U.S
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Northrop Grumman has unveiled Raid Hunter™, the official name of its new 50mm Gun-Based Air Defense (GBAD) system designed to provide short-range, layered protection against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drone swarms and other aerial threats. The company said Raid Hunter is intended to address a gap in short-range air defense by providing high-capacity firepower against large and mixed aerial raids. The system is designed to protect military bases, airfields and other critical infrastructure. We’re introducing Raid Hunter™, our newly named 50mm gun-based air defense system designed to defeat mass, mixed aerial raids with cost-effective interceptors and deep magazine effectors which can be delivered to the warfighter at scale. Learn more: https://t.co/gnOzpo0RA3 pic.twitter.com/oTqORTG9Q4 — Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) August 11, 2026 50mm gun and guided ammunition Raid Hunter combines Chain Gun® technology, precision-guided 50mm ammunition and a networked, interoperable system controller. According to Northrop Grumman, the combination provides a high rate of fire, deep magazines and fast reloads for engagements involving high volumes of aerial threats. The system is designed to counter a range of threats, including high-priority cruise missiles, UAS and other advanced aerial threats. Its guided 50mm ammunition is intended to support cost-considerate engagements against massed threats. Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager of command and control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman, said Raid Hunter addresses a critical short-range defense gap by providing rapid, high-capacity protection against complex aerial threats such as cruise missiles and drone swarms. He said air defenders need systems capable of dealing with large and complex raids designed to overwhelm traditional defense systems. According to Todorov, Raid Hunter provides a cost-effective and deep-magazine solution that can be rapidly delivered to the warfighter at scale. Modular design and deployment Northrop Grumman said Raid Hunter uses a modular, palletized design that enables rapid transportation on C-130 aircraft. The company also plans future vehicle-mounted and container-based configurations, which are intended to expand the system's deployment options. The modular design is intended to support different operational requirements while allowing the system to be integrated into layered air-defense architectures. Part of Raid Defense Solutions Raid Hunter is part of Northrop Grumman's Raid Defense Solutions portfolio, which focuses on layered kinetic capabilities for protection against increasingly complex and high-volume aerial threats, including coordinated drone swarms. The portfolio combines fielded programs with AI-enabled command and control, sensor fusion and high-rate firepower. Northrop Grumman said these capabilities are intended to support faster detection, decision-making and coordinated engagements across different operational scenarios. Testing planned Northrop Grumman said it is continuing to work with government and allied partners to mature Raid Hunter's capabilities. Planned testing throughout the year will be used to further validate system performance and support accelerated fielding. The company has not disclosed specific customers, contract values or production quantities for Raid Hunter in the information provided. Raid Hunter represents Northrop Grumman's latest effort to expand its counter-UAS and air-defense capabilities with a 50mm gun-based system designed specifically for high-volume aerial threats.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-12 13:19:36
U.S
ARLINGTON, Va. — Leonardo DRS announced that its SGT STOUT Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) Mission Equipment Package successfully defeated Group 1 and Group 2 small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) during a recent U.S. government test event. According to Leonardo DRS, the expanded capability was achieved through software updates to the system’s detection and fire-control functions. The company said the test did not require the addition of new physical hardware to the Mission Equipment Package. The SGT STOUT is the U.S. Army’s M-SHORAD system based on a Stryker vehicle. The Army renamed the system in June 2024 after Sgt. Mitchell W. Stout, a Medal of Honor recipient who served with the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment during the Vietnam War. Expanded Counter-Drone Capability SGT STOUT was developed to provide mobile air defense for maneuver formations. Leonardo DRS says the system can detect, identify and track air threats using onboard sensors and engage them with multiple kinetic effectors. The company’s current description also identifies Group 1 and Group 2 UAS as smaller air threats that the system can defeat at closer ranges using direct fire when required. The recent government test demonstrates an expansion from the system’s original focus on larger Group 3 unmanned aircraft systems, as well as rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. Leonardo DRS said the new capability allows the existing Mission Equipment Package to address smaller drone threats without replacing its hardware. The company attributed the software-based upgrade path to SGT STOUT’s modular and open-architecture design. “SGT STOUT was engineered from the start for modernization, so capability can evolve as the threat evolves,” said Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Systems business unit. “This event highlights an upgrade path that emphasizes speed, safety, cybersecurity-by-design, and operational interoperability.” Designed for Maneuver Forces SGT STOUT is designed for formation-based air defense, rather than primarily serving as a stationary point-defense system. Its mission equipment combines sensing, cueing and engagement functions to support maneuvering forces. Leonardo DRS previously described the system as providing the mobility, survivability and lethality needed to move with Brigade Combat Teams while detecting, tracking and defeating low-altitude aerial threats. The system also integrates with existing Army networks and is interoperable with Sentinel radar. The U.S. Army has also been developing tactics for using SGT STOUT against Group 1 and Group 2 UAS. An Army Air Defense Artillery Journal article published in June 2026 identified counter-small-UAS training and updated tactics as important areas for SGT STOUT units. Existing System and Future Upgrades The Mission Equipment Package uses modular and platform-portable interfaces, allowing additional technologies to be integrated without redesigning the complete platform. Leonardo DRS has identified potential future additions including passive detection options, artificial intelligence-enabled decision aids, edge computing and new effectors. The company said several proven technologies could be incorporated into SGT STOUT systems already operating in the field. These upgrades are intended to further improve the system’s ability to detect, track and defeat Group 1 and Group 2 drone threats. The Army’s 2027 budget documents also show ongoing investment in SGT STOUT modernization, including software upgrades for its Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radars and other product-improvement work. The system is mounted on a Stryker platform and uses a combination of sensors, guns and missiles. Leonardo DRS lists the XM914 30 mm cannon and M240 7.62 mm machine gun among its onboard weapons, while the Army has also demonstrated Stinger missile launches from SGT STOUT during training in 2026. Lessons From Counter-UAS Programs Leonardo DRS said it is also using experience from its role as prime contractor on the Mobile Low, Slow UAS Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS) program. The company said lessons from SGT STOUT and other counter-UAS work are supporting the continued development of modular, software-driven air-defense capabilities. The latest test therefore demonstrates that changes to the SGT STOUT capability do not necessarily require a new vehicle or a new hardware configuration. In this case, Leonardo DRS said the ability to defeat Group 1 and Group 2 small drones was demonstrated through updates to the existing detection and fire-control software.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-12 13:10:34
World
YALOVA, Türkiye, August 12, 2026 — A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed on Wednesday during a training flight in the northwestern province of Yalova, the Turkish Defense Ministry said. The aircraft was involved in the incident at Yalova Airfield Command. The pilot successfully ejected before the crash and survived. “One of our Air Force’s F-16 aircraft crashed in Yalova during a training flight; the pilot ejected and survived,” the Defense Ministry said. The ministry added that the cause of the crash will be determined through a detailed investigation. Yalova Governor Ahmet Hamdi Usta also confirmed the accident and said he was heading to the scene. Local media footage showed black smoke rising from a field near the crash site. Military authorities secured the area, while an investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident. Officials have not provided further details about the pilot’s condition or any damage or injuries on the ground.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-12 12:55:37
World
SEOUL — North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Wonsan area toward the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, early Wednesday, according to South Korea and Japan. The launch came less than a week before the start of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises between South Korea and the United States. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was launched at around 6 a.m. local time from the Wonsan area on North Korea’s eastern coast. South Korean authorities said it traveled more than 700 kilometers, while Japan’s Defense Ministry estimated the distance at about 690 kilometers and the maximum altitude at around 90 kilometers. Japanese authorities said the missile landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone, and there were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships. Missile Type Still Under Analysis South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff has not yet identified the exact type of missile. Officials said a detailed analysis is being carried out by South Korean and U.S. authorities. The reported flight distance falls within the range generally associated with short-range ballistic missiles, but Seoul has not officially classified Wednesday’s weapon as an SRBM. Analysts have therefore left open several possibilities regarding the missile’s identity. Hong Min, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul, said the missile’s range, trajectory and launch location could indicate a hypersonic-type weapon, while a submarine-launched missile was also considered a possibility. These remain assessments rather than an official identification of the weapon. Second Launch From Wonsan in Less Than a Week Wednesday’s launch was the second ballistic missile firing from the Wonsan area in less than a week. South Korean authorities said North Korea launched another ballistic missile from the same area on August 6. That missile reportedly traveled about 300 kilometers. North Korean state media did not report the August 6 launch. Hong Min said the earlier test may not have achieved its intended objective, although North Korea has not publicly confirmed the reason for not reporting it. South Korean assessments indicate that Wednesday’s launch was North Korea’s 11th suspected ballistic missile test of 2026. The country’s missile testing this year has included short-range ballistic missiles, artillery rockets and other tactical weapons. Launch Comes Before Ulchi Freedom Shield The missile launch took place five days before the scheduled start of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. The annual South Korean-U.S. military drills are scheduled for August 17 to August 27 and are intended to improve the allies’ ability to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and weapons capabilities. North Korea has repeatedly criticised U.S.