Ukraine approves robotic combat droid for military use
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has approved the Droid TW 12.7, a new robotic combat system, for deployment in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The remotely operated system is part of Ukraine’s efforts to modernize its armed forces and expand domestic arms production.
Built on a tracked platform, it can navigate difficult terrain and is operated remotely via a tablet with digital communication. The Ministry of Defense reported that the system demonstrated reliability during combat tests.
Meet Droid TW—a Ukrainian-made tracked robotic system equipped with a Browning machine gun. pic.twitter.com/smgUUICoI7
“Technology plays a decisive role in ensuring an advantage on the battlefield in the context of modern warfare,” said Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov. He described the approval of the Droid TW 12.7 as “a significant step toward integrating innovation into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
Klimenkov added, “We are codifying models that become reliable tools for our defenders, helping them accomplish missions under the most difficult conditions. Our strength lies in a high-tech army capable of withstanding modern challenges.”
The ministry released footage on social media showing the Droid TW 12.7 maneuvering across fields and firing at targets. Developed domestically by the Ukrainian defense firm DevDroid, the system adheres to NATO standards, allowing compatibility with allied nations’ defense frameworks.
DevDroid stated that the Droid TW 12.7 has “proven its reliability and effectiveness in field trials, meeting the highest standards.” The company also said it can be produced within 45 days at a cost of $26,000 to $29,000 per unit.
In 2024, the Ministry of Defense approved more than 900 new weapons and military equipment models, including over 600 that were developed domestically. This marks a significant increase compared to 2023 when only 405 pieces of equipment were approved.
Suspect charged with murder in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
The man accused of gunning down the CEO of UnitedHealthcare on a New York City sidewalk is charged with murder. And the Biden administration levels allegations of war crimes against two Syrians who were high-raking members of the now ousted regime. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
Suspect charged with murder in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO
After nearly a week of searching, the manhunt for the suspected gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel last week is over. Police said they located the 26-year-old suspect inside a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 300 miles from New York on Monday, Dec. 9.
The New York City Police Department filed first-degree murder charges against Luigi Mangione, according to court documents released Monday night. Mangione also faces charges of possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a forged driver’s license, and criminal possession of a weapon.
Mangione is described as a former high school valedictorian and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, who grew up in Maryland but has also had past addresses in California and Hawaii.
Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona after authorities said a McDonald’s employee recognized him as the person of interest seen in images related to Thompson’s shooting death.
When police arrived on the scene, they questioned Mangione. According to court documents, Mangione “started to shake” when asked if he’d recently been in New York City. Authorities said at first, he lied about his identity.
So proud of @NYPDMTN Detectives, and our Major Case and Homicide Squads, who worked around-the-clock on the homicide investigation in Midtown. I joined them last night to thank them for their dedication. No doubt, their work was instrumental to identifying the person of interest… pic.twitter.com/jAFA7JDcHd
Court documents show he was carrying a black 3-D printed pistol with a silencer. The NYPD said the “ghost gun” found on him was consistent with the one used in the murder. Ghost guns do not have serial numbers.
Police said Mangione also had on him a fake ID, matching the one used by the suspect at a New York City hostel before the shooting, and a three-page written note.
“That document is currently in the possession of the Altoona Police Department as part of their investigation but just from briefly speaking with them, we don’t think that there’s any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenney said.
Multiple reports Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, claimed those writings included the phrases “these parasites had it coming” and it “had to be done.”
During a press conference Monday evening, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) spoke of how the killing has led to some people online sharing their frustrations and anger over the healthcare system but emphasized that Mangione is not a martyr.
“In some dark corners, this killer’s being hailed as a hero,” Shapiro said. “Hear me on this: he is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this [Monday] morning. The real heroes every day in our society are the women and men who put on uniforms like these and go out in our communities to keep us safe. This killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed.”
Mangione will remain in custody in Pennsylvania pending his extradition to New York, which is expected to take place later this week.
Jury finds former US Marine not guilty in NYC chokehold death trial
Tensions remain high in New York after a jury acquitted U.S. Marine veteran Daniel Penny of all charges on Monday, including criminally negligent homicide, in the chokehold death of a schizophrenic man, whose behavior had some people on the New York subway testifying they feared for their lives.
The caught-on-camera deadly incident from May 2023 saw Penny put Jordan Neely in a chokehold from behind after Neely walked up and down the F train saying “somebody is going to die today”.
