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New interim leaders for NASA astrophysics and planetary science
January 12, 2025
Retirements and reassignments have led to a reshuffling of leadership in part of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
At a Jan. 12 meeting of three astrophysics committees during the 245th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Mark Clampin, director of NASA’s astrophysics division, announced he was now serving as acting deputy associate administrator for the science directorate.
He replaces Sandra Connelly, who NASA said last fall was planning to retire at the end of the year.
Clampin said he accepted the one-year assignment to support the Science Mission Directorate during the transition to the new Trump administration.
“They are very intense and take a lot of work,” he said of such transitions, recalling his experience in a previous position as director of science at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
“I thought that the opportunity to assist [NASA Associate Administrator for Science] Nicky Fox as we go through this period was something that would overall contribute to the science that NASA does.”
Replacing Clampin as NASA astrophysics director for that one-year period will be Shawn Domagal-Goldman, deputy director of the science and exploration directorate at Goddard.
He noted at the same meeting that he is in “day negative seven” of the position, which he formally starts next week.
He acknowledged that he and other officials in the astrophysics division were dealing with “uncertainty and change” amid the presidential transition.
“Every layer of management, from them all the way to the top of the federal government, is going to undergo change in some way over the next month, and a lot of uncertainty, too.”
The change in NASA’s astrophysics division comes days after a similar change in its planetary science division, or PSD.
In a Jan. 9 community letter, Fox announced that the agency has hired Louise Prockter as acting planetary science division director, starting in the spring.
Prockter has been the chief scientist for the space exploration sector at the Applied Physics Laboratory and previously was director of the Lunar and Planetary Institute.
The leadership of the planetary science division had been in flux since last May, when longtime director Lori Glaze took what was to be a six-month detail as acting deputy associate administrator in NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD).
However, in November, NASA announced that Glaze would remain in that position in ESDMD permanently.
During the detail, Gina DiBraccio, deputy director of the heliophysics division at Goddard, served as acting planetary science director.
Fox said at a town hall meeting during the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in December that DiBraccio’s detail could not be extended and that she had returned to Goddard.
In addition, Eric Ianson, deputy director of the planetary science division, announced his retirement at the end of the year.
That meant that Charles Webb, who had just been hired to succeed Ianson as planetary science deputy director, was almost immediately pressed into the role of acting division director.
Fox said at the town hall that Webb would be acting director for a “short period” before bringing on someone for a one-year detail.
“Louise’s deep planetary science and organizational leadership experience uniquely qualifies her for this critical leadership position,” Fox wrote in the letter.
“There are multiple major challenges in PSD that require a highly experienced leader to navigate, including the future direction of Mars Sample Return, ensuring Dragonfly is ready for launch in 2028, and confirmation of NASA’s contribution to the ESA Rosalind Franklin Mars rover mission.”
Fox, in the community letter, confirmed comments at the earlier town hall that the agency will conduct a competition to find a permanent division director.
https://spacenews.com/new-interim-leaders-for-nasa-astrophysics-and-planetary-science/
Chinese sea launch sends 10 navigation enhancement satellites into orbit
January 13, 2025
China launched a Jielong-3 solid rocket from a mobile sea platform late Sunday, successfully placing 10 Centispace navigation enhancement satellites into orbit.
The fifth Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3) solid propellant rocket lifted off at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, Jan. 12 (0300 UTC, Jan. 13) from a specially converted sea barge off the coast of Haiyang city, in the Eastern province of Shandong.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced launch success more than two hours after liftoff.
The flight carried 10 Microcentispace-01 (Weili Kongjian group 01) navigation enhancement satellites for commercial company Future Navigation, full name Beijing Future Navigation Technology Co., Ltd.
The low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are designed to augment GNSS signals from systems including Beidou and GPS to provide higher precision navigation services.
The Centispace system is designed to feature 190 satellites in LEO at various altitudes and inclinations, along with a ground segment consisting of monitoring stations.
Stated applications include autonomous driving, precision agriculture, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and assisting in emergency response and disaster management.
