Two US Army soldiers were injured after being attacked by a brown bear during a training exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's Arctic Valley training area in Alaska.

Meenu Batra, an Indian-origin woman whose son serves in the US army, was arrested by ICE on March 17 and claims she was denied food for 24 hours and photographed in cuffs, stating she was "treated like a criminal."

The US Army has revealed a Native American name for its powerful new aircraft, continuing a tradition of honoring indigenous cultures.

The US Army has established Detachment 201, an Executive Innovation Corps, appointing executives from Meta, Palantir, and OpenAI as Reserve Lt. Cols through a special direct commissioning program.

US Army Special Operations veteran Courtney Williams is facing federal charges for allegedly leaking classified Delta Force secrets to journalist Seth Harp.

A US Army veteran, Godfrey, was deported after living in the country for 52 years. His detention by ICE for a minor traffic stop revealed an unrenewed driver's license, leading to a deportation order.

The US Army is looking to develop new grenade launchers and specialized ammunition capable of effectively destroying drones, addressing evolving threats in modern warfare.

A military digest examines the historical precedents and implications of high-profile military dismissals in the United States, brought into focus by a recent sacking of a US Army Chief.

Ronald Young Jr., a former US Army pilot, recalls his battle for survival after his Apache Longbow helicopter was shot down during the US invasion of Iraq.

The US Army has introduced a new plastic grenade designed to kill enemies using powerful shockwaves rather than traditional shrapnel.

Amid a controversy involving a helicopter flyover near Kid Rock's home, US Army pilots were suspended and quickly reinstated. The Observer reports on the US military's suspension of the air crew following the incident.

US Defense Minister Hegseth has reportedly blocked the promotion of black and female officers within the American military.

The US Army has taken delivery of its first Black Hawk transport helicopter capable of autonomous flight, which can also be controlled by a pilot or via a tablet from the ground.

A US Army base in Bavaria, originally a pre-World War I site and later a major German Wehrmacht training hub, now hosts over 16,000 troops ready for instant deployment as a rapid-response war machine.

US Army soldiers from the Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment are training for a possible trench war with Russia, with a group known as OPFOR simulating enemy forces.

The US Army has announced an increase in its maximum enlistment age to 42, a policy change aimed at broadening its recruitment pool.

The U.S. Army has taken delivery of a Black Hawk helicopter variant, featuring the Sikorsky MATRIX autonomy suite designed for autonomous flight from pre-flight checks to landing, for testing purposes, marking a significant step in military aviation.

Accounts featuring AI-generated women posing as Trump-supporting soldiers and police officers have amassed large audiences across various social media platforms.

Zbiramo ažurne informacije o eskalaciji nasilja po ameriško-izraelskem napadu na Iran.

The US Army is allocating billions of dollars to address highly invasive species that are causing significant damage to state waterways across the country.

The U.S. Army is reportedly very close to fully fielding its first hypersonic missile, marking a significant step in advanced military technology despite previous testing concerns.

US Army Major General Antonio Aguto, who led the command coordinating training for the Ukrainian army, reportedly got drunk during a dinner in Kyiv and subsequently lost a tube containing classified maps on a train to Poland for over 24 hours.

Ukraine conducted a devastating, large-scale, and new type of drone attack on Russian military bombers in Siberia. X/ServiceSsu Western militaries need to study one Ukrainian operation in particular for drone warfare lessons. Officials say Operation Spiderweb, which struck dozens of Russian jets, offers key lessons. The US Army's drone course director told Business Insider it's "the one event that I teach to the students." Western militaries are investing heavily in drone warfare after seei...

On March 15, 1916, the United States Army intervened in neighboring Mexico to capture Francisco 'Pancho' Villa, one of the leaders of the Mexican Civil War. The operation was ultimately unsuccessful in its primary goal.

Digital Shield 2.0 is the second test in an ongoing exercise to strengthen air surveillance on Russia's border. US Army photo by Maj. Alexander Watkins The US and its allies are building a counter-drone network along NATO's border with Russia. The testing process follows a move fast, fail fast, fix fast approach. Different sensors and counter-drone interceptors were involved in the exercise. The US and its NATO allies are boosting their ability to detect, track, and target drone threats alo...

