World
MINSK, Belarus — The United States has begun steps to unfreeze and return approximately $43 million to $44 million in Belarusian funds held at Citibank, U.S. Special Envoy for Belarus John Coale told Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko during talks in Minsk on Tuesday. Coale said Washington has contacted the bank and formally requested the release of the money. The two sides are now working on a mechanism for returning the funds to Belarus. He said Washington would inform Minsk as soon as it receives a specific response from the bank. According to Lukashenko, the money represents payment from a company that had been cooperating with Belarus and is linked to potash shipments. On September 11, Lukashenko publicly demanded the return of the funds, describing the issue as a problem that needed to be resolved before broader talks could progress. Lukashenko said Belarus remains open to discussing any issues with the United States but stressed that both sides must strictly fulfill agreements already reached. He also thanked Coale for addressing his earlier concerns about the frozen funds. Broader U.S.-Belarus Talks The meeting between Coale and Lukashenko lasted about three hours and was their first face-to-face meeting in six months. Coale also conveyed greetings from U.S. President Donald Trump and said Trump supports the ongoing work. The discussions also covered economic relations. Lukashenko said several economic agreements had already been reached and asked Belarusian Prime Minister to provide an update on their implementation. Coale was appointed special envoy to Belarus in November 2025. Earlier rounds of negotiations contributed to the release of more than 400 detainees, including more than 50 in September 2025 and another 250 in March 2026. In response, Washington eased selected sanctions, including restrictions involving Belavia, Belarus's Finance Ministry and state-owned banks such as Belinvestbank. Despite the releases, disagreements remain over the status of the detainees. Lukashenko has said Belarus does not legally classify those released as political prisoners, while human rights group Viasna estimates that more than 900 people remain detained on political grounds. Belarus has also resumed potash fertilizer shipments to the United States following earlier sanctions adjustments. No new prisoner-release agreement was immediately announced after Tuesday's meeting. Citibank has not publicly commented on the frozen funds, while financial and banking discussions are expected to continue as Washington works out the process for their return.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 15:28:28
Europe
ORLEANS, France — European missile manufacturer MBDA is expanding its production capacity in France with plans to build a new missile production facility in Artenay, in the Loiret department near Orleans. MBDA is purchasing a 40-hectare industrial site, roughly twice the size of its main facility at Bourges Aeroport. The project is part of MBDA’s €5 billion investment program for 2026–2030, under which the company aims to increase total missile production in France by six times compared with 2023 levels by the end of the decade. Production to Start in 2027 MBDA plans a phased approach. From early 2027, it will lease and retrofit industrial premises in the nearby Ormes/Artenay area that were previously used by wind-turbine manufacturer Vergnet, which entered liquidation in early 2026. The temporary facility will allow initial component production to begin while construction of the new site continues. The main Orleans facility is scheduled to become fully operational in 2030 and will use robotics and automation to improve mechanical assembly and component handling. Aster and MICA Components The new plant will focus mainly on mechanical production and structural components for MBDA’s Aster and MICA missile families. The Aster 15 and Aster 30, developed by France and Italy through Eurosam, are used in naval and land-based air-defense systems, including SAMP/T. They are deployed by France, Italy and the United Kingdom, including aboard French and Italian naval vessels and British Type 45 destroyers. SAMP/T systems have also been supplied to Ukraine. The MICA family includes infrared and radio-frequency versions used by aircraft such as the Rafale and Mirage 2000, while VL MICA provides ground- and sea-based air-defense capability. Both missile families have experienced increased demand, including from the war in Ukraine. Selles-Saint-Denis to Continue Pyrotechnic Work Explosive production, warhead loading and other pyrotechnic activities will remain at MBDA’s existing facility in Selles-Saint-Denis, Loir-et-Cher. The site is also planned for further development of its integration and storage infrastructure. The Orleans expansion will complement capacity increases already underway at Bourges and other MBDA facilities. Orleans Selected for Space, Workforce and Logistics MBDA said the expansion outside Bourges is linked to limited space and constraints on the local labor pool at its existing sites. Orleans offers a logistics position between MBDA’s headquarters and development centers in Le Plessis-Robinson and its manufacturing sites in Centre-Val de Loire. The area also has an established industrial base in precision mechanics, metallurgy and defense-related manufacturing. Recruitment is expected to begin with several dozen operators and technicians in 2027, potentially reaching several hundred employees as production increases. MBDA has already doubled overall missile output between 2023 and 2025 and is targeting a further 40 percent increase in 2026. MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%). More than €2 billion of its €5 billion European investment program is allocated to French facilities, with roughly three-quarters concentrated in the Centre-Val de Loire industrial corridor.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 15:23:29
U.S
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The United States has publicly confirmed for the first time that it has deployed on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink made the disclosure during his opening keynote at the Air & Space Forces Association’s annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. “Today, we continue to ensure we remain ready to meet the challenges of evolving threats wherever they exist. This is why the United States now has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the joint force against hostile adversary action,” Meink said. Meink said the wording was intentional and “very well thought out.” However, he did not reveal the type of weapons, how many are in orbit, when they were deployed, their technical specifications, testing status or the targets they could engage. He said maintaining U.S. dominance in both air and space is important for military and economic security. Meink also pointed to space capabilities developed by China and Russia over more than a decade and said the United States must be able to operate freely in space and respond when threatened. Space Force Explains Space Control The U.S. Space Force confirmed the operational status of the systems and explained that space control includes missions designed to contest and control the space domain. These missions can use kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities and can support both offensive and defensive operations under the direction of combatant commands. Kinetic systems physically affect a target, while non-kinetic capabilities can include electronic warfare, cyber operations or directed-energy effects. The U.S. government has not confirmed which type of system is included in the newly acknowledged deployment. Officials have stated that the systems comply with international law, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and the Law of Armed Conflict. What the Outer Space Treaty Allows The Outer Space Treaty prohibits countries from placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in Earth orbit, on celestial bodies or elsewhere in outer space. It also prohibits military bases, installations, weapons testing and military maneuvers on the Moon and other celestial bodies. The treaty does not specifically prohibit conventional weapons in Earth orbit, including conventional space-control systems. The announcement has nevertheless renewed debate over the legal and strategic implications of deploying weapons in orbit. Russia has stated that space should remain free of weapons, while China has opposed the weaponization of outer space. Other Space Force Programs Meink also provided updates on Space Force programs connected to the Golden Dome missile-defense effort. The Space-Based Interceptor program has moved from initial contracts toward flight-ready hardware in less than one year. The Space Force is using a prize competition to examine affordability and scalability, with a potential initial capability by 2028. The first launches of satellites for the Space-Based Air-Moving Target Indication (AMTI) constellation are scheduled for September. The systems are intended to track air-moving targets and support broader missile-defense and long-range targeting requirements. SpaceX holds contracts supporting related national-security space launches. The disclosure follows years of U.S. efforts to develop capabilities for protecting space assets against growing threats. Previous U.S. officials have discussed low-debris counterspace capabilities, while Space Force leaders have increasingly described space as a warfighting domain. Meink presented the latest developments as part of a broader effort to modernize the Air Force and Space Force and increase combat power more quickly and affordably in response to changing threats, including artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. The announcement ends a period of deliberate public ambiguity over whether the United States had operational weapons deployed in orbit, although the exact capabilities and number of the systems remain undisclosed.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 15:02:39
