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Astronaut takes a mind-bending trip over Earth beneath star trails: Space photo of the day
March 18, 2025
The Earth and a starry night appear to merge into one strange and otherworldly sci-fi trip in this mind-bending photo captured by a NASA astronaut in space with help from an astrophotgrapher on the ground.
What is it?
What looks like something out of the finale of "2001: A Space Odyssey" is actually a long-exposure image of the Earth and stars seen from space at night from the International Space Station as witnessed by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.
Pettit, a veteran astronaut and accomplished astrophotographer, unveiled the image on March 11 on social media.
It shows a view out the window of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Freedom, which is returning four Crew-9 astronauts to Earth today.
The star trails above at the streaks on Earth occur in long exposure photos as the ISS flies over the Earth at 14,500 mph.
On the planet below, the white blobs are lightning, with city lights creating the different colored streaks. The linear streaks above are stars.
This photo shows Earth, our home planet, and was taken from the International Space Station as it flew more than 261 miles up.
The space station has been home rotating crews of astronauts since 2000, giving space travelers sweeping views of their planet.
This view, in particular, is from one of the windows aboard a visiting SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft that ferred the Crew-9 astronaut mission to the ISS in September 2024.
It is returning to Earth with two Crew-9 astronuts and two NASA astronauts who launched in June on a Boeing Starliner capsule, but ended staying aboard for 9 months due to NASA concerns with the vehicle, which returned empty last summer.
Why is it amazing?
Views of Earth from space can trigger what scientists call the "overview effect," a sense of wonder and perspective that astronauts have long reported as one of the most poignant parts of space travel.
This view is stunning not just in the sense of motion and speed, but in its complexity.
Pettit, who has published his own "Spaceborne" book of space photography from the ISS, worked with famed astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi of The World At Night on Earth, who assisted in processing the image.
It can be a difficult process, requiring the stacking of many images to get the desire result.
"Star trail from Crew 9 Dragon vehicle. Thanks to Babak Tafreshi for the image processing," Pettit wrote on X.
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/astronaut-takes-mind-bending-trip-over-earth-beneath-star-trails-space-photo-of-the-day
https://www.space.com/35047-spaceborne-don-pettit-space-book-photos.html
https://x.com/astro_Pettit/status/1899546044297335247/photo/1
https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/03/radar-technology-detects-meteorite-falls/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/aa/3041760
Radar Technology Detects Meteorite Falls, Opening New Frontiers in Space Science
March 18, 2025
The discovery that weather radar systems can detect meteorite falls marks a significant leap in how scientists study and recover these celestial fragments.
Traditionally, meteorite falls have been observed through visual sightings or analyzed from rare physical recoveries, often occurring hours or days after the event.
However, as detailed in a recent study published in Advances in Astronomy, weather radar systems like NEXRAD, which are designed to monitor weather patterns, have shown great potential in tracking meteorites in real-time.
This innovation could lead to faster and more accurate recoveries of these space rocks, yielding valuable insights into our solar system’s history.
What Is a Meteorite Fall and Why Does It Matter?
Meteorites, the solid fragments of meteors that survive their fiery passage through Earth’s atmosphere, provide invaluable scientific data.
These rocks can carry crucial information about the early solar system, including organic compounds, isotopic signatures, and even records of ancient cosmic impacts.
The study of meteorites helps scientists understand planetary formation, the potential for life elsewhere in the universe, and the history of asteroid and comet collisions.
Meteorite falls are often observed as bright streaks across the sky, especially when they are large enough to ignite as they enter Earth’s atmosphere, a phenomenon known as a “bolide.”
After the glow from the meteor fades, small fragments of the meteor may continue to fall, and this is where radar comes into play.
The Role of Weather Radar in Detecting Meteorite Falls
For decades, weather radar systems have been a staple in forecasting and tracking weather events.
These systems, such as the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD), emit beams that bounce off particles like raindrops, snowflakes, and even insects or birds.
However, it turns out that they can also detect meteorite fragments when they descend to Earth.
The radar captures the reflections from the fragments as they fall, revealing important details about the meteorite’s trajectory, speed, and potential impact site.
This is where the study by Marc Fries and Jeffrey Fries, affiliated with NASA, shines. The researchers demonstrated that weather radar systems could detect the remnants of meteors long after the bright flash of the initial bolide.
This is especially valuable as meteorites can continue falling even after the visible portion of the meteor has burned up upon entry into the atmosphere.
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Radar Detection: Day and Night
Most people associate meteor showers and meteorite falls with the nighttime sky, but in reality, meteorites can fall at any time of day.
Our visual perception is limited during the day, but radar systems like NEXRAD operate around the clock.
This means that meteorites can be detected and tracked even in broad daylight, making the detection of meteorites more reliable and efficient.
This 24/7 functionality allows scientists to trace meteorite falls that might otherwise go unnoticed by human eyes.
Furthermore, the ability to detect meteorites at any time of day aids in quick recovery, which is crucial for scientific research.
How Radar Tracks Meteorites After the Glow Fades
When a meteor enters Earth’s atmosphere, the intense heat generated by friction causes it to ionize the surrounding air, creating a luminous trail.
However, after the meteor slows down and loses its brightness, the radar takes over. Radar waves are bounced off the now-dark fragments, creating clear reflections on the radar screen.
The data from these radar reflections provide crucial information about the meteor’s size, velocity, and exact location, all of which are essential for pinpointing where the meteorites may land on Earth.
In a practical sense, this allows researchers to use radar data to map out a “strewn field”—the area on the ground where meteorite fragments are likely to be scattered.
These calculations rely on wind patterns, velocity estimates from the radar, and weather data from instruments like weather balloons.
Meteorite Recovery: Speed and Accuracy
The ability to detect meteorites through weather radar not only accelerates the recovery process but also enhances the accuracy of where fragments are found.
For instance, the 2003 Park Forest meteorite event was a prime example of how radar data can guide search teams to specific locations where meteorites had fallen.
