General Atomics Rolls Out Sidekick Drone for MQ-9B Missions General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has introduced a new drone designed to back up MQ-9B operations, handling high-risk tasks like scouting, jamming, and precision strikes. Named after the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes, “PELE” is meant to operate ahead of the MQ-9B, helping it navigate contested zones with less risk. Measuring just 9 feet (2.74 meters) long with an 11-foot (3.35-meter) wingspan, the drone runs on a 16-horsepower engine and weighs 250 pounds (113 kilograms) at takeoff. It can fly for up to 7 hours and cover 500 nautical miles (575 miles or 926 kilometers), allowing it to support long-range missions.
General Atomics unveils PELE drone for MQ-9B missions
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Kongsberg and Andøya Space Sign MoU to Strengthen Norway's Space Sector Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Andøya Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly pursue opportunities in space, drones, and C4ISR. The agreement emphasizes near-term collaboration in satellite launch, system integration, testing, and long-term space infrastructure development. The partnership aims to leverage Norway’s established space value chain, combining Kongsberg’s satellite production expertise with Andøya’s unique launch capabilities. The initiative is designed to meet national and allied needs for secure, responsive access to space and reinforce Norway’s role as a key space actor. #Space #Norway #Kongsberg #AndøyaSpace #Satellite #DefenseTech #C4ISR
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The Sentinel-1D weather satellite is scheduled for launch On November 4 aboard an Ariane 6 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The mission, designated VA265, will be the third commercial launch for Europe’s new heavy-lift booster...https://lnkd.in/dJ9ngxFw
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The UK is pushing the boundaries of defence tech with satellite laser warning sensors and carrier-launched jet drones… The MoD and UK Space Agency are developing sensors to detect when satellites are dazzled or jammed, protecting orbiting assets that support nearly 20% of UK GDP. The project has received around £500,000 in funding. Meanwhile, Project VANQUISH aims to deliver a jet-powered autonomous drone capable of launching from carriers without catapults and landing without arrestor wires, complementing F-35B squadrons in strike and refuelling roles. These initiatives show a clear focus on autonomous and space-resilient defence systems. Could these technologies redefine how the UK protects critical assets at sea and in orbit? #defence #ukmilitary #space #drones #innovation
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Star Trackers: Precision in a Rapidly Changing Industry In the latest defense and aerospace news, one theme is clear: resilient and autonomous navigation is no longer optional, it’s essential. From Europe’s new drone defense initiatives to Canada’s growing aerospace investments, innovation is being driven by the need for reliability in contested environments. A star tracker is a high-precision optical device that determines a spacecraft’s orientation by observing the positions of stars. Unlike magnetometers or GPS, it’s immune to electromagnetic interference, spoofing, and jamming. - Ultra-precise attitude determination - Independent operation in GNSS-denied environments - Critical for defense, Earth observation, and deep-space missions As industry priorities shift toward autonomy and resilience, star trackers are becoming a cornerstone technology, enabling next-gen missions to operate with confidence. The future of navigation is written in the stars. #Aerospace #Defense #StarTracker #SpaceTechnology #Innovation #Autonomy
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🚀 Inversion Space just unveiled Arc, the world's first space-based delivery vehicle! This hypersonic beast can deliver mission-critical cargo anywhere on Earth in under an hour, even to remote or denied areas. From orbit to touchdown, all autonomous with parachutes. Set to reshape defense, logistics, and more. First launch by end of 2026. The future of rapid global delivery is here!
