World
TAIPEI — Taiwan has resolved a logistics issue involving the charging equipment for its first batch of U.S.-made ALTIUS-600M loitering munitions, after the original chargers were excluded because they contained Chinese-made components. Charger Excluded Over Supply-Chain Rules The Republic of China Army (ROCA) received its first 291 ALTIUS-600M systems under the “Hunter Owl” project. The first deliveries were reported in August 2025 and the full delivery was completed by early 2026. The original chargers were not included in the U.S. Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) because their components did not meet Taiwan’s “non-red” supply-chain policy, which excludes Chinese-made components from sensitive defense systems. The drones arrived with their batteries fully charged. Each system included one installed battery and one spare, with the batteries designed to retain their charge for up to two years. U.S. Personnel Supported Charging While a compliant charger was being developed, U.S. technical personnel traveled to Taiwan to recharge the systems when required. The Army said charging support was included in the original LOA and was provided without additional cost. Anduril Industries, the manufacturer of the ALTIUS family, has now completed a charger that meets the non-PRC supply-chain requirement. Delivery of the new chargers is expected under the established procurement schedule. Taiwan Begins Local Battery Production Taiwan and the United States have also established a non-red supply chain for ALTIUS batteries. Technology transfer has taken place, and a Taiwanese manufacturer has begun producing compatible batteries locally. DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu said the arrangement could eventually allow Taiwanese companies to supply batteries and chargers to other Anduril customers that require non-PRC components. KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun, meanwhile, questioned the logistics arrangements and the planned quantity of spare batteries. She noted that the spare battery inventory for the 291 systems was nearly eight times the number of airframes. The Army has requested a reduction in the spare battery order, which remains under U.S. review. Taiwan Orders 2,032 More ALTIUS Systems The charger issue comes as Taiwan expands its unmanned weapons inventory through a NT$26.9 billion procurement of 2,032 additional ALTIUS systems. The order includes: 1,554 ALTIUS-700M anti-armor attack drones 478 ALTIUS-600ISR intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense announced the contract at the end of August 2026. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the procurement scheduled for completion by June 2033. The expansion follows earlier ALTIUS-600M live-fire testing against maritime targets, during which Taiwan reported a 100 percent hit rate. The development of a compliant charger and local battery production is expected to address the supply-chain issue identified with the first ALTIUS-600M delivery as Taiwan moves ahead with its larger procurement.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-13 14:07:37
World
TEHRAN/MOSCOW — Iran has asked Russia to supply advanced Geran-4 and Geran-5 jet-powered drones for use in its conflict with Israel and the United States, according to the Financial Times. The report cited Western security officials and a source close to the Kremlin. The request was made in 2026 and involves newer versions of the Geran drone family, which developed from Iran’s Shahed-136 strike drone. Iran supplied the Shahed-136 to Russia beginning in 2022, while Russia started domestic production under the Geran name in 2023 and continued upgrading the system based on experience from the war in Ukraine. Unlike earlier propeller-powered versions, the Geran-4 and Geran-5 use jet engines, allowing them to fly at higher speeds. The Geran-5 can reportedly reach up to 600 km/h, carry a warhead of up to 90 kg, and cover up to 1,000 km. It is also equipped with a thermal imaging camera, an AI-based guidance system and anti-jamming capabilities. The jet-powered drones have become more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept. Ukrainian forces reportedly intercept about 60 percent of the newer versions, compared with around 90–95 percent of older propeller-powered drones. Despite their higher speed and capabilities, they remain cheaper than cruise missiles such as Russia's Kalibr and Kh-101, allowing Russia to use them against a wider range of targets. Russia has expanded Geran production at facilities including the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan. Ukrainian military intelligence has reported production of around 3,000 Geran-4 and Geran-5 drones combined per month at peak periods. The Geran-5, which reportedly entered combat use in early 2026, has an airframe closer to a small cruise missile and uses a Chinese-made turbojet engine. Some reports have also indicated that it can be launched from aircraft such as the Su-25. Earlier in 2026, Western intelligence reported that Russia had sent drones, along with medicine and food, to Iran. Those deliveries were described as involving Geran-2 drones based on the original Shahed-136 design. Iran's reported request for the newer jet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5 systems marks a further development in military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. Neither Russian nor Iranian officials has publicly confirmed the specific request.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-13 13:33:18
World
Black Sea — The Ukrainian Navy said on Saturday that one of its uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) destroyed a Russian uncrewed vessel in the Black Sea, describing the incident as the first naval battle in history between unmanned boats. According to the Ukrainian Navy, units of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR/HUR) detected the Russian vessel at an undisclosed location. A Ukrainian Sargan 3000 USV equipped with a remotely operated Kongsberg Protector 12.7 mm weapon station was then used to engage the target. The Navy released an 81-second video showing the encounter. The Sargan 3000’s onboard camera shows it acquiring and firing on the Russian USV. Around the 30-second mark, the footage switches to an aerial view from a nearby surveillance platform, although it is unclear whether that platform was crewed or unmanned. The Ukrainian vessel continues firing until parts of the Russian boat break away and it sinks. Ukraine's Navy says a Sargan unmanned surface vessel destroyed a Russian unmanned boat with machine-gun fire in the Black Sea, the first-ever battle between unmanned surface vessels. Ukrainian Navy personnel operated in coordination with HUR. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Avg4ecz8m6 — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) September 12, 2026 The Ukrainian Navy did not identify the Russian vessel in its initial statement. Some defense observers have identified it as an improved Orcan-type USV, also known as Zefir or Zephyr in some Russian sources. The identification and the Ukrainian claim have not been independently verified. The exact date and location were also not disclosed, although some reporting places the encounter in the northwestern Black Sea between Odesa and Crimea. Sargan 3000 The Sargan 3000, meaning “needlefish” in Ukrainian, was introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in April 2026 as a multi-purpose platform that had undergone testing and entered service with the Ukrainian Navy. Some sources also refer to it as SeaWolf. The vessel is associated with Nordex and uses Kongsberg’s Protector remote weapon station. It has a low-profile hull designed to reduce radar signature and uses waterjet propulsion, with available descriptions indicating a diesel or hybrid engine. Reported specifications give it a length of 6.9 meters, width of 2.2 meters, an operational radius of up to 1,600 km, a payload capacity of 450 kg, and a speed of 40–55 knots. The Sargan 3000 can connect to Ukraine’s Delta situational awareness system for real-time video, telemetry and targeting data. It is also described as having redundant satellite communications, autonomous inertial and optical navigation for GPS-jammed environments, and electronic countermeasures. Its modular payloads can include machine guns, rockets, FPV drones, electronic warfare systems and mine-laying equipment. Previous Combat Use The latest engagement follows the Sargan 3000’s previously reported combat use. In July 2026, the Ukrainian Navy said a Sargan 3000 sank the Russian FSB border guard ship Izumrud near Novorossiysk, with some reports placing the incident near Gelendzhik. Ukraine said there were dead and wounded among the ship’s crew and noted that Izumrud had participated in the November 25, 2018 Kerch Strait confrontation involving Ukrainian Navy vessels. It remains unclear from public statements whether the Sargan 3000 was used as a kamikaze vessel or weapons platform in that operation. The latest incident demonstrates the expanding role of armed USVs in the Black Sea. Ukraine has extensively used maritime drones against Russian naval assets and facilities, while Russia has also developed and deployed its own USVs. If confirmed, the engagement would represent a new use of maritime drones, with one armed uncrewed vessel being used to locate and destroy another. Both sides continue to develop USVs for attack, reconnaissance, patrol, electronic warfare and other missions.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-13 13:01:04
