More from Brian Spencer
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Why did Pakistan and Iran trade strikes?
Pakistan and Iran both launched strikes into each other’s territory in the week of Jan. 15. Neither country appears to want a war with the other, but in a region where military might is the most common form of diplomacy, the tension could still boil over. Iran and Pakistan are making the same argument: The… -
Ukraine’s US-supplied Bradley IFVs shredding Russian armor
The M-2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle is not a tank, but troops do call it the “Tank Killer.” In Ukraine, Bradleys are getting credit for holding back Russian advances, and new footage from the frontlines shows just how appropriate the Bradley’s nickname really is. The video was originally posted by Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade and… -
US Air Force using mixed reality to train new pilots: Weapons and Warfare
In the second episode of Weapons and Warfare, step into the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force Huey helicopter and learn about the latest in mixed reality learning. This video game-like experience is part of the branch’s effort to streamline and modernize training for the next generation of Air Force helicopter pilots. Also featured in… -
Air Force helicopter pilots embrace cutting-edge extended reality training
The second episode of Weapons and Warfare explores how the U.S. Air Force is leveraging extended reality (XR)–an umbrella term for virtual, mixed and augmented reality–to redefine the training experience for aspiring helicopter pilots. The system, modeled after the TH-1H Huey helicopter, combines virtual and mixed-reality environments, allowing airmen to engage in hands-on training by… -
Army to send out the next generation of guns: Weapon of the week
American troops will be getting some new weaponry heading into 2024, as detailed in the second episode of Weapons and Warfare. After 27 months of testing and evaluations, the M7 rifle and the M250 machine gun from Sig Sauer will be the next generation of rifles for close-contact Army troops. That, combined with the M157… -
China can’t take Taiwan because its weapons are filled with water
A driving force in the U.S. military is preparing for competition with near-peer adversaries like China and Russia. But as it turns out, perhaps those peers aren’t so near. For decades, Russia said it controlled the world’s “second army.” However, current events in Ukraine are punching plenty of holes in that argument. This leaves China… -
Russia to mass produce ‘invisible’ glide bomb with cluster munitions
Russia said it’s going to start mass producing a new type of cluster bomb that’s supposedly invisible to radar. Russian state media reported the Drel — or “Drill” in Russian — is a new type of glide bomb made by the state-owned Rostec defense conglomerate. Drels are some of Russia’s newest weapons, so there isn’t… -
Nebraska developing radiation sickness treatment amid increasing exposure risk
As reported in the premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare, the University of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska Medical Center are spearheading an initiative to develop a drug aimed at protecting troops from Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). The project comes in response to the Defense Department’s concerns about potential radiation exposure scenarios faced by… -
Nebraska developing pill to prevent radiation sickness: Weapons & Warfare
The premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare dives into a groundbreaking initiative to develop a pill aimed at safeguarding troops from Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) in the event of radiation exposure. The project, led by Nebraska-based researchers, marks a significant stride in military medical research, offering potential protection for troops operating where radiation poses a… -
Britain is trying to give Ukraine minehunters: Weapon of the week
The premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare delves into the British government’s plans to give Ukraine two Royal Navy ships: Sandown class minehunters. These ships can seek, detect and destroy individual mines. Russia has been using tanks, landmines, artillery barrages and more in its ground offensive against Ukraine. Beyond land assaults, though, Russia has been… -
Escalating tensions: Is the US prepared to go to war with Iran-backed Houthis?
Is the United States ready to declare war against Iranian-backed Houthi militants? Since launching Operation Prosperity Guardian in December, issues have intensified for the U.S. and its allies in the Red Sea. Houthi rebels carried out another attack on Thursday, Jan. 4, employing an unmanned surface vessel to target U.S. Navy and commercial vessels. The… -
US Navy leads international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping
After two months of attacks on ships in the Red Sea — attacks which included ballistic missiles and suicide drones — the United States said the U.S. Navy is going to lead an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from the Houthis responsible for the attacks. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced… -
Russia still holds air superiority in Ukraine, despite heavy losses
Russia’s air force is taking a beating in Ukraine. The Russians still maintain air superiority, though. With some new added innovations to their drone fleet, the Russians are ready for a winter of warfare unlike anything seen yet. Since the start of the war, Ukraine said it destroyed 324 Russian jet fighters and bombers, and…