Latest news with #RuneAndersen
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
An ally took control of live bombs dropped by US Air Force planes. That's never been done before.
The US recently let another country take control of its bombs for the first time. It let Norway take control in flight and steer them toward targets. Norway was testing its technology to make networked weapons that can be guided and redirected in the air. The US Air Force recently allowed another country to take control of American bombs in flight for the first time, with F-15 Strike Eagle pilots passing control of their glide bombs over to Norwegian forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced the successful weapons test last week, describing it as a test of networked weapons, "weapons you can communicate with after they're fired," that delivered a "groundbreaking" result. "For the first time, the Americans have allowed another country to take control of an American bomb on its way to the target," the armed forces said. The Norwegians said that two US Air Force F-15E fighter jets flew toward Norway's coast with two American GBU-53/B glide bombs in the exercise, called Jotun Strike. Using data provided by various sensors, including those on a deployed P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Norwegian soldiers took control of the bombs when they dropped and used a network to direct them toward targets they had selected. With the data support, the soldiers adjusted the bomb's course. Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces' Operational Headquarters, Vice Adm. Rune Andersen, called the result of the test key to Norway maintaining a "technological lead." He added that the test highlighted the "good relationship" between the US and Norway, saying that the test was "based on a high degree of trust and integration between close allies." Capt. Brett Stell, from the 494th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force, explained that the recent exercise was "a demonstration of what warfighting looks like in the future." It proved that "a weapon launched from a US platform can be guided by a Norwegian sensor across domains and distances," he said, adding that "this level of integration shows our shared ability to conduct complex, network-enabled engagements-even in contested environments." The unprecedented exercise was not just about Europe, "it's about homeland defense forward," Stell said. "Threats to the US can originate beyond the Western Hemisphere, and our forward capabilities in the European theater are essential for early warning, rapid response, and deterrence," he said, explaining that "exercises like Jotun Strike make our collective force more lethal, more integrated, and ready to fight and win together." Network-enabled weapons are ones that can be guided and redirected as they fly using communications networks. The armed forces said that "via a built-in radio transmitter, military personnel can communicate with the weapon after it has been fired, change its course, change the target it is going to attack, and await or abort an attack. All based on updates they receive in real time." The concept tested last month was developed in Norway with Norwegian industry, the armed forces said. Specifically, the Norwegian Battle Lab & Experimentation had been working on its concept for network weapons since 2019, with a 2025 deadline. NOBLE is a group in the Norwegian Armed Forces that is affiliated with the operational headquarters and tasked with concept development and experimentation for the military. Its network weapons concept had only previously been tested in simulations, and Col. Roger Samuelsen, the head of NOBLE, said "this was the big test." He said that "it was fantastic that this worked." "It is the first time this weapon has been released in a live version. And it was also the first time someone from the Norwegian Armed Forces tested a live network weapon." The test took place on May 14 at Andøya, a large island in Norway's northwest. The system had already been tested in the US against other simulators, Samuelsen said. He said Norway was repeatedly told it was ahead of others on this technology and that he believed that was why the US wanted to provide weapons and planes for this test. He added that he was "very excited to see if the software we have developed would work as intended, even though we have done all the preparations and tests that were possible in advance." He said the outcome means Norway "now can both plan, lead, coordinate and carry out an engagement with network weapons." Network weapons can get real-time data from external sensors, making them more likely to hit their targets. And they can be made to change course after they are fired. The Norwegian Armed Forces said the network weapons have "increased range and safety" since they don't need to see the target. Instead, they can be launched from further away and controlled, so they "can be fired at a safe distance without the platform supplying the weapon having to expose itself." It also means the target can be changed depending on what's happening and what the military wants to hit. The technology is key for Norway, a smaller country that needs to use its resources efficiently and make the most of recent acquisitions like the P-8 and F-35 fighter jets, but there's also interest from allies. Samuelsen said that people who work in "concept development in NATO have already shown interest in the Norwegian concept." And he said allies are interested in the control software that it has developed with Norwegian software company Teleplan. "There are not many nations that have this weapon or the technology within reach," the armed forces said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
2 days ago
- General
- Business Insider
An ally took control of live bombs dropped by US Air Force planes. That's never been done before.
