| THE FIRST MQ-25 DELIVERED TO THE US NAVY
The MQ-25 Stingray, developed by Boeing for the United States Navy, represents a significant leap forward in the realm of unmanned aerial refueling systems. This pioneering drone is designed to provide carrier-based aerial refueling capabilities, extending the range and operational flexibility of manned fighter jets such as the F/A-18 Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, and F-35C Lightning II. With its ability to transfer up to 15,000 pounds of fuel, the MQ-25 is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing the endurance of carrier air wings. One of the key advantages of the MQ-25 is its autonomous operation, which reduces the risk to human pilots while increasing efficiency.
The drone’s advanced avionics and flight control systems enable it to perform complex refueling missions with precision. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art aerial refueling store (ARS) pod, which includes a hose-and-drogue system, commonly used by the Navy.
The MQ-25’s development marks the first time the U.S. Navy has integrated a large, unmanned aircraft into its carrier air wing. This integration is expected to provide a strategic advantage by allowing for more flexible and persistent operations. Moreover, the MQ-25’s relatively small size and advanced stealth features help it evade detection, ensuring it can operate in contested environments.
The Stingray’s operational capabilities were demonstrated successfully during its first test flights, where it refueled an F/A-18 Super Hornet in mid-air. These tests underscored the drone’s potential to revolutionize aerial refueling operations. The MQ-25 is not only a refueler but also a platform that can be adapted for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the future.
By offloading the refueling tasks from manned aircraft, the MQ-25 allows combat jets to focus on their primary missions, increasing overall combat effectiveness. The drone’s integration into the fleet will also enable the Navy to maintain a higher tempo of operations, particularly in areas with limited access to land-based refueling assets.
The MQ-25 project highlights the Navy’s commitment to embracing unmanned technologies and enhancing its operational capabilities. It also reflects a broader trend within the military to leverage automation and artificial intelligence for mission-critical tasks.
In conclusion, the MQ-25 Stingray represents a transformative addition to the U.S. Navy’s capabilities, providing a crucial link in the chain of carrier-based operations. Its development and deployment underscore the strategic importance of unmanned systems in modern warfare.
| MBDA WINS MAJOR POLISH AIR DEFENCE CONTRACT
MBDA has been contracted by the Polish Armament Agency to supply CAMM missiles and iLaunchers for Poland’s PILICA+ air defence upgrade programme.
In total, MBDA will provide missiles and missile launchers valued at £1.9 billion to support Poland’s modernisation and manufacture of a total of 22 PILICA+ air defence batteries – making it the largest European short-range air defence acquisition programme in NATO.
Designed by PGZ, PILICA+ will combine MBDA’s CAMM short-range radar-guided missiles with Polish-made autocannon and very-short range infrared guided missiles into a triple-layer system commanded by a Polish command and control system and guided by Polish radars. PILICA+ will operate as the inner tier of a highly-capable integrated Polish air defence network also including the upper-tier WISLA system and mid-tier NAREW system, which MBDA is also supporting with PGZ.
Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “We are deeply proud that Poland is placing CAMM at the core of their layered air defence systems. This landmark Polish-UK cooperation will provide a major boost to Poland’s air defence capabilities and bring our defence industries closer together, enabling sovereignty and supporting jobs in both countries.”
CAMM, with its multi-channel, radar-guided, all-weather ability to defeat stressing air threats out to 25 km, will deliver a major enhancement to the capabilities of the Polish
PILICA+ system in ensuring the defence of high-value and mobile assets. CAMM first entered service with the UK Armed Forces in 2018, with the CAMM family (including CAMM-ER co-developed with Italy) rapidly proving a success on the international market.
Poland is already a user of MBDA’s CAMM, receiving a first battery in 2022 in response to an urgent requirement called mała (small) NAREW that was successfully delivered by MBDA and PGZ in 6 months. MBDA and PGZ also continue to work towards contracting the technology transfer and Polish manufacture of the mid-tier NAREW air defence programme, utilising the extended range CAMM-ER missile and a common iLauncher solution, and on co-operation on future missiles for higher air defence tiers (through a contract placed in 2022). Poland will benefit from the synergies of operating the CAMM family across multiple domains as these missiles will also equip Poland’s future maritime air defence system on-board the Miecznik-class frigates.
| THOUSANDS OF NHS PATIENTS TO ACCESS TRIALS OF PERSONALISED CANCER ‘VACCINES’
Thousands of cancer patients in England are set to gain fast-tracked access to trials of personalised cancer vaccines following the launch of a world-leading NHS trial “matchmaking” service to help find new life-saving treatments.