U.S
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a $562 million fixed-price incentive contract to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the MQ-25A Stingray, the service’s first carrier-based unmanned aerial refueling aircraft. The contract covers three Lot 1 aircraft and advance procurement funding for long-lead components for three additional Lot 2 aircraft. Initial Lot 1 deliveries are expected to begin in 2029. “Awarding this first LRIP contract marks a pivotal transition from development to operational reality and is a testament to the focused effort of our joint government and industry teams,” said Capt. Daniel Fucito, program manager for Unmanned Carrier Aviation at PMA-268. He said the MQ-25A will provide the reach, lethality and survivability needed for future operations. From Development to Production The production award follows the Navy’s Milestone C decision in May 2026, approved by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, which cleared the MQ-25A to enter production and deployment. The decision followed the first flight of a production-representative MQ-25A on April 25, 2026, at Boeing’s facility in Mascoutah, Illinois. The MQ-25A program began with Boeing’s initial development contract in August 2018. The Lot 1 award brings the total number of MQ-25A aircraft under contract with Boeing to 14, including development, test and initial production aircraft. Lot 2 is planned for award in 2027, with Lot 1 production also supporting validation of the design, manufacturing processes and supply-chain readiness. The Navy’s program of record calls for 76 aircraft, including 67 production aircraft and nine test platforms. The test fleet consists of four Engineering Development and Manufacturing (EDM) aircraft and five System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA). Seven test aircraft are currently in production. Boeing is conducting MQ-25A production at its St. Louis operations and a dedicated 300,000-square-foot facility at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois. Unmanned Tanker for Carrier Air Wings The MQ-25A’s primary mission is aerial refueling. The role is currently performed in part by manned F/A-18E/F Super Hornets using external fuel tanks and refueling pods in the “buddy-tanking” configuration. The Navy says Super Hornets assigned to tanker duties use 20 to 30 percent of their flight hours, increasing airframe wear and reducing the number of aircraft available for training and strike missions. The MQ-25A uses the Cobham Aerial Refueling Store, the same probe-and-drogue refueling system used by Super Hornets. It is designed to refuel F/A-18s, F-35C Lightning IIs and E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes. The Stingray is designed to deliver at least 14,000 pounds of fuel at 500 nautical miles and can also conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The aircraft has a 75-foot wingspan when unfolded and 31.3 feet when folded for carrier deck stowage. It is powered by a Rolls-Royce AE 3007N turbofan. Preparing Carriers for Unmanned Aircraft The MQ-25A is intended to routinely launch, recover and operate from aircraft carriers alongside manned aircraft. To support unmanned aviation, the Navy has been installing Unmanned Air Warfare Centers (UAWCs) aboard its Nimitz-class carriers. These facilities house the MD-5 Ground Control Station, used to control MQ-25A missions. The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) received the first test installation in 2024, while the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) became the first carrier equipped with an operational, deployable UAWC earlier in 2026. The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is among the carriers scheduled to receive the same upgrade. The Navy views the MQ-25A as a template for integrating unmanned aircraft into carrier aviation. The control networks, deck-handling procedures and communications infrastructure developed for the Stingray are intended to support future unmanned systems, including Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The new contract marks the MQ-25A’s transition from development and testing into initial production, with the Navy targeting 2029 for the first Lot 1 deliveries.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 14:35:40
World
RIYADH — Newly released commercial satellite imagery shows significant fire damage at a major pumping station on Saudi Arabia’s East-West crude oil pipeline, with separate assessments indicating possible damage at another station. The findings follow drone attacks on September 10 that prompted Saudi authorities to shut down the pipeline as a precaution. The East-West Pipeline, or Petroline, stretches about 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from oil facilities near Abqaiq in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Built in the early 1980s, the pipeline has a design capacity of up to 7 million barrels per day following expansions and provides an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. 🚨 This is starting to look MUCH bigger than a single strike on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.Satellite imagery has now showed significant damage at Pump Station 9, while possible damage is also visible at Pump Station 8, both along the same critical pipeline system.… pic.twitter.com/GjvNXYJ6i1 — Soar (@SoarAtlas) September 15, 2026 Satellite Imagery Shows Fire Damage High-resolution imagery from Vantor, released around September 13, shows extensive charring and blackened areas across a pumping station complex southeast of Medina near Al Mesaba’ah. Before-and-after images show a large burn scar across much of the facility, with crude oil visible outside the perimeter. Open-source imagery analyzed by Soar Atlas and other platforms identifies the heavily damaged facility as Pump Station 9, where the process area and structures show significant fire impact. Other assessments, including Global Recon-related analysis, have identified possible or confirmed fire damage at a second station along the same corridor. NASA and Copernicus Sentinel satellite data detected multiple heat sources and smoke plumes along roughly 110 kilometers of the pipeline corridor on September 10. VIIRS analysis indicated that one major pumping station complex burned for at least 13 hours. Some heat signatures were associated with emergency flare pits used for controlled burn-off rather than direct pipeline ruptures. Saudi Arabia Confirms Drone Attacks Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy and Foreign Ministry said drones launched from Iraq struck targets in the Riyadh and Medina regions on September 10. The attacks caused injuries requiring medical treatment and material damage. The pipeline was shut down while emergency and technical teams assessed the infrastructure. Iraqi officials later said the drones originated from Maysan province in southeastern Iraq and launched investigations. No group has publicly claimed responsibility, although the incident has been linked in reporting to Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the exact number of damaged stations or released a complete public damage assessment. Repair Could Take Several Weeks The East-West Pipeline has 11 to 13 main pumping stations that maintain pressure and flow across the route. Damage to stations serving the same section could reduce throughput even if partial operations resume. Officials briefed on the assessment told the Associated Press that repairs could take three to five weeks. One official said partial pipeline operations could be possible during repairs, although the amount of crude that could move remains unclear. Reuters cited other estimates of up to six weeks, while also reporting that partial operations could