The Jielong-3 rocket was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), a subsidiary of CASC, the country’s state-owned main space contractor.
The four-stage rocket is operated by China Rocket, a commercial spinoff from CASC.
It has a length of approximately 31 meters, a weight of 140 tons at liftoff. Its payload capacity of 1,560 kg to a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit was increased to 1,600 kg for this flight.
“In the future, the Smart Dragon-3 rocket will undergo further improvements and upgrades to reduce the cost for the commercial launches and increase its carrying capacity,” Gao Lijun from CASC told China Central Television (CCTV).
“We estimate that after the improvements, its carrying capacity will rise from 1.5 tons to about 2 tons,” Gao said.
The launch was carried out using facilities belonging to the Haiyang Eastern spaceport for sea launches.
The spaceport plans more than 10 for 2025, having conducted six sea launches in 2024. Officials said in a recent Chinese media report that the spaceport aims to support 100 launches per year starting from 2027.
China launched 68 times in total last year, setting a new national record.
The launch was China’s second orbital launch attempt of 2025 and the second success.
The mission follows a Long March 3B launch which sent a satellite servicing spacecraft towards geostationary orbit Jan. 6.
CASC has yet to publish an overview of China’s overall plans for the year, but it may once again attempt to reach around 100 launches, as targeted for 2024.
Major missions for 2025 include crewed Shenzhou and Tianzhou cargo missions to the Tiangong space station and the Tianwen-2 near-Earth asteroid sample return mission.
The latter is expected to launch around May.
https://spacenews.com/chinese-sea-launch-sends-10-navigation-enhancement-satellites-into-orbit/
Space Force will play a role in the 60th presidential inauguration, a historic first for the youngest branch
January 12, 2025
Space Force guardians will participate fully in the 60th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20 in Washington, a significant milestone for the youngest branch of the military which was created during president-elect Donald Trump’s first administration.
Forty-five guardians from across the country arrived recently at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling for training to augment the U.S. Space Force Honor Guard and march alongside units during the presidential inauguration: the Air Force Band, U.S. Air Force Academy, active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves.
“This is a great opportunity for guardians to get out on their marks and represent their service in front of a global audience,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. David McLellan, commander of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, who oversees U.S. Space Force Honor Guard training.
“This is actually the first time in the Space Force’s five-year history that they have been able to fully represent their service in a presidential inauguration.”
The guardians will go through an intensive 12-day training period, during which they will get instruction to master the fundamentals of serving in an honor guard.
They will learn precision movements, military drill procedures and ceremonial protocol.
“These members truly embody the guardian spirit and exemplify the Space Force’s core values,” said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Massoth, U.S. Space Force Honor Guard senior enlisted leader.
“By stepping up as volunteers, they represent every guardian who has raised their right hand to serve their nation.
This opportunity puts them on a global stage to honor their service and our branch’s crucial role in defense.”
Nearly 8,000 National Guard troops will also be present to provide security support during inauguration day at the U.S. Capitol.
https://www.stripes.com/branches/space_force/2025-01-12/space-force-presidential-inauguration-training-16458886.html
Unauthorized drone flights double; 3 arrested during LA fires
Updated: Jan 13, 2025 / 11:19 AM CST
Three people have been arrested as unauthorized drone flights have doubled in southern California as firefighters work to contain multiple wildfires that have devastated the LA area.
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna announced Monday that three people were arrested for two drone incidents during a briefing on the fires.
The use of unauthorized drones is hindering the ability of firefighters trying to contain the fires that have burned more than 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and resulted in 24 confirmed deaths.
On Friday, firefighting aircraft trying to contain the Palisades wildfire were forced to leave the area because of unauthorized drones in the air.
In an earlier incident Thursday, a Super Scooper aircraft used to drop large quantities of water on fires was damaged after a collision with a small drone.
The incident left a hole in the wing and grounded the plane until it could be fixed.
The FBI is investigating the incident, saying the drone violated temporary airspace restrictions the FAA instituted during the fires.
