( MENAFN - Asia Times) National security advisors to incoming President Donald trump are considering decapitating Iran's nuclear program in a bombing campaign. They would not be thinking this way had not Israel been remarkably successful in wiping out Iran's air defenses. The star of the show was the F-35. Interest in the Trump camp to replace the F-35 with drone , with Elon Musk one of the strongest voices, just took a body blow thanks to Israel . Israel destroyed Iran's air defenses including the Russian supplied S-300 MPU-2, an advanced version of the S-300. It was paired with radars including the Russian Rezonans-NE which, it was claimed, could detect Israeli stealth aircraft and missiles. The S-300 interceptor missiles fly at speeds between Mach 6 and Mach 8.5. Iran acquired four S-300 systems, finally delivered in 2016. Iran also sported a large number of other air defense systems that apparently were also liquidated. The F-35 is America's stealth tactical bomber. It is currently in production in a program that will ultimately cost the US taxpayer trillions of dollars. Because of the high price tag and numerous birthing problems, many of them centered on software code issues, top Trump people, including Elon Musk, aim to stop F-35 production and replace the stealth fighter with drones. The US has had some stealth drones for quite a while, but they are man-in-the-loop drones that require constant communications to reach their targets. The use of radio communications creates opportunities for any adversary as he can intercept the radio transmissions, locate the“stealth” drone through triangulation, and, as the Iranians proved, even grab control of the stealth drone and capture it. That's what happened on December 5, 2011 when a US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone was electronically captured by the Iranians over the town of Kashmar. The Iranians knew about the use of Sentinel drones over its territory, used to track Iran's nuclear program, but needed to find a way to intercept them. Watching the communications, they were able (probably with help from Russia) to build a controller and devised a way to grab control of the drone and land it. The Iranian pilot did fairly well, but his landing was rough and a wing was broken and the underside of the drone damaged. Even so it was a spectacular coup by Iran, and gave Iran and Russia access to a top secret platform with capabilities far greater than anything the Russians, or even the Chinese, had at the time. The RQ-170 drone program remains highly classified, but other than the B-21 Raider, it is the only stealth drone in the US inventory. The B-21 is a strategic bomber, but it is believed to be able to operate without a crew as a smart drone. The B-21 program is hugely expensive, with the price of each platform closing in on $1 billion per copy. Israel has a sizable inventory of drones -surveillance, command and control and attack types. But Israel's Air Force (IAF) relies on manned aircraft for its operations. Israel's version of the F-35 is called Adir (Mighty One). It is a customized version of the F-35 that includes domestically developed electronic countermeasures and does not include Lockheed's logistics tracking system (as that would mean its aircraft would be tracked, a significant vulnerability in the F-35 program). The Adir also supports Israeli weapons, air to air weapons such as Python and standoff weapons such as the Popeye Turbo with an accuracy better than 3 meters (9.8 feet). It should not be forgotten that a key advantage of a full-sized aircraft over a drone is the weapon's load, including smart weapons, and the ability to shift to alternative targets. Drones are much more limited, and drones that can release actual weapons (for example the Hellfire missile or small unguided weapons) don't have the punch that a big platform brings to the table. Today's trend is to build drones that fly along with fighter aircraft or even bombers. It remains to be seen if these newer companion drones really augment air force capabilities. Examples include the Russian Okhotnik-B S-70 and the US XQ-58A Valkyrie. While we do not know the costs (including R&D) for the Russian drone, the Valkyrie is likely priced at around $25 million a copy, about a third of the cost of the F-35. These models are unproven and their functionality in combat mostly speculative. Future drones will increasingly use artificial intelligence and synthetic mapping to hit targets, reducing if not eliminating radio communications but still relying on GPS satellites for course correction. One problem in this approach is that there is a considerable delay between an actual strike and reporting on the success of the attack, as the protection of the drone requires operating in silent mode. Probably additional drones will be needed to assess results, or satellites capable of surveying targets attacked. Israel attacked Iranian targets using non-stealth fighter aircraft such as the F-15 and F-16 and the F-35 whose main function was to take out Iran's air defenses. Along the way Israel also crippled Iranian early warning radars in Syria and Iraq. Below is a map of the targets in Iran successfully hit by the IAF raid prepared by the Institute for the Study of War: We actually know very little about the logistics of Israel's operation against Iran. No doubt that information is highly classified. However it is obvious that Israel's attack, even taking into account the significant restrictions imposed by the Biden administration, was a great success. Similarly Israel was successful in knocking out Syrian air defenses, again reportedly using its F-35s. The Israeli operations in Syria and Iran are the first use of the F-35 against