begin earlier. Saudi Aramco, which operates the pipeline, has not announced a firm restart schedule or detailed public assessment. Pipeline Shutdown Adds Pressure to Oil Exports Before the shutdown, Petroline was carrying an average of about 2.6 million to 4 million barrels per day since late August, according to Rystad Energy analysis. Yanbu stocks were reportedly sufficient for only several days of exports at recent rates if the pipeline remained fully offline. The disruption is particularly important because Saudi Arabia had been using Petroline to move crude toward the Red Sea amid severe disruption and elevated risks around the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, security concerns continue around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, where Houthi forces have expanded their presence around additional islands, according to reports from Yemeni government and Houthi sources. Saudi crude production had already fallen to 6.24 million barrels per day in August 2026, according to the figures provided. Brent crude subsequently moved above $100 per barrel, reaching around $104–$105 per barrel as markets assessed the supply risks. As of September 15, Saudi authorities had not provided a firm date for the full restoration of the East-West Pipeline. Satellite and open-source monitoring continue to provide the main publicly available evidence of the damage while technical teams assess the affected facilities.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 14:29:46
World
LISBON, Portugal — German unmanned systems company Quantum Systems has entered the maritime domain with two new autonomous platforms, the Seavex unmanned surface vessel (USV) and Subvex unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). The systems were unveiled in Sesimbra, Portugal, on the sidelines of a NATO maritime exercise involving the Portuguese Navy, the University of Porto (FEUP), NATO CMRE, NATO JCGMUS and the European Defence Agency. Both platforms are undergoing sea trials to test and validate their capabilities in an operational setting. Seavex and Subvex are integrated into Quantum Systems’ MOSAIC UXS software architecture, allowing unmanned air, land, surface and underwater systems to operate through a common control framework. The architecture can also incorporate additional platforms, sensors and third-party technologies. “We started in the air, expanded to land, and now we are going to sea. But the real step forward is not adding another domain. It is connecting them,” said Florian Seibel, Co-CEO and Founder of Quantum Systems. Seavex USV The Seavex is designed for persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), critical infrastructure protection and Counter-UAS missions. The vessel measures 8.5 meters long, 6.5 meters wide and has a 1.8-meter draft. It has a displacement of 4,500 kg, a payload capacity of up to 400 kg, a maximum speed of 15 knots and a surveillance speed of 3 knots. Its endurance is up to 60 days. Seavex carries 2D surveillance radar, 4D counter-drone radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, a laser rangefinder and onboard edge computing. Its counter-UAS system is designed to detect and track aerial threats. An integrated DronePort allows autonomous launch and recovery of UAVs. Seavex can also dock, recharge and retrieve mission data from Subvex underwater vehicles. The vessel can operate in water temperatures from 0°C to 40°C, with normal operations in sea state 3 and survivability up to sea state 6. Communications include SATCOM, 5G, Wi-Fi and Silvus, with AES-256 encryption. Subvex UUV The Subvex is an AI-enabled underwater vehicle designed for deep-sea ISR, seabed monitoring and underwater surveillance. It can operate at depths of up to 6,000 meters. The vehicle weighs 400 kg, is 4.2 meters long and has a 533-mm diameter, compatible with NATO torpedo-tube standards. It carries up to 20 kg of payload, has a 42-kWh battery, a surveillance speed of 3 knots and a maximum speed of 8 knots. Subvex can operate actively for up to four days using systems including side-scan sonar, DVL, forward-imaging sonar and acoustic communications. In passive seabed-surveillance mode, it can remain deployed for weeks while using hydrophones to collect acoustic information. Multiple Subvex vehicles can operate in a distributed configuration. Communications include USBL, Wi-Fi, inductive, Silvus, 5G and Iridium, also using AES-256 encryption. Combined Maritime System Seavex provides docking, recharging, secure data transfer and redeployment for Subvex. Together, the two platforms can support missions involving critical maritime infrastructure protection, maritime border security, anti-submarine surveillance and blue-water surveillance. Sensor information from aerial, surface and underwater systems can be combined through MOSAIC UXS into a common operational picture. “Maritime operations have a fundamental challenge: the areas are vast, while crews and assets are limited,” said Dirk Zademack, Vice President of Quantum Maritime at Quantum Systems. The launch expands Quantum Systems’ unmanned systems portfolio from its established aerial and land platforms into surface and underwater operations, with the Seavex and Subvex trials continuing in Portugal.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 14:17:30
U.S
SAN DIEGO — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has unveiled Wildfire, a new medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) uncrewed aircraft designed for lower-cost, high-volume surveillance and strike missions. Wildfire is a clean-sheet design intended to offer greater payload capacity and longer range than the MQ-9A Reaper, while being cheaper to produce and suitable for operations where combat losses are possible. GA-ASI has focused the aircraft on core intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), strike and related missions rather than matching the wider capabilities of the MQ-9B. “This is exactly the right design for high-demand missions and cost-conscious customers,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. The aircraft has a modular payload architecture with strengthened wing hardpoints. GA-ASI says it can carry two AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs) or four Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs), as well as other combinations of munitions, launched effects, sensors and mission equipment. It is designed for a ferry range exceeding 8,000 nautical miles, a combat radius of at least 2,300 nautical miles with payload, and a payload of more than 2,800 pounds. Wildfire can also accommodate multispectral targeting sensors, radar and electronic warfare equipment. Its reinforced design and payload capacity provide potential support for logistics missions such as heavy cargo delivery. Autonomous and Collaborative Operations Wildfire uses mission-autonomy technology based on the approach developed for GA-ASI’s FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which is now in production for the U.S. Air Force. Human operators will use U.S. government-provided autonomy software rather than a conventional ground control station. The system is designed to allow one operator to supervise multiple aircraft, while onboard autonomy manages functions such as flight paths, formation operations and sensor allocation. GA-ASI also says proliferated low-Earth-orbit satellite communications can support operations when conventional communications are disrupted. Proposed for Massed Modular Aircraft Program GA-ASI is proposing Wildfire for the U.S. Air Force’s Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) effort, overseen by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The program seeks an affordable and adaptable alternative to existing Reaper inventories. The MMA requirements include at least 2,800 pounds of payload, a 2,300-nautical-mile combat radius with payload and an 8,000-nautical-mile ferry range. The target air-vehicle cost is around $10 million before sensors and mission equipment. GA-ASI says Wildfire meets or exceeds these requirements and could be delivered years ahead of the program’s projected fiscal year 2031 schedule. The company also says it could produce more than twice the number of aircraft specified in preliminary production requirements by using its existing manufacturing infrastructure, which includes more than 5 million square feet, along with its established supplier network. The aircraft builds on GA-ASI’s more than three decades of uncrewed aviation experience. The company says it has delivered more than 1,600 Predator, Reaper, SkyGuardian, Avenger and FQ-42A aircraft, which have accumulated nearly 10 million flight hours, mostly in combat. Wildfire is currently GA-ASI’s proposal for the MMA effort and has not been selected as the program’s final aircraft.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 14:09:43
World