In this case, radar data helped locate valuable meteorite samples that shed light on asteroid collision events and fragmentation processes.
Once meteorites are detected by radar, scientists can quickly mobilize search efforts, significantly increasing the chances of recovering pristine samples before they are contaminated by weathering or human interference.
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U.S. restores satellite imagery support to Ukraine amid ceasefire tensions
March 18, 2025
The Trump administration has reinstated U.S. satellite imagery support for Ukraine, reversing a suspension imposed less than two weeks ago amid growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kyiv over a potential ceasefire in Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
A spokesperson for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) confirmed March 18 that Ukraine has regained access to the commercial satellite imagery platform that has been a crucial component of its intelligence-gathering capabilities since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
“In accordance with the administration’s directive on support to Ukraine, NGA has resumed access to the Global Enhanced GEOINT Delivery system, or GEGD, which is the primary portal for access to U.S. government-purchased commercial imagery,” the agency said in a statement.
The decision to restore access follows a temporary freeze on the imagery-sharing program that coincided with reports of friction between the U.S. and Ukrainian governments over the terms of a possible ceasefire.
Ukraine has relied on high-resolution electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery to track Russian troop movements and plan counteroffensives.
Resumption of military aid
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters March 17 that broader U.S. military aid to Ukraine has also resumed, along with intelligence sharing.
“The military aid to Ukraine has been turned back on, as well as intelligence sharing with our Ukrainian partners,” Parnell said, adding that senior administration officials have been “heavily involved” in diplomatic discussions aimed at reaching a resolution to the war.
Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, director of operations for the Joint Staff, also confirmed the renewed assistance, stating that military aid and intelligence-sharing efforts are once again flowing into Ukraine.
“We’ve got confirmed reports that it is continuing or is flowing back into Ukraine and, of course, daily reports on the outcome of the intelligence sharing and those efforts,” Grynkewich said.
NGA’s imagery platform
The GEGD system, developed by Maxar Intelligence for NGA, serves as a central repository for satellite imagery procured by the U.S. government.
It aggregates data from multiple commercial providers, including Planet, Iceye, BlackSky, and Capella Space, in addition to Maxar.
NGA, a U.S. intelligence agency, supports the Department of Defense and other federal agencies by providing geospatial intelligence used in military, intelligence and humanitarian operations.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/news/article-display/article/4124351/space-force-publishes-2025-data-ai-strategic-action-plan/
SWAT teams descend on CIA headquarters after man fires gunshots
Updated16:01, 19 Mar 2025
SWAT teams have descended to the CIA headquarters in Fairfax County, Virginia after an armed man allegedly began shooting into the air. Initial reports suggest the suspect is in possession of a shotgun, with the area placed into "lockdown" as a result.
Fairfax County Police Bomb Squad is in attendance, with police rushing to the scene as of about 10:35am EDT (2:30pm GMT) on Wednesday.
Fox 5 and ABC News are reporting that the person was allegedly making threats outside the gate of the CIA headquarters.
Crime scene negotiators, as well as officers from the Fairfax County Police, are in attendance and a large cordon is in place around the building.
The incident unfolded at Georgetown Pike and Dolley Madison Boulevard about 8.5 miles west-northwest of Washington, D.C.
The suspect was reportedly observed sitting on a bench near the facility's gate along Route 123 while in possession of a firearm, local news outlets reported, as per Daily Express.
SWAT teams were said to have surrounded the man at gunpoint on the bench. It is unclear at this time whether the man has been detained or whether crime scene negotiators were put to use.
In a statement on X, Fairfax County Police said: "Traffic Alert: Dolley Madison Blvd is shut down in both directions between Georgetown Pk and Savile Ln in McLean for a barricade incident at @CIA HQ.
Our Special Operations Division is on scene assisting. Please follow police direction."
The Virginia Department of Transportation's Northern Virginia office confirmed road closures were in place while emergency services dealt with the incident.
"#McLean: Route 123 at Georgetown Pike: All lanes in both directions closed due to police activity. Pls avoid the area," VDOT wrote on X.
Images and videos posted online show several police vehicles in the area, with at least three armoured vehicles stationed in front of the CIA headquarters.
Located in Langley, Virginia the CIA Headquarters employs more than 20,000 people, with the Original Headquarters Building and the New Headquarters Building all located within the grounds.
According to the CIA website: "The CIA is a U.S. government agency that provides objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the president, the National Security Council, and other policymakers to help them make national security decisions."
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/breaking-swat-teams-descend-cia-34893328
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXX7-nYy-kY&pp=ygUGY2lhIGhx
Exlabs and Antares form alliance to develop nuclear-powered spacecraft
March 19, 2025
Southern California startups Exlabs and Antares announced a strategic partnership March 19 to develop a nuclear-powered spacecraft for deep-space missions.
Exlabs’ initial missions, including its 2028 campaign to rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis, will not rely on nuclear power.
But, the company’s modular spacecraft, called Science Exploration and Resource Vehicle (SERV), will be designed to accommodate Antares microreactors.
“Nuclear is key to enabling extended, long-duration missions,” Matthew Schmidgall, ExLabs CEO and co-founder, told SpaceNews.
“It provides high power and consistent energy for larger propulsion systems and larger payloads. Solar panels cannot provide the type of power that’s required for our envisioned future operations.”
Exlabs plans to send a spacecraft equipped with an Antares’ nuclear microreactor to geostationary orbit in late 2028 or 2029.
“This mission will serve as a critical validation for space-based nuclear power and set the stage for broader adoption of nuclear technologies” for missions beyond geostationary orbit, according to the news release.
Time to Build
The Exlabs-Antares partnership “pairs two companies with an ambitious vision and pragmatic roadmaps to bring space nuclear technologies to bear,” Will Madsen, Antares head of mission engineering, said in a statement.
“For too long, space nuclear power has solely existed in conceptual studies – now it’s time to build.”
Nuclear-power has faced technical, regulatory and safety hurdles for terrestrial and space applications. In recent years, companies large and small have invested in reducing the size and increasing the safety of nuclear reactors.
