Latest news with #Interceptor
Belfast Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Police arrest man spotted drinking Rockshore while driving through Ballymena
A man has been caught literally drink-driving in Co Antrim over the weekend, according to police. The suspect was spotted twice with a tin of Rockshore lager in his hand while driving through Ballymena. He is set to appear in court over the offence. PSNI officers from an Interceptors crew spotted the motorist drinking from the tin as they were on patrol in an unmarked high-performance Golf R. News Catch Up - Monday 12 May 'The male was observed drinking from a can of lager as the Interceptor crew drove past,' a PSNI spokesperson said. 'The driver failed a roadside preliminary breath test and was subsequently arrested and taken to a local custody suite. 'In custody, the driver provided an evidential sample of breath of more than twice the drink drive limit.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reduced funding slows MDA's hypersonic interceptor development
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Missile Defense Agency is facing a roughly three-year delay in its plan to deliver an interceptor capable of defeating a hypersonic weapon in the glide phase of flight, according to its director. In an attempt to mitigate the delay, the agency truncated a competitive development effort years' early, choosing one team to go it alone to design and build the Glide Phase Interceptor. But the program's reduced funding levels have still slowed down the program, MDA confirmed in a May 6 statement to Defense News. 'The glide phase interceptor program (delay) was due to priorities and resourcing decisions,' Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA director, said in testimony before the House Armed Services Strategic Forces subcommittee on April 30. 'Last year, we were driven to make an earlier selection and a down-select years earlier than planned,' he said. MDA chose Northrop Grumman to design the interceptor last fall, prior to even reaching a preliminary design review. Ideally, major programs remain competitive through critical design review in order to motivate competitors to deliver high levels of capability at appealing price points. Each design review phase can typically take between a year and a year and a half. In the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress mandated MDA move more quickly by requiring the agency to reach full operational capability by the end of 2032 and provide no fewer than 12 GPIs for tests by the end of 2029. The funding the agency has received for the program 'will actually push that delivery to 2035,' Collins said. 'It's primarily a resourcing at this point. There are some technology things that need to happen in the next three to five years, but then there is a resourcing alignment issues that could accelerate that,' he added. 'We believe we could recover to 2032 with no increased level of programmatic risk across the program, but that's about the fastest we could do today.' In the meantime, Collins said MDA is exploring other alternatives or options that could fill a partial or residual capability from other systems. 'But as it stands today, the only hypersonic maneuvering target defense capability we have is in the fleet with the SM-6 [missile] and the Sea-Based Terminal [radar] capability,' he said. MDA is also delayed by about 18 months in fielding its Next-Generation Interceptor that will replace the Ground-Based Interceptors making up the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system, designed to defend the continental U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles that could come from Iran and North Korea. Again, the service chose a winner over a year earlier than planned, selecting Lockheed Martin and its partner L3Harris' Aerojet Rocketdyne in April 2024 to continue the development of NGI. 'Due to a funding decision and priorities, we did downselect to a single contractor last year, a year and a half earlier than expected,' Collins said in testimony. The NGI will play a big role in the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense shield to protect the U.S. homeland from air and missile defense threats from a wide variety of adversaries. Golden Dome would likely call for an increase of NGIs well beyond the 44 GBIs already in place, although the official plans for the architecture have yet to be revealed. 'Our No. 1 risk issue and risk going forward with either the vendors at that time was the solid rocket motor effort and development,' Collins said. 'This is a new booster, a new development, and we have experienced delays and issues with that development and are expecting 18 month or more delay in the delivery of that initial capability.' The agency said the previous schedule supported an initial operational capability for NGI no later than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2028. MDA has 'taken actions to shore up that development as well as bring in an additional source to help buy down the schedule risk of the development as we move forward,' Collins added. The Army operates the GMD system, and the service's Space and Missile Defense Command commander, Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, told reporters in a May 2 briefing that any delay to capability that would address advanced threats 'is obviously concerning.' But, he added, 'we'll continue to work with Missile Defense Agency to mitigate from an upgrade of the current GBIs, an upgrade of the software as necessary to be able to fight the fight with the capability that we have right now.' 'It is still the foundation for the future of ballistic ICBM protection of the homeland and we are 100% committed and focused on that program,' Collins said.
