Latest news with #Peregrine
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Navy warship seizes £30m of drugs in Middle East
HMS Lancaster deployed its Wildcat helicopter to oversee the operation involving a boarding team from 42 Commando which seized 80 packages of narcotics. A Royal Navy spokesman said the haul was made up of 1,000kg of heroin, 660kg of hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine, worth an estimated £30 million on UK streets. He said: 'It's the second bust in three months for the British warship, which is based in Bahrain and is attached to a New Zealand-led international task spread across the Indian Ocean hunting down illegal activity. 'And it's the second time the Royal Navy's new Peregrine drones – mini-helicopters which conduct reconnaissance sorties for hours on end and feed live information back to Lancaster's operations room – have played a vital part in the success.' Lancaster's commanding officer, Commander Chris Chew, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets. 'Whether they come in the form of her Wildcat, our uncrewed air system Peregrine, embarked intelligence team or her Royal Marine boarding team, they delivered on operations in support of the Combined Maritime Forces and New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150.' Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said: 'I congratulate the crew of HMS Lancaster on this significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets. 'This operation highlights the unique role our Royal Navy contributes, working to disrupt criminal operations around the world, keeping us secure at home and strong abroad.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Advanced technology will help Manatee County during 2025 Hurricane Season
The Brief Manatee County has partnered with Peregrine to gather real-time data across the county as storms move through. Peregrine can help place first responders and equipment in areas that need help faster. Manatee County encourages residents to ask questions now before a storm impacts the area. BRADENTON, Fla. - Some homeowners still haven't moved back into their homes following the 2024 Hurricane Season. Manatee County said residents need a plan now as a new hurricane season approaches. County officials say they are even more equipped this year to handle whatever comes their way. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Why you should care Two months brought three destructive storms to Manatee County. As recovery continues, Matt Myers, the county's chief of emergency management, urges residents to be ready for the new hurricane season. "They need to be prepared now for anything that can happen," said Myers. Manatee County has been doing the same. Over the course of the last year, they've enhanced rescue team capabilities in part to reach residents at night. READ: Online survey focuses on Bay Area residents' decision to evacuate or not during Helene, Milton They've also enhanced technology. "The rapid response we can do with the information, it's faster and it's better," said Myers. Partnering with Peregrine, a company that helps gather real-time data from across Manatee County in one dashboard. Manatee County will be able to determine what areas need help and get resources there faster. "We can source 911 calls using the artificial intelligence to run through the calls for us and type in flooding, and it will plot it on the map. We will know where those calls are coming in from, so we can start flooding," said Myers. MORE: New TECO trailer will be used for community demonstrations on dangers of live power lines Jodie Fiske, Manatee County's director of public safety, said it also helps with getting supplies to residents and determining what will be needed during the long-term recovery process. "That leads to expedited categories of reimbursement. That leads to major declarations. All of the steps we need to do we have cut really critical time off of the process we had before to get it moving to get our residents what we need," said Fiske. As residents enter a new storm season, some with remaining damage or questions, Manatee County said they are here to help. "We want people to be proactive in asking the questions, hopefully before we take an impact," said Fiske. What's next Manatee County will hold a coffee and questions event from 9-11 a.m. on June 6 at the Emergency Operations Center, which is located at 2101 47th Terrace East in Bradenton. Residents can come out with any concerns and ask questions. To sign up, click here. The Source Information was gathered for this report by FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon and Manatee County officials. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Elite Royal Marines pose with £30m worth of seized illegal drugs after storming smuggler's dhow
The troops found 80 bags of illegal drugs including a tonne of heroin 'SIGNIFICANT SEIZURE' Elite Royal Marines pose with £30m worth of seized illegal drugs after storming smuggler's dhow ELITE Royal Marines stormed a smuggler's dhow and seized £30 million worth of drugs, it has been revealed. Commandos boarded the vessel under the gaze of a Royal Marine sniper who circled overhead in a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter. Advertisement 2 Elite Royal Marines stormed a smuggler's dhow and seized £30 million worth of drugs, it has been revealed 2 Commandos boarded the vessel under the gaze of a Royal Marine sniper who circled overhead in a Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter The troops found 80 bags of illegal drugs including a tonne of heroin. The Navy said: 'The haul came to 1,000kg heroin, 660kg hashish, and 6kg of amphetamine – worth an estimated £30m on UK streets.' The crew of the frigate HMS Lancaster had tracked the dhow with Peregrine spy drones – mini helicopters – as it crossed the Arabian Gulf towards Africa. The warship remained hidden beyond the horizon for over 24 hours before closing in on the dhow and scrambling its boarding teams in fast attack boats and launching the Wildcat helicopter. Advertisement The Navy said it 'pounced on a drug runner in the Middle East' during the daring High Seas mission. It said: 'After secretly shadowing the suspect through the Arabian Sea for more than 24 hours, frigate HMS Lancaster struck by sea and air to bring the dhow's voyage to a halt. 