The first Trump Administration issued a policy directive in 2021 promoting development of small nuclear reactors for space and defense applications.
“We see a growing interest in the national security space in extended-mission vehicles which require nuclear capabilities,” Schmidgall said. “National security and cislunar infrastructure are going to require these capabilities.”
Nuclear power also is a core element of Exlabs’ long-term roadmap. The startup was founded in 2023 to help pave the way for space-resource utilization.
“The design of our spacecraft and the technology that we’re building needs to support that nuclear future,” Schmidgall said.
https://spacenews.com/exlabs-and-antares-form-alliance-to-develop-nuclear-powered-spacecraft/
Space Force publishes 2025 Data, AI strategic action plan
March 19, 2025
The U.S. Space Force published its Data and Artificial Intelligence FY 2025 Strategic Action Plan providing a clear, actionable path toward becoming a more data-driven and AI-enabled force capable of achieving the Defense Department’s mission to deter war and, when necessary, decisively defeat adversaries.
“As the world’s first digital service, the United States Space Force recognizes the critical role that data and artificial intelligence will play in maintaining space superiority,” said Col. Nathen L. Iven, acting deputy chief of space operations for cyber and data.
Recognizing that unity and shared purpose are the greatest strengths of the Department of Defense, the USSF has developed the United States Space Force Data and AI FY2025 Strategic Action Plan to address these challenges as a space enterprise.
“Data and AI are critical for a warfighting service that is purpose-built for space superiority. This plan charts a course to foster data literacy, equip our Guardians with cutting-edge technologies, and drive innovation,” Iven said.
According to the plan, the Space Force recognizes the need for digital fluency within the Guardian workforce, and based on the latest national guidance, the Space Force needs to emphasize AI literacy to employ these tools to solve operational challenges.
To do so, the service will focus on the following four lines of efforts to make data visible, accessible, understandable, rapidly adopted, linked, trustworthy, interoperable and secure:
• Mature, enterprise-wide data and AI governance
• Advance a data and AI-driven culture
• Rapidly adopt data, advance analytics and AI technologies
• Strengthen government, academic, industry and international partnerships
“The USSF recognized the need for digital fluency within the Guardian workforce, and based on the latest national guidance, the Space Force needs to emphasize AI literacy to employ these tools to solve operational challenges,” Iven said.
https://www.spaceforce.mil/news/article-display/article/4124351/space-force-publishes-2025-data-ai-strategic-action-plan/
https://www.spaceforce.mil/Portals/2/Documents/SAF_2025/USSF_Data_and_AI_FY2025_Strategic_Action_Plan.pdf
STARCOM leaders engage Guardians in Florida amid headquarters transition
March 18, 2025
Col. Michael Todd, Space Training and Readiness Command chief of staff, and Michelle Cantu, STARCOM director of human capital, recently met with Guardians in Melbourne, Florida to answer questions and provide insight on the path ahead as the command moves forward with the headquarters' transition to Patrick Space Force Base, Florida.
In 2024, the Department of the Air Force selected Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, as the selected location to host the Space Training and Readiness Command Headquarters, along with Space Delta 10.
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4123978/starcom-leaders-engage-guardians-in-florida-amid-headquarters-transition/
https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4124500/space-force-guardian-returns-to-earth-after-six-month-space-mission/
Space Force Guardian returns to Earth after six-month space mission
March 19, 2025
U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague returned to Earth following a six-month mission aboard the International Space Station, March 18, 2025.
Hague launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on Sept. 28, 2024, as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
His flight marked a significant moment in the history of the Space Force, as he became the first active-duty Guardian to fly to space and one of the first humans to launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.
“I never would have imagined that I was going to be the first Guardian to launch into space. I represent all those Guardians that are around the globe.
I represent that entire family that brings so much to the table that lets us explore space and it’s a thrill to be a part of that,” he said.
“Welcome home, Nick, and congratulations on your second return from the ISS,” said Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman.
“We’re all excited to have you back, and we’re ready to leverage your experiences and expertise in the Space Force.”
While aboard the space station, he participated in over 150 scientific investigations, completed a six-hour spacewalk, and interacted with students worldwide to discuss space exploration and technology.
During his mission, Hague took several significant items to space, including the official sheet music for the Space Force song "Semper Supra."
The sheet music symbolized the branch's expanding presence in space and its commitment to safeguarding U.S. interests.
He also brought mission patches and personal mementos to honor the service members, scientists and engineers who contribute to space operations.
“As the first member of the Space Force to launch into orbit, he embodies our Guardian Spirit,” Saltzman said.
“His dedication to scientific discovery is remarkable, his effort to inspire the next generation of space pioneers is commendable, and his commitment to serving our nation is unwavering. We’re incredibly proud.”
A key component of Hague's mission was his participation in more than 150 scientific experiments designed to advance human spaceflight and improve life on Earth.
His research included blood clotting studies, microgravity plant growth, and vision changes in astronauts—issues critical for future long-duration space missions.
These studies aimed to improve medical treatments, enhance food sustainability in space and provide insights into how extended exposure to microgravity affects the human body.
"The experiments we are conducting on ISS are pushing the boundaries of science and solving real-world problems.
Whether it's finding new treatments for diseases, discovering new material properties, learning to grow food more efficiently, or ensuring the health of future space explorers, the on-going research aboard the space station can and has improved life for everyone back on Earth," Hague said.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Hague participated in physical fitness activities aboard the space station, emphasizing the importance of astronaut health during long-duration missions.
He took part in the Space Force T-Minus 10 Miler virtually, running 10 miles on the station's treadmill in approximately 90 minutes — the same time it takes for the orbiting laboratory to complete one orbit around Earth.
“I enjoyed virtually joining everyone at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., for the T-10 Miler to kick off a week highlighting the 5th birthday of the Space Force.
My race time comes with an asterisk if you consider the microgravity working in my favor! But like life, it’s not about the time, but the distance covered and the perspective gained along the way,” Hague said.
