapults. The electrical architecture, reactor-generated power and automated systems were developed together as part of the carrier's overall design. EMALS is integrated throughout the ship and crosses 48 separate ship construction zones. Removing it would therefore affect areas beyond the equipment directly installed beneath the flight deck. Steam catapults would require high-pressure steam to be distributed from the propulsion plant through substantial pipework to the launch machinery. Supporting equipment would also require space for water, condensation and maintenance systems. Much of this infrastructure was deliberately reduced or eliminated during the Ford-class design process. The last U.S. aircraft carrier built with traditional steam catapults was USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), commissioned in 2009. No new sets of the C-13 steam catapult used on Nimitz-class carriers have been manufactured in almost two decades. Reintroducing the system would therefore also require the United States to rebuild or reactivate parts of an industrial base that is no longer producing the equipment at its previous scale. The White House memorandum links the return to steam and hydraulic systems to its broader objective of rebuilding the U.S. maritime industrial base. Work Already Completed on CVN-81 The timing of the order creates a significant engineering issue because CVN-81 was being developed as part of the existing Ford-class design. General Atomics' work on the EMALS and AAG equipment for Doris Miller is nearly 50 percent complete, according to the company. The change would therefore involve more than cancelling future EMALS deliveries. The Navy would have to determine what equipment already produced for the carrier can be retained, what must be removed or redesigned and how the replacement steam and hydraulic systems can be integrated into the ship. The eventual cost remains uncertain until the Navy completes the study ordered by Trump. Estimates of the potential impact have included the possibility of costs reaching billions of dollars, but the memorandum itself does not establish a final figure. The construction schedule is another major issue because the redesign would be taking place on a carrier already under construction. Operational Advantages of EMALS Steam catapults remain a proven technology and have launched aircraft from U.S. carriers for decades. However, EMALS provides more precise control over aircraft acceleration. The system can adjust the energy delivered during launch, allowing it to accommodate different aircraft weights and launch requirements. This is particularly relevant as carrier air wings increasingly incorporate uncrewed aircraft. The Navy's Naval Air Systems Command describes EMALS as a system capable of launching aircraft from lightweight uncrewed platforms through heavy strike fighters. The MQ-25 Stingray represents an early step in the U.S. Navy's move toward greater use of carrier-based uncrewed aircraft. Future Ford-class carriers are expected to remain in service for many decades, meaning their launch systems will need to support multiple generations of aircraft. EMALS also contributes to the Ford class's manpower reduction. The class was designed to operate with roughly 500 fewer sailors than a Nimitz-class carrier. The reduction comes from many aspects of the ship's automation and design, including systems that replace manpower-intensive steam and hydraulic equipment. The Navy has also designed the Ford class for a higher sortie generation rate than previous carriers. China Has Also Adopted Electromagnetic Catapults The U.S. decision comes as China has adopted electromagnetic launch technology for its newest aircraft carrier. China commissioned the 80,000-tonne Fujian in November 2025. Unlike the ski-jump-equipped Liaoning and Shandong, Fujian is equipped with three electromagnetic catapults. During trials, the People's Liberation Army Navy demonstrated electromagnetic launches involving the J-15T fighter, J-35 stealth fighter and KJ-600 fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft. China has therefore moved from ski-jump carrier operations to electromagnetic catapult operations with its latest carrier design. France has also selected EMALS and Advanced Arresting Gear for its future nuclear-powered Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PA-NG) aircraft carrier. The adoption of electromagnetic launch systems by China and France highlights the different direction being taken by several countries developing their next-generation carrier aviation capabilities. A Major Engineering Intervention The memorandum's decision to return to steam is also notable because it comes alongside criticism of iterative design changes as a cause of cost increases and delays in U.S. shipbuilding. The same memorandum calls for measures to rebuild the U.S. naval shipbuilding industrial base, including plans for a fifth public Navy shipyard, additional submarine drydock capacity and a Component Repair Center for submarine components. It also calls for increased production of Virginia-class attack submarines and Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, as well as greater foreign involvement in certain shipbuilding activities under conditions involving investment in U.S. shipyards and workforce training. These measures are intended to address broader problems in U.S. shipbuilding capacity. The carrier decision, however, introduces a substantial design change into an existing carrier program. Navy Faces a 60-Day Deadline The U.S. Navy now has 60 days to prepare the plan ordered by Trump. The plan must determine the engineering changes, timelines and resources required to replace EMALS and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems on CVN-81. The study will also determine the practical effects on the carrier's construction and the industrial base required to produce the replacement systems. The future USS Doris Miller is therefore set to become the first Ford-class carrier affected by the return to steam-powered launch technology, while USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy and USS Enterprise will continue operating with EMALS. The final direction for CVN-81 will depend on the outcome of the Navy's 60-day assessment and any subsequent policy decisions.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 13:44:00
U.S
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of War has signed two framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to increase production of key components for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB and Block IIA interceptors. The agreements are intended to strengthen the SM-3 supply chain and accelerate the delivery of completed interceptors to U.S. Navy forces. The SM-3 is a ship-launched interceptor used as part of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System for ballistic missile defense operations. Boeing and RTX to Support Higher SM-3 Production Under the new framework agreements, Boeing will lead manufacturing efforts for key SM-3 components. The Department of War said the move is intended to address supply-chain bottlenecks and speed the movement of munitions from production facilities to operational forces. The agreements cover both the SM-3 Block IB and SM-3 Block IIA, two variants of the interceptor used with the Aegis missile defense system. “These agreements ensure our Warfighters get the munitions they need to win,” said Michael P. Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment. Duffey said the Department is working to stabilize supply chains, expand munitions production and strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. Acquisition Strategy Supports Production Expansion The agreements were facilitated by the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy (ATS). The strategy is designed to reduce administrative delays and allow the government to work more directly with suppliers throughout the defense supply chain. The department said this approach is intended to help increase production and improve the movement of components and completed weapons. The latest agreements specifically focus on the component supply chain supporting SM-3 production. SM-3 Block IB and Block IIA The SM-3 is a kinetic, exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor. Instead of using an explosive warhead to destroy its target, the interceptor uses a kinetic warhead to destroy an incoming ballistic missile through direct impact outside the atmosphere. The SM-3 Block IB incorporates a two-color infrared seeker and an improved steering system compared with earlier versions. These improvements provide enhanced capability against ballistic missile targets. The SM-3 Block IIA was jointly developed by the United States and Japan. It features a larger-diameter design, larger rocket motors and an enhanced kinetic warhead compared with earlier SM-3 variants. The Block IIA is designed to provide greater engagement capability over wider areas. RTX’s Raytheon business is the prime contractor for the SM-3 missile, with production work carried out at facilities in Tucson, Arizona, and Huntsville, Alabama. Boeing has supplied critical hardware for SM-3 variants used with the Aegis system. Agreements Follow Earlier Production Efforts The new agreements build on earlier U.S. efforts to increase SM-3 production. In February 2026, Raytheon signed separate framework agreements covering the SM-3 Block IB, SM-3 Block IIA, Tomahawk, AMRAAM and SM-6. Those agreements were aimed at increasing overall production rates for the covered systems. In early August 2026, Raytheon also received a $745 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency to manufacture and assemble SM-3 Block IIA interceptors for the United States and Japan under a Foreign Military Sales arrangement. Work under that contract is expected to continue through February 2031. The August 14 agreements with Boeing and RTX are focused specifically on the components required for SM-3 production. No Production Quantities or Financial Details Released The Department of War did not disclose the financial value of the two new framework agreements or specific production quantity targets. The department said the agreements are focused on stabilizing the supply chain, removing production bottlenecks and supporting higher SM-3 interceptor production. The effort comes as the United States continues to strengthen its munitions production capacity and the readiness of its naval missile defense forces.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 13:26:25
