Category: Aviation

MIL-OSI USA: Amata Welcomes Home Our Athletes at Airport

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Pago Pago — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was delighted to take part in welcoming home American Samoa’s athletes upon their arrival at Pago Pago International Airport, where they were greeted enthusiastically by their families, friends and supporters.

Welcoming our athletes

“It’s good to have our athletes, coaches, and parents home from competing in the Republic of Palau. Our excellent athletes brought home gold and silver medals and represented our islands very well. We are all proud of their successes and competitive performances, but also all the hours of unseen hard work, training, nutrition efforts and dedication that go into these achievements, and set a good example for young aspiring athletes. Welcome home!” said Congresswoman Amata. “Thank you to our people who came out to the airport to show love and appreciation to our athletes, I could see how they enjoyed and appreciated that warm support.”

Team American Samoa competed in various sports in the Pacific Mini Games, earning an impressive number of awards, and arrived back to flags, congratulatory signs, and people wearing red, white, and blue in celebration.

More pictures here

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Neguse and Crank Lead Bipartisan Effort to Bolster Colorado’s Aerial Firefighting Capabilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

In a letter to Dr. Troy E. Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, the lawmakers requested upgrades to the aircraft currently stationed at the 302nd Airlift Wing.

Lafayette, CO — As Colorado braces for peak wildfire season, Congressmen Joe Neguse (CO-02) and Jeff Crank (CO-05) teamed up in a bipartisan effort to strengthen the state’s aerial firefighting capabilities. More specifically, the lawmakers penned a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force requesting eight upgraded C-130J aircrafts for the 302nd Airlift Wing (AW) at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.

C-130Js are fitted with a firefighting unit that can assist in the rapid deployment of thousands of gallons of water or fire retardant. This makes them uniquely capable of suppressing flames and curbing the spread of wildfires over large ranges.

“Colorado, and states across the West, have experienced devastating wildfires in recent years and continue to face increased drought conditions and wildfire risk. It is in our nation’s best interest to ensure our communities are well-equipped to respond when disaster strikes. Without adequate tools, including the C-130Js, our country is at a disadvantage to manage these wildfires–threatening the safety of our communities. It is with that in mind that we urge the Department of Air Force to upgrade the 302nd AW with eight C-130Js,” wrote Representatives Neguse and Crank

Read their full letter HERE and below.

Congressman Neguse, founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, has prioritized efforts to coordinate better wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery nationwide. Recently, he teamed up with a coalition of Western lawmakers to introduce a number of policy proposals that would implement a holistic approach to combating the wildfire crisis.

July 1, 2025

The Honorable Troy E. Meink

Secretary of the Air Force

Department of the Air Force

1670 Air Force Pentagon

Washington, D.C. 20330-1670

Dear Secretary Meink:

We write to request your consideration and assistance with upgrading and designating eight C-130Js to the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) 302nd Airlift Wing (AW) at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 302nd AW has been among the only aerial firefighting AFRC Wings since 1993, including one of the four wings using the U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, and is responsible for operating an aeromedical evacuation mission. It is imperative that the U.S. Air Force equip the 302nd AW with eight upgraded C-130Js in order to carry out their tactical airlift and airdrop mission and aerial firefighting mission.

The 302nd AW is on track to be the only remaining Department of Defense aerial firefighting wing still equipped with older C-130Hs. As wildfires continue to impact communities across the nation, maintaining an upgraded air fleet for the 302nd AW is imperative. Full capabilities for the AW and the 1,400 Reserve Citizen Airmen serving at Peterson Space Force Base are among our biggest assets to aerial firefighting and national security.

Colorado, and states across the West, have experienced devastating wildfires in recent years and continue to face increased drought conditions and wildfire risk. It is in our nation’s best interest to ensure our communities are well-equipped to respond when disaster strikes. Without adequate tools, including the C-130Js, our country is at a disadvantage to manage these wildfires–threatening the safety of our communities. It is with that in mind that we urge the Department of Air Force to upgrade the 302nd AW with eight C-130Js.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, and we look forward to continuing to work together to maintain the necessary infrastructure and capabilities to respond adequately to the nation’s security needs, including wildfires.

Sincerely,

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Panetta Secures New Federal Funding for Monterey Regional Airport Modernization

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced a new $5,353,204 federal grant for the Monterey Regional Airport to continue construction on its new state-of-the-art terminal. The funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will support Phase 5 of the terminal replacement project, including the relocation of utilities and the construction of a new public parking lot.

This latest federal investment builds on Rep. Panetta’s long-term commitment to delivering modern, safe, and sustainable infrastructure to California’s 19^th Congressional District, even as federal programs come under increasing threat of cuts or elimination from the Trump Administration.

“Despite this Administration slashing federal funding for local infrastructure programs, I was able to work and obtain this federal investment for our community,” said Rep. Panetta. “This new federal funding for Monterey Regional Airport will help it modernize with safer, more efficient, and more sustainable facilities. I’ll continue my fight to deliver results that improve our economy and enhance the daily lives of those who call California’s 19^th Congressional District home.”

“This funding is a critical component for the circulation in and out of the replacement terminal to ensure the passenger journey remains easy and convenient for both residents and visitors,” said Monterey Regional Airport Interim Executive Director Chris Morello. “We’d like to thank Representative Panetta for his assistance, means a great deal to the airport to have such strong support in the District and in Washington.”

This announcement follows Rep. Panetta’s previous efforts to secure over $64 million in federal funding for the Monterey Regional Airport’s modernization, supporting terminal design, tarmac improvements, and other safety upgrades. Earlier this month, the airport broke ground on the new 62,754 square-foot terminal, set to open in 2027, marking a major milestone in the project’s progression.

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MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Champions Conservative Values in NDAA, Supports Alabama’s Troops and Defense
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was reported out of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). During the committee’s markup process, Sen. Tuberville fought to get key conservative wins included in the bill, which will strengthen our military, protect taxpayers, and make sure Alabama continues leading the way in defense.

“Since being elected to the U.S. Senate, I’ve been fighting to get woke politics out of the military. Under Joe Biden, the Pentagon became ground zero for Democrats’ craziest ideas. Thankfully, President Trump and Secretary Hegseth are working to purge the Pentagon of woke policies and restore focus on lethality and readiness. I’m proud to have secured key conservative wins in this year’s NDAA, which will support the great work the Trump administration is already doing. My amendments eliminate DEI at the Pentagon, make sure men can’t compete in women’s sports at service academies, prohibit military resources from being used to censor conservative outlets, and ban sex change procedures from taking place in taxpayer-funded military facilities.

I am also proud of the wins I was able to secure for the great state of Alabama. In addition to providing a 3.8% pay raise for our troops, this year’s NDAA will make housing more affordable and safer for our military families. The bill supports Alabama’s defense industrial base by directing the DOD to fully support the development of all quantum computing technologies. It also makes key investments in surface ship sustainment and readiness that will boost Alabama shipbuilding. Importantly, the NDAA provides funding for the Golden Dome, which Alabama will play a critical role in building and supporting. As the state’s senior senator, I’ve been fighting every day to get Alabama’s military installations and defense contractors the resources and support they deserve. This year’s NDAA will ensure Alabama continues punching well above our weight.”

BACKGROUND:

As Alabama’s representative on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Tuberville is proud to have secured the below wins in this year’s NDAA:

Conservative Wins:
- Eliminates the existence of DEI-related requirements within the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
- Prohibits males from taking roster positions that belong to females at U.S. service academies.
- Strengthens language to prohibit DOD recruiting funds from being used to censor and disadvantage conservative media sources.
- Restricts any DOD money from being spent on sex change surgeries and prohibits these surgeries from taking place at military treatment facilities.
Alabama Wins:
- Secures 3.8% pay raise for troops.
- Improves quality-of-life and makes housing safer for our servicemembers by encouraging all military commissaries to carry at-home mold test kits.
- Supports Alabama’s defense industrial base by directing the DOD to fully develop the use of all quantum computing technologies.
- Encourages DOD to continue to leverage the benefits of the military-civilian partnership that helps further medical research initiatives for the DOD.
- Directs DOD to accelerate the conversion and testing of successful air-launched weapon systems for ground employment.
- Improves servicemembers’ quality of life by improving the accuracy and transparency of housing allowance calculations.
- Supports procurement of MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters to modernize aging rotary wing aircraft fleet.
- Improves advanced weapons systems by requiring the employment of advanced technologies and material improvements.
- Continues investment in reactive target simulation and facility security enhancement to better meet evolving threats.
- Makes important investments in surface ship sustainment and readiness, as well as shipyard optimization.
Read more about FY2026 NDAA here.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: As Member of Armed Services Committee, Peters Helps Advance Strong National Defense Bill to Bolster Michigan’s Defense Capabilities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – As a member of the Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped advance the annual National Defense Authorization Act out of committee. Peters successfully authored and secured provisions in the bipartisan bill to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and robust defense sector, support our nation’s long-term strategic efforts to combat aggression by adversaries like China and Russia, fund initiatives to clean up PFAS contamination, and give our servicemembers a pay raise. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
“Across Michigan, our servicemembers, defense manufacturers, and top-notch military installations play an essential role in keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to secure investments in this bill to bolster those defense assets and capabilities, while supporting statewide economic growth. This bill also helps us meet the rising threats posed by our adversaries like China and Russia to protect both folks at home and our troops serving around the world.”
The National Defense Authorization Act sets annual policy for the Department of Defense (DOD) and has been signed into law for more than 60 consecutive years.
Peters led or supported the following provisions, including authorizing more than $18 million in funding for Michigan’s military facilities:
Investing in Michigan’s Military Facilities
$9 million for Runway Improvement at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: This funding would allow for runway improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to prepare for basing of future missions, including the KC-46 Tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters.
$5.2 million to Construct Two New Taxiways at Selfridge: This funding would support the construction of two new taxiways at Selfridge to prepare for basing of future missions including Selfridge’s two missions. This includes $2.8 million for the construction of Taxiway Alpha and $2.4 million for the construction of Taxiway Bravo.
$4.4 million for Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex: This funding would kickstart the Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex (ADWTC) critical for military training exercises like Northern Strike. The ADWTC provides a state-of-the-art facility where servicemembers can plan, lead, and execute realistic training. The ADWTC is critical for growing military training exercises like Northern Strike and ensuring this critical exercise remains the premier training exercise in the country.
Permanent Funding for Northern Strike: Peters secured report language urging permanent funding for the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations.
Bolstering Collaborative Combat Aircraft Production: Senator Peters secured language in the bill that directs the Air Force to move forward with initial full-scale production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Peters has pushed forand secured language to support the development and integration of CCAs, including during a hearing last year with the former Secretary of Defense and a recent hearing with the current U.S. Air Force Secretary. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters has also secured language to help position Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a potential location for CCA fielding. He led a provision included in recent government funding legislation requiring a report regarding basing criteria of CCAs. This report will include an evaluation of whether existing Air National Guard bases with legacy fighter missions, such as Selfridge, may be appropriate locations for the basing of CCAs.
Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center at Selfridge: Peters led a provision in the bill underscoring the growing threat of cyberattacks on both manned and unmanned military vehicles and platforms, as well as critical infrastructure that interacts with advanced vehicles. The provision recognizes the work of the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, Michigan to identify cyber vulnerabilities to secure joint ground vehicle platforms and prevent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The bill encourages vehicle cybersecurity at places like GVSC who is working to establish its Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center, which will also be located in Michigan at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. In addition to supporting our Armed Forces and servicemembers, the Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center will support Michigan’s auto industry and help establish Southeast Michigan as a hub for all auto-cyber activity in the country. Peters has continuously used his role on the Armed Services Committee to support the GVSC, and recently warned DOD officials about the consequences of potential cuts at the GVSC.
Emergency Response Authority Act: Peters successfully secured an amendment to give states more flexibility in deploying Army Guard and Reserve (AGR) personnel with specialized skills for emergency response. This proposal would allow AGR forces to respond to state declared emergencies, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, for a total of 14 days per person. This provision empowers states to respond to major disasters more quickly and effectively.
Supporting Our Servicemembers and Their Families
Pay Raise for Servicemembers: This bill includes pay raises of 3.8 percent for military servicemembers.
Addressing PFAS Contamination
Improving Transparency of PFAS Cleanup & Remediation Efforts: Peters successfully included a provision that requires DOD to submit annual reports detailing site-specific funding, progress, and barriers for all interim PFAS remediation and cleanup efforts. This includes timelines, performance metrics, and the status of the actions. Peters’ provision also requires DOD to create a public online dashboard within one year to display updated PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact. Peters has worked with communities across Michigan for years on PFAS remediation efforts. Peters convened the first-ever hearing on PFAS contamination in the Senate, and convened a field summit in Grand Rapids in November 2018 to shine a light on how local, state and federal governments are coordinating responses to address PFAS contamination. He has also passed numerous bills into law to help address PFAS contamination and protect Michiganders. Michigan is home to a number of military installations where PFAS contamination has been detected, including Camp Grayling and the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.
Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water for Communities Affected by PFAS Contamination: The bill contains a Peters led initiative to direct DOD to provide bottled water to communities with private drinking water wells with high levels of PFAS contamination as a result of DOD activities.
Supporting Michigan’s Defense Sector
Bolstering Infantry Squad Vehicle Production: The bill also authorized $34.4 million to maintain continued production and fielding of General Motors (GM) Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). GM Defense conducts its testing, research, and development of projects at the Milford Proving Ground in Oakland County, where two of its key programs of record were conceived, and employs over 50,000 people in Michigan.
Supporting Munition Production in Grayling: The bill includes $31.9 million to support production of the Army’s Individual Assault Munitions (IAM), which will soon be made at a new production facility being constructed in Grayling, Michigan. This new facility is expected to employ 70 people in 2025 and expand to an estimated 100 employees by 2027.
Boosting Made in Michigan Ground Vehicle Production: The bill authorizes robust funding for the Army to produce new, modernized Strykers as well as Abrams tanks. This funding would help ensure that Made in Michigan testing and development of ground vehicles like the Strykers are operating with cutting edge technology designed to keep our servicemembers safe.
Bolstering Military Aircraft Engine Industrial Base: Peters secured a provision that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a roadmap for bolstering our military aircraft engine industrial base to support existing and planned platforms.
Expanding Fuel Cell Use: This provision Peters secured authorizes $5 million for research and development of multi-modular fuel cells, primarily to be used in electric vehicle charging stations and mobile generators. This research will help increase the reliability of power for military installations and improve DOD’s energy management and efficiency plans.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Advanced Technology Capabilities
Protecting Against Phishing Attacks: This report language, secured by Peters, requires DOD to issue a strategy on implementing the adoption of phishing-resistant authentication across the Department. There has been an increase in phishing attempts targeting officials at DOD to retrieve personal information that allows hackers and foreign adversaries to gain access to delicate national security information. This provision would ensure that DOD takes steps to protect sensitive national security information and protect American lives.
Preventing Manipulation of DOD-Generated Media: Peters secured an amendment he led which would require DOD to implement digital content provenance across the Department. Digital content creation, editing, and distribution tools are increasingly more accessible, and can be easily weaponized against the U.S. by our foreign adversaries who seek to threaten our national security, spread anti-American propaganda, and weaken our institutions. The amendment would help prevent DOD media content from being manipulated and used maliciously against our country by creating a pilot program to implement authenticity information on DOD-generated media. This builds on Peters’ bipartisan Digital Defense Content Provenance Act, which he secured in a previous national defense bill and requires DOD to create a course at the Defense Information School to teach personnel about the threats posed by synthetic media such as deepfakes, as well as emerging technologies and key concepts of digital content provenance. The bill also created a pilot program at DOD to assess the feasibility of establishing content standard technologies on DOD-produced and owned media content.
Strengthening U.S. Cyber Workforce: Peters secured a provision that would require a report on the implementation of the DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy. DOD has struggled to attract and retain a skilled cyber workforce. The DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy was designed to identify difficulties and provide specific activities to increase applications and retainment of the cyber workforce, both military and civilian. A skilled DOD cyber workforce benefits all Americans.
Enhancing DOD Weapons Systems to Protect Against Real-Time Cybersecurity Threats: The bill includes specific directives for the DOD to enhances its weapons systems with technology to track cybersecurity threats. This will all for weapons systems at Military bases in Michigan and across the country to track cyber threats in real time and constantly update the health and security of their cybersecurity operations.
Developing U.S. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Capabilities: The bill would provide increased funding for the development of new and innovative design and production of low-cost, uncrewed systems. The bill would also require a strategy to develop a secure domestic supply chain of critical components for small UAS systems.
Advancing Counter-UAS Technologies: The bill would authorize increased funding for various counter-UAS activities, and require a strategy for countering drone technologies and assessing resources or authorities needed for drone incursion response to ensure we are equipped for the future of warfare. It would direct the Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide briefings on their respective service plans for counter-UAS capabilities.
Supporting U.S. Security Interests Around the World
Planning for Enhanced Operations in Artic Region: The bill includes a provision authored by Peters that recognizes the current geopolitical challenges and opportunities presented by the Artic region, and supports efforts to better understand the emerging need to enhance operations in the region. Specifically, the bill encourages the Secretary of Defense to partner with interagency organizations, including the Center for Arctic Security and Resiliency and the Joint All Domain Weather Operations Center, to coordinate federal agency planning for Arctic operations as well as testing of systems to support Arctic operations.
Support Israel’s Defense Against Emerging Threats: Peters secured funding in the bill to help increase U.S. collaboration with Israel to develop emerging defense technologies to meet the warfare challenges of the future. Peters also secured a provision that would establish a cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel for advancing C-UAS technologies and joint research. Peters introduced bipartisan legislation last Congress to bolster collaboration between the United States and Israel on emerging technologies.
Strengthen Efforts to Combat Anti-Tunneling Activity: The bill authorizes additional funding to strengthen current collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to combat Hamas and strengthen anti-tunneling activity in the Gaza strip. As part of the DOD’s collaboration with the IDF, Israel shares its counter-tunnel technology with the DOD and Department of Homeland Security to combat growing threats at our borders, as well as similar threats faced on the Korean Peninsula and in multiple locations in the Middle East.
Support for Taiwan: This bill would strengthen security cooperation across the defense industrial bases of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. The bill would support Taiwanese defense needs and strengthen U.S.-Taiwanese defense collaboration. The bill would also direct the Defense Department to assess Taiwan’s critical digital infrastructure and identify potential actions to help strengthen it.
Counter Chinese Communist Party Aggression: The bill includes numerous provisions to counter aggression from the Chinese government, including a provision requiring a report on the intelligence capabilities of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cuba.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: As Member of Armed Services Committee, Peters Helps Advance Strong National Defense Bill to Bolster Michigan’s Defense Capabilities

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
WASHINGTON, DC – As a member of the Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped advance the annual National Defense Authorization Act out of committee. Peters successfully authored and secured provisions in the bipartisan bill to strengthen U.S. national security, invest in Michigan’s military facilities and robust defense sector, support our nation’s long-term strategic efforts to combat aggression by adversaries like China and Russia, fund initiatives to clean up PFAS contamination, and give our servicemembers a pay raise. The bill now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
“Across Michigan, our servicemembers, defense manufacturers, and top-notch military installations play an essential role in keeping our nation safe and secure,” said Senator Peters. “I was proud to secure investments in this bill to bolster those defense assets and capabilities, while supporting statewide economic growth. This bill also helps us meet the rising threats posed by our adversaries like China and Russia to protect both folks at home and our troops serving around the world.”
The National Defense Authorization Act sets annual policy for the Department of Defense (DOD) and has been signed into law for more than 60 consecutive years.
Peters led or supported the following provisions, including authorizing more than $18 million in funding for Michigan’s military facilities:
Investing in Michigan’s Military Facilities
$9 million for Runway Improvement at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: This funding would allow for runway improvements at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to prepare for basing of future missions, including the KC-46 Tankers and F-15EX fighter jets that were announced for Selfridge following years of persistent work and advocacy by Peters.
$5.2 million to Construct Two New Taxiways at Selfridge: This funding would support the construction of two new taxiways at Selfridge to prepare for basing of future missions including Selfridge’s two missions. This includes $2.8 million for the construction of Taxiway Alpha and $2.4 million for the construction of Taxiway Bravo.
$4.4 million for Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex: This funding would kickstart the Camp Grayling All-Domain Warfighting Training Complex (ADWTC) critical for military training exercises like Northern Strike. The ADWTC provides a state-of-the-art facility where servicemembers can plan, lead, and execute realistic training. The ADWTC is critical for growing military training exercises like Northern Strike and ensuring this critical exercise remains the premier training exercise in the country.
Permanent Funding for Northern Strike: Peters secured report language urging permanent funding for the annual Northern Strike Exercise, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations.
Bolstering Collaborative Combat Aircraft Production: Senator Peters secured language in the bill that directs the Air Force to move forward with initial full-scale production of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Peters has pushed forand secured language to support the development and integration of CCAs, including during a hearing last year with the former Secretary of Defense and a recent hearing with the current U.S. Air Force Secretary. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters has also secured language to help position Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a potential location for CCA fielding. He led a provision included in recent government funding legislation requiring a report regarding basing criteria of CCAs. This report will include an evaluation of whether existing Air National Guard bases with legacy fighter missions, such as Selfridge, may be appropriate locations for the basing of CCAs.
Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center at Selfridge: Peters led a provision in the bill underscoring the growing threat of cyberattacks on both manned and unmanned military vehicles and platforms, as well as critical infrastructure that interacts with advanced vehicles. The provision recognizes the work of the Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) in Warren, Michigan to identify cyber vulnerabilities to secure joint ground vehicle platforms and prevent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. The bill encourages vehicle cybersecurity at places like GVSC who is working to establish its Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center, which will also be located in Michigan at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. In addition to supporting our Armed Forces and servicemembers, the Connected Vehicle Cybersecurity Center will support Michigan’s auto industry and help establish Southeast Michigan as a hub for all auto-cyber activity in the country. Peters has continuously used his role on the Armed Services Committee to support the GVSC, and recently warned DOD officials about the consequences of potential cuts at the GVSC.
Emergency Response Authority Act: Peters successfully secured an amendment to give states more flexibility in deploying Army Guard and Reserve (AGR) personnel with specialized skills for emergency response. This proposal would allow AGR forces to respond to state declared emergencies, such as floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters, for a total of 14 days per person. This provision empowers states to respond to major disasters more quickly and effectively.
Supporting Our Servicemembers and Their Families
Pay Raise for Servicemembers: This bill includes pay raises of 3.8 percent for military servicemembers.
Addressing PFAS Contamination
Improving Transparency of PFAS Cleanup & Remediation Efforts: Peters successfully included a provision that requires DOD to submit annual reports detailing site-specific funding, progress, and barriers for all interim PFAS remediation and cleanup efforts. This includes timelines, performance metrics, and the status of the actions. Peters’ provision also requires DOD to create a public online dashboard within one year to display updated PFAS cleanup data, funding, timelines, and community points of contact. Peters has worked with communities across Michigan for years on PFAS remediation efforts. Peters convened the first-ever hearing on PFAS contamination in the Senate, and convened a field summit in Grand Rapids in November 2018 to shine a light on how local, state and federal governments are coordinating responses to address PFAS contamination. He has also passed numerous bills into law to help address PFAS contamination and protect Michiganders. Michigan is home to a number of military installations where PFAS contamination has been detected, including Camp Grayling and the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda.
Ensuring Access to Clean Drinking Water for Communities Affected by PFAS Contamination: The bill contains a Peters led initiative to direct DOD to provide bottled water to communities with private drinking water wells with high levels of PFAS contamination as a result of DOD activities.
Supporting Michigan’s Defense Sector
Bolstering Infantry Squad Vehicle Production: The bill also authorized $34.4 million to maintain continued production and fielding of General Motors (GM) Defense’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV). GM Defense conducts its testing, research, and development of projects at the Milford Proving Ground in Oakland County, where two of its key programs of record were conceived, and employs over 50,000 people in Michigan.
Supporting Munition Production in Grayling: The bill includes $31.9 million to support production of the Army’s Individual Assault Munitions (IAM), which will soon be made at a new production facility being constructed in Grayling, Michigan. This new facility is expected to employ 70 people in 2025 and expand to an estimated 100 employees by 2027.
Boosting Made in Michigan Ground Vehicle Production: The bill authorizes robust funding for the Army to produce new, modernized Strykers as well as Abrams tanks. This funding would help ensure that Made in Michigan testing and development of ground vehicles like the Strykers are operating with cutting edge technology designed to keep our servicemembers safe.
Bolstering Military Aircraft Engine Industrial Base: Peters secured a provision that requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a roadmap for bolstering our military aircraft engine industrial base to support existing and planned platforms.
Expanding Fuel Cell Use: This provision Peters secured authorizes $5 million for research and development of multi-modular fuel cells, primarily to be used in electric vehicle charging stations and mobile generators. This research will help increase the reliability of power for military installations and improve DOD’s energy management and efficiency plans.
Strengthening Cybersecurity and Advanced Technology Capabilities
Protecting Against Phishing Attacks: This report language, secured by Peters, requires DOD to issue a strategy on implementing the adoption of phishing-resistant authentication across the Department. There has been an increase in phishing attempts targeting officials at DOD to retrieve personal information that allows hackers and foreign adversaries to gain access to delicate national security information. This provision would ensure that DOD takes steps to protect sensitive national security information and protect American lives.
Preventing Manipulation of DOD-Generated Media: Peters secured an amendment he led which would require DOD to implement digital content provenance across the Department. Digital content creation, editing, and distribution tools are increasingly more accessible, and can be easily weaponized against the U.S. by our foreign adversaries who seek to threaten our national security, spread anti-American propaganda, and weaken our institutions. The amendment would help prevent DOD media content from being manipulated and used maliciously against our country by creating a pilot program to implement authenticity information on DOD-generated media. This builds on Peters’ bipartisan Digital Defense Content Provenance Act, which he secured in a previous national defense bill and requires DOD to create a course at the Defense Information School to teach personnel about the threats posed by synthetic media such as deepfakes, as well as emerging technologies and key concepts of digital content provenance. The bill also created a pilot program at DOD to assess the feasibility of establishing content standard technologies on DOD-produced and owned media content.
Strengthening U.S. Cyber Workforce: Peters secured a provision that would require a report on the implementation of the DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy. DOD has struggled to attract and retain a skilled cyber workforce. The DOD Cyber Workforce Strategy was designed to identify difficulties and provide specific activities to increase applications and retainment of the cyber workforce, both military and civilian. A skilled DOD cyber workforce benefits all Americans.
Enhancing DOD Weapons Systems to Protect Against Real-Time Cybersecurity Threats: The bill includes specific directives for the DOD to enhances its weapons systems with technology to track cybersecurity threats. This will all for weapons systems at Military bases in Michigan and across the country to track cyber threats in real time and constantly update the health and security of their cybersecurity operations.
Developing U.S. Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Capabilities: The bill would provide increased funding for the development of new and innovative design and production of low-cost, uncrewed systems. The bill would also require a strategy to develop a secure domestic supply chain of critical components for small UAS systems.
Advancing Counter-UAS Technologies: The bill would authorize increased funding for various counter-UAS activities, and require a strategy for countering drone technologies and assessing resources or authorities needed for drone incursion response to ensure we are equipped for the future of warfare. It would direct the Army, Navy, and Air Force to provide briefings on their respective service plans for counter-UAS capabilities.
Supporting U.S. Security Interests Around the World
Planning for Enhanced Operations in Artic Region: The bill includes a provision authored by Peters that recognizes the current geopolitical challenges and opportunities presented by the Artic region, and supports efforts to better understand the emerging need to enhance operations in the region. Specifically, the bill encourages the Secretary of Defense to partner with interagency organizations, including the Center for Arctic Security and Resiliency and the Joint All Domain Weather Operations Center, to coordinate federal agency planning for Arctic operations as well as testing of systems to support Arctic operations.
Support Israel’s Defense Against Emerging Threats: Peters secured funding in the bill to help increase U.S. collaboration with Israel to develop emerging defense technologies to meet the warfare challenges of the future. Peters also secured a provision that would establish a cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel for advancing C-UAS technologies and joint research. Peters introduced bipartisan legislation last Congress to bolster collaboration between the United States and Israel on emerging technologies.
Strengthen Efforts to Combat Anti-Tunneling Activity: The bill authorizes additional funding to strengthen current collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to combat Hamas and strengthen anti-tunneling activity in the Gaza strip. As part of the DOD’s collaboration with the IDF, Israel shares its counter-tunnel technology with the DOD and Department of Homeland Security to combat growing threats at our borders, as well as similar threats faced on the Korean Peninsula and in multiple locations in the Middle East.
Support for Taiwan: This bill would strengthen security cooperation across the defense industrial bases of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, including Taiwan. The bill would support Taiwanese defense needs and strengthen U.S.-Taiwanese defense collaboration. The bill would also direct the Defense Department to assess Taiwan’s critical digital infrastructure and identify potential actions to help strengthen it.
Counter Chinese Communist Party Aggression: The bill includes numerous provisions to counter aggression from the Chinese government, including a provision requiring a report on the intelligence capabilities of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation in the Republic of Cuba.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – ATIDI Guarantee Backs Lending Consortium Led by BPR Bank Rwanda plc for Rwanda’s New International Airport, Boosting Regional Trade and Integration