California authorities say there have been at least 40 incidents in which unauthorized drones have forced firefighting aircraft to pause operations, putting more lives at risk as the fires continue to spread and firefighters on the ground are left without air support.
https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/west/unauthorized-drone-double-la-fires/
Drone Show Association Formed to Develop Industry Standards and Safety
January 13, 2025
New Organization Aims to Enhance Drone Show Safety Following Orlando Incident
Stakeholders have formed the International Drone Show Industry Association (IDSIA) to promote safety and quality standards for drone shows worldwide.
This development comes in the wake of a recent accident at a drone show in Orlando, Florida, which injured a young spectator. Investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Objectives of the Association
The IDSIA has outlined several key objectives:
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Protect the industry by uniting resources
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Support drone show providers and professionals
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Develop legislation for drone fleet operations
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Educate drone show specialists
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Raise public awareness about the drone show industry
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Gather and share expertise on drone show technology
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Conduct research to improve industry practices
These goals aim to address safety concerns and promote responsible growth in the drone show sector.
Membership and Structure
The association is open to both individuals and companies involved in the drone show industry. Interested parties can apply for membership through the IDSIA website.
The organization’s board reviews applications within four weeks.
Members pay an annual fee of 100 Euros and must agree to follow the association’s charter. This structure ensures that all members are committed to upholding industry standards.
Association Activities
The IDSIA plans to engage in a wide range of activities to achieve its goals. The association will prepare proposals to improve laws and regulations related to drone shows.
It will also organize discussions on industry challenges to foster collaboration and problem-solving.
Cooperation with other organizations and institutions is another key focus. The IDSIA aims to support educational and research initiatives to advance the field.
To share knowledge and best practices, the association will host conferences, seminars, and lectures.Working groups will be formed to address specific issues within the industry.
These groups will bring together experts to tackle challenges and develop solutions.
The IDSIA also plans to publish informative materials to educate both industry professionals and the public.These efforts will help create a more robust and safe drone show industry.
By addressing various aspects of the field, the association aims to promote growth while prioritizing safety.
Impact on the Industry
The formation of the IDSIA is a significant step for the drone show industry. It provides a framework for addressing safety concerns and developing best practices.
This is particularly important in light of recent incidents like the Orlando accident.
By working together, industry professionals can improve safety standards and build public trust in drone shows.
The association’s efforts may also help prevent future accidents and ensure the continued growth of this exciting entertainment medium.
https://dronelife.com/2025/01/13/drone-show-association-formed-to-develop-industry-standards-and-safety/
https://droneshowassociation.org/#rec450406487
Power outages in Sudan after drone attack on major dam
January 13, 2025
The seat of Sudan's army-aligned government was without power on Monday, AFP correspondents said, after a drone attack blamed on paramilitaries hit a major hydroelectric dam in the war-torn country's north.
The Sudanese army, at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, said in a statement that the attack on Merowe Dam was part of a "systematic campaign" against military sites but also targeting "vital" infrastructure.
AFP journalists in Port Sudan on the Red Sea, where the army-aligned government and the United Nations have been based since the war's early days, said widespread power outages have persisted since early Monday.
The army said that Merowe Dam and its power station, located about 350 kilometres (220 miles) north of the capital Khartoum and serving Port Sudan and other areas, were hit by "a number of suicide drones".
"Some losses were incurred, which will be repaired," the army statement said.
Online footage, which AFP could not independently verify, showed fires engulfing the dam's electrical infrastructure.
The RSF did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.
Since the early morning attack, local media said that the army-controlled cities of Atbara, Dongola and Omdurman - across the Nile from Khartoum - have also been hit by power outages.
In November last year, the army accused the RSF of targeting Merowe with 16 drones, though no casualties or significant damage were reported at the time.
The dam is one of Sudan's biggest sources of hydroelectric power.
Merowe city, in Sudan's Northern State, is also home to a major military airport.