U.S
WASHINGTON — Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) has received an order to supply the U.S. Marine Corps with more than 400 SharpView Dual Camera – Minerva imagers for its Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs). The cameras will be installed on the ACV-P Personnel and ACV-C Command variants, replacing legacy imaging systems and improving crew visibility and situational awareness in conditions such as darkness, dust, smoke, glare and adverse weather. Minerva combines an uncooled Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) thermal detector and a visible-light camera in one compact housing. It features a 1280 × 1024 LWIR detector with a 12-micron pixel pitch and a 1920 × 1080 full-HD visible module. The system provides digital 60 Hz video through 3G-SDI, with low-latency output and automatic image processing. The dual-band system is designed to help crews detect obstacles, navigate and maintain situational awareness during day and night operations. Its integration with existing vehicle systems also allows the Marine Corps to replace legacy cameras without developing a new vehicle imaging architecture. The Minerva camera is designed and manufactured by Thales in Canada and was launched in 2022. Thales said its combat imaging systems are used by more than 50 armed forces worldwide, building on more than 30 years of experience in cooled and uncooled thermal imaging. “Marines depend on cutting-edge and robust technology to make rapid decisions in highly demanding and dynamic environments,” said Chris Beauparant, Vice President of Sensors and Missile Systems at Thales Defense & Security, Inc. He said Minerva provides crews with a more complete picture of the battlefield and helps them identify hazards sooner and maneuver more effectively. Thales confirmed the order in an announcement published on August 11, 2026. The cameras will be used on both new and existing ACV-P and ACV-C vehicles. The Minerva system has also been selected for evaluation and testing under the U.S. Army's XM30 program, which focuses on next-generation combat vehicles with improved crew protection and situational awareness. The Marine Corps' ACV program, led by BAE Systems, includes the ACV-P, ACV-C, ACV-30 fire-support variant and ACV-R recovery variant, with current plans calling for around 632 vehicles. Thales already supplies related electro-optical systems for U.S. Marine Corps ground vehicles, including cooled SharpView cameras for the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and Catherine thermal imagers for the ACV-30.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 13:21:14
World
KYIV, Ukraine, August 14, 2026 — Ukraine has begun combat testing of its first jet-powered interceptor drones designed to counter Russia’s growing use of jet-powered Shahed-type attack drones. Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said on August 14, after visiting a production facility, that one Ukrainian team had developed a jet-powered interceptor capable of reaching speeds of more than 600 km/h. 🇺🇦 Ukraine begins combat testing of its first jet-powered interceptor drones, designed to counter Russia’s growing use of jet-powered Shahed-type attack drones.The new interceptor can exceed 600 km/h, with developers awaiting the first confirmed combat results. pic.twitter.com/pZNNpWCuIA — The Defense News (@TheDefenseNews) August 14, 2026 “The system is now undergoing combat testing,” Fedorov said. Developers are awaiting the results of the trials, including the first confirmed shoot-downs of enemy targets. Fedorov said Russia is gradually replacing conventional Shahed drones with faster jet-powered versions, describing the development as a change in the strategy of aerial warfare. He said Ukraine must respond quickly to keep pace with each new technological development. Ukraine launched a coordinated interceptor-drone programme through the Defence Ministry last year. The programme focused on opening the market to manufacturers, conducting combat tests and increasing government procurement. Through Brave1, Ukraine’s defence technology cluster, manufacturers have received grants, while their systems have been assessed and supported during testing. Fedorov said several Ukrainian companies now have solutions designed to counter jet-powered drones and called for increased investment in research, development, testing and production. He said the immediate task is to increase efforts to counter the threat as quickly as possible. Other Ukrainian companies are also developing faster interceptors. SkyFall’s P1-SUN JetKiller has been reported at around 370 km/h, with the system already recording interceptions of jet-powered threats and moving toward mass production. British-Ukrainian company Firebolt Engineering’s Griffen jet-powered interceptor exceeds 350 km/h and has