Latest news with #AirForceResearchLaboratory
Axios
30-07-2025
- Science
- Axios
Secretive Boeing spaceplane set for eighth mission
The U.S. Space Force will experiment with laser communications and quantum sensing aboard a secretive Boeing-made spaceplane slated for launch this summer. Why it matters: Much of the work executed by the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle is classified. A single photo of the Earth from space taken by an onboard camera caused a defense-media frenzy in February. Driving the news: Boeing on Monday announced the timing and purpose of the X-37B's eighth mission, which comes less than six months after its seventh. The launch, from Florida's Space Coast, is expected no sooner than Aug. 21. The Air Force Research Laboratory and Defense Innovation Unit were named partners. What they're saying: "With each successive flight, the X-37B has demonstrated adaptability and flexibility by hosting diverse experiments and pioneering new orbital regimes," Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems, said in a statement. Laser communications allow for larger, more secure transfers of information. Quantum inertial sensing could prove useful in places rife with electronic warfare, or where GPS is unavailable. Catch up quick: The spaceplane first launched in 2010. Since then, it's spent more than 4,200 days in space.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is IonQ a Millionaire-Maker Stock?
Key Points IonQ is taking a distinct approach to quantum computing compared to its peers. A massive market is expected to open up within the next decade for quantum computing. 10 stocks we like better than IonQ › IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is one of the top competitors in the quantum computing race. It's a pure-play option that's solely focused on quantum computing supremacy, so if its approach fails, the stock is likely to head to zero. On the other hand, if it succeeds, there is major upside from today's levels that could generate substantial returns for investors. But can it turn a meager investment into $1 million? Let's take a look. IonQ uses a trapped ion approach for quantum computing IonQ has emerged as a top competitor in this space primarily due to its short-term success and its partnerships. Quantum computing isn't yet commercially relevant, and most funding comes from partnerships with various research institutions in the U.S. One of the top ones is the Air Force Research Laboratory, with which IonQ has a deep partnership. Money from various contracts is what enables IonQ to operate, and the approach it is taking differentiates it from the competition. IonQ employs a trapped-ion approach to perform quantum computing, rather than a superconducting approach. The vast majority of quantum computing competitors are taking the superconducting approach, including Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), IBM (NYSE: IBM), and Alphabet's Google. However, there are key advantages that the trapped-ion approach provides. Perhaps the most important is the temperature at which quantum computing is conducted. Superconducting requires the particle to be cooled down to near absolute zero temperatures, which is an expensive process. For quantum computing to become relevant, it also needs to be cost-effective, and this cost may be a significant hurdle for those in this field to overcome. Another advantage the trapped-ion approach has is qubit connectivity. It's well accepted that allowing qubits to interact with each other provides more accurate calculations, but superconducting only allows qubits to interact with their neighbors. The trapped ion approach enables all the qubits within the system to interact with one another, allowing IonQ to achieve 99.9% fidelity or better. IonQ's differentiated approach is a key reason why I believe it's a worthy investment in quantum computing, as it takes a distinct approach compared to others in this field. While this may ultimately be the wrong move, it's impossible to tell right now, so having investments in quantum computing companies that are tackling this problem in different ways is a smart idea. If IonQ's approach prevails, could it transform an investment into $1 million? IonQ could be a successful investment, but likely won't be a millionaire-maker I'll use a $10,000 initial investment as the baseline, which would require IonQ to return 100 times its initial investment. With IonQ's current $10.5 billion market cap, that would mean it would have to turn into a $1 trillion company. That's a massive return, and considering that there are only 11 companies that have ever achieved a $1 trillion market capitalization, this may be a bit far-fetched. As a result, I doubt that IonQ can provide 100x returns from this level. But it could still be a successful investment. IonQ believes that quantum computing could have an $87 billion market opportunity by 2035. Even if it can capture only 20% of that, it would be a hugely successful investment that provides shareholders excellent returns. However, investors also need to understand that an IonQ investment is far from a sure thing. It could fail and go to $0, which is why investors need to keep their position sizing fairly small -- no more than 1% of their total portfolio. That way, if it succeeds, it still has a significant effect, but if it fails, then it's not as big a deal. If you can keep that in mind, then IonQ may be a smart longshot pick for a portfolio. Should you buy stock in IonQ right now? Before you buy stock in IonQ, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and IonQ wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $652,133!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,056,790!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,048% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 15, 2025 Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Keithen Drury has positions in Alphabet. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet and International Business Machines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is IonQ a Millionaire-Maker Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
US puts jet-drone teams to bigger test in race with China for air supremacy
The US military has raised the difficulty level with a coordination test of its crewed fighters and ' loyal wingman' drones as it races against China towards the next frontier of air dominance. Chinese military observers said the People's Liberation Army was matching the United States in this technology. The Air Force Research Laboratory said earlier this month that pilots operating an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones in an air combat training exercise. The exercise was a test of real-time integration between crewed and semi-autonomous systems, according to the laboratory, which is the US Air Force's main scientific research and development centre. 02:08 Taiwan agrees to buy 1,000 killer drones from US one day after PLA blockade drills Taiwan agrees to buy 1,000 killer drones from US one day after PLA blockade drills
