Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
December 31, 2019
NUKEWARS
All eyes on 'new way' in Kim Jong Un's New Year speech



Seoul (AFP) Dec 30, 2019
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for "offensive measures" to strengthen security ahead of a New Year speech that could flesh out the nuclear-armed nation's threat to seek a "new way" forward after the expiration of its year-end deadline for US sanctions relief. Kim's latest comments, made during a meeting of top ruling party officials in Pyongyang, came amid concerns that the North could formally close down dialogue with Washington and resume nuclear and long-range missile tests. Addre ... read more

NUKEWARS
North Korea's Kim warns of 'grave' economic challenge
Seoul (AFP) Dec 30, 2019
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned top ruling party officials of the "grave situation" facing the nuclear-armed state's economy and called for urgent corrective measures. ... more
IRAQ WARS
US strikes on pro-Iran group in Iraq kill 25, sparking anger
Baghdad (AFP) Dec 30, 2019
US air strikes against a pro-Iran group in Iraq killed at least 25 fighters, a paramilitary umbrella said Monday, triggering anger in a country caught up in mounting tensions between Tehran and Washington. ... more
IRAQ WARS
Iran says US strikes on Iraq show its 'support for terrorism'
Tehran (AFP) Dec 30, 2019
Iran said Monday that the United States has shown its "support for terrorism" by carrying out air strikes on forces in Iraq that have dealt blows against the Islamic State group. ... more
SPACEWAR
Allies join Space Force for multinational collaboration
Washington (UPI) Dec 27, 2019
Allies are in the early stages of collaboration with the newly created U.S. Space Force, which has hosted its first "five eyes" level briefing and authorized its first collaborative task order, the Air Force said Friday. ... more
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MILPLEX
China slams US defence act over trade restrictions
Beijing (AFP) Dec 26, 2019
Beijing on Thursday said it "firmly opposes" trade restrictions included in a new US defence act, having already admonished the bill for interfering in China's internal affairs. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
Russia's Avangard hypersonic missile system has entered service
Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 29, 2019
The Avangard is one of half-a-dozen new defence systems unveiled by Moscow in early 2018 as a means of restoring the global strategic nuclear balance amid NATO efforts to press up against Russia's b ... more
NUKEWARS
N. Korea's Kim holds top party meeting ahead of US deadline
Seoul (AFP) Dec 29, 2019
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has convened a key meeting of top ruling party officials, state media said Sunday, ahead of a year-end deadline for Washington to shift its stance on stalled nuclear talks. ... more
UAV NEWS
US proposes remote ID requirement for drones
Washington (AFP) Dec 26, 2019
US regulators on Thursday unveiled a proposal to require privately operated drones to use remote identification - a kind of electronic license plate - as part of efforts to ensure airspace safety. ... more
UAV NEWS
Inmarsat Government bulk orders airborne satcom terminals from Orbit CS
Netanya, Israel (SPX) Dec 27, 2019
Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., a leading global provider of airborne communications and satellite-tracking maritime and ground-station solutions, and Inmarsat Government, a leading provider of gl ... more
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UAV NEWS
F-16 shoots down drone at Eglin AFB in cruise missile defense test
Washington (UPI) Dec 27, 2019
An Air Force squadron shot down a subscale drone from an F-16 Fighting Falcon targeting pod in a cruise missile defense test, the Air Force announced. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
Russia says first Avangard hypersonic missiles enter service
Moscow (AFP) Dec 27, 2019
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin on Friday that the country's first Avangard hypersonic missiles have been put into service, an official statement said. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
Raytheon nabs $768.3M contract to provide AMRAAMs to foreign partners
Washington (UPI) Dec 27, 2019
Raytheon Missile Systems received a $768.3 million contract to produce Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles as well as captive air training missiles and support hardware, the Department of Defense announced. ... more
MISSILE NEWS
Boeing awarded $265.2M modification to GMD missile upgrade contract
Washington (UPI) Dec 27, 2019
Boeing was awarded a $265.2 million contract modification for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense anti-ballistic missile system, according to the Pentagon. ... more
ROCKET SCIENCE
China's reusable liquid rocket engine completes 500-second test
Beijing (XNA) Dec 27, 2019
China's 15-tonne reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine completed a run test with a duration of 500 seconds in Beijing on Wednesday. The engine, named JD-1, was developed by the Beijing-based r ... more