reportedly achieved a confirmed shoot-down of a Russian Geran-2, a Shahed-type drone. Separate reports said at least two Ukrainian companies were testing jet-powered interceptors by early June 2026, with one having already downed a Geran drone. Ukrainian military leadership has previously said Russia intends to increase the share of jet-powered systems, potentially to half of its long-range one-way attack drone inventory. Ukraine is also expanding the use of slower interceptor drones. On August 12, the Defence Ministry approved the TAF Kolibri-i10, developed by TAF Industries, for service. It can exceed 200 km/h, has a range of up to 25 km, an endurance of more than 20 minutes and an operating altitude of up to 3,000 meters. It is primarily intended to counter reconnaissance and other fixed-wing drones such as Molniya, Orlan and Zala. The combat testing of the new 600-km/h interceptor is part of Ukraine’s wider effort to develop faster systems as Russia increases its use of jet-powered attack drones.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 12:51:32
World
CHANGSHA, China — Chinese technology company Changsha Nighthawk Intelligent Technology is completing testing of its SkyX bionic amphibious system and preparing for serial production, according to Chinese reports and coverage including CGTN. Inspired by a flying fish, the SkyX is designed to operate in three modes: aerial flight, surface gliding and underwater travel. In the air, its wings unfold into a fixed-wing configuration while a front propeller provides thrust, giving the system an endurance of up to one hour. When entering the water, the wings fold inward to create a streamlined shape and reduce drag, while a tail propeller provides underwater propulsion. The company states that the vehicle can reach underwater speeds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). China’s Changsha Nighthawk Intelligent Technology is preparing the SkyX bionic amphibious drone for serial production, with the system designed for air, surface and underwater operations, up to 1 hour of flight endurance and underwater speeds of up to 50 km/h pic.twitter.com/LH3skqVDY2 — The Defense News (@TheDefenseNews) August 14, 2026 Changsha Nighthawk says comparable foreign amphibious systems typically reach about 6 km/h (3.7 mph) underwater and have aerial endurance of roughly six minutes. Development began with a concept prototype in 2021, and the team has now completed five generations of prototypes. The fifth generation entered cross-medium testing in 2025. Real-world water tests have demonstrated flight, underwater movement, mode switching, surface jumping and passage under bridges. The system uses adaptive flight controls, combined ducted and propeller propulsion, and sealing measures to handle the major difference between air and water environments. Its range and maximum diving depth have not been publicly released, while development continues on water-exit reliability, complex sea conditions and payload capacity. The SkyX is being considered for emergency rescue, ocean monitoring, environmental data collection and search-and-rescue operations. Defense-related applications, including reconnaissance, have also been discussed, but available information does not indicate that the vehicle has been configured or armed for a specific military strike role. The project is being developed by a team of eight people that originated from a university drone club. The team has received 200,000 yuan from the Hunan provincial university student entrepreneurship investment fund, is listed on the Hunan equity exchange's student innovation and entrepreneurship board, and plans to raise 500,000 yuan for further engineering optimization and small-batch delivery. It is also applying for patents covering power systems, structure and algorithms. The project remains focused on prototype optimization, reliable air-water transitions and preparations for limited production.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 12:01:33
World
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian defense-technology company Ukrainska Bavovna has unveiled the Last Shadow T200, a fixed-wing interceptor drone designed for city air defense and frontline operations against Russian unmanned aerial vehicles. The system was presented at an event organized by the Technological Forces of Ukraine association. According to information provided by the company to Militarnyi, the T200 is designed to intercept Shahed (Geran), Gerbera, Molniya, Lancet, Orlan and Zala drones. Development began last year. The T200 has a maximum speed of 300 km/h, a practical ceiling of 5,000 meters, and a maximum climb rate of 35 meters per second. Its propulsion system provides about 7 kilograms of thrust, although the company says normal flight uses much less of the available power. The drone has an endurance of about one hour at a cruising speed of 130 km/h, and around 40–50 minutes at higher interception speeds. Its initially stated operational range was 70 kilometers, but recent combat trials saw the aircraft cover 122 kilometers while maintaining a stable, high-quality video link with ground