Khaleej Times
12-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Milkor UAE unveils new concept of Interceptor Craft for maritime security
Abu Dhabi-based Milkor UAE has introduced an innovative maritime security vessel, the Milkor Interceptor, a state-of-the-art 30-meter patrol craft designed to enhance operational efficiency and situational awareness for naval and coast guard forces. Developed entirely in the UAE, the Milkor Interceptor is engineered for high-speed response missions, offering an advanced approach to maritime threat mitigation. Featuring the latest technology in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capabilities, rapid interception potential, and an efficient operational design, the vessel is set to revolutionise modern naval operations. Designed for Rapid Littoral Missions The Milkor Interceptor is purpose-built for missions requiring swift deployment and situational control, making it an invaluable asset for maritime law enforcement. One of its key functions is countering piracy, a persistent threat in international waters. With the rise of piracy-related incidents, the Interceptor provides navies and coast guards with the necessary tools to deter, track, and neutralise hostile elements swiftly. Illegal fishing is another growing concern for maritime authorities, as unauthorized vessels encroach on protected waters, leading to economic and environmental damage. The Interceptor's advanced surveillance and rapid-response capabilities ensure effective monitoring and interception of such activities. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in combatting maritime drug trafficking. Smugglers frequently exploit vast oceanic spaces to transport illicit goods, and the Interceptor's speed and extended range make it a formidable deterrent against such operations. Game-Changing UAV integration for superior surveillance One of the defining features of the Milkor Interceptor is its integration of a VTOL UAV platform, significantly enhancing its surveillance capabilities. Unlike conventional patrol vessels that rely solely on ship-mounted sensors with limited range, the Interceptor incorporates a large, dedicated launch pad and operational support facilities. This system accommodates unmanned aerial vehicles with a wingspan of up to 3.5 meters, offering a considerable advantage in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. The UAV system extends the vessel's surveillance reach by an impressive 100 to 150 kilometres, operating at altitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet. This capability addresses a major limitation of traditional maritime security vessels, which often struggle with line-of-sight constraints. The UAVs deployed from the Interceptor provide real-time intelligence, enabling continuous monitoring and eliminating potential blind spots. Moreover, the UAV system acts as a force multiplier, significantly enhancing the vessel's ability to detect threats without requiring additional manned assets. High-speed interception for Rapid Threat Neutralisation Speed is a critical factor in maritime security, and the Milkor Interceptor is designed to outpace and intercept fast-moving threats effectively. Equipped with a powerful triple-engine propulsion system, the vessel achieves speeds of up to 50 knots, ensuring rapid response to various security challenges. Whether pursuing suspicious boats, intercepting illegal fishing vessels attempting to evade authorities, or halting high-speed drug smuggling operations, the Interceptor guarantees that threats are neutralised before they can escape territorial waters. The vessel's high-speed capability, combined with its advanced surveillance system, enables it to conduct preemptive security operations with precision. This rapid response feature is particularly beneficial in littoral zones where agility and speed are paramount for successful mission execution. Efficient crew operations and long-endurance missions Despite its sophisticated design and 30-metre length, the Milkor Interceptor is engineered for optimal crew efficiency. Requiring only 12 to 14 personnel for full operational capacity, the vessel reduces manpower costs while maximising mission effectiveness. The vessel's endurance is another standout feature. Designed to operate at sea for up to 14 days, it ensures sustained maritime security operations without the need for frequent docking. This extended endurance is vital for patrol missions covering vast maritime territories, allowing security forces to maintain a strong presence without operational downtime. To further enhance efficiency, the Interceptor is equipped with advanced automated systems that reduce crew workload and fatigue. Navigation, surveillance, and interception operations are seamlessly managed, ensuring peak performance even during extended missions. A benchmark in maritime security The Milkor Interceptor represents a significant leap forward in maritime security technology. By integrating an advanced VTOL UAV platform, high-speed interception capabilities, and an efficient crew model, it redefines how naval and coast guard forces conduct patrol and interdiction operations. As maritime threats continue to evolve, the demand for agile, technologically superior, and cost-effective security solutions is greater than ever. With the introduction of the Milkor Interceptor, Milkor UAE has set a new benchmark in littoral mission excellence. The vessel's innovative design ensures that security forces remain one step ahead, safeguarding territorial waters with precision, speed, and cutting-edge technology.
