U.S
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Sierra Space has signed contracts with undisclosed national security and commercial customers to fly payloads on the first orbital mission of its Dream Chaser spaceplane. The company announced the agreements on September 2, adding new payloads to a debut mission that has faced years of delays. The reusable, uncrewed spacecraft, named Tenacity, is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket. The mission will conduct multiday operations in low Earth orbit before Tenacity returns to Earth and lands on a runway at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Unlike traditional cargo spacecraft that use parachutes or splash down in the ocean, Dream Chaser is designed to land on a runway. If successful, the mission will mark the first orbital flight of a winged spacecraft since NASA retired the Space Shuttle fleet in 2011. From ISS Mission to Free-Flyer Demonstration Dream Chaser was originally selected by NASA in 2016 under the Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) program to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. The contract called for at least seven resupply missions. However, technical delays, including issues involving the spacecraft's propulsion system and launch vehicle readiness, repeatedly pushed the program back. In September 2025, NASA and Sierra Space revised the agreement. The seven-mission guarantee was dropped, and Tenacity's first flight was changed from an ISS docking mission into an independent free-flyer demonstration in low Earth orbit. The multiday mission will demonstrate Dream Chaser's capabilities before NASA considers future station resupply orders. One Spacecraft, Multiple Customers Sierra Space said the mission will be the first to combine national security, commercial and civil payloads, including NASA cargo under the Cargo Resupply Services program, on a single spacecraft. The company has not disclosed the national security or commercial customers or the specific payloads. Sierra Space is still finalizing the full manifest and has not set a firm launch date. The flight is targeted for later in 2026. The schedule will also depend on the readiness of ULA's Vulcan Centaur, which experienced a solid rocket booster anomaly during a mission in early 2026. Dream Chaser Capabilities Dream Chaser is designed for high reusability and mission flexibility. Its wings fold inside a standard rocket payload fairing during launch and deploy once in orbit. Sierra Space says the spacecraft is designed to be reused up to 15 times. The vehicle can carry payloads with partial space certification rather than full environmental qualification, which Sierra Space says can reduce development costs and speed deployment. It can also use a detachable cargo module for different pressurized and unpressurized configurations. Dream Chaser is designed for autonomous reentry and a runway landing with forces below 1.5 g, helping protect sensitive payloads and equipment. Sierra Space said it has completed environmental testing, command and telemetry validation, and runway recovery rehearsals for Tenacity. Sierra Space CEO Dan Jablonsky said Dream Chaser has evolved into a strategic capability serving national security, civil and commercial customers on the same platform. Dan Polis, senior vice president of engineering and Dream Chaser at Sierra Space, highlighted the development of the spacecraft's deployable wings, hypersonic flight control, autonomous reentry and low-force runway landing. Tenacity is now being prepared for its first orbital flight while Sierra Space completes the mixed payload manifest.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 14:17:19
World
KYIV — Ukraine lost approximately $1.2 billion in 2024 to fraud, waste and mismanagement in military procurement, according to more than 700 pages of confidential government audits reviewed by The New York Times. The audits, conducted by Ukraine’s State Audit Service and an internal Defense Ministry auditing unit, examined contracts from 2024 and 2025. The audits found that seven of Ukraine’s 10 largest military contractors received new contracts despite criminal investigations, previous delivery failures or executives being arrested on corruption charges. Auditors also identified 18 companies that received new contracts after defaulting on earlier agreements. Six had failed to fulfill even one previous military contract. In one case, a company that failed to deliver any of 600 specialized drones later received an order for 1,950 more. Defective Mortar Shells A major case involved the state-owned Pavlohrad Chemical Plant, which supplied the military with about 233,000 unusable mortar rounds in 2024. Court records said many had defective fuses or faulty propellant charges. The plant’s director, Leonid Shyman, was facing embezzlement and fraud investigations. Despite the ammunition problems, the Defense Procurement Agency continued awarding contracts to the plant. One was a $280 million contract awarded while Shyman was out on bail on corruption charges. The plant also received an order to supply nearly all of Ukraine’s 122-mm artillery shells for 2025. Shyman was later sentenced to five years in prison in a separate case involving inflated prices for explosives. Higher-Priced Weapons Contracts The audits found approximately $126 million in losses from bypassing lower bids and purchasing weapons at higher prices. Some contracts were also awarded without a clear legal basis. In one 2024 case involving Turkish-made artillery rockets, three companies offered prices of approximately $4,200, $4,600 and $5,100 per rocket, all produced at the same Turkish plant. The lowest bidder, Arca Defense, offered to sell directly to Ukraine, but the contract went to a subsidiary of the Czech holding Czechoslovak Group at the highest price. The decision increased the overall cost by about $130 million. The audits also identified disputes over at least $100 million in advance payments for a contract that ultimately failed. They found that many purchases were made through arms intermediaries rather than directly from manufacturers, with intermediaries typically adding markups of at least 3 percent. Former Defense Procurement Agency adviser Tamerlan Vahabov said such practices leave the military with fewer resources to purchase weapons while ammunition shortages continue. The audits describe repeated problems involving companies that could not demonstrate they could deliver weapons, lacked required licenses, or faced few consequences for failed deliveries and overcharging. The Defense Procurement Agency declined to comment, and it remains unclear what specific action it took in response to the findings.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 13:56:21
World
TEL AVIV — Israeli technology company Sodyo Ltd. has introduced RangeMark, a visual identification system designed for drones and autonomous systems to detect and identify passive printed markers from distances of up to 1 kilometer (0.62 miles). Sodyo presented the technology publicly at Commercial UAV Expo 2026, held September 1–3 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The company exhibited RangeMark at Booth #1005. Sodyo announced the launch on August 5, 2026. Works Without GPS, RF or Network Connectivity RangeMark is designed to work using only a standard camera and a printed, battery-free marker. The system does not require GPS, cellular service, radio-frequency (RF) signals or a network connection. The marker itself requires no power source and does not transmit or emit signals. This allows the system to provide a visual identification method in offline or disconnected environments. Sodyo distinguishes RangeMark from conventional AI-based object recognition. While AI vision systems can classify objects such as vehicles, buildings or people, RangeMark is designed to identify a specific marked asset or location and provide a deterministic machine-readable identity. The company said this can include identifying designated landing zones, drop points, infrastructure and friendly personnel. Sodyo's platform describes its recognition process as resolving a visual marker into a verified identity through its computer-vision technology. Flight Testing Demonstrates Long-Range Detection According to Sodyo, RangeMark has been tested in real flight conditions. During flight testing, drones detected a 100 cm (39-inch) marker at distances of up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) and a 50 cm (20-inch) marker at up to 250 meters (820 feet). The tests covered an area of approximately 20 hectares (49 acres) and included hover, transit and search-pattern operations. Flight speeds reached 20 meters per second, or 72 km/h (45 mph). Sodyo also reported broader Sodyo Labs testing in which a 120 cm marker was recognized at the maximum 1,000-meter range, while a 12 cm marker was detected at 100 meters. Two Marker Formats RangeMark currently supports two physical marker formats. Color Code is a high-density format designed for standard visible-light conditions, while Carbon Code uses a two-tone design intended for more challenging visibility environments. Sodyo said additional formats covering other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are under development. The company says the technology is based on more than a decade of patented development and has more than 35 global patents, with priority dating to 2012. Sodyo Targets Drone and Autonomous Systems Market Sodyo CEO Alon Raz said RangeMark is intended to give autonomous systems a reliable visual reference for identifying marked locations and assets. “RangeMark turns a marked point anywhere in the physical world into a point of certainty… with nothing but a camera and a printed marker, something no existing visual technology can deliver at that range,” Raz said. He added that the technology took more than a decade of patented work to reach its current form, saying, “When a machine can be certain, it can be trusted to act on its own.” Sodyo plans to use a partner-led licensing model, targeting drone manufacturers, autonomy-platform developers, camera suppliers and system integrators. The company said potential applications include defense, infrastructure inspection, emergency response and industrial automation. RangeMark represents Sodyo's expansion of its visual identification technology into the drone and autonomous-systems market, with the company focusing on machine-readable identification of physical locations and assets without requiring an active communications connection.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 13:46:30
World
SANA'A — Yemen’s Houthi movement has released drone footage that it says shows a ballistic missile striking a meeting of senior commanders from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces in an open desert area. The footage appears to show three armoured vehicles arriving at a gathering point while a reconnaissance drone observes from above. After another vehicle arrives, the video shows a missile launch followed by an explosion that engulfs the vehicles. Houthi media claimed everyone at the meeting was killed, but the casualty figures and identities of those killed have not been independently verified. pic.twitter.com/DSnhsygC7C September 6, 2026 Reports circulating about the incident put the death toll at nine people, including claims that two Pakistan Army officers were among those killed. However, there is currently no public confirmation from Pakistani, Saudi or Yemeni authorities that Pakistani military officers died in this particular strike. The reported Pakistani connection has drawn attention because Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye signed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026. The agreement states that an armed attack against any one of the three countries will be regarded as an attack against all three and calls for expanded defence cooperation. However, the agreement does not by itself establish that Pakistani forces are deployed inside Yemen. There are no confirmed public reports from Pakistani authorities that Pakistan Army officers were assisting Yemeni government forces inside Yemen in connection with the strike. Fighting intensifies in western Yemen The footage was released as fighting has intensified across parts of western Taiz and southern Hodeidah, with Houthi forces advancing toward areas around Mokha and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Recent clashes have caused significant casualties on both sides, although competing battlefield claims remain difficult to independently verify. The Houthis have previously used ballistic missiles and drones against positions held by Saudi-backed government forces. Earlier attacks in Marib and Hadramout also caused significant casualties among government-aligned troops. The latest footage provides the Houthis' account of a targeted missile strike, but independent verification of the location, casualty total and identities of those killed remains unavailable.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 13:38:20
U.S
SAN DIEGO — Shield AI has licensed its Tracker Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (Tracker C-UAS) software to L3Harris Technologies for integration with the VAMPIRE counter-drone system. The integration combines Shield AI’s artificial intelligence-based detection and tracking software with VAMPIRE’s existing electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors and precision engagement capabilities. Tracker C-UAS is part of Shield AI’s Vision Systems product line. The software uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to analyze EO/IR video, allowing it to detect, discriminate and track aerial threats. It operates passively and does not require radar or radio-frequency emissions to identify and track targets. This gives operators an additional way to detect approaching unmanned aerial systems without transmitting signals that could reveal their position. The integration builds on testing conducted by the two companies in 2025. During a U.S. Department of Defense Technology Readiness Experimentation event, Tracker C-UAS was paired with L3Harris WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR sensors. The demonstration showed the software detecting multiple classes of unmanned aerial systems at extended ranges, including targets that were partially obscured. VAMPIRE System VAMPIRE, short for Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletised ISR Rocket Equipment, is a self-contained system designed for installation on vehicles, vessels or fixed positions. The system uses a WESCAM MX-series electro-optical sensor, commonly the MX-10, with thermal imaging and television cameras for target detection and tracking. The sensor can also provide laser designation for guided munitions. VAMPIRE is equipped with a four-round launcher for 70 mm guided rockets. Its primary munition is BAE Systems’ Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), while the system can also fire the Thales FZ275 laser-guided rocket. According to L3Harris, VAMPIRE systems have accumulated more than 350,000 operational hours since 2023 and have destroyed hundreds of hostile drones, primarily in support of European operations that include use by Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Focus on Passive Drone Detection The addition of Tracker C-UAS is intended to strengthen the detection and tracking portion of the VAMPIRE system. The software can process imagery from existing cameras rather than requiring a separate radar-based detection system. RAND Corporation analyst Michael Bohnert has noted that combining Tracker C-UAS with VAMPIRE could improve detection and interception of more complex aerial targets, including high-speed, jet-powered drones. L3Harris President of Targeting & Sensor Systems and Communications & Spectrum Dominance Tony Calderon said the integration enhances threat detection, target tracking and counter-UAS engagement while improving force survivability. Christian Gutierrez, senior vice president of Hivemind at Shield AI, said combining passive AI-based sensing with VAMPIRE gives operators the ability to detect threats early and respond more quickly. Shield AI is also making Tracker C-UAS available for licensing on other platforms already used by operators. The companies did not disclose the value of the licensing agreement, the number of VAMPIRE systems to receive the software or a delivery schedule.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 12:54:26
World