The US Army has sent 10,000 Merops interceptor drones, which have proven effective in combat in Ukraine, to the Middle East.

The US Army has approved the M111, its first new lethal hand grenade since the Vietnam War, which features a plastic body and will replace the asbestos-made MK3A2 blast grenade.

Six American soldiers were killed in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait, and expensive radar systems were damaged by such cheap weapons.

Donald Trump's sons reportedly plan to acquire Ukrainian drone manufacturers or license their technology to assemble drones in the US, with the intention of selling them to the US Army, capitalizing on ongoing conflicts.

The Air Force, in cooperation with the U.S. Army, is practicing with battle-tested new counter-drone systems as part of exercise Digital Shield in the eastern Ida-Viru County this week.

The US Army is expanding its 'Operation Southern Spear' anti-drug smuggling efforts from the Caribbean to include Ecuador, working in cooperation with the South American nation.

Ecuador has initiated an anti-terrorist operation with the support of the US Army, escalating attacks against groups and individuals suspected of drug trafficking in Central and South America.

A purported video circulating online shows a suicide drone striking a building in Dubai said to be associated with US forces.

President Trump is scheduled to award the Medal of Honor to three U.S. Army service members in a White House ceremony, recognizing their exceptional bravery.

Dan Caine, the head of the US army, reportedly attempted to persuade President Trump against attacking Iran, citing the enormous risks involved in such a military operation.

The US Army is developing new warfighting software, NGC2 and TyrOS, which uses AI and machine learning to track ammunition and supplies, aiming for efficiency similar to Amazon package tracking.

The Blue UAS List has a rigorous process for selecting drones that US military personnel can use. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Anthony Herrera The Pentagon has a list of drones approved for military personnel to buy and use. The Blue UAS List is one of the ways DoD is dealing with China's dominance of the drone market and supply chain. DoD has a larger focus on buying more drones and boosting US drone production. The US Department of Defense is rapidly embracing drones across the services an...

The US Army is re-evaluating its long-held assumption of air superiority in future conflicts, prompted by lessons learned from the war in Ukraine where drone threats have become significant.

Beni Mellal – More than 40 technology vendors will embed with US military forces in Morocco from April 20 to May 8 to test cutting-edge battlefield systems during African Lion 26, according to DVIDS. The initiative is led by the US Army Southern European Task Force, Africa’s (SETAF-AF) Advanced Capabilities Directorate, which serves as the […] The post Over 40 Tech Vendors to Test Military Capabilities in Morocco During African Lion 26 appeared first on Morocco World News.

The US Army held its inaugural Best Drone Warfighter competition in Huntsville, Alabama, bringing together drone operators from across the service to test their skills.

The US Army's Natick Soldier Systems Center conducts extreme tests on its gear, including burning uniforms, freezing equipment, and pushing soldiers to their limits, to ensure everything can withstand the harshest environments on Earth.

The U.S. Army is conducting combat drills to test its new unmanned Hunter Wolf robot, which is equipped with a gun and radar, signaling potential future integration into military operations.

The US Army is adapting new Red Wolf missiles for AH-1Z Viper helicopters, which could potentially be supplied to Ukraine, with the system currently undergoing testing by the US Marine Corps.

Far-right activist Laura Loomer has claimed that Dorsa Sattari-Khavas, daughter of Iran's former Vice President, is living in the US and conducting research funded by the US Army, sparking controversy.

The US Army has established a new 9-1-1 helpline, a pilot data operations center, to assist soldiers overwhelmed with data-related questions and problems both in and out of combat.

Journalist Seth Harp has spoken out following the arrest of US Army Special Operations veteran Courtney Williams, describing it as 'a vindictive act of retaliation' and suggesting the government is targeting her for specific reasons.

A 22-year-old woman, married to a US Army sergeant, was detained by ICE shortly after her wedding at a military base; she has since been released, but authorities have not closed her case.

