New intelligence suggests that Russia is running a secret drone production program in China, developing long-range attack drones for use in the Ukraine war. The program is led by IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of the state-owned Russian arms company Almaz-Antey, according to European intelligence sources and documents reviewed by Reuters. Kupol has developed a new…

Houthi rebels appear not to be fearing U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drones like they have in the past thanks to the help of Iran, according to U.S. intelligence sources. U.S. officials told NBC News that Tehran is enabling the militants to shoot down the massive, unmanned aircraft that are used to gather intelligence and launch Hellfire…

Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison recently predicted that AI-powered surveillance will become an integral part of daily life. During a Q&A session at Oracle’s Financial Analyst Meeting, Ellison said AI would play a major role in monitoring society through a vast network of interconnected cameras. This system would include security cameras, police body cams and vehicle…

The U.S. Air Force recently conducted its annual “Reaper Smoke” training exercise, which spotlighted the contentious South China Sea, emphasizing America’s strategic focus amid escalating regional tensions. The event, held at Hurlburt Field in Florida on Sept. 5-6, saw participation from over 30 MQ-9 “Reaper” drone squadrons from across various air force units. This year’s…

The U.S. military deployed a fleet of MQ-9A Reaper drones to the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, as part of a broader effort to enhance its surveillance capabilities in the Pacific. This deployment intends to improve the U.S.’ ability to monitor critical areas near Japan and China. The drones, designed for long-range surveillance and…

Since October, Houthi militants in Yemen have shot down five U.S.-operated MQ-9 Reapers. These unmanned aerial systems, larger than some planes, are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), but they can also carry munitions, such as Hellfire missiles. Straight Arrow News’ Ryan Robertson spoke to Jonathon Molik, a U.S. intelligence officer with 30…

Key leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard met to discuss the biggest challenges facing their branches in 2024. All three maritime-based branches shared similar concerns over their staffing. Officers said that each branch is still emphasizing hiring to expand the number of enlisted individuals. However, they are looking for candidates with more…

In December, Straight Arrow News profiled an AI-guided drone hunter from Anduril. Now, the same company has the ALTIUS-700M, a drone that doesn’t need to have the target in sight before being launched. The ALTIUS-700M can fly for 75 minutes with a range of 100 miles. It’s a loitering drone, which means it can passively…

In this episode of Weapons and Warfare, the Air and Space Forces are making changes to improve their readiness in the face of constantly evolving threats from around the world. Senior leadership is giving service members a glimpse into the direction each branch is headed. Also featured in this episode: You can subscribe to the…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has officially terminated efforts for reunification with South Korea, citing the nation’s bolstered defense capabilities and strengthened ties with Russia. The announcement, made through the state-run Korean Central News Agency, emphasized Pyongyang’s view of Seoul as its primary adversary, attributing the decision to Seoul’s strengthened joint military exercises with…