Prosecutors said the chokehold lasted too long, was reckless, and resulted in the 30-year-old homeless man’s death. The defense brought an expert in to show Neely was under the influence of the synthetic marijuana drug K2, arguing he died from drug use and a previous medical condition.
Outside the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday, fights broke out as protesters and counter-protesters clashed. After the verdict Neely’s father stated, “There is no justice.”
US charges 2 former Syrian officials with war crimes
The United States has charged two former high-ranking Syrian intelligence officials with war crimes. The DOJ said during Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Jamil Hassan and Abdul Salam Mahmoud oversaw operations of a detention facility where Americans and civilians who had been deemed enemies of the state were tortured.
In other developments in the Middle East, the U.S. has also sent a special envoy to Beirut, Lebanon to find out what happened to Austin Tice. Tice is an American journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago.
"We have heard from sources that have been vetted by the U.S. government that Austin is alive." Austin Tice has been missing in Syria for 12 years. Today his brother & sister tell me "every day is a day that Austin should be released and a day that Austin could be released." pic.twitter.com/o08OgOFKEm
On Sunday, Dec. 8, President Joe Biden said he believes Tice is still alive and his administration is committed to bringing him home. Syria has publicly denied holding Tice.
Meanwhile, Israel has launched a large-scale attack on Syria, striking what it called strategic military sites after the fall of the al-Assad government. It also expanded its presence into the Golan Heights, a buffer zone along the country’s border with Syria.
Israel claimed the move is temporary and aimed at ensuring nearby areas are not exposed to any potential security threats, but Iran has appealed to the United Nations Security Council, saying the expansion is a “flagrant violation” of U.N. charter, breaking a 50-year cease-fire agreement.
Hegseth looks to shore up Senate support on Capitol Hill
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary is back on Capitol Hill this week. He’s looking to shore up support from Senate Republicans.
Pete Hegseth met with Senators Joni Ernst and Lindsey Graham on Monday. Both had expressed concerns over allegations against Hegseth of sexual misconduct, financial mismanagement of veterans’ charities and excessive drinking.
Hegseth denies a lot of it and says he is changed man. He served in the Army in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Lord & Taylor to relaunch as online discount luxury retailer
Another department store chain is set to make an internet comeback. Lord & Taylor is set to relaunch in 2025 as a discount luxury e-commerce platform offering designer goods and Lord & Taylor-branded products, according to its new owner.
Regal Brands Global acquired the Lord & Taylor intellectual property in September after its previous owner, Saadia Group — which had re-launched the chain as an e-commerce website in 2021 — ceased operations.
Regal Brands reportedly aims to position Lord & Taylor products to compete with other high-end retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.
‘Emilia Perez’ receives most Golden Globe nominations
‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power
Syrian rebels oust dictator Bashar al-Assad, who has fled the country after nearly 25 years in power. And the suspected killer of a health care CEO in New York City is still at-large after eluding a massive manhunt for almost a week. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
‘Risk and uncertainty’ as Syrian rebels oust Assad after decades in power
It’s the dawn of a new era in Syria. After more than a decade of civil war in the country, President Bashar al-Assad was ousted after rebel groups overtook the capital in a coup on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Now Syria and its people are left with the question of what comes next as countries around the world, including the United States, react to the changing landscape.
Syrians could be seen celebrating in the streets as word spread that Assad had fled the country. State media reported the president and his family landed in Russia Sunday evening and Assad has been granted political asylum in Moscow.
The toppled leader, who had been in power since 2000 and whose family had ruled for five decades, was forced to vacate after rebel forces quickly captured city after city leading to them taking control of Damascus.
Since the civil war broke out in the wake of the pro-democracy Arab Spring demonstrations of 2011, Assad’s forces have been accused of brutal severe human rights violations, including using chemical weapons against their people. They’ve been held responsible for the deaths of more than 5,000 people and the displacement of millions of others.
The rebels who led to Assad’s ouster were headed by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Jolani called the coup “a victory for the whole Islamic nation.”
Jolani’s group used to be linked to Al Qaeda. Though it has cut those ties, the U.S. still designates it a terrorist group.
President Joe Biden spoke from the White House Sunday, calling the end of Assad’s regime a “fundamental act of justice.” Biden added the U.S. will support Syria’s neighbors Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq should any threat arise from this period of transition.
Biden referred to this as a time of “risk and uncertainty.”
“We will remain vigilante. Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses,” Biden said. “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and they’re saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.”