control. The interceptor is designed to operate in heavy electronic-warfare environments. It uses beacon-based navigation, a jamming-resistant Sine.link data channel, and systems that switch between video channels and frequency bands to counter Russian interference, including the Shtora image-spoofing system. Target detection is supported by a movable, gimbal-mounted camera that can be raised and lowered. It can tilt from -80 to +45 degrees and provides thermal imaging. Ukrainska Bavovna is also integrating an automated terminal-guidance system. The operator will designate the target using a switch, after which the onboard autopilot will control the final approach. The T200 uses a codified warhead and initiation board, with a PWM signal used when engaging aerial targets. Its 2.5-kilogram shaped-charge warhead was developed by Rendrock Ukraine. Both the drone and warhead have been codified. The T200 is launched from a pneumatic catapult, which can be deployed in less than five minutes. Its airframe is currently produced using 3D printing, but the company plans to switch to molding within several months to increase structural strength and enable reusable landings. Small-scale serial production has already begun following state codification. Ukrainska Bavovna said it focuses on maximizing the use of Ukrainian-made components and also provides joint research and development, testing, and maintenance, repair and overhaul services to foreign partners. For operator training, it works with the Dovzhyk pilot school, where more than 70 veterans prepare crews to operate various drones, including interceptors.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 11:42:27
World
MOSCOW, Russia — A Russian Su-35S fighter pilot destroyed two Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft during a single air engagement, according to Sergey Kobylash, commander of the Russian Air Force and deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Kobylash described the incident in an interview with Krasnaya Zvezda published around the 114th anniversary of the Russian Air Force on August 12. Russian media, including Izvestia, subsequently reported his account. According to Kobylash, the young pilot was conducting a combat air patrol to provide cover for an advancing group of Russian ground forces. After reaching the assigned area, he used the Su-35S's onboard radar to search for airborne targets. Despite electronic jamming by Ukrainian forces, the pilot detected two Ukrainian Su-27 fighters. Kobylash said the pilot decided to engage even though he was facing two aircraft. During the engagement, the Su-35S pilot carried out a manoeuvre to obtain a more favourable tactical position and then launched three guided air-to-air missiles. Kobylash said both Ukrainian Su-27s were destroyed. The Russian commander did not provide the exact date or location of the engagement, and the name of the pilot was not disclosed. Ukrainian sources have not publicly confirmed the loss of the two Su-27s in connection with this particular account. Kobylash presented the incident as an example of Russian air operations during the ongoing conflict. He also referred to the continued effectiveness of Russian army aviation helicopters under current combat conditions. The account is based on statements made by the Russian Air Force commander in the Krasnaya Zvezda interview and subsequent Russian media reports.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 11:15:56
U.S
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Leidos’ AGM-190A “Havoc Spear” small cruise missile has entered operational use, with the weapon undergoing flight testing and having already been deployed in military exercises and combat, Leidos CEO Tom Bell said during the company’s second-quarter 2026 earnings call. Bell did not disclose the locations or dates of the combat deployments, current production volumes, contract values or a specific expansion timeline. The U.S. Air Force designated the Leidos Small Cruise Missile as the AGM-190A in February 2026, while Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) announced the Havoc Spear name in May 2026. AFSOC said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink selected the name during a November 2025 visit to AFSOC headquarters at Hurlburt Field. Leidos is now discussing a larger procurement and expansion of the missile with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Bell said the discussions also include developing the AGM-190A into a broader “family of systems.” The roughly 200-pound-class missile was developed by Leidos Dynetics, with development beginning around 2021 and drawing on experience from the GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition. In 2022, Leidos signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with SOCOM to develop the weapon as a low-cost, adaptable delivery platform. Testing included AC-130J launch development, with successful store-separation testing in December 2023 and the first guided flight test in late 2024. By May 2025, testing had demonstrated a standoff range of more than 400 nautical miles (about 740 km) from a C-130 aircraft. The