Europe
PARIS — France has awarded initial contracts to Dassault Aviation, MBDA, Safran Aircraft Engines and Thales ahead of the planned launch of the Rafale F5 development phase in late 2026. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) notified the contracts during the summer. The initial work is focused on reducing technical risks before the main development phase begins. The F5 is planned as a major modernization of the Rafale, with qualification expected around 2033, followed by entry into service with the French Air and Space Force and later the French Navy. The upgrade will support France’s future airborne nuclear deterrent through integration of the ASN4G fourth-generation hypersonic nuclear cruise missile. It is also intended to improve the Rafale’s ability to conduct first-entry missions in contested environments. A more open aircraft architecture will give France greater flexibility to introduce new capabilities and adapt the aircraft as requirements change. New Radar, Navigation and Electronic Warfare Dassault Aviation will oversee a new very-low-drift inertial navigation unit using hemispherical resonator gyroscope (HRG) technology. The system is designed to maintain accurate navigation when satellite navigation signals are unavailable or disrupted. Thales will develop the RBE2-XG AESA radar, an evolution of the Rafale’s existing RBE2 radar. It is designed to provide higher power, longer detection range and improved tracking of targets with extremely low radar cross-sections. Increased computing capacity will support greater use of artificial intelligence for collaborative sensing, while the radar will retain the current RBE2’s mechanical footprint and include stronger cyber protection. Thales and MBDA France will also modernize the Rafale’s SPECTRA self-protection system. The upgraded digital architecture will improve threat detection, signal classification and electronic jamming across a broader electromagnetic spectrum. Thales will develop the Inter-Vehicle Data Link (IVDL), based on several years of DGA-funded research. The system is designed to provide high-bandwidth, resilient and difficult-to-detect communications between Rafale aircraft and accompanying uncrewed platforms while resisting jamming. Safran Develops M88 T-REX Safran Aircraft Engines has received a contract for the preliminary design of the M88 T-REX engine. The upgrade is intended to increase maximum thrust by about 20 percent, from 7.5 tonnes to 9 tonnes. The T-REX will retain the M88-2’s basic dimensions, structure and modular architecture, as well as its low fuel consumption. The modular design will allow selected components to be replaced without removing the complete engine, helping reduce maintenance downtime. The Rafale F5 programme continues France’s approach of upgrading the fighter through successive standards rather than replacing the aircraft with a completely new design. More than 400 French companies are involved in the Rafale programme, supporting more than 7,000 direct and indirect jobs. Eight foreign customers have ordered 299 new-build Rafales and 24 second-hand aircraft. The F5 upgrade is intended to keep the Rafale aligned with French operational requirements for 2035 and beyond.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-13 12:32:40
World
TAGANROG, Russia — Ukrainian forces carried out overnight drone strikes on September 12 against military and industrial targets in Taganrog, Rostov region, and Tolyatti, Samara region. Local reports, satellite imagery, monitoring groups and Ukrainian officials reported fires at several locations. In Taganrog, one of the main targets was the Atlant Aero facility at the former Taganrog Automobile Plant (TagAZ). According to Ukrainian military information and open-source reports, Atlant Aero conducts the design, production and testing of Russia’s Molniya (Lightning) strike-reconnaissance UAVs and produces components for Orion UAVs. Satellite imagery showed at least three impacts on workshops and warehouses, while Exilenova+ and other monitors reported fires and a burning storage tank. NASA’s FIRMS system also detected fire hotspots. On the night of September 12, Ukraine's Defense Forces struck a key Russian defense industry facility—"Atlant Aero" in Taganrog."Atlant Aero" handles the full cycle of design, manufacturing, and testing for "Molniya" (Lightning) strike-reconnaissance UAVs, as well as components… pic.twitter.com/O5Bg3w8nM2 — Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) September 12, 2026 The airfield and military housing area in Taganrog were also attacked. A fire is currently burning there. pic.twitter.com/DTz8ov5dxN — Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) September 12, 2026 The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said its Alpha Special Operations Center, together with other Ukrainian Defense Forces units, struck an FPV drone production facility, two UAV storage warehouses, a fuel and lubricants storage tank, a Pantsir-S2 air-defense system and a P-18 Terek radar station. The SBU said the strikes reduced Russia’s UAV production and storage capacity. Fires were also reported near the Beriev Taganrog Aviation Scientific and Technical Complex and Taganrog-Yuzhny airfield. The Beriev complex maintains and modernizes A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft, Be-series amphibious aircraft used by the Russian Navy, and Tu-95MS/MSM strategic bombers used to launch Kh-101 cruise missiles. Taganrog-Yuzhny is used for Beriev flight testing. Russian outlet ASTRA reported that Taganrog-Central military airfield may also have been targeted. The airfield is home to Russia’s 708th Military Transport Aviation Regiment, while the nearby 325th Aircraft Repair Plant repairs military transport aircraft. Fires were reported in the area, and monitors reported the destruction of a fuel storage tank. A fire near S-400 positions was also reported, although damage to the systems remains unconfirmed. Taganrog head Svetlana Kambulova said Russian air defenses engaged drones around 7 a.m. and that falling debris caused fires. She reported no casualties. Rostov authorities also reported attacks in several districts and around Taganrog Bay, with debris causing a fire in a store building but no deaths or injuries. In Tolyatti, Ukrainian drones reportedly traveled more than 850 kilometers to strike the KuibyshevAzot chemical plant. Exilenova+ reported a fire at the facility. KuibyshevAzot produces ammonia, ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate, nitric acid, caprolactam and polyamide products. Reports said it accounts for about 50 percent of Russia’s caprolactam production and roughly 75 percent of domestic tire-cord output. Samara Region Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed that an industrial enterprise was hit. Local authorities reported damage to several residential buildings, one person hospitalized and temporary evacuation in one neighborhood. No fatalities were reported, while operations at Kurumoch International Airport were temporarily suspended. Ukraine’s General Staff also reported a strike on the nearby Tolyattikauchuk plant, which produces synthetic rubbers and chemical fractions used as binders and components in solid rocket fuel for tactical and ballistic missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had also struck two chemical-industry enterprises in Russia’s Perm and Samara regions, a target in the Black Sea and multiple military targets in Taganrog during the previous 24 hours. The strikes followed a September 11 attack on Volgogradpromproekt in Volgograd. Ukrainian sources said FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles caused a fire at the enterprise, which is involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex and produces ferrocene-based combustion catalysts and chemical production technologies. Damage from the September 12 attacks continues to be assessed through satellite imagery, local footage and official statements.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 16:14:48
World