The US Air Force recently allowed another country to take control of American bombs in flight for the first time, with F-15 Strike Eagle pilots passing control of their glide bombs over to Norwegian forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced the successful weapons test last week, describing it as a test of networked weapons, "weapons you can communicate with after they're fired," that delivered a "groundbreaking" result. "For the first time, the Americans have allowed another country to take control of an American bomb on its way to the target," the armed forces said. The Norwegians said that two US Air Force F-15E fighter jets flew toward Norway's coast with two American GBU-53/B glide bombs in the exercise, called Jotun Strike. Using data provided by various sensors, including those on a deployed P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Norwegian soldiers took control of the bombs when they dropped and used a network to direct them toward targets they had selected. With the data support, the soldiers adjusted the bomb's course. Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces' Operational Headquarters, Vice Adm. Rune Andersen, called the result of the test key to Norway maintaining a "technological lead." He added that the test highlighted the "good relationship" between the US and Norway, saying that the test was "based on a high degree of trust and integration between close allies." Capt. Brett Stell, from the 494th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force, explained that the recent exercise was "a demonstration of what warfighting looks like in the future." It proved that "a weapon launched from a US platform can be guided by a Norwegian sensor across domains and distances," he said, adding that "this level of integration shows our shared ability to conduct complex, network-enabled engagements-even in contested environments." The unprecedented exercise was not just about Europe, "it's about homeland defense forward," Stell said. "Threats to the US can originate beyond the Western Hemisphere, and our forward capabilities in the European theater are essential for early warning, rapid response, and deterrence," he said, explaining that "exercises like Jotun Strike make our collective force more lethal, more integrated, and ready to fight and win together." A new kind of weapons test Network-enabled weapons are ones that can be guided and redirected as they fly using communications networks. The armed forces said that "via a built-in radio transmitter, military personnel can communicate with the weapon after it has been fired, change its course, change the target it is going to attack, and await or abort an attack. All based on updates they receive in real time." The concept tested last month was developed in Norway with Norwegian industry, the armed forces said. Specifically, the Norwegian Battle Lab & Experimentation had been working on its concept for network weapons since 2019, with a 2025 deadline. NOBLE is a group in the Norwegian Armed Forces that is affiliated with the operational headquarters and tasked with concept development and experimentation for the military. Its network weapons concept had only previously been tested in simulations, and Col. Roger Samuelsen, the head of NOBLE, said "this was the big test." He said that "it was fantastic that this worked." "It is the first time this weapon has been released in a live version. And it was also the first time someone from the Norwegian Armed Forces tested a live network weapon." The test took place on May 14 at Andøya, a large island in Norway's northwest. The system had already been tested in the US against other simulators, Samuelsen said. He said Norway was repeatedly told it was ahead of others on this technology and that he believed that was why the US wanted to provide weapons and planes for this test. He added that he was "very excited to see if the software we have developed would work as intended, even though we have done all the preparations and tests that were possible in advance." He said the outcome means Norway "now can both plan, lead, coordinate and carry out an engagement with network weapons." Network weapons can get real-time data from external sensors, making them more likely to hit their targets. And they can be made to change course after they are fired. The Norwegian Armed Forces said the network weapons have "increased range and safety" since they don't need to see the target. Instead, they can be launched from further away and controlled, so they "can be fired at a safe distance without the platform supplying the weapon having to expose itself." It also means the target can be changed depending on what's happening and what the military wants to hit. The technology is key for Norway, a smaller country that needs to use its resources efficiently and make the most of recent acquisitions like the P-8 and F-35 fighter jets, but there's also interest from allies. Samuelsen said that people who work in "concept development in NATO have already shown interest in the Norwegian concept." And he said allies are interested in the control software that it has developed with Norwegian software company Teleplan. "There are not many nations that have this weapon or the technology within reach," the armed forces said.