White House warns N. Korea over 'Christmas gift' threat

SUPERPOWERS
Ukraine rivals exchange prisoners in controversial swap
Checkpoint Mayorske, Ukraine (AFP) Dec 29, 2019
Ukraine exchanged prisoners with Russia-backed separatists in the country's war-torn east on Sunday, swapping detained fighters for civilians and servicemen held captive sometimes for years in the breakaway region. ... more
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WAR REPORT
Yemen missile strike kills five southern separatists
Aden (AFP) Dec 29, 2019
A missile struck a passing out ceremony in southern Yemen on Sunday, killing at least five southern separatists, security officials said. ... more
WAR REPORT
Turkey says will not withdraw from army posts in Syria's Idlib
Istanbul (AFP) Dec 29, 2019
Turkey will not withdraw from its observation posts in the Syrian rebel bastion province of Idlib which has seen an increase in violence carried out by regime forces supported by Russian airstrikes, the defence minister said. ... more
THE STANS
China denies detained Uighur academic was sentenced to death
Beijing (AFP) Dec 27, 2019
China denied on Friday that detained Uighur academic Tashpolat Tiyip was secretly tried and sentenced to death, after UN experts demanded answers from Beijing. ... more
IRAQ WARS
US hits pro-Iran group with deadly strikes in Iraq, Syria
Baghdad, Iraq (AFP) Dec 29, 2019
The US carried out air strikes against a pro-Iran militant group in Iraq Sunday, killing 19 fighters, two days after a rocket attack that killed an American civilian contractor. ... more
IRAQ WARS
Treason or civic-minded? Iraqis split on president's threat to quit
Baghdad (AFP) Dec 27, 2019
Iraqis were divided Friday by their president's threat to quit his job rather than accept a pro-Iran coalition's candidate for prime minister, with some saying it was unconstitutional but others praising his civic-mindedness. ... more
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Moscow lifts veil on missile attack warning system
Moscow (AFP) Dec 18, 2019
Russia on Wednesday lifted the veil on its tightly guarded space-based missile warning system, ahead of a vote in the US Congress on President Donald Trump's plan to create a new space force. The new system, named Kupol or dome, is designed to detect launches of ballistic missiles and track them to their landing site, according to documents presented by the general staff to military attaches ... more
+ Syrian defences fire on 'hostile missiles' from Israel: state media
+ Germany in talks with Lockheed, MBDA for missile defense program
+ Israel and Czech Republic sign $125 mn missile defence deal
+ Turkey didn't buy Russian defence system 'to keep in box': FM
+ Pompeo: Turkey test of Russian defense system 'concerning'
+ Turkey tests Russian missile defences despite US threats
+ US Government designates Lockheed Martin's latest generation radar
Russia's Avangard hypersonic missile system has entered service
Moscow (Sputnik) Dec 29, 2019
The Avangard is one of half-a-dozen new defence systems unveiled by Moscow in early 2018 as a means of restoring the global strategic nuclear balance amid NATO efforts to press up against Russia's borders and create elements of a ground-based missile shield in Romania and Poland. The first Strategic Missile Forces regiment to be armed with the nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic glide vehi ... more
+ Boeing awarded $265.2M modification to GMD missile upgrade contract
+ Raytheon nabs $768.3M contract to provide AMRAAMs to foreign partners
+ Russia says first Avangard hypersonic missiles enter service
+ Lockheed Martin's precision strike missile successful in first flight test
+ Raytheon receives $28.9M to repair SM-2, SM-6 missiles
+ Russia to create new radar field against cruise missiles
+ India opts for advanced Akash Prime Missile to 'protect' its airspace from China, Pakistan


