Radar Sweep
Israel’s Netanyahu Warns Hamas Must Free Hostages by Saturday
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded that Hamas release Israeli hostages by noon Feb. 15 or face a return to war, a deadline President Trump said he didn’t think the militant group would meet. Hamas set off a rupture in the talks Feb. 10 by saying it would postpone the release of the three hostages scheduled to be freed this weekend to protest delays in deliveries of humanitarian goods.
No Plans to Draw Down US Troops in Europe for Now, Hegseth Says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said administration officials have no short-term plans to cut U.S. troop levels in Europe but are committed to reviewing American military posture worldwide to ensure that forces are prepositioned in the right regions.
Tankers Flood Airspace off the California Coast for China-Focused Air Combat Exercise
At least 20 U.S. Air Force tanker aircraft, 10 KC-46s and an equal number of KC-135s, supported the first day of the latest Bamboo Eagle exercise off the California Coast, according to online flight tracking data. ... The large force exercise series has quickly become one of the most important for the U.S. military, as well as key allies, and has a clear eye on preparing for a future coalition fight in the Pacific with China.
Europe Shifts Ukraine Strategy as Trump Pushes to End War
The strategy for Ukraine is quietly shifting in Europe to match the changing tone of the United States— from a promise of unyielding support to an effort to bring Kyiv to the bargaining table with a strong hand. That new strategy will play out most clearly this week at the Munich Security Conference, one of the biggest gatherings of defense leaders in the world.
Defense Chief Hegseth Said He Would Welcome Elon Musk’s DOGE Analysts at the Pentagon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he’s been in touch with Elon Musk and would welcome his unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) financial analysts going through the books at the Pentagon to curtail wasteful government spending.
Ukraine’s Rare Earth Elements Could Help Keep US Military Aid Flowing
Ukraine has offered to strike a deal with U.S. President Donald Trump for continued American military aid in exchange for developing Ukraine’s mineral industry, which could provide a valuable source of the rare earth elements that are essential for many kinds of technology.
US Military Space Tracking Systems Strain Under New Threats
U.S. military officials are scrambling to upgrade decades-old systems that track objects in space—a critical capability they say is falling dangerously behind modern threats—as thousands of new satellites crowd Earth’s orbit and rival powers demonstrate increasingly sophisticated space capabilities.
Airbus to Manufacture Oberon Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellites for UK
The U.K. Ministry of Defense (MoD) awarded Airbus a contract to design and build two synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites as part of the Oberon program, Airbus announced Feb. 10. The two satellites will utilize high resolution SAR technology, allowing them to capture detailed images of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Airbus has been involved with the MOD on studies for SAR satellites since 2019.
US Cyber Vulnerabilities Fuel N. Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal, but Solutions Are Near: DARPA Official
The U.S.’s vulnerable cybersecurity systems are indirectly allowing North Korea to bolster its nuclear arsenal, but thanks to existing technology this can be easily avoided, an official from the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency said Feb. 10.
Pentagon Says It Will Cover Travel Costs for Military Families’ IVF Treatments
The Pentagon has clarified that service members can have their out-of-state travel costs for in-vitro fertilization treatment covered, after previously announcing on Jan. 29 that the program had been revoked.
Space Security at Crossroads: Report Urges US-China Dialogue
A new report by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) urges the Trump administration and Congress to adopt a comprehensive strategy to maintain U.S. leadership in space, including establishing diplomatic channels with China.
Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges
What looks to be a previously unseen vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capable aircraft design, with a mix of tilting and fixed rotors, has emerged at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California. Mojave is a hotbed for aviation development where testing of new and often intriguing designs, including VTOL types, regularly occurs.