India
Lucknow, August 16, 2026: Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd., operating under the brand HoverIt, has successfully conducted the maiden flight of the Divyastra Mk3, a jet-powered loitering munition developed and manufactured in India. The flight took place on August 11, 2026, at a designated testing airstrip in Uttar Pradesh. According to the company, the Divyastra Mk3 is the first indigenously designed, developed and manufactured jet-powered loitering munition to fly with a fully Indian-made jet engine. The system is powered by a turbojet engine developed by DG Propulsion, an Indian propulsion technology company. During the trial, the engine met all pre-defined operational parameters. Kawa UAV said the platform uses no imported jet engine or foreign critical subsystems. The Divyastra Mk3 programme began at the start of 2026. Kawa UAV said the system progressed from concept to its successful maiden flight within the same calendar year, with some reports placing the development timeline at under eight months. A loitering munition is an unmanned system designed to remain airborne over an area, search for targets and strike when required. The jet-powered configuration of the Divyastra Mk3 is intended to provide higher speed than comparable propeller-driven systems. DG Propulsion has developed microjet engines in the 40 kgf and 100 kgf classes for applications including loitering munitions and high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles. The Divyastra Mk3 flight provides an airborne demonstration of the company’s engine technology on an Indian-designed platform. The co-founders of HoverIt said the achievement demonstrates India’s ability to develop a jet-powered precision-strike system domestically and described the Divyastra Mk3 as an example of “Atmanirbhar Bharat in action.” The maiden flight adds to India’s wider efforts to develop indigenous unmanned and precision-strike capabilities, with both private companies and government defence organisations working on autonomous weapon systems.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 15:24:42
U.S
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama — The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking industry prototypes for a new highly mobile radar system designed to detect, track and discriminate ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles and other advanced airborne threats. The Forward-Based Mode (FBM) Radar Next program is being led by the MDA’s Mobile Land-Based Sensors Project Office. The agency issued a presolicitation notice on August 10, 2026, through SAM.gov under its Nimble Options for Buying Layered Effects (NOBLE) Multiple Authority Announcement. Rapid Prototyping and Production The MDA plans to use Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to speed up the prototyping process. The prototype must demonstrate a clear path to rapid, high-volume production at an affordable unit cost, allowing systems to be produced and replaced cost-effectively in forward locations. Only companies that successfully complete the prototype project will be eligible for a potential sole-source follow-on production award. The MDA will first screen out speculative or immature technologies. Vendors must demonstrate hardware maturity and provide empirical measurement data before entering the prototyping pipeline. The planned stages include concept development; technology and manufacturing readiness and extensibility; subscale prototyping with modeling and simulation; and full-scale prototype development and demonstration. Proposals will be evaluated on technical merit, operational feasibility, schedule viability, producibility, affordability and cost realism. Mobile and Survivable Design The FBM Radar Next is intended to address limitations of current static or semi-mobile radars, which the MDA says can be vulnerable to counterattacks and lack the rapid relocation capability needed for distributed operations. The system must be transportable by C-17 aircraft and tactical ground vehicles, while supporting rapid setup and teardown. It must provide high-sensitivity detection, persistent tracking and precise discrimination in high-clutter and contested electromagnetic environments. The radar must also support remote operation and automated health monitoring, reducing the need for personnel at the radar site. It must remain interoperable with existing Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) networks and use a flexible aperture configuration and modular open-systems architecture. Its physical, thermal and electromagnetic signatures must also be designed to improve survivability. Driven by Changing Missile Threats The MDA said the requirement for agile and survivable forward-based sensors has increased as adversaries develop more sophisticated missile capabilities. The notice comes amid reports of Iranian targeting of U.S. air-and-missile defense radars in the Middle East, Russian use of hypersonic and ballistic missiles in Ukraine, and China's continued expansion of missile arsenals in the Pacific. FBM Radar Next is positioned as a more mobile successor concept to systems such as the AN/TPY-2, which has been used in forward-based roles but is not optimized for rapid relocation. The MDA’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request includes funding for two next-generation radar prototypes to mature technologies for a future fleet. The formal solicitation has not yet been released, and the government is not currently accepting inquiries or feedback on the presolicitation. The listed place of performance is Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The notice carries public-release marking 26-MDA-12385, dated August 10, 2026. Offerors must hold or obtain a facility security clearance through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) before beginning the first cycle. The MDA also encourages teaming arrangements involving non-traditional defense contractors and small businesses, including shared resource alignment or co-investment.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 15:19:53
U.S
CHEYENNE, Wyoming — The U.S. Air Force is purchasing Chinese-made DJI drones for counter-drone training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. The aircraft will be used as realistic stand-ins to train security personnel to detect, track and defeat small unmanned aircraft systems. The purchase is intended to allow the 90th Missile Security Operations Squadron (90 MSOS), under Air Force Global Strike Command, to test radar, electronic warfare, jamming and other counter-drone systems against the actual radio-frequency signals produced by DJI aircraft rather than relying only on computer simulations. On August 14, 2026, the 90th Contracting Squadron posted a combined synopsis and solicitation, identified as FA461326Q1042, seeking a small business vendor to provide the aircraft. Vendor quotes are due August 24. DJI drones requested The procurement document identifies the requested equipment as the “Red Fleet.” The order includes: Two refurbished DJI Mavic 2 Pro quadcopters with Fly More kits Two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones with remote controllers Two DJI Avata 2 Fly More combos Six airdrop payload release devices Shipping The Air Force plans to award a firm fixed-price contract to the lowest-priced offer that meets the technical requirements. Contracting officials designated the purchase as a brand-name requirement, meaning the Air Force specifically requires DJI products rather than accepting equivalent drones from other manufacturers. A justification document signed July 29 by Contracting Officer Technical Sergeant Chad A. Evans said DJI controls an estimated 80 to 85 percent of the global commercial drone market. The document also states that DJI's proprietary electronic protocols, radio-frequency signatures and flight capabilities are not accurately replicated by American-made drones or other manufacturers. According to the justification, using the actual DJI aircraft is necessary to test counter-drone systems against the equipment that adversaries are statistically most likely to use. The document says relying only on domestic drones or simulated data would leave security personnel without training against DJI's actual radio signatures and communication protocols. Training for nuclear missile field security F.E. Warren Air Force Base is one of three U.S. Air Force bases that operate Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. Its security personnel are responsible for protecting the missile fields against ground and airborne threats. The 90 MSOS requires the DJI aircraft for counter-small unmanned aircraft systems training as part of its nuclear security mission. The drones will provide live targets and signals for personnel testing detection and defeat capabilities. The justification also notes that Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, another Air Force Global Strike Command missile base, is already using or pursuing similar DJI platforms for counter-drone training. The F.E. Warren procurement is intended to support more consistent threat replication across Global Strike Command's missile fields. Air Force plans cybersecurity safeguards Although the aircraft are manufactured in China, the Air Force plans to modify the drones before they are used for training. The justification states that every DJI aircraft will be loaded with U.S.-made software called RIZER. According to the document, the software overrides the drones' native firmware and creates an air-gapped system that prevents the aircraft from transferring or downloading telemetry or imagery to foreign entities or Department of War networks. The justification says similar RIZER-equipped DJI drones have previously been procured by other Air Force units for counter-small unmanned aircraft systems testing and training. Legal authority for the purchase The procurement document cites a July 2025 memorandum from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, titled “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance,” as the authority for acquiring small quantities of foreign drone equipment for electronic warfare testing, training and counter-UAS development. The memo allows officers at the O-6 (colonel) level or equivalent to use the authority provided under 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) to procure foreign drone equipment under specified circumstances without full and open competition. The requirement is still being conducted as a 100 percent small business set-aside because the contracting squadron identified multiple authorized DJI distributors capable of supplying the requested equipment. It is therefore not a single-source award to DJI itself. The purchase is part of F.E. Warren's broader efforts to improve security against small unmanned aircraft. Recent activities have included multi-command counter-small unmanned aircraft systems qualification training at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center in Wyoming involving personnel from Air Force Global Strike Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Strategic Command and the Air National Guard. F.E. Warren is also transitioning helicopter support from the UH-1N Huey to the MH-139A Grey Wolf as part of broader upgrades to its nuclear security mission.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 14:59:43