F-16 shoots down drone at Eglin AFB in cruise missile defense test
Washington (UPI) Dec 27, 2019
An Air Force squadron shot down a subscale drone from an F-16 Fighting Falcon targeting pod in a cruise missile defense test, the Air Force announced. "This proof of concept can have implications for homeland defense missions, combined defense of the Arabian Gulf and beyond," Col. Ryan Messer, 53rd Wing Commander, said Thursday in a statement. "I am exceptionally proud of the efforts of ... more
+ France deploys armed drones in Sahel anti-jihadist fight
+ Inmarsat Government bulk orders airborne satcom terminals from Orbit CS
+ US proposes remote ID requirement for drones
+ Lockheed Martin and Canadian UAVs to improve unmanned beyond visual line of sight operations
+ French military kills 33 terrorists in Mali in its first drone strike
+ AFRL completes two and a half-day ultra leap
+ Safer navigation through enhanced predictive paths powered by UAV Navigation
General Dynamics receives $730M for next-gen satcom system
Fairfax VA (SPX) Nov 28, 2019
General Dynamics Mission Systems has been awarded a $731.8 million cost-plus-award-fee and firm-fixed-price indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity sole-source contract for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) ground system sustainment. MUOS is a next-generation satellite communications system that provides secure voice and data communications for U.S. forces worldwide. General Dynamics ... more
+ Airbus' marks 50 years in Skynet secure satellite communications for UK
+ Lockheed Martin gets $3.3B contract for communications satellite work
+ GenDyn nets $783M for next-gen Navy MUOS operations
+ F-35 to Space? US Air Force looks to connect stealth fighters to X-37B Spacecraft
+ U.S. Air Force testing secure data links between F-22, F-35
+ GatorWings wins DARPA Spectrum Collaboration Challenge
+ EPS completes multiservice operational test, declared fully operational
Digital engineering transformation coming to the AF Weapons Enterprise
Wright-Patterson AFB OH (SPX) Dec 20, 2019
The Air Force kicked off a pioneering Weapons Digital Enterprise Workshop Dec. 9 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. to solidify ties to the Air Force and Department of Defense Digital Enterprises to develop advanced capabilities and enable rapid design of weapons and assessment of their impact on military operations. The Team Eglin Modeling and Simulation Consortium is comprised of experts from ... more
+ BAE Systems awarded $249.2 million modification for self-propelled Howitzers
+ Oshkosh Defense receives $801M to deliver JLTVs to Montenegro
+ AFRL, AFLCMC respond to warfighter request for assistance
+ Leidos nabs $6.5 billion contract to provide IT support for DoD
+ Lockheed Martin nabs $22.4M to develop combined-arms squad prototype
+ Marines integrate upgrades to off-the-shelf UTVs
+ CACI nets $9.9M for work on combined-arms squads for Army
China slams US defence act over trade restrictions
Beijing (AFP) Dec 26, 2019
Beijing on Thursday said it "firmly opposes" trade restrictions included in a new US defence act, having already admonished the bill for interfering in China's internal affairs. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) - signed into law last week - bars the use of federal funds to buy railcars and buses from China, and slows the lifting of sanctions on tech giant Huawei. It comes ... more
+ Switzerland drops case against aerospace firm tied to Saudis
+ BAE Systems to eliminate 325 jobs at Pearl Harbor ship repair facility
+ Cobham says US firm set to complete takeover
+ US Congress ends Cyprus arms embargo, in blow to Turkey
+ US defense chief chides NATO 'free riders'
+ Amazon lawsuit will not delay $10 bn JEDI contract: Pentagon
+ Arms sales worldwide up nearly 5 percent, says new report