Russian-produced air defenses, demonstrating the value of the stealth feature of the aircraft. There is a strong lesson for potential adversaries including Russia. The Russians lacked stealth technology until recently. Russia's Su-57 fighter bomber has recently been upgraded to enhance its stealth characteristics (meaning reducing its radar signature). The Russians also are developing a more advanced stealth fighter, the Su-75 Checkmate. And Russia also is building a stealth bomber (the US already has the B-2 and is soon to deploy the B-21 Raider), the Tu-PAK-DA (expected to go into production in 2027). The Russians have also been pushing to develop technologies that can detect enemy stealth aircraft. Low observable technology is built around the idea of reducing radar signatures dramatically in X-band radar. X-band radars are the dominant type of air defense radar sets worldwide. Alternative radars, such as L Band or VHF , can detect stealth aircraft but they are range limited and not accurate enough for most countermeasures. (The Russians have built L Band radars into the wings of the Su-57 and other aircraft including the Su-27, to give them an ability to detect US stealth fighters.) In the United States those who want to cancel the F-35 program will have to answer the question of why production should be stopped on the F-35, a platform that tackled Russian air defenses and an expansionist Iran and taught both of them a lesson. Stephen Bryen is an Asia Times correspondent and served as staff director of the Near East Subcommittee of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as a deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. This article was first published on his Substack newsletter Weapons and Strategy and is republished with permission. Thank you for registering! An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. MENAFN17122024000159011032ID1109004644 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.jilibet 019 。

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Top 10 Best Places to Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 Around the WorldMumbai: With India emerging as one of the top targets for cyber-attacks, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is prioritising advancements in cyber defence and cyber deterrence, DRDO chairman Samir Kamat said on Tuesday during his address at Techfest, the annual science and technology festival of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. “Cyber warfare is continuous. It is not a declared war; it happens every day. India is among the most attacked countries in the world,” said Kamat. He compared cyber security to the strategic nuclear domain and emphasised the dual importance of cyber defence and cyber deterrence, saying, “You need deterrence capabilities to discourage attacks. Both cyber defence and deterrence are crucial, and this is where young minds can contribute significantly.” The DRDO chairman said all future battles would be network-centric and technologies like satellite communication and software-defined radios would play a pivotal role in ensuring a decisive edge. “Sensors and shooters may operate from different locations, but data must flow seamlessly,” he said. Speaking about DRDO’s initiatives to foster innovation, Kamat said that in 2020, the organisation launched five ‘Young Scientists Laboratories’ focusing on cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies, and smart materials. He also spoke about DRDO’s efforts to develop next-generation platforms like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth aircraft featuring internal weapon bays that can operate in real-time during combat. The DRDO chairman referred to ongoing global conflicts, saying disruptive technologies were transforming warfare. “Unless we quickly adapt to these technologies, we risk falling behind. My goal is to show where the world is heading in defence research and development and inspire some of you to join us in this journey,” he said. One of the key areas identified by DRDO for future development is underwater domain awareness. “Detecting submarines at depths beyond 200 metres remains a significant challenge. Current technologies rely on acoustics, but emerging methods, such as space-based sensors using magnetic anomalies caused by submarine movements, show promise. Developing capabilities in this area will be a major focus for us,” he said. Eagle robot takes centre stage IIT Bombay’s Techfest 2024, which commenced on Tuesday, features an impressive array of lectures, exhibitions, and technological innovations from both Indian and international developers. It aims to inspire young minds and provide a platform for collaboration in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and sustainable technology. Among the highlights at the three-day festival is Eagle Robot, a teaching assistant created entirely in India by Eagle Robot Lab. Currently deployed in schools across Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, the robot assists students by answering their questions accurately in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and Bengali. “Eagle Robot is revolutionising classroom learning by enabling seamless interaction in domestic and foreign languages. Around 40 robots are operational in schools across three states,” said Vignesh Rao, director of Eagle Robot Lab. The company plans to launch an upgraded version named Eagle 7 by February 2025. Another major attraction at the festival is the Unitree G1 humanoid robot from China, which is making its first appearance in India. Known for its advanced artificial intelligence capabilities and sustainable design, the humanoid robot has garnered significant global attention.