-South Korean military exercises, describing them as preparations for an invasion. Hong Min said Wednesday’s missile test could be part of North Korea’s existing weapons development program, while the timing may also have been selected to send a political message ahead of the exercises. “Even if it was a test of a weapon under development, choosing when to conduct it requires a political decision,” Hong said. South Korea, Japan and U.S. Respond South Korea’s Office of National Security held an emergency meeting following the launch and called on North Korea to stop actions that violate United Nations Security Council resolutions. The South Korean military said it was maintaining readiness under its combined defence posture with the United States and was prepared to respond to further provocations. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said it was consulting with allies and partners. Its initial assessment was that the launch did not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to U.S. allies. Japan also condemned the launch. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Tokyo had lodged a strong protest with North Korea through diplomatic channels at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing. He said the launch threatened peace and security in Japan, the region and the wider international community. North Korea Criticizes South Korea and Japan North Korea did not immediately issue a statement specifically addressing the Wonsan missile launch. However, its officials and state media issued separate criticism of South Korea and Japan on Wednesday. A North Korean Foreign Ministry official responsible for South Korean affairs criticised Seoul’s plans related to nuclear-powered submarines, describing them as a serious security challenge for North Korea. The official said Pyongyang needed retaliatory capabilities against military moves by its opponents. In separate commentary, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA accused Japan of seeking nuclear weapons under the cover of peaceful nuclear energy. The commentary referred to Japan’s nuclear power program and domestic political debate over nuclear armament. The latest missile launch adds to tensions on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the U.S.-South Korean military exercises. South Korean, Japanese and U.S. authorities are continuing to assess the missile’s exact type and technical characteristics.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-12 12:50:09
U.S
Huntsville, Alabama — Boeing has completed a series of tests of its newly developed Ultra Low-Cost Seeker (ULCS), an active radar seeker designed to provide lower-cost precision guidance for a range of offensive and defensive weapon systems. The company announced the testing progress this week as the Space and Missile Defense Symposium opened in Huntsville, Alabama. Boeing is evaluating the ULCS for possible integration into its direct-attack, cruise missile, and integrated air and missile defense portfolios. Testing Across Multiple Environments The latest test campaign concluded earlier this summer and examined the seeker's detection and tracking performance as well as its ability to withstand the physical stresses associated with flight. Testing included an anechoic chamber, captive-carry flights and a surrogate rocket launch. During captive-carry testing, the ULCS was mounted on the nose of a Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. The aircraft operated over both land and maritime environments to evaluate the sensor's ability to detect and track targets. At Spaceport America in New Mexico, Boeing also tested the seeker from a fixed ground position. The ULCS successfully tracked a passing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Boeing then mounted the seeker on a surrogate rocket. During the flight, the sensor tracked a secondary drone equipped with a radar reflector to represent a larger target. According to Boeing, the seeker detected and tracked its targets in each test and survived the acceleration and vibration associated with the rocket launch. Commercial Components and Open Architecture The ULCS is an active radar seeker built primarily from commercial off-the-shelf components that Boeing has adapted for military applications. Boeing is using a modular, open-systems architecture for the seeker. The company says this approach is intended to support high-volume production and allow a common sensor architecture to be used across several weapons programs. The effort also draws on Boeing's experience producing the active radar seeker used by the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE). Boeing currently produces PAC-3 seekers in Huntsville, Alabama, as a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin. Unlike the more sophisticated PAC-3 seeker, the ULCS is being developed for lower-complexity threats where a lower-cost seeker could support larger production quantities. Potential Applications Boeing is evaluating the ULCS for use across several weapon categories, including direct-attack weapons, cruise missiles and integrated air and missile defense systems. The company describes the seeker as being intended to support weapons capable of operating in all weather conditions and engaging moving targets. Bob Ciesla, vice president of Boeing Precision Engagement Systems, said the company wants to use a common sensor architecture across several programs. “We are developing ULCS with the goal of sharing a common sensor architecture across several of our programs. It is modular, producible and built with Weapons Open Systems Architecture to speed integration and future changes,” Ciesla said. Boeing's broader air and missile defense portfolio already includes PAC-3 seeker production and other missile-defense systems. The company says its PAC-3 seekers provide active guidance data for target acquisition, aim-point selection and terminal guidance. Further Flight Testing Planned Boeing engineers are now analyzing data collected during the latest test campaign to refine the ULCS design. The company plans to conduct additional advanced flight tests in 2027 using configurations that more closely represent the seeker's intended end-use applications. Steve Wright, Boeing's senior manager for weapon sensors and advanced guidance, said further development work remains but described the recent testing as evidence that the ULCS concept is viable. “We still have more work to do but the rapid testing our teams have completed prove that this capability is real and will fundamentally change how we look at seeker affordability across our programs,” Wright said. Boeing has not provided a specific unit cost for the ULCS. The company is instead focusing on its use of commercial components, modular design and open-systems architecture as the basis for developing a seeker that can be produced in larger quantities and integrated into multiple weapons programs.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-12 12:28:39
World
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian forces may be attempting to equip some Shahed-type long-range attack drones with two different electronic warfare (EW) systems, one intended to suppress Ukrainian interceptor drones and another designed to interfere with ground-based radar systems, according to Ukrainian radio technology expert and Defense Ministry adviser Serhiy “Flash” Beskrestnov. Beskrestnov reported in May 2026 that there were reasonable suspicions that certain Shahed drones had been fitted with EW equipment for these two purposes. The report did not establish that all Shahed drones carry such systems. EW Systems Intended to Counter Interceptor Drones One of the suspected EW systems is intended to interfere with Ukrainian interceptor drones used to attack Shahed-type UAVs. According to Beskrestnov, the system can target the video transmission between an interceptor drone and its operator on the ground. By transmitting interference on the relevant frequencies, the onboard jammer can make it difficult or impossible for the operator to receive the interceptor's live video feed. The loss of the video connection is particularly relevant for FPV-style interceptor drones that depend on an operator to control the final approach toward a target. Beskrestnov has also explained that the frequencies used by Ukrainian interceptor drones can be identified because information about some of the equipment and communication systems is publicly available. Possible Radar-Jamming System The second suspected EW system would have a different role: creating interference for ground-based radar systems. Beskrestnov described the presence of such equipment as a reasonable suspicion rather than a confirmed feature of every Shahed. The available reporting therefore does not establish how many drones may carry radar-jamming equipment or how effective such a system is against Ukrainian radar networks. Evidence of EW Modifications The reports are part of a broader series of modifications observed on Russian Shahed/Geran-type drones. Ukrainian officials have previously confirmed that some modified Shahed-type drones have been equipped with electronic warfare systems intended to suppress Ukrainian interceptor drones. In May 2026, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Oleksii Vyskub said that such modified drones had been observed during Russian attacks. Other modifications reported on Shahed-type drones include additional antennas and cameras. Ukrainian analysts have also reported rear-facing cameras on some drones, although the exact operational purpose of individual modifications can vary. Russia has also been changing the types and tactics of Shahed-family drones used in attacks. Serhiy Beskrestnov said in July that Russia was increasingly using jet-powered Shahed variants for attacks deeper inside Ukraine after Ukrainian forces improved their ability to intercept conventional propeller-driven versions. Continuing Drone and EW Competition The reported EW modifications reflect the continuing adaptation of Russian long-range attack drones in response to Ukraine's use of interceptor drones. Ukrainian forces have increasingly used relatively low-cost interceptor UAVs against Shahed-type attack drones. Russia has responded with modifications intended to make its drones more difficult to intercept, including electronic warfare equipment and other changes to their configuration. However, the exact number of Shahed drones equipped with the suspected two types of EW systems, their technical specifications and their overall effectiveness remain unclear. For now, the key assessment from Beskrestnov is that some Russian Shahed-type drones may be carrying one EW system intended to suppress Ukrainian interceptor drones and another intended to create interference for ground-based radar systems. This remains a reported assessment rather than confirmation that the capability is present across the entire Shahed fleet.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-12 12:07:34