ISLAMABAD, — Pakistan has added Turkish-made Baykar K2 kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to its military inventory, with the Pakistan Army releasing video showing the system. Pakistan is reportedly the first known export customer for the K2. Türk üretimi kamikaze İHA, Pakistan ordusu envanterine girdi.Pakistan ordusunun resmi hesabından paylaşılan videoda, çok sayıda BAYKAR üretimi K2 kamikaze İHA'yı envanterine kattığı görüldü.200 kg harp başlığı taşıyabilen K2'nin menzili 2000+ km. https://t.co/GDDqrQxkvz pic.twitter.com/JPptaQADjQ — Conflict (@ConflictTR) September 6, 2026 Developed by Baykar and unveiled in March 2026, the K2 has an 800 kg maximum take-off weight, 200 kg warhead capacity, range exceeding 2,000 km and endurance of more than 13 hours. It is 5.1 metres long with a 10-metre wingspan and uses a 100-horsepower internal combustion engine with a pusher propeller. The UAV features AI-powered, vision-based navigation, an electro-optical/infrared camera and both line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications. Baykar has also demonstrated autonomous swarm operations involving multiple K2 aircraft. Pakistan has not disclosed the number of K2 UAVs acquired, contract value, delivery schedule or operational basing. In a related development, Pakistan has also showcased the Turkish ASELSAN KORKUT 35mm air-defense system. The system appeared in the Pakistan Air Force's “Fizaon K Pasbaan” promotional film released around Defence Day. KORKUT uses twin 35mm cannons, radar and electro-optical tracking, along with ATOM programmable airburst ammunition. It has an effective range of approximately 4 km and a combined firing rate of up to 1,100 rounds per minute. The two systems add new Turkish-made strike and short-range air-defense capabilities to Pakistan's military inventory, expanding defense cooperation between Pakistan and Türkiye.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 12:42:04
U.S
CLIFTON, N.J., — L3Harris Technologies has completed production of the first 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare and countermeasure systems for the global F-16 fleet, marking the transition toward full-rate production of the system. Officially designated AN/ALQ-254(V)1, Viper Shield is designed to detect, identify and counter electronic threats. The system can provide protection against radar-based threats by detecting hostile radar signals and using electronic countermeasures to disrupt or confuse them. L3Harris describes the capability as a form of “digital armor” around the aircraft. Designed for F-16 Block 70/72 L3Harris developed Viper Shield in partnership with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force. The system was selected in 2021 for the F-16 Block 70/72, the latest production version of the F-16. It is designed to operate with the aircraft's APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and is also compatible with earlier F-16 blocks. Viper Shield uses an all-digital, software-defined architecture based on commercial off-the-shelf technology. According to L3Harris, this design provides a smaller form factor and reduced weight while making future software upgrades easier compared with older electronic warfare systems. The system combines a digital radar warning receiver with electronic jamming capabilities, including digital radio frequency memory (DRFM) technology. This allows the system to respond to detected radar signals as part of its electronic countermeasure function. 233 Systems Ordered by Eight Nations L3Harris said eight allied nations have ordered a total of 233 Viper Shield systems and that the company is increasing production to meet the existing orders. Confirmed customers include Bahrain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Morocco, Taiwan, Poland and Peru. The eighth customer has not been publicly identified by the company. Peru selected Viper Shield in August 2026 for its F-16 Block 70 program. The country plans to acquire 12 F-16 Block 70 aircraft, which are intended to replace its older Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 fighters. Poland is also using Viper Shield for its existing F-16 fleet, while the system is available for both new-build Block 70/72 aircraft and upgrades to earlier F-16 variants. Internal System and External Pod Viper Shield can be installed directly inside the aircraft or carried as an external pod. L3Harris has completed the first external pod using its production systems, in addition to the first 35 internal systems. The company says the two configurations use the same core hardware. The external option provides an installation alternative for F-16 aircraft that are not configured for an internal Viper Shield installation. International Investment Has Funded Development According to L3Harris, the participating countries have made a shared investment of about $1 billion in the program. The funding has covered development, laboratory testing, flight testing and the beginning of production. Chris Aebli, president of Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris, said the investment could provide an opportunity for the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard to join the program without bearing the initial development and testing costs. L3Harris is also discussing potential additional orders with other countries. The company has said these discussions could generate approximately $1.5 billion in additional demand. Flight Testing Completed Ahead of Production Ramp-Up Viper Shield has undergone flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, including testing involving F-16C and F-16D aircraft. In August 2026, L3Harris reported two-ship flight testing to evaluate the system's ability to detect, identify and counter electromagnetic threats while operating with the aircraft's avionics. With the first 35 systems now completed and the first production-standard external pod assembled, L3Harris is ramping up manufacturing to meet the current 233-system backlog. The company says the existing production line, quality processes and supply chain are positioned to support additional international customers. Production of Viper Shield is being carried out at L3Harris facilities in Clifton, New Jersey.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 12:05:27
World
KUWAIT CITY — New high-resolution satellite imagery released by Soar Atlas clearly shows the destruction of two U.S. personnel housing buildings at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. According to Soar Atlas, satellite imagery from August 25 to September 3 shows that both buildings were completely destroyed during that period. One building can be clearly seen reduced to rubble, while debris from the second building has been partially cleared. 🚨Soar Atlas has made available new high-res imagery to explore, showing the destruction of two housing accommodations used by U.S. soldiers at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.Explore and Compare:👉 https://t.co/RGRB7rCmctThe damage follows Iranian claims of recent attacks. pic.twitter.com/eebnwyhN2O — Soar (@SoarAtlas) September 7, 2026 The imagery matches claims made by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on September 2 that it had carried out a combined missile-and-drone strike targeting U.S. housing and command facilities at the base. The IRGC also claimed that the attack killed U.S. personnel, damaged a drone hangar and deployment ramp, and destroyed several drones. The IRGC said the strike was carried out in retaliation for a U.S. airstrike the previous day on a residential house in Sirik, southern Iran, which it said killed four people, including a child, and injured nearly 70 others. It also said the Kuwait attack occurred alongside strikes on U.S. facilities in Jordan, Bahrain and Erbil, Iraq. Ali Al Salem Air Base hosts U.S. forces, including elements of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, and serves as a logistics and tactical airlift hub for U.S. and coalition operations in the region. Iranian state media, including Mehr News Agency, reported on September 7 that the new Soar Atlas imagery shows the destruction of the two U.S. personnel housing buildings. The satellite imagery provides visual confirmation that the two buildings were destroyed, but U.S. and Kuwaiti authorities have not independently confirmed the reported casualties or the full extent of damage from the September 2 incident. The base has also been the subject of several IRGC claims of attacks earlier in 2026 involving drones, missiles, shelters, hangars and other facilities.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 11:50:16