AGM-190A uses a Pratt & Whitney TJ150-7 turbojet, reaches high-subsonic speeds of around Mach 0.8, and has a service ceiling of about 9,000 meters. Its modular hardware and open-system software are designed to support mission adaptability, including operation in GPS-denied environments and terminal guidance options. A warhead in the 23 kg (50 lb) class has also been reported. The missile can be launched from several platforms and systems, including AC-130J Ghostrider gunships, MC-130J aircraft, MQ-9 Reapers, OA-1K Skyraider II aircraft, conventional wing pylons, palletized drop systems and ramp-mounted launch tubes. In July 2026, SOCOM awarded Leidos a $27.2 million contract modification for AGM-190A All Up Rounds. Work in Huntsville, Alabama, is scheduled to continue through February 2029. LCCM Expansion The AGM-190A also forms the basis for Leidos’ Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) framework announced earlier this year. Bell said the small cruise missile program helped position Leidos for the broader family-of-systems approach. Under May 2026 Department of War framework agreements involving Leidos, Anduril, CoAspire and Zone 5, Leidos is to deliver an initial 3,000 LCCM units. The LCCM is approximately twice the size of the AGM-190A and has greater fuel capacity, while using a modular airframe and common Weapon Open Systems Architecture. Production is planned to begin in 2027, with Leidos targeting 3,000 units before the end of the decade. The broader LCCM effort aims for more than 10,000 missiles over three years beginning in 2027. The system is initially planned for ground launch from containers, with maritime and air-launched variants also possible. Leidos has estimated the addressable market for low-cost and containerized munitions at more than $44 billion over the next 10 years. The company is positioning Havoc Spear, LCCM and the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) as key parts of its defense-technology expansion. For LCCM, a production-readiness and scaling review is scheduled for later in August 2026, followed by full flight testing next summer and then full-rate production. Leidos reported about $4.6 billion in second-quarter 2026 revenue, up 7% year over year, and raised its full-year guidance. The company said its defense business also recorded accelerating revenue and a high book-to-bill ratio.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-14 11:07:25
World
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia is increasingly using jet-powered attack drones against Ukraine, with the drones accounting for as much as two-thirds of some attack waves, according to Col. Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force. Ihnat gave the assessment to Business Insider on Thursday. Earlier Ukrainian estimates had put the share of jet-powered drones at up to 20%. In 2025, such drones appeared only rarely in Russian attacks. In early June, Ukraine's then-Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russia planned to increase their share to 50% of its attack-drone mix. The jet-powered drones are variants of the Geran series, Russia's version of Iranian-designed Shahed-type one-way attack drones. The standard Geran-2 uses a propeller and flies at about 185 km/h, while newer versions use mini turbojet engines. The Geran-3 typically cruises above 320 km/h. The Geran-4 can reach about 500 km/h, while the larger Geran-5 can reach up to about 600 km/h and has a shape closer to a small cruise missile. Their ranges generally fall between 850 and 1,000 km or more, with warheads ranging from 50 kg to 90 kg. Many of the newer drones use Chinese-made TeleFly turbojet engines. Ukraine says Russia has also sharply increased production and use of these systems. About 1,400 jet-powered Geran drones were reportedly launched during the first months of 2026, compared with 180 recorded during all of 2025. Ukrainian intelligence has also reported production of newer Geran-4 and Geran-5 models reaching about 3,000 units per month, while production of the earlier Geran-3 has reportedly stopped. The higher speed creates additional problems for Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian forces have reported interception rates of 92–96% against slower propeller-driven Shahed/Geran drones in some assessments, particularly in deeper rear areas. However, faster jet-powered drones reduce the reaction time available to mobile fire groups and interceptor drones, which can have top speeds of around 300–370 km/h. This can require more capable surface-to-air missiles or other air-defense systems. On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a Russian jet-powered drone struck the locomotive of a passenger train in the Odesa region. The train was carrying 340 people, and the locomotive engineer and his assistant were killed. The same day's overnight attacks involved more than 130 attack drones across 11 Ukrainian regions. Russia continues to combine jet-powered drones with conventional kamikaze drones and decoys, putting additional pressure on Ukraine's air-defense network. Source : businessinsider