Source: Media Fast

· ATIDI has approved a USD $84 million counter-guarantee to support issuance of bonds and guarantees for the construction of Rwanda’s New International Airport in Bugesera District.
· BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent, leads a consortium of lenders enabling the transaction.
· The Project is a vital infrastructure that will accelerate Rwanda’s Vision 2050, its national strategy to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income economy by 2050.
· This transaction is aligned with ATIDI’s strategic focus on empowering its member states to deliver impactful, transformative investments that spur growth, sustainability and regional integration.

Kigali, 11th July 2025 – ATIDI has approved a USD84 million counter-guarantee to support three local Rwandan banks and one regional bank in issuing bonds and guarantees totaling over USD322 million. These guarantees have been extended to a joint venture of three contractors undertaking the construction of the New Bugesera International Airport, a transformative project poised to elevate Rwanda as a strategic hub for trade and logistics in Africa.

The project, jointly developed by the Governments of Rwanda and Qatar, is a vital infrastructure that will accelerate Rwanda’s Vision 2050, its national strategy to become an upper-middle-income country by 2035 and a high-income economy by 2050. The airport is also aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, facilitating the free movement of goods, services and people across the continent.

The airport, which is valued over USD2 billion, is scheduled for completion by mid-2028. ATIDI’s cover supports the three local banks including BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, Bank of Kigali (BK), and the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), benefitted directly from ATIDI’s risk mitigation, enabling them to issue guarantees beyond their Single Obligor Limits (SOL). The de-risking provided by ATIDI offers banks capital relief while ensuring smoother execution of infrastructure projects.

The lending consortium led by BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, acting as Mandated Lead Arranger and Facility Agent on behalf of the contractors, also includes KCB Bank Kenya, a regional lender, which participated in the syndicate without recourse to ATIDI’s guarantee.

Quote from Manuel Moses, Chief Executive Officer, ATIDI

“ATIDI is proud to partner in Rwanda’s transformation and continental ambitions through this catalytic project, a central piece of the country’s development strategy. The new airport is not just about infrastructure, it’s about unlocking regional value chains and ensuring Africa trades more with itself. Our support demonstrates the value addition of ATIDI’s de-risking solutions in scaling up lending capacity and unlocking financing by banks to Rwanda’s development priorities”

Quote from BPR (Mandated Lead Arranger)

Patience Mutesi, Managing Director of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, remarked “We are honored to lead this transformational financing effort. As Mandated Lead Arranger, BPR Bank Rwanda Plc is proud to play a pivotal role in unlocking capital for a project that will reshape Rwanda’s connectivity and competitiveness. This collaboration with ATIDI and our partner banks reflects our firm commitment to financing national development priorities and enabling long-term value through strategic infrastructure.”

This transaction is aligned with ATIDI’s strategic focus on empowering its member states to deliver impactful, transformative investments that spur growth, sustainability and regional integration. Rwanda, a founding member of ATIDI, has been a consistent partner in leveraging risk mitigation to unlock capital and de-risk essential sectors.

Currently, ATIDI has issued policies worth over USD1.45 billion in transaction value and holds a gross exposure of over USD611.9 million in Rwanda. These transactions span multiple sectors vital to the country’s development, including agriculture, forestry; fishing; construction; energy and gas; financial activities; information and communication; manufacturing; other services activities; public administration; trade and transportation; transporting and storage; as well as wholesale and retail trade.

This broad sectoral engagement demonstrates ATIDI’s critical and transversal role in de-risking investments and catalyzing trade, infrastructure and socio-economic development across Africa.

About ATIDI

ATIDI was founded in 2001 by African States to cover trade and investment risks of companies doing business in Africa. ATIDI predominantly provides Political Risk, Credit Insurance and, Surety Insurance. Since inception, ATIDI has supported USD88 billion worth of investments and cross border trade into Africa. For more than a decade, ATIDI has consistently maintained a Financial Strength and Counterparty Credit rating of ‘A/Stable’ from Standard & Poor’s. In 2019, Moody’s assigned ATIDI an A3/Positive rating, which was subsequently upgraded to A2/Stable in 2024 and reaffirmed in 2025, reflecting the organization’s robust financial position and strong risk management practices. In recognition of its growing impact, ATIDI was named the Development Finance Institution (DFI) of the Year at the 2025 African Banker Awards.

www.atidi.africa

MIL OSI – Submitted News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FAA Awards Over $31 Million to North Dakota Airports
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $31,255,696 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following:
- $10,325,656 to the Bismarck Municipal Airport to reconstruct the existing lighting on Taxiway D and connectors D1, D2, and D3, as well as rehabilitating 4,308 feet of pavement. It also rehabilitates 7,403 feet of the existing paved Taxiways D and connectors D1, D2, and D3 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavements, constructs Runway 3/21 safety area at both Runway ends to enhance safety, and reconstructs 3,483 feet of safety area and the Runway 21 blast pad.
- $10,000,000 to Fargo’s Hector International Airport to construct 25,070 square yards of apron and reconstruct 37,526 square yards of the existing Terminal Apron pavement.
- $3,409,869 to Fargo’s Hector International Airport to expand the existing terminal by 35,245 square feet including four new gates.
- $1,317,035 to the Cooperstown Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 164 foot South Taxilane to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area and rehabilitate 3,500 feet of existing paved Runway 13/31 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.
- $1,266,560 to the Cavalier Municipal Airport Authority to rehabilitate 3,300 feet of existing paved Runway 16/34 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.
- $1,121,492 to the Langdon Municipal Airport Authority to construct 1,411 feet and the new 1,739-foot Taxiway B.
- $818,010 to the Wahpeton Airport Authority to install new lighting on Taxiway A.
- $676,540 to the City of Mohall to construct new underdrains, storm drain, and lift station to mitigate ponding.
- $626,848 to the Lakota Airport Authority to reconstruct 5,506 square yards of the existing North Apron pavement.
- $335,781 to the Grafton Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 4,828 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage.
- $300,000 to the Adams County Airport Authority to reseal 1,217 feet of existing Taxilane North and South pavement and joints, reseal 6,500 feet of existing Taxiway A, Taxiway B, and Taxiway C pavement and joints, reseal 4,652 feet of existing Runway 12/30 pavement and joints, and reseal 15,420 square yards of existing center apron pavement and joints.
- $300,000 to the Kenmare Airport Authority to replace existing snow removal equipment.
- $300,000 to the Watford City Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 2,700 square foot snow removal equipment and sand storage building.
- $207,736 to the Tioga Municipal Airport Authority to reseal 1,800 feet of existing Taxiway A and connectors pavement and joints, reseal 1,000 feet of existing hangar Taxilane pavement and joints, reseal 5,102 feet of existing Runway 12/30 pavement and joints, and to construct and reseal additional General Aviation Apron pavement.
- $150,126 to the Walhalla Municipal Airport Authority to construct a new 5,600 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage and maintenance.
- $100,043 to the Mercer County Regional Airport Authority to reseal 275 feet of existing Taxilane pavement and joints, reseal 13,708 square yards of the existing North and South apron pavement and joints, reseal 1,420 feet of existing Taxiway A and B pavement and joints, and reseal 5,000 feet of existing Runway 15/33 pavement and joints.
The FAA AIP provides funding to airports nationwide for planning, capital, and safety enhancement projects.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Man Arrested for Pointing a Laser at Police Helicopter During Protests in Los Angeles

Source: US FBI

LOS ANGELES—A Los Angeles man was taken into custody this week by FBI agents and charged federally with aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft—specifically, a helicopter operated by pilots with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Dominic Rios, 21, whose last known address was in Hemet, was arrested on July 7 pursuant to a federal criminal complaint filed on June 27 in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California.

The complaint alleges that, on June 10, 2025, a Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) helicopter was flying at an altitude of approximately 950 feet while monitoring protests in downtown Los Angeles when it was struck three times by green laser light.

The LAPD helicopter pilot and flight officer were able to identify the person using the laser, later identified as Rios, and relay his description and location near a parking lot to LAPD officers on the ground, who located Rios and arrested him. An LAPD officer searched Rios and found a laser pointer in his pocket. After the LAPD officer Mirandized Rios, Rios admitted that he had used his green laser pointer on the LAPD helicopter.