'Under the watchful gaze of a Royal Marines sniper circling overhead in the frigate's Wildcat helicopter, the boarding team of 42 Commando closed on the vessel in a pincer movement.' Commander Chris Chew, the ship's captain, said: 'This is another example of where Lancaster has delivered at range, in isolation, utilising her own organic assets.' Advertisement Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard hailed the 200 strong crew for a 'significant seizure, which is keeping dangerous and illegal drugs off our streets'. Oliver Harvey investigates the use of a drug smuggling submarine's journey from South America to Spain The warship was serving as part of a taskforce led by New Zealand's Navy to 'disrupt criminal and terrorist organizations' by seizing drugs, guns and illicit goods at sea. Commodore Rodger Ward, the Kiwi commander, hailed the 'tenacity, training and professionalism' of the Royal Navy. Opium poppies are farmed in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan processed into heroin and shipped across the Arabian Gulf for transit into Europe.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting
Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs ARMAGEDDRONE Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting BRITAIN's military drones would run out within hours of a war starting. The stockpile, including RAF, Army and Navy weapons, is under 2,000 aircraft. Advertisement 2 While the UK has fewer than 2,000 drones - Ukraine's fighters, above, fire off 3,000 to 6,000 a day, according to estimates Credit: Peter Jordan Ukraine burns through 3,000 to 6,000 a day, say UK estimates. Its weapons range from shop-bought quadcopters no bigger than pizza box to long-range bombers that blitz Moscow. One defence source said: 'The UK has a huge capability gap. Drones are deciding the war in Ukraine. 'If either side gets drone superiority, even briefly, we have seen them make gains. Advertisement 'The UK knows this. We are sending drones to Ukraine but have hardly any of our own.' This week, Ukraine hit Moscow missile factories with drones. And footage emerged of a fibre-optic attack drone flying inside a Russian warehouse of armoured vehicles. These are immune to signal jamming as they are tethered to their pilots by fibre-optic cable. The MoD vowed to start building large, one-way attack drones last year but they are yet to enter production. Advertisement Meanwhile, drones like Russia's Zala Lancet, which loiter until spotting a target, are not due until 2027. Defence chiefs spent £200million on a loitering Fire Shadow drone but scrapped it in 2018. 'IMPOSSIBLE' BOMB Ukraine pins hopes on 'INVINCIBLE' drone to turn tide of war Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs and firing missiles. The RAF does have Storm Shroud drones which fly alongside jets to blind enemy radars. Advertisement The MoD insisted: 'The UK is well prepared to defend itself. 'We are investing in drone technology and operate a variety of large, medium, and small drones across all three services which offer distinct operational capabilities. "We take the threats we face very seriously and the Strategic Defence Review is examining the capabilities we need to continue to keep Britain safe.' 2 Britain's stockpile of fewer than 2,000 military drones would run out within hours of a war starting Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Weak defences warning as Britain's stockpile of military drones would run out within HOURS of a war starting
BRITAIN's military drones would run out within hours of a war starting. The stockpile, including RAF, Army and Navy weapons, is under 2,000 aircraft. Advertisement 2 While the UK has fewer than 2,000 drones - Ukraine's fighters, above, fire off 3,000 to 6,000 a day, according to estimates Credit: Peter Jordan Ukraine burns through 3,000 to 6,000 a day, say UK estimates. Its weapons range from shop-bought quadcopters no bigger than pizza box to long-range bombers that blitz Moscow. One defence source said: 'The UK has a huge capability gap. Drones are deciding the war in Ukraine . 'If either side gets drone superiority, even briefly, we have seen them make gains. Advertisement READ MORE UK NEWS 'The UK knows this. We are This week, Ukraine hit Moscow missile factories with drones. And footage emerged of a These are immune to signal jamming as they are tethered to their pilots by fibre-optic cable. The MoD vowed to start building large, one-way attack drones last year but they are yet to enter production. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Meanwhile, drones like Russia's Zala Lancet, which loiter until spotting a target , are not due until 2027. Defence chiefs spent £200million on a loitering Fire Shadow drone but scrapped it in 2018. 'IMPOSSIBLE' BOMB Ukraine pins hopes on 'INVINCIBLE' drone to turn tide of war Most of the UK's drones are designed for surveillance, such as the Navy's new Peregrine spycopters, or for dropping bombs and firing missiles. The RAF does have Storm Shroud drones which fly alongside jets to blind enemy radars. Advertisement The MoD insisted: 'The UK is well prepared to defend itself. 'We are investing in drone technology and operate a variety of large, medium, and small drones across all three services which offer distinct operational capabilities. "We take the threats we face very seriously and the Strategic Defence Review is examining the capabilities we need to continue to keep Britain safe.' 2 Britain's stockpile of fewer than 2,000 military drones would run out within hours of a war starting Credit: Getty Advertisement
