Red Sea drone attacks prompt U.S. Navy C-UAS scramble

The U.S. Navy has issued an Area of Interest (AOI) seeking proposals for a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution called Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems – NEXT (Counter NEXT). This initiative comes amid growing concerns about drone attacks targeting naval vessels and commercial shipping in strategic maritime regions, particularly the Red Sea.

240321-N-BT677-1002 RED SEA (March 21, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107) conducts a pre-action calibration practice fire of its 5-inch gun in the Red Sea, March 21. Gravely is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

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U.S. Air Force and Navy SOF train for Joint Readiness in South Korea

The skies over the Korean Peninsula recently saw the arrival of a familiar sight for U.S. ground forces: the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. Assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, this formidable aircraft arrived in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Jun. 12th, to support an ongoing joint, combined exchange training (JCET) with US Naval Special Warfare Command personnel.

A U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider gunship assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron from Hulburt Field, Fla. taxis at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (ROK) June 12, 2024. The Ghostrider and its crews are participating in a regularly scheduled joint, combined exchange and training (JCET) event designed to positively affect the combat readiness of special operations forces (SOF) personnel in support of the mutual defense of the U.S. and ROK homelands. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Cabanero)

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BAE Systems awarded $95 million contract to equip P-8A with advanced countermeasure pods

BAE Systems has secured a $95 million contract from the U.S. Navy to develop and produce electronic warfare (EW) pods for the P-8A Poseidon Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft. These pods will provide critical defensive capabilities for the Poseidon, enhancing its survivability in contested environments.


Image: BAE Systems
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Largest ever Exercise Pitch Black to feature Italian aircraft carrier Cavour

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has announced that the upcoming Exercise Pitch Black, taking place from Jul. 12th to Aug. 2nd, 2024, will be the largest in its 43-year history. This significant international military exercise will see the participation of the Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, along with its embarked AV-8B Harrier II and F-35B Lightning II fighter jets.

Cavour (550) - Civitavecchia harbour, Italy - June 2011
Stephen & Katherine from Burton on Trent, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Chinese student faces espionage charges for drone photos of Newport News Shipyard

A Chinese graduate student studying at the University of Minnesota is facing unusual Espionage Act charges related to drone photography near a critical U.S. shipyard in Virginia.

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) pulls into Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) in Newport News, Virginia, May 6, 2021. The John C. Stennis is in Newport News Shipyard working alongside NNS, NAVSEA and contractors conducting RCOH as part of the mission to deliver the warship back in the fight, on time and on budget, to resume its duty of defending the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brennen Easter)

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