On Jan. 16, 2025, Hague conducted a six-hour spacewalk alongside an Expedition 72 crewmate.
This extravehicular activity involved replacing a station component and servicing an external research instrument for space-based observations, ensuring the continued functionality of key space systems.
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Throughout his mission, Hague connected with students worldwide, engaging with schools such as Iowa State University, the Denver School of Science and Technology, and Department of Defense Educational Activity schools.
These live space-to-Earth calls allowed students to ask questions about space exploration, astronaut training, and scientific research in microgravity.
Hague also answered prerecorded student inquiries about food production in space, CubeSat technology, and the potential for future space missions beyond low Earth orbit.
“Being able to engage with students and showcase the cutting-edge research taking place on space station is vital. In doing so, we underscore the opportunities a STEM education creates and the critical role STEM education plays in driving future innovation.
We have to inspire the next generation of explorers, both for space and here on Earth, and let them see it is possible to turn their dreams into reality,” Hague said.
Hague's return was initially scheduled for early March but was delayed due to adjustments in the Crew-10 mission timeline.
He and his Crew-9 colleagues remained aboard the space station and continued their research supporting the station's operations.
NASA astronaut Maj. Nichole Ayers, U.S. Air Force officer and F-22 Raptor pilot, arrived on station, March 16, 2025, as part of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission.
Ayers took over operational duties and continued scientific research and experiments initiated by Hague and his crew.
Prior to launch, Ayers said she could not wait to high five Nick when she gets to the space station. “Getting to work with such an amazing human has been wonderful.
In fact, there will be representatives from each of the service academies while we are there! Suni Williams is a Naval Academy Grad and Anne McClain (our Crew-10 commander) went to West Point.
What a cool representation of our service academies and the opportunities we all have through our different services,” Ayers said.
Hague and his crewmates returned aboard the Dragon spacecraft, which landed off the coast of Florida, March 18 at 5:57 p.m. (EDT).
After landing, recovery teams assisted the crew which will undergo medical evaluations and post-mission debriefings.
As part of standard post-flight procedures, Hague will undergo physical rehabilitation to adjust to Earth's gravity and participate in briefings to share insights from his mission.
Hague has now logged more than 350 days in space across multiple missions.
His time on the space station provided valuable data on astronaut health, supported international partnerships, and helped prepare for future missions beyond Earth's orbit.
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Another resource for the JFK Files
J.F.K. Assassination Records Archive – Previously Withheld JFK Assassination Documents Database
March 19, 2025
Background
The assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, is one of the most significant events in American history.
On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while on a political trip to Texas to smooth over frictions in the Democratic Party.
The motorcade route through Dealey Plaza was planned in advance, and Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline, along with Texas Governor John Connally, were riding in an open-top convertible limousine when the shots were fired.
Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested and charged with the assassination. Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby two days later, on November 24, while in police custody, before he could be tried.
This series of events triggered numerous conspiracy theories about the assassination, as Oswald was never able to testify or be tried in court.
In the wake of the assassination and Oswald’s death, President Lyndon B. Johnson established the President’s Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, more commonly known as the Warren Commission, named after its chairman, Chief Justice Earl Warren.
The Warren Commission was tasked with investigating the circumstances of JFK’s assassination and Oswald’s role in it.
After months of investigation, the Warren Commission concluded that Oswald acted alone in assassinating Kennedy and that there was no credible evidence of a conspiracy, either domestic or international, in the assassination.
The Commission’s findings, however, have been controversial and the subject of criticism and skepticism.
In 1992, in response to the ongoing public interest and skepticism towards the official narrative of JFK’s assassination, the U.S. Congress passed the JFK Assassination Records Collection Act.
This Act mandated the creation of the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB), an independent agency that was tasked with re-examining the assassination and declassifying records related to it.
While the ARRB did not come to any definitive conclusions about the assassination, its work helped to shed new light on the events surrounding JFK’s death and sparked renewed public interest in the assassination.
In recent years, The Black Vault has collected hundreds of thousands of pages related to the JFK assassination. These documents are freely available for download below.
The Documents Collection
The entire collection of all records released on the JFK Assassination, previously withheld, have been compiled below.
Despite the files originally being released in a non-searchable format in most cases, The Black Vault converted 100% of the files to a searchable format.
In addition, The Black Vault created numerous index files of the entire collection, with clickable links to download the files. These can also be downloaded below.
https://www.theblackvault.com/documentarchive/j-f-k-assassination-records/
https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/release-2025
BlueHalo tests next-gen counter-drone missile for US Army built in just 107 days
Mar 17, 2025 12:47 PM EST
BlueHalo, a defense technology company, has announced a successful live-fire demonstration of its Next-Generation Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System Missile, known as Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1).
This development comes in response to increasing global threats and reflects a significant push toward advancing U.S. defense capabilities.
The recent demonstration occurred at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where BlueHalo’s team carried out three test flights of the FE-1 missile.
Next-gen counter-drone missile
All launches were successful, providing confidence in the missile’s performance and BlueHalo’s rapid development approach.
Jonathan Moneymaker, Chief Executive Officer of BlueHalo, emphasized the importance of this technology in light of recent geopolitical tensions, including those in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
“In light of recent events, we’re focusing on escalating our internal investments to enhance the FE-1 system,” Moneymaker stated.
He added that the company aims to meet the growing demand for effective air defense solutions quickly.
The Controlled Test Vehicle (CTV) demonstration showcased the missile’s successful launch and gathered critical data regarding its guidance, navigation, and control systems.
BlueHalo’s team collected various metrics, including video footage, sensor data, and radar tracks, to assess the missile’s performance and identify potential technical risks.
James Batt, Chief Growth Officer of BlueHalo, hailed the achievement as a remarkable engineering milestone, noting the team’s dedication and expertise.
“Achieving three successful launches during the initial phase of a kinetic missile program is no small feat,” Batt remarked. “FE-1 will provide a necessary edge in our nation’s air defense capabilities.”
The FE-1 missile addresses current systems’ shortcomings, particularly larger Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and threats that require enhanced maneuverability and rapid response.