Anti-Putin activist 'forcibly drafted' and sent to Arctic base
Moscow (AFP) Dec 25, 2019
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Wednesday that one of his allies had been forcibly conscripted and sent to serve at a remote Arctic base, in a move his supporters said amounted to kidnapping. Ruslan Shaveddinov, a project manager at Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, went missing Monday after police broke into his Moscow flat and his phone's SIM card was disabled. He res ... more
+ Ukraine rivals exchange prisoners in controversial swap
+ Trudeau to US: don't sign China trade deal unless Canadians freed
+ Putin drops cryptic hint on 2024 exit in press marathon
+ China slams Pompeo criticism of Syria aid veto
+ Turkey warns of 'escalation' if US ends Cyprus arms embargo
+ US wants explanation for Turkey threat to close two bases
+ EU to crash headlong into China dilemmas during 2020 summits
Creating a nanoscale on-off switch for heat
Pittsburgh PA (SPX) Dec 19, 2019
Polymers are used to develop various materials, such as plastics, nylons, and rubbers. In their most basic form, they are made up of many of identical molecules joined together over and over, like a chain. If you engineer molecules to join together in specific ways, you can control the characteristics of the resulting polymer. Using this method, Sheng Shen, an associate professor of mechan ... more
+ Nanoscience breakthrough: Probing particles smaller than a billionth of a meter
+ SMART discovers breakthrough way to look at the surface of nanoparticles
+ Visible light and nanoparticle catalysts produce desirable bioactive molecules
+ Flexible, wearable supercapacitors based on porous nanocarbon nanocomposites
+ Scientists create a nanomaterial that is both twisted and untwisted at the same time
+ Physicists create world's smallest engine
+ DNA origami joins forces with molecular motors to build nanoscale machines


Treason or civic-minded? Iraqis split on president's threat to quit
Baghdad (AFP) Dec 27, 2019
Iraqis were divided Friday by their president's threat to quit his job rather than accept a pro-Iran coalition's candidate for prime minister, with some saying it was unconstitutional but others praising his civic-mindedness. Barham Saleh has resisted attempts by a pro-Iran coalition to put forward nominees for prime minister, including a resigned minister and a controversial governor. O ... more
+ Iran says US strikes on Iraq show its 'support for terrorism'
+ Iraq rocket attack kills US contractor, wounds military personnel
+ US strikes on pro-Iran group in Iraq kill 25, sparking anger
+ Rocket fire kills US contractor in Iraq, raises fears of escalation
+ US hits pro-Iran group with deadly strikes in Iraq, Syria
+ Iraqi protesters rally after night of arson attacks
+ Iraqis step up protests as deadline for new PM looms
Trump hopes for Christmas vase, not missile test, from NKorea
Palm Beach, United States (AFP) Dec 24, 2019
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he hoped that North Korea would not deliver a missile test as its threatened "Christmas gift" that could reignite global tensions over its nuclear program. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has promised the unidentified "gift" - which could be a missile test - if the US does not make concessions in nuclear talks by the end of the year. "We'll fin ... more
+ North Korea's Kim warns of 'grave' economic challenge
+ N. Korea's Kim holds top party meeting ahead of US deadline
+ White House warns N. Korea over 'Christmas gift' threat
+ China hosts Japan, South Korea with eyes on nuclear North
+ All eyes on 'new way' in Kim Jong Un's New Year speech
+ Iraqi protesters' ire at Iran extends to goods boycott
+ Iran's Arak reactor secondary circuit goes online


Facing US trade uncertainty, China seeks closer ties with neighbours
Chengdu, China (AFP) Dec 25, 2019
China made overtures on trade to Japan and South Korea and offered support for an infrastructure initiative as it hosted the leaders of its two neighbours this week amid strained ties with the US. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Wednesday at a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Beijing was willing to strengthen economic cooperation with Japan in third-country markets. A ... more
+ China signals stepping up economic support in 2020
+ China slams US defence act over trade restrictions
+ Road to riches for China's rag trade runs through Paris
+ Trump touts 'very good' Xi phone call
+ China cancels Sweden business trips after prize for dissident
+ China to lower import tariffs from January
+ China exempts more US goods from tariffs after trade deal
Japan could release Fukushima radioactive water into environment
Tokyo (AFP) Dec 24, 2019
A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full. The governme ... more
+ Survival surfing: Indonesians riding the waves to beat tsunami trauma
+ Scientists call for effort to end destruction of terrestrial ecosystems
+ Fukushima clean-up reduces radiation levels, but not all
+ Protect poorest from cost of climate reforms: World Bank
+ Human remains found in search for Chilean plane: provincial leader
+ AFRL demonstrates LVC capabilities during Red Flag-Rescue visit
+ Heroism, devastation after deadly N. Zealand volcano eruption


