A replica amount that the US will pay to build Trump’s “Golden Dome”.

The Rafael missiles launched from a German unmanned vehicle

The field of unmanned weapons is expanding in the world: for a long time it is not only about UAVs, but also about UAVs (unmanned vessels), as well as UAVs (unmanned submarines), as well as UAVs (unmanned vehicles). Such tools significantly upgrade ground warfare, because they drastically reduce the threat posed to combatant forces, whether for attacks or for logistical avenues that are required for the front.

An unusual use of a famous means of Israeli development was by Germany’s Diehl, who successfully test-launched 17 Rafael Spike LR missiles from their Cissel missile defense system. This is the first operation of its kind with the Israeli anti-tank missiles that are considered the most sought after in the world. This happened as part of a collaboration with Eurospike, a joint venture established in 2004 that brings together Israel’s Rafael (20%) with the two German defense giants Rheinmetall and Diehl (40% each), for the purpose of marketing Spike missiles in Europe.

The Spike series includes a wide range of models, adapted to different ranges and diverse platforms. The lightest model, Tact (Spike SR), weighs about 10 kg, is carried on a shoulder and is intended for ranges of up to 2 km. At the other end is an NLOS spike known as the Tamuz, which weighs about 71 kg and is capable of hitting a target from a distance of up to 32 km, and is launched from land, air or sea platforms.

The extraordinary estimated cost of Trump’s flagship plan

US President Donald Trump aims to realize one of his flagship programs: “Gold Dome”, which is designed to produce a multi-layered air defense system from space to the lower layers. From the first moment, critics of the project emphasized that its expected costs would be extraordinary, and now the Congressional Budget Office illustrates just how much. According to their estimation, the project will cost about 1.2 trillion dollars over about 20 years.

The cost is unusual because the array is intended to include a variety of radars as well as interception systems, including AEGIS, THAAD and Patriot. The expected price weighs in on the desire to protect US territory, critical American infrastructure outside the country, as well as second strike forces, which will respond to more complex missile attacks. Against these, research and development is required that will continue to examine the threats, and this is also included in the price.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, $1.191 trillion includes about $1.025 trillion for procurement, and about $8.3 billion for operating and support costs. The estimate makes it clear that the Pentagon’s position, according to which the program will cost approximately 185 billion dollars, is based on the calculation of a shorter duration, and on more limited aspects of Trump’s extraordinary project.

The new vessel of the aerospace industry

The Aerospace Industry unveiled this week “DIAMOND”, an advanced solution for distributed naval warfare, designed to upgrade the operational capabilities of modern fleets through a hybrid and modular naval operation concept. Diamond enables the expansion and strengthening of the attack and defense capabilities of frigates through modular systems installed on small vessels that accompany the mother ship and operate alongside it.

All the systems installed on the escort vessels are controlled and operated remotely from the mother ship, while maintaining full integration with its radar and fire control systems, as if they were installed directly on it. The solution enables a significant expansion of the deck area and the availability of the naval forces, and the escort vessels significantly increase the number of interceptors and precision attack means available to the frigate, and expand its operational envelope.

Diamond combines several capabilities in a plug-and-play configuration, including advanced systems produced by the aerospace industry, including Harpy, Harup and Mini-Harpy roving armaments, Blue Sapphire cruise missiles, Laura ballistic missiles, advanced Barak MX air defense systems as well as anti-drone capabilities.

The UAE is expanding its technological capabilities

The security conglomerate Edge made headlines in Israel following the acquisition of 30% of the company “Ein Tehshit” The Israeli company, which develops electro-optical systems based on artificial intelligence. However, this is one of many steps in which this company brings to its embrace advanced technological capabilities from various sources, with the aim of creating a particularly diverse portfolio of capabilities.

Emirates’ latest move is to buy a majority stake in the Italian engine manufacturer CMD. It is a company that designs and develops propulsion systems for automotive and marine systems, including speed boats and unmanned aerial vehicles. The agreement “reflects the strategy of expanding Edge’s footprint in advanced engineering, leading industry, and propulsion solutions,” explained the Emirati company.

The CEO of Edge, Hamed Al-Marar, emphasized that this is another foothold of Edge in Europe. Earlier, the company acquired holdings in the Estonian aircraft manufacturer Milram, and the Swiss aircraft manufacturer Annavia. In the case of CMD, the emirates are interested in an answer to all their UAV systems, from fixed-wing ones, through roving weapons to unmanned helicopters.