Its development aligns with a broader recognition of the need for a more effective defense strategy against increasingly sophisticated drone threats.
Developed in 107 days
The recent demonstration is part of a series of milestones for the FE-1, signifying its accelerated development timeline. Team BlueHalo went from paper design to first flight in 107 days.
Last June, BlueHalo was selected as one of two vendors advancing the missile program alongside the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center.
Subsequent tests in August confirmed successful operations of the missile’s dual-thrust, solid rocket motor, and December’s warhead detonation tests validated the missile’s effectiveness against simulated targets.
While competitors in the Next-Generation C-UAS Missile program have focused on conceptual designs, BlueHalo has prioritized building and testing actual flight hardware.
The progress from initial design to flight testing was achieved in just over three months, illustrating a commitment to fast-tracking defense capabilities amid evolving challenges.
As Congress underscores the importance of responding to emerging threats, BlueHalo’s efforts to advance the FE-1 missile are increasingly relevant.
The recently passed FY25 National Defense Authorization Act reflects growing awareness and funding for enhanced defense systems that effectively engage advanced aerial threats.
Moneymaker noted that the current administration’s push for quick technology fielding aligns with BlueHalo’s objectives.
“We’re committed to moving at the necessary speed to meet national security needs, even if that requires our own financial backing,” he explained.
In summary, BlueHalo’s FE-1 missile represents a crucial step forward in countering larger and more sophisticated UAS threats, providing a timely response to the complexities of modern warfare.
Its development not only aims to enhance the capabilities of American warfighters but also seeks to strengthen national defense infrastructure in an increasingly volatile global environment.
https://interestingengineering.com/military/next-gen-counter-drone-missile
Russian Geran-2 (Shahed-136) Kamikaze Drone Crashes in Kazakhstan==
19 March, 2025
A Russian Geran-2 (Shahed-136) kamikaze drone, bearing the tail number “Ы18358,” has crashed on Kazakhstani soil.
Kazinform, the local news agency, reported on the incident.
According to the report, the drone was found in the Taskalinsk district of the West Kazakhstan region, which borders the Saratov region of the Russian Federation.
According to the Colonel GSh Telegram channel, the discovered Geran-2 drone is equipped with a HE-fragmentation warhead and a telemetry system.
The drone landed in a field without visible damage and without the detonation of the warhead, which may indicate fuel depletion and subsequent uncontrolled gliding to the ground.
Various symbols and inscriptions are marked on the drone’s fuselage, including the letter “Z” — a likely indication of its use against Ukraine.
The drone likely veered off course due to the operation of electronic warfare systems or a technical malfunction. Losing the ability to adjust its flight path, it flew uncontrollably through Russian and later Kazakhstani airspace.
According to the official report from the Ukrainian Air Force, on the night of March 18 to 19, Russian troops launched drones from the directions of Bryansk, Oryol, Shatalovo, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primorsk-Akhtarsk.
Thus, the “stray” Geran-2 drone could have traveled a distance of approximately 700 to 1000 kilometers across the territory of Russia and Kazakhstan — unless, of course, this is a deliberate provocation by Russia.
Russian drones in Kazakhstan
On February 19, Militarnyi reported that a Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone was spotted near an oil pipeline facility in Kazakhstan.
The drone was discovered near a facility of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, a joint Russian-Kazakh enterprise operating the pipeline of the same name.
To obscure its origin, Russian media spread disinformation, attempting to pass it off as a French SAGEM Crecerelle UAV.
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan do not use this type of drone, and its presence in an area so far from the front line is difficult to explain other than as a possible preparation for a provocation.
https://mil.in.ua/en/news/russian-geran-2-shahed-136-kamikaze-drone-crashes-in-kazakhstan/
https://t.me/war_home/4124
https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-ceasefire-talks-drones-65c00a0afd130731e0e0c054ac528b44
Trump and Zelenskyy wrap up call a day after talks with Russia about possible ceasefire
Updated 9:39 AM PDT, March 19, 2025
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the path to a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow on Wednesday, a day after the U.S. leader held similar talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Trump’s call with Zelenskyy was about half the length of his call Tuesday, during which Putin agreed not to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure but refused to back a full 30-day ceasefire.
In a social media post, Trump said his call with Zelenskyy was to “align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs” as he seeks to bring a halt to fighting.
“We are very much on track,” Trump added, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz would provide further details of the conversation.
Prior to his call with Trump, Zelenskyy said Putin’s limited ceasefire pledge was “very much at odds with reality” following an overnight barrage of drone strikes across the country.
“Even last night, after Putin’s conversation with … Trump, when Putin said that he was allegedly giving orders to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy, there were 150 drones launched overnight, including on energy facilities,” Zelenskyy said at a news conference in Helsinki with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
The Kremlin says Kyiv isn’t upholding its end of the bargain
Russia responded by saying it had halted its targeting of Ukraine’s energy facilities and accused Kyiv of attacking equipment near one of its pipelines.
“Unfortunately, we see that for now there is no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv regime,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
The White House described the call between Trump and Putin as the first step in a “movement to peace” that Washington hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting.
But there was no indication that Putin backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv.
Russia is holding the ceasefire proposal ‘hostage’
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said that Putin’s demands during the call with Trump would amount to “Ukrainian capitulation.”
“Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostage in order to extract preemptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war,” the ISW said in an analysis of readouts from the calls.
Stubb called the discussions between Putin and Trump a step in the right direction, but Finland’s president said that Russia needs to end its aggression.
“There are only two ways to respond to the proposal of the president of the United States: it’s a yes or a no — no buts, no conditions,” Stubb said.
“Ukraine accepted a ceasefire without any forms of conditions. If Russia refuses to agree, we need to increase our efforts to strengthen Ukraine and ratchet up pressure on Russia to convince them to come to the negotiating table.”
White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on social media that he and his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, agreed Wednesday that their teams would meet soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, “to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia.