Biden said Assad’s downfall came in part due to allies Iran, Russia and Hezbollah being weaker today than when Biden began his term.
President-elect Donald Trump issued a statement on his Truth Social platform Sunday, saying Iran and Russia are in weakened states right now and calling for the end of the war in Ukraine. However, in a post on Saturday, Dec. 7, Trump said the U.S. should not get involved with Syria, saying, “This is not our fight. Let it play out.”
Iran’s president said it is up to the Syrian people to decide the future of their country.
Amid the time of transition in Syria, the U.S. showed it will continue its efforts against ISIS in the region. U.S. Central Command said it launched a series of airstrikes Sunday targeting ISIS camps and leaders in central Syria, confirming 75 “targets” had been hit. U.S. officials said it will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria.
Trump promises to pardon Jan. 6 rioters on first day in office
In his first network TV interview since winning the election, President-elect Trump touched on some of his biggest campaign promises and his plans to start following through with them immediately when he takes office in January.
In an interview with NBC News’ Kristen Welker for Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” Trump said, “A lot of it will have to do with economics. A lot’s gonna do with energy. A lot’s having to do with the border. We’re gonna immediately strengthen up the border and do a real job.”
Trump also doubled down on his promise to pardon Americans jailed for their role in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, saying they had no other choice than to plead guilty. Department of Justice records show more than 1,500 people have been arrested or charged in connection with that attack and nearly 900 have pleaded guilty.
While Trump said he will not tell his nominees for FBI director and attorney general to go after his political rivals, he did share his opinion on what should happen to lawmakers who were on the House’s select committee to investigate January 6.
“Everybody on that committee, for what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” he said.
After that interview, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY), who was on the committee, issued a statement saying, “Donald Trump’s suggestion that members of congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.”
Trump did reiterate multiple times during Sunday’s interview he has no plans to go after political rivals, but as we’ve reported here at Straight Arrow News, President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for Cheney and others who were part of the House Jan. 6 investigation, as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Police release new images of suspect in NYC deadly shooting
The manhunt for the killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson enters a new week.
Over the weekend, the NYPD released new images of the apparent suspect. Police identify the man in the pictures as “a person of interest” wanted for questioning for the fatal shooting outside a Hilton hotel Wednesday, Dec. 4.
One image shows the masked man in the back of a taxi. Another shows him walking on the sidewalk outside a vehicle. Police are hoping these images, along with others released last week, will help lead to the gunman.
Authorities reportedly traveled to Atlanta on Saturday, Dec. 7, and have been searching a lake near Central Park. On Friday night, Dec. 6, reports said investigators found a backpack believed to belong to the shooter. Inside they found two items: a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money.
Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old girl alongside Diddy
Music mogul Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. In a civil suit filed Sunday, the anonymous accuser claimed the assault happened in 2000 at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.
The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October only listing Combs as a defendant, but it was refiled Sunday to include Carter.
Jay-Z, who is married to Beyonce, denied the accusation and said in a statement directed at the attorney who filed the suit, “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!”
Combs’ lawyer also responded, calling the suit a “shameless” publicity stunt.
In September, federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses. He is in jail awaiting trial, which is scheduled to start May 5.
Kennedy Center honors Coppola, Grateful Dead, The Apollo
President Biden was among those in attendance — a tradition President Trump did not continue during his first term in office, saying he did not want to be a political distraction as some attendees had threatened to boycott his appearance. As Trump gets ready to start his second term in office, there are questions about whether federal funding for the arts might be on the chopping block.
Reports: Juan Soto, Mets agree on largest contract in pro sports history
Former New York Yankees star outfielder Juan Soto is staying in the Big Apple, but moving leagues in reportedly the largest deal in professional sports history.
But should Soto decide not to opt out, his pay will reportedly go up an extra $4 million a year for the remainder of the deal — meaning in the end, this could be an over $800 million deal.
The agreement also reportedly includes a $75 million signing bonus. Soto’s deal surpasses the record set just last year by Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract.
Note: The headline has been corrected to Assad. A previous version had the incorrect name.
How the US Space Force will work to protect Japan’s national security
U.S. Space Force Guardians are deploying to Japan on Dec. 4 in a move meant to bolster the Japanese self-defense forces against threats from Russia, China and North Korea. The United States activated its first Space Force Unit in Japan at Yokota Air Base, just west of Tokyo, on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The unit will reportedly give Japan its first-ever space surveillance and missile warning systems.