The NHS today announced it has treated its first patient in England with a personalised vaccine against their bowel cancer, in a clinical trial part of NHS England’s new Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad.
In a national first, father-of-four Elliot Phebve received the developmental jab at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, one of several sites taking part in the colorectal cancer vaccine trial sponsored by BioNTech SE.
The vaccine trial involving Elliot is one of several that will be taking place in NHS trusts across the country to treat different types of cancer. Thousands more patients are expected to benefit from NHS England’s new Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad, which will enable those wanting to participate in clinical trials to be fast-tracked to one of the nearest participating hospitals.
Patients who agree to take part have a sample of their cancer tissue and a blood test taken. If they meet a clinical trial’s eligibility criteria, they can be referred to their nearest participating NHS site, meaning patients from hospitals across the country will find it easier than ever to take part in groundbreaking research.
The investigational cancer vaccines evaluated in the colorectal cancer trial are based on mRNA – the same technology used for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine – and are created by analysing a patient’s tumour to identify mutations specific to their own cancer. Using this information, medics then create an experimental individualised cancer vaccine.
The developmental vaccines are designed to induce an immune response that may prevent cancer from returning after surgery on the primary tumour, by stimulating the patient’s immune system to specifically recognise and potentially destroy any remaining cancer cells.
The investigational cancer vaccines being jointly developed by biopharmaceutical companies BioNTech and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, are still undergoing trials and have not yet been approved by regulators.
Higher-education lecturer Elliot, 55, had no cancer symptoms and was diagnosed through a routine health check with his GP.
Following blood tests, he was immediately invited to Manor Hospital in Walsall and triaged to a hospital ward to receive blood transfusions.
A computed tomography (CT) scan and a colonoscopy confirmed he had colon cancer and Eliott had surgery to remove the tumour and 30 cm of his large intestine. He was then referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for initial rounds of chemotherapy and to take part in a clinical trial.
Thirty hospitals in England are already signed up to the pioneering Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad – one of the biggest projects of its kind in the world – with more sites joining the platform over the coming months.
The scheme aims to expand and work with a range of partners in the pharmaceutical industry to include patients across many cancer types who could potentially join a vaccine trial, such as those with pancreatic and lung cancer.
Trials have already enlisted dozens of patients, although the majority of participants are expected to be enrolled from 2026 onwards.
Principal Investigator for the trial at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Dr Victoria Kunene, said: “The investigational cancer vaccines are based on mRNA and are created by analysing a patient’s tumour to identify mutations specific to their own cancer. Using this information, we can create an individualised investigational cancer vaccine, but it is too early yet to say if these will be successful, though we are extremely hopeful. Based on the limited data we currently have of the in-body response to the vaccine, this could prove to be a significant and positive development for patients, but more data is yet needed and we continue to recruit suitable patients to the trial to establish this further.”
Last year, the Government signed an agreement with BioNTech to provide up to 10,000 patients with precision cancer immunotherapies by 2030.
BioNTech has already begun conducting clinical trials in the UK, and the NHS launch pad is helping to accelerate the identification of eligible patients for those trials in England.
The vaccines being tested as part of the trials aim to help patients with different types of cancer and, if successfully developed, researched and approved, cancer vaccines could become part of standard care.
The NHS is working in partnership with Genomics England on the launch pad, with work already helping patients access the latest testing technologies and ensures they are given more targeted precision treatments for their cancer.
| AMERICA’S FIRST OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT TO PLUG DIRECTLY INTO THE NEW YORK CITY GRID
The Norwegian company Equinor has announced the execution of the Purchase and Sale Agreement (PSA) with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for the renewable power generated by the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project.
This agreement follows NYSERDA’s February announcement that Equinor had been selected as a conditional winner in New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation.
Onshore construction activity is under way at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. Empire Wind 1 will be America’s first offshore wind project to plug directly into the New York City grid with a target to deliver first power in late 2026.
At a strike price of $155.00 per MW/h Empire Wind 1 is expected to deliver forward looking real base project returns within the guided range for renewable projects. Following a final investment decision, Equinor plans to use project financing, with financial close anticipated by end of 2024. Equinor intends to bring in a partner to reduce financial exposure.