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has stated he has no plans to depart or resign from his position, following recent clashes.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested the Honduran wife of a US soldier at a Louisiana base, who was brought to the US as a toddler, sparking controversy.

A historical account details the US military's very first helicopter rescue mission carried out in combat during World War II, marking a significant milestone in military aviation.

General Christopher Lanive is reportedly set to become the acting Chief of Staff of the US Army, according to CBS News.

Iran reportedly fired two long-range ballistic missiles at the Diego Garcia joint UK-US army base, located 4000 km away, prompting an expert to suggest that such strikes expose significant gaps in Europe’s air defense capabilities.

Northrop Grumman has been awarded an $885 million contract by the US Army for ammunition.

This article uncovers the hidden story of a circus legend from Pune who went on to become a corporal in the US Army.

The US Army is rapidly depleting its Tomahawk missile stocks and has no alternatives.

The US Army has increased its maximum joining age to 42, opening doors for older recruits to enlist.

The US Army is reportedly implementing a new policy that will allow older individuals to enlist.

Limited information has been shared about Florida Democrat Emily Gregory's family, including her marriage to US Army officer Lt. Col. Andrew Gregory and their three sons.

AeroVironment has been awarded a $117.3 million contract by the US Army for its P550 drone system.

Az amerikai védelmi minisztérium hivatalos státuszba emeli a Palantir mesterségesintelligencia-alapú Maven rendszerét, hosszú távra biztosítva a technológia alkalmazását az amerikai hadsereg teljes…

March 19, 1916, marks the day the United States Air Force received its first real combat mission during a US Army operation in northern Mexico against revolutionary leader Francisco 'Pancho' Villa.

The US Army has secured an $87 million deal with Anduril for its AI-powered Lattice software, which will serve as the command and control platform for the joint counter-drone task force, aiming to enhance drone defeat capabilities.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty; ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/Getty; Michael M. Santiago/Getty; Tyler Le/BI Last July, four high-ranking tech executives — all of them involved with artificial intelligence — were sworn into the US Army Reserves with the rank of lieutenant colonel. They were part of a new unit called Detachment 201, also known as the Executive Innovation Corps. The Pentagon has introduced many initiatives to deepen relationships with Silicon Valley. But making officers out of multimillionair...

The US Army has signed a contract with defense technology startup Anduril, potentially worth up to $20 billion, for advanced defense systems.

Four advanced drones belonging to the US Army have reportedly gone missing from Fort Campbell, prompting an investigation into their disappearance.

Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a decorated US Army veteran and Old Dominion University instructor, has been identified as the victim killed after an IS-connected terrorist opened fire inside a classroom, also injuring two others.

The U.S. Army is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals who stole four drones from Fort Campbell in Kentucky.

US Army officers are grappling with new drone threats and information overload on modern battlefields, applying lessons learned from the war in Ukraine as they train with Ukrainian troops and test new methods.

General Lafciski met with US Army Chief of Staff General Randy George at the Pentagon, reaffirming high trust and cooperation between the armies of North Macedonia and the United States.

Indian-born US Army soldier Shilpa Chaudhary has sparked a debate after questioning protests in India regarding the killing of Ali Khamenei, urging restraint and warning of potential harm to India's reputation.

The MIM-104 Patriot system has been a key air defense system in the Middle East. US Army photo by Sgt.

Who are the first American soldiers to die in the war with Iran. The US Army identified four of the six dead soldiers

US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States intends to maintain its military presence in Germany, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, presented on Monday the initial plan for the initial phase of the military operation jointly conducted by the US and Israel against Iran,…

Violence spreads to Lebanon, Dubai, Qatar and in areas hosting US army bases amid Israel-US strikes on Iran Continue reading...

The US Army has launched a new office, known as PIT, dedicated to rapidly transforming innovative ideas from soldiers into practical battlefield technology and scaled capabilities across the service.

Former US Army Commander in Europe Ben Hodges states that directing contraband balloons towards Lithuania is a 'gray zone' military operation, advising against shooting down such objects.

The US Army has withdrawn from another base in Syria, with reports indicating a complete withdrawal is underway and no military presence expected by March.