ZAGREB — Croatia has signed a contract worth approximately €410 million (640 billion South Korean won) with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace for 18 K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). The agreement was signed in Zagreb on September 10, 2026, marking the first major defence acquisition between Croatia and South Korea. The contract includes 18 self-propelled launchers, rocket ammunition, ammunition transport vehicles, fire-direction command vehicles, integrated logistics support, crew training and maintenance training. Deliveries are planned to begin within 24 to 36 months, with the systems scheduled to be operational by 2029. DAPA said the contract will also support longer-term industrial, logistics and follow-on cooperation with Croatia. The signing ceremony was attended by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back, DAPA Commissioner Lee Yong-cheol, South Korea’s ambassador to Croatia and Hanwha Aerospace representatives. The two governments also signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, covering wider defence ties and technology cooperation. Croatia’s cabinet approved a broader €544 million procurement package. Part of the funding will cover integration of Poland’s WB Electronics TOPAZ combat and fire-control system to support interoperability. Croatian company Končar is also set to cooperate with Hanwha on local component integration, maintenance training and depot-level lifecycle support, although the exact production share is still under review. The Chunmoo systems will replace Croatia’s ageing M-92 Vulkan and BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers. They will complement eight U.S.-made M142 HIMARS systems ordered by Croatia in December 2024, giving the Croatian Army a combined fleet of 26 modern wheeled rocket launchers. The K239 Chunmoo uses an 8×8 wheeled chassis and has a crew of three. It can carry different types of ammunition through its dual-pod launcher. The Croatian configuration includes 131 mm unguided rockets with a range of about 36 km, 239 mm GPS/INS-guided rockets with ranges of up to 80 km, and CTM-290 tactical missiles with ranges of up to 290 km, depending on the missile variant and configuration. The launcher uses an onboard crane to change pre-packaged ammunition pods. Croatia is the fourth European country to select the Chunmoo, after Poland, Estonia and Norway. The system is also in service with customers in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Plenković described the purchase as one of Croatia’s major recent defence investments, comparable in importance to the country's acquisition of Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft. The procurement forms part of Croatia’s wider military modernisation programme as Zagreb increases defence spending to meet its NATO capability commitments.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 15:55:58
World
NORTH BAY, Ontario — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Ukrainian military pilots undergoing training in Canada on September 12, 2026, at the International Test Pilots School (ITPS), also known as the International Pilot Training School, at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, Ontario. Zelensky said the pilots are preparing to fly modern fighter jets, including the F-16 and Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen, to strengthen Ukraine’s combat aviation. He said Ukraine is doing everything possible to protect its skies and praised the new generation of Ukrainian pilots, while thanking Canada, the instructors and the training center. 21 Pilots in Advanced Training Twenty-one Ukrainian pilots are currently enrolled in the program and have been training at the school since April 2025. They are flying Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft during the third and fourth phases of flight training, including Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT). The training covers Western procedures and tactics, low-altitude navigation and formation flying before pilots move to modern combat aircraft. Flights take place nearly every day when aircraft are available and weather conditions permit. The pilots also use advanced tactical simulators, including F-16 simulators, to practice flight, instrument and tactical scenarios without using actual aircraft. During Zelensky’s visit, four L-39s flown by Ukrainian trainees conducted a flyover. Zelensky also sat in a flight simulator, where pilots explained the differences in handling, ergonomics, instrumentation and avionics between the L-39 and the Soviet-era MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft on which many Ukrainian pilots previously trained. Instructors also briefed him on aircraft maintenance, life-support systems and pilot equipment. Canada Provides C$389 Million in Support The Canadian program covers more than pilot training. Ukrainian personnel are also being trained in aircraft maintenance, logistics, ground-support systems, life-support equipment, oxygen systems, ejection equipment, pilot flight suits and aviation English. The first Ukrainian aviation personnel arrived in Canada in September 2024 for preparatory training. Canada has allocated up to C$389 million for Ukrainian aviation personnel between 2024 and 2029, covering pilot training and related equipment and resources. The program operates under the multinational Air Force Capability Coalition. Training for Ukraine’s Future Western Fighter Fleet The training supports Ukraine’s transition from its Soviet-designed fighter fleet toward Western aircraft. Ukraine has already received F-16s from partner countries and is also preparing for the potential introduction of the Gripen. In December 2025, Ukraine and Sweden discussed training Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel for the Gripen. Zelensky said Ukraine would have both F-16s and Gripens and that other aircraft could follow. Some reports have indicated that donated Gripens could arrive in Ukraine in early 2027, while Ukraine has also discussed purchasing additional Gripen E aircraft. ITPS was established in the United Kingdom in 1986 and moved its headquarters to Canada in 2001. The school provides flight-test, test-pilot and tactical training to military forces from more than 25 partner nations. The school previously operated from London, Ontario, but moved its advanced tactical training to North Bay in July 2026 following concerns from Transport Canada about congested airspace after a near-miss incident. Photos released by the Office of the President of Ukraine showed Ukrainian pilots flying L-39 aircraft, using simulators and training at the Canadian facility.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 15:44:13
U.S
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. — Northrop Grumman and quantum technology company SandboxAQ have completed flight trials of the Lumberjack Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) using SandboxAQ’s AQNav magnetic navigation system instead of GPS. The companies announced the results on September 9, 2026, following demonstrations at Fort Hunter Liggett in California. The tests showed the jet-powered drone could maintain stable flight trajectories using magnetic navigation in GPS-denied and satellite-denied conditions. Rapid AQNav Integration SandboxAQ integrated AQNav into the Lumberjack approximately one month before the flight trials. The system used a commercially sourced, high-sensitivity quantum magnetometer and low-power, off-the-shelf onboard computing hardware. Engineers installed the hardware and software in less than an hour and used a software-based integration approach that avoided a major structural redesign of the aircraft. How AQNav Works AQNav uses quantum sensors to detect small variations in Earth’s magnetic field caused by differences in geological materials beneath the aircraft. The system: Measures local magnetic variations using quantum magnetometers. Filters magnetic interference produced by the aircraft’s engine, electronics and structure. Compares the resulting magnetic signatures with reference maps of Earth’s magnetic field. Calculates the aircraft’s position without relying on satellite navigation signals. The passive system can operate in all weather and over open water or other environments where GPS may be unavailable or disrupted. The Lumberjack trials also included flight legs over open coastal water, providing an environment with limited visual navigation references. Lumberjack Platform Lumberjack is an attritable, one-way attack (OWA) drone in the Pentagon’s Group 3 UAS category. The airframe was developed with Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero), which was later acquired by AeroVironment. Northrop Grumman provides the mission computing, autonomy and payload integration. Specification Details Gross loaded weight About 290 lb (131 kg) Empty weight About 79 lb (36 kg) Payload capacity 250 lb (113 kg) class Range/endurance Several hundred miles or about 2 hours of loiter Mission cost target $75,000–$100,000 Primary weapon 6-lb (2.7 kg) Hatchet miniature glide bomb Other payloads EW, visual navigation, tactical data links and ISR The aircraft supports air, ground or surface launch. Although Lumberjack is designed for one-way missions, the test aircraft was launched, flown and recovered multiple times during the trials. This allows the platform to also be used for training and experimentation. Previous Lumberjack and AQNav Testing Lumberjack completed its maiden flight in 2024, less than 14 months after preliminary design work began. In March 2026, it participated in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division’s Operation Lethal Eagle, conducting simulated strikes with miniature precision weapons while connected to the military’s Maven Smart System and Palantir targeting workflows. Before the Lumberjack demonstration, SandboxAQ said AQNav had accumulated more than 450 flight hours across four aircraft types, including testing conducted with the U.S. Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit. SandboxAQ described the Lumberjack flight as the first reported test of a magnetic navigation system on an attritable platform and the first reported pairing of magnetic navigation with visual navigation on an attritable one-way attack drone. No Production Contract Announced Northrop Grumman and SandboxAQ have not announced a production customer, contract or wider procurement timeline for the integrated system. The demonstration instead focused on showing how magnetic navigation can be integrated with an existing unmanned aircraft and provide an additional navigation capability when satellite-based positioning is unavailable or disrupted.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 14:41:54
Europe
KIELCE, Poland — Defense technology company SPARC AI Inc. (CSE: SPAI; OTCQB: SPAIF; Frankfurt: 5OV0) has launched Overwatch Patrol, a dismounted positioning application designed to provide continuous location data to soldiers and security personnel when GPS/GNSS is jammed, spoofed, degraded or unavailable. SPARC AI unveiled the system at MSPO, the International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland, held from September 8 to 11. The exhibition is one of Europe's major defense events and a venue for NATO and allied procurement discussions. Before MSPO, SPARC AI demonstrated Overwatch Patrol in Kraków. GPS-Denied Positioning Without Additional Hardware Overwatch Patrol does not require additional hardware, external receivers, antennas or software installation. Originally developed for military-grade handheld devices, the current version operates through SPARC AI's Overwatch Positioning Network, a cloud-based positioning service. The application can be used as a native mobile app or through a standard web browser on smartphones and tablets. SPARC AI says remote processing of the core spatial calculations reduces the processing requirements on user devices. Real-Time Team Position Sharing Overwatch Patrol allows multiple users to share their positions on a common digital map in real time. Team members can see each other's movements while walking, running or holding positions without relying on GPS. Commanders can create teams in the field using an encrypted dynamic session code. Personnel can join or leave a group without a central administrator or pre-configured devices. The system also allows any team member to place a rally point on the shared map. The location is immediately synchronized with connected users, allowing them to navigate toward the same point. This can be used to establish new link-up locations after contact, during casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), when a route becomes unusable, or when personnel become separated beyond visual or radio contact. Integration With Tactical Networks At MSPO, SPARC AI management met with prospective technology partners and tactical communications providers to discuss integrating Overwatch Patrol with military radio networks. The planned integration would allow shared position data to move through existing tactical communications systems. Overwatch Patrol expands SPARC AI's Overwatch Positioning Network beyond aerial platforms. The company previously launched the network for UAVs, allowing drones to send telemetry to remote data centers and receive positioning information without onboard navigation payloads. SPARC AI says its drone-focused service is live for use in Ukraine. The launch adds a dismounted positioning capability to SPARC AI's broader work on navigation in GNSS-denied environments.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 14:34:09
Space & Technology
PARIS, — Eutelsat plans to invest about €1 billion to procure 229 additional OneWeb low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites from Airbus Defence and Space, supporting constellation replenishment and expansion through 2034. Eutelsat and Airbus have signed an Authorisation to Proceed (ATP) for initial industrial work. The agreement was announced at the International Space Summit in Paris in the presence of French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Space Philippe Baptiste. The order follows two earlier contracts covering 440 OneWeb satellites, awarded to Airbus in late 2024 and early 2026. Together, the three commitments bring the total number of second-generation OneWeb satellites to be manufactured by Airbus to 669. Production will take place at Airbus Defence and Space's facility in Toulouse, France. The first satellites from the existing 440-unit order are scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026, with launches expected shortly afterward. The additional 229 satellites will be introduced over the following decade to replace first-generation spacecraft approaching the end of their design life and to increase capacity for commercial and government customers. Upgraded Satellites The new spacecraft will feature advanced digital channelisers for improved onboard processing, dynamic beam steering and flexible bandwidth allocation based on traffic demand. They will also include interfaces for hosted payloads, allowing institutional or commercial customers to fly sensors such as Earth-observation or thermal-infrared instruments alongside the communications payload. Structural and power improvements are also intended to improve operational economics over the satellites' service cycle. OneWeb currently operates more than 600 satellites in 12 synchronized orbital planes at roughly 1,200 kilometers altitude. Eutelsat is the only European operator with a fully operational global LEO broadband network. Eutelsat said the approximately €1 billion investment is covered by its existing multi-year capital budget and does not change its capital expenditure forecast through the 2029 financial year. Separately, Eutelsat selected Arianespace for two dedicated Ariane 64 launches of OneWeb satellites in 2027 and 2028 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. Preparing for IRIS² Eutelsat is positioning OneWeb as its near-term LEO platform ahead of Europe's IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) programme. Eutelsat is expected to lead the design, deployment and operation of the programme's commercial Ku-band LEO segment, which is expected to enter service by mid-2032. IRIS² is expected to provide more than twice OneWeb's current capacity, with both constellations planned to operate alongside each other through the mid-2030s. Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher said the additional satellites will strengthen OneWeb while IRIS² will provide new capacity and capabilities. Airbus Defence and Space Head of Space Systems Alain Fauré said the contract demonstrates the maturity of the product, supply chain and Airbus' capability to manufacture large-scale LEO constellations at high rates. The replenishment programme will support service continuity and capacity for government, enterprise, maritime, aviation, defense and telecommunications customers while preparing Eutelsat for Europe's next phase of sovereign satellite connectivity.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 14:16:35
U.S