The signing of the offtake agreement further solidifies the considerable progress made by the 810 MW Empire Wind 1 project toward powering 500,000 New York homes with reliable, renewable energy. Empire Wind 1 will generate more than 1,000 union jobs during the construction phase, help build out a domestic supply chain, and provide an economic boost to communities while advancing the offshore wind industry in New York and on the East Coast.
About Empire Wind
Empire Wind is being developed by Equinor, a leading energy company with more than 20 years of experience with offshore wind and a strong existing offshore wind portfolio with assets in key markets including the UK, Poland, Germany and South Korea.
Empire Wind is located 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island and spans 80,000 acres, with water depths of between approximately 75 and 135 feet. The lease was acquired in 2017. The project’s two phases, Empire Wind 1 and 2, have a potential capacity of more than 2 GW (810 + 1,260 MW), enough to power over 1 million New York homes.
| GRETA: FINLAND SHOULD ENSURE ACCESS TO COMPENSATION FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS AND EFFECTIVE SANCTIONS FOR TRAFFICKERS
In a new report, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has called on Finland to strengthen the criminal justice response to human trafficking and to provide victims with compensation and specialised assistance.
The report reveals a significant increase in the number of identified trafficking victims, from 229 in 2019 to 367 in 2022. Nearly half of the victims were trafficked for the purpose of labour exploitation, followed by sexual exploitation (25%) and forced marriage (21%). Half of the identified victims were exploited in other countries before seeking asylum in Finland.
Since the publication of GRETA’s previous evaluation report in 2019, Finland has made progress in a number of areas, including legislative amendments to the procedure for the identification of victims of trafficking and the permanent establishment of a Government anti-trafficking coordinator. Human trafficking has also been added to the list of offences for which the Occupational Safety and Health Authority has an obligation to notify the police.
However, GRETA’s new report is pointing out several areas where improvement is needed. GRETA is concerned by the fact that proceeds of crime are rarely frozen or seized in human trafficking cases and victims’ access to compensation is not guaranteed in practice. Therefore, the expert group urges the Finnish authorities to systematically carry out financial investigations with a view to freezing criminal assets, and to review the eligibility criteria for state compensation.
GRETA also notes with concern the low number of prosecutions and convictions in human trafficking cases and the excessive length of criminal proceedings. The anti-trafficking experts urge the authorities to ensure that human trafficking offences are proactively and promptly investigated and lead to effective sanctions for those convicted. The authorities should also allocate sufficient human and financial resources and training to the police and the prosecution services.
The expert group welcomes the measures taken to prevent and combat trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, in particular the strengthening of the mandate and resources of labour inspectors, the development of a multi-agency co-operation model, and adoption of several legislative changes, such as the “Berry Law”. Nevertheless, GRETA considers that the authorities should adopt further measures to protect domestic workers and wild products pickers against human trafficking. GRETA also asks the Finnish authorities to introduce without further delay a National Referral Mechanism which promotes a multi-agency approach to victim identification and allows the sharing of information between different actors.
According to the report, there is a need for a more proactive approach to identify child victims of trafficking, by paying particular attention to children absconding from institutional care, children trafficked for forced criminality, unaccompanied children and children recruited or exploited online. Finally, GRETA urges the Finnish authorities to ensure that all victims of trafficking, including men, are provided with accommodation that is safe and suitable for their needs.
| THE LARGEST DEPOSIT OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS IN EUROPE DISCOVERED IN FEN, NORWAY
Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth elements (REEs) has been located at the Fen complex in southern Norway, marking a significant breakthrough.
The Fen Carbonatite Complex was created 580 million years ago when carbonate-rich magma formed a volcanic feeder pipe.
It took the Norwegian mining company Rare Earths Norway (REN) three years of exploration, to discover Europe’s largest proven deposit of rare earth elements.
This discovery is likely to have a substantial impact on the continent’s position in the global supply chain for these vital elements, which are necessary for various advanced technology and environmentally friendly energy applications.
The Fen complex, situated in close proximity to the town of Ulefoss, is a geological phenomenon renowned for its abundant carbonatite composition. Recent explorations have discovered that it harbours approximately 1.5 million tonnes of rare earth oxides, making it one of the most notable REE deposits outside of China. This finding is significant as it coincides with a crucial period during which the European Union is making efforts to decrease its reliance on Chinese imports for these essential components. These components play a major role in the manufacturing of wind turbines, electric automobiles, smartphones, and other innovative technological devices.
