Latest news with #NGP
AllAfrica
8 hours ago
- Business
- AllAfrica
US builds next-generation bunker buster with China in mind
After blasting Iran's nuke bunkers with 13-ton bombs, the US is racing to build a smarter, sleeker penetrator for the next war, possibly with China. This month, The War Zone (TWZ) reported that in the wake of the US Air Force's first combat use of the 13,000-kilogram GBU-57/B massive ordnance penetrator during the June strikes on Iran's Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities under Operation Midnight Hammer, the US Department of Defense has accelerated efforts to develop a successor: the next generation penetrator (NGP). The strikes, which involved 14 MOPs delivered exclusively by B-2 bombers, underscored both the weapon's precision and its operational limitations, particularly in light of the B-21 Raider's reduced payload capacity. A February 2024 US Air Force contracting notice outlines NGP requirements, including sub-9,900-kilogram warheads capable of precision strikes with a circular error probable of within 2.2 meters. Notably, the NGP may feature standoff capability via propulsion systems, improved void-sensing or embedded fuzing technologies, and enhanced or scalable terminal effects. The push for a successor, spurred by lessons from past MOP development and growing global interest in deeply buried facilities, targets adversaries beyond Iran, including North Korea, China, and Russia. The US Air Force aims to receive initial prototypes within two years of contract award, though a complete operational deployment timeline remains unspecified, according to the same February 2024 USAF notice. The future NGP is likely to form part of the Long Range Strike system, alongside platforms like the B-21 and the AGM-181A Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) missile, making it a critical asset for penetrating hardened targets. This need to address hardened targets more effectively, highlighted by possible limitations in the Iran strikes, may have prompted the US to fast-track NGP development, especially with peer adversaries like China in mind. Multiple media outlets cited a leaked US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report stating that US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities failed to destroy the core of the program and merely set it back by months. Du Wenlong noted in the South China Morning Post that Iran's Fordow site lies 80 meters underground, 30 meters deeper than the GBU-57's stated penetration capability, raising doubts as to whether the strike hit critical infrastructure. Song Zhongping said in the same article that although the US dropped 14 bombs, satellite imagery showed six craters, suggesting two bombs may have been aimed at each target, possibly to reinforce penetration. He added that while some infrastructure may have been damaged, complete elimination is implausible. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth downplayed the DIA report's findings, calling them 'preliminary,' and noting that the report itself states battle damage assessment takes weeks to complete. Hegseth said the report was not coordinated with the intelligence community and suffers from low confidence due to information gaps. These Iranian lessons could foreshadow far more complex strike dilemmas in a potential conflict with China. In a November 2024 RAND report, Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga and others at RAND noted that if initial US strikes on China's maritime and surface assets fail, the US may need to launch long-range conventional attacks against China's buried inland facilities. Beauchamp-Mustafaga and others wrote that command-and-control nodes and missile storage sites are essential to sustaining People's Liberation Army (PLA) operations. Satellite imagery cited by Newsweek in May 2025 shows a 1,500-acre site dubbed 'Beijing Military City' near Qinglonghu, southwest of the capital, with deep pits believed to house hardened bunkers capable of sheltering China's leadership in a nuclear war. Hans Kristensen and others wrote in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists in March 2025 that China built over 320 underground missile silos between 2021 and 2025 at Yumen in Gansu, Hami in Xinjiang, and Ordos in Inner Mongolia, significantly expanding its nuclear deterrent capabilities. They stated these silos, with standardized layouts, are designed for solid-fuel DF-41 ICBMs with potential launch-on-warning capability, supported