SANAA, Yemen — September 15, 2026 — Yemen’s Houthi movement has released video and photographic imagery showing what it says are multiple military vehicles belonging to forces aligned with the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) destroyed east of Al-Jawf Governorate. According to Houthi military media, the vehicles were targeted during attacks by PLC-aligned forces against Houthi positions in the area. A Houthi military source previously said on September 12 that forces massing east of Al-Jawf were targeted, claiming the destruction of dozens of military vehicles and losses among the attacking forces. The released imagery shows damaged and destroyed vehicles in the desert terrain. Houthi forces said they used artillery and guided weapons against troop gatherings and military vehicles during the fighting. WATCH: The Houthis (Ansarallah) released footage of attacks against vehicles of the Saudi-backed PLC in the Al-Jawf region. pic.twitter.com/WZsjcbBvoj September 15, 2026 The clashes are reported around areas east of Al-Hazm, including the Al-Labanat sector, where government-aligned forces have conducted military operations against Houthi positions. The specific vehicle losses and casualty figures shown or claimed by the Houthis have not been independently verified. There was no immediate official response from the PLC regarding the imagery and the reported losses.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 14:03:04
World
JERUSALEM / RIYADH — Israel is providing intelligence support to Saudi Arabia to help the kingdom respond to attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansarullah, according to The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli outlet Walla and regional diplomatic sources. Intelligence Cooperation Through CENTCOM The reported talks between Israeli and Saudi security officials were mediated by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM). Saudi Arabia reportedly sought intelligence that could help it better understand Houthi military deployments and identify possible plans for future operations. The reported cooperation comes despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia The intelligence discussions come as Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia have intensified. Recent attacks have included: Oil infrastructure: A drone attack targeted oil pipelines and pumping facilities, resulting in a partial shutdown of activity along the main pipeline. Border-area attacks: Houthi forces also carried out an attack affecting civilians at a mosque and nearby buildings close to the Yemen-Saudi border. Missile and drone attacks: Houthi forces have continued attacks against Saudi targets, increasing pressure on the kingdom’s defenses. Houthi Advances Along the Red Sea Houthi forces have also expanded their position along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. They have captured the port city of Mocha (Mokha), Perim Island (Mayyun Island) in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands further north. These developments have given the Houthis positions along much of Yemen’s western coastline and near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi Arabia Seeks International Assistance Saudi Arabia has sought support from other countries as the security situation has worsened. Bloomberg reported that Riyadh asked Britain for assistance in countering the Houthis near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protecting its oil infrastructure. Britain agreed to send military advisers, although it has not committed to additional military assistance. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also appealed for regional support amid setbacks faced by Saudi-backed forces in Yemen. The approach to Israel was reportedly made indirectly through CENTCOM. The United States has provided intelligence-sharing and advisory support but has not conducted direct strikes, according to the reports. No Official Confirmation The developments come as concerns grow over security around the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and an important route for Saudi oil exports. Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations. The Jerusalem Post reported the Israeli-Saudi discussions on September 15, but no official Israeli or Saudi statement confirming the reported intelligence cooperation was detailed in the initial reporting.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 13:51:43
World
SHANGHAI — Commercial satellite imagery has revealed a previously unseen naval vessel under construction at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai. Open-source defense analysts and Naval News assess the ship as the world’s first purpose-built mothership designed to deploy, recover and support full-sized uncrewed submarines. The vessel is linked to China’s development of extra-extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XXLUUVs) and is expected to provide a mobile platform for transporting, maintaining and deploying them at sea. Unique Design for Uncrewed Submarines The ship resembles an amphibious transport dock (LPD), but its layout is significantly different. It is approximately 205 meters (673 feet) long and 27 meters (89 feet) wide and uses steerable azimuth thruster pods for low-speed maneuvering during launch and recovery operations. At the stern is a wet well-deck measuring about 55 by 13 meters. The bottom of this area is open, allowing a large deployment cradle to extend below the hull. The cradle is supported by 12 vertical lifting arms, enabling an uncrewed submarine to be recovered or deployed while underwater. Forward of the well-deck is an enclosed hangar measuring approximately 95 by 17 meters. Analysts assess that it could accommodate up to four full-sized XXLUUVs, or more smaller underwater systems. The enclosed space could also support maintenance and other technical work. The forward superstructure includes a helicopter hangar and flight deck for rotary-wing or logistics support. Naval analyst H. I. Sutton has also released an analysis-based illustration showing the vessel's major features, including the cradle and enclosed hangar. China’s Large XXLUUV Program China has built and tested at least two large XXLUUV designs at naval facilities on Hainan Island. One is about 35 meters (115 feet) long and the other about 45 meters (148 feet). Both are considerably larger than the U.S. Navy's Boeing Orca XLUUV, which is about 26 meters (85 feet) long with its payload module. The Chinese vehicles have been observed without traditional sails and use X-form rudders. They have previously been housed and launched from specialised floating docks, including a facility built in 2024 near Gangmen Harbour, west of the Sanya naval base. The new ship would provide a more mobile support platform for these vehicles instead of relying only on fixed or floating facilities. A similar cradle-elevator concept appeared in a 2025 Chinese proposal for an undersea research vessel, but that design used an open working deck. The much larger Shanghai vessel's enclosed hangar and specialised underwater recovery arrangement have led analysts to assess a military support role. Other Chinese Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles China has also developed smaller extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles. At a military parade in Beijing on September 3, 2025, eight were displayed: five AJX002 vehicles, estimated at 18–20 meters long and associated with mine-laying, and three HSU100 vehicles equipped with retractable sensors. The smaller systems are considered operational, while the two larger XXLUUV designs remain under testing and appear to be competing development approaches. Analysts have estimated that the larger vehicles could potentially have a range of around 10,000 nautical miles, based on their size, published concept models and diesel-electric propulsion concepts. Potential missions include long-distance transit, mine-laying, reconnaissance, seabed surveillance and carrying sensors or torpedoes, although China's authorities have not publicly announced their exact operational doctrine. The new mothership remains under construction at Hudong-Zhonghua. Its development, alongside China's ongoing XXLUUV testing, indicates that Beijing is developing not only large autonomous underwater vehicles but also a dedicated surface platform to transport, maintain, launch and recover them.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 13:46:58
U.S