U.S
BOULDER, Colo. — SciTec, a wholly owned subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY), has been awarded a $93,704,410 firm-fixed-price Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) by the U.S. Space Force for the Ground-Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) program. The contract will support the development of a common architecture and design for modernizing U.S. ground-based radar systems. Space Systems Command, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the contracting activity. The work is expected to continue through April 21, 2028, with activities to be performed in Arlington, Texas; Princeton, New Jersey; and Woburn, Massachusetts. Three Companies Selected for Radar Digitization SciTec is one of three companies selected by the Space Force for the GBRD effort. The contracts have a combined value of approximately $423.4 million. Company Contract value Raytheon Corp. $309,472,660 SciTec Innovations LLC $93,704,410 WildStar LLC $20,226,551 Total $423,403,621 The contracts were awarded through a competitive acquisition process that received eight offers. The U.S. government also obligated $107.436 million in fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds at the time of the awards. Modernizing Six Legacy Radar Systems The GBRD program covers the digitization of six legacy radar systems, consisting of five Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) sites and one Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) site. The modernization effort is intended to create a common architecture and design for the upgraded ground-based radars. According to the program description, the work is aimed at improving battlespace situational awareness through increased radar tracking capacity, range and object classification while also addressing system obsolescence and sustainment challenges. The program's focus on digitization is intended to address aging radar infrastructure and establish a more common approach to upgrading the systems. The Space Force has not publicly provided all technical details of the planned architecture. SciTec's Role Under its $93.7 million agreement, SciTec will contribute to the GBRD modernization effort alongside Raytheon and WildStar. SciTec has more than four decades of experience supporting national security missions. Its work includes defense software, data processing and capabilities supporting areas such as missile warning and defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, space domain awareness, remote sensing and autonomous command and control. David Simenc, president of SciTec, said: “SciTec is honored to support the Space Force. This effort strengthens national defense, modernizing vital radar infrastructure and ensuring the United States maintains an operational advantage in an increasingly contested environment while minimizing total lifecycle costs to taxpayers and warfighters.” Firefly Completed SciTec Acquisition in 2025 The radar contract also comes after Firefly Aerospace completed its acquisition of SciTec in late 2025. Firefly announced the completion of the transaction on November 5, 2025, after announcing the planned acquisition the previous month. Firefly agreed to acquire SciTec for approximately $855 million, with the transaction involving cash and Firefly shares. The acquisition brought SciTec's national-security software and data-processing capabilities into Firefly's broader space and defense business. SciTec has continued operating as part of Firefly following the acquisition. Firefly Aerospace has capabilities spanning launch, lunar and in-space operations. In March 2025, its Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed on the Moon, an achievement also documented by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The GBRD award adds another U.S. government modernization program to SciTec's defense portfolio and gives the company a role in the planned digitization of legacy ground-based radar infrastructure. The current contract is scheduled to run through April 21, 2028.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 16:27:56
U.S
The United States is maintaining a significant naval presence in the Middle East as the 60-day negotiating period established under the June U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding approaches its deadline. The June 17 memorandum established a maximum 60-day period for Washington and Tehran to negotiate a final agreement, with the period extendable by mutual consent. The agreement also addressed the U.S. naval blockade and called for its removal, with the blockade to be fully ended within 30 days. Because of that provision, the U.S. naval presence in the region is more accurately described as a dual-carrier presence rather than a confirmed continuing blockade. Two Aircraft Carriers Remain Central to U.S. Naval Presence The U.S. naval force in the Middle East includes the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), according to the information provided. The presence of the two carriers provides the U.S. Navy with substantial aviation and maritime capabilities while negotiations over a longer-term U.S.-Iran agreement continue. The June memorandum called for an immediate start to the removal of the U.S. naval blockade and its complete removal within 30 days. It also included provisions for the restoration of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The supplied operational data states that U.S. Central Command forces had redirected 55 commercial vessels, boarded two vessels and kinetically disabled two others as part of maritime enforcement operations. These specific figures could not be independently confirmed through an official U.S. government source available for this report and are therefore treated as reported figures rather than independently verified facts. Extended Deployment of USS Abraham Lincoln The USS Abraham Lincoln is approaching nine months of deployment, according to the supplied information. The long deployment has raised concerns among some family members about conditions aboard the carrier. U.S. 5th Fleet spokesperson Cmdr. Joseph Hontz acknowledged that deployments lasting more than 250 days present challenges for sailors and equipment. Hontz said the carrier remains capable of carrying out its assigned missions and has adequate food and provisions. He also acknowledged that the ship has occasionally experienced short periods when certain supplies were running low. The supplied information also reports continued carrier aviation activity, including the launch of an EA-18G Growler from Electronic Attack Squadron 133 from Abraham Lincoln on July 31. USS George Washington Operates in the South China Sea While the Middle East force remains focused on the Iran situation, the U.S. Navy continues to maintain a separate carrier presence in the Indo-Pacific. The Nimitz-class USS George Washington (CVN-73) recently completed a scheduled five-day port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam. The carrier arrived on July 30, according to the U.S. Navy, alongside elements of Carrier Strike Group 5. The visit was the fourth U.S. aircraft-carrier visit to Vietnam and followed earlier U.S.-Vietnam naval engagements. The carrier is operating with other ships from its strike group, including the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls and guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup. The supplied information also identifies USS Benfold as part of the group. Open-source flight-tracking information cited in the supplied data placed the group approximately 100 nautical miles west of Luzon in the Philippines. A CMV-22B Osprey associated with Carrier Air Wing 5, using the callsign RUDY73, was also reported to have made a round trip to Clark Air Base in the Philippines. USS Theodore Roosevelt Returns to San Diego The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) has returned to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego following approximately two months away that included participation in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026. RIMPAC 2026 ran from June 24 through July 31 around Hawaii and involved dozens of nations, ships, aircraft and personnel. The U.S. Navy describes RIMPAC as a major multinational maritime exercise. After returning to San Diego, Theodore Roosevelt hosted nearly 2,000 friends and family members for a "tiger cruise" over the weekend of August 8. The event gave family members an opportunity to observe carrier operations and the working environment of the crew. Capt. William Mathis, the carrier's commanding officer, said the event was intended to allow sailors to demonstrate their professionalism and help their families understand their work. The carrier's future deployment is not clear from publicly verified information. The supplied data states that possible future tasking could include relieving Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East or conducting operations in the Western Pacific, depending on developments in the U.S.-Iran negotiations. Amphibious Fleet Faces Continued Demand The Navy's amphibious forces also remain heavily committed. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith has previously highlighted the shortage of Amphibious Ready Groups available to meet combatant-commanders' requirements. In May, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assumed the Littoral Combat Force-24 designation in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. The force operates as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force and is centered on the amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28). The Littoral Combat Force-24 concept provides a different deployment model from a traditional Amphibious Ready Group. U.S. Southern Command has described it as an agile force designed to provide operational options in the region. Other amphibious ships are also moving through training and deployment cycles. The USS Essex (LHD-2) participated in RIMPAC 2026 and subsequently conducted operations around Pearl Harbor as it prepared to leave the area following the exercise. The supplied information states that USS Makin Island completed ARGMEUEX training on July 31, while USS Essex departed Pearl Harbor following RIMPAC. U.S. Navy Maintains a Global Carrier Posture The supplied fleet assessment indicates that three U.S. aircraft carriers are deployed globally, while three are in various stages of workups or homeport readiness, four are undergoing maintenance and one is assigned to training. For the amphibious fleet, the same assessment lists one Amphibious Ready Group as deployed, five in port or training and three undergoing maintenance. These figures represent a snapshot of the fleet's status and can change as ships complete maintenance, training and deployment rotations. For the Middle East, the key issue remains the outcome of the U.S.-Iran negotiations. The June memorandum established the 60-day negotiating period while also requiring the removal of the U.S. naval blockade. As the deadline approaches, the disposition of U.S. carrier forces in the Middle East will remain closely linked to developments in the negotiations and the broader security situation around the Strait of Hormuz. Recent reporting indicates that discussions over reopening the waterway and reaching a longer-term arrangement remain ongoing. Note: I changed “dual-carrier blockade” to “dual-carrier presence” because the verified June 17 U.S.-Iran memorandum explicitly required the U.S. naval blockade to be fully ended within 30 days. Describing a continuing blockade as an established fact would conflict with the verified agreement. Source : TWZ