World
KUWAIT — Low-resolution satellite imagery released by open-source intelligence group MizarVision indicates possible Iranian missile impacts at two U.S.-linked air bases in Kuwait, challenging claims that all incoming missiles were intercepted. The assessment, dated September 6, 2026, identifies possible impact points at Ali Al Salem Air Base and Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base following Iran's September 3 missile and drone strikes. Three Suspected Impacts at Ali Al Salem At Ali Al Salem Air Base, a facility building in the troop billeting area appears to show three impact points, which are clearly visible in the satellite image released by MizarVision. The three locations appear as dark marks on the roof of the large facility and are highlighted by MizarVision in its damage assessment. Three More Impacts Reported at Ahmad al-Jaber Separate satellite imagery reportedly shows three impacts in the aircraft and fighter-jet parking area at Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base. The latest imagery provides visual evidence of possible impacts at both bases, although the low resolution means the imagery alone does not establish the exact cause or extent of the apparent damage. Iran had previously claimed that its forces targeted satellite communication systems, equipment depots and fighter-jet hangars during the September 3 attack. Conflicting Claims Over the Attack Iran's Army said on September 3 that it carried out missile and drone strikes against U.S.-linked military facilities in Kuwait. Iranian authorities claimed successful hits on several targets, including satellite communications systems, equipment warehouses and fighter-jet hangars. Kuwait's Armed Forces, meanwhile, said its air-defense systems were engaging incoming missiles and drones. Kuwaiti authorities also told residents that explosions heard during the attack were associated with successful interceptions. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes as a violation of the country's sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability. The conflicting statements have left uncertainty over the number of incoming weapons intercepted and whether some missiles reached facilities inside the bases. Satellite Imagery Provides Additional Evidence MizarVision's latest assessment adds satellite imagery to the available information about the September 3 attack. The image specifically identifies three suspected impact points at Ali Al Salem and reports three additional impacts at Ahmad al-Jaber. However, the imagery does not independently confirm that all six locations were caused by Iranian missiles, nor does it establish the extent of damage to military equipment or infrastructure. The latest assessment therefore provides evidence of possible impacts at both U.S.-linked bases, while the precise cause and damage remain subject to further verification.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 11:35:41
U.S
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump sparked widespread online reaction on Sunday, September 6, after posting a series of space and science-fiction-themed images, including a message declaring “The Moon Is Ours,” a proposed U.S. Space Force uniform and an AI-generated video showing him as DC Comics superhero Green Lantern. ‘The Moon Is Ours’ Trump posted an image on Truth Social showing a close-up view of the Moon with Earth in the background and an American flag. The image included the words “The Moon Is Ours.” The post did not include a formal legal claim or policy announcement. Under the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which the United States and more than 100 other countries have signed, outer space and celestial bodies such as the Moon cannot be claimed as national territory through sovereignty, use or occupation. The post comes as the Trump administration promotes an expanded U.S. role in lunar activities. An executive order signed in December 2025 directed a crewed lunar landing by 2028, an initial permanent lunar outpost by 2030 and work toward deploying nuclear reactors on the lunar surface. Space Force uniform sparks Starship Troopers comparisons Minutes earlier, Trump shared images of what appeared to be a proposed U.S. Space Force service dress uniform. The concept uses space grey, midnight black, silver grey and satin black colours. It features a charcoal-coloured collared jacket and matching trousers, black belt and boots, and a matching peaked cap. The Space Force Delta symbol appears on the collar, sleeve patch, belt buckle and cap. The graphic described the design as “Inspired by the discipline and functionality of the Starship Trooper uniform. Modernized for the Guardians of the Space Domain.” The reference drew criticism and jokes on X because Starship Troopers, the 1997 science-fiction film directed by Paul Verhoeven, depicts a militarised future government and uses visual elements influenced by fascist imagery. Users compared the proposed uniform with fictional forces from Star Wars, Spaceballs and other science-fiction films. Some conservative commentators also acknowledged the resemblance while supporting the Space Force. Others questioned whether the administration understood the satirical meaning of Starship Troopers. The current official Space Force dress uniform has a different design, featuring a larger tunic that closes diagonally with six buttons, representing the Space Force's status as the sixth branch of the U.S. military. It remains unclear whether Trump's images represent an official plan to change Space Force uniforms or only a concept shared on social media. White House releases Green Lantern AI video Separately, the official White House X account posted an AI-generated video portraying Trump as Green Lantern. The video shows him wearing a glowing green power ring, with the effects creating a barrier in a desert landscape, an industrial area labelled “American Manufacturing,” and images of U.S. military ships and aircraft. The post included the Green Lantern Corps oath: “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!” The video also drew reactions from X users, with some questioning the use of superhero imagery by an official government account. Others supported its references to American manufacturing and border security. The video was posted Sunday evening, shortly before HBO aired the fourth episode of its live-action DC series Lanterns. Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios had not publicly commented on the use of the character's imagery. Trump's posts were part of broader Truth Social activity that day, including other AI-generated images and comments involving geographic names. The administration has also been advancing space-related initiatives, including lunar goals under the Artemis programme and plans linked to a National Space Academy. The White House and Department of Defense had not formally confirmed whether the proposed Space Force uniform would be adopted. Source : hindustantimes
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 11:23:56
U.S
LONG BEACH, Calif. — Aevum Aerospace’s RAVN X autonomous space-launch aircraft has been identified after the unusual black, cockpitless airframe was photographed outside a hangar at Long Beach Airport on September 3, 2026. The aircraft was spotted by Ricky Schol, a plumber and aviation photographer who has photographed aircraft at Long Beach Airport for 16 years. Schol said he noticed a bright light coming from a hangar that had not been open for a long time while driving past the airport. At first, he thought the aircraft might be an F-117 Nighthawk. After turning around and stopping about 100 feet away, he saw an aircraft without a cockpit and began taking photographs. “I was blown away when I pulled over and saw the future in front of my eyes. I had no clue what I was looking at,” Schol said. Schol watched as ground crews moved the aircraft out of the hangar, positioned it on the runway and later returned it inside. He reported hearing no engine noise or seeing exhaust during the activity. Aircraft identified as RAVN X Photographs taken by Schol and other aviation photographers, including Matthew Dawson, showed the aircraft carrying the FAA registration N567RX. The registration has been reserved by Aevum to an address at Long Beach Airport, helping identify the aircraft as the RAVN X, developed by Aevum Aerospace. Aevum