A Florida-based company has announced a series of major advancements in maritime and long-range detection capabilities utilizing its proprietary using its Base Molecular Resonance (BMR) technology platform.

BMRT’s Generation 2 platform offers unprecedented offshore and underwater detection results following the successful completion of a separate U.S. government-sponsored field study.

The company stated that the results mark the first operational deployment of BMRT’s Generation 2 platform in a true maritime environment and further reinforce the company’s position at the intersection of advanced physics, national security, and resonance-based detection technologies.

Long-range performance

“These results fundamentally alter how the world should think about shielding, distance, underwater concealment, and the movement of strategic materials,” said Robert “Bo” Short, co-founder and CEO of BMRT.

“The oceans have historically served as a sanctuary for concealment, transport, and strategic ambiguity. With this technology those assumptions collapse.”

Unlike previous demonstrations, which emphasized long-range performance in land-based settings as well as controlled tethered aerial scenarios, the Generation 2 maritime testing initiative was specifically designed to assess precision detection capabilities within a maritime operating environment. Rather than pursuing maximum standoff distances, the effort focused on validating target discrimination, environmental stability, and detection precision from mobile maritime platform, according to a press release.

Long-range detection event involving U-235

BMRT also publicly disclosed for the first time details surrounding a long-range detection event involving U-235.

During a demonstration attended by representatives from an elite U.S. Combatant Command, BMRT’s Generation 2 system reportedly detected U-235 from Stuart, Florida, across the Gulf of America to the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station near Bay City, Texas, a distance of approximately 970 miles, as per the release.

BMRT stated that it is now releasing portions of this information due to the continued maturation of the technology, the successful evolution into its Generation 2 architecture, and the increasing strategic importance of transparent discussions surrounding nuclear detection, maritime security, counter-proliferation, and strategic deterrence.

“We are entering an era where the movement of strategic materials can no longer remain hidden by distance, shielding, terrain, or water,” said Lee Duke, BMRT’s co-founder and president.

“The implications for global security, maritime monitoring, counter-proliferation operations, and nuclear transparency are profound.”

Operating from maritime vessels offshore, BMRT conducted a series of advanced detection exercises with the positive results.

From a maritime platform positioned approximately 1,500 feet offshore, the Gen 2 system successfully detected ten individual nitrocellulose-based propellant targets located inside a vehicle on land. While operating from a maritime vessel, the system successfully detected a single trace quantity of nitrocellulose-based propellant positioned on a floating object at an approximate distance of 270 feet.

From a maritime platform, the system detected two discrete nitrocellulose-based propellant targets positioned on a floating object at approximately 450 feet, demonstrating enhanced range performance with increased target mass.

In underwater trials, trace quantities of nitrocellulose-based propellant were submerged at depth to evaluate system performance through water. Despite the extremely low target mass, detection remained precise and stable, performing as though the water itself were effectively absent from the detection environment, according to BMRT.

An aerospace and defense company has unveiled its new deep-reach intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drone. Called RQ-70, the drone delivers ISR capabilities beyond the immediate tactical frontline.

Developed by AIRO Group Holdings, the RQ-70 drone is expected to enter full-scale production in January 2027.

“The RQ-70 is a direct response to what our customers have been asking for, with longer range, greater endurance, and the same operational reliability they have come to expect from the RQ-35,” said Joe Burns, AIRO CEO.

“Together, these platforms give allied defense forces a complete ISR toolkit, and give AIRO a stronger foundation to compete across a broader set of mission requirements.”

Longer-range ISR capability

The RQ-70 builds on the operational success of the RQ-35 Heidrun, which has been deployed by NATO member and allied forces, and directly addresses growing customer demand for longer-range ISR capability and extended mission endurance. Together, the two platforms establish AIRO as a multi-platform ISR provider equipped to serve a broad spectrum of mission requirements across allied defense forces. The introduction of the RQ-70 deepens AIRO’s presence in the defense drone market while expanding its customer base, according to a press release.

The company revealed that building on the RQ-35’s proven operational model, the RQ-70 supports standard hand launch and deep-stall landing, operates in GNSS-denied environments, and incorporates onboard AI to further advance AIRO’s AI roadmap. The platform also offers configuration flexibility, including standard, long-range, and VTOL-enabled options. In addition, the RQ-70 features a modular payload and software architecture that can be tailored to specific mission requirements, enabling it to serve as a standalone, full-service ISR drone for many NATO and allied defense customers.

Other key system capabilities include up to 8 hours of endurance for persistent surveillance and longer time on station; ISR operations beyond the front lines with an operational range of 62+ miles (100 km); resilience in GPS/GNSS-denied environments; deployment by a single operator with fully autonomous mission operation and recovery; and connectivity designed for digital battlefield integration, as per the release.

Drone can deliver long-range, persistent surveillance

“Modern conflicts have shown that success depends on a multitude of factors, such as how quickly intelligence can be collected, processed, and delivered to decision-makers,” said Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, AIRO Executive Chairman.

“The RQ-70 is designed to meet that challenge, delivering long-range, persistent surveillance that integrates seamlessly into connected battlefield environments to provide reliable intelligence when it matters most.”

The unveiling at Eurosatory gives customers, partners, and industry stakeholders their first chance to see the aircraft configuration firsthand, providing a clear sense of its scale, capabilities, and intended operational concept.

The launch further supports AIRO’s broader growth strategy, which includes expanding its defense manufacturing footprint in Europe and developing next-generation unmanned systems. With the addition of the RQ-70, AIRO aims to strengthen its position as a provider of scalable, AI-enabled ISR solutions capable of meeting evolving battlefield requirements.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded production contract for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The engineering and manufacturing development and production contracts have been awarded to General Atomics, FQ-42, and Anduril, FQ-44 for CCA Increment 1.

Building upon decades of responsible, semi-autonomous flight development, CCA represent the next critical evolution of airpower. CCA are designed to seamlessly integrate with crewed fighters to extend reach, awareness and survivability in contested environments. This human-machine teaming will serve as a powerful deterrent, signaling to adversaries the futility of challenging U.S. airpower.

Tactical edge can defeat any adversary

“Collaborative Combat Aircraft change how we project power and generate mass in highly contested environments,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach.

“Delivering this capability to our warfighters faster ensures our forces maintain the tactical edge required to deter and, if necessary, defeat any adversary.”

These contracts have been awarded four months ahead of schedule, these contracts signify that the FQ-42 and FQ-44 meet rigorous mission requirements and are ready for full-scale manufacturing. The decision follows a competitive source selection process, identifying the systems as the most capable and cost-effective solutions to maintain air superiority in an increasingly complex and contested global threat environment.