U.S
WASHINGTON — Publicly available workout data from fitness-tracking app Strava is raising renewed security concerns after an investigation found that military personnel have continued to publish exercise routes from sensitive installations and deployment areas. A Sky News investigation published on August 12 found more than 1,300 Strava users sharing workouts from or near U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Many of the accounts used real names, while the publicly visible routes could reveal where personnel were exercising, their routines and changes in activity around military facilities. Security experts cited by Sky News said such information could potentially be combined with other intelligence to track U.S. personnel and movements. Strava Data Linked to U.S. Bases in Middle East The investigation examined activity around several U.S. military facilities during the conflict with Iran. At the main U.S. naval base in Manama, Bahrain, Sky News identified a Strava account linked to a U.S. Navy contractor who had regularly recorded runs around the base. The activity stopped for two days after personnel began leaving the facility. The account then showed runs around the courtyard of the Crowne Plaza hotel, where some personnel had reportedly relocated. Six days later, Iran attacked the hotel. Two U.S. Department of Defense employees were reportedly wounded, according to the Sky News investigation. However, the investigation did not establish that Strava data was specifically used by Iran to select the hotel as a target. A similar pattern was identified at Jordan's Muwaffaq Al Salti Air Base. Before the conflict, U.S. personnel had regularly published runs across the installation. Activity resumed in April after a pause in March, but Sky News found that the routes had become concentrated in one area. According to the investigation, 76% of the later activities began or ended near barracks on the eastern side of the base. Iran attacked those barracks on July 17, killing three U.S. soldiers. Sky News also found publicly accessible Strava activity at the base on July 16, one day before the attack. Sky News reported that the data can provide what intelligence analysts describe as a "pattern of life" by combining large numbers of individual activities. Such information can reveal regular movements, concentrations of personnel and changes in deployment patterns. British and Israeli Locations Also Exposed The investigation found that the problem extends beyond U.S. forces. Sky News identified about 12,000 workouts recorded inside RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since January 2026. The investigation also identified British personnel sharing activities from the base and tracked some profiles across deployments in the Middle East. Separate reporting in April found that 519 British military personnel, contractors and family members had publicly recorded Strava activities at sensitive UK military sites. The locations included Faslane, home to Britain's nuclear deterrent, and Northwood, the headquarters of the UK's military command. Sky News also identified three Strava users recording runs inside Israel's Dimona nuclear research facility. The facility is considered highly sensitive and has previously been a target of Iranian attacks. French Military Has Faced Similar Problems French military operations have also been affected by publicly shared fitness data. In March 2026, a French Navy officer using Strava publicly uploaded a workout recorded during the deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. The data allowed the ship's location in the Mediterranean, northwest of Cyprus, to be identified. Le Monde matched the Strava activity with satellite imagery and located the carrier and its escort group. The French military acknowledged that publishing the workout did not comply with existing operational security instructions and said appropriate measures would be taken. Earlier investigations also identified Strava activity connected to France's Île Longue naval base, where the country's nuclear-armed ballistic-missile submarines are based. Analysis of activity gaps was reported to have provided indications of submarine patrol periods. Pentagon Has Warned About Fitness Tracker Risks Since 2018 The security problem is not new. In 2018, a Strava global activity map exposed patterns around military facilities, including a previously undisclosed U.S. installation in Niger. The Pentagon subsequently prohibited Department of Defense personnel from using geolocation features on government and personal devices, applications and services in designated operational areas, unless authorized under specified conditions. The Defense Department had already warned in January 2018 that fitness trackers could reveal the locations and routines of military personnel. Officials advised personnel to use the strictest privacy settings and warned that publicly available fitness data could expose military locations and potentially assist targeting. Despite those restrictions and repeated warnings, publicly accessible fitness activity has continued to appear at sensitive military locations. Public Data Can Reveal More Than a Single Location The main security concern is not limited to identifying where one person is exercising. When multiple users repeatedly publish GPS-based workouts, the information can show where personnel are concentrated, their regular routines and changes in activity over time. It can also provide indications of movements between military facilities and changes in the number of people present at particular locations. Sky News said its investigation did not establish that Iran specifically used Strava information to select the targets described in its report. The available data nevertheless demonstrates how publicly shared commercial location information can potentially be combined with other intelligence sources. Strava said it takes user safety and privacy seriously and provides privacy controls. The company also said it expects people working in sensitive professions to use those controls and appropriately limit what they publish. The continued appearance of military activity on public fitness platforms therefore remains an operational-security concern, particularly when individual workout records can be combined to reveal movements and patterns around military facilities.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 14:49:13
U.S
PHILADELPHIA, PA — U.S. defense technology company Attalon has introduced the Valaris family of directed-energy laser systems, a new product lineup designed to provide defense contractors and military system integrators with multiple laser architectures and power levels for air, land and maritime applications. Attalon says the Valaris family combines its coherent, spectral and dichroic beam-combining technologies with lightweight adaptive optics for beam control. The company has structured the lineup around three variants, allowing customers to select a laser architecture and power level according to their specific mission requirements. Three Valaris Laser Variants The Valaris X is the highest-powered system in the family. It uses a coherently beam-combined (CBC) architecture and provides 50-kilowatt-class performance. Attalon says the system can scale beyond 300 kilowatts for long-range directed-energy missions and incorporates advanced adaptive optics. The Valaris S uses a spectrally beam-combined (SBC) architecture and provides 30-kilowatt-class output. It is designed to scale to 50-kilowatt-class levels, while focusing on beam quality, manufacturing scalability and cost. The Valaris D uses a dichroically beam-combined (DBC) architecture and provides 10-kilowatt-class performance. Attalon positions it for lower-power missions and as a more cost-effective option for operational applications. According to Attalon, bringing the three architectures together under one product family is intended to give defense primes, system integrators and government customers greater flexibility when selecting a laser system. The company says the modular approach also focuses on manufacturability, maintainability and operational readiness as directed-energy technologies move from demonstrations toward production programs. Focus on Field Maintainability The Valaris announcement follows Attalon's recent work on improving the maintainability of high-energy laser systems. On July 23, Attalon announced the first production shipment of its Kilowatt Interconnect (kWIC) Disconnect subsystem. The component is designed to allow field replacement of laser amplifiers without fiber splicing or specialized maintenance personnel. Attalon says the system provides a precision-aligned fiber-optic connection and includes verification checks for proper alignment before laser operation. Attalon's focus on field serviceability is part of its broader effort to develop directed-energy components that can be maintained outside specialized facilities. Recent U.S. Navy Directed-Energy Work Attalon also received a $17.1 million contract modification from the Office of Naval Research under the U.S. Navy's SONGBOW program in July. The work includes continued development of pulsed fiber lasers for remote sensing and illumination and further development of a 400-kilowatt-class directed-energy subsystem through the integration of a 50-kilowatt laser with a beam-control assembly. The work is being led by Attalon's Directed Energy & Advanced Lasers team in Beavercreek, Ohio. The SONGBOW award adds to Attalon's ongoing work in high-power laser systems and beam-control technologies. Attalon's Directed-Energy Business Attalon is an independent U.S. defense technology company headquartered in Philadelphia. The company works in directed energy, precision optics and coatings for aerospace and defense applications. Attalon says its vertically integrated approach covers technologies from materials through finished laser and beam-control assemblies. The company's Directed Energy & Advanced Lasers business is led by Matt Straup, vice president and general manager. With Valaris, Attalon is bringing its three beam-combining approaches into a single product family, with systems ranging from 10-kilowatt-class to 50-kilowatt-class output and higher scaling options for the Valaris X. The company says the lineup is intended to give defense customers more options when selecting directed-energy systems for different mission and integration requirements.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 13:40:35