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has awarded Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc. a $39.1 million contract modification to manufacture additional power packs for Israel’s Eitan 8x8 armored personnel carrier (APC). The modification, designated P00011 to contract W56HZV-23-C-0054, is the 11th change to the original contract and increases its total value to approximately $158.9 million. Work will be carried out at Rolls-Royce’s facility in Graniteville, South Carolina, and is scheduled to continue through September 11, 2027. Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. The modification is funded entirely through fiscal year 2010 non-expiring Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds allocated for Israel. Such funds can remain available for eligible defense purchases beyond the fiscal year in which they were appropriated. The order is part of a broader $180 million FMS case approved by the U.S. State Department in April 2025. The package covers additional Eitan 8V199TE21-D powerpack engines and components, U.S. government and contractor technical assistance, non-recurring engineering, logistics and program support. It expanded an earlier $85.5 million procurement case. MTU 8V199TE21-D Powerpack The Eitan uses the MTU 8V199TE21-D, an eight-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine producing approximately 750 horsepower. The engine is supplied as part of an integrated powerpack with an Allison 4800 Specialty Series automatic transmission. Rolls-Royce Solutions America, headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is the principal contractor for the effort and operates within Rolls-Royce Power Systems. The MTU engine business is part of Rolls-Royce Power Systems and is separate from Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace operations and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Eitan 8x8 Armored Personnel Carrier The Eitan was developed by Israel following operational experience during the 2014 Gaza conflict, with the aim of providing a faster wheeled armored vehicle alongside the heavier tracked Namer and replacing some of the capabilities of older M113 carriers. The vehicle is roughly 8 meters long and weighs about 30–35 metric tons, depending on configuration. It carries a three-person crew and up to nine additional soldiers. Its protection includes a V-shaped hull, composite armor and the Iron Fist active protection system. The Eitan can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h and is designed to provide protected infantry mobility while offering greater road mobility than heavy tracked platforms. The first production Eitans entered Israeli service in May 2023. Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, the Israel Defense Forces accelerated their deployment, including operations in Gaza alongside other armored vehicles. The Army and Rolls-Royce have not disclosed the exact number of engines covered by the new $39.1 million modification. Public information also does not specify how much of the broader $180 million 2025 FMS case has already been obligated.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 13:57:42
U.S
COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. — Naval defense manufacturer Ultra Maritime has announced that all five of its newest U.S.-specification sonobuoy variants are now production ready. The company said the milestone completes what it identifies as the world’s first unified suite of next-generation anti-submarine warfare (ASW) acoustic expendables. The five variants are the AN/SSQ-53H, AN/SSQ-62G, AN/SSQ-101B, AN/SSQ-125B and AN/SSQ-36B, which form the core of the company’s Sea Revealer family. They support underwater surveillance missions ranging from ocean-layer profiling and wide-area acoustic searches to target detection, localization and tracking. The AN/SSQ-53H DIFAR is a passive sonobuoy that listens for acoustic emissions from nuclear and diesel-electric submarines using omnidirectional sensors and directional hydrophone channels. The AN/SSQ-62G DICASS is an active buoy that can be remotely triggered to transmit sound pulses and measure echoes to determine a contact’s bearing and range. The AN/SSQ-101B ADAR uses an unfolding horizontal planar hydrophone array as a high-sensitivity receiver for sound reflected from submerged targets. The AN/SSQ-125B MAC is a multistatic active acoustic source that can operate with passive receivers such as the Q-101B and Q-53H to transmit structured sound bursts across patrol areas. The AN/SSQ-36B AXBT provides environmental data rather than directly tracking targets. Its temperature probe measures the water column down to 800 meters (2,625 feet), generating sound-velocity profiles that help mission systems predict how sonar waves travel through ocean thermal layers. Production Expansion Ultra Maritime recently modernized and expanded its manufacturing complex in Columbia City, Indiana, adding higher-rate manufacturing automation and updated production processes. The company now reports producing more than 1,000 sonobuoys per day across facilities in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The expansion has created hundreds of jobs in Northeast Indiana over the past two years, with additional hiring and facility improvements planned as domestic and international procurement increases. Ultra Maritime’s U.S. supply chain includes suppliers in 24 states, more than 70 percent of which are small businesses. Ultra Maritime says it is the only defense contractor worldwide producing G-size, half-length sonobuoys, which can allow aircraft and unmanned platforms to increase sonobuoy payload capacity without increasing airframe weight limits. It also says it is the only manufacturer with active production lines in multiple allied countries. The company supplies sonobuoys for fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, including major ASW platforms such as the Boeing P-8A Poseidon and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk. Earlier in 2026, the U.S. Navy awarded Ultra Maritime a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract for low-rate initial production of the AN/SSQ-125B for training, peacetime operations, testing and inventory requirements. The Q-125B incorporates improved signal processing and acoustic performance for demanding ocean conditions. Ultra Maritime also demonstrated the SSQ-125B and Sea Spear passive sonar system during the U.S. Navy’s 2026 Lanternfish exercise, focusing on the detection and localization of unmanned underwater vehicles. Headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts, Ultra Maritime produces active and passive sonobuoys in A-size and G-size configurations and has received U.S. Navy production contracts and delivery orders for systems including the SSQ-53H and SSQ-62G. The announcement comes amid the company’s broader expansion and follows Lockheed Martin’s proposed $3.45 billion acquisition agreement for Ultra Maritime, announced earlier in summer 2026.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 13:44:25
Space & Technology
TORRANCE, Calif. — The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration has awarded California-based nuclear energy startup Antares $161 million under a Strategic Breakthrough contract to develop a nuclear reactor designed to power operational spacecraft. Antares said the award is the largest defense contract to date focused specifically on space-based nuclear power. The contract covers two parallel technical tracks. Under the first, Antares will conduct a ground demonstration of its R1-S reactor, a compact system that uses solid-state heat pipes instead of mechanical pumps to transfer heat from the reactor core. After ground validation, the reactor will be integrated into a spacecraft and prepared for flight certification ahead of an orbital launch. The second track involves the Mark-1 reactor, an electricity-producing design scheduled to begin multi-month operational testing in 2027 using a closed Brayton cycle power-conversion system. The reactor will be used to power a ground-to-space military asset. “Space has been core to the Antares thesis since the company was founded,” said Jordan Bramble, CEO and co-founder of Antares. “This partnership with the Space Force turns that long-held vision into a codified space mission. Fission will unlock strategic capabilities that are impossible today.” Nuclear Power for Spacecraft Most modern satellites use solar arrays and batteries. Antares says a compact fission reactor could provide continuous multi-kilowatt or megawatt-class power regardless of sunlight, orbital shadows or distance from the Sun. The company identifies potential applications including high-throughput edge computing and automated data processing, long-range active radar, directed-energy payloads, and high-power electronic warfare and electromagnetic-spectrum operations. Greater onboard power could also support more flexible spacecraft maneuvering. The United States has not operated a nuclear reactor in orbit since NASA launched SNAP-10A in 1965, leaving a six-decade gap in U.S. space fission systems. Mark-0 Reached Criticality The contract follows Antares' June 4, 2026, milestone at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), where its Mark-0 microreactor reached criticality, meaning the fission reaction became self-sustaining. The test was conducted under Department of Energy authorization with INL and nuclear fuel supplier BWX Technologies (BWXT), with U.S. Army personnel observing. Antares said it became the first private entity to achieve criticality under the DOE's Reactor Pilot Program and that Mark-0 was the first newly designed reactor to reach criticality at the Idaho site in more than 50 years. The test provided validation of core physics and safety profiles for Antares' HALEU TRISO fuel compacts, which use ceramic coatings designed to retain fission