150 combat capable CCA

“By moving fast from competitive selection into full-scale manufacturing, we position ourselves to field highly credible and combat-ready semi-autonomous systems to stay ahead of the pacing challenge,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.

“These contracts reaffirm our confidence in the strategic path forward for the program to procure over 150 combat capable CCA by the end of the decade.”

It’s also revealed that the equally critical to the CCA ecosystem is the mission autonomy software. The Air Force awarded mission autonomy production contracts to a pool of six vendors, establishing a competitive marketplace for the program.

“Mission autonomy is the cornerstone of the CCA concept, and leveraging a competitive, multi-vendor environment ensures we capture the latest technology,” Meink said.

“This approach guarantees our Airmen are equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities today but keeps the door open for the breakthroughs necessary to maintain air superiority.”

The software contract leverages a first-of-its-kind award fee exposure strategy, which enables operator feedback and combat performance to determine what the Air Force pays for mission autonomy. The Air Force will only pay the entire licensing fee if a vendor provides a combat capability aligned with warfighter needs and feedback. The licensing approach also allows the Air Force to award software licenses to any of the six vendors within the pool at any point over the next six years. This approach ensures the Air Force can procure the best-performing and most affordable solutions as technology evolves, according to a press release.

A Washington-based nuclear energy company has achieved a key milestone for the UK deployment. TerraPower has begun the formal commencement of the UK regulatory review for its Natrium plant, and the launch of its subsidiary, TerraPower UK Ltd.

These regulatory and commercial activities mark the company’s most significant steps to date toward deploying a fleet of Natrium reactors in the United Kingdom, according to the company.

Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process begins

“TerraPower is entering the UK market with a long-term commitment to supporting the nation’s clean energy future and establishing ourselves as a serious and reliable deployment partner,” said Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower.

“Starting Step 1 of the GDA process and establishing TerraPower UK mark major advances in our mission to bring the Natrium technology to Britain. These milestones demonstrate TerraPower’s dedication to working alongside the UK to deploy safe, clean and reliable nuclear energy for decades to come.”

TerraPower has now begun Step 1 of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process. The company submitted its GDA application in October 2025, its first international regulatory filing for the Natrium technology and received formal acceptance by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in February 2026. The start of Step 1 of the GDA process marks a significant step toward Natrium advanced reactor deployment in the UK, supporting Britian’s ambition to accelerate innovative, sustainable and next-generation energy solutions, according to a press release.

‘Delivering a golden age of nuclear’

“TerraPower’s decision to establish a UK presence is an important vote of confidence in the UK as a leading destination for nuclear projects and investment,” said Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear.

“We are delivering a golden age of nuclear and recognise the role advanced nuclear technology could play, providing clean, reliable power and strengthening our energy security.”

Natrium technology is first mover in advanced reactor sector

The company revealed that the Natrium technology is the first mover in the advanced reactor sector and is well positioned to support rapidly increasing energy demand. The Natrium plant design features a 345 MW sodium-cooled fast reactor with a patented molten salt-based energy storage system.

The storage technology can boost the system’s output to 500 MW of power when needed as it is designed to keep base output steady, ensuring constant reliability, and can quickly ramp up when demand peaks—it is the only advanced reactor design with this unique feature.

“Confirming arrangements is an important enabling step for ONR to engage with and assess TerraPower’s Natrium design,” said Diego Fernandez Lisbona, ONR’s Head of Regulation for the TerraPower Natrium GDA and Advanced Nuclear Technologies.

“Interactions in 2025, through our framework for Early Engagement, have provided early design familiarity and we will continue to engage closely with TerraPower and broader stakeholders as GDA progresses.”

TerraPower has been successfully working through the regulatory requirements in the United States, where the first Natrium plant is being constructed. This includes the recent construction approval by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to begin building the plant. The UK’s GDA process will expand on the company’s experience and efforts in the U.S. and will allow TerraPower to establish deployment timelines for Natrium sites in the country, as per the release.

“We welcome TerraPower’s entry into the UK’s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process,” said Yeliz Marshall, NRW’s Radioactivity and Industry Policy Senior Specialist Advisor.

“It provides a valuable route to embed environmental protection early in the Natrium design and address key risks ahead of any future deployment. This GDA also creates scope to benefit from closer international regulatory working under the UK–U.S. Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy.”

Chinese solar manufacturer Trina Solar has unveiled a commercial-scale perovskite-silicon tandem solar panel that has set a new global benchmark for efficiency and power output, according to a report.

The newly developed module achieved a conversion efficiency of 29.2 percent and a power output of 907 watts, making it one of the most powerful solar panels ever produced for commercial applications. The achievement highlights the rapid progress being made in perovskite-based photovoltaic technology, which many experts consider the next major evolution in solar energy.

Record-setting module uses advanced tandem design

Traditional solar panels rely primarily on silicon cells to convert sunlight into electricity. While silicon technology has improved steadily over the years, it is approaching its practical efficiency limits. Perovskite materials offer a promising alternative because they can absorb different parts of the solar spectrum more effectively. By combining a perovskite layer with a silicon cell in a tandem structure, manufacturers can capture more sunlight and generate significantly more electricity from the same panel area.

The record-setting module uses an advanced tandem design that integrates a perovskite top cell with a silicon bottom cell. This configuration enables higher energy conversion rates than conventional silicon-only panels. Independent testing confirmed the panel’s performance, demonstrating that the technology is moving beyond laboratory experiments and toward large-scale commercial deployment.

Significant milestone in the global race for solar innovation

China’s latest achievement also represents a significant milestone in the global race for solar innovation. The breakthrough allows the country to reclaim a leading position in solar efficiency after strong competition from manufacturers in other regions. It further strengthens China’s role as the world’s largest producer of solar equipment and a major driver of renewable energy development.

Beyond higher efficiency, perovskite technology offers the potential for lower manufacturing costs. The materials can be produced using simpler processes and require less energy-intensive manufacturing compared to traditional silicon cells. If commercial production can be scaled successfully, the technology could reduce the cost of solar electricity while increasing energy output.

However, challenges remain before perovskite solar panels become mainstream. One of the industry’s biggest concerns is long-term durability. While silicon panels can operate efficiently for decades, perovskite materials are more sensitive to environmental factors such as heat, moisture, and ultraviolet radiation. Researchers and manufacturers are therefore focused on improving stability and ensuring that the new generation of panels can withstand real-world operating conditions over extended periods.