U.S
HAWTHORNE, Calif. — California-based defense startup Thermopylae Aerospace has announced SPART, a tube-launched interceptor designed to counter Group 2 and 3 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and turbojet-powered attack drones. SPART is a foldable, ultra-light electric-powered quadcopter launched from a conventional, mortar-like pneumatic tube. It uses thermal guidance to track and intercept targets and can reach speeds of up to 350 km/h (217 mph), with a targeted flight endurance of up to 20 minutes. The interceptor is designed to address high-volume, low-cost aerial threats, including Shahed-type attack drones. Thermopylae Aerospace is targeting a unit cost of about $10,000 or less per launch. SPART also has a partial-reuse design, allowing an interceptor that misses its target to potentially be recovered and used again. The system can be deployed from UAVs, ground vehicles, maritime vessels and manned vehicles. Rather than depending on a centralized protection system, the company intends SPART to provide a mobile, distributed defensive layer. Thermopylae Aerospace is developing a complete system combining the interceptor with its launcher, RF communications and command-and-control system, which can integrate with available radar systems. Its software has also been designed to work with widely used Ukrainian situational-awareness and command-and-control systems. In mid-July 2026, the company completed a successful end-to-end demonstration at Edwards Air Force Base during the “Game of Drones 26-2” event organized by the U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing. Founder and CEO Yehor Balytskyi briefed senior Air Force Test Center leadership, including Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro and Chief Master Sgt. Sevin Balkuvvar. Thermopylae Aerospace was founded in June 2025 by Ukrainian aerospace and mechanical engineers and is headquartered in Hawthorne, California. Balytskyi left Ukraine at age 17 after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The company has grown from a two-person team to about five employees. In November 2025, Thermopylae Aerospace raised $1.6 million in pre-seed funding from investors including Naval Ravikant, UA1, Norgard Capital and Cyrus Venture Fund. The company said the funding would support production expansion, further testing in Ukraine and deployment with defense units. Thermopylae Aerospace says its goal is to develop a low-cost interceptor that can be produced and deployed in high volumes, helping address the economic challenge of defending against large numbers of relatively inexpensive drones.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 13:20:34
World
TOWNSVILLE, QLD — The Australian Army has officially fielded its first protected mobile fires battery with the 3rd Brigade, introducing the AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzer into operational training with 106 Battery, 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. Six AS9 Huntsman self-propelled howitzers and one AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resupply Vehicle have been delivered to 106 Battery at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville. The delivery follows Australia’s first AS9 operator training and live-fire activity at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal, Victoria. In May, 30 gunners from 4th Regiment completed a six-week training course, followed by live-fire activity involving around 150 rounds from multiple AS9 systems. Brigadier James Davis, Director General Systems and Integration, said the transition from Australian production to trained crews conducting live fire in a short period demonstrated effective cooperation between the Army, the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group and industry partners. Australian-built artillery capability The AS9 Huntsman is a tracked 155mm/52-calibre self-propelled howitzer based on the South Korean K9 Thunder. It is designed to provide protected indirect fire while allowing artillery crews to rapidly relocate after completing a firing mission. The vehicle has a maximum road speed of more than 60 km/h, carries a crew of about five and has onboard storage for around 48 rounds. It can fire three rounds in about 15 seconds and sustain six to eight rounds per minute. Its reported range is approximately 30–40 km with standard ammunition and up to around 60 km with specialised ammunition. The AS10 uses the same tracked chassis and is designed to resupply the AS9. Its automated ammunition-transfer system allows ammunition to be transferred while crews remain under armour, with a stated capacity of around 100 rounds. Local production under LAND 8116 Australia is acquiring the Huntsman system through LAND 8116 Phase 1, Protected Mobile Fires. The program covers 30 AS9 howitzers and 15 AS10 resupply vehicles under a contract with Hanwha Defence Australia valued at approximately A$1 billion. Initial vehicles were manufactured in South Korea and arrived in Australia in late 2024 or early 2025. The remaining vehicles are being produced locally at Hanwha Defence Australia’s Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence near Avalon Airport in Geelong, Victoria. The program forms part of the Australian Army’s broader modernisation toward a heavier and more protected force, with the AS9 providing a tracked alternative to the M777 towed howitzers for the 3rd Brigade’s protected mobile fires capability. Moving to collective training The introduction of the first battery now allows 106 Battery to move beyond individual operator qualification and begin collective training. During Exercise Pozieres Run, crews will integrate the AS9 and AS10 into 3rd Brigade activities while 4th Regiment develops the tactics, techniques and procedures needed for brigade and divisional employment. Major General Ash Collingburn, Commander 1st Division, said the new capability was intended to provide a warfighting advantage by making soldiers more lethal, mobile and survivable. Lieutenant Colonel Simon Frewin, Commanding Officer of 4th Regiment, said 106 Battery was ready to take the systems into the field and build its collective proficiency. Sergeant Dale Chivers, battery guide for 106 Battery, said the AS9 could come into action in about 30 seconds, conduct its firing mission and move quickly, improving survivability and allowing the battery to keep pace with the brigade. The Australian Army is working toward full operational capability for protected mobile fires by 2028.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 13:13:58
World
LONDON, UK — Ukraine has used British-made drones in deep-strike operations against targets inside Russia over the past six months, including oil refineries in Volgograd and Yaroslavl, according to The Times. Ukrainian military sources cited by the newspaper said the British systems have also been used against other targets, including naval bases, logistics hubs and transport networks. The Nyan One-Way Effector (OWE), developed by British company Callen-Lenz, is among the systems used in these operations. Callen-Lenz is part of FalconWorks, BAE Systems’ technology division. The Times reported that a second British-made drone has also been used, but the manufacturer was not identified for security reasons. pic.twitter.com/iRn2U5Ct6A — Drone Wars (@Drone_Wars_) August 16, 2026 Ukrainian sources said most of the country's deep-strike missions continue to rely on domestically produced drones, but British systems have contributed to long-range operations. The reported targets include the Volgograd and Yaroslavl oil facilities, as well as targets in the Belgorod region. Nyan One-Way Effector The Nyan is a jet-powered one-way effector designed for deep-strike missions. BAE Systems describes it as having a low radar cross-section, a flexible payload bay, modular architecture and the ability to operate in GNSS-denied environments. The company also lists deep strike among its intended operational uses. The aircraft has a 2.9-metre wingspan and a maximum takeoff weight of more than 75 kg. It is launched using a pneumatic catapult and is powered by a single micro gas-turbine engine. Its cruising speed is around 120 knots, or approximately 222 km/h, while its reported range is more than 150 miles (about 240 km). The drone can carry a payload of up to 20 kg. Its carbon-fibre airframe and modular design allow different equipment configurations depending on the mission. BAE Systems says the system is designed to be deployed from unprepared ground and has already been used operationally in contested environments. Nyan Already in Ukrainian and British Service The Nyan has been used by the Ukrainian Defence Forces for some time. In June 2024, an identical jet-powered drone was recovered on Russian territory and was initially identified as a new Ukrainian one-way attack drone. The system was later identified as the British-made Nyan. The system is also being introduced into the British Army. The UK Ministry of Defence said in March 2026 that the Army intends to field an initial One-Way Effector capability, including the Callen-Lenz Nyan, as part of the UK's deep-fires contribution on Operation CABRIT. In February 2026, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded Callen-Lenz a contract worth £4,996,500 excluding VAT for Nyan OWE systems for operational and training use. The official procurement notice said the Nyan was the only off-the-shelf product of its type registered on the Military Aircraft Register and had undergone a UK Ministry of Defence Article 36 legal review. BAE Systems has said that more than 1,000 Nyan systems have been produced. Tested in Estonia and at Sea The British Army demonstrated the Nyan during Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia in May 2026, where it was used as part of the UK's deep-fires capability. Callen-Lenz said the system was operated with the Estonian-built Threod Systems CATA launcher. The Nyan has also been tested for maritime operations. In June 2026, the Royal Navy and British Army launched the drone from the experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett during trials off the south coast of England. The launch was conducted as part of Exercise Neptune Reach under Project Vantage, which is focused on testing maritime attack drones. The Royal Navy said the drone was launched from a launcher installed on the ship's deck and flown while the vessel was at sea. Further trials, including possible testing aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, have been discussed. The use of British-made drones in Ukraine's deep-strike campaign adds another role for the Nyan beyond the British Army's own testing and deployment. While Ukraine continues to rely mainly on its domestic drone industry for long-range attacks, the reported use of British systems shows that UK-supplied unmanned platforms are also being employed in operations against targets inside Russia. BAE Systems said it provides a range of capabilities to the UK Ministry of Defence as part of Britain's support for Ukraine and described the Nyan as a rapidly developed uncrewed system that has been proven in contested environments.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 13:03:29