Rare earth elements, such as neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium, are a set of 17 chemically related elements that are crucial in the production of permanent magnets. These magnets are essential components in electric motors and wind turbine generators. The significant magnitude of the Fen deposit presents a favourable prospect for Europe to ensure a more reliable and autonomous source of these resources, which are progressively sought after due to the worldwide emphasis on renewable energy and digital advancement.
The discovery at Fen not only benefits the European tech and green energy sectors, but also has substantial economic prospects for Norway. Exploiting this deposit has the potential to provide a significant number of employment opportunities and draw major investments in mining and processing infrastructure. Due to its strong regulatory structure and dedication to sustainable practices, Norway is in a favourable position to effectively address the environmental difficulties linked to rare earth mining, a sector that has traditionally caused substantial ecological damage.
Nevertheless, the process of transitioning from the first discovery to the actual manufacturing is intricate and filled with difficulties. Extracting and processing rare earth elements is a complex and expensive undertaking. Furthermore, mining operations give rise to environmental concerns such as the disturbance of habitats and the handling of radioactive by-products. To tackle these problems, it will be necessary to engage in meticulous strategic planning, utilise cutting-edge technology, and enforce strict regulatory supervision. This will guarantee that the utilisation of the Fen deposit is both financially feasible and ecologically sustainable.
The strategic significance of the Fen deposit is of utmost importance. Securing a dependable source of rare earth elements is crucial as Europe shifts towards a low-carbon economy. The discovery of the Fen not only improves Europe’s resource security but also bolsters its geopolitical position by decreasing its need on imports from politically volatile areas.
| WORSENING SPREAD OF MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASE OUTBREAKS IN EU/EEA, ACCORDING TO LATEST ECDC FIGURES
The latest EU/EEA figures show a continuing upward trend in the number of cases of dengue imported from dengue-endemic regions, as well as an increasing number of local outbreaks of West Nile virus infections and dengue within the EU/EEA.
In 2023, there were 130 locally acquired cases of dengue reported in the EU/EEA, and 71 cases were reported in 2022. This is a significant increase compared to the ten-year period 2010-2021, where the total number of locally acquired cases was 73 for the whole period. Imported cases are also on the rise with 1 572 reported cases in 2022 and over 4 900 cases in 2023. This is the highest number of imported dengue cases reported since the start of the surveillance at the EU level in 2008. In the first months of 2024, several countries have reported substantial increases in number of imported dengue cases, which could suggest that the numbers in 2024 might become even higher.
For West Nile virus, in 2023, EU/EEA countries reported 713 locally acquired human cases in 123 different regions of nine EU countries. Twenty-two of these regions were reported as places of infection for the first time in 2023; 67 deaths were also reported. The reported case count is lower than that of 2022, with 1 133 human cases, but the number of affected regions is the highest since the peak in 2018, indicating a wide geographical circulation of the virus.
Aedes albopictus, known for transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, is spreading further north, east, and west in Europe, and now has self-sustaining populations across 13 EU/EEA countries. Aedes aegypti, a vector of yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses recently established itself in Cyprus. Its potential for establishment in other parts of Europe is concerning due to its significant ability to transmit pathogens and its preference for biting humans. The Culex pipiens mosquito, responsible for the spread of West Nile virus, is native to Europe and is present throughout the EU/EEA.
It is widely anticipated that climate change will largely impact the spread of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe, for instance, through the creation of environmental conditions favourable for the establishment and growth of mosquito populations. This year, a confirmed locally acquired human case of West Nile virus infection with onset of symptoms at the beginning of March was reported in Seville, Spain. Although an isolated case, it highlights that the transmission of West Nile virus can occur very early in the year, likely due to suitable climatic conditions.