Despite these hurdles, the latest efficiency record demonstrates how quickly the technology is advancing. Industry analysts believe that tandem solar cells combining silicon and perovskite materials could become a key component of future renewable energy systems, helping countries generate more power from limited space while accelerating the transition to clean energy.

Trina’s solar cell isn’t just any solar cell. Its record was achieved using a perovskite-on-silicon tandem design, which stacks two different solar materials on top of each other to capture a broader range of sunlight. The perovskite layer absorbs higher-energy wavelengths while the silicon layer captures light that would otherwise pass through, allowing the cell to convert more of the sun’s energy into electricity, reported Oil Price.

A Swiss marine power company has achieved another critical milestone on the path to low-carbon shipping using ammonia as a marine fuel. WinGD completed successful testing of its X72DF-A engine in China.

The company has also completed the Factory Acceptance Test on the engine, which will be installed on a 210,000 dwt dry bulk carrier on order for CMB.TECH. 

“We’re proud to work closely with pioneering shipowners like CMB.TECH to build confidence in ammonia as a safe and efficient marine fuel for a zero-carbon future,” said Dominik Schneiter, CEO, WinGD Ltd.

Engine features high-pressure ammonia injection

WinGD also revealed that the testing of the X72DF-A engine was completed at CSSC Engine Co. (CSE), witnessed by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and representatives from classification societies American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and China Classification Society (CCS). The FAT certification joins the already received FIT and TAT approvals for the XDF-A platform, rounding out the robust test campaigns.

The 72-bore engine, built at CSE, with the fuel supply system manufactured by Sunrui Marine Environmental Engineering Co, is being installed on the first of ten bulkers on order for CMB.TECH. An order that demonstrates industry confidence that large-scale commercial vessels can operate safely and efficiently on ammonia, paving the way for widespread adoption across the global fleet. This recent testing, of the X52DF-A and X72DF-A, underscores that this confidence is well-placed, according to a press release.

“We started our journey on the development of the X72 DF-A with WinGD four years ago. Thanks to an excellent collaboration, we are able to deliver the first dual fuel ammonia engines to our large bulk carriers. This is a very important step in the decarbonisation journey of shipping,” said Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH.

The X-DF-A engine features high-pressure ammonia injection supplemented by a low, targeted pilot fuel dose of around five per cent at full load. The engine delivers load handling, dynamic response and fuel efficiency on par with WinGD’s equivalent diesel-fuelled X Engines in both ammonia and diesel operating modes. Throughout a rigorous multi-year development and testing process, the X-DF-A platform has proven to achieve over 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in ammonia mode compared to diesel mode, as per the release.

New engine design into commercial operation

“Bringing a new engine design into commercial operation is aways the result of strong joint effort between engine and vessel designer, engine builder, shipyard and owner,” said CSE Chief Engineer, Zhang Guangwei.

“CSE is honoured to be the first engine builder in China to deliver ammonia-fuelled engines to the maritime market, and to take an early role in what will become a significant market as ammonia fuel is used more widely in shipping.”

WinGD has secured an early orderbook of 40 X-DF-A engines for a range of vessel types, underlining increasing market readiness for ammonia propulsion and giving shipowners choice as they navigate evolving regulatory and market demands on the path to net zero emissions, according to details available.

A German company’s advanced mobile air defense system is soon to showcase its battlefield power. Called the Skyranger 30, the mobile air defense system combines state-of-the-art sensor technology with enormous firepower.

Rheinmetall will showcase its Skyranger 30 system, based on the Lynx KF41 combat vehicle, at this year’s Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. The system offers an optimal combination of mobility, protection, flexibility and precision to meet the growing demands of challenging threat scenarios in the close and immediate vicinity.

Skyranger combines state-of-the-art sensor technology

The company also revealed that the Skyranger 30 addresses the urgent global demand for resilient and mobile close-range air defense. In light of modern threat scenarios—particularly the widespread use of drones and loitering munitions—the Skyranger closes a critical capability gap for Western armed forces.

The Skyranger combines state-of-the-art sensor technology with enormous firepower. At its core is the 30mmx173 KCE revolver cannon, which has an effective range of up to 3,000 meters. Through the use of programmable airburst munitions, the system achieves an extremely high probability of hit against micro-drones.

Optimal combination of mobility, protection

Numerous EU and NATO members, including Germany, have opted for Rheinmetall’s Skyranger 30 mobile air defense solution in recent years.

The system combines high-precision cannon and missile defense to protect mobile units against current airborne threats.

For longer ranges, the turret is modular in design and can flexibly accommodate short-range air defense missiles (SHORAD). An integrated search radar and electro-optical sensors enable seamless 360-degree reconnaissance and target tracking, allowing the system to operate completely autonomously or as part of a networked system, according to a press release.

Skyranger system represents Rheinmetall’s response to a rapidly evolving threats

The Skyranger system represents Rheinmetall’s response to a rapidly evolving battlefield environment in which traditional air defense architectures are increasingly challenged by low-cost unmanned aerial systems and highly maneuverable airborne threats. Designed to protect mobile forces and critical assets, the system combines advanced sensors, automated target engagement, and a powerful mix of cannon and missile-based interceptors.

The heart of the system is the high-rate-of-fire 30 mm cannon, which employs programmable airburst ammunition to effectively defeat small drones and other hard-to-hit aerial targets. Complementing the gun are short-range guided missiles that expand the engagement envelope against helicopters, aircraft, cruise missiles, and larger unmanned systems. This dual-effector approach significantly enhances battlefield survivability for maneuver forces operating in contested environments.

The strategic significance of the Skyranger has grown considerably across Europe. As nations reassess their air defence requirements in response to lessons learned from recent conflicts, particularly the extensive use of drones and loitering munitions in Ukraine, demand for mobile ground-based air defence systems has accelerated. Rheinmetall reports increasing adoption of the Skyranger by NATO and European partners seeking to close critical capability gaps in short-range and very-short-range air defense.

With its combination of mobility, precision engagement, and adaptability, the Skyranger stands as one of the most advanced solutions currently available for protecting troops and critical infrastructure against emerging airborne threats, reinforcing Rheinmetall’s growing role in the modernization of European air defense capabilities.

Researchers in the United States have demonstrated a diesel engine system that can meet Tier 5 emissions standards proposed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Developed by researchers from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the diesel engine system is designed to help off-highway diesel vehicles.

“CARB’s Tier 5 rules aim to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by a significant margin,” said Alex Michlberger, a lead engineer in SwRI’s Powertrain Engineering Division. “However, the industry doesn’t currently have a cost-effective solution to meet Tier 5. Our project is meant to help provide that solution.”

