Drone Strike at Chernobyl Raises Nuclear Safety Concerns
In a dramatic escalation amid the ongoing conflict, a Russian drone struck the concrete sarcophagus at Chernobyl, the site of the infamous 1986 nuclear disaster, damaging the protective cover of the destroyed Unit 4 reactor and igniting a fire that was quickly extinguished.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that despite the "significant" damage, radiation levels remain normal, though the plant’s chief engineer warned that the shelter no longer fulfills its purpose and repairs could be extensive, posing a potential risk of radioactive release.
The incident, which occurred as Russia launched 133 drones across Ukraine—with many intercepted—has sparked further accusations from Kyiv against Moscow for jeopardizing nuclear safety, while the Kremlin dismissed the attack as a provocation.
Source
MiFly: A Breakthrough in Indoor Drone Navigation
MIT researchers have developed MiFly, a low-power system that enables drones to accurately self-localize in indoor, dark, and low-visibility environments.
By using millimeter wave radio frequency signals and a single, low-power backscatter tag affixed to a surface, MiFly leverages two off-the-shelf radars with different polarizations—horizontal and vertical—to precisely determine a drone’s six-degree-of-freedom pose. The system fuses these radar measurements with onboard inertial data, achieving localization accuracy within 7 centimeters, even when the tag is partially obstructed.
This innovative approach offers an affordable and reliable alternative to GPS, computer vision, or lidar-based navigation, opening the door to robust autonomous drone operations in challenging indoor settings such as warehouses and complex building layouts.
Source
Heven Drones Unveils Raider: A Hydrogen-Powered Leap in UAV Technology
Israeli firm Heven Drones has introduced the Raider, a hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial system designed to fill the gap between small quadcopters and full-size military drones.
Featuring a twin fuselage, VTOL capabilities, and a modular design for versatile payloads of up to 50 pounds, the Raider is built for extended endurance—capable of flying up to 1,000 km over a 10-hour period—with stealth attributes such as low thermal and radar signatures. Driven by recent conflict experiences in Ukraine and Israel, CEO Benzion Levinson emphasized the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the hydrogen fuel cell system, which is five times more energy efficient than batteries and significantly cheaper than traditional MALE UAVs.
Set to demonstrate flight before the year's end and become operational in 2026, the Raider is poised to make an impact in key markets including the Gulf and Indo-Pacific regions, with its debut aligning with the upcoming IDEX conference.
Source
Hundreds of Drone Incursions Detected at Military Installations
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, revealed that 350 drone incursions were detected at over 100 U.S. military installations last year. He warned that these small unmanned aerial systems pose a significant threat by potentially surveilling sensitive military capabilities.
Currently, only about half of military bases have the authority to counter such threats under existing regulations. Guillot advocated for expanding Section 130i authorities to cover all installations and extend defense perimeters, a move supported by lawmakers like Sen. Tom Cotton and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
In response to these challenges, the Defense Department is boosting its counter-drone efforts with new technologies and coordinated operations, including demonstrations like the Falcon Peak event in Colorado, aimed at enhancing detection and mitigation capabilities.
Source
Arizona Bill Empowers Law Enforcement to Neutralize Border Drones
A newly proposed Arizona bill, HB2733, would empower local law enforcement to intercept, disable, and even destroy unmanned aircraft operating within 30 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Currently under federal jurisdiction, these drones have been linked to the illegal transport of narcotics, including fentanyl, which has fueled a significant opioid crisis in the state.
Backed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the legislation would grant officers immunity from liability when taking action against drones, allowing them to use measures ranging from drone jammers to firearms. This move aims to bolster efforts against drug cartels and curb the influx of illicit substances into Arizona.
Source
US Unveils Spy Drone with 115-Mile Range
Virginia-based AeroVironment has introduced its next-generation VTOL unmanned aircraft system, the JUMP 20-X, at IDEX in Abu Dhabi. Designed primarily for maritime operations, the drone features a heavy-fuel engine adaptable to various fuel types, enabling extended logistics and mission flexibility.