Testing confirmed that the device seized from Rios was a green laser pointer. The helicopter was struck three times by the green laser and each strike lit up the cockpit. Each strike lasted approximately 3-5 seconds, forcing the pilot to modify the helicopter’s altitude to avoid additional strikes, according to the complaint.

Testing conducted by the LAPD confirmed that the green laser used by Rios is hazardous to the eyes.

Rios had an initial appearance before a federal magistrate and was released on bond.

If convicted, Rios faces statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison.

This investigation was conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Derek Flores.

When laser beams are aimed at any piloted aircraft, whether military or commercial, what might seem like a tiny beam on the ground can blind aircrew, potentially causing a midair collision or other incident.

In 2023 alone, the Federal Aviation Administration (or FAA) received more than 13,000 reports of laser strikes. And the U.S. Air Force Safety Center’s webpage dedicated to the issue notes that “aircrew are issued laser eye protection glasses before each flight.”

These incidents are both dangerous and illegal.

The FBI is reminding the public to keep their laser pointers out of the sky to protect pilots—and to avoid hefty fines and potential prison time.

To learn more about this crime, visit: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/preventing-laser-strikes-on-aircraft.

MIL Security OSI –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: 51st Fighter Wing enhances readiness through F-16 upgrades

Source: United States Spaceforce

A new wave of upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons arrived at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The arrival of the F-16s marked a significant step forward in modernizing the 51st Fighter Wing aircrafts and strengthening the U.S. Air Force’s regional combat readiness.

MIL Security OSI –

July 12, 2025

MIL-OSI: ETC Announces Fiscal 2026 First Quarter Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Environmental Tectonics Corporation (OTC Pink: ETCC) (“ETC” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the thirteen week period ended May 30, 2025 (the “2026 first fiscal quarter”).

Robert L. Laurent, Jr., ETC’s Chief Executive Officer and President stated, “We are pleased with the 39% increase in ETC operating income vs. prior year driven by an increase in sales of Aircrew Training Systems (“ATS”) and a decrease in operating expenses as compared to the prior year, as well as our 34% gross profit margin excluding the impact of lower margin sales related to construction of an aeromedical center during the 2026 first fiscal quarter. We exit the quarter with a sales backlog of $73 million and a large pipeline of opportunities.”

Fiscal 2026 First Quarter Results of Operations

Net Income

Net income was $1.3 million, or $0.07 diluted earnings per share, in the 2026 first fiscal quarter, compared to net income of $1.4 million during the 2025 first fiscal quarter, or $0.08 diluted earnings per share. The $0.1 million decrease is primarily attributable to a $0.4 million, or 385.3% increase in interest expense, net and a $0.4 million, or 1850.0% increase in income tax provision in the 2026 first fiscal quarter as compared to 2025 first fiscal quarter partially offset by the net effect of a $0.9 million increase in ATS net sales, excluding the Aeromedical center building revenue, and a $0.7 million decrease in Commercial/Industrial Systems (“CIS”) net sales, and a $0.5 million decrease in operating expenses.

Net Sales

Net sales in the 2026 first fiscal quarter were $17.6 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 30.5%, compared to 2025 first fiscal quarter net sales of $13.5 million. The increase in net sales was mainly a result of a $4.8 million, or 74.9% increase in ATS sales, $3.9 million of which relates to aeromedical center building revenue, slightly offset by a $0.8 million, or 14.2% decrease in Sterilizer Systems sales in the 2026 first fiscal quarter as compared to 2025 first fiscal quarter.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the 2026 first fiscal quarter was $4.7 million (26.5% of net sales) compared to $4.5 million in 2025 first fiscal quarter (33.6% of net sales). The decrease in gross profit margin as a percentage of sales was a direct result of the increase in aeromedical center building revenue within the ATS business unit, which is lower margin than ETC’s core businesses as the work is being performed by a sub-contracted construction firm. Excluding the impact of the aeromedical center building revenue, gross profit margin was 34.3% for first fiscal quarter 2026 as compared to 33.9% for first fiscal quarter 2025.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, including sales and marketing, general and administrative, and research and development, for the 2026 first fiscal quarter were $2.5 million, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 16.0%, compared to $3.0 million for the 2025 first fiscal quarter. The decrease in operating expenses was due primarily to lower research and development expense at ETC-PZL in 2026 first fiscal quarter as compared to 2025 first fiscal quarter. In 2025 first fiscal quarter, ETC-PZL had limited sales which resulted in employees working on non-chargeable research and development projects.

Operating Income

Operating income for the 2026 fiscal first quarter was $2.2 million, an increase of $0.6 million, or 39.4%, compared to $1.6 million for the 2025 first fiscal quarter. The increase in operating income is attributable to the net effect of a $0.9 million increase in ATS net sales, excluding the Aeromedical center building revenue, and a $0.7 million decrease in Commercial/Industrial Systems (“CIS”) net sales, and a $0.5 million decrease in operating expenses.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net, for the 2026 first fiscal quarter was $0.6 million compared to $0.1 million in the 2025 first fiscal quarter, an increase of $0.4 million, or 385.3%, reflecting increased borrowing attributable to the leaseback of the demonstration equipment in 2025 fourth fiscal quarter.

Income Tax Provision

Income tax provision for the 2026 first fiscal quarter was $0.4 million compared to $0.0 million in the 2025 first fiscal quarter, an increase of $0.4 million, or 1850.0%. The increase is a non-cash tax expense attributable to the utilization of our Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryforward for which a deferred tax asset was established in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

Cash Flows from Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities

During the 2026 first fiscal quarter, cash flows used in operating activities were $2.7 million, a decrease of $5.6 million compared to cash flows provided by operating activities of $2.9 million during 2025 first fiscal quarter. Cash flows during the 2026 first fiscal quarter primarily decreased as a result of an increase in accounts receivable, net, slightly offset by an increase in accounts payable, trade for 2026 first fiscal quarter as compared to 2025 first fiscal quarter.

Cash used for investing activities primarily relates to funds used for capital expenditures of equipment and software development. The Company’s investing activities used $0.1 million during the 2026 and 2025 first fiscal quarter.

The Company’s financing activities provided $1.0 million of cash during the 2026 first fiscal quarter from borrowings under the Company’s credit facility as compared to repayments under the Company’s credit facility of $3.1 during the 2025 first fiscal quarter.

About ETC

ETC was incorporated in 1969 in Pennsylvania. For over five decades, we have provided our customers with products, services, and support. Innovation, continuous technological improvement and enhancement, and product quality are core values that are critical to our success. We are a significant supplier and innovator in the following areas: (i) software driven products and services used to create and monitor the physiological effects of flight, including high performance jet tactical flight simulation, fixed and rotary wing upset prevention and recovery and spatial disorientation, and both suborbital and orbital commercial human spaceflight, collectively, Aircrew Training Systems (“ATS”); (ii) altitude (hypobaric) chambers; (iii) hyperbaric chambers for multiple persons (multiplace chambers); (iv) Advanced Disaster Management Simulators (“ADMS”); (v) steam and gas (ethylene oxide) sterilizers (“Sterilizer Systems” or “Sterilizers”); and (vi) Environmental Testing and Simulation Systems (“ETSS”).

We operate in two primary business segments, Aerospace Solutions (“Aerospace”) and Commercial/Industrial Systems (“CIS”). Aerospace encompasses the design, manufacture, and sale of: (i) ATS products; (ii) altitude (hypobaric) chambers; (iii) hyperbaric chambers for multiple persons (multiplace chambers); and (iv) ADMS, as well as integrated logistics support (“ILS”) for customers who purchase these products or similar products manufactured by other parties. These products and services provide customers with an offering of comprehensive solutions for improved readiness and reduced operational costs. Sales of our Aerospace products are made principally to U.S. and foreign government agencies and to civil aviation organizations. CIS encompasses the design, manufacture, and sale of: (i) steam and gas (ethylene oxide) sterilizers; and (ii) ETSS; as well as parts and service support for customers who purchase these products or similar products manufactured by other parties. Sales of our CIS products are made principally to the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and automotive industries.

ETC-PZL Aerospace Industries Sp. z o.o. (“ETC-PZL”), our 100%-owned subsidiary in Warsaw, Poland, is currently our only operating subsidiary. ETC-PZL manufactures certain simulators and provides software to support products manufactured domestically within our Aerospace segment.

The majority of our net sales are generated from long-term contracts with foreign and U.S. governments and agencies (including foreign military sales (“FMS”) contracted through the U.S. Government) for the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of ATS products, including Chambers and the simulators manufactured and sold through ETC-PZL, collectively, ATS as well as long-term contracts with domestic and international customers for the sale of Sterilizer systems. The Company also enters into long-term contracts with domestic customers for the sale of ETSS. Net sales of ADMS are generally much shorter term in nature and vary between domestic and international customers. We generally provide our products and services under fixed-price contracts.

ETC’s unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. ETC’s headquarters is located in Southampton, PA. For more information about ETC, visit http://www.etcusa.com/. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this news release.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which are based on management’s expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstances. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, and these statements may include words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “future”, “predict”, “potential”, “intend”, or “continue”, and similar expressions. We base our forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events or future financial performance. Our forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about ETC and its subsidiaries that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements.

Contact:	Tim Kennedy, CFO
Phone:	(215) 355-9100 x1531
E-mail:	tkennedy@etcusa.com

– Financial Table Follows –

Table A
ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION
SUMMARY TABLE OF RESULTS
(in thousands, except per share information)
(unaudited)

	Thirteen weeks ended						Variance
(in thousands, except per share information)	May 30, 2025			May 24, 2024			($)			(%)
Net sales	$	17,601		$	13,492		$	4,109		30.5
Cost of goods sold		12,939			8,965			3,974		44.3
Gross Profit		4,662			4,527			135		3.0
Gross profit margin %		26.5	%		33.6	%		-7.1	%	-21.1	%

Operating expenses		2,498			2,975			(477	)	-16.0
Operating income		2,164			1,552			612		39.4
Operating margin %		12.3	%		11.5	%		0.8	%	6.9	%

Interest expense, net		563			116			447		385.3
Other (income) expense, net		(78	)		55			(133	)	-241.8
Income before income taxes		1,679			1,381			298		21.6
Pre-tax margin %		9.5	%		10.2	%		-0.7	%	-6.9	%

Income tax provision		390			20			370		1850.0
Net income		1,289			1,361			(72	)	-5.3
Preferred Stock dividends		(121	)		(121	)		–		0.0
Income attributable to common and
participating shareholders	$	1,168		$	1,240		$	(72	)	-5.8

Per share information:
Basic earnings per common and participating share:
Distributed earnings per share:
Common	$	–		$	–		$	–
Preferred	$	0.02		$	0.02		$	–		0.0
Undistributed earnings per share:
Common	$	0.07		$	0.08		$	(0.01	)	-12.5
Preferred	$	0.07		$	0.08		$	(0.01	)	-12.5
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.07		$	0.08		$	(0.01	)	-12.5


Total basic weighted average common and participating shares		15,665			15,569

Total diluted weighted average shares		16,998			16,062

The MIL Network –

July 12, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Putting the X-59 to the Test

Source: NASA

Researchers from NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently tested a scale model of the X-59 experimental aircraft in a supersonic wind tunnel located in Chofu, Japan, to assess the noise audible underneath the aircraft. The model can be seen in the wind tunnel in this image released on July 11, 2025.
The test was an important milestone for NASA’s one-of-a-kind X-59, which is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without causing a loud sonic boom. When the X-59 flies, sound underneath it – a result of its pressure signature – will be a critical factor for what people hear on the ground.
This marked the third round of wind tunnel tests for the X-59 model, following a previous test at JAXA and at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The data will help researchers understand the noise level that will be created by the shock waves the X-59 produces at supersonic speeds.
Image credit: JAXA

MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: X-59 Model Tested in Japanese Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Source: NASA

Researchers from NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently tested a scale model of the X-59 experimental aircraft in a supersonic wind tunnel located in Chofu, Japan, to assess the noise audible underneath the aircraft.
The test was an important milestone for NASA’s one-of-a-kind X-59, which is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without causing a loud sonic boom.
When the X-59 flies, sound underneath it – a result of its pressure signature – will be a critical factor for what people hear on the ground.
The X-59 is 99.7 feet long, with a wingspan of 29.7 feet. The JAXA wind tunnel, on the other hand, is just over 3 feet long by 3 feet wide.
So, researchers used a model scaled to just 1.62% of the actual aircraft – about 19 inches nose-to-tail. They exposed it to conditions mimicking the X-plane’s planned supersonic cruising speed of Mach 1.4, or approximately 925 miles per hour.
The series of tests performed at JAXA allowed NASA researchers to gather critical experimental data to compare to their predictions derived through Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling, which include how air will flow around the aircraft.
This marked the third round of wind tunnel tests for the X-59 model, following a previous test at JAXA and at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio.
The data will help researchers understand the noise level that will be created by the shock waves the X-59 produces at supersonic speeds.
The shock waves from traditional supersonic aircraft typically merge together, producing a loud sonic boom. The X-59’s unique design works to keep shock waves from merging, will result in a quieter sonic thump.
The X-59 was built in Palmdale, California at contractor Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and is undergoing final ground tests en route to its historic first flight this year.
NASA’s Quesst mission aims to help change the future of quiet supersonic travel using the X-59. The experimental aircraft allow the Quesst team to gather public feedback on acceptable sound levels for quiet supersonic flight.
Through Quesst’s development of the X-59, NASA will deliver design tools and technology for quiet supersonic airliners that will achieve the high speeds desired by commercial operators without creating disturbance to people on the ground. 

MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $20 Million In Federal Funding For 16 Airports Across New York State

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

Major Projects Include Over $6 Million For Long Island’s Republic Airport And Over $5 Million For Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, announced $21,155,843 in federal funding to upgrade airport facilities and equipment at 16 airports across New York State. This federal funding was awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program and will help fund projects that strengthen safety measures, modernize terminals, and enhance passenger experience at New York’s airports.

“Keeping our airports in top-notch state is crucial for traveler safety and attracting business and tourism across New York State. Our regional airports are a gateway for commerce, tourism and are vital connectors for residents and visitors. This $21+ million in federal funding will help airports from Long Island to Buffalo reach new heights,” said Senator Schumer. “As Americans across the country have grown more concerned about aviation safety, I’ve fought hard to boost the Airport Improvement Program so our local airports in NY have the resources they need to maintain the highest safety standards. This significant federal investment will help make much-needed improvements so our local economies take off.”

“From big cities to rural communities, New York’s airports are gateways for commerce, tourism, and travel. It’s vital that every airport has the resources it needs to provide a safe and comfortable experience for anyone who travels through our state,” said Senator Gillibrand. “That’s why I’m proud to announce more than $21 million for airport projects that will deliver critical safety and infrastructure upgrades while enhancing reliability and comfort. I look forward to seeing the impact these improvements will have and will continue fighting for more federal funding to support the upgrades that airports across the country desperately need.”

A full list of funding recipients can be found below:

Region	Recipient	Project Description	Award
Central New York	Oswego County Airport	Reconstructs existing runway signage and rehabilitates existing runway lighting. Additionally, reconstructs the precision approach path indicator system	$76,950
Finger Lakes	Ithaca Tompkins International Airport	Acquires new aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment	$128,144
Finger Lakes	Ithaca Tompkins International Airport	Replaces existing snow removal equipment	$1,091,037
Finger Lakes	Penn Yan Airport	Rehabilitates 3,561 feet of existing paved runway and existing runway lighting	$271,700
Finger Lakes	Penn Yan Airport	Replaces existing snow removal equipment including one carrier vehicle that has reached the end of its useful life	$507,300
Finger Lakes	Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport	Rehabilitates existing aircraft rescue and firefighting building	$703,440
Finger Lakes	Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport	Removes airport trees identified as obstructions by the Federal Aviation Administration	$256,122
Finger Lakes	Le Roy Airport	Removes 8 acres of trees and other facilities, installs lights, identifies obstructions and brings the airport into conformity with current standards	$469,225
Long Island	Republic Airport	Reconstructs an existing gate and rehabilitates existing runway	$6,508,930
North Country	Lake Placid Airport	Reconstructs 1,100 square yards of the existing General Aviation Apron pavement and rehabilitates an additional 5,600 square yards of existing General Aviation Apron pavement	$156,037
North Country	Lake Placid Airport	Replaces existing snow removal equipment	$270,154
North Country	Massena International Airport	Replaces existing snow removal equipment	$253,518
North Country	Plattsburgh International Airport	Acquires new snow removal equipment	$1,110,797
North Country	Ogdensburg International Airport	Terminal expansion	$476,968
North Country	Ogdensburg International Airport	Conducts an airport wildlife hazard assessment and develops a wildlife hazard management plan	$181,174
Southern Tier	Greater Binghamton Airport	Reconstructs 51,000 square feet of existing terminal building and replaces the electrical system and associated lighting	$1,300,000
Southern Tier	Corning–Painted Post Airport	Rehabilitates 3,269 feet of existing paved runway	$731,951
Western New York	Jamestown Airport	Reconstructs the existing terminal lighting and 13,900 square yards of the existing pavement	$201,400
Western New York	Buffalo Niagara International Airport	Rehabilitates existing taxiway pavement and lighting	$5,680,000
Western New York	Buffalo-Lancaster Regional Airport	Updates the existing airport master plan study	$386,272
Western New York	Akron Jesson Field	Conducts an initial pavement survey and develops a new pavement management plan	$394,724

MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Scholten Secures Nearly $2.4 Million for Critical Upgrades at Gerald R. Ford International Airport

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Hillary Scholten – Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Today, U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten (MI-03) announced that the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GRR) will receive $2,386,331 through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The grant will support key infrastructure improvements at the airport, ensuring safer, more efficient operations and long-term growth.

“Gerald R. Ford International is a critical economic engine and a gateway to West Michigan. I’m proud to secure nearly $2.4 million to improve airport safety, extend the life of essential infrastructure, and help GRR keep pace with growing demand,” said Rep. Scholten. “These upgrades will help ensure GRR continues to operate safely and efficiently for years to come. I’ll keep fighting to bring more resources like this home to help West Michigan grow and thrive.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Scholten and the Federal Aviation Administration for their continued support of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and the West Michigan region,” said Tory Richardson, President and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “This funding allows us to move forward with critical infrastructure projects that will enhance safety, improve efficiency, and support future growth. These investments help ensure we continue to deliver a world-class airport experience to our passengers, partners, and community.”

Specifically, the grant will support Phase 1 design work for several infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving safety, extending the life of existing facilities, and increasing airport capacity to meet growing regional demand. The funding goes towards the rehabilitation of Taxiway V, which serves a vital role as a primary connection between the terminal apron and the airfield for commercial aircraft. Partial rehabilitation of the Taxiway will extend the useful life at least ten years while preserving the pavement for continued safe and efficient operations.

The grant also includes the full reconstruction of Taxiway D lighting, which will ensure reliability in operating the airport in a safe and efficient manner. Additionally, the grant will fund the extension of Taxiway L to accommodate more based aircraft, a move that will enhance operational efficiency and allow for future growth. GRR is currently at capacity for available airside development sites, and the construction of Taxilane L will allow for additional hangar developments.

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Scholten is committed to bringing federal investment back to Michigan’s Third Congressional District and strengthening the region’s transportation infrastructure. Scholten secured $15,017,605 in total funding for GRR in the FY24- 25 fiscal year. This grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and will be administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Applauds Committee Passage of Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Bill
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Ranking Member of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key provisions Kaine secured to advance U.S. national security, support servicemembers and their families, boost Virginia’s defense industry, and strengthen relations with allies and partners:

“I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to pass out of committee this year’s defense authorization bill. The bill includes several provisions I secured to strengthen our national security, support Virginia’s military installations and defense community, invest in our nation’s shipbuilding programs, and most importantly, improve quality of life among servicemembers and their families. I’m especially glad the bill includes a provision I pushed for to require Defense Department aircraft that operate near commercial airports to have broadcast positioning technology following the deadly collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional commercial jet that took 67 lives in January. I urge the full Senate to take it up as soon as possible.”

Kaine successfully secured the following provisions:

Pay Raises, Allowances, and Workforce Recruitment:
- Authorizes a 3.8 percent pay raise for military personnel.
- Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that pay statements for military servicemembers include clear descriptions for each type of pay, allowance, and deduction.
- Directs the Secretary of Defense to assess how current salaries of Department of Defense civilian employees are calculated under the locality pay system.
- Provides the Secretary of Defense with direct hiring authority for up to 60 graduates of the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) every calendar year and requires a report to Congress on the use of this hiring authority. The DCTC is a pilot program that recruits and trains college students for careers as Department of Defense civilians.
Shipbuilding Investments:
- Authorizes investments and procurement of naval ships, including Columbia-class submarines and Medium Landing Ships.
- Directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to Congress on the Navy’s progress since 2015 in implementing the 90 recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to improve naval shipbuilding.
- Requires the Secretary of the Navy to expedite the investigation, qualification, and integration of 23 advanced technologies and processes into Navy surface ship maintenance to improve readiness, reduce costs, and address delays.
- Directs the Secretary of the Navy to provide a report to Congress on the status of the recommendations made by the GAO to ensure the Marine Corps has a fleet of 31 operational ships.
- Requires the Secretary of the Navy to move leadership for surface ship maintenance at private shipyards to Type Commanders and directs a new contracting strategy that emphasizes workforce stability and collaborative planning.
Aviation Safety: Requires that all aircraft of the Department of Defense that operate near commercial airports be equipped with broadcast positioning technology. Requires that the Department of Defense improve how it shares aviation safety data with the Federal Aviation Administration. This comes in response to the January 29, 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that took the lives of 67 people.

Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command: Requires a report on the Army’s proposed plan to integrate Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command.

Military Construction: Authorizes $993,660,000 for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.
- $380,000,000 for Public-Private Venture (PPV) unaccompanied housing at Naval Station Norfolk
- $188,000,000 for Dry Dock 3 modernization at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
- $93,300,000 for Electric Distribution System upgrades at Naval Station Norfolk
- $85,000,000 for operations center at the Pentagon
- $71,700,000 for weapons magazines at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown
- $63,500,000 for a Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Quantico
- $49,000,000 for fuel system maintenance dock at Joint Base Langley-Eustis
- $20,400,000 for MQ-25 facilities at Naval Station Norfolk
- $15,500,000 for an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at Virginia Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility in Sandston
- $12,360,000 for a Child Development Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
- $11,700,000 for a Child Development Center at Naval Station Norfolk
- $3,200,000 for the planning and design of a new headquarters for the 192^nd Wing at Langley Air Force Base
Military Housing:
- Authorizes increased funding to construct, repair, and improve enlisted barracks across the services.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to publish a clear, accessible document that explains how Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are determined.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to develop an alternative methodology for calculating BAH based on the typical cost of housing units by number of bedrooms, conduct a pilot program using the new methodology, and brief Congress on the findings.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to include additional oversight mechanisms for any renegotiation of the contract under the Global Household Goods Contract or negotiation of a new contract under the Global Household Goods Contract of any successor program or contract.
Health Care:
- Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the impact of behavioral and mental health staffing shortfalls at military treatment facilities.
- Requires a briefing on the Department of Defense’s implementation of the self-initiated referral process for mental health care.
- Requires the establishment of a demonstration program to expand partnerships between the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities for the purpose of increasing case volume for graduate medical education programs.
- Requires Department of Defense to review its policies for credentialing health care workers to remove barriers to accessing mental health care.
- Requires the Department of Defense to better define its criteria for reimbursing children’s hospitals.
Military Families:
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to improve staffing of special education teachers and staff and improve special education offerings at Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) schools.
- Requires an update to existing DODEA regulations on the student use of portable electronic mobile devices in DODEA schools to prohibit disruption in the learning environment.
- Authorizes funding for Impact Aid, including funding to support military children with severe disabilities. Impact Aid reimburses school districts for the cost of educating children who reside on military installations or have a parent that works on a military installation or federal property. Because military families may not pay certain state or local taxes where they are stationed, Impact Aid helps offset these costs to support schools.
European Security, NATO, and Ukraine:
- Prohibits a reduction in U.S. military posture in Europe or relinquishment of U.S. command of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe position until the Secretary of Defense assesses the impact on U.S. and NATO and certifies to Congress that such action is in the national interest.
- Authorizes funding for the NATO Security Investment Program.
- Extends and authorizes funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to deliver a report on acceleration options for the JUMPSTART initiative, which allows European partners to purchase weapons for Ukraine from U.S. defense companies.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to work with Ukraine to create a depot-level maintenance plan to ensure that western-transferred military equipment can be sustained and provide the plan to Congress.
- Requires the Secretary of Defense to continue to provide intelligence support, including information, intelligence, and imagery collection to the Government of Ukraine.
Australia-U.K-U.S. (AUKUS) Partnership: Directs further collaboration between the AUKUS countries on IT infrastructure and directs the DoD to provide an update on who it has assigned to be the senior civilian defense official to lead the U.S. work on this agreement and continue the updates required by the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA.