Optimized calibration strategies

SwRI-developed hardware modifications and optimized calibration strategies that allowed an off-road vehicle with a commercially available diesel engine to meet the standards without negatively affecting performance.  

Researchers also revealed an engine’s power level determines the allowable emissions for off-road vehicles. Most off-road engines operating between 19 and 56-kilowatts (kW) do not have a clear technical path for compliance with the new standards. Engines above the 56-kW threshold are expected to use emissions control technologies resembling those used by on-road vehicles, while applications currently using engines below 19 kW are expected to electrify. 

SwRI conducted extensive laboratory testing

It’s also revealed that SwRI conducted extensive laboratory testing on a commercially available 55-kW, four-cylinder diesel engine to identify potential Tier 5 solutions.

The project utilized exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to mitigate NOx and other calibration strategies to control PM. This approach required both hardware and calibration modifications. To enable a higher EGR rate, the team modified the turbocharger waste gate control to increase boost, and they installed a higher capacity EGR cooler. The hardware and calibration changes together demonstrated low emissions while maintaining engine performance, according to a press release.

The team also revealed that SwRI’s improved system achieved the Tier 5 targets in both ramped modal cycle (RMC) and non-road transient cycle (NRTC) certification tests. The researchers compared NOx, non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) and PM emissions with the Tier 5 targets.

“In the RMC demonstrations, we saw NOx emissions reduced by 22%and NMHC by 56%, compared to the Tier 5 target. For the NRTC, we found NOx emissions reduced by 28%and NMHC by 50%, compared to the Tier 5 target,” Michlberger said. “In short, we achieved significant reductions in emissions with an innovative engine calibration and minimal hardware changes.”

The successful demonstration suggests that off-road vehicle manufacturers may not need to rely solely on costly new technologies or full electrification to meet future emissions requirements. Instead, carefully engineered hardware upgrades combined with advanced calibration techniques could provide a realistic pathway toward cleaner and more sustainable off-road transportation.

As emissions regulations continue to tighten worldwide, SwRI’s work highlights the important role of engineering innovation in helping industries reduce environmental impact while preserving performance, reliability, and economic feasibility.

A new type of radar to detect drones nearby ports, vessels, harbours, and critical maritime infrastructure has been introduced. Developed by Robin Radar Systems, IRIS OTM at Sea is designed for seamless land-to-sea deployments.

The new system is a major expansion of its IRIS On-The-Move (OTM) capability.

The comprehensive update is aimed at strengthening counter-UAS protection for shipping lanes, naval operations, and coastal assets. 

Offshore assets are exposed to low-cost aerial threats

“What we are seeing globally is that the drone threat is no longer confined to the battlefield or to land-based infrastructure. Shipping lanes, ports, harbours and offshore assets are now all exposed to low-cost aerial threats that can disrupt trade, damage infrastructure and threaten civilian safety,” said Siete Hamminga, CEO, Robin Radar Systems.

“The Strait of Hormuz has once again demonstrated how vulnerable critical maritime corridors can become during periods of instability. IRIS OTM at Sea is being designed to answer that challenge with a rapidly deployable, software-defined capability that can move seamlessly between land and sea.”

IRIS OTM at Sea will detect, track, and classify drones

Originally developed to operate from moving land vehicles traveling at speeds exceeding 62 mph (100km/h), IRIS On-The-Move will now be adapted for maritime environments through advanced software enhancements that compensate for sea clutter, vessel movement, and challenging coastal conditions, according to a press release.

Designed to be mounted on vessels, IRIS OTM at Sea will detect, track, and classify drones while travelling at speeds of up to 54 knots, operating effectively in extreme environments thanks to its salt- and corrosion-resistant engineering, resonance tolerance, and EMC-compliant architecture.Unlike traditional static radars, IRIS is designed to move with the threat itself, providing persistent situational awareness across highly dynamic environments, as per the release.

The company revealed that the radar’s software architecture will be updated to filter out heavy sea reflections and environmental clutter to isolate small airborne threats operating close to the waterline, an increasingly important capability as drone incursions continue to evolve across maritime theatres.

Robin Radar Systems highlighted that the maritime update has been shaped directly by operational lessons from ongoing live-fire environments, where the need for flexible, mobile counter-UAS systems capable of protecting dynamic environments has accelerated dramatically.  The company’s engineering teams reportedly adapted the system specifically to address the increasing use of fixed-wing drones and low-altitude aerial threats around strategic shipping corridors and maritime infrastructure.

“Modern security demands speed and flexibility. Operators need systems that can deploy quickly, integrate easily, and adapt as threats evolve,” said Vivien Croes, Chief Technical Officer, Robin Radar Systems.

“What makes this update important is that we are taking a combat-proven radar and extending its capabilities into one of the most operationally complex environments in the world. The future of counter-UAS is not static infrastructure, it is agile, mobile sensing systems capable of protecting people, critical infrastructure and global commerce wherever threats emerge.”

Researchers in the United States have built a technology that boosts the performance of electron microscopes. Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley physicists’ new technique offers detailed images of the small molecules and cell structures that are crucial to understanding biology and disease.

They have adapted the phase-contrast technique to cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), which has about 10,000 times the magnification of light microscopy. Their laser-based phase plate produces sharp images of molecules that today’s cutting-edge cryo-EM systems struggle to capture. 

The research team revealed that the new technology was brought to fruition by more than 15 years of theoretical and experimental work by leading microscopy scientists, collaboration with expert machinists, and support from Biohub.

More accurate atomic models of the molecules captured

The phase plate is paired with a new, custom Thermo Fisher Scientific microscope that was developed to maximize the benefit of the plate’s ultra-bright laser. Images taken by the system are notably clearer and sharper and contain greater detail that structure-solving software can process to generate more accurate atomic models of the molecules captured, according to a press release.

“Theia is the Formula 1 of microscopes. It has better resolution than the standard cryo-EM, even without the laser. With the addition of the laser phase plate, we hope that it really becomes one of the world’s best instruments overall,” said Holger Müller, a UC Berkeley professor of physics and faculty scientist in Berkeley Lab’s Biosciences Area who led the development effort.

“Before, studying structures with cryo-EM was like trying to look at paintings in a dark gallery. With Theia, it’s like the lights have been turned on for the first time.”

More accurate atomic models of the molecules captured

The team also demonstrated the system’s power by imaging aldolase, a protein in muscle that is relatively easy to capture with today’s cryo-EM machines, and hemoglobin — a protein that carries oxygen in blood. Hemoglobin is a smaller protein that sits at the lower size limit for current machines and is often used as a benchmark for cryo-EM performance. The laser-phase plate improved the resolution of the protein structure in both cases, but more so for the hemoglobin.