The Pentagon said the ultimate goal is to strengthen both country’s national security and provide stepped-up regional security at a time when relations with Moscow, Pyongyang and Beijing are tense.
The White House confirmed in February that Russia is working on an anti-satellite weapon, and the U.S. Space Force said in October that China is rapidly making gains on space-based military systems as well.
Additionally, North Korea claimed to have successfully launched its first spy satellite last year, and Pyongyang is promising more will go into orbit by the end of this year in a bid to make the country a so-called “space power.”
Despite U.S. adversaries vying for space superiority, the U.S. Department of Defense maintains it is confident the new unit will deter attacks from enemies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The U.S. and Japan are also coordinating space defense with Australia, including reportedly developing low-orbit satellites to help counter hypersonic missiles, which Russia, China and North Korea all claim to have obtained.
Advanced Zumwalt destroyers to host US Navy’s 1st hypersonic weapon
For years, the U.S. Navy has been hard at work seeking to salvage the design of the futuristic Zumwalt destroyers. With a hefty price tag of $7.5 billion, the destroyers were meant to replace the Arleigh-Burke class destroyers.
The design was eventually abandoned, though the three finished destroyers are still operational and highly advanced. Now, the Navy is on the verge of turning these ships into hypersonic heavyweights.
Zumwalts have an unconventional design, meant to minimize radar signatures, and even have electric propulsion. They can also fire munitions like the standard missile in their vertical launchers, but were also designed with 155mm artillery guns at the front of the ship to support land forces. Unfortunately, the price per pound of those guns was close to $1 million, and they were never operational.
These ships were eventually used as testing platforms for new innovations, until now. The Navy wants to innovate with them even further.
At a Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi, the Navy has begun to replace the artillery guns with a new launching system for the Conventional Prompt Strike weapon. When it’s all said and done, each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be able to hold 12 CPS missiles.
CPS is one of the hypersonic missiles the U.S. is currently developing. The Navy and Army have both conducted numerous land-based tests. Now, the Navy says it is on track to start testing these missiles on Zumwalts in 2027 or 2028.
Hypersonic weapons are missiles that can travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound, without losing maneuverability. This is an important distinction, because ballistic missiles can travel much faster than the speed of sound, but they take a predictable path and can be easier to intercept.
A conventional prompt strike missile is made up of different components, but on the end of the weapon is a hypersonic glide vehicle that will do the maneuvering and actually impact the target. Retrofitting Zumwalts with hypersonic weapons like CPS is enough for one defense analyst at the Hudson Institute to say the Navy is taking victory from the jaws of defeat.
Russia claims to have hypersonic weapons, but Ukraine was able to counter them with U.S. supplied weaponry, including Patriot batteries. China does have hypersonic missiles, and the Pentagon confirmed as much according to documents leaked online by Jack Texeira.
Critics say hypersonic missiles are too expensive, and only offer a way to hit something far away really fast. The Congressional Budget Office says it will cost about $18 billion to buy 300 CPS weapons and maintain them for 20 years.
On the other hand, supporters say the cost of not developing hypersonic weapons could be steeper, arguing that if adversaries have them, the U.S. should too.
US charges Chinese national with sending guns and ammo to North Korea
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that authorities have arrested and charged an undocumented Chinese national with allegedly buying and sending guns and ammunition to North Korea. That’s according to unsealed court documents unveiled on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
According to the criminal complaint, Shenghua Wen told investigators that North Korean agents funneled $2 million to his partner for weapons purchases through a Chinese bank account.
Prosecutors also say that Wen tried to get U.S. military uniforms. They say it was so North Korean soldiers could disguise themselves and launch a “surprise attack” against South Korea.
The DOJ says Wen met with North Korean officials in China, who ordered him to obtain firearms, ammunition, and other technology for Pyongyang.
FBI agents say Wen admitted to shipping two containers of guns from California to Hong Kong. They were smuggled into North Korea in 2023.
Wen faces charges of conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on North Korea. Those sanctions bar sending American goods or money to the country without special permission from the United States.
The FBI says that it recovered 50,000 rounds of ammunition from Wen’s car in September. Authorities also found devices used to detect chemicals and hidden surveillance technology.
Investigators note they found photos of guns and equipment Wen sent. He allegedly told investigators he coordinated smuggling operations through encrypted messaging apps.
Wen reportedly came to the United States in 2012 on a student visa that expired in December 2013. He spent more than a decade living in California illegally.
