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 16:04:06
World
KYIV — Russia has suspended production of its Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile and Kh-32 cruise missile, redirecting components, missile fuel and other resources toward missile systems that Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence says are considered more effective. Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence (DIU), disclosed the production changes in an interview with RBC-Ukraine published on August 10, 2026. According to Skibitskyi, the suspension of production began in April. Kinzhal Production Suspended The Kinzhal is an air-launched missile carried by Russia’s MiG-31K aircraft. Russia introduced the system publicly in 2018 and has described it as a high-speed weapon derived from the Iskander-M missile system. According to Skibitskyi, accuracy problems are one of the reasons behind the decision to stop production. He said that an effective guided missile should have a deviation of no more than 5–7 metres, while the Kinzhal has reportedly shown deviations of 30 metres or more. Ukrainian forces have also previously reported intercepting Kinzhal missiles using Patriot air-defence systems. The production suspension does not mean that Russia has permanently cancelled the Kinzhal programme or withdrawn the MiG-31K aircraft used to launch the missile. Instead, the move described by DIU represents a change in production priorities. Kh-32 Returned for Further Development Russia has also suspended serial production of the Kh-32, an upgraded version of the Soviet-era Kh-22 missile. According to Skibitskyi, Russian engineers attempted to improve the Kh-32's accuracy and range, but the modifications did not achieve the required results during several combat tests. The missile was subsequently returned for further development, while serial production was suspended. Russian forces have used Kh-22-family missiles against targets in Ukraine, including land targets, despite the system originally being developed as an anti-ship weapon. Resources Shifted to Other Missiles DIU says the suspension of Kinzhal and Kh-32 production has allowed Russia to redirect missile fuel, components and financial resources toward other missile programmes. Skibitskyi said Russia is currently producing its main missile types at between 110% and 120% of planned monthly targets. July production figures cited by him include: Missile July production Planned production Target completion Kh-101 87 72 140% Kalibr 29 26 111% Kh-35 Not specified Not specified 200% Iskander-M 9M723 65 60 Above target The Kh-101 is a long-range cruise missile, while Kalibr missiles are launched from Russian naval platforms. The 9M723 is the ballistic missile used by the Iskander-M system. DIU also reported that, by August 3, Russia had already met its full-year production targets for 33 Zircon hypersonic missiles and 60 modernised Oniks missiles. According to the same assessment, Russia had about 130 9M723 missiles in its stockpile allocated to its forces as of August 5. Skibitskyi said Ukrainian intelligence has documentary evidence covering Russian missile-production plans and actual production. He also stated that some Kh-101 missiles that fail during launch are returned to production facilities for inspection and repair. New Banderol Munition Used From Helicopters Alongside changes to missile production, Russian forces are also introducing new methods of deploying other strike weapons. Skibitskyi confirmed that the Banderol loitering munition is being launched from Russian helicopters. Ukrainian Defence Intelligence had previously reported efforts to adapt the system for use with Mi-28 attack helicopters. DIU has also reported that work is underway to enable the munition to be launched from fixed-wing aircraft. The Banderol, also referred to as Banderole or S8000 in Ukrainian reporting, has been associated with Russia's Kronstadt company and the Orion unmanned aircraft system. Ukrainian intelligence has previously reported a range of up to 500 kilometres, a speed of about 500–600 km/h and a warhead weighing up to approximately 150 kg. The reported production changes show that Russia is directing more resources toward missile systems that its defence industry is currently able to produce in larger quantities, while the Kinzhal and Kh-32 programmes remain suspended or under further development, according to Ukraine's Defence Intelligence. The claims about Russian production levels and the reasons for the suspensions come from Ukrainian intelligence and should therefore be understood as Ukrainian assessments rather than independently verified Russian production data.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 15:58:16
U.S
REDONDO BEACH, California — Northrop Grumman is developing an integrated missile defense architecture that connects space-based sensors, battle management systems and interceptors to detect, track and engage ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. The architecture links capabilities across space, air, sea and land and combines existing systems with those under development. The objective is to create a continuous chain from initial missile detection and tracking to interceptor engagement. At the center is the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), which connects sensors and weapons that were not originally designed to operate together. The system provides a common command-and-control network and uses software-based data integration. Artificial intelligence supports threat classification and interceptor selection, giving operators a shared view of the battlespace. Rob Fleming, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Space Systems, said the company is combining next-generation sensors, advanced interceptors and AI-enabled decision-making to help warfighters detect and understand threats sooner, make faster decisions and adapt as threats evolve. Space-based detection The space layer includes Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (NG-OPIR) Polar satellites operating in highly elliptical orbits. Their