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 16:16:12
World
NORTHERN SYRIA — The Syrian Air Force has resumed training flights with at least two Su-22 fighter-bombers as the country’s new government continues efforts to rebuild its aviation capabilities following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. Video footage analyzed by aviation analyst Hassan shows two Su-22M3/M4 aircraft flying over northern Syria. The aircraft are export versions of the Soviet Su-17 fighter-bomber. Reports have identified the flights as part of renewed training activity involving Syrian fixed-wing combat aircraft. The exact number of Su-22s that are currently airworthy remains unclear. According to The Military Balance, Syria had 20 Su-22M3/M4 aircraft in its inventory in 2024, before the change of government. طائرات سوخوي سورية تجري طلعات تدريبية فوق سماء عدة محافظات سورية. pic.twitter.com/JqYwI2urOB — مُضَر | Modar (@ivarmm) August 10, 2026 Syria Begins Rebuilding Its Air Force Most of the aircraft left behind after the fall of the Assad government were reportedly found in storage and were not considered ready for flight. The new government has not disclosed the exact number or types of aircraft that have been preserved and returned to service. The rebuilding effort began soon after the political transition. In December 2024, rebel forces seized several SA342 Gazelle helicopters equipped with anti-tank missiles at Mezzeh Air Base in Damascus. In January 2025, former rebels from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began organizing aviation units for training and territorial patrols. By March, the new government’s forces had used Mi-24 attack helicopters in combat against remaining pro-Assad forces. The new authorities also returned the Su-22 to the air. On September 7, 2025, an Su-22 was flown from Shayrat Air Base, marking the first reported flight of the type by the new Syrian government. The latest flights over northern Syria therefore follow earlier efforts to restore a limited fixed-wing capability. Training Expansion The renewed Su-22 activity comes after the graduation of 1,000 cadets from the Syrian Air Force College on July 26. They were the first class trained entirely under the new administration. The graduation ceremony was held at Khalid bin al-Walid Air Base, formerly known as Kuweires, east of Aleppo. L-39 trainer aircraft and Mi-24 helicopters took part in ceremonial flyovers. Reports from Israeli sources have also described an accelerated effort by Syria to rebuild its air power, including recruitment of pilots and training involving trainer aircraft, helicopters and fighter aircraft. The recent Su-22 flights reportedly took place over northern Syrian provinces, including Idlib. Reports identified the pilots as Abdullah al-Obeido from Kafr Nabl and Ibrahim al-Khalid from Maarat al-Numan, although independent confirmation of their identities was not available in the sources reviewed. Five Decades of Su-22 Operations in Syria Syria has operated the Su-22 family for decades. The country received its first 15 Su-20 aircraft, an earlier export version of the Su-17, from the Soviet Union in 1973. Eight were lost during that year's war with Israel. The Soviet Union later supplied additional aircraft. Syria received Su-22M-3s in 1983 and at least 42 Su-22M-4Ks between 1984 and 1985. Syrian industry also upgraded the remaining older Su-22Ms to the Su-22M-2K standard. In 2010, Syria allocated funding for a gradual modernization program. At that time, the fleet consisted of seven Su-22M-2s, 12 Su-22M-3s, 24 Su-22M-4Ks, five Su-22UM-2Ks and four to five Su-22UM-4Ks, giving an estimated total of 52–53 aircraft. The fleet suffered substantial losses during the Syrian civil war. The first confirmed Su-22 loss occurred on February 14, 2013, when rebels shot down an aircraft using a man-portable air-defense system. Several aircraft underwent major overhauls in 2014, but by mid-2015 only about a dozen Su-22s were reported to remain fully combat-ready. The prolonged combat operations had also depleted bomb stocks and spare external fuel tanks. By mid-2016, around 30 Su-22s of different variants remained, distributed among three squadrons at Tiyas, Shayrat and Dmeir air bases. Further losses followed. On July 24, 2018, Israel said it had shot down a Syrian Sukhoi fighter after it entered Israeli airspace. Israel said two Patriot missiles were fired; Syrian authorities disputed the claim that the aircraft had entered Israeli airspace. The aircraft was identified by Syrian sources as a Su-22. In August 2019, Syrian opposition groups reported shooting down another Syrian Su-22 over the Idlib area. Russia-Syria Agreement Covers Hmeimim and Tartus The rebuilding of Syria's military aviation is also taking place alongside a new agreement with Russia. On August 9, Syria and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding concerning the future of Russia's military presence at Hmeimim Air Base near Latakia and the naval facility at Tartus. The agreement followed 18 months of negotiations. Under the agreement, Syria will take over management of civilian facilities, including Hmeimim Airport and the commercial section of Tartus Port. Military facilities are to be transformed into joint training and qualification centres, with the transition scheduled to be completed within three months. Russian forces are expected to remain at the new training facilities, although the number of personnel has not been specified. The latest Su-22 flights are therefore part of a broader process in which the new Syrian government is rebuilding its military aviation structure, training personnel and attempting to return some surviving aircraft to operational use. However, the number of Su-22s currently capable of sustained operations remains unknown, and the available evidence does not establish the size of the restored fleet. The recent flights demonstrate that at least a small number of the aircraft have returned to the air, but they do not by themselves establish the overall readiness of Syria's rebuilt air force. Source : militarnyi
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 15:57:19
U.S
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Northrop Grumman is advancing its Project Talon initiative, a connected autonomous combat ecosystem that brings together autonomy software development, flight testing and modular uncrewed aircraft. The company’s approach is focused on reducing the time required to move new autonomous capabilities from development and laboratory testing to flight evaluation and, ultimately, operational applications. Northrop Grumman describes Project Talon as part of its broader effort to develop open-architecture autonomous systems that can be adapted as mission requirements change. Project Talon includes two principal elements: Talon IQ, an autonomous flight-test environment, and the YFQ-48A Talon Blue, an autonomous wingman aircraft intended to operate with crewed aircraft. Project Talon links software testing with operational aircraft The central idea behind Project Talon is to separate the development and testing of autonomy software from the development of the final combat aircraft. Talon IQ provides a flight environment where autonomy capabilities can be integrated and evaluated using an existing aircraft platform. Software can then be refined before being transferred to other aircraft. Northrop Grumman has described its autonomy approach as based on open architecture and interoperability. The company says this allows different technologies and software providers to work with its autonomous systems rather than limiting development to a single software solution. The approach has already been demonstrated through Talon IQ flights. In March 2026, Northrop Grumman and Shield AI tested Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy software on the Talon IQ aircraft. During the flight, Hivemind controlled mission-level behaviors before control was transferred back to Northrop Grumman's Prism autonomy system. The demonstration was intended to show the ability to integrate third-party autonomy software into the open-architecture test environment. YFQ-48A Talon Blue The second major element of Project Talon is the YFQ-48A Talon Blue. Northrop Grumman developed the aircraft after its original Collaborative Combat Aircraft proposal did not advance to the final selection in the Air Force's first CCA competition. The U.S. Air Force selected General Atomics' YFQ-42A and Anduril's YFQ-44A for the first increment of the program. Northrop Grumman subsequently redesigned its concept with Scaled Composites, its subsidiary, focusing on a simpler airframe and faster manufacturing. The Air Force formally assigned the YFQ-48A designation to Northrop Grumman's Project Talon aircraft in December 2025. At the time, the company said the new aircraft was significantly different from its earlier CCA design. According to figures disclosed by Northrop Grumman, the YFQ-48A has approximately 50 percent fewer parts, weighs about 1,000 pounds less than the company's previous CCA proposal and can be manufactured approximately 30 percent faster. The aircraft makes extensive use of composite structures, while some components are based on existing aerospace designs. The company has also been conducting ground testing of the aircraft. The YFQ-48A completed an engine start earlier in 2026 and conducted its first taxi test in May. Northrop Grumman describes the Talon Blue as a modular, cost-effective and rapidly deployable autonomous wingman, with the design intended to support different mission configurations. Talon IQ is based on Model 437 Talon IQ uses the Scaled Composites Model 437 as its flight-test platform. The Model 437 is a 41-foot-long aircraft with a 41-foot wingspan and a gross takeoff weight of approximately 10,000 pounds. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PW535 turbofan producing approximately 3,400 pounds of thrust. Its stated design figures include a range of about 3,000 nautical miles, an endurance of up to six hours and a payload capacity of approximately 2,000 pounds. The Model 437 was developed as a low-cost, multi-mission aircraft and has an internal weapons bay sized for two AIM-120 air-to-air missiles. Its design also provides space for other mission payloads. The aircraft first flew in August 2024 as a technology demonstrator developed by Scaled Composites. Its development was also used to demonstrate Northrop Grumman's digital design and manufacturing processes. Project Talon develops alongside the CCA program Project Talon is being developed as the U.S. Air Force continues its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort. CCA is intended to provide uncrewed aircraft that can operate alongside crewed platforms. The first increment is currently moving forward with the General Atomics YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A. The CCA program has also progressed into weapons and operational testing. In July 2026, the Air Force conducted a live-fire test in which a YFQ-44A fired an AIM-120 missile at a digital target over the Mojave Desert. The Air Force said the test followed earlier inert weapons carriage and data-link evaluations. The Air Force has emphasized that human oversight remains part of the CCA concept. During the July test, the service stated that weapon-release decisions remain under human control, even as the aircraft performs portions of the weapon-employment sequence autonomously. The service is also testing CCA aircraft in more operationally representative environments. In July, the YFQ-44A participated in an exercise at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, where the Air Force examined operations, logistics, maintenance and integration with crewed aircraft. Northrop Grumman's focus on software and manufacturing Northrop Grumman's Project Talon approach combines two areas that are becoming increasingly important in autonomous aircraft development: software integration and aircraft production. Talon IQ is intended to provide a reusable environment for testing autonomy technologies, while Talon Blue is designed around reduced part counts, modular construction and faster manufacturing. The company says its broader autonomy portfolio uses open architectures and human-overseen autonomy, with the aim of allowing autonomous systems to incorporate new technologies without requiring an entirely new aircraft for every capability change. Northrop Grumman is therefore continuing to develop the YFQ-48A Talon Blue even though it was not selected for the Air Force's initial CCA Increment 1 production competition. The aircraft has received an official Air Force designation and continues through development and ground testing, while Talon IQ provides a separate platform for testing autonomy software and related technologies. The combination of the two platforms forms the main structure of Project Talon: Talon IQ provides the flight-test environment for autonomy development, while YFQ-48A Talon Blue is the modular autonomous aircraft being developed for future CCA requirements.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 15:36:49
World
KYIV — Ukrainian sources have reported that Russia is now launching its jet-powered Geran-5 one-way attack drone from Mi-28 attack helicopters. The reported helicopter launch method would add another way of deploying the system, which had previously been associated with ground launch systems and planned air-launch trials involving the Su-25. The Geran-5 first appeared in combat use against Ukraine in January 2026, according to Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR). Unlike earlier propeller-driven Geran variants based on the Iranian Shahed design, the Geran-5 uses a conventional aircraft-style configuration and a turbojet engine. According to HUR, the Geran-5 has a maximum takeoff weight of 850 kg, a 90-kg warhead, a cruising speed of 450–600 km/h, flight endurance of up to two hours, and a reported range of about 950 km. Its maximum altitude is listed at 6,000 meters. The drone is powered by the Chinese TELEFLY TF-TJ2000A turbojet engine, which HUR identifies as producing 200 kgf (about 1,960 newtons) of thrust. Its navigation and communications equipment includes the Kometa-M12 satellite navigation system, SADRA/MINSOO inertial navigation, Tracker V3 telemetry equipment and an Xingkai Tech XK-F358 MESH modem. HUR has also identified electronic components originating from China, the United States and Germany in the Geran-5. The Ukrainian intelligence service previously reported that Russia was examining the possibility of launching the drone from Su-25 aircraft. The reported use of Mi-28 helicopters has not been independently confirmed in the sources reviewed for this report.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 13:35:06
Europe
STOCKHOLM — Sweden’s Security Service (Säpo) has disrupted a Russian intelligence operation aimed at influencing Swedish decision-making and discrediting Sweden, NATO and the European Union. According to Säpo, the operation was directed by Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). Two Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover recruited an employee of another foreign diplomatic mission in Stockholm to act as an agent. The recruited agent was tasked with obtaining information concerning Swedish political decision-making and the country’s relations with other states. Säpo said the information was intended to support Russian influence activities involving polarising issues and undermine decision-making in Sweden. Säpo’s deputy head of operations, Christoffer Wedelin, said the service had monitored the operation over an extended period. Investigators documented meetings between the agent and the two Russian officers at different locations around Stockholm, including restaurants and during outdoor meetings. Information was exchanged during the meetings, and gifts were also handed to the agent. Säpo said it had detailed knowledge of the assignments given to the agent and intervened to stop further intelligence collection. The agency assessed that the Russian operation had been prevented from achieving its objectives. All three individuals had diplomatic immunity and therefore could not be arrested or prosecuted in Sweden. Säpo said the two Russian officers and the recruited agent have since left the country. Säpo said it publicly disclosed the case to increase awareness of the threat posed by Russian intelligence activities. Sweden’s security service has previously identified Russian intelligence gathering, including activities conducted through diplomatic missions, as a continuing security concern.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 13:12:52
Europe
Sigonella, Italy — NATO’s RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft provided persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) coverage across the High North and North Atlantic during Neptune Strike 26-3, supporting Allied maritime, air and joint forces during the multinational activity. The NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force (NISRF) operated the Phoenix from its main operating base at Sigonella, Italy, throughout the exercise, which ran from July 17 to July 23, 2026. NISRF said the aircraft supported NATO’s Find-Fix-Track process and supplied intelligence products for operational planning, situational awareness and decision-making. RQ-4D Phoenix supports NATO operations The persistent ISR coverage helped contribute to NATO’s shared operational picture as Allied forces conducted operations across the High North and North Atlantic. According to NISRF, the information collected by the aircraft supported commanders coordinating maritime, air and joint forces during the enhanced vigilance activity. The RQ-4D Phoenix is NATO’s high-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted ISR aircraft. NISRF operates a fleet of five NATO-owned RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft, all based at Sigonella. The aircraft are derived from the RQ-4 Global Hawk design and were developed specifically to meet NATO requirements. The aircraft are equipped with Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors, together with long-range wideband data links. NATO says the SAR capability allows the aircraft to conduct surveillance independently of weather conditions, during both day and night. The Phoenix has a maximum operating altitude of 60,000 feet, according to NATO specifications. Its radar and communications systems allow collected information to be processed and shared as part of NATO’s wider ISR architecture. Neptune Strike expands into the High North Neptune Strike 26-3 was led by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) and focused on the High North and North Atlantic. The activity brought together Allied maritime, air and joint capabilities to strengthen interoperability, readiness and multi-domain coordination. The 2026 iteration was significant because the Neptune Strike series expanded into the High North and North Atlantic under NATO’s Arctic Sentry framework. NATO launched Arctic Sentry in February 2026 as a multi-domain military activity intended to strengthen the Alliance’s posture in the Arctic and High North. It brings together Allied exercises, forces and capabilities under a broader operational approach. Participating nations in Neptune Strike 26-3 included Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, alongside NISRF. Major naval elements included the UK Carrier Strike Group centred on HMS Prince of Wales and the Spanish Navy Expeditionary Strike Group. The exercise also included long-range air operations, expeditionary planning and the integration of autonomous systems. NISRF continues to build operational readiness Brigadier General John B. Creel, Commander of NISRF, said Neptune Strike demonstrated the value of persistent multinational ISR and that each mission strengthens interoperability with Allied forces while supporting commanders with timely intelligence. NISRF said its continued participation in NATO exercises and enhanced vigilance activities such as Arctic Sentry is building operational experience, readiness and interoperability. These activities also support the force’s progress toward Full Operational Capability. The RQ-4D Phoenix is a core part of NISRF’s ISR mission. NATO describes NISRF as a collectively owned and operated capability that provides persistent, long-range surveillance on land and at sea and supplies intelligence products to NATO decision-makers and Allied forces. The deployment during Neptune Strike 26-3 therefore provided NATO with continued airborne ISR coverage while Allied maritime, air and joint forces operated across the High North and North Atlantic.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 13:03:18
World
