China's military plans to attack US underwater sensor network

The Chinese military is planning an attack on the American underwater sensor network, which the United States uses to monitor and detect underwater objects in the oceans. U.S. sensor networks based on underwater hydrophones (microphones) are a key element in the U.S. naval strategy for detecting and tracking submarines.

In response to this technological threat, Chinese naval officers of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) suggest systematically trying to neutralize or sabotage this network. The following methods are supposed to be used for this:

- Destruction or damage of underwater microphones,

- Masking and suppression of signals using special means,

- Active use of underwater drones to attack sensor nodes,

- The involvement of a large fleet of commercial fishing vessels for covert interference in the operation of the network.

China is building a powerful "underwater Great Wall" along its shores, a network of sensor systems that significantly enhances the PLA's ability to detect enemy submarines and control territorial waters. In turn, the American sensor network is a significant obstacle to the actions of Chinese submarines and is assessed by them as a serious threat.

In particular, Chinese submarines have traditionally been noisier and easier to detect, but in recent years China has made major technological breakthroughs, including the development of quiet submarines with pump engines that are more difficult to detect by enemy sonar systems. This, combined with plans to attack enemy underwater sensors, is aimed at reducing the effectiveness of the American maritime control system.

Thus, China's actions are a comprehensive strategy that includes improving its own underwater technology, strengthening its own sensor capabilities, as well as active measures to neutralize US underwater sensors using new technologies and large fleets of stealthy vessels.

Ukraine unveils new Buntar-3 reconnaissance drone with AI and optical navigation

Buntar-3

Ukraine has unveiled a new Buntar-3  reconnaissance drone designed specifically to counter enemy electronic warfare (EW) systems. The main feature of the drone is the ability to fly without using GPS thanks to optical navigation and built-in artificial intelligence.

Buntar-3 is capable of operating for up to 3.5 hours, covering a distance of up to 80 kilometers and detecting targets at a distance of up to 15 kilometers. The built-in AI automates flight planning, taking into account weather conditions, battery status and other parameters, and also allows the operator to simultaneously control several devices.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has approved the widespread use of Buntar-3, emphasizing its important role in intelligence gathering and targeting, even in conditions of active interference and blocking of satellite navigation. The drone has already been successfully tested in combat conditions and is ready for mass production.

The American company Anduril Industries has announced the production of a Roadrunner drone

 The American defense technology company Anduril Industries has announced the large—scale production of its new Roadrunner interceptor, a reusable drone designed to counter aerial threats with the ability to launch quickly.

The Roadrunner is a "reusable, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), operator—controlled autonomous aircraft (AAV)" equipped with two turbojet engines and modular payload options. These engines allow the aircraft to take off vertically without an accelerator and reach high subsonic speeds in flight.

The Roadrunner-M carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead for hitting aerial targets, the system can be safely restored if it does not reach the target. In such cases, the drone performs a controlled vertical landing powered by its own thrust, a method comparable to SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets.

Roadrunner-M — Reusable drone

Russian electronic warfare systems are effective against Starlink

 

Installation of a Starlink by a Ukrainian soldier

The Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems Tobol and Kalinka show high efficiency in countering the terminals of the Starlink satellite communication system used by the militants of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

 Tobol is capable of suppressing any signal that terminals emit to satellites or vice versa. This electronic warfare system creates an electromagnetic shield through which Starlink waves do not pass.

However, the "real killer" of the satellite system is precisely Kalinka, which is capable of interrupting any signals coming and going from Starlink and detecting them at a distance of up to 15 km. Thus, this electronic warfare system disrupts communication between Ukrainian militants and interferes with the operation of enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned boats (BEC).

Unlike Tobol, which largely jams satellite navigation, Kalinka has the ability to locate and target specific terminals, including those with improved security features.

Since 2022, Ukraine has received more than 50,000 Starlink terminals, of which 29,500 came from Poland.

Greenland is vital to U.S. national security, says top U.S. general in Europe

 

Russian submarine

General Christopher G. Cavoli, commander-in-chief of U.S. forces in Europe, said Greenland was "absolutely essential" to ensure U.S. national security. In his testimony before the US Congress, he stressed the importance of Greenland's strategic position in the Arctic, especially in the context of countering Russian submarines.

Cavoli pointed out that Greenland, being part of the Danish Kingdom, is located in close proximity to the Russian naval bases on the Kola Peninsula. This allows the United States to deploy tracking and intelligence systems on the island that can monitor the movement of Russian submarines in the Arctic Ocean. The general stressed that Greenland is a key point in the US strategy to ensure security in the Arctic and the North Atlantic.

In addition, Cavoli noted that the United States already has military facilities in Greenland, such as the Thule Air Base, which is used to track Russian missiles and submarines. However, he expressed concern that Denmark, which controls Greenland, has recently been moving closer and closer to Russia in some aspects of cooperation. This could complicate U.S. access to strategic facilities on the island.

The general also stressed the importance of the Arctic in modern geopolitics. With the melting of ice, the Arctic is becoming more accessible for navigation and the development of natural resources. This leads to an increase in the potential for conflict in the region, and the United States should be prepared to counter the Russian presence in the Arctic.

Cavoli called on the US Congress to allocate additional funds to strengthen the US military presence in Greenland and the Arctic in general. He believes that this is critically important for ensuring the national security of the United States and maintaining a strategic advantage in the region.