The latest attack came two days after the army recaptured Wad Madani, the capital of the central state of Al-Jazira, after more than a year of paramilitary control.
In addition to decimating Sudan's already fragile infrastructure, the war has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people, uprooted more than 12 million and pushed many Sudanese to the brink of famine.
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/power-outages-in-sudan-after-drone-attack-on-major-dam/ar-BB1rnCrO
Major Ozone Loss Event, Schumann Resonance
Jan.13.2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jouu1tNmL8
https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/
Ukraine Video Shows Night Owl Take Out Russian Drone
Updated Jan 13, 2025 at 11:44 AM EST
Avideo of an owl allegedly taking out a Russian drone in Ukraine has gone viral on social media. The incident reportedly occurred in Donetsk Oblast and involved an owl flying directly at the drone.
Newsweek cannot independently verify the incident in the video on X, formerly Twitter.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian and Ukrainian Ministries of Defense via email for comment.
Censor.Net and some of the posts of the video on social media have alleged that the owl is from "Ukrainian biolabs," referring to a conspiracy theory spread by Russia at the start of the war that the United States is running biolabs and developing biological weapons in Kyiv.
The biolabs claim, initially made by Major General Igor Konashenkov and spread by Moscow's media, was later backed up by the Russian Ministry of Defense, as it stated it had obtained evidence Ukraine and the U.S. had collaborated to develop biological weapons.
Ukraine denied the claims. Kyiv's Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in a statement, "No foreign biological laboratories operate in Ukraine.
Statements recently made by individual politicians are not true and are a deliberate distortion of the facts." The conspiracy theory dates back to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A post by the X account MilitaryNewsUA, run by a Ukrainian military blogger, alleges that the Russian drone struck by the owl was conducting a reconnaissance mission in eastern Ukraine.
Fighting in the Donetsk region has escalated recently as Russia has seized Kurakhove and is trying to seize cities westward, including Pokrovsk.
The owl is not the first animal to accidentally become part of the combat zone, as cats were sent to the frontlines at the beginning of the war to deal with mice and rats that were destroying uniforms, blankets and food. Many have since been adopted by Ukrainian soldiers fighting Moscow.
An X account called the Feline Defense Force was started in 2022 to document the friendships formed between soldiers and cats.
Ukraine is also using robotic dogs to support those on the frontlines, as they are capable of delivering ammunition and conducting surveillance.
The remote-controlled robot dogs were introduced in the summer of 2024. They were reportedly developed by the British risk-management company and drone manufacturer Brit Alliance, which has sent more than 30 of the devices to Ukraine.
The robot dogs have become a key asset to the Ukrainian forces as they can reportedly run up to 9 miles per hour, have a battery life of five hours, and carry the same heat signature as a rabbit, meaning they are nearly undetectable to Russian UAVs.
Iuliia Mendel, a former spokesperson for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, on X: "NATO laboratories in Ukraine have designed owls that fight Russian drones. Check the video!"
Tim White, a journalist focusing on Ukraine, on X: "News from the frontline in #Donetsk region. A Russian drone got florked by a bird, possibly an owl. Those #Ukraine biolabs are really working well."
Anton Gerashchenko, the former Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, on X: "A video appeared online showing a Ukrainian owl shooting down a Russian reconnaissance drone in Donetsk region. How soon will Nebenzya complain about Ukrainian biolabbed owls?"
It is unclear how Russia will react to the alleged owl incident as the third anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine nears.
https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-video-night-owl-takes-out-russian-drone-2013929
https://x.com/clashreport/status/1878501917367660660
Argentina classifies anti-drone system acquisition to counter UAV threats
January 13, 2025 - 07:29
The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, signed Decree 21/2025 (spanish), published on January 13 in the Official Gazette, declaring the contractual operation for acquiring an anti-drone system as classified.
The measure aims to mitigate risks associated with the improper use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or civilian drones.
The decree, based on the National Security Law No. 24,059 and other related regulations, assigns the Ministry of Security the responsibility to carry out the direct contracting process.