RIGA, LATVIA, — Ukrainian defence and space manufacturing company Zvook has tested its passive acoustic early-warning system on a moving vehicle for the first time during NATO’s Baltic Trust 26 (BATT26) exercise in Latvia. The Lviv-based company conducted the trial with the Latvian National Armed Forces, demonstrating that technology originally designed for fixed installations such as telecom towers could also operate from a moving vehicle. BATT26 was held from August 3 to 14 at the Sēlija training area and was organised by the Latvian National Armed Forces and the NATO Communications and Information Agency. Around 650 participants from NATO countries and partners, including Ukraine, Australia and Japan, took part. The exercise focused on integrating unmanned and counter-unmanned aircraft systems, testing interoperability and practising responses to reconnaissance and attack drones. It formed part of NATO Allied Command Transformation’s Layered Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Initiative. Mobile Acoustic Detection Zvook's system uses passive acoustic sensors that detect the sound signatures of drone motors, propellers, cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. Unlike active radar, the sensors do not transmit signals, reducing the risk of revealing the location of the detection system. In Ukraine, Zvook has operated networks of fixed sensors since 2022. These are typically installed on radio towers and similar structures around 10 to 12 metres above the ground. The network sends detections to Ukraine’s Delta situational-awareness system, with the company reporting warning times of about 12 seconds for incoming threats. The Ukrainian network is designed to detect Shahed-type drones, cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft. Reported detection ranges are around 5 km for drones and 7 km for cruise missiles. Zvook says machine-learning updates have reduced false-positive rates to about 1.6 percent, while individual sensors cost roughly $500. The company has also developed a compact tactical sensor for smaller threats, including fibre-optic FPV drones, which are difficult to detect using conventional radio-frequency methods. Its acoustic detection approach does not depend on the drone maintaining a radio link. During BATT26, Zvook mounted the sensors on a vehicle, moving beyond its standard fixed-site deployment. The company said the experiment was not completely trouble-free, but engineers, military personnel and partners identified problems and improvements while testing the system under operational conditions. A mobile configuration could allow acoustic detection to accompany moving convoys, mobile command posts and units that frequently change position. The company is therefore examining how a capability previously used from fixed infrastructure can be adapted for mobile tactical use. Integration With Other Sensors Zvook's technology is designed to operate as part of a layered air-defence architecture rather than replace other sensors. The system can work alongside radar, electro-optical/infrared and radio-frequency systems. At BATT26, Zvook said its system exchanged information within the NATO SAPIENT and KYBER architecture in a multi-sensor environment. The company has also developed acoustic tracking capabilities that can estimate a target's location, direction, speed, altitude and classification for Shahed-type and larger threats. Zvook previously demonstrated its technology at the Dronetex event at Odense Airport in Denmark, working with European and Ukrainian companies including DefSecIntel Solutions, Weibel Scientific, TYTAN Technologies and Marduk Technologies. The BATT26 trial provided Zvook with another opportunity to test its technology with NATO forces and examine whether passive acoustic detection can be used from mobile platforms as part of a wider counter-drone network.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 12:50:24
World
SAFED, ISRAEL — Former Mossad director Yossi Cohen said Tuesday that Israeli intelligence operatives had visited Iran’s underground Fordow nuclear facility many times as part of efforts to understand the site. Cohen made the comments while speaking at the Galilee Conference in Safed, offering a rare public reference to Israeli intelligence operations connected to Iran’s nuclear program. “We toured the Fordo nuclear site many times in order to understand the site,” Cohen said, according to Hebrew media reports. He did not provide dates for the alleged visits. He also did not clarify whether the statement referred to Mossad personnel physically entering the facility or to intelligence operations that allowed Israel to obtain detailed information about the site. Cohen comments on U.S. strike on Fordow Cohen also discussed the U.S. military operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities during the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025. The United States struck Iran’s three major nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. The Fordow facility was targeted with U.S. bunker-penetrating weapons. The operation was publicly known as Operation Midnight Hammer, while Israel’s campaign against Iran was known as Operation Rising Lion. The International Atomic Energy Agency said after the strikes that the underground damage at Fordow could not immediately be fully assessed. Satellite imagery showed large impact craters at the facility, but the extent of damage below the surface remained uncertain. Cohen described the U.S. bombing of Fordow as “the fulfillment of all my dreams.” Debate over Iran’s enriched uranium Cohen also commented on Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent, saying that material at that enrichment level was still “far from a bomb.” The status and location of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile have remained a major issue since the 2025 strikes. A June 2026 analysis based on IAEA reporting said the IAEA did not have confirmed information on whether enriched uranium was being stored at locations including Fordow, the new Pickaxe Mountain facility and other underground sites. The same analysis cited an estimated Iranian stockpile of about 441 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent. Nuclear experts have noted that uranium enriched to 60 percent can be further enriched to weapons-grade levels. The distinction between possessing highly enriched uranium and actually producing a nuclear weapon remains important, as additional steps are required to produce a usable weapon. Focus shifts to Pickaxe Mountain Attention has increasingly shifted to Iran’s underground Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz following the damage to Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Reuters reported in July that Pickaxe Mountain is located about 220 kilometers south of Tehran and about 2 kilometers from the Natanz nuclear complex. The underground facility was not targeted during the 2025 strikes and has since become a focus of U.S. and Israeli concerns over Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Recent satellite imagery has shown continued construction activity at the site. However, the exact status and purpose of the facility remain subjects of intelligence assessments, and Iran has denied nuclear activity there. Cohen’s previous disclosures about Mossad operations Cohen has previously spoken publicly about Israeli intelligence operations against Iran after leaving Mossad in 2021. In a television interview following his departure, he discussed the 2018 Mossad operation in which Israeli agents stole Iran’s nuclear archive from a warehouse in Tehran. He also spoke about Israel’s efforts against Iran’s nuclear program and its long-standing intelligence focus on Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was killed in 2020. His latest remarks provide another public indication of the level of intelligence attention Israel had directed toward Fordow before the U.S. military strikes. Cohen did not provide further operational details about the alleged visits to Fordow, leaving the timing and exact nature of those operations undisclosed. Source : timesofisrael
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 12:36:06
World
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian defense technology company WINFLY has introduced the WINFLY Spider, a reusable interceptor drone designed to capture enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using a net rather than destroying them through a direct impact. The Spider is based on WINFLY's existing WINFLY 10 Hunter airframe and is equipped with the KARAKURT-K2 net-launching system. According to WINFLY, the interceptor can deploy the net against an airborne target and then return to its launch point for another mission. The development was reported by Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi. WINFLY Spider Based on WINFLY 10 Hunter The WINFLY 10 Hunter platform gives the Spider a maximum speed of up to 160 km/h and an operational ceiling of up to 5,000 meters. The drone has a range of more than 18 kilometers and can remain airborne for up to 25 minutes. WINFLY states that the system can be deployed in less than three minutes and can detect and identify targets at distances of up to 500 meters through its digital video link. The Spider is intended to counter several types of UAVs, including fixed-wing reconnaissance drones, Mavic-series quadcopters, FPV drones and fiber-optic-controlled UAVs. WINFLY produces the system in both daytime and night-vision configurations. KARAKURT-K2 Net Launcher The main difference between the Spider and conventional impact-based interceptors is its KARAKURT-K2 net launcher. The launcher weighs 210 grams and is made from high-strength aluminum. It connects to the drone through a USB Type-C interface and is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from −20°C to +50°C. According to the manufacturer, the KARAKURT-K2 can fire its net at a target from a distance of up to 15 meters. When launched from approximately 3 to 5 meters from the target, the net expands to around 3 × 3 meters and is intended to entangle the target's rotors or airframe. Reusable Interceptor WINFLY designed the Spider to remain intact after an interception. Instead of colliding with the target and being lost, the interceptor deploys the net and then returns to its launch location, where it can be prepared for another sortie. WINFLY lists the cost of a single net deployment at 1,100 Ukrainian hryvnia, reported as approximately $26. The reusable design therefore separates the cost of the interceptor itself from the expendable net deployment. WINFLY Spider Specifications Specification Details Base platform WINFLY 10 Hunter Maximum altitude Up to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) Maximum speed Up to 160 km/h (99 mph) Operational range More than 18 km (11 miles) Flight endurance Up to 25 minutes Deployment time Less than 3 minutes Target detection/identification Up to 500 m (1,640 ft) Net launcher KARAKURT-K2 Launcher weight 210 g Net firing range Up to 15 m Expanded net size Approximately 3 × 3 m Net deployment distance Approximately 3–5 m from target Operating temperature −20°C to +50°C Net deployment cost 1,100 UAH, approximately $26 The introduction of the Spider adds a reusable net-based interception option to WINFLY's UAV systems. Its development also reflects the company's move from an earlier impact-based interception approach toward a system in which the interceptor can recover after engaging a target.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 12:06:45
