Tag: national security
2618 articles
Pratt Licenses Hermeus to Produce F100 Fighter Jet Engine
Pratt & Whitney is teaming up with aircraft startup Hermeus to produce the F100-PW-229 turbofan, a powerful engine that has been propelling some F-15 and F-16 fighter jets since 1992. This marks Pratt's first-ever license agreement of its kind with a fellow American company, aiming to strengthen the defense industrial base.
US Air Force Bolsters Base Defenses Against Aerial Threats
The US Air Force is overhauling its base defense strategy to counter aerial threats, shifting from a position of sanctuary to proactive protection of its bases and personnel from missiles and drones. Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach emphasized that point defense can no longer be a secondary focus, but a core function, driven by recent operational lessons from conflicts like the war with Iran.
NATO Jets Down Unidentified Drone Over Lithuania
In a swift and decisive move, Italian Eurofighter jets scrambled from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania and took down an unidentified drone that had breached the country's airspace, with officials later revealing the drone was carrying an explosive device. The intercept was carried out in line with NATO's strict operational procedures.
Iranian Spies Deploy Chosen Brick Malware to Steal Data from Windows Machines
Iranian spies are using a sneaky malware called Chosen Brick to steal data from Windows machines, often targeting dissidents, activists, and journalists who dare to challenge the regime. They start by sending convincing messages on WhatsApp and Telegram, pretending to be from trusted friends or organizations.
Iran Strikes Reveal Gaps in US Medical Evacuation Ops
US military operations in the Middle East recently exposed weaknesses in medical evacuation procedures, with a new report revealing that ground-based evacuations were relied on more heavily than planned due to concerns over Iranian drone and missile strikes. As a result, many wounded troops were transported more slowly than intended, highlighting a critical gap in the military's medical response capabilities.
Saudi Arabia Deploys Chinese-Made DF-15A Ballistic Missile in Yemen Conflict
Saudi Arabia may have just made a game-changing move in the Yemen conflict by deploying the Chinese-made DF-15A ballistic missile, with debris found in Raghwan District, Marib Governorate, sparking concerns about the escalating situation. If verified, this would mark the first known combat use of this short-range ballistic missile in the region.
US Spacewatch Effort TraCSS Faces Funding Crossroads
Eight years after the 2018 Space Policy Directive-3, the US Spacewatch Effort TraCSS is still in pilot mode, failing to deliver on its promise of integrating commercial spacewatch data to enhance space tracking. It's a critical crossroads: will TraCSS get the funding it needs to evolve beyond a pilot program?
Hong Kong, Macau Universities Deepen Ties with China's Defence Research
The lines between Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China's research institutions are blurring, with universities in the special administrative regions forging deep ties with defence and space organisations. A new update to the China Defence Universities Tracker reveals a web of research links, from satellite launches to joint labs and personnel exchanges.
US Airmen Describe Battling Iranian Barrages on US Bases
Airmen at US bases bravely withstood Iranian missile barrages, and one heroic security forces noncommissioned officer even saved trapped personnel by prying open a damaged bunker door.
White House Taps Cao for Permanent Navy Secretary Role
President Trump has nominated Hung Cao, a seasoned leader who's been serving as acting Secretary of the Navy since April, for the permanent role, urging the Senate to confirm him quickly. Cao's nomination, along with other senior Navy civilian posts, is now before the Senate, pending confirmation.
EU Loan Fuels Ukraine's Defence Procurement Shifts
The EU has made a significant move to bolster Ukraine's defence capabilities, allocating the full €28.3 billion defence component for 2026, with a clear plan for equipment, suppliers, and implementation schedules. This development marks a major step forward in linking immediate defence needs with long-term industrial capacity to sustain production.
Japan's Defence Budget Pivots to AI-Driven Integration
Japan's Ministry of Defense is shaking things up with a bold new budget plan, shifting focus from mere hardware to smart, AI-driven integration - and it's asking for around 8.9 trillion yen to make it happen. This strategic pivot comes as Japan faces a more treacherous security landscape, prompting a defence spending surge.