According to Article 25, section d, subsection 6, of Decree No. 1023/01, this exceptional measure may be applied when an operation is declared classified for national security or defense reasons.
The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, signed Decree 21/2025 (spanish), published on January 13 in the Official Gazette, declaring the contractual operation for acquiring an anti-drone system as classified.
The measure aims to mitigate risks associated with the improper use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or civilian drones.
The decree, based on the National Security Law No. 24,059 and other related regulations, assigns the Ministry of Security the responsibility to carry out the direct contracting process.
According to Article 25, section d, subsection 6, of Decree No. 1023/01, this exceptional measure may be applied when an operation is declared classified for national security or defense reasons.
The Ministry of Security, led by Patricia Bullrich, emphasized the need to enhance technical capabilities to address drone-related threats.
It cited incidents such as terrorist attacks, escape attempts using drones with explosives, and their improper use for smuggling operations.
The contract will remain classified to prevent the acquired technologies from being identified or neutralized by other actors.
Implementation Details Article 1 of the decree empowers the Ministry of Security, through its Administrative Coordination Secretariat, to take the necessary actions to implement the measure.
Global Context Globally, incidents involving drones in criminal activities have been reported.
In the United Kingdom, drones have been detected monitoring illegal activity zones, serving as lookouts to alert criminals about law enforcement interventions.
In Spain, the Civil Guard recently dismantled a criminal organization in Córdoba that used drones to smuggle drugs and prohibited items into prisons.
The operation led to six arrests, including inmates from several penitentiaries. The drones, adapted for nighttime flights, enabled precise deliveries directly to prisoners’ cells.
Anti-drone systems
Anti-drone systems are technological solutions designed to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones that pose security threats.
These technologies integrate equipment and software to identify drones in restricted areas and block their control signals when necessary.
Key types of anti-drone systems include:
Radiofrequency-based systems: Detect and block communication signals from drones.
Radar systems: Identify and track drones using radio waves.
Optical and acoustic systems: Use cameras and sound sensors to locate drones.
These systems are critical in addressing security risks posed by drones, such as espionage, smuggling, and attacks.
https://www.aviacionline.com/argentina-classifies-anti-drone-system-acquisition-to-counter-uav-threats
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/319500/20250113
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/googles-next-big-bet-taking-drone-deliveries-mainstream-130058913.html
Google's next big bet: Taking drone deliveries mainstream
Updated Mon, January 13, 2025 at 6:36 AM PST
The next time you order something, you may want to look up. The futuristic idea of delivering food to your doorstep from a drone zooming through the sky is becoming a reality.
Wing, a drone delivery venture owned by Google parent Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), has been building its operations since 2012.
Its drones have made more than 400,000 deliveries in the US, Europe, and Australia. The company is currently testing its services in Texas, Virginia, and at a facility in California.
"One of the biggest misconceptions about drone delivery and next-gen aviation is that it's some far-off future technology," Wing CEO Adam Woodworth told Yahoo Finance in an exclusive interview.
"The reality is that this is happening every day. Our recent partnership with DoorDash and Brookfield Property is a testament to that."
The drones cruise at a height of about 150 feet and travel roughly 65 miles per hour. They have a wingspan of 4.9 feet and length of 4.3 feet.
The fleet rests at charging stations called "nests," and one flies to a store when an order comes in.
The drone, while hovering, lowers a tether so an employee can attach the product inside a box. Then the cord is reeled up and off the drone goes.
The orders can be tracked by customers in real time, and the drone lowers its tether and unclips the item once it arrives. Wing's business partners pay the company a fee per delivery.
Wing partnered with Walmart (WMT) in August 2023 and DoorDash (DASH) in December 2024 to deliver to customers within proximity of its nests.
The company said the average flight time from stores to homes has been about 3 minutes and 24 seconds.
"We see drone delivery at scale looking more like an efficient rideshare network than a traditional transportation system," Woodworth said.
"We believe the drone is just the vehicle, and it’s only as useful as the software and logistics networks that make it meaningful for organizations and their customers."
