The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) flew an unarmed General Atomics MQ-1 Predator drone over Minneapolis as protesters continue to protest against police brutality. It was first discovered on a flight tracking tool by members of the ADB-S Exchange, and is apparently surveying protests there. Read more for two videos about the MQ-1 Predator and additional information.
Photo credit: Unilad Tech
Ever wonder what the first detonation of a nuclear device looked like? If so, the test codenamed “Trinity” and conducted by the United States Army at 5:29 a.m. on July 16, 1945, as part of the Manhattan Project. It happened in the Jornada del Muerto desert approximately 35-miles southeast of Socorro, New Mexico, on the former USAAF Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, now part of White Sands Missile Range. Read more for a video and additional information.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition (TE) has just been unveiled, and it’s a mission-ready smartphone solution designed for operators in the federal government and Department of Defense (DoD). It comes loaded with a highly customized software and feature set that enables it to operate seamlessly with a range of existing peripherals and supports the requirements of tactical and classified applications. Read more for another picture and additional information.
Photo credit: Sci News
Boeing’s mysterious X-37B spaceplane has been successfully launched into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. Unfortunately, the live video feed was cut after seeing the Atlas V lifting off into space and the separation of the rocket’s first stage from the Centaur upper stage. The reason cited was because it’s a classified mission, especially details about the vehicle itself. Read more for a replay video and additional information.
FLIR Systems wins a $39.6-million order to deliver Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS) to help aid the United States (U.S.) Army in battle. Theese nano-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems will support platoon and small unit level surveillance as well as reconnaissance capabilities for the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) Program. Read more for two videos and additional information.
Photo credit: Jan Peisert
Automotive designer Jan Peisert imagines that Elon Musk will one day partner with the US military to develop a rugged Cybertruck for the battlefield. So, this ultimate tactical combat vehicle gives us a little preview of what such a car might look like, complete with a roof-mounted gun and solar panels. Read more for a video and additional information.
The Pentagon released three declassified videos that allegedly show US navy pilots encountering unidentified flying objects. This footage was released to clear up any misconceptions by the public on whether or not the footage that has been circulating was real or whether or not there is more to the videos. Read more for the videos and additional information.
Photo credit: The Sun | AFP – Getty
Second Lieutenant Hubert Rochereau, who fought in a Dragoons cavalry regiment in World War I, perished in the village of Loker, Flanders, on April 26, 1918. His parents were so heartbroken that they blocked the entrance to his room so it would remain a pristine shrine to his memory. It was opened by the home’s new owners, who may one day turn it into a museum. Read more for a video tour and additional information.
The US Navy’s AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS) is currently installed on the USS Ponce for field testing and the system worked perfectly against low-end asymmetric threats. The commander of the Ponce is has also been given authorization to use the system as a defensive weapon if necessary. So far, it has publicly engaged an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) and a simulated small-boat attacker. Read more for a video and additional information.
There’s the V-22 Osprey, and then Bell’s V-280 Valor, a tiltrotor aircraft being developed by Bell and Lockheed Martin for the United States Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program. It’s designed for a cruising speed of 320 mph, a top speed of 350 mph, a range of 2,100 nautical miles and an effective combat range of 580 to 920 mi. Read more for a video and additional information.