Prosecutors accuse him of relying on other people to buy guns and ammunition through so-called “straw purchases.”
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada called the accusations against Wen in the criminal complaint “chilling.”
The Sigma howitzer is a game-changer in artillery systems: Weapon of the week
When you think of modern warfare, it might be natural to think of the latest technology and new weapons systems designed to create an unfair fight. But on closer inspection, these weapons for today’s warfighters are often evolutionary leaps on centuries-old ideas.
Take, for instance, the howitzer. A piece of artillery that falls somewhere between a cannon and a mortar, first developed in the 16th century.
Well, 400 years later, Elbit Systems of America has what it thinks is the next evolutionary leap in howitzers. That’s why the Sigma, built by Elbit America, is weapon of the week.
Traditionally, the Army tows howitzers into place, and as part of any combat force’s arsenal, they are an effective, if not cumbersome, piece of the puzzle. But things are starting to change.
“You look at what’s happening in Ukraine using towed howitzers, more manned howitzers, right? You can’t be survivable because of counter battery fire. Mobile howitzers now are the future, and Sigma is our answer to the upcoming Army competition for that,” said Taylor Mercer, senior director of Howitzer Programs at Elbit America.
The Sigma is a 10-wheeled piece of rolling thunder, allowing its three-man crew to stay inside while engaging the enemy. This 155mm, 52-caliber howitzer can move as the battle line moves without towing.
“It’s all one connected unit. It’s based on an Oshkosh truck, right? So what’s what the Army is already using, basically based off of our PLS-type truck from the Army,” Mercer explained. “We call it a mobile artillery platform. The really great thing about it is the crew stays completely inside. So, a three-man crew, they get to stay inside that cabin, and everything else is automated.”
The Army’s current self-propelled artillery system, the M109 Paladin, first entered service in the 1960s. But despite numerous upgrades over the decades and being integral in American military history, the Army knows it’s time for change.
Boasting a 40-round magazine, the largest in the industry, the Sigma, with its high volume of fire and extended combat range, offers the kind of change the Army is looking for.
“So basically, you can fight longer, you can fight further away, and you don’t have to resupply nearly as often,” Mercer said. “So it’s a very unique capability. Obviously, it’s a big system, but because of that size, it allows you massive volume of fire, which is unmatched,”
Designed with the Army’s next-generation command and control initiative in mind, Elbit sees the Sigma as part of a system that will give commanders the ability to act on more and better information faster.
“So, it’ll be able to network with basically anything and everything else on the battlefield. I would expect to see systems like this start moving towards more of an optionally manned configuration,” Mercer added.
To be clear, this is one of many entries in the mobile howitzer marketplace. In August, Straight Arrow News profiled the Hawkeye mobile howitzer made by AM General. Naturally, each system has its pluses and minuses, but Mercer says their entry offers more of what the Army seeks.
“Sigma is very different, not just in volume of fire, but in survivability and mobility,” Mercer said. “Being on a 10×10, it can go anywhere on the battlefield. But most importantly, it’s built on the Oshkosh truck, so it brings commonality. Commonality is key to keeping costs down and the logistics trail short. Having a system already common to the platform makes the Army’s job much easier on how to integrate a brand new artillery system.”
Will the Sigma be part of the Army’s modernization efforts? That’s unclear, but it’s in the mix.
In October, the Army announced the awarding of five contracts for their self-propelled howitzer performance demonstration. Elbit is one of those groups, along with entries from American Rheinmetall Vehicles, BAE Bofors, Hanwha Defense USA and General Dynamics Land Systems.
The hope is that once the decision is made and the contract awarded, the Army can begin fielding the winning system by 2026.
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Honeywell 360: The future of wearable tech for warfighters
For many, the image of Buffalo Bill stalking Clarice Starling through his dimly lit basement using night vision goggles in “The Silence of the Lambs” was the first exposure to wearable tech designed to give users an advantage in the dark. It has been 33 years since that award-winning film hit the silver screen, and such hardware is now commonplace in military units worldwide.
At this year’s Association of the United States Army (AUSA) gathering, Straight Arrow News had the opportunity to see what could be the next game-changer in wearable tech for American warfighters.
The Honeywell 360 Display resembles high-tech arcade game equipment and could become a modern warrior’s best friend in low-light environments. It also eliminates the problems of previous designs.
“The Honeywell 360 is designed to operate a vehicle at a high rate of speed without any outside visual reference, meaning no windows, and do that without making you sick,” said Adam Gavrich, senior technical sales manager at Honeywell. “Our system is one of the only systems that can do that for an extended period without making you ill.”
