Latest news with #UAS
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Putin's guards spotted with new high-tech anti-drone weapon amid rising drone threats
In a recent public appearance with Russian President Vladimir Putin , members of his security detail were observed carrying what appears to be a newly deployed anti-drone weapon , signaling Russia's expanding efforts to counter the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This marks a notable development in Russia's approach to protecting high-profile figures and critical infrastructure amid increasingly sophisticated drone threats on modern battlefields and within domestic security environments. The new anti-drone weapon According to Defence Blog, observers noted that one of the security officers escorting President Putin was carrying a portable, X-shaped interceptor system believed to be designed to detect, track, and disable hostile drones. This type of weapon is particularly suited to intercepting low-flying or first-person-view (FPV) drones, which are often used in close-range reconnaissance or attack missions and have proven difficult to counter with traditional defenses. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MCA Cybersecurity Operations Management Artificial Intelligence Finance Data Science Design Thinking others Product Management Public Policy PGDM Leadership Degree Management healthcare Others Project Management CXO Technology Data Science Healthcare Digital Marketing Data Analytics MBA Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details — sentinelmonitor (@sentinelmonitor) The sighting reflects broader Russian investments in mobile counter-UAS technology , aiming to respond quickly to sudden drone incursions, especially in urban or civilian areas where fixed defenses are ineffective or impractical. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Why anti-drone systems are critical for Russia The deployment is timely, given the increasing use of drones in the conflict with Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have employed a wide range of drones—from commercial quadcopters to loitering munitions and more advanced strike UAVs. These drones have been used for both surveillance and attacks, often bypassing traditional defense systems due to their small size and agility. In response, Russian forces have fielded a mix of countermeasures, including mobile electronic warfare (EW) platforms such as backpack jammers and vehicle-mounted systems like the Abzats . These systems are capable of jamming radio signals and disrupting the control of enemy drones. Live Events However, with many modern drones now featuring autonomous navigation and machine learning-based evasion, electronic jamming alone is insufficient. As a result, Russia has begun integrating kinetic countermeasures—such as drone-on-drone interceptors—and is actively developing laser-based systems to physically destroy UAVs. Laser weapons and Russia's counter-drone strategy In 2025, Russian authorities began public testing of mobile laser air defense systems . While the technical details remain classified, reports confirm that several systems demonstrated the ability to rapidly detect and disable aerial targets, including drone swarms. Despite the promise of laser-based countermeasures, their effectiveness is limited by factors such as bad weather, fog, or rain, and they require high amounts of energy, making them less suitable for mobile use over extended periods. Implications of the new interceptor seen with Putin's guards The interceptor seen with Putin's security detail suggests a targeted deployment of counter-UAS systems for close-range, VIP protection. Such weapons provide real-time defense in open or urban areas where drone attacks could pose a serious risk to high-ranking officials. Its compact, soldier-carried design implies it can be deployed instantly, without the need for support vehicles or stationary equipment. This move underscores the Kremlin's prioritization of advanced drone countermeasures—not only in frontline warfare but also in the high-security environments surrounding national leadership.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Putin Is Tightening His Grip On Russia's Internet With Dramatic New Tactic, UK Says
Vladimir Putin is tightening his grip on the online information space in Russia by implementing regular blackouts, according to the UK. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported last week that the Kremlin has been rolling out extensive cellular (mobile) internet blackouts across its own country. A staggering 654 outages occurred just in June – nearly 10 times the amount recorded the previous month. 'These outages impacted coverage for over half the country,' the MoD said. 'The Russian government has formally stated that the blackouts are intended to block Ukrainian uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) reliant on cellular signals, but independent reports suggest the goal is tighter control over online information.' Fixed line or wired internet connections are rising as well, with a group of exile Russian journalists in The Medusa Project recording up to 20-21 day internet shutdowns in various regions across the whole nation. ATMs and digital payments have been disrupted, and public safety alerts have supposedly taking place as a consequence. The intelligence officials pointed out that at least one period of outages did align with a wave of drone strikes from Ukraine, when Russia claimed it had downed more than 200 Ukrainian weapons. But, as the Medusa Project said earlier this month, 'the seemingly random nature of the shutdowns makes it difficult to identify consistent patterns or a clear logic behind the authorities' decisions.' They added: 'Some regions that would logically be high-priority targets for Ukrainian strikes have experienced relatively few attacks, while others that fall outside all of these categories have been hit much more frequently.' Difficulty accessing the internet is not the only way Russian lives have been impacted by the brutal war. For the first time since the tradition began in 2017, Moscow called off the 'Day of the Russian Navy' parade meant to take place on Sunday. Historically, other nations would also attend on the Russian national holiday to compare all of their warships. British intelligence