World
MOSCOW — A large Ukrainian drone attack targeted Russia’s Moscow region overnight, causing fires at major logistics facilities in Podolsk and Domodedovo and killing one person. Regional authorities reported at least six other injuries. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said that around 600 UAVs flew toward the Moscow region between August 15 evening and 6:30 a.m. August 16, with 201 drones destroyed. Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov separately said air defense and electronic warfare systems shot down or suppressed 187 drones across Domodedovo, Podolsk, Stupino, Odintsovo, Naro-Fominsk, Ramenskoye, Chekhov, Kolomna, Kashira and Yegoryevsk. Wildberries Warehouse Catches Fire A drone struck the Wildberries logistics facility in the Koledino industrial park in Podolsk, starting a fire at the company’s largest logistics complex. The warehouse has an area of more than 200,000 square meters. Wildberries said employees had been evacuated to shelters before the attack and that none were injured. The company also said its logistics operations had been reorganized, with deliveries and order shipments moved to other facilities. Ukrainian open-source monitoring account ASTRA identified the facility at 20 Troitskaya Street in Koledino. It also reported that the neighboring Koledino3PL logistics complex had been damaged by a Ukrainian attack on July 28. A second fire was reported at a warehouse storing medications in Domodedovo. Vorobyov said no injuries were initially reported there. ASTRA identified the site as Warehouse No. 15 at the Severnoye Domodedovo sorting and logistics complex. One Killed, Several Injured An 83-year-old man was killed in the Ramenskoye municipal district after a drone fell on a private home. Three people were injured in Podolsk, including one with shrapnel wounds and two injured by falling drone debris near the M-2 highway and in Zheleznodorozhny. A truck driver in Klimovsk suffered a hand injury, while another resident of Zheleznodorozhny sustained a shoulder injury. Authorities said the injuries were not life-threatening. Sobyanin also reported three people injured near the Moscow Ring Road (MKAD). Damage was reported in several other locations. In Podolsk, a private home, car and power line were damaged. In Domodedovo, residential buildings, two private homes and a shopping center roof were damaged. A newly built police station in Kashira, industrial structures in Voskresensk, a private home and church school building in Chekhov, and a bathhouse in Stupino were also reported damaged. Part of Wider Wildberries Campaign The Podolsk strike is part of a broader Ukrainian campaign against Wildberries logistics facilities. Ukrainian officials have claimed that some of the company’s warehouses support Russian military logistics by handling drone parts and other sanctioned dual-use components. Previous strikes have affected Wildberries facilities in the Tambov, Krasnodar, Stavropol, Ryazan, Leningrad, Vladimir, Tver and Sverdlovsk regions. Ukrainian sources have said nearly two dozen Wildberries logistics centers have been targeted since mid-July. Wildberries is also planning to build 260,000 square meters of new warehouse space in Kazakhstan, with construction expected to be completed in early 2027. The latest attack caused temporary flight restrictions at Vnukovo, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. Russia later launched another wave of missile and drone strikes against targets in Ukraine, including areas around Kyiv, Kremenchuk and Kryvyi Rih. Independent verification of the exact number of drones launched and intercepted remains limited.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 12:53:13
U.S
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The U.S. Army has issued a Sources Sought notice for companies capable of producing the T901-GE-900 turboshaft engine, as the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP) moves toward its production phase. The notice was posted August 14, 2026, by the Army’s Aviation Turbine Engines Project Office, with responses due by August 29. It is being used for market research and planning and will not directly result in a contract award. The program is advancing under the Middle Tier Acquisition pathway. The T901 is a 3,000-shaft-horsepower engine developed by GE Aerospace. It is designed as a form, fit and function replacement for the T700-GE-701D engines used by the Army’s UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64E Apache fleets. The engine fits within the existing engine nacelles, avoiding major structural modifications to the aircraft. The Army selected the T901 in 2019 under ITEP to provide greater power and improved fuel efficiency. The engine is intended to provide about 50 percent more power and 25 percent better specific fuel consumption compared with the T700 while maintaining the same installation envelope. The T901 was also originally planned for the Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) before that program was canceled. T901 flight testing on the Black Hawk began in May 2025, following ground testing. As of mid-August 2026, the engine had accumulated about 2,600 hours of test-stand operation and more than 90 hours of aircraft testing, including flights reaching 17,000 feet and 160 knots. The Army has recently granted the engine a preliminary flight rating, with additional airworthiness testing planned. Technical Data and Production Requirements The Army’s notice states that the government does not currently have a complete Technical Data Package (TDP) for the T901. The missing information includes system and subsystem drawings, tooling drawings and software source code and models. For the future production contract, the Army wants all delivered hardware and software to carry at least Government Purpose Rights. This would allow the government to share technical information with other contractors for maintenance, sustainment and future competitive requirements. The anticipated production contract would have a 60-month period of performance, with production work expected primarily in Lynn, Massachusetts. The contract would cover engines along with: Spare parts and special tooling Support equipment and shipping containers Interim contractor logistics support Depot maintenance work requirements Contractor field service representatives Associated training programs Maintenance support is expected to involve the engine’s original equipment manufacturer as well as the manufacturers of the Black Hawk and Apache. Production Timeline and Industry Information The Army expects production deliveries to begin no later than 2031 and be completed by 2033. The deliveries will support the Army’s First Unit Equipped and First Unit Issued fielding milestones. The procurement falls under NAICS code 336412, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing, and is designated as a partial Small Business Set-Aside. Interested companies must provide information on their size, ownership structure and small-business status, along with technical data showing that their manufacturing approach meets Airworthiness Release criteria. The Army also requests engine dimensions and weight specifications, previous airworthiness qualification test reports and pricing estimates. Companies are also being asked whether they maintain a technical, logistics and contracting presence in the Huntsville, Alabama, area, near the Army contracting office at Redstone Arsenal. The Sources Sought notice is part of the Army’s market research as it prepares for T901 production and the planned replacement of T700 engines across the Black Hawk and Apache fleets.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 11:55:38
U.S