has described the RAVN X as an autonomous first stage of a two-stage space-launch system. The aircraft is intended to carry a rocket-powered second stage to altitude before releasing it to continue the flight into orbit. The RAVN X was designed to be about 80 feet long, with a 60-foot wingspan and a reported gross weight of approximately 55,000 pounds. Aevum's concept called for the aircraft to operate at high subsonic speeds and reach an altitude of about 60,000 feet. Program has been largely out of public view Aevum publicly presented the full-scale RAVN X in December 2020 at Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, Florida. Company CEO Jay Skylus described the aircraft as the “mothership” for a two-stage launch system intended to place small payloads into low Earth orbit. At the time, Aevum planned to conduct vehicle-level testing, obtain the required airworthiness certification and begin orbital launch tests from Cecil Spaceport by late 2021. Those publicly announced milestones did not take place. The company later provided little public information about the program, while Gunter’s Space Page reported that activity appeared to have stopped by August 2024 and questioned whether operational flight hardware had been produced. The RAVN X was also associated with the ASLON-45 mission, a planned small-satellite launch involving the U.S. Space Force. The mission did not proceed to an orbital launch using the RAVN X. Long Beach appearance raises questions about the airframe The recent appearance provides evidence that the RAVN X airframe is still present and being handled at Long Beach Airport. However, it does not establish that the aircraft is ready for flight. Images examined by The War Zone and The Aviationist show landing gear that appears fixed and suited to ground handling. The lack of engine noise or exhaust during the observed movement has also raised questions about whether the aircraft is a flight-capable prototype or a modified version of the earlier RAVN X mockup. The Aviationist reported that the RAVN X's recent appearance involved what it described as autonomous taxi testing, while also noting that it was not immediately clear whether the airframe was the same one displayed by Aevum in 2020. Aevum has not publicly explained the purpose of the September 3 activity in the available reports. As of September 2026, the RAVN X has not conducted an orbital launch. Its appearance at Long Beach Airport therefore represents a rare public sighting of a program that had largely disappeared from view, but it remains unclear what stage of development the aircraft has reached.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-07 11:00:22
U.S
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy is accelerating production of Tomahawk cruise missile warhead housings by modifying an existing 2019 contract originally established for the Stand-Off Land Attack Missile–Expanded Response (SLAM-ER). A September 2 contract notice said the Navy is tasking General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) to manufacture and deliver a redacted number of warhead housings within nine months. The components will support the warhead sections of the U/RGM-109E Tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM). The notice said the accelerated schedule is driven by an “immediate demand for increased missile production” resulting from the current international conflict. First article inspections must begin no later than the first quarter of 2027 to support the required delivery schedule. Existing Contract Shortens Timeline GD-OTS already manufactures warhead casings for both SLAM-ER and Tactical Tomahawk missiles. Using the existing contract allows the Navy to avoid the longer process of awarding a new contract or qualifying another supplier. The Navy said GD-OTS has the manufacturing capability, technical experience and required technical data to meet the accelerated schedule. The company is based in Anniston, Alabama. The underlying contract is N6893619C0039. The September 2 notice identifies the work as a firm-fixed-price modification awarded on an other-than-full-and-open basis, with an award date of August 20, 2026. The new warhead housings will support both newly produced and recertified Block IV and Block V Tomahawk missiles. Tomahawk Production Expansion The move comes as Raytheon, an RTX business, expands overall Tomahawk production. On August 17, Raytheon announced a $22.9 billion, seven-year contract to increase annual Tomahawk production to more than 1,000 missiles, formalizing an earlier framework agreement reached in February. Raytheon said the contract will support increased production capacity and investment in its workforce, facilities, technology and supply chain. The company also reported delivering three times more Tomahawk missiles during the first half of 2026 than in the same period of 2025. The expansion follows increased use of precision-guided weapons and efforts to replenish U.S. inventories. Reuters reported that the new Tomahawk contract is part of a wider effort to rebuild stocks of high-end munitions. Separately, an August GD-OTS modification valued at $41.57 million covered 559 WDU-36/B warhead cases and 559 fuzewells for Tactical Tomahawk missiles. The work is centered in Anniston, Alabama, and is scheduled for completion in April 2028. The latest modification adds another step to the Navy's effort to increase Tomahawk availability while avoiding the longer timeline associated with a new contract and supplier qualification.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 18:12:19
World
EL ALAMEIN, Egypt — The first images of several Russian air-launched munitions and unmanned platforms have emerged during preparations for the second El Alamein International Airshow in Egypt, which will take place from September 8 to 10, 2026. Footage from the setup of the Russian exposition shows the Banderol, S-71K Kover (Kovyor), S-71M Monokhrom and another smaller, unidentified munition. Russia's state defense corporation Rostec has confirmed that the S-71K and S-71M will be presented at the exhibition for the first time. The Russian display is being organized by Rosoboronexport, part of Rostec, at El Alamein International Airport. The company said its exhibition will include new Russian aircraft, weapons, air-defense systems, counter-drone solutions, loitering munitions and unmanned platforms. Some of the products are being shown internationally for the first time. S-71K and S-71M The S-71K and S-71M are described by Rostec as unmanned platforms designed for launch from fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The systems are being presented alongside the export version of the Su-57E fighter. Rostec says the platforms have low observability, long flight range and high speed, with different wing configurations. The S-71K is identified in available reporting as Kover, while the S-71M is known as Monokhrom. Earlier descriptions have associated the two systems with different strike and target-search roles, but detailed official technical specifications have not yet been released for the exhibition. The setup footage provides the first clear public images of the systems ahead of their formal presentation. Further information is expected as the airshow begins. Banderol also shown The Banderol, also referred to in some reports as Dan-T, is also visible in the Russian display. The system has previously been reported as a compact air-launched cruise missile or missile-drone hybrid. Unlike the S-71 systems, the Banderol is not a new public appearance. Its inclusion in the display places it alongside Russia's newer family of air-launched unmanned systems. Su-57E at the center of the Russian display The main aircraft in the Russian static exhibition will be the Su-57E, the export version of Russia's fifth-generation fighter. Rostec said the aircraft will be displayed with a range of air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons. These include the RVV-MD2, RVV-BD, Kh-38MLE, Kh-69 and Kh-58UShKE. Rostec has also confirmed that the Su-57E will take part in the airshow's flight program. The Russian exhibition will also feature the Yak-130M modernized combat trainer with air-launched weapons, while other Russian companies will display air-defense and counter-drone systems. Focus on Middle Eastern and African markets Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev said Russia's exhibition is aimed at Egypt as well as countries in Africa and the Middle East. He described Egypt as Russia's important strategic partner and said the exhibition would feature Russian products that have been tested in real-world conditions. The appearance of the S-71K and S-71M alongside the Su-57E gives visitors a first look at Russia's new concept of launching unmanned platforms from a fifth-generation fighter. The second El Alamein International Airshow will run from September 8 to 10, 2026, with additional technical information on the newly displayed systems expected during the event.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 18:05:53