It was not immediately clear who would be part of the delegations or if Ukrainian officials were also invited to take part in the Saudi Arabia talks.
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Ukraine and Russia trade accusations
Shortly after the lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin on Tuesday, air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions as residents took shelter.
Despite efforts to repel the attack, several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including two hospitals, a railway and more than 20 houses, Zelenskyy said.
Russian drones were reported over Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava, Kharkiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Cherkasy regions.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its military had launched seven drones at power facilities related to the military-industrial complex in Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv region, but that it shot them down after receiving Putin’s order to not hit energy infrastructure.
Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting its energy facility in the Krasnodar region bordering the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, several hours after the Putin and Trump talks.
The ministry said that three drones targeted oil transfer equipment that feeds the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, causing a fire and leading one oil tank to lose pressure.
“It is absolutely clear that we are talking about yet another provocation deliberately concocted by the Kyiv regime, aimed at derailing the peace initiatives of the U.S. president,” the ministry said.
Russia said that its air defenses intercepted 57 Ukrainian drones over the Azov Sea and several Russian regions — the border provinces of Kursk and Bryansk and the nearby regions of Oryol and Tula.
Zelenskyy said that “words of a ceasefire” weren’t enough. “If the Russians don’t hit our facilities, we definitely won’t hit theirs,” Zelenskyy said.
Meanwhile, the two combatants said Wednesday that they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges of the war.
Ukraine’s red line
Zelenskyy rejected Putin’s key condition that Western allies stop providing military aid and intelligence to Ukraine. He said that doing so would endanger lives if citizens were blind to incoming air raids, and lead to the continuation of the war.
“I don’t think anybody should make any concessions in terms of helping Ukraine, but rather, assistance to Ukraine should be increased,” Zelenskyy said. “This will be a signal that Ukraine is ready for any surprises from the Russians.”
Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said that it was “completely unsurprising” that Putin rejected the ceasefire, adding that it’s “imprudent for him to tell President Trump that directly, since Trump has made ending the war a very, very high priority.”
“What we have now, in effect, is a competition or rivalry between Kyiv and Moscow to persuade Trump that it’s the other side that is responsible for preventing Trump from achieving his goal of ending the war,” Gould-Davies said.
Zelenskyy said that one of the most difficult issues in future negotiations would be the issue of territorial concessions.
“For us, the red line is the recognition of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as Russian,” he said. “We will not go for it.”
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Bill Gates Witnesses Drone Revolution in Rural India
March 19, 2025
Marut Drones, an Indian developer of agriculture-focused UAVs, recently announced that their partnership with the Indian government to train rural women to use drones had received an important visit from Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation and former Microsoft CEO.
Gates visited the Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) Pusa Campus located in New Delhi, where he witnessed a demonstration of flight training for rural women, trained under the Indian government’s Namo Drone Didi Scheme by Marut Drones.
The demonstration featured rural women flying Marut AG365 Drones, a multi-utility UAV that features a six-propeller setup and a maximum 22 minute flight time.
The AG365 was the first agriculture-focused drone to receive approval from the DGCA, India’s civil aviation authority.
The Namo Drone Didi Scheme was instituted in 2023, provisioning funds to train rural women in drone skills, increasing their independence within their communities and providing new opportunities for economic development.
The resulting increase in income has massive impacts on impoverished rural families, showing the power of drone technology to create upward mobility.
Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO and Co-Founder of Marut Drones, said, “It’s a proud moment to see the women trained by Marut Drones are interacting with Mr. Bill Gates.
Watching them operate drones confidently truly reflects how technology can ensure economic empowerment and break barriers of a traditionally male-dominated industry.
The presence of global leaders like Mr. Bill Gates, visiting India and witnessing firsthand the impact of drone technology at the grassroots level is a strong validation of how India’s drone ecosystem is truly challenging the gender norms in rural India and creating financially independent women entrepreneurs.”
Marut Drones provided training to all three operators, including refresher courses, and is an active participant in the Drone Didi program.
Marut Drones is the first company in India to receive dual DGCA approval for manufacturing and remote pilot training.
https://dronelife.com/2025/03/19/bill-gates-witnesses-drone-revolution-in-rural-india-marut-drones-empowers-women-through-namo-drone-didi-scheme/
https://marutdrones.com/ag-365/
“Crimea’s air defense collapsed”: Ukrainian drones destroy critical Russian radar network
19/03/2025
Ukrainian military intelligence agency, also known as HUR, says it has launched a large-scale attack on Russian radar detection and air defense systems in occupied Crimea in recent days and destroyed a number of Russian military equipment.
On 18 March, during a phone conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin supported US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a mutual 30-day suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure.
However, no agreement was reached on the pause in fighting on the Ukrainian front lines and Russia’s Kursk Oblast, as proposed by Ukraine. Later that day, Russia launched 150 drones on Ukraine on energy objects and several hospitals.
The attack involved kamikaze drones, likely fixed-wing types equipped with optical cameras for greater accuracy, allowing for strikes on both stationary and moving targets.
HUR has reported that the strike destroyed several key assets, including radar stations and air defense systems, among them three Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile and gun systems and a Mi-8 helicopter.
Specifically, the operation neutralized:
Two 48Ya6-K1 Podlet long-range air surveillance radars
Two 1L125 Niobiy-SV electronic warfare detection radars
Three 39N6 “Kasta 2E2” target tracking radars
A 9S19 Imbir fire control radar for S-300 air defense systems
The Nebo-M, 59N6-E Protivnik-GE, and Mys radars.
Additionally, the strike targeted a launcher from the S-300V air defense system and command posts connected to the ST-68 and Kasta 2E2 radars.
The operation also hit a Project C4236 tugboat and the multipurpose tug Fedor Urupin.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, these strikes were conducted over several days, causing significant financial losses for Russia due to the high cost of the destroyed equipment while also degrading its airspace monitoring capabilities over Crimea.
Aviation expert Valerii Romanenko commented on the HUR’s operation and told Radio NV that it has achieved “unique results.”