products and withstand high temperatures without melting. Other U.S. Defense Programs Antares is also using its reactor architecture across other military programs. Data from Mark-0 is supporting Project Pele, the Department of Defense's effort to develop a transportable terrestrial microreactor. The company is also a supplier under the U.S. Army's Project Janus, which focuses on fixed microreactors for domestic military installations, including Fort Moore, Georgia, formerly Fort Benning. Earlier in 2026, Antares was selected through the Defense Innovation Unit to build a prototype installation system at Joint Base San Antonio. Space Nuclear Power Plans Antares linked the Air Force award to Executive Order 14369, “Ensuring American Space Superiority,” and the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power outlined in NSTM-3. These policies call for demonstrating an operational nuclear reactor in orbit as early as 2028, followed by deployment of a surface power reactor on the Moon by 2030. Founded in 2023 in Torrance, California, Antares has engineering and testing facilities in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Aiken, South Carolina. The company has raised more than $600 million in private capital, including a $470 million Series C round completed in July 2026. The Air Force and Antares have not disclosed the target launch date for the R1-S, the specific spacecraft bus or mission profile, or how the $161 million contract will be divided between the R1-S flight demonstration and Mark-1 ground testing.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 13:29:57
Space & Technology
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has demonstrated a spacecraft propulsion architecture that combines chemical and electric propulsion in a single system using a shared propellant tank and feed system. The ground test was conducted under the Propulsion Optimization UNifying Chemical and Electric (POUNCE) program at AFRL’s Space Propulsion Environment Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The demonstration validated the feasibility of Modular Multimode Propulsion (MMP). MMP is designed to allow both high-thrust chemical thrusters and high-efficiency electric thrusters to operate from the same propellant supply. This can reduce the need for separate tanks, valves, regulators, feed lines and other hardware normally required when a spacecraft carries both propulsion types. Chemical propulsion provides high thrust for rapid maneuvers, while electric propulsion offers much higher fuel efficiency but produces relatively low thrust. The combined system allows the propellant supply to be used for rapid maneuvers when necessary and for longer-duration, fuel-efficient orbital operations. ASCENT propellant The demonstration used Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT), previously designated AF-M315E. Developed by AFRL, ASCENT is a hydroxylammonium nitrate-based ionic liquid propellant that can be used as a chemical monopropellant and in electrospray electric propulsion. AFRL states that ASCENT provides approximately 50 percent higher density specific impulse than hydrazine and has lower handling hazards. It is classified as Department of Transportation Class 1.3C, with Class 1.4 for shipping, allowing simpler ground handling than hydrazine. ASCENT has previously flown on NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission and Lunar Flashlight. Commercial partners Three companies supplied major components for the demonstration. Flight Works provided the composite conformal tank and propellant feed system, Igneon Aerospace supplied the chemical thrusters, and Revolution Space provided its PALOMINO ion-array electrospray thruster for electric propulsion. The testing was performed in a high-vacuum facility simulating orbital conditions. AFRL evaluated whether the feed lines and valves could reliably switch between the chemical and electric propulsion systems under representative operating pressures. The concept of combining high-thrust and low-thrust propulsion has been studied since the 1960s, but practical implementation has been limited by challenges involving propellant compatibility and shared feed systems. The POUNCE architecture uses modular interfaces that can allow propulsion components to be exchanged or reconfigured without redesigning the spacecraft's core propulsion system. AFRL’s related Modular Propulsion (ModProp) effort uses the Propulsion Unit for Modular Applications (PUMA) approach with ASCENT and focuses on standardized interfaces for applications including sustained maneuvering, tactically responsive space, and space mobility and logistics. Dr. Javier Urzay, chief of AFRL’s Rocket and Space Propulsion Division, said the objective is to accelerate the development of integrated propulsion capabilities for dynamic space operations. AFRL and its industry partners will use data from the Edwards AFB testing to further refine the system as the technology progresses toward potential on-orbit flight testing.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 13:14:03
U.S
WASHINGTON — U.S. officials say Iran obtained high-resolution satellite imagery from Chinese sources before and after a July 17 ballistic missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in northeastern Jordan, linking the imagery to the strike that killed three American soldiers. Officials described the connection as the clearest evidence so far that Chinese support for Iran has had lethal consequences for U.S. forces. They did not identify the specific Chinese entities involved and did not allege direct involvement by the Chinese government. Iranian ballistic missiles struck a housing area where U.S. troops were sleeping, killing 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, and Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28. Four others were seriously wounded and medically evacuated. Iran also targeted manned and unmanned aircraft at the base. The July 17 attack was one of three missile attacks on the installation within 24 hours and marked the first American combat deaths since an April ceasefire in the wider conflict faltered. Improved Iranian Targeting Earlier in the conflict, U.S. strikes had damaged major parts of Iran's radar, satellite and air-surveillance infrastructure. Iranian missile units often struck open ground or lower-value areas. U.S. officials said Iranian targeting accuracy improved during the summer. Within three days of the attack, Iranian state media published high-resolution imagery showing damage across three areas of the base. A Wall Street Journal analysis of publicly available imagery found that more than 20 military and support structures had been hit. Former CIA analyst Jim Lamson said fresh high-resolution imagery can reveal recent troop movements, aircraft rotations and facility changes, while post-strike imagery helps assess accuracy and determine where to direct later attacks. U.S. officials said Chinese commercial imagery is part of a wider Iranian intelligence network that also includes Russian data, remaining Iranian capabilities and human sources. Chinese Satellite Firms Sanctioned In May, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Chinese firms — MizarVision (Meentropy Technology), Earth Eye and Chang Guang — over the provision, collection or publication of imagery that could be used against U.S. forces. Chang Guang had previously been accused by U.S. officials of providing satellite imagery that supported attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces. U.S. officials raised the July strike and the satellite imagery with Chinese counterparts. Beijing demanded evidence and rejected the allegations, maintaining that Chinese companies operate within international trade laws. Concerns Over U.S. Navy Ships U.S. defense officials are also examining whether Chinese satellite data could help Iran track American warships. Iran has recently fired anti-ship ballistic missiles toward a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and accompanying destroyers. U.S. Central Command said the missiles were intercepted or fell into open water without causing damage, although some detonated close to the ships. Officials are investigating whether foreign orbital monitoring could provide Iran with near-real-time information needed to target moving vessels. The satellite imagery issue is part of broader U.S. concerns over Chinese support for Iran. A Shenzhen company, Telefly Telecommunications Equipment, has been linked to miniature turbojet engines used in upgraded Shahed-type drones. Treasury investigations also found that Western-made microelectronics and guidance components reaching Iran's drone program were routed through Chinese intermediaries and Hong Kong shell companies. The Justice Department has separately identified Chinese state agencies as end-users of technical information obtained by cyber groups that targeted U.S. federal defense and weapons laboratories. The developments come ahead of a planned September 24 summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. After meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi days after the July 17 strike, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that nothing China had done had changed the trajectory of the conflict.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 12:25:24