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At the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) Conference, we announced how we’re transforming the #FutureOfFlight with advancements in: ✅Hypersonic Propulsion ✅Supersonic Flight Tests ✅Autonomous Flight ✅Small Engines for Unmanned Systems Learn more about how these innovations will help us enter a #NewEraOfFlight! 🔗 https://bit.ly/4nXo0Cf
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Thank you, Angelica Sirotin, for a frank, wide‑ranging conversation about why space security starts in the ocean. We covered hard truths many in the space industry prefer not to hear billion‑dollar rockets on barges are soft targets, GPS and supply‑chain vulnerabilities travel by ship, and asymmetric tools (drones, UUVs, spoofing) have changed the math of protection. If we’re serious about resilient space operations, we need maritime thinking: distributed systems, layered defenses, and an honest reassessment of where the real risks live. I’d welcome thoughts from industry peers and colleagues in the maritime, defense, and aviation sectors on practical next steps. #SpaceSecurity #MaritimeDefense #SupplyChainResilience #Autonomy #USV #CUAS #Offshore #Maritime
Imagine you had a $67 million asset floating in the middle of the ocean... would you leave it completely unguarded? SpaceX does. Every day. Bo Jardine AFNI, Co-Founder and CEO of Eureka Naval Craft can't stop thinking about it. This man protected Shell oil platforms off Somalia from actual pirates. Armed security, patrol boats, the works. Now he watches rockets launch from barges in the Gulf of Mexico. Zero protection. Not even a guy with binoculars. "These billion-dollar spacecraft sit on floating platforms in international waters," he told me. "Protected by the Coast Guard being somewhere nearby. Maybe." The weapons that could kill them? Already in your local Best Buy. In Ukraine, 70% of battlefield deaths come from drones. Consumer drones. The same ones filming your kid's soccer game. Mexico's cartels have already weaponized over 1,000 of them. Here's what haunts Bo: His friend's company makes hydrogen-powered unmanned submarines. "It's an underwater bomb that can stay submerged for weeks." You won't see it coming. SOSUS - our billion-dollar Cold War submarine detection network? Useless. Any teenager with $5,000 and an Alibaba account can buy something SOSUS won't detect until it's 500 meters from target. 30 seconds to respond. Human reaction time: 250 milliseconds. We're already dead. "Every rocket component, every satellite part, every drop of fuel - it all moves by ship." Read why the future of space is actually decided at sea: https://lnkd.in/gJ2cfRNx #SpaceX #Maritime #Defense #SupplyChain #Drones #NationalSecurity
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👨✈️ 🎙️ 📡 🛰️ SPACE BASED VHF in aviation 🛰️ 💡 🌍 📡 Everything you need to know about this disruptive new form of VHF communication. The increased signal range promises to reduce minimum separations between aircrafts in oceanic and remote areas. #Pilot #Airlines #HighTech #Space #Satellite #ENAIRE #INDRA #ECHOES #Startical
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Fueling the Next Frontier: ALE Mega Factory | Taking 18650 Orders Now American Lithium Energy is preparing to open its mega factory, a facility built to deliver millions of 18650 cells for the platforms that will define the future of aerospace, defense, and advanced mobility. These aren’t ordinary cells—delivering up to 350 Wh/kg, operating from –40 °C to +70 °C, and protected by ALE’s proprietary Zero Volt Technology, they are engineered for the toughest missions on land, sea, air, and space. ⚡ Millions of cells ready to scale 🚁 Powering UAVs and eVTOLs to new endurance levels 🛰️ Driving satellites and defense systems with resilience ✅ U.S.-built for performance, security, and reliability With the ALE Mega Factory, we’re not just building batteries—we’re powering the future of national security and exploration. #Energy #Aerospace #Defense #MegaFactory #UAV #eVTOL #MadeInUSA
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Fueling the Next Frontier: ALE Mega Factory | Taking 18650 Orders Now American Lithium Energy is preparing to open its mega factory, a facility built to deliver millions of 18650 cells for the platforms that will define the future of aerospace, defense, and advanced mobility. These aren’t ordinary cells—delivering up to 350 Wh/kg, operating from –40 °C to +70 °C, and protected by ALE’s proprietary Zero Volt Technology, they are engineered for the toughest missions on land, sea, air, and space. ⚡ Millions of cells ready to scale 🚁 Powering UAVs and eVTOLs to new endurance levels 🛰️ Driving satellites and defense systems with resilience ✅ U.S.-built for performance, security, and reliability With the ALE Mega Factory, we’re not just building batteries—we’re powering the future of national security and exploration. #Energy #Aerospace #Defense #MegaFactory #UAV #eVTOL #MadeInUSA
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https://nextgendefense.com/general-atomics-sidekick-drone/