The establishment of coordinated vector control measures is a key element for the fight against mosquito-borne diseases and further research will be needed to develop efficient but eco-friendly tools to manage mosquito populations. In parallel, simple measures such as removing stagnant water in gardens or balconies where mosquitos breed should be advertised to the population. Personal protective measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites include the wearing of clothes that cover most of the body, the use of mosquito repellent, the use of mosquito bed nets or window/door screens, and sleeping or resting in air-conditioned rooms. For these to be widely applied, effective awareness-raising campaigns among the general public are essential.
| NATO SCIENTISTS START RESEARCH MISSION IN THE ARCTIC SEA
Scientists and engineers from the NATO Science and Technology Organisation’s Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) arrived at the Norwegian port of Tromsø on Wednesday (5 June 2024) to begin two combined research missions that will assess the impact of climate change in the Arctic. The results of their studies will help NATO adapt to global warming and Arctic environmental transformation.
On board the NATO research ship NRV Alliance, scientists will measure how the transformation of the Arctic affects sonar performance in the region. The data collected will help adapt the technology for submarines, uncrewed underwater vehicles and other capabilities operating in fast-changing Arctic ocean conditions.
For the first time ever, the area of research will be the Barents Sea Polar front, a region where Atlantic and Arctic water masses meet but do not mix. With the research mission NREP 24 (Nordic Recognized Environmental Picture), scientists will focus on changes in sound propagation in the central Barents Sea. Another research mission, the ACO 24 (Arctic Climate Observatory) will collect of data related to long-term environmental conditions in the area, including marine biology, water movements and the soundscape. The missions be conducted from 8 June to 12 July 2024.
NREP 24 is a project funded by NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT) with the participation of partner institutions from France, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States. ACO24 is funded by the NATO Science and Technology Organisation (STO) – Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) and will have partners from France, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Both research missions will be led by the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation. CMRE and partner staff on board NRV Alliance will be supported by a reach-back team working from various research institutions in Allied countries, performing analysis and processing of data.
NREP 24 is the latest iteration of a multi-year oceanographic research project that started in 2017 and has been conducted in different parts of the Arctic Ocean. ACO 24 is the second iteration of a study launched in 2023 as a long-term oceanographic research project.
The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation is an executive body of the NATO Science and Technology Organisation. The Centre organises and conducts scientific research and technology development and delivers innovative and field-tested solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance, with a focus on the maritime domain.
| WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN AIR INTERCEPTION BY NATO AIRCRAFT?
NATO jets on high alert regularly take to the skies to check on planes that aren’t in radio contact with civilian air traffic controllers.
Air interceptions can occur whenever air traffic is flying over or near NATO’s European Allies, and is not in compliance with international aviation rules and regulations. The two NATO Combined Air Operations Centres (CAOCs) detect these activities within the framework of NATO’s Air Policing mission – an enduring peacetime activity conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If NATO’s air commanders determine that a plane is behaving unusually or unsafely by flying without an identifying transponder, or refusing to respond to hails from air traffic controllers, they can send fighters to investigate.
Those fighters scramble as quickly as possible to visually identify the aircraft and ascertain the nature of the problem. Often, a civilian or military aircraft has experienced a malfunction leading to a loss of communications. Sometimes, however, NATO aircraft intercept Russian military aircraft that have no flight plan or no radio communications with civilian air traffic controllers.
When this behaviour occurs, NATO jets may launch to visually identify the aircraft and ensure that they are tracked as they pass by NATO airspace.
Every day, NATO’s air forces are on watch to keep the skies above us safe. Sometimes, they detect suspicious activity near NATO’s borders, and so rapidly launch fighter jets to approach the unknown aircraft and investigate.
This is known as an air interception. But how does it work?
First, civilian or military radars detect an aircraft that isn’t transmitting an identification code, a unique identifier that can link the aircraft to a filed flight plan, or help military aircraft determine friend from foe. They alert NATO’s Combined Air Operations Centres, or CAOCs. CAOC Torrejon in Spain is responsible for air traffic in the south of Europe, while CAOC Uedem in Germany handles everything north.
Air traffic controllers attempt to contact the aircraft. If that doesn’t work, their commanders may decide that NATO needs to visually identify the radar track. This means scrambling fighter jets.
The scramble could launch from one of the more than 32 airbases throughout NATO, where Allies keep fighters on permanent Quick Reaction Alert, or QRA, status, which indicates a state of high readiness. Pilots on QRA have 15 minutes to get ready, get into their jets and take off. Controllers on the ground give them a heading, altitude and distance to interception.
The pilots find the aircraft and get close enough to visually identify it, while maintaining safe distance. Sometimes, the unidentified planes are foreign military aircraft. For example, Russian jets passing near NATO airspace routinely and dangerously ignore communication from air traffic controllers.