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy is reviewing major design changes to its Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers to make them more closely resemble earlier U.S. warships, according to current and former U.S. officials cited by The Washington Post. One proposal would move the multi-level command island from its current aft position toward the middle of the ship. President Donald Trump has expressed a preference for the appearance of World War II-era warships. The current aft island arrangement was selected for operational reasons. It provides more deck space around the catapults, helps position aircraft for launch, and reduces turbulence around the angled landing area. A similar review during Trump's first administration concluded that moving the island would require a major structural redesign, potentially affecting the carrier's buoyancy and weight distribution and causing significant costs and delays. The Navy has not made a final decision, and the island review remains in its early stages. Steam Catapults Planned for Future Carrier The review follows Trump's August 13, 2026 national security memorandum, which directs the Pentagon to develop a plan within 60 days to replace EMALS and advanced weapons elevators with conventional steam catapults and hydraulic systems, beginning with the future USS Doris Miller (CVN-81). The first three Ford-class carriers — USS Gerald R. Ford, USS John F. Kennedy and USS Enterprise — will retain their electromagnetic systems. The Doris Miller, the fourth ship of the class, is being built by Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding. The Navy selected EMALS in 2009, and the USS Gerald R. Ford had completed more than 36,000 EMALS launches by March 2026. The proposed change has raised cost, schedule and integration concerns because the Doris Miller is already under construction and EMALS production is reportedly nearly 50 percent complete. General Atomics, EMALS' manufacturer, has warned of additional integration and schedule risks. Ford-Class and $275 Billion Battleship Program The lead USS Gerald R. Ford took about 17 years to construct, while future Ford-class carriers have been estimated at roughly $22 billion each. Meanwhile, the administration is pursuing the proposed Trump-class, or BBG(X), nuclear-powered guided-missile battleships as part of the proposed "Golden Fleet." Trump announced the concept in December 2025, with the first ship planned as USS Defiant. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that building 15 ships between 2028 and 2056 would cost about $275 billion. The lead ship is projected at $23.4 billion, with subsequent ships averaging about $18 billion. Earlier congressional material describes the proposed battleships as 840 to 880 feet long and more than 35,000 tons at full load. Planned weapons include long-range missiles, hypersonic weapons, nuclear-armed cruise missiles, high-powered lasers and a railgun. The Navy describes the BBG(X) as a large surface combatant intended for long-range offensive fires, integrated air and missile defense, and command-and-control capabilities. The programs come as the Navy faces continuing shipbuilding capacity, labor, cost and schedule challenges. Adding a new battleship class while continuing other major warship programs would place additional demands on the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base, while any Ford-class redesign would have to be integrated into an already established carrier construction program.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 11:43:21
U.S
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced on August 15, 2026, that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has completed acceptance sea trials for the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), the U.S. Navy’s second Gerald R. Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The approximately 100,000-ton carrier departed Newport News on August 12 and returned to the shipyard on August 15 after a series of at-sea tests and evaluations. The completion of acceptance trials moves the ship toward preliminary acceptance and the next phase of Navy testing before delivery. During the trials, Newport News Shipbuilding shipbuilders, sailors assigned to John F. Kennedy and other Navy personnel worked together to evaluate the carrier while underway. Testing examined the operation and performance of major systems and components, including propulsion, navigation, combat systems and aviation infrastructure. “It is an honor to take Kennedy to sea to demonstrate the quality work and commitment by our shipbuilders,” said Derek Murphy, Newport News Shipbuilding vice president of new construction aircraft carrier programs. “This critical set of sea trials is a testament to the entire nuclear shipbuilding enterprise and the work of thousands across our country to prepare CVN 79 to join the fleet.” The acceptance trials follow the carrier’s successful builder’s sea trials earlier this year. John F. Kennedy departed Newport News on January 28 and returned on February 4 after its initial at-sea testing of propulsion, navigation, combat systems and other equipment. After those trials, the carrier returned to Newport News for additional construction work, correction of discrepancies and system integration ahead of the latest acceptance testing. Ford-Class Systems As the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford class, John F. Kennedy incorporates design and technology changes compared with the older Nimitz-class carriers. The ship includes the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) and next-generation aircraft launch and recovery systems intended to support a higher volume of flight operations. CVN 79 is also being completed under a congressional requirement for a “single-phase delivery approach.” Under this approach, the carrier is intended to be capable of operating and deploying F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft upon delivery rather than requiring post-delivery modifications for that capability. With acceptance sea trials complete, the next step is preliminary acceptance of the carrier. This will allow the Navy to begin underway testing and evaluation of systems unique to John F. Kennedy. The carrier remains a pre-commissioning unit until formal acceptance and commissioning. Its delivery to the U.S. Navy is currently projected for March 2027, while work continues on remaining systems ahead of delivery.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-16 11:27:09
World
KHARTOUM, Sudan — The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) used a Turkish-made Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle to intercept and destroy a Chinese-made CH-95 drone operated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) northwest of El Obeid in North Kordofan on July 13, 2026. According to reporting by Clash Report, the AKINCI fired an air-to-air missile and destroyed the CH-95 while it was in flight. A second CH-95 was also reportedly destroyed on the ground during the same operation. The incident was part of a series of losses involving Chinese-built RSF drones. Between June 23 and July 14, 2026, the RSF reportedly lost at least five FH-95 and CH-95 drones. An FH-95 was destroyed north of Tawila in North Darfur on June 23, another was lost near Tendelti in White Nile State on July 2, and another was destroyed along the highway linking Khartoum with North Kordofan. A further FH-95 was lost north of Al-Andaraba in North Kordofan on July 7. The locations cover several routes used by the RSF for reconnaissance and operations toward central Sudan. El Obeid is an important transportation junction, while Tendelti lies along the route between Kosti and western Sudan. The reported losses therefore cover multiple sectors rather than being concentrated around Khartoum. Akıncı Avlamaya Devam Ediyor!AKINCI, Sudan’da CH-95 SİHA’yı hava-hava angajmanında düşürdüSudan Silahlı Kuvvetleri’nin (SAF) kullandığı Bayraktar AKINCI , Hızlı Destek Kuvvetleri (RSF) tarafından işletildiği belirtilen Çin üretimi CH-95 SİHA’yı hava-hava angajmanında… pic.twitter.com/fVw6vsDNVH — Turkish Defence Agency (@tdefenceagency) August 15, 2026 CH-95 and FH-95 The CH-95 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV with a maximum takeoff weight of about 650 kg and a payload capacity of up to 170 kg. It has an endurance of about six to 12 hours, a service ceiling of approximately 7,000 meters and a line-of-sight combat radius of roughly 250 km. Its payload options include day and night electro-optical sensors, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), ground-moving-target indication (GMTI) radar, precision-guided weapons, communications relay equipment and electronic-warfare systems. The larger FH-95 has a maximum takeoff weight of about 1,000 kg and can carry up to 250 kg of payload. Its endurance can reach about 30 to 35 hours in longer-range configurations, and it can use satellite communications for beyond-line-of-sight operations. The platform is designed for electronic warfare, signals collection, reconnaissance and command support while also being capable of carrying precision weapons. AKINCI's Air-to-Air Role The Bayraktar AKINCI used by the SAF is a medium-altitude, long-endurance combat UAV equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The platform can carry air-to-air weapons, including Turkish systems associated with Roketsan such as Sungur and EREN in reported engagements. Its air-to-air capability allows the AKINCI to engage other large UAVs in flight rather than relying only on ground-based air-defense systems. The Sudanese conflict between the SAF and RSF has continued since April 2023, with both sides increasingly using larger unmanned aircraft equipped with long-endurance capabilities, satellite communications, precision weapons, radar, and electronic-warfare systems. The July 13 engagement near El Obeid adds to the growing number of reported Chinese drone losses suffered by the RSF and demonstrates the use of an armed UAV in an air-to-air interception role. Reporting on the incident has primarily come from Clash Report, with additional coverage from defense outlets including Army Recognition, Defence Blog and Military Africa. The SAF and RSF did not provide immediate independent confirmation of some details in the early reports.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 14:46:37
World