suggests this cancellation was due to 'force protection concerns'. And, of course, this is all on top of the astounding number of casualties the Russian army has endured since invading Ukraine in February 2022. As the MoD wrote: 'Even after enduring 1 million battlefield losses in Ukraine, its' clear that Russia has no plans to end the suffering of its illegal war. The Kremlin cares more about territorial conquest than peace in Europe.' These MoD updates come as American efforts to negotiate a Russian peace deal with Ukraine continue to struggle. However, US president Donald Trump is reportedly planning on raising the ongoing war with UK prime minister Keir Starmer during his current visit to Scotland. Before he departed for his trip, Trump told US reporters he is looking at imposing further sanctions on Russia. Related... UK Warns Russia Is 'Escalating Its Global Campaign' To Subvert Its Enemies Trump Renews Lie That Russia Did Not Help Him In 2016, With Tulsi Gabbard's Help Russia 'Increasing Pace Of Gains' In Ukraine Despite Trump's Peace Plea, Says UK
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor fallout: Chinese-made surveillance gear banned, aerial monitoring boosted for Independence Day
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, this year's Independence Day celebrations will feature enhanced aerial monitoring and a complete ban on the usage of 'Made In China' surveillance equipment in and around the Red Fort in the national capital. With Prime Minister Nadrendra Modi set to make his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15, the venue was taken over by the Ministry of Defence from July 15. This year, more guests are being invited to attended the Independence Day celebrations in comparison to previous years, sources said. Security agencies, intelligence agencies, and Defence Ministry officials who attended a recent high-level meeting regarding security at Red Fort held a detailed discussion on possible security breaches through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Anti-drone systems 'Installation of anti-drone devices and radar systems near the Red Fort and possible threats were discussed in detail with defence forces. Ministry of Defence will be deploying anti-drone systems to stop any aerial breach and the Indian Air Force will be on high alert. Drones are among the key security concerns. We have also given clear instructions to the vendors installing CCTVs in and around the venue to not install any 'Made in China' equipment for surveillance purposes,' said an official. The Indian government has banned Chinese surveillance equipment, including CCTV cameras, citing potential data leakage risks. Another official said that aerial security is a major concern this Independence Day. Teams of experts have visited the Red Fort and surrounding areas to assess the minute details of all possible security threats. Another high-level meeting has been called on Friday to discuss the preparations for the event in detail, including the security aspect. Operation Sindoor was a drone-centric war, with Pakistan using loitering munitions and swarm drones. These attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multilayered air defence architecture. Smart video surveillance Security agencies said that they will be installing intelligent video surveillance systems, including features such as a vehicle number plate recognition system, face detection, people movement counting, tripwires, audio detection, defocus, and spotting intrusions and abandoned or missing objects. The advanced facial recognition system facility on live cameras as well as on recorded videos will help to detect any matches with faces on the government's watch list database and provide alerts to the control room.
Mid East Info
5 days ago
- General
- Mid East Info
Universal American School in Dubai celebrates record AP Results and Strong Bilingual IBDP Success - Middle East Business News and Information
The top IBDP scorer at the Universal American School earned 43 points, with the average score of 33 points well above global averages • The school also saw its strongest AP results to date; among 92 students, 74% scored 3 or higher, including 100% in AP Pre-calculus and 70% in Human Geography Dubai, United Arab Emirates;July 2025: Universal American School (UAS), operated by the Al Futtaim Education Foundation, is celebrating another strong academic year as the Class of 2025 delivers standout results in both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and Advanced Placement (AP) exams. This year, the school registered 44 students for the IBDP, double the number from 2024, and achieved results that outperformed global averages across key areas. 5% of students achieved over 40 points, with the top scorer earning 43 points. The average score of 33 points was well above global averages. While 58% of students earned A or B grades in Theory of Knowledge, 42% earned A or B grades in the Extended Essay and 66% gained two additional points from the Core. Notably, 37% of diploma recipients earned a bilingual diploma through Arabic A Language and Literature, English A Language and Literature, and the School-Supported Self-Taught (SSST) programme, one of the highest bilingual diploma achievement rates in school history. In parallel, UAS students also delivered the school's strongest AP results to date. A record 92 students sat 194 AP exams, the highest number in school history. Of those, 74% scored 3 or higher, including 100% in AP Pre-Calculus and 70% in Human Geography. UAS celebrated 18 exams earning the top score of 5, achieved by 13 different students, including several who earned a 5 in all three of their AP subjects. AP Computer Science A stood out, with 43% of students earning a 5, reflecting their readiness for university-level study. These results highlight the continued growth and academic strength of the AP programme at UAS. With these impressive outcomes, graduates are now heading to top universities around the world, prepared to take on the next chapter of their academic and personal journeys. Kevin Loft, School Director of Universal American School, described the results as the culmination of years of effort, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. He said: 'It's a collective accomplishment and a moment of real pride for the entire school.' Tracey