Taiwan: Authorizes funding for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and directs the Department of Defense to engage with Taiwan to develop a joint program to codevelop and coproduce uncrewed and counter-uncrewed capabilities.

U.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific:
- Authorizes funding for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI), which enhances U.S. force posture, infrastructure, readiness, capacity, and capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.
- Prohibits a reduction in U.S. military posture on the Korean Peninsula or a change in wartime operational control over the Combined Forces Command until the Secretary of Defense certifies to Congress that such action is in the national interest.
- Directs an initiative to strengthen security cooperation across the respective defense industrial bases of U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems:
- Requires the Department of Defense to develop a roadmap for the small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) industrial base to support existing sUAS programs.
- Requires a briefing on the plan for installation commanders to engage UAS on U.S. military installations by both kinetic and non-kinetic means.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: FAA Awards $13.4 Million to Hector International Airport for Terminal Expansion Project
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
07.11.25

FAA Also Awards Nearly $18 Million for Airport Projects Statewide

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, announced that more than $31 million has been awarded to airports across North Dakota by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). This funding includes $13.4 million at Hector International Airport to expand the terminal by 35,245 square feet, including four new gates, and to construct a new apron. The senator has secured more than $53 million for the Hector Terminal Expansion Project to date and continues working to provide another $17 million in federal funding. The project, which is expected to be completed in 2027, will include:

A parking garage with an elevated walkway, which will open for use later this year.

An expanded Terminal with four new boarding gates and renovations for the existing five gates.

An expanded apron, supporting additional air traffic and ground operations.

Additionally, the FAA has awarded the following North Dakota airports grants that support projects to rehabilitate and reconstruct airport infrastructure—including runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting systems, safety areas, hangars, drainage systems and terminals—to enhance safety, extend the life of existing facilities, meet regulatory standards and increase airport capacity. Specifically, these grants include:

$10.3 million to rehabilitate taxiways and runways, reconstruct lighting and construct safety areas at Bismarck Municipal Airport.

$1.3 million to construct a new taxilane and rehabilitate existing runway at Cooperstown Municipal Airport to meet current standards and extend runway life.

Nearly $1.3 million to rehabilitate runways at Cavalier Municipal Airport.

$1.1 million to construct a new taxiway at Robertson Field in Langdon to meet current standards.

$818,010 to install new taxiway lighting at Harry Stern Airport in Wahpeton.

$676,540 to construct new underdrains, storm drain, and lift station to mitigate ponding at Mohall Municipal Airport.

$626,848 to reconstruct 5,506 square yards of North Apron pavement at Lakota Municipal Airport.

$335,781 to help construct a new hangar at Hutson Field in Grafton.

$300,000 to replace snow removal equipment, including carrier vehicle and attachments at Kenmare Municipal Airport.

$300,000 to construct snow removal and sand storage building at Watford City Municipal Airport.

$300,000 to reseal taxiways, apron and runway pavement at Hettinger/JB Lindquist Regional Airport.

$207,736 to reseal taxiways, taxilane, apron and runway pavement and construct a connector taxiway and hangar taxilane at Tioga Municipal Airport.

$150,126 for construction of a new hangar at Walhalla Municipal Airport.

$100,043 to reseal taxiways, taxilane, apron and runway pavement at Mercer County Regional Airport.

“These federal investments in North Dakota’s airports are vital to supporting our state’s economic growth and improving connectivity for communities across our state,” said Hoeven. “With this additional $13.4 million, we’ve now secured more than $53 million for the Hector Terminal Expansion Project. This project will modernize and increase capacity at the Fargo Airport and ensure we’re able to safely and efficiently meet the needs of travelers. Collectively, this funding will enhance safety, extend the life of critical facilities, and position our airports to meet future demand. Strong airports are essential to North Dakota’s prosperity, creating jobs, attracting new businesses, and connecting our residents to the rest of the country and the world.”
MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce over $15.5 Million in Federal Funding for Virginia Airports
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $15,553,713 in federal funding to support infrastructure improvements at six airports across Virginia. This funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration Airport Infrastructure Grant program, made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law.

“Investing in our airports is a crucial component of strengthening Virginia’s economy and keeping travelers safe,” the senators said. “We’re proud to support this funding and will keep working to foster growth and convenient transportation in the Commonwealth.”

The funding is broken down as follows:
- $11,499,942 to the Capital Region Airport Commission to reconstruct the existing 15,000-square-foot aircraft rescue and firefighting building Richmond International Airport;
- $1,216,000 to the Emporia-Greensville Airport Commission to rehabilitate 2,650 feet of taxiway, construct 1,550 feet of new taxiway, and rehabilitate 9,000 square yards of existing apron at Emporia-Greensville Regional Airport;
- $1,035,500 to the Town of Leesburg to reconstruct 5,500 feet of existing pavement parallel to a taxiway that has reached the end of its useful life at Leesburg Executive Airport;
- $1,019,868 to the City of Manassas to rehabilitate 6,200 feet of runway at Manassas Regional Airport;
- $748,488 to the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Commission to acquire 14 acres of land and an easement for 80 acres to protect runway approaches at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport;
- $33,915 to the Cumberlands Airport Commission to remove trees identified as obstructions by the Federal Aviation Administration at Lonesome Pine Airport.
Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports and have secured millions in federal funding for airports across Virginia through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This week the senators have already announced over $21 million in funding for Virginia airports, building on the over $5 million announced earlier this month and the more than $12 million announced in January. In October 2024, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding for revitalization efforts, and in September 2024 they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The senators have previously announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal building at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to improve Virginia’s airports. Sens. Warner and Kaine have secured millions in federal funding for airports across Virginia through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This week the senators have already announced over $21 million in funding for Virginia airports, building on the $5 million in federal funding announced earlier this month and the $12 million for improvements to Virginia’s airports announced in January of this year. In October 2024, they announced nearly $57 million in federal funding for revitalizations efforts, and in September 2024, they announced more than $46 million in federal funding for improvements to Virginia airports through the Airport Improvement Program. The senators have previously announced $104.6 million in combined federal funding for the new terminal building at Dulles.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Greater Binghamton Airport Revitalization Complete
Source: US State of New York

outhern Tier Ready for Takeoff! Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that work has been completed on the transformation of the Greater Binghamton Airport into a modern, state-of-the-art gateway that will welcome travelers and will also serve as an economic engine for the entire Southern Tier. The project, which was awarded $32 million from the Governor’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, reimagined the main terminal to improve passenger flow while also immersing visitors in the natural aesthetics of the surrounding area. The airport’s main approach road was also redeveloped, and the general aviation terminal relocated to the main passenger terminal to further improve the traveler experience.

“We are flying high with our commitment to modernize our upstate airports and ensure they are first-class travel facilities that encourage tourism, foster economic growth and allow our local communities to prosper,” Governor Hochul said. “With its updated terminal and passenger accommodations, the newly re-imagined Greater Binghamton Airport is now an inviting gateway that reflects the beauty of the Southern Tier and will encourage travelers to return again and again to this exciting region.”

The Greater Binghamton Airport was one of nine upstate airports awarded a total of $230 million in the latest round of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition funding announced by Governor Hochul last year with conceptual renderings. The awards are intended to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century.

Built in 1945, the Greater Binghamton Airport handles more than 36,000 enplanements each year and is serviced by such commercial carriers as Delta. The airport is a vital travel hub for prominent local employers – including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, The Raymond Corporation, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Binghamton University – but the main terminal has not been renovated in more than two decades and its features were outdated. The latest data from a State Department of Transportation study estimated that the airport’s annual economic impact exceeds $56 million.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The spectacular transformation of the Greater Binghamton Airport is a further manifestation of Governor Hochul’s vision to create a 21st century transportation system that connects communities, fosters growth and improves quality of life. The Southern Tier now has a modern gateway that will further fuel the region’s economy and make it easier for visitors from around the world to come and experience all that this beautiful region has to offer.”

The modernization project, which had a total cost of approximately $54 million and created more than 500 jobs, incorporated a lodge dynamic to the entire facility, using wood features to accentuate the forested hillsides that surround the airport. Entryways were also designed to allow passengers to view straight through the terminal building and out windows to see the nearby hilltops and forests.

Specific improvements included:
- Construction of a new canopy and entry portals
- Reconfiguration of the ticketing lobby and outbound baggage area
- Renovation of the departures lobby and lounge
- Renovation of the baggage claim area and relocation of rental car counters
- New parking revenue control system
- Development and furnishing of Terminal facilities (bathrooms, offices, multi-purpose room)
- New TSA Checkpoint/Exit Lane
- New Passenger Boarding Bridges
- Redevelopment of the Airport Road approach
- HVAC system improvements
The Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition is administered by the New York State Department of Transportation and was open to upstate commercial passenger service airports and airports providing specialized service for commercial aircraft and/or corporate jets. Applicants were encouraged to apply for funding a single project or a program of projects to help meet the demands of the 21st century. Projects submitted for review by eligible airports were evaluated based on established criteria, including but not limited to innovation in design, passenger amenities and experience, operational efficiencies, and economic effectiveness for the airport’s region.

Senator Chuck Schumer said, “The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law has helped the Greater Binghamton Airport reach new heights. The Greater Binghamton Airport is a gateway for commerce for the Southern Tier’s tourism industry and a vital connector for residents and visitors. I’m proud to deliver over $15 million in federal funding to help get the airport’s transformative terminal renovation off the ground. A modern facility, with state-of-the-art accommodations and equipment, is essential to delivering a safe and comfortable experience to travelers, growing its passenger base, and helping the Southern Tier economy soar.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The Greater Binghamton Airport is a vital gateway for commerce, tourism, and travel. The completion of this project transforms the airport into the state-of-the-art, modern facility that everyone who travels through our state deserves. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these improvements will have on the Southern Tier and will continue fighting for more federal funding to support the critical upgrades that airports across the country urgently need.”

Representative Josh Riley said, “The new Greater Binghamton Airport is a major win for the Southern Tier. This $32 million investment means good jobs, smoother travel, and infrastructure that finally meets the needs of our region. I’m thankful to Governor Hochul for seeing it through.”

State Senator Lea Webb said, “I am thrilled to join our local and state partners to celebrate the completion of the Greater Binghamton Airport Revitalization Project.This state-of-the-art transportation hub will bring travelers from near and far to the Southern Tier. I thank Governor Hochul for awarding $32 million from the Upstate Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, which made this project possible. With the completion of the Greater Binghamton Airport’s revitalization, the facility now stands as a modern gateway for local travelers, a catalyst for regional economic development, and a key asset in supporting the growth of the Upstate tech industry stretching from Buffalo to Binghamton.”

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “We have waited a long time to celebrate the revitalization of the Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM). It’s obvious how much time and attention was given to create such a welcoming place for both commercial and general aviation travelers. I am especially impressed by the craftsmanship and design elements that showcase the beauty of our area. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul, NYSDOT, Broome County Government, the local business community, and my colleagues for their support. As the Co-Chair of the NY Legislative Aviation Caucus, I am excited to see BGM benefit from our Upstate Airport Revitalization Initiative.”

Broome County Executive Jason T. Garnar said, “This project has completely reimagined the Greater Binghamton Airport, turning it into a modern gateway that truly reflects the future of Broome County and the Southern Tier. We couldn’t have done it without Governor Hochul’s leadership and our federal partners. Thanks to major federal and state investment, we’ve delivered a top-tier facility while keeping local costs down – a win that will pay off for our residents, our economy, and travelers for years to come.”

In September 2022, Governor Hochul announced $230 million in awards to nine upstate airports for revitalization projects that reimagine and further modernize airports across upstate New York. This funding comes from the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, a competitive solicitation which aims to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century. In addition to Greater Binghamton Airport, other awardees include: Albany International Airport, Watertown International Airport, Saratoga County Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Sullivan County International Airport, Ogdensburg International Airport, Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and the Adirondack Regional Airport.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Greater Binghamton Airport Revitalization Complete
Source: US State of New York

outhern Tier Ready for Takeoff! Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that work has been completed on the transformation of the Greater Binghamton Airport into a modern, state-of-the-art gateway that will welcome travelers and will also serve as an economic engine for the entire Southern Tier. The project, which was awarded $32 million from the Governor’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, reimagined the main terminal to improve passenger flow while also immersing visitors in the natural aesthetics of the surrounding area. The airport’s main approach road was also redeveloped, and the general aviation terminal relocated to the main passenger terminal to further improve the traveler experience.

“We are flying high with our commitment to modernize our upstate airports and ensure they are first-class travel facilities that encourage tourism, foster economic growth and allow our local communities to prosper,” Governor Hochul said. “With its updated terminal and passenger accommodations, the newly re-imagined Greater Binghamton Airport is now an inviting gateway that reflects the beauty of the Southern Tier and will encourage travelers to return again and again to this exciting region.”