World
MOSCOW — Satellite imagery has confirmed damage to Russian military infrastructure and aircraft following separate Ukrainian drone strikes on the Millerovo airbase in Rostov Oblast and the Sochi area in Krasnodar Krai. The imagery provides additional evidence of the results of attacks carried out on August 30 and September 4, 2026, including damage to radar systems, an ammunition storage facility, a maintenance facility and Russian military helicopters. Damage at Millerovo Airbase The first strike took place during the night of August 30 at Millerovo airbase in Rostov Oblast. Satellite imagery published by the open-source intelligence group Dnipro OSINT confirmed the destruction of an ammunition storage facility and the airbase's technical and maintenance facility, known as the TECh. The imagery also showed damage to an RSP-27 precision approach radar and a Nebo-SV early warning radar. Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi reported that the attack was carried out by Ukraine's 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces using FP-1 long-range strike drones. The same operation also targeted Russian military assets at Yeysk airbase, where a Pantsir-S1 air-defense system, a Sopka-2 radar and an aviation weapons storage facility were reportedly struck. A Kasta 2E2 radar near Shabelskoye was also targeted. Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said the main target at Millerovo was the DRL-27 module of the RSP-27 aircraft landing radar system. The DRL-27 is used for detecting airborne targets and forms part of the airfield's air traffic control system when combined with the PRL-27 landing radar. Millerovo airbase is located about four kilometres northwest of Millerovo city, near Dolotinka. The facility has hosted Russia's 31st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, which operates Su-30SM fighters. Ukrainian officials have described the airfield as a staging location for Russian frontline aviation supporting operations in eastern and southern Ukraine. The base has previously been targeted, including in December 2023 and July 2025. NASA's FIRMS system also recorded a fire at the airbase during the early hours of August 30 following a drone alert in the area. FP-1 drones used in the attack The FP-1 is a long-range one-way attack drone developed by Ukrainian defense company Fire Point. The baseline version has a publicly documented range of up to 1,600 kilometres and can carry a modular warhead in the 60–120 kilogram range, depending on configuration. Fire Point has also stated that the drone costs about $55,000 per unit. An extended-range version has subsequently been associated with ranges of up to about 3,400 kilometres, although specifications vary between different versions and configurations. The FP-1 has been used by Ukraine for long-range strikes against military and logistical targets inside Russia. The platform is among the systems Ukraine has developed to conduct deep strikes without relying on Western long-range missiles. Helicopters damaged at Sochi A separate Ukrainian drone strike on September 4 caused damage at Sochi International Airport in Krasnodar Krai. Satellite imagery reviewed after the attack showed a destroyed Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter and a destroyed Mi-28 attack helicopter at the airport's military helicopter parking area. A Mi-8-family transport helicopter was also damaged. The strike also affected fuel infrastructure near the airport. Reports based on satellite imagery identified six destroyed fuel storage tanks at the BATO aviation fuel depot. A nearby Lukoil facility was also hit, with three additional storage tanks reported destroyed or damaged. Satellite evidence also indicated damage at a nearby Russian air-defense position, with one launcher from an S-300 or S-400 system reportedly detonating during the attack. The exact system involved has not been independently confirmed. The attack had an impact on airport operations. Sochi airport operated under restrictions for more than 11 hours, while flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted. Temporary restrictions were also placed on aircraft refueling. Previous attacks Sochi airport and nearby infrastructure have previously been affected by Ukrainian strikes. A helicopter parking area in the Adler district was targeted in October 2023, while an August 2025 attack caused a fire at nearby oil infrastructure and disrupted airport operations. Millerovo has likewise been targeted several times since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including attacks reported in December 2023 and July 2025. As of September 6, Russian authorities had not publicly provided a specific assessment of the damage to the Millerovo facilities or the helicopters and military infrastructure identified in the satellite imagery from the September 4 attack. Main Source : defence-blog
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 17:49:43
World
SOCHI, — Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out coordinated drone strikes against Russian military and energy infrastructure in the Sochi area on September 4, with further damage reported at Sochi International Airport. The strikes destroyed air defense systems, damaged fuel storage facilities and destroyed or damaged several Russian military helicopters. S-300 and Pantsir systems destroyed The first strike took place in the early hours of September 4 against a Russian air defense position near the settlement of Sirius, close to the Psou River and the border with occupied Abkhazia. Satellite imagery published by the Absolutely Reliable Source Telegram channel showed two S-300 launchers and a Pantsir surface-to-air missile and gun system destroyed. The exact Pantsir modification was not identified, although reports linked it to a newer Pantsir-SMD configuration produced by Russia's High-Precision Systems holding. Russian publication ASTRA and OSINT group Exilenova+ analyzed eyewitness footage and geolocated the fire to the area. The first explosions were reported at about 1:20 a.m., followed by secondary detonations that reportedly continued for several hours. Oil depots hit During the same operation, Ukrainian drones struck two oil facilities in the Sochi area: Rosneft's Adler oil depot and a Lukoil facility. Later satellite imagery showed damage to several storage tanks. At the BATO aviation fuel terminal near Sochi's Adler Airport, associated with Rosneft operations, six tanks were destroyed — two RVS-2000 tanks and four RVS-1000 tanks. At the Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt depot, three RVS-400 tanks were destroyed or damaged. The facilities had protective netting and structures, but fires were reported at the sites. The attack also disrupted operations at Sochi International Airport. Restrictions lasted for more than 11 hours, with dozens of flights delayed, canceled or diverted. Aircraft refueling was also limited, with notices restricting services primarily to the Lukoil operator for a period. Sochi Mayor Andrey Proshunin confirmed a large drone attack on civilian and military infrastructure in Sochi and Sirius. He advised residents to remain away from windows and stay in shelters. Drone debris was found at several locations, while local authorities reported no casualties. Russian helicopters damaged Satellite imagery released after the attack also showed damage to military helicopters at Sochi International Airport. Ukraine's Defense Forces destroyed a Ka-52 and a Mi-28 attack helicopter, while a Mi-8 family multirole helicopter was damaged. Two radar stations at the airport, including an airfield surveillance radar, were also reported damaged. The initial reports came from eyewitness videos, photographs and OSINT geolocation. Subsequent satellite imagery from the Absolutely Reliable Source channel was used to assess damage to the S-300 launchers, Pantsir system, fuel tanks and helicopters. The strikes affected Russian air defense, aviation and fuel infrastructure in the Sochi area, although Russian authorities have not publicly confirmed all of the reported military losses. Source : militarnyi
