26 June 2020
by Olivia Harper
On 14 June, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) missile strike targeted a vehicle and killed a senior commander of Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate Tanzim Huras al-Din (THD), identified as Jordanian national Khaled al-Arouri (alias Abu al-Qassam al-Urduni), and another senior THD militant, identified as Bilal al-Sanani, in the western outskirts of the city of Idlib in Syria’s Idlib governorate. A United States Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson, identified as Navy Commander Zachary Harrell confirmed US responsibility for the airstrike on 15 June. THD confirmed the deaths of Arouri in a eulogy on 24 June.
Analysis of the damage caused by the airstrike, gleaned from images that were circulated after the airstrike on social media platforms such as Telegram, appeared to demonstrate that the missile used did not explode on impact, but showed that the vehicle’s frame appeared to have been hewn by blades, cutting through the passenger side and the roof, directly targeting the individuals inside without causing collateral damage. This strongly indicated the use of a Hellfire R9X bladed missile, which has previously been used by the US in such targeted strikes against senior militant personnel in Syria.
29 March 2024
by Michael Fabey
The USN CNO noted the need for the development of directed energy weapons, such as the laser system shown in this artist's rendition. (Lockheed Martin)
Recent US Navy (USN) operations in the Red Sea have underscored the importance of logistics, according to Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the USN chief of naval operations (CNO).
Adm Franchetti also noted the importance of developing new weapons and related capabilities to match emerging threats.
The CNO made the comments during a discussion for Defense One that was shown online on 27 March.
“I've focused a lot especially on contested logistics and the need to think creatively about how to resupply our ships that are out there on the pointy end,” Adm Franchetti said. “We've been able to do that.”
22 March 2024
by Meredith Roaten
Military Sealift Command Bob Hope-class large, medium speed roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Benavidez (T-AKR 306) (pictured) is supporting the Pentagon's mission to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza in the coming months. (US Navy)
A US Navy's large, medium speed roll-on, roll-off ship (LMSR) has been deployed in support of the US Army's joint logistics over-the-shore (JLOTS) operation to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, according to a navy announcement on 21 March.
Bob Hope-class MV Roy P Benavidez (T-AKR 306) departed from Newport News, Virginia, on 21 March to meet up with the army's 7th Transportation Brigade, which is “on plan” to build a floating pier to transport aid within a 60-day timeline, a navy official told reporters on 20 March. The collaboration with the navy is a “routine” operation with the army, and the service is bringing lessons learned from the most recent international exercise in 2023, including how the command-and-control (C2) structure will work.
MV Roy P Benavidez
22 March 2024
by Michael Fabey & Ridzwan Rahmat
BAE Systems was confirmed as the UK shipbuilding partner for AUKUS submarines, shown here as an artist rendition. (BAE Systems)
Britian's BAE Systems will partner with Australian shipbuilder ASC to build Canberra's nuclear-powered submarines for the trilateral AUKUS defence agreement, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed on 21 March.
The partnership deal follows “months of negotiations” and could be worth “billions of pounds”, theMoD said in a release.
First announced in September 2021, AUKUS calls for the three countries – Australia, the UK, and the US – to work together on a range of capabilities, including a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for Australia, the ministry release noted.
Phase Two of AUKUS involves the sale of three US Virginia-class submarines to Australia with an option for up to two more, subject to US Congressional approval. Phase Three is the construction of the trilateral nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) for AUKUS.
The first UK submarines built to this design will be delivered in the late 2030s to replace the current Astute-class vessels, and the first Australian submarines will follow in the early 2040s.
On 14 June, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) missile strike targeted a vehicle and killed a senior c...
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