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Category: UAV

Texas Air National Guard leverages MQ-9 to combat Panhandle wildfires

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The Texas Air National Guard deployed an MQ-9 unmanned aerial system (UAS) in March 2024 to assist firefighting efforts in the Texas Panhandle, according to a press release issued by the 147th Attack Wing.

An MQ-9 unmanned aerial system crew prepare to launch the aircraft at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, March 9, 2024. The 147th deployed an MQ-9 in support of the Smokehouse Creek Fire in northern Texas, providing real time video to civilian agencies and local firefighters.

Photo By: Sean Cowher

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USMC will designate its Wild Weasel UAV as MQ-58B

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Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced the successful completion of the first phase of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio (PAACK-P) program. The accomplishment comes after a live flight test at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) effectively collaborated with F-35 aircraft and demonstrated its electronic attack (EA) capabilities.

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)

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Every U.S. Navy ship a carrier with AI drones?

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The colossal aircraft carrier, once an emblem of unchallenged maritime power, now faces an uncertain future. Vulnerable to sophisticated missile systems and burdened by exorbitant operational costs, its long-term viability sparks debate. A novel proposal by LCDR Jeff Zeberlein emerges, aiming to reshape the naval landscape: transforming every vessel, from the mighty destroyer down to the utilitarian fleet tanker, into a mini-carrier equipped with a squadron of AI-powered drones.

V-BAT is prepared for launch from USS Michael Monsoor during RIMPAC 2022
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Megan Alexander, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team trains with M-LIDS Counter-Drone System

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Soldiers from the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team recently conducted a critical live-fire exercise at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico, showcasing the capabilities of the M-LIDS (Mobile-Low, Slow, Small-Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat System). M-LIDS is a mobile counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) designed to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats encountered during deployments.

The 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Base Defense Operations Center crews observed a mobile-low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft integrated defeat system live-fire to instill confidence in kinetic systems capable of shooting down one-way UAS attacks during pre-deployment Green Sands training Continental United States at McGregor Range Complex, New Mexico March 4. Unmanned aerial system attacks are an emerging threat United States Army Central seeks to counter in its two-part Green Sands training initiative. The first part, Green Sands “CONUS,” held stateside Feb. 9- Mar. 5, builds the foundation of Base Defense Operations, and the second part, Green Sands “Heavy,” is a final rehearsal held subsequently overseas.

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