by hardened command infrastructure and possibly nearby underground storage. They also noted continued DF-5B silo construction, reinforcing survivability through dual platforms. Furthermore, Greg Weaver argued in an April 2025 Atlantic Council report that standoff capability is essential for enhancing US aircraft survivability when striking mainland China. He noted that China's advanced air defenses and long-range missiles pose serious threats to forward-deployed US aircraft, making it vital to use standoff delivery systems that launch from outside the range of Chinese defenses. Yet even with advanced penetrators and standoff options, strikes on the Chinese mainland carry severe risks. In a 2021 Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs article, Brian McLean argued that while some strategists believe China can differentiate between conventional and nuclear attacks, hitting leadership bunkers or missile forces might be mistaken for a decapitation or disarmament attempt. He warned that even conventional strikes affecting China's nuclear posture or regime stability could provoke a nuclear response, especially if China perceives its second-strike capability as compromised. As the US weighs options beyond tactical reach, the broader question of deterrence comes into play. McLean said the best way to avoid escalation may be a strategy of deterrence by denial, convincing China not to attack Taiwan in the first place. However, Chen Xi wrote in a September 2022 article for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that deterrence by denial hinges on forward-deployed forces and regional basing, both of which are increasingly vulnerable to China's growing missile capabilities and anti-access/area denial systems. Chen cautioned that this posture could fuel perceptions of encirclement or US intent to strike first, raising escalation risks. He also pointed to practical limitations, including the difficulty of dispersing assets across allied territories, uncertain host-nation support, and ambiguous defense commitments that may weaken US credibility.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Krisha in line for twin doubles title, loses singles QF to Raigad's Prakriti
1 2 3 4 Nagpur: The penultimate day of the Maharashtra State U-19 selection badminton tournament brought mixed luck for girls' singles top seed and promising Nagpur shuttler Krisha Soni. A day after the 18-year-old became the lone Nagpur shuttler to enter all three quarterfinals, Krisha suffered a heartbreak with a 21-17, 9-21, 15-21 defeat in her singles outing against Raigad's Prakriti Sharma at the Arundhati Arun Badminton Academy, Besa, on Friday. Despite suffering an exit in the girls' singles event, Krisha remained positive and won both the girls' and mixed doubles quarterfinal and semifinal matches respectively with city's Nishika Gokhe and Pune's Aditya Tripathi in contrasting fashion to become the only Nagpur player to enter two finals. While Krisha experienced fluctuating fortunes, unseeded Nagpur shuttlers Ridheema Sarpate and Rutva Sajwan registered facile victories to enter the girls' and boys' singles final. In the girls' singles semifinal, Ridheema prevailed over Pune's Safa Shaikh 21-9 and 3-1 after the latter retired in the second game. Ridheema will face Pune's Yutika Chavan, who defeated Prakriti 22-20, 21-13. In an all-Nagpur boys' singles semifinal, Rutva defeated Pranay Gadewar 21-8, 21-18 to meet Palghar's Dev Ruparelia, who stunned top seed Aditya Tripathi 21-17, 21-18. Earlier in the girls' doubles quarterfinal, the Nagpur duo of Krisha and Nishika registered a hard-fought 21-18, 19-21, 21-19 victory over the Pune pair of Jidnyasa Chaudhari and Riddhima Sahrawat. In the semifinal, Krisha and Nishika drubbed the Nashik-Pune duo of Shravni Patil and Yashasvee Kale 21-8, 21-18 to set up the summit clash with Shravani Walekar and Taarini Suri from Nashik and Greater Mumbai. In mixed doubles, the Nagpur-Pune duo of Krisha and Aditya won both their quarterfinal and semifinal outings in straight games. RESULTS Boys Singles (QF): 1-Aditya Tripathi (PN) bt Ojas Joshi (PN) 21-4, 21-6; Dev Ruparelia (PAL) bt Arjun Reddy Aluguvelli (BAMU) 21-17, 21-10; Rutva Sajwan (NGP) bt Aryan Talwar (BAMU) 21-18, 21-14; Pranay Gadewar (NGP) bt Tanay Mehendale (PAL) 21-19, 11-3 Ret. Semifinals: Dev Ruparelia (PAL) bt 1-Aditya Tripathi (PN) 21-17, 21-18; Rutva Sajwan (NGP) bt Pranay Gadewar (NGP) 21-8, 21-18. Girls Singles (QF): Prakriti Sharma (Raigad) bt 1-Krisha Soni (NGP) 17-21, 21-9, 21-15; Yutika Chavan (PN) bt Ketaki Thite (BAMU) 15-21, 21-16, 23-21; Ridheema Sarpate (NGP) bt Isha Patil (TH) 21-13, 21-16; Safa Shaikh (PN) bt Shravni Patil (NSK) 19-21, 21-16, 21-16. Semifinals: Yutika Chavan (PN) bt Prakriti Sharma (BOR) 22-20, 21-13; Ridheema Sarpate (NGP) bt Safa Shaikh (PN) 21-9, 3-1 Ret. Boys Doubles (QF): Arjun Birajdar-Aryan Birajdar (TH) bt Malhar Ghadi-Nidhish More (PAL) 14-21, 21-19, 21-16; Arjun Reddy Aluguvelli (BAMU)-Yash Dhembare (TH) bt Jeeva Pillai-Priyanshu Dubey (NGP) 21-13, 19-21, 21-9; Om Gavandi-Sanidhya Ekade (TH) bt Om Nirhale-Shantanu Tarde (WASH) 21-10, 21-18; Avadhut Kadam-Ojas Joshi (PN) bt Aditya Poojary-Prasanna Manna (SNG) 28-26, 21-12. Semifinals: Arjun Birajdar-Aryan Birajdar (TH) bt Arjun Reddy Aluguvelli (BAMU)-Yash Dhembare (TH) 21-18, 21-9; Om Gavandi-Sanidhya Ekade (TH) bt Avadhut Kadam-Ojas Joshi (PN) 21-19, 17-21, 21-16. Girls Doubles (QF): Shravani Walekar (NSK)-Taarini Suri (GM) bt Juie Jadhav-Safa Shaikh (PN) 21-17, 21-14; Aditi Gawade (TH)-Yutika Chavan (PN) bt Hita Agrawal-Sia Waydande (NSK) 14-21, 21-17, 21-9; Shravni Patil (NSK)-Yashasvee Kale (PN) bt Pranali Wadar (SNG)-Shreya Rathod (AHM) 15-21, 21-10, 21-16; Krisha Soni-Nishika Gokhe (NGP) bt Jidnyasa Chaudhari and Riddhima Sahrawat (PN) 21-18, 19-21, 21-19. Semifinals: Shravani Walekar (NSK)-Taarini Suri (GM) bt Aditi Gawade (TH)-Yutika Chavan (PN) 21-12, 21-15; Krisha Soni-Nishika Gokhe (NGP) bt Shravni Patil (NSK)-Yashasvee Kale (PN) 21-8, 21-18. Mixed Doubles (QF): Sanidhya Ekade-Aditi Gawade (TH) bt Raghav Anasane-Vridhi Bang (WAR) 21-3, 21-15; Sarvesh Yadav (TH)-Shravani Walekar (NSK) bt Krishna Jasuja-Juie Jadhav (PN) 17-21, 21-17, 21-11; Yashraj Kadam-Ananya Agrawal (PN) bt Shrishail Bhaganagare-Shreya Rathod (AHM) 21-16, 21-19; Aditya Tripathi (PN)-Krisha Soni (NGP) bt Shriyans Phansalkar (SAT)-Vibha Patil (KOL) 21-14, 21-5. Semifinals: Sarvesh Yadav (TH)-Shravani Walekar (NSK) bt Sanidhya Ekade-Aditi Gawade (TH) 21-13, 21-14; Aditya Tripathi (PN)-Krisha Soni (NGP) bt Yashraj Kadam-Ananya Agrawal (PN) 21-14, 21-17.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
US to make new 'bunker buster' bombs 4 times more powerful than the ones dropped on Iran
The United States is developing 'bunker buster' bombs that could be four times more powerful than the ones dropped on Iranian nuclear sites last week. read more A GBU-57, or the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb, at Whiteman Air Base in Missouri. The US used six of these bunker-busters to target Iran's Fordow nuclear site on Sunday. File image/AP The United States is developing new 'bunker buster' bombs that are expected to be almost four times more powerful than those dropped on Iran. Last week, the United States struck Iran's Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites with 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Mass Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs and the Isfahan site with submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles. The MOP is the largest conventional bomb with the United States. The working name for MOP's successor is Next Generation Penetrator (NGP). It is expected to work on the same premise as MOP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: Here's how 'bunker buster' bombs work that Trump used to hit Iran's nuclear sites Unlike most munitions, MOP does not explode upon impact. It first penetrates the target and explodes inside the target. This maximises the damage and expands the blast radius inside the targeted structure. It is believed that the bomb can hit targets as deep as 60 metres underground. New bombs to be 4 times more powerful — and possibly faster The NGP is expected to be around four times more powerful than MOP, according to information released by the US Air Force (USAF) and analysis carried by The War Zone. Out of the 30,000 pounds that MOP carries, the warhead weighs just around 6,000 pounds and the rest of the weight is of the metallic bomb that carries the warhead inside it, as per TWZ. The USAF said last year that the NGP's warhead could weigh much as 22,000 pounds — almost four times the warhead of MOP. ALSO READ: Inside Netanyahu's campaign to destroy Iran's nuclear sites with 'bunker busters' If the NGP would have the same warhead to overall weight ratio as of the MOP, the overall NGP could weigh as much as 110,000 pounds. If the 30,000-pound MOP could breach through 60 metres of concrete to hit the target, the depth to which NGP could breach through would be much more. The USAF has also said in its notional renderings that the NGP would have its own propulsion system, which means it would have its own power. On the other hand, the MOP is a gravity bomb, which means that it does not have its own power and it cannot fly towards its target like regular rockets or missiles. Its flight path based on the height and angle it was dropped from can only be altered in a limited manner. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Separately, the USAF is also seeking a smaller bunker buster bomb that could be dropped by F-35 fighter planes, according to TWZ. It has been dubbed as Global Precision Attack Weapon (GPAW). The specifications have not been made public.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Aduro Clean Technologies Welcomes David Weizenbach as Chief Operating Officer
LONDON, Ontario, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aduro Clean Technologies Inc. ('Aduro' or the 'Company') (Nasdaq: ADUR) (CSE: ACT) (FSE: 9D5), a clean technology company using the power of chemistry to transform lower-value feedstocks, like waste plastics, heavy bitumen, and renewable oils, into resources for the 21st century, today announced the appointment of David Weizenbach, as Chief Operating Officer, effective July 1st 2025. With over 30 years of experience in engineering leadership, operations, and industrial technology integration, including 25 years at NOVA Chemicals, Mr. Weizenbach combines technical expertise with organizational insight. His background encompasses process automation, safety systems, capital project delivery, and operational governance across a range of heavy industrial environments. Mr. Weizenbach brings a comprehensive background in operations leadership, engineering systems, and risk-informed project planning. His experience in managing complex technical environments and guiding organizations through technology transitions will support the commissioning of the Next Generation Process ('NGP') pilot plant and lay the foundation for the Company's demonstration-scale facility and future commercial deployment. For the past six months, Mr. Weizenbach has been working closely with Aduro in a consulting capacity, supporting operational planning and scale-up strategy. His appointment reflects a natural transition into the leadership team at a pivotal moment as the Company expands its operations and moves toward pilot-scale execution and demonstration-readiness. His familiarity with Aduro's culture, technical approach, and operational priorities ensures continuity and momentum as he takes on this leadership position. 'David is a highly experienced executive with a strong track record in process innovation, team leadership, and operational excellence,' said Ofer Vicus, Chief Executive Officer of Aduro. 'He knows our people, our technologies, and our strategic direction — and his transition into this role comes at the right time as we accelerate commissioning of the NGP pilot plant and build the foundation for scaling to demonstration and commercial deployment. We're pleased to welcome David to the team and are honored he's chosen to embark on this journey with us.' Before joining Aduro, Mr. Weizenbach operated an independent consulting practice focused on providing strategic technical guidance to industrial clients aiming to improve performance and implement emerging technologies. He advised a variety of organizations, including major manufacturers and specialized operators. His work included deploying advanced control systems, optimizing fired equipment and process units, and integrating performance data using both on-premise and cloud-based tools. He routinely supported transitions from legacy infrastructure to modern platforms, assisting in aligning operational strategies with broader organizational goals. Mr. Weizenbach also spent more than 25 years with NOVA Chemicals where he progressed through senior roles spanning process automation, capital projects, and Responsible Care. He unified automation teams into a cohesive function supporting nine operating units, enabling the deployment of advanced alarm management systems, simulator-based operator training, and standardized operator interfaces. As capital projects leader, he managed portfolios ranging from maintenance-scale to multi-year investments, ensuring alignment with corporate schedules, safety goals, and performance metrics. He also led Emergency Response, Occupational Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, and Environmental Compliance programs, where he strengthened safety culture and improved risk management systems. 