The system’s technology focuses on low latency and depth perception to simulate natural vision. Gavrich explained that the 360 Display is vehicle, camera and sensor agnostic, meaning it can integrate with existing cameras and mountings for standard night vision goggles.
“The idea is to take a vehicle that might already have cameras and integrate with those existing cameras,” Gavrich said. “If you have a requirement for very high-end cameras, very high resolution, we can integrate with that. If you have lower resolution cameras, we can do that as well and still safely operate the vehicle using our headset technology.”
The system has 26 U.S. patents for its anti-motion sickness technology. Currently in production, it is being fine-tuned for military operations.
“Simulating your natural vision and making your body feel as if it is looking with its own two eyes when it actually has no reference is crucial,” Gavrich said. “We have to accurately find the position of your head, accounting for both unnatural motion from the vehicle and where you are intentionally moving your head. When those two things agree, you do not get sick.”
Unlike most showcased at AUSA, the SAN team was able to climb into a vehicle and try the 360 Display.
The team said it felt like an F-35 glass cockpit. If a pilot were to look back, they would be able to see what is directly behind the vehicle. In a combat scenario, that could be militants or innocents the pilot doesn’t want to run over.
Another important aspect is the effort to avoid adding neck strain to the wearer.
“We are taking weight out of our prototype, and it is going to be very light,” Gavrich said. “When you put on the headset today, it feels heavy because it is a military helmet. The end target system will be very light and rugged to support military operations. We cannot have a heavy headset that adds a lot of neck strain, and that is a design consideration we have accommodated for.”
While Honeywell has not yet disclosed which American troops will first use the 360 Display, Gavrich mentioned that the company recently won several unannounced contracts. When those deals are announced, SAN will provide more updates.
Army offers $15,000 reward for missing weapons from Fort Moore
Army investigators are searching for 31 missing M17 pistols, two sets of night vision goggles and a thermal weapon sight stolen from Fort Moore, Georgia. The Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) has offered a $15,000 reward for credible information leading to the recovery of the stolen items.
The M17 pistols, standard-issue sidearms for U.S. troops, were first reported missing in May, though investigators believe they may have disappeared as early as March. The night vision goggles and thermal optic were last accounted for between August and October. All items were last tracked to the Crescenz Consolidated Equipment Pool, a central armory managed by the civilian contractor Vectrus.
In response to the disappearances, Fort Moore officials have tightened security protocols, reduced access to the facility and announced plans to install enhanced surveillance systems. However, it remains unclear whether any employees or contractors have been disciplined.
The M17 pistols, introduced as the Army’s standard sidearm in 2017, are required to be inventoried monthly by serial number. The Enhanced Night Vision Goggles and AN/PAS-13D thermal weapon sight are critical tools for low-light and combat operations, underscoring the importance of their recovery.
This incident is not isolated. A 2021 investigation revealed that more than 1,900 firearms went missing from U.S. military inventories over a decade, with some linked to criminal activity.
Fort Moore, formerly known as Fort Benning, serves as a major training hub for the U.S. Army. The base hosts the Infantry and Armor Schools as well as the elite Ranger School, highlighting the significance of maintaining secure facilities.
N Korea ballistic missile facility growing as revealed by new satellite images
U.S. defense experts revealed on Monday, Nov. 25, that they believe that Pyongyang may be ramping up its production of weapons for Moscow to use in its war in Ukraine. Researchers said new satellite images reveal North Korea is expanding a crucial weapons manufacturing complex that produces short-range missiles.
The California think-tank behind the findings noted that the plant is the only one known to produce a certain class of ballistic missiles used by Russia to strike Ukrainian forces.
Known as the KN23, the rockets are reportedly capable of evading missile defense systems by flying at low altitudes, which makes them useful for Russian forces trying to penetrate Ukrainian air defenses.
The satellite images show what reportedly appears to be an additional assembly building under construction and a housing structure for workers near North Korea’s east coast.
North Korean missiles allegedly account for only a fraction of Moscow’s strikes in Ukraine. However, the developments stoked fears among South Korea and the United States because both countries have long sought to prevent North Korea from expanding its production of ballistic missiles.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang denied that North Korea is supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, despite the countries signing a mutual defense treaty in June 2024 and vowing to boost military ties.
Meanwhile, thousands of North Korean troops are reportedly being deployed to help Russia in its war efforts.