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The military needs better technologies for subterranean operations
Asymmetric underground manoeuvrability and operability is shaping the modern battlespace in urban and complex terrain, offering a clear benefit to the irregular side. The fierce fighting between Israel and the Palestinian terror organisations in Gaza is highlighting the growing need for technologies that can assist the regular military operating in the subterranean dimension.
Israel’s campaign directed at Gaza’s tunnel infrastructure
Operation 'Protective Edge' will be remembered as one of the first military operations where a modern army had to face an irregular enemy mostly in the subterranean operational environment. While irregular forces have exploited the underground dimension in the past, in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Palestinians in Gaza relied on their subterranean tunnel network as a battlespace - gaining mobility, communications, force protection and survivability, and denying the enemy from its main advantage - dominance in intelligence and firepower.
Operating robots underground
As robots are assuming part of the roles performed by human operators, particularly in dangerous missions, it is obvious they will be used in subterranean environments. However, denied the basic attributes necessary for its operation - navigation, guidance and communications - most military robot are still awaiting some technological solutions when tasked with missions underground
Tunnel warfare – a short history
Underground warfare is not new. Since ancient and medical times warfighters have often used subterranean passages, natural or man made, to gain access into enemy fortifications and escape siege. In modern times, underground warfare has been utilised primarily in guerrilla, enabling a weaker side to combat militarily superior opponent, taking advantage of tunnels, caves and other underground infrastructures prepared in advance as part of an orderly military strategy.
Update: FAA lifts flight restriction on Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport,
One day after restricting U.S. airlines from flying to Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport for security concerns, the FAA has lifted its restriction after reviewing 'significant new information and measures the Government of Israel is taking to mitigate potential risks to civil aviation next day the agency lifted its restriction', the agency announced around midnight, July 23rd.
HMS QE2 floats for the first time as outgoing carrier Illustrious retires
The UK's largest ever warship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has been successfully floated out of the dock in which she was assembled. The dock she vacates will be used for final assembly of her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, which will begin in September.
Integrator UAV Completes 24 hour flight test
The Integrator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has recently completed a 24-hour flight, demonstrating the platform's expanded endurance and increased gross take-off weight. Integrator is providing the aerial platform for the US Marine Corps' RQ-21A Blackjack small tactical UAS.
Israel launches a ground campaign in Gaza
Following ten days of aerial and naval attacks on terror targets in the Gaza strip, and continuous rocket fire against Israeli towns and villages by Palestinian terror groups from Gaza, Israel is increasing the pressure on Hamas in Gaza launching a ground operation within the Gaza Strip. The forces moved on 22:00 Israel Time (20:00 GMT)
Taranis UCAV demonstrates stealth capabilities
BAE Systems and the British MOD have completed second phase of flight testing, which included flight evaluations of the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) low observable (stealth) capabilities. According to BAE Systems, during this latest set of trials Taranis flew in a fully ‘stealthy’ configuration, making it virtually invisible to radar.
Cyber Intelligence Report – July 15, 2014
In this edition: Operation Protective Edge hits cyber realm | Operation Protective Edge in cyber industry | U.S. engaged in talks with China regarding cyber spying activity | DOD bolstering cyber security resources within civilian and military networks | South Africa’s cyber crime increases | Cyber security issues take center stage at 5th Kenya Internet Governance Forum | New Australian Center for Cyber Security | North Korea expanding cyber power | France creating national cyber reserve unit | Norway financial institutions under cyber-attack by Anonymous | NATO approves establishment of military Cyber-Polygon-Base