AI Targets Defense Industrial Base's Supply Chain Woes
The traditional military platform development process, which can take years or even a decade, is a strategic liability in today's fast-paced operational landscape. To stay ahead, we need to redesign workflows with humans in the lead, leveraging AI-powered operations and secure, real-time data to drive faster and more effective decision-making.
Supreme Court Rebuffs Trump Bid to Overhaul Mail Ballot Rules
The Supreme Court has shut down Trump's bid to revamp mail ballot rules, with a 7-2 decision rejecting the administration's emergency petition as "arbitrary and capricious". This move effectively blocks changes to USPS mail-in ballot handling for the 2026 midterm elections.
US Deploys On-Orbit Space Control Weapons
The US has officially deployed space control weapons into orbit, designed to shield the joint force from hostile attacks, as confirmed by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink at a major conference. Meink remained tight-lipped about specifics, but emphasized the systems are now operational and ready to defend against adversary action.
China's Security Chief Warns of AI Threats to Communist Party Rule
China's top security chief warns that AI poses a significant threat to the Communist Party's rule, framing it as a high-stakes battleground in the global technological competition. AI's uncertainties in social governance and public order have raised the alarm, with concerns over algorithmic opacity adding to the urgency.
US Nuclear Control Mission Set for Drastic Overhaul with Looking Glass-Next
The US nuclear control mission is on the brink of a major transformation with the introduction of Looking Glass-Next, a next-generation system that will overhaul the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) architecture. This overhaul is crucial, as the NC3 is the backbone of America's nuclear deterrent, tying strategic platforms to decision-makers and enabling a secure, survivable, and interoperable nuclear force.
US Military Unveils On-Orbit Space Weapons Capability
The US military has just revealed a game-changing capability: space-based defense systems now in orbit, ready to shield our forces from threats in space. Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed the milestone, highlighting the military's commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats.
Defense Cyber Spending Poised to Double by 2031
Get ready for a surge in defense cyber spending - it's expected to nearly double from $14.99 billion in 2026 to a whopping $28.75 billion by 2031. This dramatic growth is driven by increasing threats, a reliance on connected tech, and a new focus on cyber warfare capabilities.
Australia Eyes Norway's Resilience Model to Bolster National Defence
In Norway, preparedness is a social habit, not just a military task, where citizens, municipalities, and critical sectors work together to build resilience and manage disruptions. By taking a shared responsibility approach, Norway ensures that its citizens are empowered to take action, with households able to self-sustain for at least a week in times of crisis.
China's Type-052D Destroyers Bolster Carrier Battle Group Capabilities
Meet China's formidable Type-052D Destroyers, the game-changing vessels that are taking the country's carrier battle group capabilities to the next level. With impressive firepower, including a twin 130 mm main gun mount, these destroyers are bolstering China's naval presence.
AI Developers Warn of Existential Risks, But Evidence Lags
As AI developers sound the alarm on existential risks, they're facing a daunting challenge: how to navigate uncertainty when the stakes are sky-high and the evidence is scarce. It's a problem that physicists like Hans Bethe and Emil Konopinski grappled with during the Manhattan Project, and one that still resonates today.
Cyber Warfare Targets Climate Weaknesses
In a plush Brussels hotel, a lone figure, Sgt. Tomec Majka, waited warily in a leather club chair, his mind still reeling from missions on three continents and a war that had left a trail of digital destruction. The dim glow of the Loui Bar offered a brief respite, but the shadows of cyber warfare lingered.
China Coast Guard Deploys Enhanced Y-12F Patrol Aircraft
China's Coast Guard just got a whole lot more airborne with its latest addition: a turbocharged patrol aircraft that's stirring up conversation about its potential impact. The enhanced Y-12F plane was recently spotted in action, sparking debate about what this means for the future.