infrared sensors are designed to detect missile heat signatures across the Northern Hemisphere. Northrop Grumman is under a $4.2 billion contract to build and launch two OPIR-Polar spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force. Another component is the Ballistic Missile Defense System Overhead Persistent Infrared Architecture (BOA). It combines infrared data from multiple satellite constellations and processes the information into three-dimensional missile tracks for command-and-control systems. BOA is designed to support real-time threat detection, tracking and classification, including during high-volume missile attacks. Northrop Grumman is also involved in the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program and the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Tracking Layer, providing infrared missile warning and tracking capabilities from low-Earth orbit. Glide Phase Interceptor For hypersonic threats, the architecture includes the Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI), which is designed to engage hypersonic glide vehicles during their glide phase. GPI is being developed for launch from Mk 41 Vertical Launch Systems on Aegis-equipped ships and Aegis Ashore sites. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency selected Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor. In April 2026, the Missile Defense Agency awarded a $475 million contract modification, bringing the total agreement value to approximately $1.31 billion. Work under the current agreement is scheduled for completion by June 2028, with the preliminary design review targeted around that period. The program is being developed with Japan under a 50-50 workshare arrangement. The United States is responsible for the first-stage booster, third-stage solid rocket motor and key kill-vehicle components, including the aeroshell, avionics and seeker. Japan is developing the second-stage solid rocket motor, third-stage attitude-control system and parts of the kill vehicle, including the rocket motor, fin actuators and fins. The interceptor uses advanced seekers, dual aerodynamic and rocket-motor guidance, modular software and energy-flexible propulsion. Digital twins and modular open-system architecture are being used during development. IBCS and missile defense integration IBCS is a core part of the U.S. Army's integrated air and missile defense modernization. It connects different sensors and effectors and combines their information into an integrated air picture. Northrop Grumman reports that IBCS has completed numerous successful flight tests, including its 34th consecutive successful missile flight test and 44th intercept as of mid-2026. The system has been demonstrated with capabilities including the Indirect Fire Protection Capability and Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor. IBCS is in full-rate production and has achieved operational milestones with Poland's WISŁA medium-range air defense program. It has also been fielded with U.S. combatant commands in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Expanding rocket motor production Northrop Grumman is expanding solid rocket motor production to support multiple missile programs. The company has produced more than 1.3 million solid rocket motors and increased annual production from about 13,000 motors in 2024, with a target of 25,000 annually by 2029. The company has invested more than $1 billion in recent years to expand production facilities in West Virginia, Maryland and Utah. Propellant production is currently around 30 million pounds, with additional capacity planned. Multi-year agreements include production support for PAC-3 and THAAD motors. Digital manufacturing and allied cooperation Northrop Grumman is using additive manufacturing and digital engineering to support missile production. Some interceptor components are produced using 3D-printed titanium, reducing certain tooling requirements and shortening production lead times from months to weeks. The company's Modular Avionics Control Hardware (MACH) provides a flexible architecture that can be configured for different launch-vehicle control systems. Digital twins and virtual testing are also being used to reduce development risks and schedules. The company is extending its integrated approach to allies, including the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and several NATO members. Cooperation includes GPI development with Japan, solid rocket motor activities with Australia and IBCS-related work with European partners. The broader approach emphasizes shared procurement, interoperable data standards and open architectures. Northrop Grumman also plans forward-deployed ground stations in Europe and the Indo-Pacific to provide participating nations with real-time situational awareness. The overall architecture is intended to connect space-based detection and tracking with command-and-control systems and interceptors, creating a multi-domain missile defense network for U.S. and allied forces against ballistic and hypersonic threats.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 15:41:46
World
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia is producing several major missile types above its planned monthly targets while shifting part of its drone production toward turbojet-powered strike drones, according to Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). Speaking to RBC-Ukraine, Skibitskyi said Russia is currently producing its main missile types at around 110–120 percent of monthly targets. Missile Production Above Targets According to the DIU, Russia had already fulfilled its full-year production targets for Zircon and Oniks missiles by August 3. During the first seven months of 2026, Russia reportedly produced 33 Zircon and 60 Oniks missiles. Both systems were originally developed as anti-ship weapons and have also been modernized for ground-attack missions. In July, production exceeded targets for several missile types. Russia produced 87 Kh-101 missiles against a target of 72, reaching 140 percent of the planned output. Kalibr production reached 