“The main radars that provided airspace coverage over Crimea, Kherson Oblast, and Krasnodar Krai have been disabled. These radars were responsible for detecting low-flying targets—our drones and cruise missiles.
With so many radars taken out, Crimea’s air defense has effectively collapsed. If we follow up with another strike, we could target anything that moves—airfields, transport infrastructure, headquarters—anything we have ammunition for,” Romanenko said.
He added that drones were likely used in the operation.
https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/03/19/crimeas-air-defense-collapsed-ukrainian-drones-destroy-critical-russian-radar-network/
US warplanes intercept Houthi kamikaze drones
Mar 19, 2025
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has released footage showing U.S. fighter jets engaging and shooting down Iran-backed Houthi kamikaze drones using AGR-20 FALCO Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided 2.75-inch rockets.
The video highlights the ongoing efforts by U.S. forces to counter drone threats in the region.
The footage, published on social media, comes as part of a broader series of precision strikes launched by CENTCOM against Houthi targets across Yemen.
The operation aims to defend American interests, deter hostile activities, and restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, which has been disrupted by repeated Houthi drone and missile attacks.
The AGR-20 APKWS is a laser-guided rocket system designed to convert unguided 2.75-inch rockets into precision munitions.
This system provides U.S. fighter jets with a cost-effective, accurate, and efficient means to engage aerial threats, including the one-way attack drones frequently deployed by the Houthis.
The U.S. military has increased air operations in response to the Houthis’ continued targeting of commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea.
These attacks have raised security concerns for international shipping and regional stability.
The recent CENTCOM operations demonstrate the U.S. commitment to countering threats posed by Iranian-backed groups and ensuring the safety of maritime routes.
Officials have not disclosed the exact number of drones intercepted in the latest engagements, but the released footage confirms the continued effectiveness of U.S. airpower in neutralizing aerial threats.
The situation in the region remains tense, with further military actions likely as the U.S. seeks to prevent Houthi forces from escalating their attacks.
https://defence-blog.com/us-warplanes-intercept-houthi-kamikaze-drones/
https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/1902332718215577795
Kremlin says Russia called off a drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure
Updated: Mar 19, 2025, 06:03:00 PM IST
The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia had suspended its attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure after a phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump and had shot down its own Ukraine-bound drones while they were in the air.
Putin agreed in a call with Trump on Tuesday to temporarily stop attacking Ukrainian energy facilities, but declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire sought by the U.S. president.
Ukraine has accused Russia of striking its energy infrastructure overnight anyway.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia had called off a drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure targets and had shot down seven of its own drones.
"They were just lining up in combat order, six of them were shot down by 'Pantsirs' (a surface-to-air missile system) and another one was destroyed by a (Russian) military aircraft," Peskov said.
Peskov in turn accused Ukraine of not respecting the 30-day moratorium on striking each other's energy infrastructure and said it had tried to attack Russian energy infrastructure overnight.
"Unfortunately, we see that so far there has been no reciprocity on the part of the Kyiv side. There have been attempts to strike at our energy infrastructure facilities," Peskov said.
"We are watching closely to see whether Kyiv heeds the firm commitment of the Russian and U.S. presidents to do everything possible to move towards a peaceful settlement."
The Russian military earlier on Wednesday accused Ukraine of trying to sabotage the temporary moratorium on striking each other's energy infrastructure with a deliberate drone attack on an oil depot in southern Russia.
Asked if Russia would abide by its promise to suspend strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Peskov suggested it would.
"The president has not given any other orders (to the contrary)," said Peskov.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/kremlin-says-russia-called-off-a-drone-attack-on-ukrainian-energy-infrastructure/articleshow/119213128.cms
Russian Oil Transport Hub Ablaze Following Overnight Drone Assault
Mar. 19, 2025, 11:28 am
A fire started at an oil depot in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai following a large-scale drone strike, while Moscow continued overnight airstrikes on Ukraine at the same time.
A fire at an oil depot in the village of Kavkazskaya, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, broke out following an attack by Ukrainian drones, according to the regional operational headquarters.
Reports indicate that the fire covered approximately 20 square meters, damaging a pipeline linking storage tanks, with initial information suggesting there were no casualties.
“In the village of Kavkazskaya, Kavkazsky District, an attack by drones of the Kyiv regime was repelled.
Due to falling debris, a fire broke out at an oil depot located near the village,” the operational headquarters stated, adding that the automatic fire suppression and cooling system was activated.
The fire was classified as a level 4 emergency.
It is reported that 30 employees from the night shift were evacuated from the facility, and operations at the oil depot were halted.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that 57 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight.
The majority - 35 – said to have been intercepted over Russia’s Kursk region, 13 over the Oryol region, seven over the Azov Sea, and one each over the Tula and Bryansk regionss.
However, the ministry’s briefing did not mention the attack on Krasnodar Krai. No comment has yet been made by Ukraine on these reported attacks.
The strikes occurred after a nearly two-hour phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the evening of March 18.
According to the White House, the leaders agreed that the path to peace should begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementing a maritime truce in the Black Sea, a full cessation of hostilities, and the establishment of a lasting peace.
Moscow stated that Putin supported Trump’s proposal for a one-month moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, saying he had “responded positively to the initiative, and immediately gave the corresponding order to Russian forces.”
Nonetheless, Russian forces continued attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure overnight on March 19.
This included an airstrike on energy infrastructure in Slovyansk, a city of 100,000 people in the Donetsk region, according to local reports.
Kyiv Post sources within the military confirmed that part of the city is now without electricity.
Explosions were also reported in Kramatorsk, where guided aerial bombs reportedly struck residential areas.
Kyiv Post reporters in the capital also heard anti-aircraft fire directed against drones late on the night of March 18/19, with the first being reported around 11:01 p.m.
Kyiv’s Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko confirmed on Telegram that air defense systems were active on the right bank of the city, urging residents to remain in shelters.
