BBC: Hypersonic weapons
Hypersonic drones could be one avenue countries are now approaching, according to new reports. “James Acton is a UK physicist who works for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. Surveying the efforts of the US, China and Russia in hypersonic weapons he concludes that ‘there’s a whole zoo of hypersonic systems on the drawing board.'” Read the whole BBC account here.
The National: Qatar paid for Houthi Drones
A report on September 2 notes:
A report by an intelligence analyst known as Jason G has laid out how Qatar financed attacks on regional rivals, including Saudi Arabia. He said he was determined to raise the alarm over the potential threat such as a failed drone strike on Abha airport on Sunday. “I was actively working the last few weeks to determine the risk/threats of drone strikes, and the best payoff is when casualties are avoided,” he told The National. “You have to take every threat seriously and hope they don’t materialise. When one is thwarted, it’s the best outcome.” In recent years, Iran has provided the Houthis with sophisticated drones and a ballistic missile programme to carry out attacks on the kingdom.
Read the full report.
September 5: Saudis down Houthi drone
“Saudi-led Arab coalition forces said Saturday it destroyed an explosive-laden drone sent by Houthis in Yemen to Saudi Arabian territory.”
Remember back in May: The Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen said its forces intercepted and downed drones launched by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement towards the Saudi border city of Najran on Wednesday in the first such incident since late March. There was no immediate comment from the Houthi group about the attack, which comes after the expiry of a one-month ceasefire announced by the coalition on April 24, an extension of a two-week truce prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
August 28 Saudi downs drones aimed at Najran
The Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen said its forces intercepted and downed drones launched by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement towards the Saudi border city of Najran on Wednesday in the first such incident since late March. There was no immediate comment from the Houthi group about the attack, which comes after the expiry of a one-month ceasefire announced by the coalition on April 24, an extension of a two-week truce prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.
France’s Florence Parly tweets about drone helicopters
“Yesterday visit of the Guimbal company, a French industrial flagship whose Cabri helicopter will serve as the base for the future Air Drone System for the Navy (SDAM). Faced with increasingly complex maritime traffic, the SDAM should enable our sailors to sharpen their tactical vision.”
UANI has a new report on Iranian drones
See here.
Amazon closer to drone deliveries.
US Lead Inspector General report on Africa operations says drones in 2019 stopped ISIS
April -June report, released August: “USAFRICOM assessed that ISIS-Libya has remained significantly degraded since the
September 2019 drone strikes in southwest Libya against ISIS-Libya that targeted several
of the group’s senior leaders, who were living in desert camps.”
Drone Wars: The book 