Cummins, Assistant Principal of Universal American School, highlighted the consistency and determination that shaped this year's results: 'These outcomes reflect more than just academic strength, they show how sustained effort, day in and day out, leads to success. Behind every result is a network of people teachers who guided, families who supported, and peers who encouraged one another. Achievements like these come from working together.' Rachel Bartlett, IB Diploma Coordinator at Universal American School, praised the students for their maturity and dedication: 'I'm so proud of this group. For two years, they've shown commitment, stayed focused, and supported one another. They've handled every challenge with maturity.' Philip Berry, Secondary School Principal of Universal American School, added: 'These results reflect the long hours, deep thinking, and personal commitment that defined this cohort's approach to their studies. Parents, guardians, and teachers provided ongoing support and encouragement every step of the way. Their dedication helped create the foundation these results now stand on.' Universal American School continues to provide a rigorous and supportive academic environment where students thrive and are well prepared for future challenges. The Class of 2025 has demonstrated not only academic excellence but also the values and character that define UAS graduates. About Universal American School: Universal American School (UAS) is a leading American international school in Dubai offering a dynamic, inclusive education from PreK to Grade 12. Known for its rigorous academic programmes, including the IB Diploma and American curriculum pathways, UAS cultivates global citizens through personalised learning and a strong sense of community. About Al-Futtaim: Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Operating across 18 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, the Group spans key sectors including automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and health. Al-Futtaim's work is driven by a clear purpose: to enrich lives and elevate communities through practical, forward-looking solutions. Employing a workforce of nearly 33,000 people, Al-Futtaim represents a portfolio of over 200 of the world's most recognised and trusted brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE, Marks & Spencer, and many more. With a strong focus on digital innovation and artificial intelligence, sustainable growth, strategic partnerships, and empowering its people, Al-Futtaim's approach is anchored in long-term value creation. Its integrated business model positions the Group as a reliable partner to stakeholders—supporting customers, communities, and collaborators alike in navigating the needs of today while planning for tomorrow. Underpinned by the values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim continues to build a legacy that reflects its responsibility to people, progress, and the planet.
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Newsweek
iPhone-Sized Radar Saving Lives, Helping Drones Catch Crooks
Nestled in a valley in the desert, where high winds, an in-town airport and a consistent influx of travelers make policing a challenge, the City of Palm Springs, California, is taking advantage of new drone technology to protect residents and visitors. The Palm Springs Police Department's implementation of drones as first responder technology builds on the lessons learned from the City of Chula Vista, California's Police Department's Drone Program, which started using Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), also known as drones, to respond to calls for service in 2018. "Many years ago, we were looking at helicopters for the city of Palm Springs, and bringing a helicopter unit here, and we just couldn't make that happen, primarily because people didn't want to see the city that they often like to refer to as a village become a big city, in terms of having helicopters flying all over the place and waking them up all hours of the night," Lt. William Hutchinson, head of the Palm Springs Police Department's Operations Division, told Newsweek. In the years since, drone technology has evolved and now allows UAS docking stations with remote deployment. But, Hutchinson wasn't sure that was even an option for Palm Springs. A view of Palm Springs, California, December 27, 2017. A view of Palm Springs, California, December 27, 2017. miroslav_1/Getty Images "[The city] is in Class D airspace, and we have an international airport in the middle of the city. We started saying, 'Is this even possible for us?' And they said, 'You know, maybe not.' And so, I started looking at the different solutions. Matrix Space was one of the first [companies] I looked at," he said. Worried about implementation cost, Hutchinson, Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles and Chief of Police Andrew Mills put their heads together to find a solution. Hutchinson remembers that it was Mills who found that the state's Corrections department was offering grants for combating retail, auto and catalytic converter theft. This opportunity, Hutchinson said, is what spurred the agency to begin thinking of the possibility of being an innovator in the space, "using technology to reduce response times, increase apprehension rates," he shared. The city sent representatives on fact-finding missions to surrounding jurisdictions, including Beverly Hills, to find out if technology like a real-time crime center and drone technology would make sense for Palm Springs. Hutchinson recalls Mills positing to him: "Is this just a shiny new toy? Everybody's using these real-time crime centers and these drones. Are they really effective? And what's the data tell us, and how are we going to measure the impact?" Hutchinson was keen not to "overthink" the potential. "If we're talking about improving response times, our average response time to an emergency is anywhere from five to seven minutes, and agencies are getting on scene with drones and real-time crime centers in less than a minute. That's just one value that we can look at," he said. Hutchinson said that the question then became: "We've got about 40 square miles that we need covered, and I want to be able to put a drone anywhere in the city and be able to fly day and night without any restrictions. Can