Latest news with #unmannedSystems
CNA
29-05-2025
- General
- CNA
Defence chiefs of all five FPDA member countries meet for first time in a decade
The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) is aiming to address growing threats to underwater infrastructure, which supports essential services such as phone lines, internet connectivity and energy transmission. The FPDA — whose member countries include Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom — is also focusing on threats from unmanned systems. This, as defence chiefs from all five FPDA countries met for the first time in a decade. Aslam Shah reports.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ISU approves new academic initiatives at Board of Trustees meeting
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)— On Friday, the Indiana State University Board of Trustees met and approved multiple new initiatives to give students more opportunities and better align programs with workforce needs. Dr. Christopher Olsen, the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, presented a new undergraduate certificate in unmanned systems. This certificate will provide specialized drone technology training to students. 'The new Unmanned Systems certificate provides a flexible, skills-based credential that complements a variety of majors,' said Provost Olsen. 'It opens doors for students to explore the rapidly evolving field of drone technology while enhancing their ability to gather, interpret, and apply data, particularly in fields such as environmental science, engineering, and public safety. Additionally, the program is designed to accommodate professionals and lifelong learners who may not be pursuing a degree but are interested in gaining practical expertise for career advancement or personal enrichment.' The board also approved updates to the undergraduate catalog to expand Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) opportunities. This revised policy will allow the recognition of learning acquired outside the classroom, such as military experience, professional training, and independent study. 'As our student demographics and needs continue to evolve, we're committed to meeting learners where they are,' said Maribeth Stevens, Vice President for Enrollment Management. 'Expanded CPL and specialized credentials like the Unmanned Systems certificate reflect our focus on access, affordability, and career alignment, especially for adult learners, transfer students, and others seeking flexible, workforce-ready pathways.' The board made other changes as well, including approving the disposition of surplus real estate to the City of Terre Haute, Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNA
09-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore navy exploring how to adapt cheaper, off-the-shelf drones to counter emerging threats
SINGAPORE: To counter emerging threats arising from unmanned systems, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is looking at incorporating cheaper, off-the-shelf drones into its suite of capabilities; and will upgrade its ships with guns known to be effective against fast-moving targets. These updates, shared by Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat on Friday (May 9), come amid the maritime domain experiencing what he called an "increasingly complex set of challenges". Traditional issues such as sea robberies and piracy; trafficking; and illegal unreported and unregulated fishing are still present in the region, though kept under control by littoral states. There is also the risk of maritime terror attacks which RSN is monitoring; while geopolitical rivalries and unresolved territorial disputes play out in the form of increasingly aggressive and assertive postures and actions at sea, he said. It is against this backdrop that the RSN is exploring how it can go beyond higher-end unmanned systems, to adapt lower-cost and commercially off-the-shelf drones, said RADM Wat in a written interview with the media after the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference Asia 2025. "This is critical as it would allow us to shorten the capability-development cycle to effectively deal with emerging threats," he said. "We envisage that we will operate a mix of higher-end, purpose-built drones, as well as low-cost drones to fulfil the range of our operational needs." When it comes to countering these proliferating unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the Singapore navy needs to develop innovative and practical solutions, its chief added. "For example, to deal with threats posed by drones, both in the air and surface domains, the RSN will be progressively upgrading our ships with the Strales 76mm guided gun," said RADM Wat. "This also offers a cost-effective solution as compared to other conventional weapons such as higher-end missiles. We are also exploring other solutions." The Strales gun comes with Direct Ammunition Recovery Technique (DART) where projectiles are guided by a radio beam that follows the target through a homing system. The Singapore navy already uses a mix of missile and gun platforms to counter air and surface threats. Last month, it posted on Facebook about using the Aster missile system to take down an aerial drone off the coast of France, during a live-firing exercise. NEW PATROL VESSELS RADM Wat also gave updates on the navy's future platforms, including Singapore's first two offshore patrol vessels which are expected to be introduced from 2028. Earlier in April, a keel-laying ceremony - which customarily marks the start of full production - was conducted for the two ships in Lithuania. The navy chief noted there was "good progress" in the construction of the vessels, which are based on a "proven" design by the German Federal Police and designed with high manoeuvrability to operate in Singapore's congested waters. "The ships will be equipped with a suite of lethal and less-lethal capabilities to provide flexibility and calibrated responses against a wide spectrum of maritime threats," said RADM Wat, adding that they will progressively replace the Maritime Security Response Flotilla's existing Sentinel-class vessels. This adds on to other new naval assets announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen during his ministry's parliamentary budget debate in March. Two more Invincible-class submarines will be added to RSN's current fleet of four, and are projected for delivery from 2034. The navy will also launch its first multi-role combat vessels (MRCVs), which are expected to be progressively operationalised from 2028. The Singapore Armed Forces is also looking into replacing its Fokker-50 maritime patrol aircrafts which have been in service for three decades. The Boeing P-8A and Airbus C295 are being evaluated as possible contenders. LESSONS FROM ELSEWHERE Looking at conflicts abroad, Rear Admiral Wat pointed out that the Houthis used a variety of low-end and high-end weapons in attacks in the Red Sea. The militant group, which controls much of Yemen, has been targeting ships in the inlet since Israel began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza. " Shipping through the Red Sea fell significantly, costing hundreds of billions of dollars of damage to the global economy," the RSN chief noted. He also observed how novel maritime unmanned capabilities have been employed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Attacks on critical underwater infrastructure have also come into sharp focus in recent months, said RADM Wat, pointing to underwater cables and pipelines being damaged, particularly in the Baltic Sea. Countries in that region moved quickly to respond, with national governments working closely with regional partners, private industries and other stakeholders to secure the infrastructure, he noted. He cited an example of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO launching an operation bringing together navies and other agencies to protect the infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. He also pointed to Dr Ng raising such underwater infrastructure as an "area of concern" during a meeting with ASEAN defence ministers earlier this year. RADM Wat said the RSN cannot navigate complex maritime security challenges alone and that partnerships - both international and regional - are key, be it through dialogues or other forms of cooperation. The Singapore navy will also continue to strengthen defence relations through regular engagement with counterparts around the world, with bilateral and multilateral exercises.