Local Norway
28-03-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
The steps Americans in Norway can take to minimise or avoid double taxation
The US tax system is global, meaning Americans living overseas still need to file returns with the IRS even if they are a tax resident in another country. While most Americans are aware of this responsibility, Rune Andersen, partner and head of the tax department at Ræder Bing law firm, said that the issue of double taxation was a common challenge faced by Americans who moved to Norway. 'Taxation based on citizenship is not common. In general, most countries tax individuals when they become residents, and the taxation ceases when they move permanently, but this is different for Americans,' he said. Familiarise yourself with the tax treaty In principle double taxation is avoided through a tax treaty between Norway and the US. Americans who are tax residents in Norway can receive tax credits for the tax they pay overseas. Meanwhile, the US has the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) system, which allows Americans living overseas to exclude a portion of their foreign income from US taxation. Americans can also use Form 1116 to claim a credit for taxes paid to Norway. Seek the help of experts However, the tax treaty between the US and Norway can be quite complex, meaning the main step Americans living in Norway can take to avoid or minimise double tax is to seek the services of a professional. 'To avoid double taxation due to the US rules, it is, in most cases, necessary to involve a US tax advisor with international experience. In addition, the tax treaty between Norway and the US is very complex and old, so it is very important to involve tax experts to make sure the tax treaty is correctly applied,' Andersen said. Advertisement Furthermore, gaps exist in the tax treaty, meaning Americans can be taxed in the US and Norway. One such example is that some US Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) end up being taxed in both Norway and the US as the account holder will be taxed by the US once the IRA is paid out, and the Norwegian authorities, who sometimes view this windfall as income. 'The Norwegian authorities have, in some cases, concluded that the IRA is savings, and accordingly, the underlying profits occurring within the account has been taxed as capital income despite the fact that no withdrawals have been made. This will lead to double taxation because Americans may be taxed in the US when the money is paid to the taxpayer at retirement. In my opinion, this is an incorrect treatment of Americans in Norway,' Andersen said. READ ALSO: Is it worth paying for professional help with taxes? Ensure any professionals you use are on the same page Ideally, those looking to try and minimise the prospect of dual taxation should have expert help with both the US and Norwegian tax systems and ensure that both experts are in contact with one another. 'Get Norwegian and US tax advisors that have experience with tax treaties. These advisors need to coordinate because it is necessary to make sure that tax credits are given,' Helene Aasland, a senior lawyer at Ræder Bing, told The Local. Advertisement Approach things on a case-by-case basis Another tip was to try and treat certain scenarios, such as trusts, on a case-by-case basis rather than take general advice to avoid paying unnecessary taxes. 'Taxpayers resident in Norway have to report their global income and wealth. We see misunderstandings related to trusts. A trust can be organised in different ways. If a beneficiary is a tax resident in Norway, the taxpayer may be deemed as owner of the assets in the trust and accordingly be liable to pay wealth tax on the assets, but there is not a clear answer to this. Each case needs to be considered separately,' Aasland said. Keep an eye on developments While there isn't a lot taxpayers can do to try and change policy themselves, keeping up to date with the latest developments can give Americans living in Norway a rough idea of how their tax liabilities could change in the future. Advertisement For example, the US could opt to abolish taxing citizens who live overseas . Furthermore, Norway's controversial wealth tax will likely be a key debate and policy point during the general election later this year and, as a result, be changed. "We see many Americans moving to Norway for personal reasons, business reasons or whatever, but they get into a wealth tax system that makes it too expensive to live here," Andersen said. Norway's wealth tax is applied to global wealth and is charged at a rate of between 0.525 and 1.1 percent of one's total net wealth above 1.7 million kroner.
