The Manta Ray prototypeNorthrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman unveils its inaugural prototype of the Manta Ray Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (UUV), developed for DARPA. This large-scale submarine glider is engineered to conduct extensive undersea missions autonomously.Nature's Engineering InfluenceAfter millennia of grappling with engineering challenges, nature has amassed a remarkable repertoire of solutions, a fact acknowledged by human...
DragonFire during January field tests in ScotlandCrown CopyrightRecently disclosed footage demonstrates the UK's £100 million (US$127 million) DragonFire laser weapon as it undergoes tests, destroying various targets such as drones and mortar rounds on test benches and in field scenarios.Although DragonFire has been in development since 2017, information regarding the 50-kW class laser has...
Teledyne FLIR, a defense contractor, has introduced its latest thermal sniper scope capable of tracking its own bullets during both day and night operations, with a range of up to 2,200 meters (1.3 miles). Debuting at the annual SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the ThermoSight HISS-HD empowers snipers and machine gunners to engage distant...
Artist's concept of the Liberty LifterAurora Flight ScienceAurora Flight Sciences has revised the design of its Liberty Lifter, a maritime military heavy-lift transport being developed for DARPA. This efficient X-plane achieves substantial lift through the utilization of the wing-in-ground effect.Since 2022, DARPA has been working on the Liberty Lifter project, aiming to create a...
Raytheon has scored a $10 million contract to develop DARPA's airborne wireless energy gridAI generated by DALL-EDARPA has selected Raytheon to design and build an airborne relay system for the Energy Web Dominance program, aiming to provide energy in contested environments, enabling power supply from various locations.Raytheon has secured a two-year, $10 million contract...
The robot dog armed and readyUS Marine CorpsIf you find the concept of robot dogs equipped with flamethrowers impressive, consider the idea of a robot dog carrying an anti-tank rocket launcher on its back. This unique research concept was put to the test at the US Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California...
Featuring enhancements such as seats that pivot between stretcher-equipped patients and machine guns aimed at potential threats, the Combat Rescue Helicopter is poised for potential service deployment as early as the coming year. Credit: LOCKHEED MARTIN.In the world of military aviation, the HH-60W, the US Air Force's latest helicopter, starkly contrasts many warbirds. While...
Computer render of the ER GMLRS taking offLockheed MartinLockheed Martin has achieved a significant milestone by conducting successful tests on their latest missile innovation. The next-generation Extended-Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (ER GMLRS) set a new record, covering a remarkable distance of 150 kilometers (approximately 93 miles) during trials at the White Sands...
Credit: DepositphotosThe US Deputy Secretary of Defense has initiated a groundbreaking initiative called the "Replicator" program, aimed at rapidly deploying a large number of intelligent autonomous combat drones within 18-24 months to serve as a deterrent against a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, in a recent keynote address, explained...
The Phantom mini laserNorthrop GrummanNorthrop Grumman has provided the US government with a compact, high-energy laser system named the Phantom. This development hints at the prospect of future laser weaponry that combines potency with the ability to withstand harsh field conditions, marking a significant advancement.The military finds lasers highly appealing due to their potential...