World
BRUSSELS — The European Commission has approved an additional €6.1 billion in funding for Ukraine’s defense procurement, including air and missile defense systems, ammunition, drones and electronic warfare equipment. The decision, announced on September 11, 2026, is part of the EU’s €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan for 2026–2027. The approval also allows Ukraine to use the funding to procure U.S.-made Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles. European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said the decision formally enables Ukraine to purchase PAC-3 missiles for its Patriot air-defense systems. The missiles can be procured through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a NATO-coordinated mechanism, among other procurement channels. Five Procurement Exemptions The €6.1 billion package includes five derogations from the Ukraine Support Loan's standard procurement eligibility rules. Three exemptions apply to Ukrainian-made drones and components whose costs exceed the normal thresholds under the loan's procurement rules. Two exemptions apply to U.S.-manufactured defense equipment, including PAC-3 missiles. The Ukraine Support Loan generally prioritizes defense products from the EU, Ukraine and eligible European partner countries. However, its rules allow limited derogations when urgent operational requirements cannot be met with the required quantities and within the necessary timeframes. €28.3 Billion Defense Allocation for 2026 Fully Assigned The €6.1 billion approval is part of the broader €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, which provides €60 billion for defense-related support and €30 billion for budgetary assistance during 2026 and 2027. For 2026, the EU made available up to €28.3 billion for Ukraine's defense industrial capacities. Kubilius said that with the latest decision, the full €28.3 billion 2026 defense allocation has now been assigned to Ukraine's defense needs. The Commission said funding decisions remain subject to conditions and monitoring. Before funds are transferred, contracts are reviewed to ensure they comply with the Ukraine Support Loan and the agreed procurement rules. Funding Covers Air Defense, Drones and Electronic Warfare The newly approved package covers several areas, including air and missile defense, ammunition, drones and electronic warfare equipment. The European Commission said the funding is intended to support Ukraine's ability to respond to continued Russian missile and drone attacks. The approval follows earlier EU support for Ukraine's defense industry. In June, the Commission began disbursing €3.9 billion as the first payment under a roughly €6 billion tranche dedicated to drone procurement. The Commission had also disbursed a separate €3.2 billion installment under the loan in June. The latest decision therefore expands the procurement options available to Ukraine, particularly for Patriot PAC-3 interceptors, while continuing EU support for Ukrainian and European defense production. The approval does not itself represent an immediate delivery of PAC-3 missiles. Actual procurement and disbursement will depend on contracts, their verification by the European Commission and the relevant procurement and production arrangements.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 12:12:04
World
RIYADH — Satellite imagery from MizarVision shows extensive fire and structural damage at two pumping stations along Saudi Arabia’s strategic East–West oil pipeline following drone strikes on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The pipeline, also known as Petroline, runs about 1,200 kilometres from the Abqaiq oil-processing facilities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. It has a pumping capacity of around 7 million barrels per day and is an important route for transporting Saudi crude to the Red Sea, particularly while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted. 🇸🇦 SAUDI ARABIA | East–West Pipeline attackedSaudi Arabia’s critical East–West oil pipeline system was struck by projectiles on Thursday.Satellite imagery shows fires and damage around pumping stations. One US official says drones originated from Iraq.⚠️ A full shutdown of… pic.twitter.com/tSPortXdHQ — MizarVision (@MizarVision) September 11, 2026 Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy confirmed that the pipeline was shut down as a precaution after several drones struck targets in the Riyadh and Medina regions. Emergency and technical teams were deployed to secure the facilities, assess the damage and determine the condition of the pipeline. The attacks caused injuries and material damage. Satellite imagery reviewed after the attacks showed major fire damage at pumping stations near Al-Masbah and Al-Dhahrah, with thick smoke visible at the affected facilities. Sentinel-3 and NASA FIRMS data also detected several heat sources and smoke along the pipeline corridor. Some of the detected fires appeared to be emergency flare activity rather than direct pipeline damage. Saudi Arabia said preliminary investigations found that the drones were launched from Iraq. Iraq condemned the attacks and said the drones were launched from Maysan province, which borders Iran. Iraqi authorities dismissed the operations commander in the province and established an investigation. Saudi Arabia said it would support Iraq’s efforts to prevent further attacks while reserving its right to protect its sovereignty and facilities. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attacks. The pipeline had reportedly been carrying around 4–5 million barrels of crude per day in recent weeks. With the system shut down, crude supplies to Yanbu are likely to be significantly limited or halted until technical assessments and repairs are completed. However, Saudi authorities have not yet released a detailed assessment of the total damage or a timetable for restarting the pipeline. The full extent of the disruption therefore remains unclear. Further updates from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy and Saudi Aramco are expected to determine how much pipeline capacity has been affected and when operations can resume.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 11:56:16
U.S
WASHINGTON — U.S. Air Force Capt. Michael “Wax” Cloninger, an F-22 Raptor pilot assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron, 3rd Operations Group, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, has received the Air Force’s highest flight-safety award after safely landing a fully armed F-22 that had lost its right main wheel assembly. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach presented Cloninger with the 2025 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy during a ceremony at the Pentagon on Sept. 8, 2026. Cloninger was recognized for the technical discipline and decision-making that saved a $156 million aircraft and prevented serious injury or loss of life. Right Main Wheel Assembly Detached After Takeoff The emergency occurred on Sept. 18, 2024, while Cloninger was deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. He was flying as the number-two aircraft in a four-ship formation scheduled to conduct a memorial flyover marking the anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Immediately after takeoff, the F-22’s entire right main wheel assembly detached. Cloninger received no cockpit warning indicating that the wheel had separated. He and his flight lead canceled the flyover and remained near the airfield to assess the aircraft. Cloninger took responsibility for navigation and communications, slowed below the maximum landing-gear extension speed and lowered the gear. His flight lead then flew alongside the F-22 and confirmed that the complete right main wheel assembly was missing. Pilot Selects Gear-Up Landing The F-22’s flight manuals contained no specific procedure for landing after losing a complete wheel assembly. Using crew resource management, Cloninger consulted with his flight lead and chose the landing-with-gear-up procedure rather than attempting an asymmetric landing with the remaining gear extended. Before landing, Cloninger stayed airborne for about one hour to burn excess fuel, reducing the aircraft’s landing weight and the risk of a post-impact fire. He coordinated preparations with the air traffic control tower, crash-response units and the operations supervisor. He also conducted a low approach over the runway to assess the aircraft’s handling using the emergency alternate-flap flight-control