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 17:28:30
World
ABU DHABI / SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil — UAE-based advanced technology and defence group EDGE has completed its acquisition of Brazilian aerospace engineering company AKAER after all customary closing conditions and relevant regulatory approvals were fulfilled. The acquisition was completed on September 4, 2026, following the share purchase agreement announced by the companies in July. Under the agreed corporate structure, Brazilian defence company SIATT will hold a minority equity stake in AKAER. The arrangement is intended to preserve AKAER’s status as an Empresa Estratégica de Defesa (EED), or Strategic Defence Company, within Brazil. EDGE retains control of AKAER. EDGE Group Managing Director and CEO Hamad Al Marar said the completion of the acquisition represents an important milestone for EDGE in Brazil. He also highlighted AKAER’s engineering expertise and its continued contribution to Brazil’s defence ecosystem. Expanded engineering and technology capabilities The acquisition gives EDGE an established engineering base in Brazil with a multidisciplinary team covering the product lifecycle from project design and development through to industrialisation. EDGE and AKAER already work together on the development and industrialisation of unmanned systems, providing an existing basis for closer integration within the group. EDGE said the acquisition also expands its capabilities in areas including optronics, electro-optic and infrared systems, and space-related technologies. These capabilities were identified by EDGE when it announced the planned acquisition in July. The transaction forms part of EDGE’s expanding investment in Brazil. The group said the acquisition will support Brazil’s defence industry, strategic technologies and technological sovereignty, while contributing to direct and indirect employment opportunities and the development of national skills and capabilities. AKAER's aerospace experience Founded in 1992 and headquartered in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, AKAER has more than three decades of experience in aerospace engineering. The company has accumulated more than 10 million engineering hours across military and commercial aerospace programmes for global manufacturers. AKAER has contributed to several major aerospace programmes, including Saab’s Gripen NG fighter, Turkish Aerospace’s Hürjet trainer, and aircraft programmes from Embraer, including the Super Tucano, ERJ-E1, ERJ-E2, Legacy 450/500 and KC-390. Its engineering work has also included Boeing’s 747-8 and the Brazilian Air Force’s P-3 Orion fleet. AKAER will continue operating from Brazil, maintaining its local presence and established operations. The company’s São José dos Campos base remains part of its role in Brazil’s aerospace and defence industry. EDGE has already expanded its presence in Brazil through investments in SIATT and Condor Non-Lethal Technologies. The completion of the AKAER acquisition adds another Brazilian aerospace and defence engineering company to the group’s portfolio.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 17:18:13
World
CALIFORNIA — JP Aerospace, an American volunteer-run nonprofit that has spent more than four decades developing an alternative approach to spaceflight, has released new computer-generated images of a proposed vehicle called Hazel. The images, shared by JP Aerospace president John Powell, show a dark, wing-shaped aircraft being released from a high-altitude airship called SuperTandem. The airship features two balloons connected by a long truss. Powell said the images are stills from an upcoming Hazel concept video and are not footage of an actual flight or test. No physical hypersonic vehicle matching the current Hazel concept has been publicly reported as built or flown. JP Aerospace has not disclosed technical specifications, funding sources or a target launch date for Hazel. Airship to Orbit program JP Aerospace refers to itself as “America’s Other Space Program.” Its long-term Airship to Orbit (ATO) program aims to reach space using lighter-than-air vehicles instead of conventional rockets. The proposed system has three stages. The Ascender would carry people and cargo from the ground to about 140,000 feet. The Dark Sky Station, positioned at roughly 140,000 feet, would serve as a high-altitude transfer and construction facility. The final stage is the Orbital Ascender, a proposed airship about one mile long that would be built at the Dark Sky Station. Covered with solar panels, it would gradually accelerate over several days using lightweight, low-power electric ion propulsion, eventually reaching orbital speeds of above Mach 20. Previous high-altitude testing JP Aerospace's best-documented flight was the October 2011 mission of its unmanned Tandem airship. The twin-balloon vehicle used a 30-foot carbon-fiber truss, two electric motors and six-foot propellers, reaching 95,085 feet over Nevada's Black Rock Desert. The altitude set an airship record at the time. Powell said Tandem took about five years to develop and cost roughly $30,000. After the flight, the vehicle was recovered by parachute after one balloon failed and the second was released. The organization has also conducted roughly 200 smaller research missions using balloons and small rockets. Its PongSat program has carried thousands of student science experiments to high altitudes in ping-pong balls. Hazel's earlier design The Hazel name is also linked to a 1959 U.S. concept for an inflatable Mach 3 aircraft called Hazel MC-10. The earlier design was studied extensively and had work conducted on its engines, wings and subsystems, but it never flew after competing programs advanced. Powell has discussed building engineering models of the 1959 design for low-speed and Mach 4 wind-tunnel testing and explanatory videos. The latest concept presents Hazel as a hypersonic test vehicle that could be air-launched from a high-altitude platform. JP Aerospace has not publicly confirmed construction or flight testing of the massive orbital-class airships required for its Airship to Orbit vision, nor has it reported a flight of a physical Hazel vehicle matching the current concept. The organization is also working on projects including the Ellipse airship prototype, hybrid and magnetohydrodynamic propulsion tests, and a crewed submarine used as a systems and life-support testbed. The new SuperTandem and Hazel images add to JP Aerospace's ongoing concept work, but they remain computer-generated illustrations rather than operational hardware.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 17:10:40
World
TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli defense company SpearUAV has reached a new production milestone, with nearly 1,000 Viper 300 loitering munition systems ready for delivery to customers, according to the company. The specific countries and military units receiving the systems have not been disclosed. SpearUAV has also reported that production of the Viper 300 has reached hundreds of systems per month. The company has not provided an exact monthly production figure or a breakdown of the nearly 1,000 systems by customer or region. Viper 300 designed for infantry and armored units The Viper 300 is a compact, capsule-launched loitering munition designed for infantry and armored forces. It can be carried by soldiers or launched from military vehicles. Unlike fixed-wing loitering munitions, the Viper 300 uses a quadcopter configuration that allows it to hover and move at low speeds. SpearUAV says this provides an advantage in environments where hovering and close maneuvering are required, including urban areas and missions involving moving targets. The system uses onboard artificial intelligence to assist with target identification. An operator receives the drone's video feed and remains involved in the engagement process, selecting the target before an attack. The complete system weighs 2.8 