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How U.S. military funding propelled China’s robot dogs

How U.S. military funding propelled China’s robot dogs

By Michael Martina WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - China’s Unitree Robotics – among the world's biggest producers of humanoid and quadruped robots – based designs for its most successful robot dogs on innovations funded by the U.S. military, according to a former U.S. defense technology official and

Hanwha Defense USA Secures Army Contract for K9 Mobile Howitzer Prototypes

Hanwha Defense USA Secures Army Contract for K9 Mobile Howitzer Prototypes

The U.S. Army has awarded Hanwha Defense USA, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, a contract to deliver K9 mobile howitzer prototypes. This agreement is part of the Army's new self-propelled howitzer modernization program. The deal, potentially worth up to $233 million, involves the accelerated delivery of six prototype Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) systems, with an option for an additional 12. These prototypes will be used by soldiers in a series of operational experiments to evaluate their performance, reliability, and supportability under realistic combat conditions. The data gathered from these experiments will directly inform senior leaders' decisions regarding future fielding of the howitzers. Hanwha Defense USA competed against several other international and domestic defense companies, including Elbit America, Leonardo DRS, Rheinmetall, and BAE Systems, which proposed its Archer platform.

Hanwha Defense USA Secures U.S. Army Contract for Mobile Tactical Cannon Prototypes, BAE Systems Excluded

Hanwha Defense USA Secures U.S. Army Contract for Mobile Tactical Cannon Prototypes, BAE Systems Excluded

The U.S. Army has selected Hanwha Defense USA to proceed with the next phase of its Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) program. Hanwha Defense USA will provide prototypes of its wheeled 155mm K9 Mobile Howitzer for testing, with the potential to replace the Army’s current towed 155mm M777 howitzers. The agreement, valued at $100,302,961 with a total cumulative face value of $262,903,274, involves the accelerated delivery of six prototype MTC systems, with an option for an additional 12. These systems will undergo operational experiments over an estimated four-year period to assess performance, reliability, and supportability in realistic combat conditions. BAE Systems, along with American Rheinmetall, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Elbit Systems USA, were also in the running for this contract but were not selected for the prototype phase. The K9MH, developed from Hanwha’s tracked K9 design, boasts a 52-caliber 155mm cannon and a maximum range of over 37 miles (60 kilometers), significantly exceeding the M777...

Texas Instruments Components Found in Russian Military Equipment, Raising Supply Chain Concerns

Texas Instruments Components Found in Russian Military Equipment, Raising Supply Chain Concerns

Components manufactured by Texas Instruments, alongside those from other American, Chinese, Swiss, and Japanese companies, have been identified in Russian military equipment. Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate that over 40,000 foreign-made parts are used in Russian missile and drone production, sourced from nearly 900 companies across more than 30 countries. Specifically, programmed logic matrices, microcircuits, microcontrollers, transceivers, power converters, and other electronic parts from Texas Instruments were found. This discovery highlights Russia's continued reliance on foreign technology for its military industrial complex, despite international sanctions and export controls. The components are integral to various Russian weapons systems, including missiles and 'Geran' attack drones, which utilize foreign power units like the TF-TJ2000A turbojet engines.

U.S. Military Bases 'Ill-Equipped' to Counter Drone Swarms, Top Commander Warns

U.S. Military Bases 'Ill-Equipped' to Counter Drone Swarms, Top Commander Warns

Lieutenant General Joseph Jarrard, Deputy Commander of U.S. Northern Command and Vice Commander of the American contingent at North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), has issued a warning that U.S. military bases are currently 'ill-equipped' to defend against swarms of small attack drones. This vulnerability stems from a lack of adequate sensors to detect and track incoming drone swarms, as well as insufficient weaponry to neutralize them. Jarrard highlighted that some bases completely lack the necessary detection systems and effectors. NORAD is integrating counter-drone tactics into Operation Noble Eagle, the joint U.S.-Canada homeland air-defense mission, and is working to connect with local law enforcement and other agencies to expand detection capabilities beyond military installations. This assessment comes amidst the Pentagon's efforts to secure billions for new counter-drone technologies, acknowledging the significant gap between current protective measures and the evolving threat landscape...

U.S. Army to Deploy New Patriot Battalion and Enduring Shield System to Guam by October

U.S. Army to Deploy New Patriot Battalion and Enduring Shield System to Guam by October

The U.S. Army is set to establish a new battalion equipped with the Patriot surface-to-air missile system and the Enduring Shield lower-tier air defense system on Guam by October. This unit, designated the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43rd ADA), will operate under the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. The deployment is a significant step in bolstering air and missile defenses on the strategic U.S. island territory in the Western Pacific. The Enduring Shield system, which primarily uses AIM-9X Sidewinder interceptors, is designed to defend against cruise missiles and drones. This move is part of a broader U.S. military effort since 2021 to reorient towards preparing for future large-scale conflicts, particularly with China in the Pacific, and to provide 360-degree defense for Guam.