“We had a whole spectrum from larger particles that are not that challenging with extremely good specimen preparation to challenging small particles with bad preparation. Of course, the better the specimen, the less important it is that you have a top microscope. It was the most challenging ones is where we see the strongest improvements,” said Müller.

Team to expand microscope beyond single-particle analysis

The system is currently installed at UC Berkeley, and the team is now working to expand the microscope beyond single-particle analysis to perform a newer technique referred to as cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).

Similar to how CT (computed tomography) scans at the hospital generate images of body parts, cryo-ET assembles different angular views of a molecule or cellular structure into a 3D image. Cryo-ET will provide a huge leap in scientists’ ability to study cellular processes because it captures molecules in their natural states inside cells, unlike single-particle cryo-EM, and offers much higher resolution than light microscopy, as per the release.

A German company has completed the final assembly of a new unmanned aircraft system.

Called AeroForce X prototype, Aerodata AG’s aircraft has reached an important milestone and is moving on to the next phase as scheduled.

The prototype’s first  flight is scheduled to take place in Germany this year.

Closer to operational reality

“This milestone takes AeroForce X a huge step closer to operational reality,” said Ole Vörsmann, General Manager for Unmanned Systems.

“Now that final assembly has been successfully completed, we look forward to thoroughly testing the prototype during the upcoming test phases.”

The company also revealed that the MALE-class (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) unmanned aircraft system stands out in particular for its long endurance of up to 40 hours and a payload capacity of up to 1,300 kg. Thanks to its modular platform design, AeroForce X can be flexibly configured and deployed in combination with existing manned reconnaissance aircraft for a wide range of missions.

Aerodata AG will be exhibiting at the ILA Berlin from June 10 to 14, according to a press release.

Intended to address a broad range of surveillance

Reports have revealed that AeroForce X is intended to address a broad range of surveillance, reconnaissance, and mission-support requirements. One of its standout features is an endurance capability of up to 40 hours, enabling extended missions without the need for frequent landings or refueling. The platform is also engineered to carry payloads of up to 1,300 kilograms, providing considerable flexibility for various sensor packages and mission equipment.

A defining characteristic of AeroForce X is its modular architecture. The aircraft can be configured for different operational scenarios and integrated alongside manned reconnaissance platforms. This approach allows operators to tailor the system to mission-specific requirements while benefiting from coordinated manned-unmanned operations.

The development reflects the growing demand for advanced unmanned aerial systems capable of delivering long-duration surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities. By combining significant endurance, high payload capacity, and adaptable mission configurations, AeroForce X aims to position itself as a versatile solution for both governmental and commercial operators.

With the prototype now assembled and flight testing on the horizon, Aerodata has entered one of the most important phases of the program. The upcoming test campaign will be closely watched as the company seeks to demonstrate the operational potential of AeroForce X and strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving unmanned aviation sector.

Aerodata has emphasized a modular design philosophy for AeroForce X. Rather than being limited to a single role, the platform is intended to support various mission configurations through adaptable payload bays and mission systems. This approach allows operators to customize the aircraft according to evolving operational requirements, potentially reducing lifecycle costs and improving mission effectiveness.

The maiden flight, expected later this year in Germany, will serve as a crucial benchmark for the program. Beyond proving basic flight characteristics, the test campaign will evaluate aircraft handling, endurance, mission systems integration, and overall operational performance.

A hybrid-electric aviation company has unveiled a new conceptual aircraft design for next-generation airliners.

Electra’s conceptual aircraft uses a wide “double-bubble” fuselage that allows the body of the aircraft to contribute more lift, while two underwing turbofan engines produce thrust as well as electricity to power electric tail fans that ingest and re-energize slower-moving air over the fuselage.

Latest configuration could deliver up to a 17 percent efficiency

The technique is known as boundary layer ingestion. Electra’s analysis found that the configuration could deliver up to a 17 percent efficiency improvement beyond gains expected by 2050 from advanced structures, engine technologies, and aerodynamic improvements.

“The value of electrification in this concept is that it lets us put the propulsion where it couldn’t go before but does the most good,” said Dr. Parker Vascik, Director of Product Strategy at Electra.

“We can radically improve how the airframe and propulsion system work together while keeping the aircraft grounded in real airline and airport operations. The goal is not just efficiency on paper, but concepts that we can actually build, certify, and use.”

The company also revealed that the concept is designed to fit within existing airport gates and airline operations, use standard jet fuel or sustainable aviation fuel, and avoid reliance on airport charging infrastructure or untested fuel types. The configuration also supports a twin-aisle cabin layout within a narrowbody aircraft class, unlocking improved passenger comfort and more efficient boarding and deplaning. 

The concept is developed as part of NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) 2050 program.

“This concept builds on years of research into how airframe shape and propulsion placement can work together to improve aircraft efficiency,” said Dr. Alejandra Uranga, Electra’s Chief Engineer for Research and Future Concepts.

“What is different now is the ability to use electrification and distributed propulsion to more deeply integrate those systems. Designing the aircraft as a whole system is essential to realizing the full potential of future commercial aircraft.”

NASA’s open-source Aviary multidisciplinary design adopted

In addition to the concept, Electra developed 11 technical papers documenting the models, methods, and findings behind the study. The company also adopted NASA’s open-source Aviary multidisciplinary design and optimization tool and developed an electrified aircraft design suite intended for public use. Together, these contributions are intended to help advance the broader aviation research community, not just push forward a single aircraft concept, according to a press release.

Electra’s AACES 2050 team brought together leaders across industry and academia, including American Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Hinetics, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering, and the University of California, Irvine’s Aircraft Systems Laboratory, as per the release.

“Through AACES, NASA is pushing the industry to think boldly, to use our novel propulsion technologies to unconstrain design thinking for the next generation of commercial aviation,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra.

“The third era of aviation will bring radical change to how people and places connect, whether applied to aircraft entering service this decade, future regional platforms, or commercial transport by mid-century. Electra’s focus as the hybrid electric leader is to keep American aviation, and NASA, leading the way.”

A San Diego-based company is set to develop design concepts for a facility dedicated to testing full-scale fusion power-plant “blankets”. For this, General Atomics is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The company revealed that the new Fusion Blanket Component Test Facility (BCTF) would enable scientists and engineers to evaluate integrated fusion blanket systems.

Testing would address a major engineering challenge

General Atomics revealed that these systems use specialized lithium-based materials—solid, liquid, or salt—that line the inside of a fusion vessel to capture energy and produce the tritium needed to sustain fusion reactions. Successful testing would address a major scientific and engineering challenge on the path to realizing the world’s first commercial fusion power plant.

