⚔️ Video Shows MQ-9 Reapers Attempting To Hit Aerial Target Off Yemen

📬 In Today’s Defense Brief

🛡️ Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones In Its Airspace Read More

✈️ Skunk Works & BAE Team Up On Autonomous EW Air Systems Family Read More

🚢 Navy Picks 4 Primes For Carrier-Based ‘Loyal Wingman’ CCA Designs Read More

⚔️ Video Shows MQ-9 Reapers Attempting To Hit Aerial Target Off Yemen, Rep Says Read More

📡 Motorola & Nokia Build Containerized Tactical Comms Network For UK Forces Read More

🎱 Plus 8 other news stories you may like

📰 Full Breakdown

🛡️ Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones In Its Airspace Read More

• Poland said drones from a Russian strike on Ukraine crossed into its airspace in the early hours of Sept. 10, prompting defensive procedures and shootdowns. Authorities temporarily closed four eastern airports, including Warsaw Chopin and Rzeszów—an aid hub for Ukraine—while searching for crash sites. The Operational Command called it an “act of aggression” that threatened citizens’ safety.

• Polish and allied radars tracked the incursion, with Poland confirming “some” drones were shot down. Flight tracking showed a Polish Saab 340 Erieye AEW patrolling for nine hours between Warsaw and Rzeszów. Additional NATO assets appeared, including an Italian G550 AEW from Baltic Air Policing, a Dutch F-35, and a NATO MRTT tanker, underscoring alliance support during the response.

• Ukraine reported Russia launched 458 drones and missiles overnight, claiming 413 intercepted or suppressed—386 of them drones—and said eight drones crossed into Polish airspace. The overflights followed Poland’s plan to close its border with Belarus on Sept. 11 amid Zapad exercises, which Belarus said would drill potential nuclear use and the Oreshnik hypersonic missile.

✈️ Skunk Works & BAE Team Up On Autonomous EW Air Systems Family Read More

• At DSEI, Lockheed’s Skunk Works and BAE’s FalconWorks launched a partnership to co-design a family of autonomous uncrewed air systems, starting with an electronic-attack platform to support SEAD. FalconWorks’ David Holmes said recent conflicts show the need to “punch a hole” through dense EW environments, with BAE units—including Malloy Aeronautics and a Nashua microwave center—supporting SWaP-driven payload work.

• Skunk Works GM OJ Sanchez said the family emphasizes modular payloads and adaptability, drawing on the Common Multi-Mission Truck concept. Launch methods could include airdrop, ground, maritime, or wide-body logistics aircraft. Key specs like stealth, range, and cost were not disclosed; an engine has been selected. The approach aims for cost-effective, easily deployable, expandable systems tuned to market needs.

• The firms highlighted flexible workshare and over a year of prior collaboration. As arrangements evolve, details will be shared publicly. The teaming reflects a push to scale autonomous systems rapidly for contested environments, blending BAE’s portfolio and Skunk Works’ rapid prototyping to field EW-centric capabilities supporting offense, survivability, and ISR in high-threat airspace.

🚢 Navy Picks 4 Primes For Carrier-Based ‘Loyal Wingman’ CCA Designs Read More

• The Navy awarded concept work for a carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft to Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and General Atomics, with Lockheed tapped for a common control system built on Skunk Works’ MDCX autonomy—previously tested with a GA MQ-20 Avenger. Contractors emphasized naval aviation experience, speed, and scale; GA will draw on its carrier-capable YFQ-42A now flying with the Air Force.

• Program slides outlined modular, interoperable, carrier-capable drones that are cost-efficient and mission-flexible, designed to counter emerging threats, assume higher-risk tasks, and team with fourth- and fifth-gen fighters while laying groundwork for sixth-gen ops. The MQ-25 Stingray is viewed as a stepping stone toward larger uncrewed aircraft integrated into carrier air wings.

• Industry concepts range from GA’s YFQ-42A to a possible Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat adaptation and Northrop’s X-47B heritage. In parallel, the Air Force CCA aims for up to 1,000 drones. Former USAF Secretary Frank Kendall estimated $25–$30M per drone—above the Navy’s $15M target. Anduril’s YFQ-44A is expected to follow GA’s flight work.

⚔️ Video Shows MQ-9 Reapers Attempting To Hit Aerial Target Off Yemen, Rep Says Read More

• Rep. Eric Burlison shared video at a House Oversight UAP hearing that he said shows an October 30, 2024 attempt by U.S. MQ-9 Reapers to intercept an unidentified object off Yemen. One Reaper appears to buddy-lase while another fires a Hellfire, striking the object, which sheds debris but continues on without a visible detonation. The footage and circumstances remain unconfirmed.

• The Pentagon told TWZ it had nothing to provide; an independent review is ongoing, according to Burlison. Context includes Houthi missile and drone attacks in the region and heavy U.S. counter-UAS operations. The clip raises questions about rules of engagement when targets are not readily identifiable and whether the engagement was opportunistic rather than a tasked air-to-air mission.

• MQ-9 air-to-air roles have precedent in testing: a 2017 AIM-9X shootdown and earlier Predator Stinger experiments, while Gray Eagles and even Navy ships have used AGM-114L Longbow Hellfires in anti-air roles. APKWS II rockets have downed drones from crewed fighters. Analysts caution parallax effects complicate speed and aspect interpretation; what the object was remains unknown.

📡 Motorola & Nokia Build Containerized Tactical Comms Network (UK Forces) Read More

• Motorola Solutions and Nokia are delivering a container-based tactical network for UK forces and other defense users, combining Motorola’s TETRA radios with Nokia’s AirScale 5G and Motorola’s Silvus MANET. The rapidly deployable package can be operational in under 30 minutes, extending coverage across rugged terrain and enabling AI-powered links between units and uncrewed systems with long-range video sensors.

• Motorola highlighted its mission-critical land-mobile-radio footprint and prior containerized networks, with UK/Ireland country manager Fergus Mayne calling the solution “powerful, next-generation communications.” TETRA is scalable from single-site to nationwide deployments, uses dedicated spectrum to keep calls flowing under heavy load, and avoids airtime fees for predictable operating costs.

• Nokia’s AirScale portfolio, powered by ReefShark, underpins 5G radio and baseband offerings designed for varied deployments—from national networks to in-building coverage—with an emphasis on performance, energy efficiency, and total cost of ownership. Nokia framed the modular platforms as optimized for today while remaining future-capable for tomorrow’s needs.

🌏 Other Important News

✈️ Air

• Singapore Selects Boeing P-8 Poseidon As Its Next Maritime Patrol Aircraft Read More

• Rafael Unveils Iron Beam 450 Laser Air-Defense System At DSEI Read More

🛡️ Land

• DT Research Debuts Rugged Tactical Tablets For Frontline Use Read More

• AeroVironment Unifies Multi-Domain Ops With ‘AV_Halo’ Read More

🚢 Sea

• Shipbuilder HII Puts AI To Work In Shipbuilding: Task Orders & Bottlenecks Read More

• HII Unveils ‘Romulus’ Unmanned Surface Vessel Read More

• U.S. Destroyers, Norwegian Navy Surveilled By Russia In The High North Read More

• Coast Guard Caribbean Anti-Trafficking Missions Continue As Military’s Role Is Redefined Read More

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