A new report found serious welfare concerns at military kennels across the country, leading to four deaths and dozens of illnesses. Staff Sgt. Oscar Toscano/US Army Four military dogs died after being housed in poor living conditions at military kennels between 2021 and 2023. A new Pentagon watchdog report revealed concerning kennel conditions across 12 military bases. Lack of funding prioritization for kennels has led to shoddy facilities and a lack of staff. Four military working dogs die...

The US has the most expensive military in the world. Tajh Payne/US Navy via Getty Images The International Institute for Strategic Studies compiled data about the world's military budgets. The top militaries spend hundreds of billions of dollars on defense, with the US leading worldwide. President Donald Trump has proposed increasing annual defense spending to $1.5 trillion. The US has the world's most expensive military, spending nearly $1 trillion on defense each year. That's roughly four times China's reported defense budget, the next largest. From spending on nuclear technology to advanced aircraft and warships, the world's top militaries allocate hundreds of billions of dollars each year to stay ahead. In some countries, big-ticket items such as naval assets or technologically advanced aircraft or missiles account for the bulk of military spending, while others devote large sums to maintaining large conscription troop systems. Ultimately, military spending varies by country depending on location and interests, Gian Gentile, a retired US Army colonel and senior historian at RAND, told Business Insider. Some countries prioritize homeland defense while others value overmatch and far-reaching power projection. "The US spends a lot on more sophisticated, extremely precise weapon systems," he said. A military's budget can be measured either as a total amount or as a share of its country's GDP, reflecting the burden on its economy. Worldwide, countries spent an average of 2.4% of their GDP on defense in 2024. Wartime spending as a share of GDP typically rises, putting strain on the civilian economy, said Mark Cancian, a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ukraine in 2024, for example, devoted over 15% of its GDP to its military, the highest share globally. Spending statistics help paint a picture of defense priorities, but they don't always translate into readiness for conflict. "Readiness is very expensive, and perishable," Cancian said. A country's on-paper investment in its defense systems doesn't always translate directly into military capability, he added. Training and maintenance are often overlooked in analyses of spending on equipment and technologies. A particularly significant cost when it comes to technologically advanced aircraft, for instance, is maintenance and sustainment. Still, looking at military budgets can reveal how much capital each country relies on to defend itself. Last year, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think tank, released its Military Balance report, which included data on nearly every country's defense budget based on each's reported 2024 figures. The report includes each country's total budget (in US dollars), per-capita figures, and defense budget as a share of GDP. Some countries, such as North Korea, Libya, Syria, Cuba, and Afghanistan, did not publicly report their defense budgets. These are the 30 countries that spend the most on their military, ranked by the size of their defense budgets. 30. Qatar KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images Defense budget: $9.66 billion Defense budget per capita: $3,785 Percentage of GDP: 4.36% 29. Norway Yauhen Yerchak/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Defense budget: $9.79 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,776 Percentage of GDP: 1.94% 28. Mexico Victoria Razo / AFP Defense budget: $10.19 billion Defense budget per capita: $78 Percentage of GDP: 0.55% 27. Indonesia BAY ISMOYO / AFP Defense budget: $10.93 billion Defense budget per capita: $39 Percentage of GDP: 0.78% 26. Sweden Leon Neal/Getty Images Defense budget: $12.25 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,157 Percentage of GDP: 2.01% 25. Iraq Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP Defense budget: $12.68 billion Defense budget per capita: $301 Percentage of GDP: 4.8% 24. Turkey Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images Defense budget: $14.27 billion Defense budget per capita: $170 Percentage of GDP: 1.06% 23. Singapore ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images Defense budget: $15.17 billion Defense budget per capita: $2,517 Percentage of GDP: 2.86% 22. Taiwan I-Hwa Cheng / AFP Defense budget: $18.86 billion Defense budget per capita: $799 Percentage of GDP: 2.43% 21. Spain picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images Defense budget: $19.44 billion Defense budget per capita: $411 Percentage of GDP: 1.12% 20. Algeria NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Defense budget: $21.4 billion Defense budget per capita: $455 Percentage of GDP: 8.23% 19. United Arab Emirates VCG/VCG via Getty Images Defense budget: $22.27 billion Defense budget per capita: $2,220 Percentage of GDP: 4.09% 18. The Netherlands Remko de Waal / ANP / AFP Defense budget: $23.61 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,328 Percentage of GDP: 1.94% 17. Brazil Anadolu/Anadolu via Getty Images Defense budget: $24.4 billion Defense budget per capita: $111 Percentage of GDP: 1.11% 16. Canada Artur Widak/NurPhoto Defense budget: $27 billion Defense budget per capita: $696 Percentage of GDP: 1.22% 15. Poland Aleksander Kalka/NurPhoto Defense budget: $28 billion Defense budget per capita: $723 Percentage of GDP: 3.25% 14. Ukraine Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP Defense budget: $28.41 billion Defense budget per capita: $797 Percentage of GDP: 15.43% 13. Israel Elke Scholiers/Getty Images Defense budget: $33.75 billion Defense budget per capita: $3,589 Percentage of GDP: 6.39% 12. Italy Antonio Masiello/Getty Images Defense budget: $35.23 billion Defense budget per capita: $578 Percentage of GDP: 1.48% 11. Australia Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images Defense budget: $36.40 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,360 Percentage of GDP: 2.02% 10. South Korea Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Defense budget: $43.88 billion Defense budget per capita: $842 Percentage of GDP: 2.35% 9. Japan JIJI Press / AFP Defense budget: $53.01 billion Defense budget per capita: $430 Percentage of GDP: 1.3% 8. France Philippe Magoni / POOL / AFP Defense budget: $64.03 billion Defense budget per capita: $937 Percentage of GDP: 2.02% 7. Saudi Arabia BANDAR ALDANDANI/AFP via Getty Images Defense budget: $71.73 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,963 Percentage of GDP: 6.52% 6. India Roslan RAHMAN / AFP Defense budget: $74.36 billion Defense budget per capita: $53 Percentage of GDP: 1.91% 5. United Kingdom Owen Humphreys - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images Defense budget: $81.06 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,184 Percentage of GDP: 2.26% 4. Germany Michaela Stache / AFP Defense budget: $85.98 billion Defense budget per capita: $1,022 Percentage of GDP: 1.83% 3. Russia VCG/VCG via Getty Images Defense budget: $120.32 billion Defense budget per capita: $854 Percentage of GDP: 5.51% 2. China Greg Baker / AFP Defense budget: $234.98 billion Defense budget per capita: $166 Percentage of GDP: 1.29% 1. United States Mario Tama/Getty Images Defense budget: $967.96 billion Defense budget per capita: $2,831 Percentage of GDP: 3.32% Read the original article on Business Insider