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-13 16:00:22
U.S
HOHENFELS, Germany — Ukrainian drone operators outperformed U.S. Army forces during the Combined Resolve exercise in Germany earlier this year, highlighting the difference in battlefield experience between Ukrainian drone units and American troops. The exercise was held in April and May 2026 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels. Around 3,500 U.S. personnel participated, mainly from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, which was rotating from Fort Hood, Texas. Their mission was to advance against positions held by the training center's opposition force, which was reinforced by Ukrainian troops from the 412th Regiment of Unmanned Systems Forces, known as Nemesis. U.S. forces used standard electronic warfare and counter-drone systems, while Ukrainian operators used combat experience gained during the war with Russia. Ukrainian reconnaissance drones located U.S. vehicles, with heavy armored vehicles also becoming easier to detect because they raised dust while moving. The reconnaissance drones were followed by systems simulating munition drops and first-person-view (FPV) kamikaze drones. No live ammunition was used. A simulated hit was recorded when a drone flew extremely close to or hovered over a target. The Ukrainian operators eliminated the attacking U.S. armored brigade so quickly that vehicles and troops marked as destroyed had to be returned to the exercise as reinforcements, or "re-spawned," to keep the training going. U.S. drone operators initially had less ability to quickly troubleshoot problems and prepare drones under conditions similar to combat. The scenario was repeated over roughly two weeks, allowing American forces to improve. They dispersed their forces more effectively, improved camouflage and made better use of electronic warfare systems. Midway through the exercise, the Ukrainian operators switched sides and demonstrated how uncrewed systems could support offensive operations. U.S. troops then applied those methods with greater effect. General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said this type of training experience cannot be replicated in the United States and highlighted the significant changes seen after NATO forces train with Ukrainian units. The results were not isolated. In 2023, a U.S. officer involved in training Ukrainian troops recognized that American forces had much to learn about drone warfare and helped develop a program that was later introduced more widely. In May 2025, Ukrainian drone operators defeated a simulated force involving British, Estonian and U.S. troops during exercises in the Baltics. In spring 2026, Ukrainian UAV operators participating in NATO exercises on Gotland also outperformed Swedish troops opposing them. Combined Resolve is a recurring U.S. Army Europe and Africa exercise focused on large-scale ground combat. The participation of Ukrainian forces provides U.S. and NATO troops with practical experience against the smaller front-line drones that have become central to combat in Ukraine. U.S. Army officials have also said that newer Mobile Brigade Combat Teams equipped with more recent equipment and tactics have performed better in similar exercises. The Pentagon has increased investment in drone and counter-drone technology, expanded efforts to study Ukrainian methods and tested Ukrainian drones for possible procurement. The exercise highlighted the practical advantage Ukrainian units have gained through years of continuous combat adaptation, including the rapid repair and modification of drones under pressure. U.S. and NATO forces are using joint exercises with Ukrainian personnel to incorporate these battlefield lessons into their own training. Source : wsj
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-13 15:49:57
Europe
ROME — A fire followed by a powerful explosion occurred Thursday afternoon at the KNDS Ammo Italy ammunition facility in Colleferro, about 50–60 kilometers southeast of Rome. The plant, formerly known as Simmel Difesa, produces medium- and large-caliber ammunition for ground and naval forces, along with solid propellants for missiles and aerospace vehicles. The site covers about 100 hectares and is classified as a high-risk industrial facility under Italy’s Seveso regulations. BREAKING:A large explosion and fire hit a munitions plant in Colleferro, south of Rome, Italy.The blast occurred at the plant owned by the major Italian defense manufacturer KNDS Ammo Italy, which produces medium- and large-caliber ammunition and solid rocket fuels. 