The public-private partnership was initiated by a seed investment from the U.S. Department of Energy, provided to INL to launch preconceptual design and lay the groundwork for establishing key collaborations. In addition to GA, the collaboration will include Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Kyoto Fusioneering, the University of California San Diego, and other key collaborators across industry and academia, according to a press release.

The plan is to develop a design that would leverage GA’s established Magnet Technologies Center, the former site where the ITER Central Solenoid, the world’s most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet, was completed last year. If the project proceeds to full construction, the existing infrastructure provides the advanced equipment and expertise needed to move the project on a faster timeline, as per the release.

Blanket Test Facility

Engineers would use the facility to confirm that circulating blanket fluids can effectively remove heat, withstand mechanical stress, and safely extract fuel at power plant levels—critical steps needed before advancing to more complex neutron and tritium testing.

“The Blanket Test Facility would give the fusion community the speed and scale needed to de-risk next-generation blanket designs,” said Dr. Brian Grierson, director of Fusion Energy Technologies at General Atomics.

“It’s where innovation meets practicality, and where we transform theory into real-world systems.”

Fusion is the same process that powers the sun. Instead of splitting atoms as in traditional nuclear power, fusion fuses light atomic nuclei to release massive amounts of energy, without long-lived radioactive waste. Researchers believe fusion could provide virtually limitless, carbon-free electricity to meet the growing global energy demand.

The project also reinforces San Diego’s growing status as a center for fusion research and development. General Atomics already operates the DIII-D National Fusion Facility, one of the leading magnetic-fusion research centers in the United States. The region is also home to significant academic programs, digital engineering initiatives, and an expanding network of fusion-focused companies and institutions.

Recent policy developments have further strengthened California’s position in the emerging fusion sector. State initiatives aimed at supporting fusion research and commercialization have encouraged investment and collaboration, helping establish an ecosystem designed to accelerate technological breakthroughs.

A new study has supported the concept of physically and operationally integrating a molten salt reactor (MSR) into a large vehicle carrier ship. Lloyd’s Register (LR) is working with Hyundai Heavy Industries, Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE), and others to explore an advanced small modular reactor (SMR) installation on a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC). 

The latest work examined the internal arrangement and segregation of the reactor system, shielding requirements, and the impact on cargo deck layout and vehicle capacity, alongside stability and trim implications linked to the reactor’s weight and positioning. 

Nuclear propulsion at early stage of development

“While nuclear propulsion is still at an early stage of development, this project shows the importance of building technical understanding now to support future progress,” said Sung-Gu Park, President – North East Asia, Lloyd’s Register.

“Establishing feasibility at concept stage is a valuable step forward, particularly in areas such as cargo optimization, vessel stability and integrated safety design.”

The partners also assessed propulsion system configuration and power delivery, as well as operational flexibility compared with conventionally fueled PCTCs, where trade routes and port calls can be tightly constrained.

SMR-powered ships

“With global environmental regulations becoming increasingly stringent and no definitive net-zero fuel yet available, SMR-powered ships can serve as a highly effective alternative, representing a pioneering next-generation maritime technology capable of complying with GHG emission regulations while allowing lifetime operation without refueling, and HD HHI will remain at the forefront of sustainable maritime technology development,” said Hong-Ryeul Ryu, CTO and Senior Executive Vice President at HD HHI.

It’s also revealed that a key focus of the project has been safety. LR led hazard identification (HAZID) and preliminary risk assessment work, focusing on containment, onboard safety systems and potential operability constraints tied to nuclear technology at sea. 

Technical feasibility of nuclear-assisted propulsion

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) also considers the latest study a meaningful achievement in assessing the potential application of SMRs in the maritime sector, taking actual ship operating environments into account. The study is particularly significant because it examined the technical feasibility of applying an MSR type marine SMR to a specific target vessel, namely a PCTC, according to KAERI.

NUBURU Inc., a developer of advanced blue-laser technologies and defense-focused photonics solutions, has announced a significant step forward in underwater energy transmission through a new collaboration with Italian technology company SunCubes.

The initiative will see NUBURU, through its subsidiary Lyocon S.r.l., design specialized blue-laser technology for integration into SunCubes’ DEEP LIGHT underwater wireless power platform.

Underwater laser-based power transmission system

The project represents the first concrete application emerging from a recently signed agreement between NUBURU and SunCubes. It aims to develop an underwater laser-based power transmission system capable of delivering energy wirelessly to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and other subsea systems, potentially transforming the way underwater assets are powered and operated.

The DEEP LIGHT platform is designed around a high-power laser transmitter and receiver architecture that enables contactless energy transfer underwater. Unlike traditional underwater charging methods that require physical docking or cable connections, the system seeks to transmit power over distances of several tens of meters using laser beams operating in the blue-green optical spectrum.

This wavelength range is particularly important because blue and blue-green light experiences lower attenuation in water than many other wavelengths, allowing energy and data to travel more efficiently through underwater environments. By leveraging NUBURU’s expertise in blue-laser technology, the collaboration aims to improve the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of underwater wireless power systems.

Blue-laser technology

Lyocon, acquired by NUBURU earlier this year, will serve as the laser-source design and integration partner for the project. The company brings established expertise in laser manufacturing, photonics engineering, and systems integration, positioning it as a key contributor to the development of the DEEP LIGHT platform.

Under the planned arrangement, Lyocon is expected to design and potentially supply the blue-laser technology layer required for the platform. Its responsibilities may include laser-source development, optical integration, system validation, and support for future industrial-scale deployment.

The collaboration highlights growing interest in underwater autonomy, subsea infrastructure protection, maritime security, and offshore energy applications. As governments and commercial operators increasingly deploy autonomous underwater systems, the need for reliable long-range power delivery and recharging solutions continues to grow.

NUBURU believes the partnership could open access to a multi-billion-dollar addressable market spanning autonomous underwater vehicles, subsea sensors, offshore inspection systems, underwater communications networks, and critical maritime infrastructure. The company also views underwater laser power transmission as a strategic extension of its broader defense and security technology portfolio.

The DEEP LIGHT project has received recognition within Italy’s underwater technology ecosystem and was presented during activities associated with the National Underwater Dimension Hub (PNS), supported by the Italian Navy. SunCubes has also attracted investment support from entities linked to CDP Venture Capital, reinforcing the project’s strategic relevance within Italy’s national innovation framework.