There are restrictions, however. Deliveries can only take place during the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., to avoid the dark. The drones can only travel up to 12 miles round-trip, and the items they carry cannot exceed 2.5 pounds.
Customers are mostly ordering what Woodworth calls "forgotten goods." "Those 'oopsie' moments when you get home from the store and realize limes never made it into your shopping cart," Woodworth said. "Within minutes, you can have that delivered right to your door."
According to Woodworth, Wing delivered 554 limes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2024, "enough to make 700 margaritas."
"We have a lot of customer stickiness," Woodworth said, pointing to company data that customers order "at least twice a week" once they experience drone deliveries.
JPMorgan analyst Doug Anmuth wrote in a December research note, “While Wing doesn’t get as much attention from investors among Other Bets businesses — w/Waymo most frequently discussed — we believe Wing could become the 3rd OB business to raise outside capital, should it continue reaching progress milestones.”
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Anmuth maintained an Overweight rating on Alphabet, raising the firm’s price target to $232 from $212 —an increase of nearly 20%.
“Google's accelerated pace of innovation is very evident into the new year with many significant recent product announcements and updates … and it is a key factor in our positive view on Google shares in 2025,” he wrote.
Moor Insights and Strategy analyst Anshel Sag is also bullish on Google but says it's still early days for Wing.
"This shows that the company is more diverse than a lot of its competitors, and it continues to create new and interesting ways to grow its business," Sag told Yahoo Finance.
"Wing has to be extremely cost-sensitive, even more so than Waymo," he added. "The cost sensitivity is way higher when it's a B2B transaction because the consumer most likely won't even know who's delivering it."
Google's not alone in the unmanned aerial vehicle space. Amazon's (AMZN) drone delivery service — called Prime Air — launched its new MK30 drones in 2022 and recently received regulatory approval to fly them.
Walmart also has a large drone delivery footprint. UPS (UPS) has been operating a fleet of drones for package deliveries. There are also several startups in the space, such as Zipline, Flytrex, and Matternet.
According to Woodworth, Wing aims to make drone delivery an established part of the delivery ecosystem available to customers nationwide by 2035.
A report by market research firm Mordor Intelligence estimated the drone delivery market size will reach $830 million this year and rise to $2.09 billion by 2030.
Woodworth joined Wing in 2014 as a hardware engineer and served as the company's chief technology officer before becoming CEO in 2022. "Project Wing" began as an idea under Alphabet’s research lab that focuses on moonshot projects (known as X).
Alphabet's "other bets" businesses that have raised capital include Waymo, Verily, Intrinsic, and Isomorphic Labs.
While Woodworth declined to comment on Wing's financials, analysts told Yahoo Finance it's clear Wing is part of a broader transportation vision at Google.
The business took investments from ZEBOX Ventures and X Development at the incubator stage but has yet to raise another round, according to Pitchbook.
A future capital raise would be "a sign that they feel like they are ready for an expansion," Sag said. "They've been around for a while — it feels like the next step."
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=IRGC takes delivery of 1,000 new drones
Updated: JANUARY 13, 2025 10:52
A thousand new drones were delivered to Iran’s army on Monday, the state-run Tasnim news agency reported, as the country braces for more friction with arch-enemy Israel and the United States under incoming US president Donald Trump.
The drones were delivered to various locations throughout Iran and are said to have high stealth and anti-fortification abilities, according to Tasnim.
“The drones’ unique features, including a range of over 2,000 km., high destructive power, the ability to pass through defense layers with a low radar cross-section, and autonomous flight, not only increase the depth of reconnaissance and border monitoring but also boost the combat capability of the army’s drone fleet in confronting distant targets,” the news agency added.
The drones were also manufactured within Iran by the Iranian military, scientists, and “innovators,” according to the news agency.
This comes after Iran’s defense industry revealed a new suicide drone – the Razvan – last week.