WASHINGTON — A Pentagon inspector general report has found that four months of intense U.S. combat operations against Iran created strategic ammunition shortfalls and exposed bottlenecks across the U.S. defense industrial base. The first mandatory quarterly report to Congress on Operation Epic Fury, covering February 28 through June 30, 2026, estimates the Department of Defense spent $33.4 billion on the operation. Of that amount, $22.3 billion went to expended munitions, $7.4 billion to operating costs and $3.7 billion to equipment losses. The figure does not include infrastructure repair costs. Munitions Shortfalls and Production Bottlenecks The report states that “the munitions expenditure on OEF has resulted in strategic inventory shortfalls and revealed industrial base bottlenecks for munitions resupply.” Officials from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment told investigators that heavy weapons use created gaps in strategic stockpiles and exposed limits in the supply chain and defense industry's ability to replenish weapons quickly. The Pentagon is working to shorten procurement and production timelines and increase stocks of critical materials, components and selected munitions. However, the report identifies continuing bottlenecks involving solid rocket motors, high-grade explosives and propellants, and skilled manufacturing labor. Aircraft Losses and Air-Defense Demand The report records several U.S. aircraft losses and damage during the period. These include four F-15s destroyed, one F-35 damaged, seven KC-135 tankers damaged and up to 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed. Other accounts of the operation reported an A-10 destroyed, an E-3 Sentry damaged on the ground in Saudi Arabia, an AH-64 Apache downed near the Strait of Hormuz, and four AH-6 helicopters destroyed by U.S. forces to prevent their capture. U.S. air-defense systems also faced heavy demand, intercepting more than 6,000 one-way attack drones and 1,500 ballistic missiles targeting U.S. forces, regional allies and commercial shipping lanes. Patriot Production Under Pressure The campaign highlighted the difficulty of rapidly replacing air-defense missiles. Lockheed Martin's Camden, Arkansas, facility produces about 750 Patriot missiles per year, while approximately 1,500 Patriots were reportedly launched during the conflict. Each Patriot interceptor costs around $4 million. Lockheed Martin is working to increase annual production from about 750 to 2,000 missiles. Missile division head Tim Cahill described the effort as “controlled chaos.” Debate Over U.S. Weapons Stocks The inspector general's findings contrast with statements from President Donald Trump, who has said the United States has “virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition” and is producing munitions at levels never seen before. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also urged the defense industry to increase production. Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the United States has enough weapons for a war with Iran but warned that sustaining a longer conflict with China would present a much greater challenge. He said the United States might have enough munitions for a month but could face difficulty sustaining operations into the second, third and fourth months. Damage and Additional Costs The conflict also created costs outside direct military operations. The State Department spent $79.2 million on conflict-related contingencies, including evacuation operations. Iranian strikes caused approximately $184 million in damage to U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Iranian missile and drone attacks also damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and structures at U.S. military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman and Jordan. The inspector general did not provide a total repair estimate and said it remains unclear which facilities will be rebuilt or who will pay for the work. Earlier estimates of Operation Epic Fury's cost were lower. A Pentagon official told Congress in April that the operation had cost about $25 billion, while U.S. officials familiar with internal assessments put the figure closer to $50 billion at that time. Later estimates increased as the conflict continued. The inspector general's report, based on information from the Defense Department, State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development inspectors general, provides the first quarterly assessment of the operation and highlights the challenge of replenishing U.S. weapons inventories after sustained combat operations.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 12:55:13
U.S
CINCINNATI, — GE Aerospace is preparing to assemble the first physical test asset of its XA102 adaptive cycle engine under the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. The engine is intended for future combat aircraft. XA102 Moves Toward Physical Testing GE Aerospace is working with suppliers to procure hardware and is testing subcomponents ahead of assembly. The work marks a transition from digital design and development toward physical engine hardware and testing. “Our team is working with suppliers to procure hardware and test subcomponents as we prepare for assembly of the first XA102 test asset,” said Jorge Perez, general manager of Edison Works Advanced Combat Engines at GE Aerospace. Perez said the company is using lessons from the XA100 program as a foundation for advancing adaptive cycle engine technology and supporting the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation propulsion goals. Building on the XA100 The XA102 uses a three-stream adaptive cycle architecture designed to address the propulsion, fuel-efficiency and thermal-management requirements of future combat aircraft. GE Aerospace is applying experience from the earlier XA100, which was developed under the Air Force’s Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP). The XA100 completed multiple test campaigns that advanced three-stream adaptive technology. The company is also applying lessons from the XA100 in adaptive propulsion, thermal management, fuel efficiency and advanced engine design. Model-Based Manufacturing The XA102 was designed from the beginning using model-based engineering practices. GE Aerospace is now extending these methods into manufacturing, inspection and assembly. The company says the XA102 will be its first engine built using Model-Based Definition (MBD) throughout the process, replacing traditional two-dimensional drawings with a machine-readable digital product definition. The digital framework links design, manufacturing and inspection through integrated models. GE Aerospace expects the approach to improve accuracy and shorten the transition from engineering to manufacturing. Suppliers are also being prepared to use the model-based data in their manufacturing and inspection operations. GE Aerospace completed demonstrations of its model-based engineering practices during the first phase of the program. Key Program Milestones The XA102 completed its Detailed Design Review in February 2025, followed by an Assembly Readiness Review in May 2026. The reviews confirmed progress in the engine design, manufacturing processes and supply chain. As of early September 2026, around a quarter of the hardware components were reported to be on order as assembly preparations continued. NGAP Competition The XA102 is being developed under the NGAP program alongside Pratt & Whitney’s XA103. NGAP supports propulsion options for next-generation aircraft, including the F-47 as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems. The XA102’s three-stream adaptive design allows airflow to be managed for different requirements, including fuel efficiency, cooling and thrust. GE Aerospace has not officially disclosed the engine’s thrust class. Some reports have placed it in the 35,000-pound-thrust range with afterburner, but that figure remains unconfirmed by the company. With hardware procurement and subcomponent testing underway, GE Aerospace is now preparing to assemble and test the first XA102 physical test asset as the NGAP propulsion program progresses.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 12:45:58
U.S