Explosions continued intermittently until the air raid warning was lifted at 2:19 a.m. on March 19.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49184
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/03/19/ukraine-claims-to-have-fielded-a-drone-killing-laser-weapon/
Ukraine claims to have fielded a drone-killing laser weapon
Mar 19, 2025, 08:08 AM
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Ukraine claims to be one of the first countries to have successfully developed a laser anti-aircraft weapon, according to a high-ranking military official.
The secretive device has reportedly been employed on the battlefield against low-flying targets, likely unmanned aerial vehicles like the Iranian-made Shahed drones.
It was first revealed in an interview with a Ukrainian news outlet by Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, the commander of the unmanned systems forces within the Ukrainian military.
The device is known as “Tryzub,” or trident in English, referencing the Ukrainian national symbol, which is superimposed in yellow on a blue background in the country’s now world-famous coat of arms.
Information on the new system is scarce and jealously guarded. It was first publicly mentioned by Sukharevskyi in mid-December when he revealed the weapon’s existence and some key parameters at a defense industry conference in Kyiv, as reported by the Ukrainian Interfax news agency.
Asked about it again by Radio Free Europe in February of this year, he confirmed that the weapon was operationally deployed.
Speaking in the context of battlefield innovations to counter the threat of Shahed and similar drones and loitering munitions, he said that: “I repeat – laser technologies are already striking objects at a certain height.”
No pictures of the Tryzub have been released yet and it was not possible to independently verify the Ukrainian military’s claims. Nor have there been any indications as to where it was deployed or exactly what or how many targets it has engaged.
A spokesperson for Brave1, the Ukrainian government’s “united coordinational platform for defense tech,” said that it was “unable to provide any comments regarding the Tryzub weapons system or its development” in response to an inquiry.
It is unclear to what extent the Ukrainian laser weapon may still be in an experimental phase. Although the military has claimed that it succeeded in shooting down enemy “aircraft,” it is entirely possible that there may be just a single system and its mobility may be limited.
Laser weapons can be rather bulky due to their need for power generation and cooling infrastructure. This is a big part of why many of the systems developed around the world are ship-based.
However, experts said that a laser weapon system with the specifications that Ukraine reportedly has may be made to fit onto a truck bed.
Comparable weapons, such as the South Korean Skylight, which entered regular production last year and has a similar range of two to three kilometers, is housed in a container with a volume of 81 cubic meters and generates approximately 700°C heat during ten- to twenty-second impulses. It entered service in December 2024.
Despite the technological challenges, many major players have toyed with the idea of developing similar weapons, and some have dabbled in research and design.
The promised advantages primarily focus on the ability to defending against large numbers of low-cost attack aircraft, including drone swarms, at low cost.
In fielding such a system, Ukraine would join an elite club of significant military-industrial powers that have developed laser weapons and an even smaller group that has deployed them. It comes as part of broader Ukrainian efforts to reshape the battlefield through innovation.
The Unmanned Systems Forces, which appear to be involved in the operation and possibly the development of Tryzub, considering its commander’s role in announcing the system’s existence, was only established in 2024.
It has also been involved in Ukrainian innovations of drone-swarming technologies that reportedly enhanced their ability to strike deep within enemy territory.
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Lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine may have hastened the development of laser weapons in other parts of the world.
A month before South Korea’s laser weapon entered service, Japan revealed its own truck-based 10-kilowatt laser, which had been in development for more than four years.
Ukraine’s opponent, Russia, has also invested in laser technologies. In 2019, its Peresvet system was officially announced as having been deployed with five strategic missile divisions around the country.
This weapon, however, is primarily meant to blind satellites in space rather than destroy drones much closer to Earth.
Russia’s deputy prime minister in 2022 claimed that a new laser weapon, named Zadira, was deployed in Ukraine capable of destroying targets up to five kilometers away within five seconds, much more akin to the Tryzub that Ukraine now claims to have developed.
The U.S. and Ukraine at the time said there was no indication such a system was actually in use by Russian forces.
Germany, Israel and the United States all also have near-operational, land-based laser weapons systems, while other countries like Turkey and Australia are also indigenously working on them.
There has been some speculation whether the Ukrainian laser might be a derivative of the British DragonFire system. Significant amounts of the British “lethal aid” for Ukraine remain classified “for both operational and commercial reasons,” as the defense ministry has stated.
The U.K. government had teased its intention of sending its laser system to Ukraine in April 2024, before backtracking a month later and stating that it would not be included in the government’s 2024 aid package, UK Defence Journal reported.
Leo Docherty, the British armed forces minister at the time, noted that the system was not yet ready, with the expected date for completion being 2027, a deadline that had been moved forward from 2033.
Docherty’s statement left the door open for potentially sending the weapon to Ukraine once the development phase was complete.
Defense News reached out to the companies cooperating on the DragonFire system. MBDA, which leads the project, declined to comment, while Leonardo said that “there is no connection between Tryzub and the Dragonfire system.” Qinetiq did not respond to the request.
It is entirely possible that Tryzub is indeed an indigenous Ukrainian development. The country has a significant military-industrial base rooted in its significance to the Soviet military complex, important parts of which were based in the now-independent country.
Combined with what is commercially available in the laser realm, crafty local engineers might have been able to build a Tryzub-like weapon, industry experts said, adding that the few publicly released parameters seem plausible.
“Laser directed-energy systems, in a military context, are predominantly at the proof of concept stage,” an industry insider, who asked to remain unnamed to discuss sensitive technologies, said. “These could, in theory, be fielded as an initial operating capability.”
The country has radically restructured its defense R&D and acquisition procedures, which has dramatically boosted innovation and responsiveness, a January report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank showed.
In the first nine months of 2024 alone, over 600 domestically developed new weapon systems were approved by the Ukrainian government.
And Ukraine’s February defense expo showcasing domestic military developments, Defense Tech 2025, promised a special focus on lasers and anti-Shahed weapons in its promotional materials – descriptions that fit the Tryzub – alongside other cutting-edge technologies like swarming drones, lethal autonomous weapons and sea drones.
Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces did not respond to a request for comment on this topic.
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