Yesterday afternoon, the Pentagon notified Congress of its purchase of a microwave weapon system designed to knock down swarms of enemy drones with pulses of energy. The purchase comes with an intent to deploy the PHASER system overseas for a year-long assessment, making it the first directed energy defense weapon to ever be fielded. […] Read more about The US Air Force Is Deploying PHASER Microwave Weapon to kill drones[…]
The UK Armed Forces’ privatised pilot training system is taking nearly seven years to turn new recruits into frontline-ready aviators, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). The NAO investigation into the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) contract, which is let to a consortium backed in part by US arms multinational Lockheed Martin, thundered Read more about Privatised RAF pilot training takes 7 years to produce combat-ready aviators, has a shortfall of 86% with RAF needs[…]
France will develop satellites armed with laser weapons, and will use the weapons against enemy satellites that threaten the country’s space forces. The announcement is just part of a gradual shift in acceptance of space-based weaponry as countries reliant on space for military operations in the air, on land, and at sea—as well as for Read more about France Is Making Space-Based Anti-Satellite Laser Weapons[…]
Government officials from Germany and the Netherlands have signed an agreement this week to build the first-ever joint military internet. The accord was signed on Wednesday in Brussels, Belgium, where NATO defense ministers met this week. The name of this new Dutch-German military internet is the Tactical Edge Networking, or TEN, for short. This is Read more about Germany and the Netherlands to build the first ever joint military internet, some contractor wins huge and achieves massive vendor lock in[…]
In the margins of today’s EDA Steering Board, 22 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden) and EDA signed a new programme that will facilitate the granting of cross-border surface and air movement permissions. The programme Read more about 22 EU Member States sign new military mobility programme[…]
The CIA and the U.S. military have been using a new type of missile during some drone strikes in recent years, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. What makes this new missile unique? It doesn’t explode and instead deploys sharp blades, hitting targets “like a speeding anvil” from the sky. The new Read more about CIA’s Solution to Killing Too Many Civilians: Knife Bomb[…]
The new-build F-15 was not part of the service’s original budget plans, but was added because the type has lower lifetime operating costs, the USAF acknowledges. The service is committed to buying 72 fighters per year, but cannot afford to purchase only F-35As because of that aircraft’s high operating costs – which average about $35,000 Read more about US Air Force buys new build 70s era vintage F-15EX fleet because F-35 is too expensive[…]
American plane-maker Boeing has revealed a stealthy, robotic fighter jet that could fly into battle alongside old-school manned planes. But the “loyal wingman” drone, as officials call it, isn’t for the U.S. military. The Australian government funded the ‘bot’s development in the hope of equipping Royal Australian Air Force squadrons with drone wingmen. Which is Read more about Boeing Just Revealed the ‘Loyal Wingman’ Fighter Drone—For Australia[…]
The Oryu is the eleventh submarine based on the Soryu’s design. Soryu-class vessels, which started being built in 2005, are among the largest diesel-electric submarines in the world. But the Oryu is a vastly updated version of the Soryu, the biggest change being the replacement of lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion ones. Mitsubishi Heavy tapped GS Yuasa Read more about Japan’s silent submarines extend range with li-ion batteries[…]
The aircraft flew for two weeks on kerosine with 5% biofuel. Unfortunately there is not enough fuel available to allow for more than one aircraft to fly for two weeks. A chicken and egg dilemma. Een F-16 van Vliegbasis Leeuwarden stootte de afgelopen 2 weken minder CO2 uit tijdens het vliegen. Het toestel koos het Read more about Dutch F-16 flies using fryer fat[…]
On June 22, China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), China’s foremost military electronics company, announced that its groundbreaking quantum radar has achieved new gains, which could allow it to detect stealth planes. The CETC claims its system is now capable of tracking high altitude objects, likely by increasing the coherence time entangled photons. CETC envisions Read more about China’s latest quantum radar could help detect stealth planes, missiles[…]
China has developed a new portable laser weapon that can zap a target from nearly a kilometre away, according to researchers involved in the project. The ZKZM-500 laser assault rifle is classified as being “non-lethal” but produces an energy beam that cannot be seen by the naked eye but can pass through windows and cause Read more about China brings Star Wars to life with ‘laser AK-47’ that can set fire to targets a kilometre away[…]
With the UK at the forefront as the framework nation, the JEF can now deploy over 10,000 personnel from across the nine nations. Speaking at the event at Lancaster House today Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: Our commitment today sends a clear message to our allies and adversaries alike – our nations will stand together Read more about Over 10,000 troops from nine nations ready to meet global challenges in Joint Expeditionary Force led by UK[…]