NDTV
22-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
B2 Bombers, Bunker Busters, Tomahawks: The Weapons US Used To Strike Iran
The US has joined Israel's war against Iran, bombing Tehran's three key nuclear facilities with precision strikes. Washington, DC has used high-end weaponry, including the dreaded GBU-57 bunker busters and Tomahawk cruise missiles, to target the nuclear installations in Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. The airstrikes have been followed by a narrative war, with US President Donald Trump claiming that the three nuclear enrichment facilities have been "totally obliterated" and Iran stressing that there were "no signs" of contamination. All eyes are now on how Tehran responds to the situation. While a mega military offensive might lead to further escalation of the conflict, an inadequate response may cause Iran's ruling dispensation to lose popular support. 6 B-2 Spirit Stealth Bombers: A mong the most advanced strategic weapons in the US inventory, B-2 bombers can counter very sophisticated air defence systems and carry out precision attacks. According to the US Air Force, the B-2 has massive firepower and its "stealth" features threaten heavily defended targets. "The B-2's low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. These signatures make it difficult for the sophisticated defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2," it says. Priced at about $2.1 billion each, B-2 bombers are the most expensive military aircraft ever built. GBU-57 Bunker Busters: While Trump did not explicitly mention these, the B-2 bombers that struck Iran likely used this heavy ammunition to target Fordow. The GBU-57 is a massive 30,000-pound -- about 13,600 kg -- bomb that can penetrate up to 200 feet underground before exploding, giving it the name "bunker busters". What sets it apart from other missiles or bombs is that it penetrates the earth's surface before detonation, multiplying the impact exponentially. The GBU-57 is the most powerful bunker buster in the US arsenal. It is about 20 feet in length and has a diameter of 2.6 feet. This sophisticated weapon was developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate, and Boeing conducted its design and testing. Twelve such bombs are reported to have been used as the US struck Iran today. Tomahawk Cruise Missiles: According to reports, US submarines launched 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles during their strikes on Iranian facilities today. A long-range cruise missile used for deep land attacks, the Tomahawk can be fired from US ships and submarines. What makes these missiles lethal is the option to change targets in-flight through satellite communications. According to the US Navy, these missiles can loiter over a target area to respond to emerging targets and also provide battle damage information. This provides the military control room the flexibility to attack long-range fixed targets or support Special Operations Forces. The first operational use of Tomahawk missiles was in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. They were also used in Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya and Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria. The US reportedly used submarines from its Virginia and Los Angeles line-up to launch the Tomahawk missiles at its targets in Iran. F 22 Raptor F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning IIs The US reportedly used F-22 Raptors and F-35A Lightning fighters to provide air support during the operation. According to the US Air Force, the F-22 Raptor combines stealth, supercruise, manoeuvrability, and integrated avionics and these are coupled with improved supportability. It is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats trying to intercept the US charge. F 35 Lightning II Joining F-22 Raptors today were F-35A Lightning fighters. A fifth-generation fighter of the US Air Force, this aircraft has high-end stealth capabilities and is designed to provide the pilot with unsurpassed situational awareness and the ability to carry out precision strikes in all-weather conditions. The F-35A Lightning IIs have a wingspan of 35 feet, are 51 feet long can carry a payload of over 8,000 kg.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Air Force tests new ship-killing bomb variant
The Air Force has tested a new variation of its ship-killing Quicksink guided bomb to expand its options for taking out enemy vessels in a future war. In a June 4 statement, the service said it dropped a 500-pound version of Quicksink, made from a GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, from a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Eglin Air Force Base's Gulf Test Range off the coast of Florida. Previous Quicksink tests were conducted with 2,000-pound bombs. Quicksink is the Air Force Research Laboratory's effort to strengthen its ability to take out enemy ships. This capability would be particularly important in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan, which would likely involve grueling fighting in the Pacific Ocean and require U.S. forces to destroy Chinese ships. Previous tests used modified GBU-31 JDAMs to destroy target vessels. Those JDAMs are guided by GPS and use fins to steer towards the target as they fall. AFRL previously said that it redesigned the JDAM's nose plug to better suit it for maritime strikes. A stock JDAM nose might cause the bomb to carom off the surface of the water in unexpected directions instead of striking its target, AFRL said, but the Quicksink redesign is meant to keep it on target. Quicksink bombs do not travel under the water towards their target like traditional torpedoes. The Air Force says modifying existing guided bombs into Quicksink weapons would provide anti-ship capability at a lower cost than weapons like torpedoes. The Air Force said in its statement that the new Quicksink variant would expand the B-2's targeting reach by giving combatant commanders more options for striking enemy targets. AFRL declined to further detail how the 500-pound version provides more targeting options or when the latest test took place, citing security concerns. 'Quicksink offers an affordable, game-changing solution to rapidly and efficiently sink maritime targets,' Col. Dan Lehoski, commander of Eglin's 53rd Wing, said in a statement. 'AFRL's 500-pound Quicksink variant adds options for the warfighter and enhances operational flexibility.' AFRL said video of the latest test is classified and could not be released. But a previous video posted in 2022 shows a Quicksink bomb streaking towards an empty vessel before exploding, cleaving the ship in half and sending it underwater in a matter of seconds.