War games
Earlier this month, Iran started two-month-long military exercises, which have already included war games in which the Revolutionary Guards defended key nuclear installations in Natanz against mock attacks by missiles and drones.
https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-837253
Lithuania to deliver 4,500 drones to Ukraine this week
January 13, 2025 10:50 AM
Lithuania is providing Ukraine with 4,500 drones worth 5 million euros ($5.1 million) in the coming days, Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene announced on Jan. 12.
Drones have proven crucial for both sides of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Kyiv employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) of various types for reconnaissance and attack roles at the front lines and for long-range strikes in the Russian rear.
Sakaliene's statement came shortly after the Lithuanian broadcaster LRT reported that thousands of drones, which were to be delivered to Ukraine several months ago, are still in Lithuanian warehouses as their delivery is delayed by bureaucratic obstacles.
The previous Lithuanian government pledged in August that 5,000 Lithuanian-made drones would be delivered to Ukraine by fall.
Separately, Vilnius also pledged to help fund the production of Ukrainian long-range drones, focusing on Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-like drones.
"In addition, during the last government meeting, we approved a new faster procedure for transferring state assets," Sakaliene said, explaining that the changes "will significantly reduce the time required for procedures, ensuring that aid reaches Ukraine faster."
Lithuania has been one of the staunchest supporters of Ukraine during the full-scale invasion, pledging to provide 0.25% of its GDP in military aid to Ukraine on a yearly basis.
The Baltic country has supplied 840 million euros ($860 million) in security assistance to Ukraine as of October 2024, making it one of the leading donors in terms of GDP shares, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy said.
https://kyivindependent.com/lithuania-to-deliver-4-500-drones-to-ukraine-this-week/
https://x.com/DSakaliene/status/1878513252390547889
Russian troops test new transport drone named after Donald Trump
13 Jan, 2025 - 7:52
As reported by Russian Weapons on January 9, 2025, the Russian military-industrial complex has developed a tactical transport unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called the TraMP, an acronym for "transport aviation multipurpose platform."
Informally referred to as Trump by the Russians, the UAV has entered the ground testing phase, with its first flight scheduled for April 2025.
The UAV is intended to support logistical operations and other tasks in various operational environments.
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Current testing of the Trump UAV focuses on its control systems and mechanisms, with engineers conducting a series of ground runs without takeoff to confirm calculated parameters.
The Trump UAV is capable of transporting up to 250 kilograms of cargo over distances exceeding 600 kilometers.
Current testing focuses on its control systems and mechanisms, with engineers conducting a series of ground runs without takeoff to confirm calculated parameters.
The UAV features a cargo compartment with a capacity of 2,650 liters, allowing it to deliver large payloads, including parachute-dropped cargo.
The compartment’s downward-opening flaps also enable the suspension of a shock payload.
Key design aspects of the Trump UAV include a modular structure allowing field replacement of components such as the wing, engine, and chassis.
The reinforced chassis with large-diameter tires is designed for takeoff and landing on short and poorly prepared airstrips.
Additional features include a built-in cargo and aircraft rescue system, aimed at improving operational flexibility.
The UAV has a cruising speed of 195 kilometers per hour and a ceiling altitude of 3,000 meters.
It is designed to serve multiple roles, including logistics support in hard-to-reach areas, acting as a communications repeater, and carrying small-sized FPV drones.
According to military expert Yevgeny Damantsev, the vehicle is undergoing rigorous testing to ensure functionality and reliability.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with capacities comparable to the Russian TraMP/Trump drone, capable of carrying up to 250 kilograms over 600 kilometers, are being developed globally. For instance, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps are working on the Joint Tactical Autonomous Aerial Resupply System (JTAARS), targeting cargo capacities between 136 and 636 kilograms.
Similarly, Airbus has tested a sub-scale demonstrator for a multi-mission UAV designed for cargo transport and other functions.
In the conflict in Ukraine, the Trump UAV could serve Russian forces by improving logistics capabilities, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure or difficult access.
Its ability to deliver supplies and equipment efficiently, including precision parachute drops, may address challenges in resupply missions and support operational flexibility.