If the unresponsive plane is a foreign jet transiting through international airspace, NATO pilots note the aircraft type, watch for any unusual behaviour, and report back to their ground controllers.
Once the aircraft is safely away from NATO airspace, the Allied fighters break off their escort and return to base.
Often, the unresponsive contact is a civilian plane experiencing a communications malfunction. NATO jets can confirm the problem using hand signals and help escort the plane to safety.
Once their mission is completed, the jets return to their home station.
Allied pilots are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to keep NATO airspace safe.
| REAL-TIME SITUATION MAPS FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT
DLR creates live situation maps for international exercise for the first time and analyses data with open source AI
From 21 to 25 May 2024, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) took part in the international disaster relief exercise ACHILLES 2024 in Switzerland. For the first time, a team from the DLR Institute of Optical Sensor Systems succeeded in creating a live map image of the exercise area and analysing it using AI. The information was then transferred to the United Nations’ Coordination Management System (ICMS) and utilised by all participating teams.
An emergency scenario under realistic conditions
The disaster scenario simulated an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale that resulted in people buried and missing. The five participating international teams of aid and rescue workers needed to be deployed and coordinated in a targeted manner. DLR accompanied the non-profit aid organisation I.S.A.R. Germany during the exercise as the drone operations team. As part of the operation, the DLR team controlled a MACS-nano camera on board a drone over the disaster area and created a live map using real-time mapping. During the flight, the high-resolution aerial images were georeferenced and continuously transmitted to the ground. Georeferencing gives the digital image a spatial position by assigning each pixel a geographical longitude, latitude and altitude on Earth’s surface.
The generated situation map was transferred directly to the Coordination Management System (ICMS) via a Starlink terminal and used by all participating teams. The ICMS is an emergency management system that is used to process and visualise relevant data and information. This information is uniformly available to all participating organisations in a disaster area and is used to coordinate emergency teams and resources, assess the extent of the damage and prioritise deployment locations.
First map evaluation using AI
In a world first for this type of exercise, the situation map was analysed directly in the emergency area using AI methods and then made available in the ICMS. The open source software was able to automatically detect objects relevant to the search and rescue work of the disaster relief workers. For example, clusters of people and various types of vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks and excavators were identified and localised by the AI model.
The results were provided with a short delay as a web feature layer for use as geoinformation in the ICMS. The use of AI processes significantly speeds up the initial evaluation of the image data compared with manual inspection and interpretation.
Multi-agency collaboration for disaster management
From the outset of the exercise, the three layers of the situation imagery provided by DLR (RGB map, thermal infrared map and AI geoinformation) were made available to all participating teams in the ICMS by the INSARAG Mapping Group of the United Nations. DLR and the non-profit aid organisation I.S.A.R. Germany have been cooperation partners since 2016. Together, new technical developments for use in crisis and disaster management are being trialled and deployed in real-life disaster situations.
| THE SWEDISH AIR FORCE’S GRIPEN FIGHTER JETS USE A ROAD AS A RUNWAY
Swedish Air Force Gripen fighters performed the delicate art of landing on civilian highways during an exercise near Gothenburg, Sweden. Swedish fighter pilots learn how to land on ordinary roads to provide them greater flexibility in the event of a crisis. If airbases, airports or auxiliary landing strips are damaged or otherwise unavailable, the JAS 39 Gripen fighters can land on highways that have been expressly constructed to accommodate landings by fighter jets.
Once on the ground, the Gripens make use of a mobile forward arming and refuelling post (FARP), fueling up in a matter of minutes before taking off again.
The Gripen is Sweden’s foremost multirole fighter, equipped with a strengthened landing gear that elevates the plane sufficiently above the ground to prevent the ingestion of debris into the jet intake.
One month before Sweden became a full member of Nato, Sweden’s military commander-in-chief Gen. Micael Bydén said all Swedes should mentally prepare for the possibility of war.
Member countries, including Poland and Germany, have said that within the next decade Russia could attack nations that have joined the military alliance.
| THALES UNVEILS OPENDROBOTICS TO SUPPORT A NEW ERA OF EXTENDED COLLABORATIVE COMBAT ENABLED BY AI
Thales is launching OpenDRobotics, a revolutionary new solution that combines robotics technologies with unmanned air and ground vehicles to provide the armed forces with an integrated, human-in-the-loop mission system capability.