TORRANCE, Calif. — The U.S. Navy has awarded defense startup Castelion a production delivery order valued at up to $200 million for an initial production lot of Blackbeard hypersonic strike weapons. The order covers the manufacturing, assembly, testing and delivery of the weapons to the fleet. Production Order Follows Earlier EOC Purchase The award was issued by Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation (PAE(A)) through its Future Capability Development and Integration Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell. It follows the Navy’s June 2026 purchase of 50 Blackbeard Early Operational Capability (EOC) weapons under a separate $23.4 million firm-fixed-price order, which also included 50 storage and shipping containers. The latest order moves Blackbeard from prototype and EOC activities into an initial production lot for fleet delivery. Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon Blackbeard is an air-launched hypersonic strike weapon designed to provide naval aviation with a high-speed, long-range option against maritime and land targets. Castelion said the system is intended to increase magazine depth and extend the strike reach of naval aviation, including aircraft such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The program has been developed with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, supported by hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment. Earlier Navy Contracts The latest production order follows several earlier Blackbeard contracts: February 2026: Nearly $50 million to advance Blackbeard toward Early Operational Capability. April 2026: About $105 million for F/A-18 integration and related testing. June 2026: $23.4 million for 50 EOC weapons and 50 storage and shipping containers. August 2026: Nearly $90 million for engineering, technical, logistics and manufacturing services supporting the 50 EOC weapons and the system’s transition toward a formal Navy program. Production Facilities Castelion plans to carry out production work at Project Ranger, its 1,000-acre manufacturing campus in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and at its facility in Torrance, California. The company has invested more than $220 million of its own capital in Project Ranger. The site supports solid rocket motor manufacturing, testing and final assembly. Castelion is using vertical integration and commercial manufacturing methods for Blackbeard production, giving the company greater control over costs, quality and production schedules from raw materials through finished weapons. Castelion CEO on Production Bryon Hargis, co-founder and chief executive officer of Castelion, said the Navy’s decision to move into production reflects confidence in the Blackbeard program and the progress made so far. He also said the weapon was designed from the beginning for serial manufacturing and that Castelion looks forward to delivering the capability to the fleet. The latest order represents the next production phase for Blackbeard as the Navy moves toward fielding the air-launched hypersonic strike weapon.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 12:35:25
World
TOKYO — The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) lost contact with one of its RQ-4B Global Hawk surveillance drones on Tuesday while it was flying over the Sea of Japan off Tottori Prefecture. The aircraft is now presumed to have crashed after the Japan Coast Guard spotted floating debris believed to be from the drone. Communication Lost Off Tottori Communication with the unmanned aircraft was lost at around 12:58 p.m. while it was operating in international waters approximately 50 kilometers north of the Tottori coast. The ASDF, Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and Japan Coast Guard immediately began a joint search and recovery operation. Coast Guard vessels later spotted a floating object that appeared to be part of the missing aircraft. Officials said the Global Hawk is presumed to have crashed, while the exact circumstances remain under investigation. No damage on land or to other parties has been reported. Officials Order Search and Investigation ASDF Chief of Staff Yasuhiro Morita said the force is conducting a search while considering all possibilities. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi instructed personnel to confirm the aircraft's status, conduct a swift search, check for any effects on surrounding areas and provide information to relevant local governments. The search operation is continuing in the waters off Tottori. One of Three Japanese Global Hawks The missing aircraft is one of three RQ-4B Global Hawks operated by Japan and based at Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture. Japan's procurement of the aircraft, along with associated equipment, parts and logistical support, was approved in 2015 in a deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion. The Global Hawks began arriving in Japan in 2022, with all three aircraft in place by 2023. This is the first time one of Japan's Global Hawks has gone missing or been presumed lost. Global Hawk Capabilities The U.S.-made RQ-4B Global Hawk, produced by Northrop Grumman, is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It has a wingspan of about 40 meters and a length of about 15 meters. The aircraft can operate at around 60,000 feet, reach speeds of up to approximately 570 km/h, and remain airborne for about 30–36 hours. It is remotely controlled from the ground using satellite communications. Japan uses the Global Hawk for surveillance of activities around the country and surrounding waters. Chinese drones have also operated over the Sea of Japan in recent years in connection with naval movements in the region. The search for the missing aircraft and the investigation into the loss of communication are continuing.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-15 12:22:48
U.S
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. / OXNARD, Calif. — Swarm Aero has unveiled Gamera, a new Group 5 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed for long-range strike, sensing and other missions. The California-based company introduced the aircraft at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference 2026. Gamera is a clean-sheet aircraft designed around mass production, high-rate manufacturing and a lower cost structure than traditional high-value military aircraft. Swarm Aero said the platform is intended to provide long-range effects while allowing larger numbers of aircraft to be produced and operated. The aircraft has an approximate 72-foot wingspan and an unrefueled range exceeding 9,000 nautical miles. Its payload capacity is more than 2,800 pounds, distributed across seven available store locations. Meet Gamera, a new category of Group 5 strike and sensing UAS that we unveiled at @AFA_Air_Space's Air, Space & Cyber Conference today.Mass-producible, significantly lower cost than legacy platforms, and the first UAS specifically designed to employ bomber-class strike… pic.twitter.com/UhT9bgcTPn — Swarm Aero (@SwarmAero) September 14, 2026 Designed for Heavy Long-Range Weapons A key feature of Gamera is its ability to carry heavyweight, long-range weapons. Swarm Aero describes it as the first UAS specifically designed to deploy bomber-class strike weapons, including the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and JASSM-ER. The aircraft can also carry newer classes of low-cost cruise and hypersonic missiles. Its modular design allows different payloads to be carried depending on the mission, including air-to-air, air-to-surface and advanced sensing payloads. Swarm Aero said Gamera can perform surveillance and strike missions currently associated with the MQ-9 Reaper, while carrying weapons and payloads that the MQ-9 cannot accommodate. The company also says its approach can provide standoff strike effects at approximately one-tenth the cost-per-effect of legacy approaches. Twin-Boom Aircraft Design Gamera uses a twin-boom configuration rather than a conventional single central fuselage arrangement. The aircraft is powered by a tractor-configured Honeywell TPE331 turboprop engine, with the propeller positioned ahead of the wing. A full-scale Gamera model displayed at the conference included a representation of an LRASM-class munition, highlighting the aircraft's intended heavy-payload role. The combination of long range, payload capacity and modularity is central to Swarm Aero's approach to the aircraft. Development Began in 2022 Swarm Aero began developing Gamera in 2022, using what the company describes as a first-principles approach to aircraft design, manufacturing and future combat requirements. The company has invested tens of millions of dollars in aircraft design, manufacturing methods and prototyping. It has also secured government contracts valued in the tens of millions of dollars. Among those contracts is more than $10 million from the Air Force Research Laboratory for work focused on materials and manufacturing processes intended to support high-rate, lower-cost production of large composite airframes. Swarm Aero has raised $59 million in funding and established an 80,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The company is targeting 2027 for Gamera's first flight. Designed for the Massed Modular Aircraft Program Gamera is being positioned for the U.S. Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit's Massed Modular Aircraft (MMA) program. The MMA effort is focused on aircraft that can be produced at high rates while maintaining modularity and controlling ownership costs. The program's requirements include at least 2,800 pounds of payload, an unrefueled combat radius of about 2,300 nautical miles, and a one-way self-deployment range of at least 8,000 nautical miles. The requirements also call for a modular open systems architecture and the ability for one operator to control multiple aircraft. The concept is intended to complement higher-value aircraft with more affordable platforms that can operate in contested environments and accept greater levels of attrition than traditional expensive aircraft. Legion Command-and-Control System Gamera will operate with Swarm Aero's Legion command-and-control and autonomy software. Legion is designed to allow a single operator or a small team to control multiple heterogeneous uncrewed systems at the same time. The system has been tested in operational environments, including the U.S. Navy's Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) 2026, where one operator managed multiple air and maritime assets through find, fix, track, target, engage and assess sequences. Legion was previously selected by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as one of three software providers for its Autonomous Collaborative Teaming program, which is linked to the Department of Defense's Replicator efforts. Swarm Operations Swarm Aero intends for multiple Gamera aircraft to operate together or alongside existing military forces. The aircraft is designed for missions including surface strike, sensing, electronic warfare and communications relay. The company's approach is based on combining long-range operations, a large payload capacity and lower production costs in a platform designed for high-rate manufacturing. Swarm Aero co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer Oliver Palmer, a former Pentagon official focused on China and Taiwan strategy, said the company had changed conventional approaches to aircraft design, manufacturing and combat operations to develop an affordable, mass-producible strike platform. Swarm CEO and co-founder Peter Kalogiannis highlighted the team's experience in long-endurance aircraft design and the production of military aircraft at volume. With its development work, government contracts and manufacturing investment, Swarm Aero is now preparing Gamera for flight testing and potential production at scale.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-14 17:10:54
U.S
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The U.S. Air Force has officially named its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) as the FQ-42 Vengeance and FQ-44 Fury, marking a new stage in the service’s effort to field semi-autonomous uncrewed aircraft alongside crewed fighters. Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink announced the names on September 14 during the Air & Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference. He also outlined plans to have 500 CCAs operational by 2032, with a longer-term objective of approximately 1,000 aircraft. The aircraft are intended to operate alongside crewed platforms, including the F-35 and the future F-47, providing additional sensors, weapons and electronic warfare capabilities without requiring another pilot in the air. Production and Fleet Expansion The Air Force awarded production contracts to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril Industries in June 2026 for Increment 1 CCAs. The companies are now manufacturing the aircraft, with the first production examples already beginning to come off their respective production lines. The contracts are intended to support the delivery of more than 150 combat-capable aircraft by the end of the decade. The service has also requested nearly $1 billion in fiscal year 2027 funding to begin Increment 1 procurement and support the production effort. The CCA program is being developed around a human-machine teaming concept. The aircraft are semi-autonomous, allowing onboard systems to perform functions while human operators remain responsible for higher-level mission decisions. FQ-42 Vengeance and FQ-44 Fury The two aircraft previously carried the prototype designations YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A. The FQ-42 Vengeance, developed by General Atomics, comes from the company’s earlier CCA development work, including the XQ-67A program. The FQ-44 Fury, developed by Anduril, is based on the Fury design that originated with Blue Force Technologies, which Anduril acquired in 2023. The Air Force's official announcement confirmed the two names as part of the service’s CCA program. Testing at Creech Air Force Base The naming announcement follows operational testing conducted at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, in July 2026. During the exercise, the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Experimental Operations Unit operated both aircraft in a realistic operational environment and integrated them with crewed aircraft. The testing focused on developing tactics, techniques and procedures for using CCAs in more austere operating locations. Air Force personnel also tested the ground-support requirements for the aircraft. A YFQ-44A Fury was refueled and prepared for additional operations, while crews loaded inert AIM-120 air-to-air missiles during the exercise. The Air Force said the activity helped evaluate the reduced logistical requirements needed to operate CCAs from remote and forward locations. Members of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force also observed the exercise. The United States and the Netherlands are working on platform-agnostic, open-architecture, semi-autonomous capabilities intended to support data sharing and interoperability during combined operations. The Air Force is continuing flight testing, operational experimentation and autonomy development as it prepares to move the FQ-42 and FQ-44 from testing toward operational service. The planned expansion to 500 aircraft by 2032 and approximately 1,000 in the longer term represents a major increase in the number of uncrewed aircraft the service intends to operate alongside its crewed fighter fleet.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-14 16:57:07
Europe
PARIS / STOCKHOLM — France and Sweden have begun engineering work to integrate France’s rocket-assisted AASM Hammer precision-guided bombs with Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter aircraft intended for Ukraine. The development was reported by French Aid to Europe, citing French newspaper Le Figaro. The integration is being carried out by Sweden’s Saab, the manufacturer of the Gripen, and French defense company Safran Electronics & Defense, which develops the AASM Hammer. AASM Hammer Integration The work includes adapting the weapon to the Gripen’s weapon stations, weapon-management systems and digital interfaces used to transfer targeting information. The integration would allow Ukrainian Gripens to use a precision weapon already operated by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine has previously adapted the AASM Hammer for its MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft. The weapon is also used on French Rafale fighters. The AASM Hammer, or Armement Air-Sol Modulaire, is a modular guidance and range-extension system that converts standard unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons. It is available for 125 kg, 250 kg, 500 kg and 1,000 kg bomb bodies, including Mk 82, Mk 83, Mk 84 and BLU-109 warheads. Safran offers three main guidance configurations: INS/GPS, INS/GPS with infrared guidance, and INS/GPS with laser guidance. The system uses a solid-fuel rocket motor for additional propulsion after release. Safran states that the baseline system has a range of more than 70 km, depending on configuration and launch conditions. Safran is also developing the Hammer 250 XLR and Hammer 1000 XLR extended-range variants. Sweden’s Gripen Plans for Ukraine The AASM integration comes as Sweden expands its planned Gripen support for Ukraine. In May 2026, Sweden announced plans to provide Ukraine with 16 Gripen C/D fighters free of charge. In June 2026, Sweden and Ukraine signed a contract for 16 new Gripen E fighters, with deliveries expected to begin in early 2029. Ukraine and Saab are also discussing a potential larger arrangement involving up to 150 Gripen aircraft. Longer-term cooperation includes plans to localize Gripen production in Ukraine, including aircraft assembly and component manufacturing. The localization is not expected to begin before 2033. Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel are already undergoing Gripen-related training in Sweden. If the AASM Hammer integration is completed, Ukraine’s future Gripen fleet will have access to an additional precision air-to-ground weapon already familiar to its forces.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-14 16:48:54
World