29 against a target of 26, or 111 percent, while Kh-35 production reached 200 percent of its planned volume. The reported monthly production figures are 87 Kh-101, 60–65 Iskander, 29 Kalibr, eight Oniks and five Zircon missiles. Iskander 9M723 production reached 65 in July against a target of 60, while the stockpile allocated to Russian forces was estimated at around 130 missiles as of August 5. Skibitskyi said most newly produced missiles are being used in combat rather than added to stockpiles. Kalibr is the main exception, with newly produced missiles largely being supplied to other Russian naval fleets because newer Russian warships and submarines are equipped with Kalibr launch systems. Some Kh-101 missiles that fail during launch are reportedly returned to factories for inspection and repair. Production of Kinzhal and Kh-32 missiles has been halted since April, with resources redirected toward other systems. RM-48U Production Russia has also begun producing the RM-48U surface-to-surface missile, which can be launched from S-400 systems. The August production plan calls for about 40 missiles, while the existing stockpile is estimated at around 400 units. Shift Toward Jet-Powered Drones Russia's August production target for the Geran, Garpiya and Gerbera drone families is 11,000 units. The DIU said Russia reduced drone strike intensity and production in July while factories reconfigured production lines for the turbojet-powered Geran-4 and Geran-5. In one recent attack, these turbojet-powered drones reportedly accounted for 50 percent of the drones used. Ukrainian intelligence said Russia is increasingly using the faster Geran-4 and Geran-5 for deep-strike missions, which require different interceptors or short-range air-defense systems for countering them. Foreign Components and July Missile Launches Skibitskyi said Russia continues to obtain critical missile-production components, including dual-use items, through supply chains connected to European countries, the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, despite efforts to increase domestic production. Ukrainian intelligence also reported that a North Korean missile unit was deployed in Russia, with information about the deployment becoming public on August 5. In July, Russia launched 153 Kh-101, Kalibr and Kh-32 cruise missiles, the second-highest monthly total after February's 157. Ballistic and hypersonic missile launches, including 9M723 Iskander, RM-48U and Zircon, totaled 198, the highest monthly figure reported so far in 2026. The DIU said it has documentary evidence of Russia's missile production plans and actual output.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 14:29:08
India
NEW DELHI — The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is pursuing a new Kaveri 2.0 engine programme centred on a redesigned core in the 90 kN thrust class. The effort is aimed at developing an indigenous engine option for the Tejas Mk1A, particularly for mid-life upgrades expected in the 2030s. Kaveri 2.0 is being developed separately from the higher-thrust engine programme intended for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The AMCA effort targets the 120–140 kN class, while Kaveri 2.0 is focused on medium-thrust requirements. The new Kaveri design involves a major redesign rather than a simple upgrade of the existing core. GTRE is focusing on a new high-pressure compressor (HPC) to improve pressure ratios and fuel efficiency. The core is also planned to use single-piece blisks made from advanced titanium alloys to reduce weight and air leakage, along with single-crystal turbine blades designed to withstand higher operating temperatures. The reported targets are 55–60 kN of dry thrust and 90–100 kN of thrust with afterburner. The earlier Kaveri Derivative Engine was in the roughly 49–52 kN thrust range. The new targets are intended to provide a power level suitable for a future Tejas Mk1A re-engining programme. The programme builds on technology developed through the original Kaveri project, which was separated from the Tejas programme after the engine failed to meet the required thrust level. A dry derivative of the Kaveri has also been developed for unmanned applications. For the Tejas Mk1A, the proposed Kaveri 2.0 would not be an immediate replacement for the GE F404. Instead, the plan is to develop and qualify the new engine so it could potentially be introduced during future mid-life upgrades, once the required testing, integration and certification are completed. The programme is therefore intended to provide India with a future indigenous medium-thrust fighter engine option while reducing dependence on foreign powerplants.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 13:40:24
World
PENGHU, TAIWAN — Taiwan’s newly established Navy Littoral Operations Command deployed mobile launchers carrying Hsiung Feng II (HF-2) and Hsiung Feng III (HF-3) anti-ship missiles across the Penghu archipelago on August 9, 2026, during the ongoing Han Kuang military exercises. After receiving simulated targeting information, missile crews rapidly moved the launchers from their bases to pre-designated tactical positions. The units then rehearsed coordinated fires against maritime targets, testing their ability to conduct mobile coastal-strike operations and control key waterways surrounding the Penghu islands. The deployment was part of the fifth day of Taiwan’s 10-day Han Kuang exercise, which began earlier in the week and is scheduled to conclude on August 14. The annual exercise uses live troops, real terrain and military equipment to test combat readiness and the ability of Taiwan’s armed forces to respond to potential threats. Hsiung Feng II and Hsiung Feng III The Hsiung Feng II is a subsonic anti-ship missile developed by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST). It has a reported range of about 160 km, while the Block II version has a range of up to 250 km. The missile has a top speed of about Mach 0.85 and carries a warhead of approximately 180 kg. The Hsiung Feng III is a supersonic anti-ship missile with a reported range of more than 