The Greater Binghamton Airport was one of nine upstate airports awarded a total of $230 million in the latest round of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition funding announced by Governor Hochul last year with conceptual renderings. The awards are intended to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century.

Built in 1945, the Greater Binghamton Airport handles more than 36,000 enplanements each year and is serviced by such commercial carriers as Delta. The airport is a vital travel hub for prominent local employers – including Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, The Raymond Corporation, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Binghamton University – but the main terminal has not been renovated in more than two decades and its features were outdated. The latest data from a State Department of Transportation study estimated that the airport’s annual economic impact exceeds $56 million.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “The spectacular transformation of the Greater Binghamton Airport is a further manifestation of Governor Hochul’s vision to create a 21st century transportation system that connects communities, fosters growth and improves quality of life. The Southern Tier now has a modern gateway that will further fuel the region’s economy and make it easier for visitors from around the world to come and experience all that this beautiful region has to offer.”

The modernization project, which had a total cost of approximately $54 million and created more than 500 jobs, incorporated a lodge dynamic to the entire facility, using wood features to accentuate the forested hillsides that surround the airport. Entryways were also designed to allow passengers to view straight through the terminal building and out windows to see the nearby hilltops and forests.

Specific improvements included:
- Construction of a new canopy and entry portals
- Reconfiguration of the ticketing lobby and outbound baggage area
- Renovation of the departures lobby and lounge
- Renovation of the baggage claim area and relocation of rental car counters
- New parking revenue control system
- Development and furnishing of Terminal facilities (bathrooms, offices, multi-purpose room)
- New TSA Checkpoint/Exit Lane
- New Passenger Boarding Bridges
- Redevelopment of the Airport Road approach
- HVAC system improvements
The Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition is administered by the New York State Department of Transportation and was open to upstate commercial passenger service airports and airports providing specialized service for commercial aircraft and/or corporate jets. Applicants were encouraged to apply for funding a single project or a program of projects to help meet the demands of the 21st century. Projects submitted for review by eligible airports were evaluated based on established criteria, including but not limited to innovation in design, passenger amenities and experience, operational efficiencies, and economic effectiveness for the airport’s region.

Senator Chuck Schumer said, “The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law has helped the Greater Binghamton Airport reach new heights. The Greater Binghamton Airport is a gateway for commerce for the Southern Tier’s tourism industry and a vital connector for residents and visitors. I’m proud to deliver over $15 million in federal funding to help get the airport’s transformative terminal renovation off the ground. A modern facility, with state-of-the-art accommodations and equipment, is essential to delivering a safe and comfortable experience to travelers, growing its passenger base, and helping the Southern Tier economy soar.”

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, “The Greater Binghamton Airport is a vital gateway for commerce, tourism, and travel. The completion of this project transforms the airport into the state-of-the-art, modern facility that everyone who travels through our state deserves. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these improvements will have on the Southern Tier and will continue fighting for more federal funding to support the critical upgrades that airports across the country urgently need.”

Representative Josh Riley said, “The new Greater Binghamton Airport is a major win for the Southern Tier. This $32 million investment means good jobs, smoother travel, and infrastructure that finally meets the needs of our region. I’m thankful to Governor Hochul for seeing it through.”

State Senator Lea Webb said, “I am thrilled to join our local and state partners to celebrate the completion of the Greater Binghamton Airport Revitalization Project.This state-of-the-art transportation hub will bring travelers from near and far to the Southern Tier. I thank Governor Hochul for awarding $32 million from the Upstate Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, which made this project possible. With the completion of the Greater Binghamton Airport’s revitalization, the facility now stands as a modern gateway for local travelers, a catalyst for regional economic development, and a key asset in supporting the growth of the Upstate tech industry stretching from Buffalo to Binghamton.”

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “We have waited a long time to celebrate the revitalization of the Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM). It’s obvious how much time and attention was given to create such a welcoming place for both commercial and general aviation travelers. I am especially impressed by the craftsmanship and design elements that showcase the beauty of our area. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul, NYSDOT, Broome County Government, the local business community, and my colleagues for their support. As the Co-Chair of the NY Legislative Aviation Caucus, I am excited to see BGM benefit from our Upstate Airport Revitalization Initiative.”

Broome County Executive Jason T. Garnar said, “This project has completely reimagined the Greater Binghamton Airport, turning it into a modern gateway that truly reflects the future of Broome County and the Southern Tier. We couldn’t have done it without Governor Hochul’s leadership and our federal partners. Thanks to major federal and state investment, we’ve delivered a top-tier facility while keeping local costs down – a win that will pay off for our residents, our economy, and travelers for years to come.”

In September 2022, Governor Hochul announced $230 million in awards to nine upstate airports for revitalization projects that reimagine and further modernize airports across upstate New York. This funding comes from the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, a competitive solicitation which aims to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century. In addition to Greater Binghamton Airport, other awardees include: Albany International Airport, Watertown International Airport, Saratoga County Airport, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, Sullivan County International Airport, Ogdensburg International Airport, Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport and the Adirondack Regional Airport.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matilde Rosina, Assistant Professor in Global Challenges, Brunel University of London

After weeks of rising Channel crossing figures, the UK government has agreed on a long-awaited migration deal with France. Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced a “one in, one out” pilot – and the UK prime minister said the “groundbreaking” scheme could start returning migrants to France within weeks. The deal was announced alongside a separate agreement to coordinate the use of French and British nuclear weapons.

The migration agreement will allow the UK to return selected numbers of small boat arrivals to France. In exchange, the UK will admit an equal number of asylum seekers with legitimate ties to the UK (such as family), who have not previously attempted to enter the country illegally.

The plan will start as a pilot, with initial reports suggesting the UK could return up to 50 people per week (2,600 per year). That is roughly 6% of small boat arrivals in 2024. The remaining arrivals will continue to be processed under the UK’s existing system.

The “one in, one out” system appears similar to an agreement in 2016 between the EU and Turkey. Under that scheme, for every irregular migrant returned from the Greek islands to Turkey, one Syrian refugee who had stayed in Turkey could be legally resettled in the EU. Under the EU–Turkey deal, only 2,140 migrants were returned to Turkey by 2022, compared with over 32,000 who were resettled in the EU.

The British government’s hope is that this pilot will lay the groundwork for a broader EU-UK return framework that would allow it to return more people. Before Brexit, the UK was part of the EU’s asylum framework, the Dublin regulation. This allowed any EU country, including the UK, to return asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered or passed through.

From 2008 to 2016, the UK was a net sender of asylum seekers: it returned more people to EU states than it accepted, receiving fewer than 500 people annually. The trend reversed after 2016, with the UK accepting more migrants than it returned.

But southern EU countries could complicate any expansion or permanent implementation of the pilot. Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus have opposed a UK–France agreement, fearing it would lead to more people being sent back to them – southern European states are where migrants typically arrive in the EU first.

Challenges ahead

The deal is a significant step for a UK government that has struggled to control the narrative on migration. Losing ground to Reform, the government has recently proposed tightening legal immigration rules, including by making it harder and longer to acquire British citizenship, and by cutting legal migration routes.

It also marks a notable shift in the UK’s post-Brexit migration strategy. But questions remain about the details and implementation.

The French president hailed it as a “major deterrent” to Channel crossing, as migrants would not remain in the UK but be returned to France. Macron said that one-third of arrivals in France are heading towards the UK. So it follows that any deterrent from Channel crossings would also lead to a reduction in people coming to France.

Yet, as I have shown in my research, deterrence is rarely effective. This is because information about deterrence factors does not necessarily reach the asylum seekers or stop smugglers. It also does not address the underlying drivers of migration, such as poverty, conflict and corruption.

Moreover, returns are notoriously difficult to enforce. Many asylum seekers lack documentation, and complex legal processes raise administrative and financial costs.

Scalability also poses a challenge, given EU countries’ divided stances on an EU-wide deal.

It is, however, promising that the UN refugee agency has given the agreement its backing, stating: “If appropriately implemented, it could help achieve a more managed and shared approach, offering alternatives to dangerous journeys while upholding access to asylum.”

The last UK government’s attempts to deter Channel crossings, such as the Rwanda scheme, had led to the agency raising serious concerns.

How many asylum seekers does the UK take?

This deal comes amid an increase in asylum applications in the UK. Annual applications rose from 38,483 in 2018 to over 108,000 in 2024.

In just the first half of 2025, small boat arrivals increased 48% compared with the same period in 2024, exceeding 20,000. By contrast, irregular arrivals to the EU decreased by 20% in the first half of 2025, mainly driven by a drop in arrivals to Greece and to Spain’s Canary Islands.

When accounting for population, the UK receives fewer asylum applications – 16 for every 10,000 people living in the UK – than the EU average (22 per 10,000).

Data shows that between 2018 and 2024, 68% of small boat asylum applications processed in the UK were approved, indicating that most were made by people in genuine need.

UK–France migration cooperation dates back to the 1990s, but since 2019, the focus has been on addressing the rise in Channel crossings.

A significant step was the UK-France joint declaration of March 2023, under which the UK committed €541 million (approximately £476 million) between 2023 and 2026. Funds were allocated for assets including drones, helicopters and aircraft, and for the creation of a migration centre in France. Importantly, the agreement sought to increase surveillance along the French border, rather than return migrants.

This cooperation deepened in February 2025, when both countries agreed to extend their partnership to 2027 and reallocate €8 million for new enforcement measures.

Joint maritime activities have played a role too: since October 2024, UK Border Force vessels have entered French waters on three occasions to assist boats in distress and return people to the French coast.

Overall, this new agreement represents a milestone in UK–France migration cooperation, and the UK’s first significant post-Brexit returns scheme with an EU country. While questions remain over its scalability – given the modest return numbers, legal and logistical hurdles, and European political divides – it is a crucial step in cross-Channel cooperation on migration and asylum, making progress on what has been an intractable problem for UK governments.

Matilde Rosina does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be – https://theconversation.com/how-uk-france-one-in-one-out-migration-deal-will-work-and-what-the-challenges-could-be-260864

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Spacecraft equipped with a solar sail could deliver earlier warnings of space weather threats to Earth’s technologies

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan

The SWIFT constellation, shown not to scale in this illustration, will fly farther than its predecessors to improve space weather warning time. Steve Alvey

The burgeoning space industry and the technologies society increasingly relies on – electric grids, aviation and telecommunications – are all vulnerable to the same threat: space weather.

Space weather encompasses any variations in the space environment between the Sun and Earth. One common type of space weather event is called an interplanetary coronal mass ejection.

These ejections are bundles of magnetic fields and particles that originate from the Sun. They can travel at speeds up to 1,242 miles per second (2,000 kilometers per second) and may cause geomagnetic storms.

They create beautiful aurora displays – like the northern lights you can sometimes see in the skies – but can also disrupt satellite operations, shut down the electric grid and expose astronauts aboard future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars to lethal doses of radiation.

An animation shows coronal mass ejection erupting from the Sun.

I’m a heliophysicist and space weather expert, and my team is leading the development of a next-generation satellite constellation called SWIFT, which is designed to predict potentially dangerous space weather events in advance. Our goal is to forecast extreme space weather more accurately and earlier.

The dangers of space weather

Commercial interests now make up a big part of space exploration, focusing on space tourism, building satellite networks, and working toward extracting resources from the Moon and nearby asteroids.

Space is also a critical domain for military operations. Satellites provide essential capabilities for military communication, surveillance, navigation and intelligence.

As countries such as the U.S. grow to depend on infrastructure in space, extreme space weather events pose a greater threat. Today, space weather threatens up to US$2.7 trillion in assets globally.

In September 1859, the most powerful recorded space weather event, known as the Carrington event, caused fires in North America and Europe by supercharging telegraph lines. In August 1972, another Carrington-like event nearly struck the astronauts orbiting the Moon. The radiation dose could have been fatal. More recently, in February 2022, SpaceX lost 39 of its 49 newly launched Starlink satellites because of a moderate space weather event.

Today’s space weather monitors

Space weather services heavily rely on satellites that monitor the solar wind, which is made up of magnetic field lines and particles coming from the Sun, and communicate their observations back to Earth. Scientists can then compare those observations with historical records to predict space weather and explore how the Earth may respond to the observed changes in the solar wind.

The Earth’s magnetic field acts as a shield that deflects most solar wind.
NASA via Wikimedia Commons

Earth’s magnetic field naturally protects living things and Earth-orbiting satellites from most adverse effects of space weather. However, extreme space weather events may compress – or in some cases, peel back – the Earth’s magnetic shield.