MOSCOW, — Russia may develop a service similar to Flightradar for tracking Ukrainian drones, according to Alexey Chadayev, CEO of the Ushkuynik Research and Production Center. Chadayev told Russia’s state news agency TASS that the first step would be to establish a unified sensor network operator because the current process of detecting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is fragmented. Proposed Unified Sensor Network Chadayev said the proposed network could be developed using existing infrastructure operated by Rostelecom and major Russian cellular companies. He specifically pointed to telecommunications towers and fiber-optic cables as the foundation for the network. According to Chadayev, negotiations on creating such a unified sensor network operator are already underway. He said Russia needs a specialized system similar to Flightradar, but designed for tracking drones. The proposed system would bring information from different detection sources into a common network. It would allow personnel involved in countering UAVs to see detected targets, identify them and assign tracking numbers. Coordinating Drone Interception Chadayev said the system would also help coordinate which unit is tracking a particular UAV and which unit would ultimately intercept it. He highlighted the importance of controlling where a drone is intercepted because falling debris can cause damage on the ground. According to Chadayev, one of the main challenges is destroying a drone in a location where its descent causes the least possible damage. The proposal therefore focuses not only on detecting drones but also on creating a common picture of their movement and coordinating the response among those involved in counter-UAV operations. Earlier Proposal for Civilian Low-Altitude Airspace Control Chadayev had previously supported the creation of a unified federal civilian low-altitude airspace control system in Russia to counter Ukrainian drones. His latest proposal would use existing telecommunications infrastructure as part of a broader sensor network rather than relying only on separate detection systems. The proposal comes as Russia continues developing systems designed to combine drone detection and counter-UAV capabilities. For example, Russia's High Precision Systems has said its systems can combine radar and optoelectronic detection with other air-defense systems to create a unified air situation picture. At this stage, the Flightradar-like drone tracking service remains a proposal discussed by Chadayev, with negotiations involving Rostelecom and major cellular operators reported as underway. TASS did not report that a nationwide operational service has already been established.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-14 16:28:31
Europe
BERLIN — Germany is planning to spend nearly €3.4 billion ($3.75 billion) to acquire US-made Typhon mobile launchers and Tomahawk cruise missiles, according to an internal Defense Ministry planning document first reported by Politico. The proposed spending is expected to be considered during preparations for Germany’s 2027 federal budget. The final cost and number of missiles and launchers have not yet been decided and will require Bundestag approval. A German Defense Ministry spokesperson declined to confirm the exact budget allocation because the budget process is ongoing, but said that “the procurement of the US Typhon system with Tomahawk cruise missiles remains intended.” Germany has already submitted a formal Letter of Request to the US Department of Defense. Ground-Based Long-Range Strike Capability The acquisition would give the Bundeswehr its first independently operated, ground-based long-range conventional strike capability. Germany has traditionally relied mainly on air-launched weapons, including the Taurus KEPD 350. The Typhon system, also known as the Strategic Mid-Range Fires (SMRF) system and built by Lockheed Martin, uses mobile launchers based on modified Mk 41 vertical launch cells. It can launch Tomahawk cruise missiles and is also designed to fire SM-6 missiles. Tomahawk missiles are produced by Raytheon, now part of RTX, and have a reported range of about 2,500 kilometers. Germany’s planning documents indicate that the Bundeswehr aims to bring the Typhon system into service by the end of the decade. From US Deployment to German Ownership The planned purchase follows the cancellation of an earlier US deployment plan. In July 2024, then-US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to begin rotational deployment of US long-range weapons in Germany from 2026, including US-operated Tomahawk missiles. The Trump administration later canceled the planned deployment. Germany subsequently approached Washington in 2025 to purchase its own Typhon launchers and Tomahawks. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump reached an agreement in principle during the NATO summit in Ankara. The exact quantities remain undisclosed, while further details of the procurement are still being negotiated. German Industry Participation Berlin is also seeking German industrial participation in the program, including possible manufacturing and maintenance work. The Defense Ministry planning document refers to “the prospect of industrial cooperation.” However, no binding workshare or production agreement has been finalized. The United States is expected to retain control over sensitive technology and intellectual property. Part of Wider Long-Range Strike Plans The Typhon and Tomahawk acquisition is part of Germany’s broader long-range strike plans. Berlin is also pursuing the Taurus Neo modernization program and participating in the European Long-Range Strike Approach (ELSA). Germany is also working with the United Kingdom on a future European deep-strike cruise missile intended to provide a range of up to 2,000 kilometers in the 2030s. The Typhon program would allow Germany to operate a ground-based long-range strike capability under its own control rather than relying on rotational US deployments.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-14 16:17:35
World
CANBERRA — The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) and AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile–Extended Range (JASSM-ER). The Australian Department of Defence announced the milestone on September 11, confirming that the two long-range weapons have completed operational testing and entered operational service. Long-Range Maritime and Land Strike The LRASM is an air-launched, precision-guided, semi-autonomous missile designed to engage high-value, well-defended maritime targets at ranges exceeding 370 kilometres. The JASSM-ER is an air-launched, precision-guided land-strike cruise missile capable of locating, identifying and defeating targets at ranges of up to 900 kilometres from the launch aircraft. The IOC declaration specifically covers their operational capability on the RAAF's F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft. Testing included weapon preparation and loading, targeting and successful engagements. RAAF Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said the weapons would increase the lethality of air combat aircraft and improve the service's ability to conduct precise long-range strikes while avoiding increasingly sophisticated air defences. Testing and RIMPAC 2026 The capability followed a series of tests in Australia and the United States. In February 2025, two LRASM missiles were successfully test-fired by RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets at the Point Mugu Sea Range in the United States. In November 2025, two JASSM-ER missiles were successfully test-fired at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. During Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026 (RIMPAC 26), a RAAF P-8A Poseidon successfully fired an LRASM and hit its target during a sinking exercise. It was the first employment of LRASM by an Australian P-8A and formed part of dual launches involving RAAF and U.S. Navy maritime patrol aircraft. Acquisition and Future Integration Australia received U.S. Foreign Military Sales approval for the LRASM in February 2020 and for the JASSM-ER in July 2022. U.S. Defence Security Cooperation Agency notifications listed up to 200 LRASM and 80 JASSM-ER, although Australian Defence has not publicly detailed the final number purchased. Both missiles use a common low-observable body design and carry an approximately 450-kilogram warhead. JASSM-ER entered U.S. Air Force service in 2014, while LRASM entered U.S. Air Force service in 2018 and U.S. Navy service in 2019. Australia also plans to integrate both weapons with its F-35A Lightning II fleet. The LRASM and JASSM-ER are part of Australia's wider long-range strike program, which also includes the Naval Strike Missile, Joint Strike Missile and AGM-88G AARGM-ER. Australia is also acquiring up to 220 BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles for its Hobart-class guided-missile destroyers. The broader long-range maritime and surface strike investment is planned at A$30 billion to A$37 billion over the next decade under Australia's Integrated Investment Program. The introduction of the two AGM-158 weapons involved the RAAF, Defence Delivery Group, Joint Capabilities Group, whole-of-government partners, and U.S. military and industry partners. The capability supports Australia's deterrence-through-denial approach outlined in the National Defence Strategy.
Read More → Posted on 2026-09-14 16:06:41Search
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