With a 13-hour flight endurance, a 115-mile range, and a modular payload capacity of up to 30 pounds, the 20-X is built for diverse missions such as ISR, SAR, EW, and precision strikes. Its radio- and payload-agnostic, STANAG-compliant design ensures seamless integration with existing military networks, while advanced AI and proprietary SPOTR-Edge computer vision provide autonomous precision in challenging environments, making it a formidable asset in complex, contested domains.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
In a dramatic escalation amid the ongoing conflict, a Russian drone struck the concrete sarcophagus at Chernobyl, the site of the infamous 1986 nuclear disaster, damaging the protective cover of the destroyed Unit 4 reactor and igniting a fire that was quickly extinguished.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that despite the "significant" damage, radiation levels remain normal, though the plant’s chief engineer warned that the shelter no longer fulfills its purpose and repairs could be extensive, posing a potential risk of radioactive release.
The incident, which occurred as Russia launched 133 drones across Ukraine—with many intercepted—has sparked further accusations from Kyiv against Moscow for jeopardizing nuclear safety, while the Kremlin dismissed the attack as a provocation.
Source
MiFly: A Breakthrough in Indoor Drone Navigation
MIT researchers have developed MiFly, a low-power system that enables drones to accurately self-localize in indoor, dark, and low-visibility environments.
By using millimeter wave radio frequency signals and a single, low-power backscatter tag affixed to a surface, MiFly leverages two off-the-shelf radars with different polarizations—horizontal and vertical—to precisely determine a drone’s six-degree-of-freedom pose. The system fuses these radar measurements with onboard inertial data, achieving localization accuracy within 7 centimeters, even when the tag is partially obstructed.
This innovative approach offers an affordable and reliable alternative to GPS, computer vision, or lidar-based navigation, opening the door to robust autonomous drone operations in challenging indoor settings such as warehouses and complex building layouts.
Source
Heven Drones Unveils Raider: A Hydrogen-Powered Leap in UAV Technology
Israeli firm Heven Drones has introduced the Raider, a hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial system designed to fill the gap between small quadcopters and full-size military drones.
Featuring a twin fuselage, VTOL capabilities, and a modular design for versatile payloads of up to 50 pounds, the Raider is built for extended endurance—capable of flying up to 1,000 km over a 10-hour period—with stealth attributes such as low thermal and radar signatures. Driven by recent conflict experiences in Ukraine and Israel, CEO Benzion Levinson emphasized the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the hydrogen fuel cell system, which is five times more energy efficient than batteries and significantly cheaper than traditional MALE UAVs.
Set to demonstrate flight before the year's end and become operational in 2026, the Raider is poised to make an impact in key markets including the Gulf and Indo-Pacific regions, with its debut aligning with the upcoming IDEX conference.
Source
Hundreds of Drone Incursions Detected at Military Installations
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Gen. Gregory Guillot, Commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, revealed that 350 drone incursions were detected at over 100 U.S. military installations last year. He warned that these small unmanned aerial systems pose a significant threat by potentially surveilling sensitive military capabilities.
Currently, only about half of military bases have the authority to counter such threats under existing regulations. Guillot advocated for expanding Section 130i authorities to cover all installations and extend defense perimeters, a move supported by lawmakers like Sen. Tom Cotton and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
In response to these challenges, the Defense Department is boosting its counter-drone efforts with new technologies and coordinated operations, including demonstrations like the Falcon Peak event in Colorado, aimed at enhancing detection and mitigation capabilities.
Source
Arizona Bill Empowers Law Enforcement to Neutralize Border Drones
A newly proposed Arizona bill, HB2733, would empower local law enforcement to intercept, disable, and even destroy unmanned aircraft operating within 30 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. Currently under federal jurisdiction, these drones have been linked to the illegal transport of narcotics, including fentanyl, which has fueled a significant opioid crisis in the state.
Backed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the legislation would grant officers immunity from liability when taking action against drones, allowing them to use measures ranging from drone jammers to firearms. This move aims to bolster efforts against drug cartels and curb the influx of illicit substances into Arizona.
Source
US Unveils Spy Drone with 115-Mile Range
Virginia-based AeroVironment has introduced its next-generation VTOL unmanned aircraft system, the JUMP 20-X, at IDEX in Abu Dhabi. Designed primarily for maritime operations, the drone features a heavy-fuel engine adaptable to various fuel types, enabling extended logistics and mission flexibility.
With a 13-hour flight endurance, a 115-mile range, and a modular payload capacity of up to 30 pounds, the 20-X is built for diverse missions such as ISR, SAR, EW, and precision strikes. Its radio- and payload-agnostic, STANAG-compliant design ensures seamless integration with existing military networks, while advanced AI and proprietary SPOTR-Edge computer vision provide autonomous precision in challenging environments, making it a formidable asset in complex, contested domains.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
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