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 93-year-old former Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison earlier this month for raping a teenage boy has died, Louisiana authorities and his lawyer confirmed Friday. Less than two weeks after being sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars, Lawrence Hecker died of natural causes at 3 a.m. Thursday at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, according to Ken Pastorick, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections communications director. Hecker had pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree rape and aggravated kidnapping shortly before jury selection for his long-delayed trial had been scheduled to begin earlier this month, with other victims prepared to testify against him. The survivor of the assault to which Hecker pleaded guilty had said that Hecker raped him after offering to ahead of tryouts for a school team in the mid-1970s. “The only prayer I can come up with I hope he spends eternity in hell after God’s judgment of him,” the survivor said in a written statement provided by his attorney, Richard Trahant. “Now after his death I feel vindicated and free,” he said. The Associated Press does not identify those who say they have been sexually assaulted. Hecker’s trial had been delayed for months partly because of questions around his mental competency. Hecker had suffered from dementia, his lawyer Bobby Hjortsberg said. Hecker had been ordained as an archdiocesan priest in 1958 and remained in this position even after facing an undisputed complaint of child molestation in the late 1980s, according to . Hecker left the ministry in 2002. Hecker’s conviction occurred amid a against the Catholic church in New Orleans, many resurfacing from decades ago. The fallout has left the Archdiocese of New Orleans embroiled in bankruptcy negotiations. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96 ___ This story has been updated to clarify that Hecker died at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. Authorities had previously stated he died at a Baton Rouge hospital.

SAN ANTONIO — Deion Sanders will get emotional if he thinks about it too much, but the final chapter of a nearly two decades-long era coaching his sons ends Saturday. It’s something he’s reflected on plenty in recent weeks, since he saw the final seconds ticking off the clock in the regular season finale against a Oklahoma State — a 52-0 win in his last game in Boulder coaching Shedeur, Shilo and Travis Hunter, who may as well be the fourth Sanders son at this point. Colorado’s Travis Hunter, right, and coach Deion Sanders embrace after Hunter won the Heisman Trophy as the outstanding player in college football, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in New York. "I've been trying to shy away from that moment because I knew the last home game was the last home game, but (it) wasn't the last game,” Sanders said. “But this is it.” From youth football through college, Sanders has been by his kids’ side every step of the way. He had not planned on going into coaching but didn’t like the way his kids were being coached at the youth level. He hasn’t stopped since. “You know how long this journey has been with my kids?” Sanders said. With his sons heading off to the NFL after Colorado’s Alamo Bowl matchup against BYU Saturday, Coach Prime is sticking around with the Buffaloes. He wants to continue coaching due to the thousands of kids he’s worked with over the years that don’t have the name “Sanders” on the back of their jerseys. Colorado coach Deion Sanders speaks during a news conference before the 2024 Alamo Bowl against BYU on Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. “This is a tremendous calling that God placed in my life to be around these kids, raise these kids to such a level as this,” Sanders said Friday at the Alamodome. The examples are all over the CU roster. There’s Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, a safety and team captain who began playing for Sanders in high school before following him to Jackson State and then CU. There’s Jimmy Horn Jr., a wide receiver from Florida who was one of the first transfers to join the Buffs in late 2022. The two once visited Horn’s father in prison in Florida. There’s Ben Finneseth and Charlie Offerdahl, a current and former walk-on who are part of the small but important group of Original Buffs (“OBs”) that remain from the pre-Sanders era at CU. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and Colorado safety Shilo Sanders (21) speak before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rob Gray) There’s Brendan Gant and Travis Jay, a pair of defensive players who came from Sanders’ alma mater, Florida State, and built a relationship with their head coach despite not seeing as much time on the field as they had envisioned. “We've all had moments in my office or on the field that could bring you to tears,” Sanders said. “It's unfortunate that they're moving on, but you pray that you poured into them enough that when they move on they move up. They're not just passing by. They move on and they move up. You've blessed them with knowledge and support and love and compassion in those moments.” If you want to know why Sanders coaches, that’s it right there. Coach Prime might get emotional on his pregame walk with Shedeur from midfield to the goal line and back and when he sees Shilo and Travis making plays on defense. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders talks to quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) But he hasn’t lost sight of the journey to this point — and what’s to come. “I'm thankful that Rick (George) gave me the opportunity (at CU),” Sanders said. “We wouldn't have had a Heisman Trophy winner, a guy (that will be picked) in the first or second pick of the whole draft (and) several other guys (who) are definitely going to get drafted. It wouldn't have happened if I wouldn't have accepted that calling. So I'm thankful with the opportunities afforded to me. I'm thankful to be here, period.”