U.S
BEDMINSTER, N.J., August 11, 2026 — A U.S. Army AN/TWQ-1 Avenger short-range air defense system, supported by an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar, was deployed at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey while President Donald Trump played golf during the final round of the LIV Golf Bedminster tournament on August 9. Images from the golf course show Trump playing with an Avenger system positioned behind concertina wire in the background. Additional imagery shows an Avenger and an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar near the course. The White House confirmed the authenticity of the photographs to The War Zone on August 10. The deployment comes as security concerns surrounding Trump have increased amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran. Independent analyst has linked the presence of the air-defense system to concerns about a possible Iranian aerial attack against the president. The exact threat assessment behind the deployment has not been publicly disclosed. 🇺🇸 #US: President Donald Trump was seen golfing at his Bedminster, New Jersey club with a missile-defense system deployed nearby, as F-16s were scrambled to intercept civilian aircraft that entered the temporary restricted airspace over the area.NORAD said two general-aviation… pic.twitter.com/NyZbj9OUEo — POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) August 10, 2026 Iran has Trump so shook and scared right now he has to have a AN/TWQ-1 SHORAD air defense system with a AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar follow him around as he golfs.lmao he is scared to even be outdoors anywhere at this point.pic.twitter.com/aEHQLlEr3p — Stellar Man (@stellarman22) August 10, 2026 Avenger provides short-range air defense The AN/TWQ-1 Avenger is a Humvee-mounted short-range air-defense system that uses FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. The system can carry up to eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles and is also equipped with an M3P .50-caliber machine gun. U.S. Army documents describe the Avenger as a mobile system designed to counter low-altitude unmanned aircraft and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. The Army has also integrated Avenger units into counter-unmanned-aircraft operations. The system can receive air tracks from the Sentinel radar, allowing the weapon system to be directed toward detected aerial threats. The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel provides the accompanying air surveillance capability. The Army describes the radar as a 360-degree X-band system providing persistent air surveillance and fire-control-quality data. Its published instrumented range is up to 75 kilometers, and it can acquire, track and classify unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. When the Avenger systems are deployed to assist the Secret Service in protecting the president, NORAD has said they are operated by the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. A NORAD spokesperson declined to provide further details about how frequently the systems are used in this role, according to The War Zone. Avenger was also seen at Bedminster on August 1 The air-defense system was not first seen at the golf club on August 9. On August 1, the White House released a video showing Trump speaking with U.S. Army personnel at Bedminster. An Avenger was visible in the background. During the exchange, Trump joked that he was not worried about “missiles and drones.” A U.S. Army colonel responded, “We got it covered,” while pointing toward the Humvee-mounted system. The appearance of the Avenger on both occasions indicates that the system has been positioned at Bedminster beyond a single golf outing. The White House has not publicly provided details about the duration or full scope of the deployment. NORAD F-16s intercepted civilian aircraft The heightened airspace security around Bedminster was also visible on August 9. While Trump was at the golf club, NORAD F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted two general aviation aircraft that violated the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) airspace over the area. NORAD said that all general aviation aircraft were safely escorted out of the restricted area. NORAD routinely supports the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Aviation Administration in enforcing temporary flight restrictions established around protected presidential locations. The presence of fighter aircraft and the ground-based Avenger system represents different layers of airspace protection, although details of how the systems were coordinated during the incident have not been released. Trump has previously faced threats at golf courses The security arrangements at Bedminster come against a background of previous threats and attacks involving Trump, including an attempted assassination at a golf course. On September 15, 2024, Trump was playing golf at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, when a Secret Service agent conducting a perimeter sweep spotted a rifle in the tree line near the sixth hole. The agent fired toward the suspect, later identified as Ryan Wesley Routh. Routh was subsequently convicted of attempting to assassinate Trump. In February 2026, he was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years. Trump was also the target of an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, fired at Trump before being killed by law enforcement. The shooting also killed one spectator and seriously injured two others. More recently, authorities arrested Jeanine John Taele, 38, at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, after he was observed photographing and recording security preparations ahead of Trump's scheduled visit. Authorities found ammunition on him and a loaded pistol in his vehicle, while subsequent searches uncovered additional weapons and other equipment. Authorities have not said that Taele was involved in an assassination plot against Trump. Iran-related threats add another security concern The current security environment also includes a history of threats from Iran against Trump. In January 2020, after the U.S. strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, an image was posted by an account associated with Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei showing what appeared to be a drone targeting Trump while he played golf. The image was widely interpreted as a threat of retaliation. The threat environment has since changed significantly. Khamenei was killed during U.S. strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, according to reporting at the time. Iran has also developed and used various unmanned aircraft, including one-way attack drones. However, there is no public confirmation that Iran has specifically planned an attack against Trump at Bedminster. Other protective systems are not visible The Avenger is only one component of presidential security. The photographs released from Bedminster do not show the full range of systems or personnel protecting the president. The War Zone noted that other capabilities, potentially including electronic-warfare equipment, may be present but are not visible in the available imagery. The exact composition of the security arrangement has not been disclosed. Avenger systems have also been used previously for air-defense missions around sensitive locations. The U.S. Army continues to maintain the system as part of its short-range air-defense capabilities, including missions against unmanned aerial systems. The deployment at Bedminster therefore provides a visible example of how military short-range air-defense assets can be incorporated into presidential protection when the president is operating in an open outdoor environment. For Trump, playing golf at Bedminster on August 9 meant having an Army Avenger and Sentinel radar positioned nearby, while NORAD fighter aircraft were also responding to violations of the temporary restricted airspace. The specific threat information that led to the deployment remains classified or undisclosed.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 11:57:22
U.S
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies have completed a successful static-fire test of the Stage 2 solid rocket motor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. The full-duration test was conducted inside a high-vacuum chamber using the L3Harris-built advanced large solid rocket motor. The test was designed to evaluate the motor under conditions representative of those expected during the interceptor’s mission. According to Lockheed Martin, the test confirmed key motor performance parameters, including thrust generation, chamber pressure and combustion stability. Data collected during the firing will support continued NGI design work, system integration and preparations for future flight testing. “This successful static fire test is a significant milestone on the path to the Critical Design Review and confirms our confidence that the NGI motor will meet the demanding performance envelope required for fielding by 2030,” said Christopher Jewell, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of the NGI program. He said the test data will be used to inform the final interceptor design and support integration with the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) architecture. NGI development moves toward Critical Design Review The NGI is being developed to strengthen the United States’ homeland ballistic missile defense capability. The interceptor is intended to operate as part of the existing GMD architecture. The MDA selected Lockheed Martin in April 2024 to continue NGI development through Critical Design Review, qualification, integration with GMD and flight testing. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the NGI program, while L3Harris provides major propulsion and control-system elements. L3Harris is responsible for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 advanced large solid rocket motors, along with the Attitude Control System (ACS) and Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS). The ACS and DACS provide the control needed for the interceptor to maneuver during an engagement. The Stage 2 motor test follows a successful burst test of the NGI second-stage motor case completed earlier in August. During that test, the composite motor case was pressurized beyond expected launch loads and withstood the required stresses before failing as planned. Manufacturing capacity expanded in Alabama Lockheed Martin is also expanding its manufacturing infrastructure for the NGI program. In June 2026, the company opened an 88,000-square-foot Missile Assembly Building 5 (MAB-5) in Courtland, Alabama. The facility is designed to produce and integrate NGI interceptors and uses digital manufacturing tools and processes. The company has also been investing in additional production lines, tooling and plant layouts in Alabama to support future NGI manufacturing requirements. L3Harris manufactures the large solid rocket motors for the program at facilities in Alabama and Arkansas, while components for the ACS and DACS are produced in California and Virginia. The NGI program uses digital engineering and modeling during development. Lockheed Martin says the approach is intended to reduce the time required for design, fabrication and validation and to support the transition from development to production. “This successful hot-fire test demonstrates L3Harris’ commitment to delivering dependable, high-performance propulsion systems, and we will continue to execute to support NGI’s first flight test,” said Scott Alexander, president of Propulsion Systems and Missile Solutions at L3Harris. With the Stage 2 motor test completed, the program is moving toward its planned Critical Design Review and subsequent flight-testing activities. Lockheed Martin has stated that the motor-test data will be incorporated into remaining design finalization and system-integration work. Note: The U.S. Missile Defense Agency's April 2024 announcement described an initial operational capability objective of no later than the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2028, while the August 2026 Lockheed Martin statement provided in the supplied material refers to fielding by 2030.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-11 11:38:52