The US Army is rapidly acquiring thousands of inexpensive interceptor drones, costing $15,000 each, to counter Iranian Shahed drones, with the Merops system already deployed in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Union members and workers protested outside the US Embassy in Venezuela, calling for new elections and salary increases, months after the alleged capture of President Nicolas Maduro by the US army.

The US Army has surged dozens of Merops counter-drone systems to the Middle East, marking its largest counter-drone training deployment to the region during the ongoing Iran war.

US Army soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command have publicly contradicted Pentagon claims regarding an attack in Kuwait, describing it as a 'movie-like' direct hit on a lightly protected facility and calling the Pentagon's account a 'falsehood'.

US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll affirmed his commitment to his current role, despite reports of clashes with the defense secretary over personnel decisions and other issues.

US Army: Over 13,000 targets hit in Iran

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents reportedly detained Annie Ramos, the wife of US Army soldier Matthew Blank, in Louisiana just days after their marriage. Blank expressed his distress, stating his wife was 'ripped away' from him.

General Randy George, the US Army Chief of Staff dismissed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegset, issued a farewell letter stating that the army deserves 'leaders with character'.

A historical account from 1942 details the creation and eventual failure of an Austrian unit within the US Army, initiated by the Habsburgs and derided as an 'operetta army,' whose soldiers' biographies tell a different story.