MOSCOW, Russia — Russia plans to use its new two-seat Su-57D as a testbed for technologies being developed for future sixth-generation fighter aircraft, including unmanned-aircraft control and combat artificial intelligence. Mikhail Strelets, chief designer at Sukhoi, said the second cockpit will allow an operator to control unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly the S-70 Okhotnik. The additional crew member could manage unmanned systems while the pilot focuses on flying and combat tasks. Russian officials have also described the two-seat aircraft as having combat, training and tactical-control roles. Russian two-seat Su-57D to serve as a testbed for sixth-generation fighter technologiesIts second cockpit will allow one pilot to control UAV such as the S-70 Okhotnik. Su-57D will also be used to test combat artificial intelligence according to chief designer Sergey Strelets. pic.twitter.com/9DdnpKwqDN — H. Memarian (@HEMemarian) August 14, 2026 The Su-57D is based on an early T-50-4 flight prototype, aircraft 054. It began taxi tests on May 16, 2026, and completed its first flight on May 19, lasting about 40 minutes. Sukhoi test pilot Sergey Bogdan conducted the flight. The aircraft is also being used to test combat artificial intelligence developed by Sukhoi specialists. The work is intended to examine how AI and autonomous decision-making systems can be integrated into the aircraft and the unmanned systems operating under its control. The Su-57D builds on earlier Russian tests involving the Su-57 and S-70 Okhotnik. The two-seat configuration provides a dedicated crew station for managing unmanned aircraft and processing mission information. Strelets has not disclosed details of Russia's planned sixth-generation fighter. He has previously described future combat aviation as a system involving manned, optionally manned and unmanned platforms connected through advanced information and control systems. Su-57 upgrades continue Russia is continuing to improve the existing Su-57 while developing these future technologies. In February 2026, UAC announced delivery of another batch of Su-57s equipped with modernized onboard systems and an updated weapons suite. Specific details of those upgrades were not released. Russia is also testing new engines. In December 2025, the T-50-2 prototype, aircraft 052, flew with the new Product 177 engine. The engine is being developed for the Su-57, Su-30 and Su-35 and has a declared afterburning thrust of 16,000 kgf, along with claimed reductions in fuel consumption and an increase in service life. Development of the Su-57's second-stage Product 30 engine is also continuing. The same T-50-2 prototype was observed in December 2024 testing a flat engine nozzle. The purpose of those tests has not been fully disclosed. Russia had previously considered a flat nozzle for the S-70 Okhotnik, although test aircraft were seen with conventional round nozzles. Alongside the Su-57, Russia is developing the Su-75 Checkmate as a lighter fighter intended to complement its heavier aircraft. In June 2026, UAC CEO Vadim Badekha said construction of the first flight prototype was underway. The Su-57D therefore provides Russia with an existing aircraft platform for testing technologies involving manned-unmanned teaming, AI-assisted combat operations and control of unmanned aircraft, while development of future fighter programmes continues. Detailed specifications of a Russian sixth-generation fighter have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 14:27:40
U.S
Huntsville, Alabama / Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has been awarded a U.S. Army contract worth up to $472 million to provide engineering services for the modernization and sustainment of the Army’s CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter fleet. The contract focuses on avionics work intended to integrate new capabilities, manage component obsolescence and support continued modernization of the aircraft. Work will be carried out in Huntsville, Alabama, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Focus on Avionics Modernization The Army is using progressive upgrades to keep the Chinook’s avionics current rather than relying on a single major redesign. The effort includes work involving the Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) and the Digital Advanced Flight Control System (DAFCS). Collins Aerospace supplies CAAS for the CH-47F Chinook. The system integrates communications, navigation and mission subsystems through Collins’ Flight2 open-systems architecture and is designed to support future upgrades using open standards. The Army’s Chinook modernization program also includes ongoing engineering and obsolescence-management activities. U.S. Army budget documents identify updates to CAAS and DAFCS software as part of the CH-47F Block II program. Open Architecture for Future Upgrades A major element of the effort is the use of open and reusable avionics architectures. This approach is intended to make it easier to introduce new technologies and replace obsolete components without requiring extensive changes across the aircraft’s entire avionics system. Collins says its open-architecture avionics are designed to provide flexibility for future upgrades while supporting integration of communications, navigation and other aircraft systems. The Army has also identified commonality and future growth as important elements of the Chinook program. The CH-47F already uses an upgraded digital cockpit featuring CAAS and the Digital Automatic Flight Control System. Supporting the CH-47F Block II The contract comes as the Army continues the transition toward the CH-47F Block II configuration. The Block II program introduces additional improvements to the Chinook, including updates to avionics as well as changes to other aircraft systems. Army program documents describe the CH-47F as the service’s heavy-lift cargo helicopter and identify missions including troop and equipment transport, aerial sustainment, medical evacuation, search and rescue, parachute operations, disaster relief and aircraft recovery. The Block II configuration is intended to provide increased payload and operational reach compared with the existing CH-47F, while also providing additional potential for future growth. Collins Aerospace's Chinook Role Jenny Miller, vice president and general manager of Vision and Sensing Systems at Collins Aerospace, said the company’s avionics integrate communication, navigation and mission subsystems into a flexible cockpit architecture. “Our longstanding avionics partnership with the US Army ensures the fleet continuously evolves to support the warfighter and meet future operational demands,” Miller said. Collins has supported Chinook avionics through CAAS, which uses an open-systems architecture and integrates multiple communications, navigation and mission systems. The company says the system is designed to support continued modernization and enhancements. Long-Term Fleet Sustainment The latest contract provides the Army with a framework for continued engineering and avionics sustainment as the Chinook fleet is modernized. It also supports the Army’s broader effort to maintain existing aviation capabilities while introducing new technologies and transitioning to newer configurations. The $472 million value represents the maximum potential value of the engineering services contract rather than a single hardware purchase. The work therefore provides a mechanism for the Army to order engineering and sustainment activities as required. The contract extends Collins Aerospace’s established role in Chinook avionics and supports the continued modernization of the CH-47 fleet as the Army moves forward with the CH-47F Block II program.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 14:17:35
U.S
MISSISSIPPI — Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Rolls-Royce have successfully demonstrated the operation of a modern aero gas turbine engine on 100% gaseous hydrogen through a fully simulated flight cycle. The ground test covered key phases including start-up, take-off, cruise and landing. The test was conducted at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, where a modified Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 engine reached full take-off power while operating on hydrogen. Pearl 15 Completes Simulated Flight Cycle The Pearl 15 is a business aviation engine used to power the Bombardier Global 5500 and Global 6500. Rolls-Royce lists the engine with a maximum certified thrust of 15,250 lb (67.8 kN). According to TCS and Rolls-Royce, the latest test represents the first time a modern aero engine of this class has completed a full simulated flight cycle on 100% hydrogen under the demonstrated conditions. Engineers tested the engine through different operating conditions, including start-up, take-off, cruise and landing phases. The campaign also included fault scenarios to examine the behaviour of the engine and its systems under different conditions. The testing focused on key technologies required for hydrogen propulsion, including hydrogen combustion, fuel systems and engine controls. Rolls-Royce has previously said that its hydrogen programme is intended to develop technology that could eventually support aircraft in the small- to mid-size range, with the longer-term ambition of moving toward flight testing. Four-Year Hydrogen Programme The latest test is part of a hydrogen propulsion programme launched by Rolls-Royce and easyJet in 2022. The companies began the programme with the objective of developing hydrogen combustion technology capable of powering different types of aircraft, including aircraft in the narrow-body segment. An earlier milestone came in 2022, when Rolls-Royce and easyJet successfully tested a Rolls-Royce AE2100 engine on 100% green hydrogen at Boscombe Down in the UK. Further work included hydrogen combustion testing and component and system-level testing. In 2023, Rolls-Royce and its partners also demonstrated 100% hydrogen combustion in a full annular combustor of a Pearl engine at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Cologne under conditions representing maximum take-off thrust. In 2024, Rolls-Royce announced the development of a full-scale outdoor hydrogen engine test site at NASA’s Stennis Space Center. The facility was intended to support testing of a modified Pearl 15 engine and the integration of technologies required for 100% hydrogen operation, with TCS providing engineering expertise. TCS Engineering Support TCS joined the hydrogen programme as an engineering and technology partner and supported Rolls-Royce in several areas of the programme. Its work included fuel system and engine controls integration, hydrogen combustion analysis, test preparation, validation, data analytics, risk management and detailed design. TCS had previously announced that its engineering support for Rolls-Royce would focus on three major challenges for hydrogen aviation: fuel combustion, fuel delivery and fuel-system integration with the engine. The Stennis test campaign brought together Rolls-Royce, TCS, easyJet, NASA, the UK Health and Safety Executive and other industry partners. Adam Newman, Chief Engineer of the Hydrogen Demonstrator Programme at Rolls-Royce, said the programme provided valuable insights into how 100% hydrogen behaves in a modern aero gas turbine across a full flight cycle. He said the testing also helped validate combustion, fuel and control-system technologies, with the findings expected to support future propulsion developments, including UltraFan. Anupam Singhal, President – Manufacturing at TCS, said the milestone demonstrated the potential of combining advanced engineering, digital capabilities and collaboration across the aerospace ecosystem. He added that TCS would continue supporting Rolls-Royce in hydrogen-powered aviation technologies. Hydrogen and Future Aviation Hydrogen is being investigated as a potential aviation fuel because its use in suitable propulsion systems can avoid in-flight CO₂ emissions. However, hydrogen-powered aviation requires development across areas including combustion, fuel delivery, storage and aircraft integration. Rolls-Royce says its hydrogen programme is aimed at developing technologies that could help lower aviation emissions and support future propulsion systems. The company is also continuing research into sustainable aviation fuels, gas-turbine efficiency and electrification. The successful Pearl 15 ground campaign provides additional test data on the operation of a modern gas turbine using 100% hydrogen. The results are expected to contribute to the development and assessment of future hydrogen propulsion technologies as the aviation industry works toward lower-carbon air travel.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 13:34:27