ALPHA is currently viewed as a research tool for manned and unmanned teaming in a simulation environment. In its earliest iterations, ALPHA consistently outperformed a baseline computer program previously used by the Air Force Research Lab for research. In other words, it defeated other AI opponents. In fact, it was only after early iterations of Read more about New Artificial Intelligence Beats Tactical Experts in Aerial Combat Simulation[…]
DARPA’s OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program envisions future small-unit infantry forces using small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and/or small unmanned ground systems (UGSs) in swarms of 250 robots or more to accomplish diverse missions in complex urban environments. By leveraging and combining emerging technologies in swarm autonomy and human-swarm teaming, the program seeks to enable Read more about DARPA looking for Innovative Ideas for Swarm Drone Systems in Urban Environments[…]
What happens when a North Korean ballistic missile test fails in flight and explodes in a populated area? On April 28, 2017, North Korea launched a single Hwasong-12/KN17 intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) from Pukchang Airfield in South Pyongan Province (the Korean People’s Army’s Air and Anti-Air Force Unit 447 in Ryongak-dong, Sunchon City, to be Read more about When a North Korean Missile Accidentally Hit a North Korean City[…]
For years, the Defense Department’s most senior leadership has lamented the fact that US military and spy agencies, where artificial intelligence (AI) technology is concerned, lag far behind state-of-the-art commercial technology. Though US companies and universities lead the world in advanced AI research and commercialization, the US military still performs many activities in a style Read more about Project Maven brings AI to the fight against ISIS[…]
The European Council has adopted the decision to establish a European Union defense pact, known as PESCO. The 25 participating EU states are set to begin working on a series of joint-defense projects next year. The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which was first set out in the Lisbon Treaty, will allow member states to jointly Read more about Twenty-five EU states sign PESCO defense pact[…]
Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) – Factsheet – European Union External Action PESCO is a Treaty-based framework and process to deepen defence cooperation amongst EU Member States who are capable and willing to do so. The aim is to jointly develop defence capabilities and make them available for EU military operations. This will thus enhance the Read more about EU creates large scale military cooperative framework (PESCO)[…]
Paramount Aerospace Systems has been in negotiation with the French Government to acquire four Dual-Seater Mirage F1s. These aircraft are compatible with the existing fleet of Mirage F1 aircraft that was acquired by Paramount group from the South African Government. The Company has extensive capability on this aircraft type with full airframe and engine overhaul Read more about Paramount group acquires 4 French dual seat Mirage F-1 fighters for agressor training[…]
Due to an accident caused by a mortar exploding within the launch tube, both the Dutch minister of Defence, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and commander of the armed forces, Tom Middendorp have both fallen on their swords. The incident involved the sloppy purchasing of a mortar grenade in 2006 (expedited for the Afghan war), which led to Read more about Dutch defence minister and top general step down for munition problem out of their control. How is this taking responsibility?[…]
Sweden’s Transport Agency moved all of its data to “the cloud”, apparently unaware that there is no cloud, only somebody else’s computer. In doing so, it exposed and leaked every conceivable top secret database: fighter pilots, SEAL team operators, police suspects, people under witness relocation. Names, photos, and home addresses: the list is just getting Read more about Swedish government leak: clueless agency moved all citizens data + military secrets to “The Cloud” in clear text and to people without security clearances in many countries[…]
A shadowy international mercenary and security firm known as TigerSwan targeted the movement opposed to the Dakota Access Pipeline with military-style counterterrorism measures, collaborating closely with police in at least five states, according to internal documents obtained by The Intercept. The documents provide the first detailed picture of how TigerSwan, which originated as a U.S. Read more about Leaked Documents Reveal Counterterrorism Tactics Used by private contractor on US soil, Standing Rock to “Defeat Pipeline Insurgencies”[…]
28 countries backed the Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) with a view to it taking over this spring. The embryonic military headquarters has long been opposed by Britain, the bloc’s leading military power, but the idea was revived by Germany and France after the British voted to leave the EU. The organisation would command the Read more about EU takes first steps towards military HQ with MPCC[…]
Russia has rolled out its first RAC MiG-35 fighter and announced its intention to offer the multirole type to a host of potential export customers, including India. Source: Russia reveals export ambitions for MiG-35