mode. F-22 Safely Recovered For the final landing, Cloninger used a shallow glide path and calculated on-speed descent before touching down on the runway centerline. The F-22 slid to a stop without catching fire. Cloninger immediately shut down both engines and safely exited the aircraft. Maintenance personnel later completed diagnostic checks and structural repairs, allowing the F-22 to return to flying condition and be flown out of the theater. The Air Force described the recovery as an unprecedented recovery for an F-22 after a belly landing. Cloninger Credits His Teammates During the Pentagon ceremony, Wilsbach praised Cloninger’s discipline, teamwork and decision-making during the emergency. Cloninger credited the personnel who supported him throughout the incident, particularly those who assisted with communications and checklists. “Without my teammates assisting with communication and walking through the checklists, I truly believe I wouldn’t be standing here today,” Cloninger said. About the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy Established in 1957, the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy is the Air Force’s premier flight-safety award and the only one personally presented by the Chief of Staff. It recognizes aircrew members whose situational awareness, technical judgment or piloting skill prevents an aircraft accident or significantly limits its consequences. The award honors 1st Lt. Koren Kolligian Jr., whose Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star disappeared off the California coast on Sept. 14, 1955. He was later declared missing in the line of duty. Kris Kolligian, the nephew of the trophy’s namesake, attended the Pentagon ceremony.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-12 11:27:56
U.S
GRAHAM, Kentucky — Tampa, Florida-based defense contractor Nitradyn LLC has been awarded a $581 million Department of War contract to design, construct and commission a new domestic production facility for Insensitive Munition Explosive-104 (IMX-104) in Graham, Kentucky. The facility is expected to produce approximately 8 million pounds of IMX-104 annually once fully operational. Commissioning is planned before the end of 2030, with the contract listing an estimated completion date of August 9, 2030. The firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is managed by Army Contracting Command at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. The new plant will be built at the same Graham site where the U.S. Army is constructing a TNT production facility. Together, the two projects will form an explosives manufacturing campus capable of producing multiple energetic formulations. IMX-104 is a melt-castable explosive made from RDX, NTO and DNAN. It is used as an explosive fill in 155 mm artillery shells and mortar rounds. The formulation was developed as an insensitive munition designed to provide greater resistance to accidental detonation from hazards such as fire, fragments and impact compared with traditional TNT fills. Nitradyn plans to manufacture all three IMX-104 components—RDX, NTO and DNAN—at the Graham site. The facility will also produce HMX and will include additional capacity for other energetic materials in the future. The project comes as the U.S. Army works to expand domestic ammunition production and address constraints in the supply of explosive fillers needed for increased 155 mm artillery shell production. The United States has also relied on allied countries, including Australia, India and Poland, to help offset domestic shortages of energetic materials. Nitradyn President Braden Lusk said the contract represents an investment in U.S. capacity to produce critical munitions. He said combining the IMX-104 facility with the TNT project will create an advanced explosives manufacturing campus capable of producing a diverse range of formulations. Lusk also said the facility will strengthen the domestic industrial base, create American jobs and increase U.S. capacity to meet future defense requirements. Founded in 2025, Nitradyn LLC is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and was established as a joint venture between Dyno Nobel Limited and Paligen Chemical LLC, part of the Paligen Technologies group. The company manufactures and supplies explosives, propellants and energetic materials for defense and commercial customers. The Graham IMX-104 project will add another major domestic explosives production capability alongside the planned TNT facility, expanding U.S. capacity for several key military energetic materials at one location.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-11 15:42:31
U.S
WASHINGTON — Senior White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have privately warned President Donald Trump that the U.S. conflict with Iran could continue through the end of his current term in January 2029, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal. The private assessment contrasts with Trump's recent public statements. On September 10, Trump said he expected the conflict to end after the November midterm elections and argued that Iran was under severe pressure. Advisers See Possibility of a Long Conflict According to the reported discussions, senior U.S. officials believe Iran could continue resisting American military and economic pressure, including the naval blockade and sanctions. The assessment indicates that there is no clear near-term path to a comprehensive ceasefire or a full restoration of normal commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February and has now continued for more than six months. Fighting has included periods of intense military activity, retaliatory strikes and disruptions to shipping. Recent fighting has centered increasingly on maritime routes. On September 9, Iran said it had attacked 10 ships after the U.S. military sank five Iranian oil tankers following attacks on U.S. naval forces. The escalation sharply reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed oil prices above $100 per barrel. U.S. Military Deployments Extended The possibility of a prolonged conflict is also reflected in U.S. military planning. According to The Wall Street Journal, some American military deployments in the Middle East have been extended into 2027, while some air-defense units are expected to remain in the region without a fixed withdrawal date. The continued deployments indicate that Washington is preparing for the possibility that military operations and regional security requirements will continue beyond the immediate period surrounding the November elections. Iran Continues to Resist Pressure Iran has continued to signal that it intends to resist the U.S. campaign despite the economic costs. Reuters reported that the U.S.-led blockade and sanctions have placed significant pressure on Iran's economy, while Iranian officials and analysts have continued to consider ways to maintain resistance. The conflict has also included renewed attacks involving Iranian forces, U.S. military assets and commercial shipping. The latest escalation has increased concerns that the fighting could remain at a lower but sustained level even if the intensity of major operations declines. Fighting Expands Around Red Sea The conflict has also widened beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen recently seized the port of Mocha and advanced toward areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another important maritime route. Reuters reported that the development has increased concerns over shipping and Saudi oil exports. The situation around both Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb has added further pressure to regional energy transportation. Shipping through Hormuz remains significantly below pre-war levels, while attacks and security concerns in the Red Sea are affecting another major route. Oil Prices Rise Above $100 The continuing disruption has also affected global energy markets. On September 10, Brent crude settled at $107.63 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reached $102.48, according to Reuters. Both benchmarks moved above $100 as tanker attacks increased concerns about supply disruptions. Reuters also reported on September 11 that oil prices remained on track for a weekly gain of more than 8% despite falling during the day's trading. The market continues to respond to uncertainty surrounding oil shipments through Hormuz and the Red Sea. The latest developments leave Washington facing the possibility of a much longer confrontation than the timeline publicly suggested by Trump. While the president continues to expect the conflict to end after the November midterms, private assessments by senior officials indicate that the U.S.-Iran confrontation could potentially continue through the remainder of Trump's term in January 2029.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-11 15:34:27Search
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