While the collaboration remains subject to definitive agreements, regulatory approvals, and technical validation, it marks an important milestone in the development of next-generation underwater energy systems. If successful, the integration of NUBURU’s blue-laser technology into the DEEP LIGHT platform could pave the way for longer-duration underwater missions, reduced operational constraints, and new capabilities across defense, research, and commercial maritime sectors.

As underwater autonomy and subsea infrastructure become increasingly critical to national security and industrial operations, the NUBURU–SunCubes partnership demonstrates how advanced photonics technologies may help redefine the future of underwater power transmission.

An aerospace and technology company recently conducted maiden piloted flight of its full scale prototype aircraft. Vertical Aerospace’s full-scale prototype is expected to accelerate flight testing, support piloted demonstrations and advance Vertical’s hybrid-electric aircraft programme.

The latest prototype will progress through all phases of piloted flight testing, including thrustborne, wingborne and transition flight.

The company also revealed that this is the final prototype before Critical Design Review (CDR), which will establish the certifiable aircraft design and pave the way for assembly of Vertical’s first pre-production aircraft.

New prototype is final aircraft to join Vertical’s flight test fleet

The new prototype is the final aircraft to join Vertical’s flight test fleet before the Company completes Critical Design Review (CDR), a major programme milestone that establishes the design baseline for certification. Following CDR, Vertical will begin preparations for assembly of its first pre-production aircraft as it continues toward certification and commercial service.

“Getting our latest prototype into flight testing is an important milestone because it allows us to learn faster in real world conditions and keep building momentum towards certification,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace.

“Expanding the flight test fleet will help us validate the aircraft more quickly, reduce risk, and move more efficiently towards bringing Valo into service.”

Latest aircraft doubles Vertical’s flight testing capacity

The company revealed that the latest aircraft doubles Vertical’s flight testing capacity and supports additional public demonstrations this year. Following the completion of all flight test phases – thrustborne, wingborne and transition flight – in its all-electric configuration, Vertical intends to retrofit this prototype for hybrid-electric flight testing.

The hybrid-electric variant is expected to support applications demanding greater range and payload capability across defense, logistics, and wider commercial sectors, according to a press release.

The prototype shares the same configuration as Vertical’s current full-scale aircraft, which has already completed all flight test phases. Vertical’s flight test programme is built around full-scale, piloted prototype aircraft with architecture, systems and flight characteristics closely aligned to the production-standard Valo aircraft, enabling the Company to validate the technologies, systems integration and flight models that will support certification, as per the release.

The new prototype shares the same configuration as Vertical’s existing full-scale aircraft, which has already completed all major flight-test phases. By using full-scale, piloted prototypes that closely resemble the production-standard aircraft, the company aims to validate key technologies, systems integration, and flight models required for regulatory certification.

The latest demonstration marks a significant step toward certification and commercial deployment of the company’s next-generation electric air taxi, Valo.

The Bristol-based company has secured approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the Valo aircraft from customers across four continents. Its customer base includes major aviation and leasing companies such as American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow Group, GOL, and Japan Airlines.

A new type of counter-drone system is set to enhance the defense of the U.S. Army. L3Harris Technologies has received an order to deliver VAMPIRE counter-unmanned systems (c-UxS) to the U.S. Army to support urgent defense against hostile drones.

The VAMPIRE capability delivers advanced reconnaissance and precision strike against drones and remotely piloted aircraft. Military forces have used the technology extensively in support of European combat operations, logging more than 350,000 operational hours since 2023.

Counter-drone systems can be quickly assembled

“We’ve worked with the Army to understand their needs for new counter-UxS systems that can be quickly assembled, delivered, set up and fired,” said Tom Kirkland, President, Targeting & Sensor Systems, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris.

“VAMPIRE is effective at hunting and engaging drone threats affordably, which enables U.S. armed forces to sustain reliable defense of its personnel and infrastructure.”

L3Harris developed and invested in VAMPIRE at the beginning of the war in Ukraine to provide a low-cost solution to eliminate Russian drone threats. The company has maintained that the VAMPIRE is an affordable, compact ISR and counter-unmanned-weapon system designed to deploy on nearly any platform, vehicle, or vessel. 

This all-in-one system excels in Counter-small Unmanned Airborne System (C-sUAS) operations, delivering precision strike capabilities with customizable sensors and weapons, significantly reducing the cost-per-effect and overall cost of ownership.

High-volume production of VAMPIRE systems

The Army’s order is worth up to $106 million as part of the United States’ layered c-UxS defense approach.

In March, the company initiated high-volume production of VAMPIRE counter-unmanned systems (C-UxS) in Huntsville, Alabama. The new production line was a direct response to the United States and its allies’ need to combat the persistent drone threat posing risks to military personnel and infrastructure.

The facility features a flexible assembly, testing, and installation area to integrate VAMPIRE onto ground vehicles and containerized weapon systems. The production line can adjust and increase volume as demand evolves.

Building upon the success of the baseline VAMPIRE system, L3Harris has incorporated additional sensor capabilities, precision weapons, electronic jammers, and non-kinetic effectors for use across several domains. The system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to more swiftly detect, engage, and defeat small, elusive unmanned threats.

The expanded VAMPIRE family of systems now includes multiple specialized variants.

As drone warfare continues to reshape the battlefield, military planners worldwide are prioritizing layered air-defense networks capable of addressing threats ranging from small commercial drones to more advanced unmanned systems. The U.S. Army’s latest investment in VAMPIRE highlights the increasing role of adaptable, rapidly deployable counter-drone technologies in future defense operations.

With production ramping up and operational demand increasing, the VAMPIRE program represents a significant step in strengthening U.S. and allied defenses against one of the fastest-growing challenges in modern military operations.

A German company has showcased its next-generation highly mobile air defense system. Called IRIS-T SLS MK4, the system is specifically designed to protect troops on the move and critical infrastructure from airborne threats.

Developed by Diehl Defence, this fourth generation of the IRIS-T SLS system has an effective range of 7 miles (12 km) and an altitude coverage of up to 3.7 miles (6 km).

The company revealed that the system combines the components radar, C2 system and launcher, including effectors, on one vehicle, making it an “all-in-one” solution. Due to its high mobility and a compact design, the air defense system can be relocated in a very short time.

High degree of automation

Further key features of IRIS-T SLS MK4 are the high degree of automation and the resulting low manpower requirements, which enables extremely fast response times. The vehicle-independent design allows maximum flexibility for different customer demands, according to a press release.

Diehl Defence also revealed that the proven IRIS-T air-to-air missile is used as effector. It remains unchanged in hardware and will enable the “fire-on-the-move” capability in the future – the firing of the missile on the move. The integration of additional effectors, such as the C-UAV eMissile CICADA from Diehl Defence or a weapon station, is also possible.