White House Issues Order to Allow Foreign-Built Warships for U.S. Navy

White House Issues Order to Allow Foreign-Built Warships for U.S. Navy

The White House has issued a Presidential Memorandum titled “Rebuilding the United States Navy and America’s Shipbuilding Industrial Base,” which allows allied international shipbuilders to design and construct surface combatants for the U.S. Navy. This policy shift aims to address severe backlogs, budget overruns, and capacity constraints within major American defense shipbuilding programs. The directive introduces an international procurement path, utilizing a 'Finland Model' framework. Under this model, initial vessels in a class can be manufactured overseas to expedite delivery. In return, foreign contractors must invest in the U.S. defense industrial base by acquiring majority stakes or establishing new shipyards in the U.S., transferring proprietary technologies, and shifting all subsequent construction to American soil. The Secretary of War, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, is mandated to deliver a comprehensive plan within 90 days for a new competitive acquisition program focusing on...

Russia Establishes New Drone Launch Pads Near Ukraine, Potentially Threatening NATO Territory

Russia Establishes New Drone Launch Pads Near Ukraine, Potentially Threatening NATO Territory

Russia has constructed at least 59 new drone launch rails across 10 locations near its borders with Ukraine and Belarus, according to an investigation by The Telegraph. These facilities, some repurposed from old military bases and civilian airports, and others newly built in rural areas, are designed to launch next-generation long-range strike drones, including Geran-4 and Geran-5 variants. These drones are capable of flying nearly 1,000 kilometers and carrying a 90-kilogram payload. The development comes as Russia has significantly increased its use of jet-powered weapons against Ukraine, with a fivefold increase in July compared to June, making them harder to intercept than propeller-powered drones. Satellite imagery and leaked documents were used to identify these new launch pads. Open-source tracking data indicates that seven of the 10 identified bases have been utilized in recent attacks on Kyiv, which has faced challenges due to a shortage of Patriot interceptor missiles. Russian attacks in July resu...

Russia Ships Explosives to Iran, Bolstering Missile and Drone Capabilities Amid U.S. Concerns

Russia Ships Explosives to Iran, Bolstering Missile and Drone Capabilities Amid U.S. Concerns

Russia is reportedly shipping drone components, ammunition, and TNT to Iran via the Caspian Sea. This transfer of materials is intended to help Tehran replenish its military stockpiles, which have been depleted by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. The information comes from a European government document obtained by NBC News and corroborated by a Western official. This development highlights a growing strategic alliance between Moscow and Tehran, with Russia providing critical resources to enhance Iran's missile and drone arsenal. The shipments are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen Iran's defense capabilities, particularly in the context of regional conflicts and tensions involving the United States.

Russia Expands Drone Bases, Raising Concerns for NATO Security

Russia Expands Drone Bases, Raising Concerns for NATO Security

Russia has reportedly constructed and expanded at least 10 new drone bases, incorporating 59 new launch rails, according to an investigation by The Telegraph using satellite imagery and leaked documents. These bases are designed to launch a large number of jet-powered drones, intended to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and target military and civilian infrastructure. Situated along Russia's borders with Ukraine and Belarus, these advanced drones are also capable of reaching NATO allies. DroneSec CEO Mike Monnik stated that Russian forces have significantly expanded their drone network, increasing the threat to NATO. The report indicates that some of these new drone hubs were previously military bases and civilian airports, highlighting the growing importance of drone warfare for Russia. NATO has acknowledged monitoring Russian military activity, including its long-range strike and drone capabilities, and asserts its readiness to deter aggression.

U.S. Army Acquires Middleburg Training Center for Caisson Horses, Raising Economic Concerns for Virginia's Equine Industry

U.S. Army Acquires Middleburg Training Center for Caisson Horses, Raising Economic Concerns for Virginia's Equine Industry

The U.S. Army has finalized an $8.6 million acquisition of the Middleburg Training Center in Virginia to house and train the caisson horses of The Old Guard, which perform ceremonial duties at Arlington National Cemetery. This move follows an internal review in 2022 that found inadequate facilities at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Fort Belvoir, contributing to the deaths of several horses. While the Army aims to provide better care for its horses, the purchase has sparked significant concern among Middleburg residents and local officials. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) stated that the facility contributes "thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars to the local economy that may be lost." During a town hall, Subramanyam questioned whether the Army could lease back portions of the property to support Virginia's thoroughbred racing industry, which relies heavily on the center's unique 7/8-mile sand track.

Viasat Selects Rocket Lab for Satellite Bus in USSF PTS-G Program

Viasat Selects Rocket Lab for Satellite Bus in USSF PTS-G Program

Viasat has chosen Rocket Lab to construct the satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force's (USSF) Protected Tactical Satcom-Global (PTS-G) program. This decision is part of a delivery order awarded to Viasat, which aims to enhance global, resilient, and scalable satellite communications for military personnel. Rocket Lab will provide a GEO configuration of its Lightning spacecraft platform, designed to host Viasat's dual-band X/Ka-band payload. The Lightning-GEO platform incorporates Rocket Lab's vertically integrated components, including tracking, telemetry, and command (TT&C) radios, solar power, and flight software. Viasat's role extends beyond the satellite and payload delivery to include five years of operations and sustainment services, covering TT&C, satellite and network operations, and cybersecurity requirements. This initiative is a key component of the USSF's strategy to leverage commercial designs and technology for smaller, faster-to-produce satellites with improved anti-jam capabilities.