Artificial intelligence transforms collaborative combat by integrating multiple drones and robotic systems, increasing their ability to operate autonomously and reducing the cognitive burden on warfighters.
OpenDRobotics was developed in close cooperation with the armed forces and leverages the expertise of an ecosystem of innovation partners to meet the challenges of high-intensity combat.
With OpenDRobotics, Thales is taking collaborative combat to the next level through the development of a revolutionary integrated system that ties together robotics technologies and different types of drones to provide an automated mission system capability.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated the operational value of drones and robotic systems in terms of battlefield transparency and speed of action to enhance mission effectiveness while keeping human operators out of harm’s way. These systems can also saturate enemy defences without requiring larger numbers of human operators or increasing the cognitive burden on the forces already deployed.
Thales is a pivotal player in the field of collaborative combat, providing AI modules, connectivity solutions, mission systems that enable engaged units to operate as a network and a unique ability to integrate with conventional assets already in service with land forces.
Building on the success of CohoMa II1, the OpenDRobotics initiative creates operational value by coordinating the capabilities of a wide range of drones and robotic systems, providing command-and-control and extended collaborative combat functions by capitalising on the Group’s long-standing experience with tactical mission systems, in particular for the Scorpion programme.
OpenDRobotics has a central role to play in a broad spectrum of armed forces missions: reconnaissance, intelligence, CBRN2, Special Forces operations, cavalry, artillery, etc.).
OpenDRobotics builds on the open-source ROS (Robot Operating System) and STANAG 4586 standards, which are widely used by NATO and were developed as collaborative initiatives to promote easier integration of drones and robotic systems developed by partners and third parties.
| UKRAINE: NEARLY 30 STATES PLEDGE TO SUPPORT UNESCO’S EFFORTS IN THE RECOVERY OF THE CULTURAL SECTOR
Gathered in Vilnius, at the initiative of Lithuania, nearly 30 States pledged to increase their support to the recovery of Ukraine’s cultural sector, through the coordination of UNESCO. A medium and long-term plan of action, drawn up by the Organization in consultation with over 40 international and Ukrainian institutions, will be implemented.
“There can be no healing of the wounds of war without culture. There can be no sustainable growth and prosperity without culture. This has been the purpose of UNESCO’s work in Ukraine since February 2022. This is why the commitment made today by nearly thirty of our Member States will go down in history.”
Ernesto Ottone R.UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture
Called for by Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, during his meeting with Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, the International Conference for the Recovery of the Cultural Sector of Ukraine, held today in Vilnius (Lithuania), has resulted in a joint commitment by nearly 30 States from North America, Asia and Europe[1] to increase their support for artists and cultural professionals in Ukraine, protect and restore sites, and revive cultural life through the coordination of UNESCO.
VAST NEEDS REMAIN TO BE MET
On Thursday, the number of cultural sites for which UNESCO was able to verify damage passed the symbolic 400 mark. These include 191 buildings of historical and artistic interest, 137 religious sites, 31 museums, 25 monuments, 15 libraries and 1 archive. While the first consolidation and restoration projects have been launched in recent months through the coordination of UNESCO, notably in Kyiv and Odesa, the financial needs to pursue this work are immense – an updated UNESCO evaluation, published in February 2024, puts the cost at an average of $680 million per year until 2033.
In addition to the physical damage, a significant proportion of cultural and artistic activities have been halted, and many artists have been unable to create or work, leading to a sharp decline in their livelihoods. Since Ukraine cannot meet these needs alone, an increasing involvement from the international community is vital.
A JOINT ACTION PLAN DRAWN UP BY UNESCO
In this respect, the commitment made by the States at the Vilnius Conference marks an important milestone, especially as it is accompanied by a concrete medium- and long-term plan, drawn up over the last few months by UNESCO in consultation with the Ukrainian authorities and over 40 national and international organizations.
This plan is composed of 6 areas of action: (1) Monitoring, assessing and documenting damage to cultural heritage; (2) Preventive and urgent measures, repairs, reconstruction and recovery of cultural heritage; (3) Revival of cultural institutions and cultural education; (4) Strengthening cultural and creative industries; (5) Strengthening resilience through culture; (6) Digital transformation of the cultural sector. It will help to prioritize interventions and ensure the effective coordination of international efforts.
(1) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.