U.S
HOUSTON — KBR announced on August 10 that its Mission Technology Solutions business has secured an estimated $208 million cost-plus-fixed-fee task order to continue supporting the U.S. Army’s Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) portfolio. The five-year task order was awarded under the federal government’s One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Plus (OASIS+) contract vehicle. It is a recompete that continues KBR’s role as the prime contractor supporting a range of Army precision-strike and aviation weapons. Under the task order, KBR will provide support across the full lifecycle of the systems. The work includes advanced engineering, rapid prototyping, modernization, foreign military sales support and global logistics, covering activities from development and fielding through sustainment. Weapons Covered by the Task Order The TAGM portfolio covered by the work includes the HELLFIRE missile, Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), Javelin, Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wireless-guided (TOW) missiles, Hydra rockets and Long-Range Precision Munitions (LRPM). The portfolio also includes advanced rocket systems and containerized weapons platforms. The Army's TAGM program supports tactical aviation and ground forces and includes systems at different stages of development, fielding and sustainment. The Army has previously identified Long Range Precision Munitions as part of its efforts to provide longer-range capabilities for future and current aviation platforms. Support for Army Modernization KBR said the task order supports several Army modernization priorities, including multi-domain operations, increased Army Aviation lethality, Launched Effects and low-cost Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) capabilities. The company will use its engineering capabilities, digital tools and global execution resources to support the Army as it uses accelerated acquisition approaches to move new capabilities from prototype development toward fielding. Jay Lennon, President of Mission Technology Solutions, said the award reflects the Army's trust in KBR and highlighted the company's work supporting Army precision weapons for more than 25 years. “For more than 25 years, KBR has helped take the Army’s most important precision weapons from concept to combat readiness,” Lennon said. KBR said the TAGM weapons remain in demand across global theaters as threat environments change, increasing the importance of engineering, modernization and sustainment support for the portfolio. Contract Comes Ahead of Trinzic Spin-Off The task order comes as KBR prepares to separate its Mission Technology Solutions business into an independent public company called Trinzic. KBR announced the Trinzic name in July as part of its planned spin-off of the Mission Technology Solutions business. The separation is currently expected to be completed in January 2027, subject to the required conditions and approvals. KBR previously said the planned spin-off business would enter the market with more than $5 billion in annual revenue and approximately 20,000 employees, with capabilities spanning national security and space, including digital integration, artificial intelligence, mission engineering and rapid prototyping. KBR's Mission Technology Solutions business has continued to secure U.S. government work as preparations for the separation progress. KBR said in its second-quarter 2026 earnings update that the company remained on track for the planned January 2027 spin-off and was progressing with activities including contract separation, IT systems, procurement and organizational planning. The new Army task order therefore extends KBR's existing TAGM support while the business prepares to transition into Trinzic as an independent company.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 13:17:19
World
Samara, Russia — Ukrainian forces carried out a long-range missile strike against an industrial facility in Russia’s Samara region overnight into August 15, with Ukrainian officials later identifying the target as the Progress Rocket and Space Center in Samara. The attack triggered a regional air raid alert, while residents reported multiple explosions and smoke across the city. Samara Region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed that an industrial enterprise had been targeted during what he described as a massed missile attack. Fedorishchev said emergency services were deployed and an operational headquarters was established at the site. He initially said authorities were still determining whether there were casualties. Later, he reported that two people were injured and that there were no deaths. Samara Mayor Ivan Noskov said the attack caused localized damage to industrial infrastructure. Russian officials also said that air defenses intercepted part of the incoming attack, but they did not specify the number of missiles involved or identify the missile system that reached the target. Progress Rocket and Space Center Identified as Target Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces had struck the Progress Center in Samara, describing it as a key enterprise under Russia’s Roscosmos space agency involved in rocket technology and electronics production. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed a direct hit on the Progress Rocket and Space Center and said a fire broke out on the facility’s grounds. Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, which produces the Flamingo missile, also confirmed that the Progress center was struck. The facility was identified as the Progress Rocket and Space Center, formerly known as TsSKB-Progress. The company has produced Soviet and Russian launch vehicles since the 1950s, including the R-7-derived rocket used to launch Yuri Gagarin into orbit in 1961. Progress is the only Russian facility that performs series production of the Soyuz-2 family of launch vehicles. These rockets are used for crewed and uncrewed missions and for launching military and commercial satellites. The facility also produces electro-optical reconnaissance and Earth-observation satellites. Building 106A Identified by Open-Source Analysis The Ukrainian open-source intelligence group CyberBoroshno assessed that the primary impact occurred at Building 106A at the Progress facility, giving the coordinates as 53.217623, 50.303163. Ukrainian commentator Oleh Ponomar reported the same assessment based on CyberBoroshno’s GEOINT analysis. However, neither the Ukrainian military nor Progress had publicly confirmed the specific building at the time of reporting. The identification therefore remains based on the open-source imagery assessment. According to CyberBoroshno, Building 106A is part of the production complex for the Soyuz launch vehicle family. The building operates as a cleanroom where onboard electrical systems, instruments and circuit boards are installed. The work includes the rocket’s guidance and control systems, cable networks and instrument compartment. These components are installed after the rocket’s airframe and fuel tanks have been produced but before the vehicle is completed. A neighboring structure, Building 106B, is used for the final assembly of completed rockets and may also have been damaged in the strike. The nearby Aviakor aircraft plant, which repairs and services Tu-95MS strategic bombers, is also located in the same industrial area. Potential Impact on Production CyberBoroshno assessed that damage involving fire and firefighting water inside a cleanroom could require a longer recovery period than conventional industrial repairs. According to the group, restoring such a facility would involve reclassifying cleanroom zones, recertifying manufacturing processes and testing for airborne particulate contamination. CyberBoroshno estimated that this type of recovery could take months rather than weeks. The group also said that electronics used in Soyuz rockets depend on imported components affected by international export restrictions, which could complicate efforts to replace damaged equipment. The broader impact on Progress production remains unclear, and the full extent of the damage has not been independently established. Flamingo Missile Reportedly Used Ukraine’s Fire Point confirmed that its FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile was used in the operation. Fire Point chief designer and co-founder Denys Shtilerman released video of a missile launch on social media and linked it to the strike on the Progress facility. The FP-5 Flamingo is a ground-launched cruise missile with a published range of up to 3,000 kilometers (1,860 miles) and a reported warhead weight of approximately 1,000 to 1,150 kilograms. The missile is powered by a turbofan engine and uses satellite navigation. Ukraine first used the system in combat in August 2025, according to Ukrainian officials at the time. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said the Progress facility was approximately 900 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. CyberBoroshno assessed that the Samara strike most likely involved an FP-5 Flamingo missile. The group has previously attributed other strikes to the same missile, including attacks on the VNIIR-Progress electronics plant in Cheboksary and the Antipinsky oil refinery in Tyumen in July. Progress and Russian Military Satellites The Progress facility has significance beyond launch-vehicle production because Soyuz-2 rockets produced there are used to place Russian military and commercial satellites into orbit. CyberBoroshno said the rockets support Russian military satellite systems including the Liana signals intelligence and targeting network, as well as the Persona and Razdan optical reconnaissance satellites. Soyuz-2 rockets have also been used to launch satellites for Russia’s Rassvet broadband satellite constellation, operated by Bureau 1440. Public launch records cited in the assessment show Rassvet satellites launched aboard Soyuz-2.1b rockets from the Vostochny and Plesetsk cosmodromes. Strike on Savasleyka Airfield The Samara operation was part of a broader series of Ukrainian strikes against Russian military and industrial targets. Ukrainian forces also struck Savasleyka airfield in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region during the same night. The airbase is known to station MiG-31K aircraft, which are used to carry Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles. The Ukrainian General Staff acknowledged the strikes and said operations against Russian military and industrial sites were continuing. The full scale of the damage at the Progress Rocket and Space Center remains under assessment. Russian officials have described localized damage, while Ukrainian authorities and open-source analysts have reported a direct hit and fire at the facility.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 12:56:47