kg, including the launch capsule and payload. It has a stated top speed of 27 meters per second, a range of up to 5 km and an endurance of up to 20 minutes. The Viper 300 is equipped with a 300-gram directional warhead. Multi-Canister Launcher expands vehicle integration SpearUAV has also developed the Multi-Canister Launcher (MCL), which allows multiple Viper systems to be mounted on armored vehicles. The launcher is intended to provide battalion-and-below units with an integrated capability for reconnaissance and loitering-munition missions. In May 2026, SpearUAV confirmed to Shephard that it was manufacturing and delivering approximately 1,000 Viper systems to multiple customers. The company said the system was already deployed by the Israel Defense Forces and had also been exported to undisclosed users. The company has continued to present the Viper family as an organic aerial capability for ground forces, including infantry and combat vehicles. Earlier $20 million Viper 300 contract SpearUAV announced a $20 million Viper 300 contract in December 2024 with an undisclosed customer. The agreement included options that could increase its value to approximately $60 million, with deliveries expected to begin in 2025. The company has not disclosed the total value of contracts associated with the nearly 1,000 Viper systems currently being delivered or prepared for delivery. Wider Viper family The Viper 300 is part of SpearUAV's wider Viper family, which includes the smaller Viper 40, the larger Viper 750 and the Viper I interceptor. The company has also developed the MCL for deploying multiple systems from ground vehicles. In November 2025, Uvision Group completed its acquisition of SpearUAV, bringing SpearUAV's encapsulated Viper systems into Uvision's broader portfolio of loitering-munition technologies. The latest production figure indicates that SpearUAV is continuing to expand manufacturing and deliveries of the Viper family, although the company has not publicly identified the customers receiving the nearly 1,000 Viper 300 systems.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 16:57:33
U.S
TAMPA, Fla. — The U.S. Army has awarded Global Military Products (GMP) a $12.9 million contract to procure and integrate Scorpion Light 81mm mobile mortar systems onto the Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility (ISV-U) platforms. The contract was awarded under the Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework. It covers the integration of the Scorpion Light with Army digital fire-control technologies and government-furnished M253 mortar barrels. Digital Fire Control The Scorpion Light is designed to provide infantry units with a mobile and digitally enabled indirect-fire capability for distributed operations. Its digital fire-control architecture supports rapid target acquisition, digital fire-mission processing, precision engagement and rapid re-aiming, while reducing crew workload. The system also incorporates the Army’s Nett Warrior networked communications architecture, enabling digital fire missions and target handoffs between systems. Rapid Shoot-and-Scoot Capability The system is designed to quickly deploy, fire and relocate. The Scorpion Light can emplace, fire eight rounds and relocate in under two minutes. It takes about 30 seconds to fire the first round and another 30 seconds to displace after the final round. A non-seating baseplate allows the mortar to operate on surfaces such as gravel, hard-packed ground and concrete without digging in. Mounted on the ISV-U The Scorpion Light will be integrated with the Infantry Squad Vehicle–Utility, a utility variant based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture and designed for severe off-road environments. The integrated system is certified for internal transport in a CH-47 Chinook and is air-droppable. The Scorpion is also a vehicle-agnostic system and has previously been integrated with Polaris MRZR variants used by the U.S. Marine Corps under a separate contract awarded earlier in 2026. Two Years of Army Testing The Army and Global Military Products have worked together on the Scorpion platform for about two years through Soldier Enhancement Program (SEP) initiatives and Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) efforts. The work included direct soldier feedback to improve the system's mobility, lethality, survivability and operational effectiveness. James Knight, director of Global Military Products, said the program supports the Army’s Transformation Initiative, which focuses on smaller, more agile and highly lethal combat formations for complex operational environments. Balikatan 2026 Testing The Scorpion was recently evaluated during Exercise Balikatan 2026 in the Philippines. Soldiers from the Multi-Purpose Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division fired 20 rounds from two separate Scorpion systems in under two minutes during live-fire operations. Earlier evaluations were also conducted during Transformation in Contact events in Hawaii in 2025, as well as at Yuma and Aberdeen Proving Ground. First Deliveries Global Military Products is a division of Global Ordnance. The Scorpion system originates from Spanish manufacturer NTGS, also known as Alakran outside the United States, and is marketed in the U.S. by Global Military Products. Deliveries of the first systems under the $12.9 million Army contract are expected to begin in the week of September 7, 2026.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 16:53:33
Europe
MUNICH — Munich-based VANEA Defence has unveiled ATOMZA, a non-kinetic counter-drone system designed for civilian operators. The system was presented at the Drone Days event in Bremen, Germany, on August 27 and 28, 2026. VANEA said ATOMZA is already in production and available for commercial orders. ATOMZA uses a directed photonic radiation effector that projects high-intensity light onto a targeted drone. The light saturates the drone’s optical sensors and impairs its guidance systems without physically destroying the aircraft. According to VANEA, this approach reduces the risk associated with falling drone debris and allows ATOMZA to be used in locations where kinetic interceptors or radio-frequency jammers may be restricted or unsuitable, including near airports, in ports, cities and areas with people. VANEA says ATOMZA is designed to be operated by civilian organisations without sovereign enforcement powers. The company is targeting applications at airports, critical infrastructure sites, major events and other sensitive locations. Traditional active counter-UAS systems, including jammers, high-energy lasers and interceptor drones, are generally limited to authorised security authorities. The system weighs 195 kg and has an operational lifetime of 20,000 hours. VANEA says engagement costs are primarily associated with electricity consumption, while the system requires no expendable ammunition, allowing it to be reused. The technology uses a proprietary artificial intelligence model developed and trained entirely in Europe. VANEA says the AI supports drone detection and can distinguish genuine threats from decoys, including in swarm situations. The company is also developing a broader family of counter-drone technologies involving networked countermeasures and advanced sensors. Founded in 2025, VANEA Defence said ATOMZA is already undergoing operational testing and validation with German security authorities and critical infrastructure operators. Military trials are planned for the coming weeks, while the company is also discussing wider deployment with European authorities and international security partners. Jens Hillenkötter, Executive Vice President for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-UAVs at VANEA Defence, said Europe's threat environment is changing rapidly and that critical infrastructure operators need solutions that can be deployed quickly. Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Oliver Hartkorn stressed the importance of maintaining a European technology base for systems used by police, armed forces and civilian operators. VANEA Defence operates from Munich and develops counter-UAS and autonomous defence technologies. The company operates as a brand of publicly listed SCP Standard Capital Partners AG.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-06 14:11:10Search
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