The Pentagon chief has successfully arranged for the departure of the United States Army Chief of Staff, indicating a significant leadership change within the military.

Hegseth has ordered the US Army Chief to step down, according to a Pentagon official, marking the latest development in a series of purges affecting the military's top ranks.

US Army helicopter crews were suspended and quickly reinstated after a viral fly-by incident at Kid Rock's home, with the suspension now officially lifted.

Despite 16 years and an investment of 8 billion dollars, the US Army continues to operate without a new GPS system, as delivered control stations are non-functional and decades-old equipment remains in use, largely due to a reported lack of software expertise.

The US Army is launching a new online marketplace for drones, with assistance from Amazon Web Services, to streamline procurement for soldiers and allies.

AeroVironment, Inc. has secured a $117 million contract from the US Army for UAVs, building on a previous $97 million contract.

A US Army chaplain, Wes Geary, successfully organized a Seder for hundreds at Fort Sill, with the general and his wife as honored guests, creating a memorable Passover experience.

The U.S. Army has significantly expanded its recruitment base by raising the maximum age limit for enlistment from 35 to 42, as only 23 percent of young Americans are currently deemed eligible for military service.

Private equity firms Carlyle and KKR are partnering to construct two data centers for the US Army, each costing $2 billion, a development highlighted by the Army secretary as crucial for adapting to AI's growing role in modern warfare, particularly in light of the Iran war.

The US-Iran conflict highlights the effectiveness of low-cost drones in aerial warfare, with Iran deploying thousands to challenge expensive military hardware, a development that may validate an ex-Google CEO's advice to the US Army on drones.

The U.S. Army has taken delivery of its first Black Hawk helicopter variant, equipped with the Sikorsky MATRIX autonomy suite for autonomous flight, marking a significant step in military aviation testing.

Former US Army General David Petraeus predicts that the next war will be won by whoever masters the use of drone forces, a topic on which Finnish generals reportedly remain silent.

The American army is reportedly destroying underground bunkers with two-ton bombs, following an escalation of violence after a joint American-Israeli attack on Iran.

An Army general who oversaw Ukraine operations reportedly left classified documents, including maps, on a train, sparking major security concerns. The documents were recovered 24 hours later by a train attendant.

The U.S. Army has awarded Anduril a significant $20 billion contract to modernize its defense capabilities with artificial intelligence, primarily focusing on counter-drone operations.

Retired US Army General Stanley McChrystal has compared Donald Trump's foreign policy approach to Dolly Parton's song 'Jolene,' describing it as a 'we should do because we can' mentality in international relations.

The U.S. Army has awarded a contract worth up to $20 billion to Anduril, a defense technology company, for various defense initiatives.

Advanced Skydio X10D drones were stolen from Fort Campbell in November, prompting the US Army to offer a $5,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the thieves, whose photos have been released.

Maj. Drew Kang, Fire Support Officer, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, discussed his unit's work on emerging technologies during a recent event in Washington, DC. U.S. Army photo by Sgt.

"But I have a question for you: I just want to know how the protests you are holding where you live, disturbing things in your area, are going to benefit you?" Shilpa Chaudhary asked protesters in India.

Former US Army Commander in Europe, General Ben Hodges, warns that Europe is not prepared for the kind of massive drone and missile attacks seen in Ukraine, having done too little to prepare for aerial threats.

US Army members were told by their commanders that the US-Israeli war against Iran is part of a process leading to the biblical 'end times'.

At least 200 service members told Military Religious Freedom Foundation commanders are framing the Iran war as divine, saying Trump was “anointed by Jesus.”

President Trump honored three US Army service members with the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony.

The presence of a team of the US army on Nigerian soil to assist with intelligence gathering and training of our soldiers in the fight against terrorism coupled with the Christmas day bombing of the terrorists’ enclave in Sokoto by the US has not stopped the killings and abductions in the country. The post Bomb terrorists harder — Nigerians call for more US strikes appeared first on Vanguard News.

The US Army shot down a government drone with a laser-based anti-drone system, an accident that led the Federal Aviation Administration to ban flights on Thursday in an area around...