U.S
Washington, D.C. — Airbus Helicopters Inc. has been awarded a $115.4 million contract by the U.S. Army for 10 new UH-72B Lakota helicopters, with an option for two additional aircraft. If the two-aircraft option is exercised, the total value of the agreement could reach about $140.7 million. The contract, W58RGZ-26-C-0020, was announced by the Department of War on August 14, 2026. It was issued by Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The initial contract is funded through fiscal 2024 and 2025 Army aircraft procurement funds. The order includes the helicopters, designated MBB-BK 117 D3, along with jettisonable cockpit doors, air-conditioning system installation, engine inlet barrier filters and program management. The Army solicited the work online and received one bid. The contract currently lists an estimated completion date of December 31, 2030. Deliveries to Begin in 2027 The 10 helicopters covered by the initial order are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2029. The aircraft will be assembled at Airbus’ production facility in Columbus, Mississippi, which serves as the manufacturing hub for the Lakota program. The Columbus facility also employs a workforce that includes a significant share of military veterans. The new acquisition continues the U.S. Army's modernization of its Army National Guard Lakota fleet, which has been in service since the first UH-72 contract award and delivery in 2006. UH-72 Lakota Fleet The UH-72 is the U.S. Army’s third-largest rotor-wing fleet. The helicopters support Army and National Guard units across 49 states and territories. Lakota helicopters are used for a range of missions, including homeland defense, search and rescue, disaster relief, surveillance and medical evacuation. National Guard units also use the aircraft for missions such as border security and counter-drug operations. Since the program began, Airbus has delivered more than 480 Lakota helicopters, with the company stating that deliveries have been made on time. The fleet has accumulated more than 1.7 million flight hours. UH-72B Lakota The UH-72B is the latest version of the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter. It is based on Airbus’ commercial H145 platform and follows the commercial off-the-shelf approach used by the Lakota program. The UH-72B features a five-bladed main rotor, a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, twin Safran Arriel 2E engines and the Airbus-designed Helionix avionics suite. The B variant was introduced by the Army in 2020, with the first UH-72B helicopters delivered to the Army National Guard in September 2021. The new helicopters under the latest contract will also receive specific field upgrades, including jettisonable cockpit doors, air-conditioning systems and engine inlet barrier filters. These features are included in the contract to support the configuration required by the Army. Continued Lakota Modernization The latest contract follows Airbus’ wider support for the Army’s Lakota fleet. In 2022, Airbus secured a separate Contractor Logistics Support contract valued at up to $1.5 billion over five years. That agreement covers spare parts, material and engineering support for the Army’s Lakota fleet at 67 sites nationwide. Alex Veneziano, CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, said that Army and National Guard pilots need modern technology and a proven aircraft to meet changing mission requirements. He added that continued modernization will keep the Lakota fleet as part of Army aviation in the coming years. The new UH-72B order adds another 10 helicopters to the Army’s Lakota program, with two additional aircraft available as an option, while continuing the modernization of the Army National Guard’s light utility helicopter fleet.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 12:35:46
U.S
EAST PACIFIC — The U.S. Navy completed its first 1,000-nautical-mile transit with an Orca Extra Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (XLUUV) in July 2026, marking the first time the system has completed a patrol of that distance in the program’s history. The uncrewed submarine, developed by Boeing and Huntington Ingalls Industries, traveled more than 1,000 nautical miles across the East Pacific during the mission. Teams from the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants supported the operation. Rear Admiral Chris Cavanaugh, Commander of the U.S. Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, confirmed the milestone and highlighted the Navy’s continued investment in unmanned undersea systems. “The operational environment in the Pacific continues to evolve with the rapid development of technological advancements in the undersea domain,” Cavanaugh said. “The Pacific Submarine Force is heavily investing in unmanned capabilities to augment our manned submarines and preserve our undersea advantage across the full spectrum of submarine operations.” Orca Designed for Long-Endurance Undersea Missions Orca is among the largest uncrewed undersea vehicles operated by the U.S. Navy. The system supports mission requirements identified in a Joint Urgent Operational Need focused on the Pacific theater. Its planned mission areas include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), mine warfare, seabed warfare and expeditionary support. The vehicle is designed to operate independently for extended periods and can launch and recover from a pier without requiring a dedicated support ship. Orca uses a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system. Its reported range is about 6,500 nautical miles, allowing missions that can extend over periods measured in months. The basic hull is about 51 feet long without the payload section. When the modular payload section is installed, the overall length reaches roughly 85 feet, with a displacement of about 80 to 85 tons. The payload bay is approximately 34 feet long and can carry up to 8 tons of equipment. Navigation uses an inertial navigation system supported by Doppler velocity logs and depth sensors, allowing the vehicle to operate without GPS. Latest Orca Vehicle and Earlier Testing The latest vehicle, designated XLE2, was commissioned earlier in 2026 at Boeing’s facility in Huntington Beach, California. Earlier vehicles include XLE0, a test asset delivered to the Navy in December 2023, and XLE1. Testing of the Orca system has been conducted off the southern California coast, with risk-reduction work beginning in 2024. The July transit provides the Navy with an additional demonstration of the vehicle’s ability to conduct extended autonomous operations over long distances in the Pacific. Hunter Payload and Other Planned Capabilities The Navy is also working to integrate additional capabilities into the Orca fleet. One of these is the Hunter payload, developed under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program. Hunter is focused on delivering advanced undersea payloads from extra-large uncrewed vehicles for expeditionary mining in contested environments. DARPA describes the effort as a concept for delivering payloads from XLUUVs. The acquisition strategy for Hunter is expected to be formalized in late 2027 or early 2028. Budget documents show design and integration work beginning around fiscal year 2026. Orca is also linked to a standoff heavyweight torpedo deployment system that is preparing to transition to the Navy’s PMS 406 Unmanned and Small Combatants office. The development timeline for the Hunter module depends on this system. In 2024, the Navy fitted a roughly 10-meter payload module with large vertical opening hatches. Analyst H.I. Sutton noted that the hatches on the top, and possibly the bottom, are consistent with configurations for mine-laying missions. Other possible configurations include side doors for launching and recovering smaller underwater vehicles. Orca Moves Toward Program of Record In May 2026, the Navy shifted Orca from experimental development toward a planned program of record in its shipbuilding plan. Funding covers two vehicles in fiscal year 2027 and a total of 16 vehicles through fiscal year 2031. About $135.8 million was requested for the near term, while roughly $1.13 billion is included across the future-years defense plan. The planned expansion reflects the Navy’s effort to develop uncrewed undersea systems that can operate alongside crewed submarines and support a wider range of undersea missions. Next-Generation XLUUV Development A separate next-generation effort is also underway through the Defense Innovation Unit’s Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP) project. Competitors include Anduril with its Dive-XL system, which is designed for long-range operations, effector launch and deployment of seabed ISR nodes. In July 2026, the Defense Innovation Unit selected Kongsberg and Oceaneering for concept-definition work on a CAMP vehicle intended to have a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles and operate below 200 meters in GPS-denied conditions. The Orca’s July transit demonstrates the Navy’s progress in using large autonomous undersea vehicles for extended operations and supports its broader effort to expand uncrewed capabilities alongside crewed submarine forces in the Pacific.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-15 12:09:12Search
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