we make that happen?" With MatrixSpace solutions, it was possible. The company sells MatrixSpace 360 Radar, an advanced radar technology that uses a radar system mounted to a pole-based array to capture telemetry of objects over a large area. And, MatrixSpace has a partnership with DroneSense, a drone management and collaboration platform that combines layers of radar system and drone operation data for law enforcement purposes. Today, Palm Springs is covered by 10 radar monitors with two more coming later this year. Those are a necessary add-on that other cities don't have to install because of the airport's proximity to the city, ensuring the drones are not in the pathway of outgoing or incoming flights. Cathedral City, the town next to Palm Springs, is cooperating with Palm Springs, installing a drone dock there and adding five to six square miles of operational airspace to the UAS as a first responder program. "We can get anywhere on a call for service in under a minute with these drones positioned the way they are," Hutchinson said. Those drones are dispatched to calls by officers seated at desks at the Palm Springs Police Department's headquarters. They monitor the airspace, the city's Flock Safety camera system (license plate reader technology), police dispatches and incoming 911 calls in concert. This allows them to get a jump on deploying the drones, often before officers are dispatched to the call. "The drone pilots are listening to that 911 call in real time from their computer, and if it's a traffic accident or a burglary or robbery or a violent crime in progress, they're getting that information before it's being put into the CAD system, and before it's being given to the officers, and they're launching a drone immediately to that location," Hutchinson said. The drones autonomously pilot themselves to the incident site. Using DroneSense, dispatched officers are able to receive real-time updates while they are on their way to the scene. "They point and click, and they autonomously launch the drone to that location, and they start looking for the suspect or the vehicle or the accident, or whatever the incident may be, and at the same time that information is being transmitted to the officers via Drone Sense, to their cell phones and to the their mobile data computers. If they're not monitoring because they're driving or they're not on the scene, then the drone pilot is communicating with the officers on the ground what they're seeing," Hutchinson said. Recently, the police department had a great success using the drone system in tandem with officer intervention. The city received a 911 call that told of a dine and dash situation, where a customer leaves a restaurant without paying. "We sent [the drone] and the drone pilot sees the guy matching the description at a hotel down the street, talking to another guy in the parking lot. And then, finds that that guy is walking around, doesn't even see the drone, walks up and goes into one of the hotel rooms and is using the bathroom," Hutchinson said. The drone gave all this information to officers, allowing them to quickly and easily find the suspect. "Sure enough, officers get there, contact this guy in the hotel room, and they identify him as the suspect in the dine and dash... If that drone wasn't up in that quick amount of time, it would have seen a suspect; the officers likely wouldn't have never found that suspect down the street at that hotel in the parking lot," Hutchinson said. Wind-powered electricity generators near Palm Springs, California. Wind-powered electricity generators near Palm Springs, California. Jon G. Fuller / VWPics via AP Images The city has also used the MatrixSpace and DroneSense systems in more serious circumstances. Hutchinson personally flew a drone at the site of the May 17 bombing at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic. "I did that from my home. I was able to log on, watch the airspace, fly that drone and get eyes on and to recognize [that we had] some type of an explosion that's pretty catastrophic, [and that] we need[ed] a lot of resources on scene. The drone has really proved to be an invaluable asset to law enforcement for situational awareness and helping officers have that information in real time so they can make better decisions when they get on scene," he said. The police department frequently interacts with calls for service that involve the fire department as well. Palm Springs PD is able to use the drone system to assist with those calls as well. "If we're launching a drone on a call, what we're finding is that [using] the drone, the fire department's able to get a good visual before they're even on scene. It helps them make a determination about exactly how many assets they need to roll on fires," Hutchinson said. The drone is able to scan rooftops and use thermal imaging to direct the fire department to where hot spots are upon arrival, saving precious minutes. "Our fire department is just starting to realize the value in it and being able to really use it more and more frequently on calls for service. While it's new to them, it's definitely an exciting add-on as an asset to their responses as well," he said. The MatrixSpace system is also helping to keep the city safe in a way residents and festival-going visitors may never have thought of. The city and surrounding area are home to numerous large-scale annual events including the Palm Springs International Film Festival, BNP Paribas Open, Stagecoach Country Music Festival, The Galleri Classic and the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Hutchinson explained: "The radar system helps us detect moving objects in the sky. Because the city is in a zero grid, we have close communication with the [Palm Springs International Airport control] tower. We're able to find out if anybody submitted a flight plan or a LAANC [Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability] or requested permission to fly. "Our radar system is able to detect drones in an airspace. We can see where it took off from. We can track it and then eventually identify where the pilot was when it goes back to land... It's not only helping us identify the aircraft in the airspace so we can fly safely, but it's helping us identify threats that are in the airspace that could potentially be a problem for our events."