100–150 km, with some versions reaching around 250 km. Its speed is reported at Mach 2 to 3.5, and it carries a 225 kg warhead using self-forging fragments. NCSIST describes the HF-III as using an integrated rocket-ramjet propulsion system. The missile uses inertial guidance during its mid-course flight and an active radar seeker during the terminal phase. Both the HF-II and HF-III can be deployed from land-based mobile launchers and are part of Taiwan’s domestically developed coastal-defense capabilities. Taiwan’s 2025 National Defense Report lists the Hsiung Feng II, Hsiung Feng III and extended-range Hsiung Feng missiles among the country’s shore-based anti-ship missile systems. Littoral Operations Command The Littoral Operations Command began operations in July 2026 and is responsible for integrating Taiwan’s coastal-defense capabilities. Its forces include anti-ship missile units, coastal and mobile radar systems and unmanned systems. The command places particular emphasis on mobile launchers, allowing missile units to relocate between positions and operate from different tactical locations. Its responsibilities include defending the waters surrounding Taiwan and its outlying islands, including Penghu. The Penghu exercise tested this concept by requiring missile crews to rapidly move after receiving targeting information, establish firing positions and coordinate attacks against simulated maritime targets. Exercise conducted during difficult weather The missile deployment was conducted despite heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions associated with Typhoon Dolphin. The operation provided an opportunity to test the movement and employment of the missile units under difficult weather conditions. The exercise also comes amid continued Chinese military activity around Taiwan. Between Saturday and Sunday morning, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense reported tracking six Chinese naval vessels, nine official ships and four Chinese military aircraft operating around the island. Two of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, prompting Taiwan to deploy aircraft, naval vessels and coastal missile systems. Photos of the Penghu deployment were released by Taiwan’s Military News Agency and credited to photographer Cai Fangyun. Penghu is located in the Taiwan Strait and has strategic importance because of its position along maritime approaches to Taiwan. The Han Kuang exercises are continuing at multiple locations, including coastal and island-defense scenarios. The Penghu drill demonstrated the Littoral Operations Command’s ability to move mobile Hsiung Feng missile units to designated positions and coordinate coastal-strike operations as part of Taiwan’s broader defense preparations.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 13:26:55
World
GELENDZHIK, Russia — Ukrainian forces have destroyed a Russian Volna Kupol Garant electronic warfare system in Gelendzhik, Krasnodar Krai, according to satellite imagery published by open-source intelligence analysts. The system was located at Russian military unit No. 2156, which is part of the Novorossiysk Border Detachment of the FSB Border Service. Satellite images published by the OSINT group Dnipro Osint show the complex at the location on August 2. By August 7, the equipment was no longer visible, while changes to the site were consistent with the aftermath of a strike. The destruction has not been independently confirmed by Russian authorities. Volna Kupol Garant Targets Starlink The Volna Kupol Garant is designed to interfere with Starlink satellite communications by transmitting radio-frequency signals toward Starlink satellites rather than directly jamming individual ground terminals. The system operates in the 14–14.5 GHz range, which is used by Starlink terminals to communicate with satellites. Its antennas transmit interference toward satellites passing over the affected area, disrupting their ability to properly receive signals from terminals on the ground. A complete complex is reported to cover an area of approximately 20 square kilometres. The system uses multiple directional antennas and can be deployed across as many as six trailers. The antennas can remain mounted on the trailers or be positioned separately. The system can receive power from generators carried with the equipment or from external sources. Large Size Creates Detection Challenges The Volna Kupol Garant's physical size makes it difficult to conceal compared with smaller electronic warfare systems. Its operation also produces strong radio-frequency emissions, which can provide another means of locating an active system through electronic reconnaissance. Ukrainian defence adviser Serhii Beskrestnov and other open-source analysts have previously highlighted these characteristics when discussing the system. Reuters reported in July that Ukrainian drone units had identified around 10 Volna Kupol Garant systems and were targeting them because of their role in disrupting Starlink-linked drone operations. Third Documented Destruction The Gelendzhik strike is being described in open-source reporting as the third documented destruction of a Volna Kupol Garant system. Earlier systems were reported destroyed in June, including one near Kerch in occupied Crimea. Ukrainian forces have focused on these systems because of their ability to interfere with satellite communications used by Ukrainian drone units. The Volna Kupol Garant is produced by Rossiysky Kupol LLC, based in Simferopol, Crimea. Estimates reported for the system's cost range from approximately $1.5 million to $1.8 million, with some reports giving a figure of around 150 million rubles. The reported destruction in Gelendzhik is notable because the system was located on Russian mainland territory, rather than in occupied Ukrainian territory. The incident adds another documented loss to Russia's deployment of specialised electronic warfare equipment intended to disrupt Starlink communications used by Ukrainian forces.
Read More → Posted on 2026-08-10 13:09:16Search
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