The name "Trump" for the UAV appears to reference Donald Trump, the future U.S. president.
The specific rationale behind this naming has not been explicitly detailed, but it may relate to his perceived positions on Russia.
During his earlier presidency, U.S.-Russia relations faced significant challenges, and Russian officials have expressed measured expectations regarding his possible future policies.
With a maximum speed of 195 km/h, the Trump UAV is designed to serve multiple roles, including logistics support in hard-to-reach areas, acting as a communications repeater, and carrying small-sized FPV drones.
https://armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/russian-troops-test-new-transport-drone-named-after-donald-trump
Italy releases Iranian citizen held on a US warrant over drone attack in Jordan
Updated 9:31 AM PST, January 12, 2025
Italy on Sunday released an Iranian citizen wanted by the U.S. over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago, after the Italian justice minister asked a court to revoke his arrest.
Mohammad Abedini has already returned to Iran, Iranian state TV said on Sunday afternoon.
He was scheduled to appear at a Milan court on Wednesday in connection with his bid for house arrest pending extradition to the U.S.
Abedini was arrested on a U.S. warrant on Dec. 16, three days before Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained while on a reporting trip to Iran.
Sala, who was believed held as a bargaining chip for Abedini’s release, returned home last week.
The U.S. Justice Department has accused Abedini of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that killed three American troops.
An official note on the case released by the Italian Justice Ministry on Sunday said that under Italy-U.S. extradition treaties, “only crimes that are punishable according to the laws of both sides can lead to extradition, a condition which, based on the state of documents, can’t be considered as existing.”
The ministry said that the potential charge against Abedini — criminal association for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a U.S. federal law — “did not correspond to any conduct recognized by Italian law as a crime.”
Iranian state TV said the release and return of Abedini came after Iran’s foreign ministry pursued the case, as well as “talks” between Iran’s intelligence ministry and the Italian intelligence service.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni described a “diplomatic triangulation” with Iran and the United States as being key to securing Sala’s release, confirming for the first time that Washington’s interests entered into the negotiations.
Sala’s release came after Meloni made a surprise trip to Florida to meet U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
https://apnews.com/article/italy-iran-arrest-abedini-us-sala-b13f97d133becca587ba3490e09ecda1
‘UFO’ Near Los Angeles Fires? Viral Video Of Mysterious Object In Sky Sparks Speculations
Updated Jan 13, 2025, 13:27 IST
Destruction, devastation, desolation, and such were unfortunately the words of the week soon after the new year 2025 kicked off.
From earthquakes to wildfires- the year has been witnessing some of the most heartbreaking incidents under the span of hardly two weeks.
The latest to suffer losses from such disasters is California, where multiple wildfires have turned parts of the state into ‘grey’ ruins.
An ‘orange sky’ filled with smoke and a ‘yellow ground’ full of flames is all that the state has become since last week’s fires.
As per reports, at least 24 people have lost their lives while the number of displaced people has reached in thousands. Amid the saddening reports on the entire tragedy, a specifically eerie video came forward, which immediately went viral on social media. The said video showed a mysterious object flying around the Los Angeles fires, near a beach, giving rise to speculations of ‘UFO sightings’.
The said object was hovering rather quickly, almost eliminating the possibility of being an aircraft or a drone- as per most netizens.
The clip showed the object somewhat emerging from the ocean, after which it continued to fly around- seemingly aimlessly. Times Now could not confirm the authenticity of the clip.
The video was shared on Reddit, by the handle ‘frankievalentino’. The post was shared five days ago and pulled more than 1K upvotes from people.
https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/ufo-near-los-angeles-fires-alien-viral-video-of-mysterious-object-in-sky-sparks-speculations-watch-article-117196244
https://www.reddit.com/r/InterdimensionalNHI/comments/1hwlmzp/ufo_seen_flying_off_the_ocean_towards_los_angeles/
>ETs are putting out the fires, while the left's goons are lighting them.
We get by with a little help from our frens