China launches powerful rocket in boost for 2020 Mars mission
Beijing (AFP) Dec 27, 2019
China Friday launched one of the world's most powerful rockets in a major step forward for its planned mission to Mars in 2020. The heavy lift Long March 5 rocket carrying a Shijian 20 test satellite payload blasted off from the Wenchang launch site on the southern island of Hainan at 8:45 pm (1245 GMT), a livestream from state broadcaster CCTV showed. "After more than 2,000 seconds, the ... more
+ China's Xichang set for 20 space launches in 2020
+ China sends six satellites into orbit with single rocket
+ China launches satellite service platform
+ China plans to complete space station construction around 2022: expert
+ China conducts hovering and obstacle avoidance test in public for first Mars lander mission
+ Beijing eyes creating first Earth-Moon economic zone
+ China conducts simulated weightlessness experiment for long-term stay in space
China jails Protestant pastor for 9 years for 'inciting' subversion
Beijing (AFP) Dec 30, 2019
China on Monday jailed the leader of an unofficial Protestant church for nine years for "incitement to subvert state power". Pastor Wang Yi, whose Early Rain Covenant Church was the target of a government crackdown last year, was also found guilty of "illegal business operation" by a court in Chengdu, southwest China, according to an announcement on an official court website. Wang was de ... more
+ Single Chinese woman sues over egg freezing
+ Hong Kong police arrest 15 in fresh shopping mall protests
+ Third day of Christmas clashes in Hong Kong
+ Police, protesters clash as Hong Kong celebrates Christmas
+ Fraught exchange: Hong Kong global students' fear and rebellion
+ China students protest as university charter cuts 'freedom of thought'
+ Xi lands in Macau for China handover anniversary party


Who is the Islamic State group's new boss?
Paris (AFP) Dec 23, 2019
Just days after Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a raid by US special forces in October, the Islamic State group announced the name of the man who has replaced him as leader. But the true identity of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi remains shrouded in mystery, and with it the organisation's strategy going forward. "We don't know much about him except that he is the leading judge of ... more
+ IS claims responsibility for Niger attack which killed 71: SITE
+ Pentagon suspends training of Saudis for security review
+ Thousands in Myanmar rally behind Suu Kyi ahead of Hague court date
+ US donates $21 mn of kit for Niger jihadist fight
+ Saudi military training in US under scrutiny after base attack
+ Macron says 'no consensus' with Turkey on terrorism
+ 'Children are innocent': Albanians beg for return of IS youngsters
Air Force tests ATHENA laser weapon against multiple drones
Washington DC (UPI) Nov 07, 2019
Members of the U.S. Air Force used the Advanced Test High Energy Asset, referred to as ATHENA, to shoot down a variety of drones in a Lockheed Martin demonstration of the technology. In the latest test of the ground-portable laser weapon system, Airmen engaged and shot down multiple fixed wing and rotary drones at a government test range in Fort Sill, Okla., Lockheed said on Thursday. / ... more
+ First anti-drone laser delivered to Air Force for year-long test deployment
+ Rheinmetall, MBDA start work on ship-mounted laser for German navy
+ Raytheon to produce drone-killing lasers for Air Force testing
+ US Air Force seeks wargame simulators for battles with laser weapons
+ France to develop anti-satellite laser weapons: minister
+ United Kingdom enters laser weapons race
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