Space & Technology
WENCHANG, HAINAN — China’s Long March 7A rocket failed shortly after liftoff from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on Monday, resulting in the loss of the ChinaSat-4B communications satellite. The rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 201 at 8:02 p.m. Beijing time (12:02 UTC), according to China’s state news agency Xinhua. The launch vehicle experienced a flight anomaly shortly after liftoff, and the cause is being further analyzed. Reuters witnesses reported seeing a bright flash in the night sky after the launch, followed by what appeared to be multiple glowing fragments. The observations are consistent with the reported failure of the launch vehicle, although Chinese authorities have not yet released details on the specific technical cause. ChinaSat-4B Lost in the Failed Launch The payload aboard the Long March 7A was ChinaSat-4B, also known as Zhongxing-4B. The satellite was intended for geostationary orbit and was designed to provide radio, television and communications services. The loss means the satellite did not reach its planned orbit. Further information about the spacecraft and its intended operational role has not been released in detail by Chinese authorities following the failed mission. Second Long March 7A Failure Monday’s failure is the second known failure of the Long March 7A. The rocket made its maiden flight in March 2020, but that mission also failed after the vehicle experienced a malfunction. Chinese space engineers subsequently investigated the cause. The Long March 7A returned to flight in March 2021 and successfully placed the Shiyan-9 satellite into orbit. It then completed a series of successful missions before Monday’s failure. The Long March 7A is a three-stage variant of the Long March 7 designed for missions to higher orbits. Its configuration uses four strap-on boosters and a third stage that allows it to conduct missions involving geostationary transfer orbits. The vehicle has previously been used for a range of satellite missions. YF-100 Engines Used on the First Stage and Boosters The Long March 7A’s first stage and four boosters use YF-100 liquid-oxygen and kerosene engines. The same engine family is also used on several other Chinese launch vehicles, including the Long March 5, Long March 6 and Long March 8. However, Chinese authorities have not said that an engine problem caused Monday’s failure. The investigation remains underway, so the exact source of the anomaly cannot yet be established. Investigation Underway Xinhua reported that the cause of the failure is being further analyzed. No official explanation identifying a particular engine, stage, component or system as responsible for the anomaly has been released so far. The failure will therefore be subject to a technical investigation before the Long March 7A returns to flight. Any decision on future launches involving the vehicle or related hardware will depend on the findings of that investigation. Monday’s incident represents a failure after the Long March 7A had established a record of successful missions following its 2020 debut failure. The immediate impact on China’s wider launch schedule will depend on the results of the investigation and any corrective measures announced by Chinese authorities.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 16:14:31
U.S
WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are reportedly raising concerns about a potential U.S. licensing arrangement that would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot missile interceptors. The companies’ concerns involve intellectual property and technology-transfer risks, while the broader debate also reflects questions about how Ukraine’s rapidly expanding defense industry could affect the existing Patriot production base. The issue comes as Washington and Kyiv discuss ways to increase Ukraine’s access to Patriot interceptors amid continuing Russian missile attacks and a global shortage of air-defense missiles. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly said on July 8 that the United States would give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot missiles. Trump made the statement while meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the NATO summit in Ankara. At the time, Trump also acknowledged that the companies involved in producing the system had not yet been informed of the decision. The exact scope of a possible license remains unclear. It could involve production of interceptors or selected components rather than allowing Ukraine to manufacture complete Patriot batteries, which also include launchers, radar, command-and-control equipment and other systems. Concerns From Patriot Manufacturers Patriot production involves two major U.S. defense companies. Raytheon, part of RTX, produces Patriot interceptors including the GEM-T, while Lockheed Martin produces the PAC-3 interceptor family. According to reporting by The Atlantic, the companies are concerned about intellectual property and unauthorized technology transfers. A Republican official familiar with the issue told the publication that the deeper commercial concern is that Ukrainian manufacturers could eventually improve the Patriot and manufacture it at greater scale and lower cost than existing U.S. production lines. The companies have not publicly confirmed that they are opposing the licensing proposal on those grounds. Earlier, Raytheon had indicated interest in working with Ukraine on co-producing Patriot interceptors. During a July 23 meeting with a Raytheon delegation, Zelenskyy said the company was ready to consider deeper cooperation with Ukraine, including co-production of Patriot interceptors. Raytheon Vice President Joseph DeAntona said the company was interested in opportunities to work jointly with Ukraine on ground-based air-defense systems. Ukraine Expands Defense Production Ukraine has substantially expanded its domestic defense industry during the war, particularly in the production of unmanned systems. Zelenskyy said on July 15 that Ukraine was producing 10 million drones annually and planned to increase that figure to 20 million with support from partners. The country has also developed relatively low-cost unmanned systems. The Darts drone, produced by Ukrainian company Stalevi Shershni, has been reported at a basic unit cost of about $1,000. Ukraine has also adapted foreign and commercial technologies for battlefield use. One example is the Ukrainian-developed Sky Map counter-drone platform, which combines information from sensors and radars to detect and track aerial threats. Reuters reported in April that the U.S. military had deployed the system at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia and that Ukrainian personnel were training U.S. forces to use it. These developments have contributed to growing interest in Ukraine as a defense-technology partner rather than only as a recipient of military assistance. Patriot Production Comes Amid Interceptor Shortages The licensing debate comes at a time when demand for Patriot interceptors has increased sharply. The Patriot system has become particularly important for Ukraine because of its ability to engage ballistic-missile threats. Ukraine has repeatedly called for additional Patriot systems and interceptors as Russia continues to conduct large-scale missile attacks. Reuters reported on August 7 that about 65% of the U.S. Patriot interceptor stock had been used between February and July 2026, leaving fewer than 850 interceptors according to the figures cited in its report. The United States is also working to increase production to replenish depleted inventories. Ukraine's missile-defense requirements have also increased. Ukrainian Air Force data showed that Russia launched 376 missiles against Ukraine in July, more than twice the number recorded in June. The shortage has made increasing production an important issue for both the United States and its allies. A Ukrainian production arrangement could eventually provide another source of interceptors, although establishing a complete production capability would take time. Production Would Not Begin Immediately A license would not automatically mean that Ukraine could quickly manufacture complete Patriot systems. The Patriot is a complex system involving multiple specialized components and production chains. Current discussions have therefore included the possibility of Ukrainian production of specific components or interceptors rather than immediate domestic production of entire Patriot batteries. The United States and Ukraine would also have to determine which technologies could be transferred, which components could be manufactured locally and how the production process would be integrated with existing U.S. suppliers. For Ukraine, domestic production could reduce dependence on deliveries from existing foreign stockpiles. For the United States, it could provide another potential production location at a time when demand for Patriot interceptors is high. However, the licensing process remains dependent on negotiations between the U.S. government, Ukraine and the companies involved. Trump has publicly supported granting Ukraine production rights, while the precise terms and scope of any final agreement have not been publicly established. The result of those discussions will determine whether Ukraine eventually becomes a producer of selected Patriot components, interceptors or a broader part of the system's manufacturing chain. Source : The Atlantic
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 16:04:06Search
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