'I've spent more than three decades working in heavy industry, primarily with one of the world's leading producers of ethylene and polyethylene, where I had the opportunity to lead outstanding teams across operations, engineering, automation, and emergency response,' said Mr. Weizenbach. 'More recently, I've focused on helping organizations implement technology to drive safe, reliable, and efficient operations. I'm very excited to bring that same focus to Aduro as we scale our Hydrochemolytic™ Technology and establish the operational framework for commercial deployment.' About Aduro Clean Technologies Aduro Clean Technologies is a developer of patented water-based technologies to chemically recycle waste plastics; convert heavy crude and bitumen into lighter, more valuable oil; and transform renewable oils into higher-value fuels or renewable chemicals. The Company's Hydrochemolytic™ Technology relies on water as a critical agent in a chemistry platform that operates at relatively low temperatures and cost, a game-changing approach that converts low-value feedstocks into resources for the 21st century. For further information, please contact: Abe Dyck, Head of Business Development and Investor Relations [email protected] +1 226 784 8889 KCSA Strategic Communications Jack Perkins, Senior Vice President [email protected] Forward-Looking StatementsA photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
The Massive Ordnance Penetrator is a 30,000-pound bunker buster bomb
In 'Top Gun: Maverick,' the Navy is tasked with destroying an underground uranium enrichment plant in an unnamed foreign country. Maverick's plan requires two bombs to be dropped: the first to hit an exposed ventilation hatch and the second to travel down the shaft as the kill shot. This tandem strike wouldn't be necessary if Maverick had been in the Air Force. The Air Force would have used it's most powerful 'bunker buster:' the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator. It is the most powerful bunker buster bomb in the U.S. Air Force's arsenal, and was designed following the poor performance of bunker buster bombs employed during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Smaller bunker busters, such as the GBU-28 and GBU-37, yielded poor penetration and inadequate levels of destruction during the conflict. The Air Force Research Laboratory's Munitions Directorate, with design and testing conducted by Boeing, developed the ultimate bunker buster for about $400 million. Weighing a total of 30,000 pounds while measuring 20.5 feet in length and 31.5 inches in diameter, the MOP is a massive weapon. Designed to be dropped by a strategic bomber, it uses GPS as well as Inertial Navigation System guidance to strike within meters of its target. A large penetrator smart fuze dictates the bomb's detonation based on the impact depth to ensure the destruction of an underground structure. The MOP can reportedly penetrate up to 200 feet of reinforced concrete or soil. This is accomplished by dropping the incredibly thick bomb from high altitude. Only 5,300 pounds of the 30,000-pound MOP is made up by its warhead of polymer-bonded explosives; the high-density steel alloy hull makes up about 80% of the bomb's weight. Although testing was conducted with the B-52 Stratofortress, the MOB can only be employed operationally by the B-2 Spirit, which can carry two of the bombs. As of November 2015, the Air Force reported that an initial 20 MOPs were contracted to be built. The service also announced that an operational stockpile is present at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, the only operational B-2 Spirit base. The new B-21 Raider has been designed to employ the Massive Ordnance Penetrator, as well as the Next Generation Penetrator munition, which is intended to replace the large MOP. To enable the NGP to be carried by smaller aircraft, the Air Force aims for the MOP's replacement to be three times smaller than the explosive's current size. This means that the NGP will have to be denser, which will retain a high overall weight, or it will need to be rocket-assisted to ensure the same penetration performance. We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter. 4 deadly weapons the military never made These are the worst weapons an army could buy These are 10 of the longest-serving weapons in the US combat arsenal
