All articles tagged with #uav
Thailand has accused Cambodia of violating a recently signed ceasefire by deploying over 250 UAVs, amid ongoing border tensions and clashes that have displaced nearly a million people. The ceasefire, brokered with international support, remains fragile as both nations accuse each other of provocations, with recent incidents threatening to undermine the peace efforts.
Ukraine is testing a new long-range weapon, the Ruta missile, developed by the Europe-based startup Destinus, founded by Mikhail Kokorich. The Ruta is a jet-powered drone with a 300 km range, capable of reconnaissance, suicide attacks, or serving as a training target. It features a rocket booster for takeoff and is designed for high-speed flight, making it effective against Russian air defenses. The drone's design allows for interchangeable payloads, enhancing its versatility for various missions.
A drone from Yemen hit a building in Yavne, Israel, after the Israeli Air Force (IAF) did not intercept it, suspecting it might be a civilian aircraft. The IAF's Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar explained that the drone was initially identified as suspicious but not hostile, leading to no interception or sirens. Bar apologized for the failure to provide security and warning to civilians.
A Hezbollah operative has been arrested in Germany for purchasing parts for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Israel Air Force intercepted an unmanned aircraft that entered Israeli territory from the east overnight, with no casualties or damage reported. The IDF tracked the vehicle, which did not pose a threat, and no alerts were activated in accordance with policy.
Israel Air Force jets conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah military structures in Lebanon's Yaroun and Kafra regions, with an additional strike in the Kfarhamam region to eliminate an immediate threat. This action was in response to an explosive Hezbollah UAV crossing into Israel's Metula area, which was subsequently shot down by Israeli forces. No injuries were reported.
Wave Engine Corp., a Baltimore start-up, has successfully flight-tested a jet engine with no moving parts, using pressure waves instead of rotating parts to produce thrust. The technology, a contemporary variation of the pulsejet engine, has the potential to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of jet propulsion. While pulsejet designs have been around for a century, they have been largely dismissed by the commercial aviation industry due to noise and regulation issues. However, companies like Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, and General Electric are exploring pulsejet engine technology for future applications. Wave Engine Corp. has officially launched its J-1 engine, which has 50+ pound-force of thrust, and is aiming to develop engines with up to 250 pound-force for larger aircraft.
Israeli fighter jets conducted airstrikes on Hezbollah weapons storage facilities near Sidon in Lebanon in response to a UAV launch toward Israel, targeting multiple Hezbollah infrastructure sites in southern Lebanon following Israeli intelligence identifying a terrorist entering a Hezbollah structure. Hezbollah also fired at an Israeli military post, with both sides exchanging attacks in the ongoing conflict.
The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed Russian observation posts and killed five Russians in Kherson Oblast using a thermal imaging drone and direct actions, allowing for more control on the southern front despite heavy enemy artillery fire.
North Korea's new strategic drone, Saetbyul-4, appears to have repurposed landing gear from China's fighter jet J-7, raising questions about the country's indigenous aircraft production capabilities. The drone, showcased in a film featuring leader Kim Jong Un, bears a striking resemblance to the U.S. RQ-4 and shares landing gear components with China's J-7 fighter aircraft. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions with South Korea, and experts suggest that North Korea may still be in the experimental phase of its UAV program.
Leaked documents reveal that Russia is seeking to enhance its exploding drone capabilities, with plans to domestically manufacture 6,000 drones by 2025. The country is exploring a deadlier variant of Iran's Shahed-136 drones, capable of autonomous and coordinated attacks, potentially utilizing artificial intelligence. These explosive-laden drones, which Russia has been using in Ukraine, operate as loitering munitions and have the potential to cause significant damage when deployed in swarms. The development of a more advanced UAV force would allow Russia to supplement its limited precision guided munitions and increase its ability to strike behind enemy lines.