Traffic stops on a rural California army base led to arrests by immigration agents, sparking fears among experts and lawmakers that these incidents could violate US law and indicate military coordination with ICE.

The US Army's new drone course is designed to make soldiers lethal with small drones. US Army/2nd Lt. Veronica Jordan US Army drone school leaders want gear that can be used in a host of ways and easily upgraded. Industry partners need to work with soldiers and adapt in real time to their needs, they said. If weapons aren't modular and adaptable, they're going to "fall off our programs of record," one officer said. US Army drone school leaders said quickly changing battlefields mean the kin...

The European conflict has become a large war laboratory

Border Patrol Fired Army Lasers At Party Balloons, Forcing El Paso Air Traffic Shutdown On Wednesday, after the FAA suddenly shut down airspace over El Paso, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the unsettling move was prompted by a "cartel drone incursion," and assured Americans that "the threat has been neutralized." However, that shutdown, which impeded everything from commercial air traffic to medevac helicopter flights, was actually caused by a trigger-happy border Border Patrol unit firing a US Army laser weapon at a party balloon, not far from El Paso International Airport.  The introduction of the weapon into a border-security role without FAA approval may have violated federal law. The proposal for arming the border patrol with the anti-drone weapon was first presented to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg in the spring of 2025, sources tell the New York Times. The goal was the interdiction of drones used to smuggle drugs across the frontier. According to two people, Pentagon staff cautioned that the idea would require approval of the FAA and Transportation Department, but Feinberg said the Pentagon was free to do what it wanted with the weapons. The Pentagon called their account "a total fabrication."  In a Feb 6 email obtained by the Times, the FAA's chief lawyer warned a DOD official that putting the weapon into the border-enforcement mix without restricting the airspace "a grave risk of fatalities or permanent injuries” to civilians flying overhead.  CPB officers reportedly fired an AeroVironment LOCUST laser counter-drone weapon on loan from the US Army (AeroVironment photo) In the predawn hours on Monday, Feb 9, as military service members observed, Customs and Border Protection officers fired the laser weapon at what they assumed was a drone near Fort Bliss, but it was actually a metallic party balloon. Around 5pm that day, a DOD official emailed an FAA lawyer, reiterating the Pentagon's stance that prior FAA approval wasn't needed, and that the laser weapons would continue to be employed on the border, adding that he "looked forward" to a meeting to discuss the topic.  FAA officials were said to be outraged. Early Tuesday evening, the FAA warned the Pentagon and National Security Council that an FAA-mandated shutdown of airspace near El Paso was imminent. Then came the extraordinary order from FAA administrator Bryan Bedford that airspace above El Paso would be closed for 10 days. The "temporary flight restriction notice" forbid any flights below 18,000 feet in the affected area. An angry El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson said the "unnecessary" airspace shutdown, which lasted a few hours, caused "chaos and confusion," including the diversion of medevac flights to Las Cruces, New Mexico. Bedford rescinded the order on Wednesday.   The laser weapon was fired a balloon approaching Fort Bliss, which is immediately adjacent to El Paso International Airport The incident has intensified pre-existing tension between the DOD and the FAA, which goes back to the disastrous January 2025 collision between an American Airlines jet and a US Army Black Hawk helicopter that killed 67 people. At least two near-misses with Army helicopters followed.  While it's been widely and credibly reported that CPB fired at a party balloon, the administration has yet to officially rescind its claims about a "cartel drone incursion." Meanwhile, the safety question hangs heavy in the air. In October 2024, an official at US Northern Command said safety concerns were, at the time, keeping lasers off the table where drone interdiction was concerned:  “The biggest thing right now is the impact of the laser when it moves beyond its target. You know, how far is it going? What’s that going to do? How long does the laser need to remain on target before it begins to inflict damage and so on, right?”  It's far from clear if those questions have since been satisfactorily answered. To the extent they're still being sorted out, maybe that process shouldn't be taking place next to El Paso International Airport.  Tyler Durden Sun, 02/15/2026 - 13:25