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/MM1PuWXEyG — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 13, 2026 According to local reports citing emergency services and authorities, the first alert was received around 2:45 p.m. local time. The fire started in the powder-pressing workshop before the explosion. The blast was heard in nearby towns including Artena, Valmontone, Labico, Paliano and Serrone. Videos and eyewitness reports showed smoke and flames at the site. Firefighters, Carabinieri and other emergency teams responded to the facility near the Quarto Chilometro/Via Ariana area toward Artena. Operations were complicated by the risk of further detonations. The affected area was reported to be limited to part of the production and storage zone. No deaths or injuries were reported. Around 24 workers were at the facility and all were accounted for and safe. The mayor of Colleferro said the explosion involved a mixer used in the production process. The Carabinieri and Velletri prosecutor’s office have opened an investigation. The preliminary focus is on the fire, but the exact cause remains under investigation and will require technical assessments. Second European Ammunition Plant Incident This Week The Colleferro explosion follows a August 10 fire and explosions at an EMCO defense plant near Belitsa, close to Tryavna in central Bulgaria. The facility is involved in ammunition assembly, loading and related activities. Workers were evacuated, with no injuries reported. Secondary fires and unexploded materials required further safety operations. The cause remains under investigation, while EMCO has ruled out human error. KNDS Ammo Italy is part of the Franco-German KNDS defense group. The Colleferro site has more than a century of explosives and ammunition production history, including earlier ownership by Bombrini Parodi Delfino. The company also operates a demilitarization facility in nearby Anagni and supplies medium- and large-caliber ammunition to more than 40 countries. Italian authorities continue to secure and monitor the Colleferro facility as the investigation continues.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-13 15:40:35
Europe
WARSAW, POLAND — Poland is considering sending another batch of missiles for Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, with a final decision expected in the coming days, Deputy Defense Minister Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said in an interview with RMF FM. She said Poland’s national security remains the main consideration, but the recent Russian missile incident in Polish airspace has influenced the assessment. Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is currently leaning toward approving another transfer. “Despite all the political fuss there was earlier about whether we were right to hand over the missiles, today he leans toward sending more, because he would rather see a missile like that shot down over Ukrainian territory than have it fly into ours,” Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said. Poland is also discussing the issue with NATO and the United States. Previous Patriot Missile Transfer Poland confirmed in July that it had transferred five PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems to Ukraine several months earlier. Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the transfer was made at the request of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, following consultations among countries operating Patriot systems. Polish officials said the transfer was marginal and did not affect Poland’s air defense capabilities. Warsaw also received assurances that significantly more missiles and systems could be provided within 24 hours if Poland itself faced a threat. Russian Kh-101 Incident The new transfer discussion follows the July 29-30 Russian attack on Ukraine, when a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile entered Polish airspace and crashed near Tarnawa-Kolonia in the Lublin Voivodeship, about 90-95 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The missile crashed in an uninhabited area, leaving a crater about 10 meters wide. There were no casualties or significant damage to buildings. Polish forces detected the object at about 3:40 a.m. and scrambled an F-16 to identify and intercept it. The object later disappeared from radar, while a Mi-24 helicopter located the crash site. Poland tracked multiple aerial targets during the attack. One came within about five kilometers of the Polish border before turning back. Investigators later confirmed that the missile was a Russian Kh-101 manufactured in the second quarter of 2026 at a facility in the Moscow region. Poland subsequently summoned the Russian ambassador and delivered a protest note. Earlier Russian Drone Incursion The incident followed a September 2025 violation in which between 19 and 23 Russian drones entered Polish airspace during a large-scale attack on Ukraine. Polish and NATO aircraft, including Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s, responded, and some drones were shot down. Poland temporarily closed airspace around several airports, including Warsaw’s main international airports, and invoked Article 4 of the NATO treaty for consultations among allies. Poland currently operates two Patriot batteries and is awaiting additional systems. Warsaw has also provided substantial military assistance to Ukraine since 2022. No final decision on the new Patriot missile transfer has been announced, but Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said the decision is expected within days.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-13 15:31:04Search
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