MK4 version consistently meets NATO standards

The SLS system is already fully integrated into the Diehl Defence concept of multi-layered air defense. The further development and upgrade to the MK4 version consistently meets NATO standards and operational requirements, including an increased payload capacity with an eightfold load and the associated increase in combat effectiveness.

The IRIS-T missile is and remains the core element of ground-based air defense at Diehl Defence, even in the combat-proven SLS system. As an air defense system with future-proof capabilities, IRIS-T SLS MK4 stands for high performance in dynamic threat scenarios.

Another important aspect of the new system is its modularity. The vehicle-independent design allows integration onto different platforms to meet customer requirements. Diehl Defence also stated that additional effectors, including its CICADA counter-unmanned aerial vehicle interceptor and remote weapon stations, can be incorporated into the system, expanding its mission profile beyond conventional air defense.

The unveiling of the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 comes at a time when demand for modern ground-based air defense systems is rising sharply across Europe and other regions. The success of the broader IRIS-T family in operational deployments and growing investment in layered air defense networks have positioned the system as a key component of future NATO and partner-nation air defense architectures.

With its combination of mobility, automation, modularity, and proven missile technology, the IRIS-T SLS Mk4 represents Diehl Defence’s latest effort to provide armed forces with a flexible and rapidly deployable solution for countering evolving aerial threats in an increasingly complex security environment.

Researchers in the United States are studying impact flashes generated by high-speed collisions. It’s being claimed that advances in understanding the optical impact flashes can be highly beneficial for missile defense, making it possible to determine the composition of an intercepted missile and its payload.

Conducted by researchers in Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the work could also aid scientists in identifying the origins of meteorites or asteroids impacting surfaces, based on their composition.

Energy of the impact creates a flash

“When a meteorite strikes the surface of a moon or planet, the energy of the impact creates a flash that gives off so much energy that the chemical signatures of its constituent materials are visible at different wavelengths,” said Dr. Pablo Bueno, a lead engineer in SwRI’s Mechanical Engineering Division.

Researchers have revealed that the impact flash is a physical phenomenon resulting from conventional and hypervelocity impact. The emission of the flash is related to the composition of the target; thus, spectrographic measurements provide spectral data that could be used to identify the materials involved in the collision, according to the project.

Bueno and Roberto Enriquez-Vargas, an SwRI senior research engineer, recently completed an internally funded SwRI project that developed and refined methods for using high-speed spectroscopy to analyze the light emitted during hypervelocity impacts, where the impact flashes typically only last a few microseconds. The short time window required capturing spectral data quickly and precisely, according to a press release.

Laser-based triggering system

Bueno and Enriquez-Vargas used both of SwRI’s two-stage light-gas guns to create hypervelocity impacts representative of missile strikes or asteroid impacts. The large gun system generates velocities up to 7 kilometers per second (15,660 mph). The system is 22 meters (72 feet) long and traditionally used to study ballistics, as per the release.

Because the impact occurs so swiftly and the flash decays rapidly, Bueno and Enriquez-Vargas developed a laser-based triggering system to precisely detect the instant an impact occurs, accurately measuring impact timing within 100 nanoseconds, or one 10-millionth of a second, according to researchers.

“Thicker targets produced brighter, longer flashes,” Bueno explained. “Higher atmospheric pressure created broader and thicker emission lines in the spectra, and in many cases materials at high temperature behaved differently than they did when impacted at room temperature.”

The team developed and tested laser-based triggering scheme. Accurate timing within 100 ns of the impact was demonstrated.

The team also revealed that the strong lines of the emission spectra of aluminum and copper have been measured and characterized within ±2 nm of their published values. The doublet near 396 nm, for aluminum, and the triple near 515 nm, for copper, have been selected as the best lines to continue with the experimental test matrix.

The effects of projectile flight speed, atmospheric pressure, and atmospheric composition have been documented. These results are fulfilled in part metric 3 of the program. The results show these parameters affect the amplitude and width of the emission lines, according to the project.

A new facility in the United States is set to keep the country safe from from the threat of nuclear proliferation. The new state-of-the-art 21,000-square-foot facility, at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), is also aimed at contributing to nuclear energy developments.

The Advanced Testbed and Operations Learning Laboratory (ATOLL) will develop critical workforce expertise and capabilities essential to monitoring foreign weapons-grade uranium production activities. The project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2028.

Initiative to advance energy dominance agenda

“It takes a weapons program to know a weapons program,” said Administrator Williams. “At NNSA, we deter adversaries by being experts in atomic science and weapons production, and the investment in ATOLL strengthens our understanding of both.”

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has announced that the initiative will also advance President Trump’s energy dominance agenda and his executive orders on nuclear energy by contributing to the growing nuclear infrastructure being built in Tennessee, providing critical expertise that can be leveraged by American industry to revitalize domestic civil nuclear capabilities.

Detection of adversary nuclear programs and capabilities

“Our nation’s nuclear deterrent and the NNSA enterprise that maintains it serve as the foundation of our national defense. My highest priority as Chairman of the House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee is ensuring this nuclear security enterprise is properly resourced,” said Congressman Fleischmann.

“DNN plays an essential defensive role within our deterrence architecture by enabling the detection and attribution of adversary nuclear programs and capabilities. The scientific and technological expertise of our national labs are critical enablers for NNSA’s national security missions.”

Fleischmann also underlined that the Advanced Testbed and Operations Learning Laboratory, being built at ORNL, will provide the cutting edge scientific facilities needed to perform critical nonproliferation missions, as the ability to monitor foreign nuclear production and weapons activities is essential to the country’s national defense and extended deterrence commitments.

“I was honored to participate in the groundbreaking for this important demonstration of these tremendous partnerships advancing U.S. national security,” added Fleischmann.

The project is part of the Nonproliferation Stewardship Program within NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation. The program focuses on maintaining the scientific expertise, technical infrastructure, and specialized facilities necessary to address current and future nuclear security challenges.

As geopolitical tensions and concerns over nuclear proliferation continue to evolve, the development of ATOLL represents a strategic investment in America’s ability to detect, understand, and prevent the misuse of nuclear technology. The facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone of U.S. nonproliferation efforts while fostering innovation and expertise in the broader nuclear field for decades to come.

The new facility is expected to strengthen America’s ability to monitor nuclear activities globally and respond effectively to emerging proliferation risks.

By supporting research, workforce development, and advanced nuclear infrastructure, the laboratory will help reinforce domestic capabilities in both civilian nuclear power and national security applications.