This process allows solar wind particles to make it into our protected environment – the magnetosphere – exposing satellites and astronauts onboard space stations to harsh conditions.

Most satellites that continuously monitor Earth-bound space weather orbit relatively close to the planet. Some satellites are positioned in low Earth orbit, about 100 miles (161 kilometers) above Earth’s surface, while others are in geosynchronous orbit, approximately 25,000 miles (40,000 km) away.

At these distances, the satellites remain within Earth’s protective magnetic shield and can reliably measure the planet’s response to space weather conditions. However, to more directly study incoming solar wind, researchers use additional satellites located farther upstream – hundreds of thousands of miles from Earth.

The U.S., the European Space Agency and India all operate space weather monitoring satellites positioned around the L1 Lagrange point – nearly 900,000 miles (1,450,000 km) from Earth – where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance. From this vantage point, space weather monitors can provide up to 40 minutes of advance warning for incoming solar events.

The Lagrange points are equilibrium points for smaller objects, like the Earth, that orbit around a larger object, like the Sun. The L1 point is between the Earth and the Sun, where the gravitational pulls of the two objects balance out. Since the Sun’s pull is so much stronger than the Earth’s, the point is much closer to Earth.
Xander89/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Advance warning for space weather

Increasing the warning time beyond 40 minutes – the current warning time – would help satellite operators, electric grid planners, flight directors, astronauts and Space Force officers better prepare for extreme space weather events.

For instance, during geomagnetic storms, the atmosphere heats up and expands, increasing drag on satellites in low Earth orbit. With enough advance warning, operators can update their drag calculations to prevent satellites from descending and burning up during these events. With the updated drag calculations, satellite operators could use the satellites’ propulsion systems to maneuver them higher up in orbit.

Airlines could change their routes to avoid exposing passengers and staff to high radiation doses during geomagnetic storms. And future astronauts on the way to or working on the Moon or Mars, which lack protection from these particles, could be alerted in advance to take cover.

Aurora lovers would also appreciate having more time to get to their favorite viewing destinations.

The Space Weather Investigation Frontier

My team and I have been developing a new space weather satellite constellation, named the Space Weather Investigation Frontier. SWIFT will, for the first time, place a space weather monitor beyond the L1 point, at 1.3 million miles (2.1 million kilometers) from Earth. This distance would allow scientists to inform decision-makers of any Earth-bound space weather events up to nearly 60 minutes before arrival.

Satellites with traditional chemical and electric propulsion systems cannot maintain an orbit at that location – farther from Earth and closer to the Sun – for long. This is because they would need to continuously burn fuel to counteract the Sun’s gravitational pull.

To address this issue, our team has spent decades designing and developing a new propulsion system. Our solution is designed to affordably reach a distance that is closer to the Sun than the traditional L1 point, and to operate there reliably for more than a decade by harnessing an abundant and reliable resource – sunlight.

SWIFT would use a fuelless propulsion system called a solar sail to reach its orbit. A solar sail is a hair-thin reflective surface – simulating a very thin mirror – that spans about a third of a football field. It balances the force of light particles coming from the Sun, which pushes it away, with the Sun’s gravity, which pulls it inward.

While a sailboat harnesses the lift created by wind flowing over its curved sails to move across water, a solar sail uses the momentum of photons from sunlight, reflected off its large, shiny sail, to propel a spacecraft through space. Both the sailboat and solar sail exploit the transfer of energy from their respective environments to drive motion without relying on traditional propellants.

A solar sail could enable SWIFT to enter an otherwise unstable sub-L1 orbit without the risk of running out of fuel.

NASA successfully launched its first solar sail in 2010. This in-space demonstration, named NanoSail-D2, featured a 107-square-foot (10 m² ) sail and was placed in low Earth orbit. That same year, the Japanese Space Agency launched a larger solar sail mission, IKAROS, which deployed a 2,110 ft² (196 m² ) sail in the solar wind and successfully orbited Venus.

An illustration of the solar sail used on the IKAROS space probe. These sails use light particles as propulsion.
Andrzej Mirecki, CC BY-SA

The Planetary Society and NASA followed up by launching two sails in low Earth orbit: LightSail, with an area of 344 ft² (32 m² ), and the advanced composite solar sail system, with an area of 860 ft² (80 m² ).

The SWIFT team’s solar sail demonstration mission, Solar Cruiser, will be equipped with a much larger sail – it will have area of 17,793 ft² (1,653 m² ) and launch as early as 2029. We successfully deployed a quadrant of the sail on Earth early last year.

If successful, the Solar Cruiser mission will pave the way for a small satellite constellation that will monitor the solar wind.

To transport it to space, the team will meticulously fold and tightly pack the sail inside a small canister. The biggest challenge to overcome will be deploying the sail once in space and using it to guide the satellite along its orbital path.

If successful, Solar Cruiser will pave the way for SWIFT’s constellation of four satellites. The constellation would include one satellite equipped with sail propulsion, set to be placed in an orbit beyond L1, and three smaller satellites with chemical propulsion in orbit at the L1 Lagrange point.

The satellites will be indefinitely parked at and beyond L1, collecting data in the solar wind without interruption. Each of the four satellites can observe the solar wind from different locations, helping scientists better predict how it may evolve before reaching Earth.

As modern life depends more on space infrastructure, continuing to invest in space weather prediction can protect both space- and ground-based technologies.

Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti receives funding from NASA. He is the Principal Investigator of Space Weather Investigation Frontier (SWIFT).

– ref. Spacecraft equipped with a solar sail could deliver earlier warnings of space weather threats to Earth’s technologies – https://theconversation.com/spacecraft-equipped-with-a-solar-sail-could-deliver-earlier-warnings-of-space-weather-threats-to-earths-technologies-259877

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Thales recognized for Aviation Innovation with the successful deployment of an Approach Spacing Tool (AST) in Hong Kong, China

Source: Thales Group

Headline: Thales recognized for Aviation Innovation with the successful deployment of an Approach Spacing Tool (AST) in Hong Kong, China

Thales is making significant strides in the aviation and Air Traffic Management industry with its innovative Approach Spacing Tool, a technological breakthrough that optimizes aircraft arrival spacing, promoting more efficient and sustainable air travel. Fully integrated with Thales’ TopSky-ATC solution, this advanced tool has been deployed in Hong Kong China and globally to support Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).

MIL OSI Economics –

July 12, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over £1bn in investment deals as UK-France launch new Industrial Strategy Partnership
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Over £1bn in investment deals as UK-France launch new Industrial Strategy Partnership

The UK and France have launched a new Industrial Strategy Partnership following a successful UK-France Summit, where over £1 billion worth of investment deals into the UK have been confirmed.
New Partnership is first of its kind in Europe, boosting UK-France collaboration in key high growth sectors.  

Follows a successful UK-France Summit, where leading firms announced a billion pounds worth of investment creating thousands of highly skilled jobs. 

Deals are the latest vote of confidence and show the Plan for Change is working – as recent survey puts UK as joint-top global investment destination.  

A new partnership between the UK and France will deepen economic collaboration and unlock billions in valuable investment into high growth-driving sectors – boosting the economy and delivering on the Plan for Change.

The announcement comes following yesterday’s 37th UK-France Summit, where leading French companies announced investments worth over £1 billion into the UK, creating thousands of highly-skilled jobs across the country – helping to put more money in people’s pockets.

This builds on the tidal wave of investment the government has welcomed into the UK since taking Office, worth over £100 billion, alongside 384,000 jobs created since the election.

The partnership forms part of the UK’s recent modern Industrial Strategy – a new approach that will create a more connected, high-skilled and resilient economy to kickstart an era of economic prosperity, the central mission in the government’s Plan for Change.

This partnership is a collaboration in key growth sectors including in technology, clean energy industries and advanced manufacturing, supporting a quicker green and digital transition and building our economic resilience to drive economic growth and innovation.

It advances a cross-Channel trade relationship worth £104 billion in 2024 and reaffirms the UK’s position as a global investment destination, the same week a Deloitte survey found that international finance leaders see the UK as the joint-most attractive destination when it comes to investment.

It also builds on the strong collaboration which already exists between the UK and France across vital areas including energy, aviation, tech and finance – all of which fall under the key growth sectors identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.

Today’s announcement follows Wednesday’s roundtable attended by leading French and British firms hosted by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, French Economy, Finance and Industry Minister Eric Lombard and French Digital Affairs Minister Clara Chappaz.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: 

This is our first Industrial Strategy Partnership with a major European partner, and will combine our joint expertise across energy, advanced manufacturing, technology and more, helping deliver our Plan for Change by boosting growth to deliver more money in people’s pockets.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

This milestone is an exciting new chapter in our already strong relationship with France and will boost both countries’ key sectors by driving two-way innovation and investment, delivering on our Plan for Change.” 

Our Modern Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to kickstart an era of economic prosperity and this partnership will serve as a welcome anchor at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty. It is built on the best of foundations, with both our businesses and citizens sharing deep links.

Today’s deals show that the UK is open for international companies to expand their businesses in a wide range of priority sectors, including: 

Veolia has announced a £70 million investment to transform an existing, disused industrial facility to a state-of-the-art plastics sorting and recycling facility in Shropshire, creating more than 130 local jobs.

Thales, in conjunction with partners, is planning £40 million of AI-focussed R&D investment as part of its CortAIx UK AI Accelerator, which will employ 200 people.

Comand AI are investing £35 million over the next five years to set up an office in the UK, in their first step to becoming a pan-European defence company. 

Pernod Ricard is investing a further £17.5 million in its Scotch whisky producer, Chivas Brothers, to create two new bottling lines at its Kilmalid site near Glasgow.  

LVMH will operate at least twenty Sephora stores by 2028, with a need of 800 additional recruitments.  

EDF confirmed earlier this week that thousands of UK jobs and apprenticeships will be created as it announced it will take a 12.5% stake in Sizewell C – in a major boost for UK growth and energy security. Assystem will double its nuclear workforce in the UK, creating 1,000 new engineering, digital and project management jobs. Urenco also signed a 15-year deal with EDF to produce fuel for nuclear power stations, supporting Urenco UK’s workforce of more than 1,400 people.

French company Ardian has also in the last week finalised its acquisition of an additional 10% stake in London Heathrow as a gateway for growth with a further £888 million investment, taking their investment into the airport to £2.85 billion, supporting the site’s 80,000 jobs. 

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also met with French Economy, Finance and Industry Minister Éric Lombard yesterday, to discuss the importance of French investment in the UK and how this new partnership will enable more collaboration in key sectors such as clean energy, tech and economic resilience.

UK companies are also continuing to succeed in the French market, delivering on the government’s AI opportunities action plan, from capability to R&D. British tech unicorns are winning tens of millions of pounds in significant contracts with French corporates, driving jobs and growth at home.

This includes Synthesia’s new partnership with Decathlon to create a pioneering AI avatar lab, ElevenLabs’ collaboration with M6 and TV5 Monde, and Darktrace’s contract with GL Events, a French major events operator. BT is also connecting more than 80 French-headquartered companies including Alstom and Michelin in France, with operations totalling approximately £130 million last financial year.

The refresh of the Lancaster House defence partnership is also creating new opportunities in the UK’s aerospace and defence sectors, supporting over 2,750 highly skilled jobs and representing billions to the UK and French economies through joint export promotion and capability projects which benefit the UK’s defence industries, including MBDA and Airbus.

The agreement with France follows the Industrial Strategy Partnership committed to between the UK and Japan in March, preceding publication of the Strategy in June.

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Published 11 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 11, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Beijing unveils 24 measures to boost consumption

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Beijing on Thursday announced a comprehensive action plan with 24 measures aimed at driving consumption and enhancing the city’s role as an international consumption center.

By 2030, Beijing targets an average annual consumption growth rate of about 5% and plans to build two to three major integrated commercial landmarks with annual sales exceeding 100 billion yuan ($13.94 billion).

The plan places income growth at the core of consumption expansion. Measures include promoting reasonable wage increases, implementing an employment-first strategy to support job creation, and establishing a more dynamic minimum wage adjustment mechanism.

To make it easier to purchase housing, the plan introduces reforms to housing provident fund policies. Buyers will be allowed to withdraw provident fund balances directly for home down payments, while new regulations will be developed to enable second-hand home transactions with existing mortgages to be settled via provident fund loans, streamlining the process for both buyers and sellers.

In the automotive sector, Beijing will optimize the allocation of license plate quotas to better serve family demand for vehicles, strengthen second-hand vehicle trading platforms, and simplify cross-regional transactions.

Emerging trends like anime, collectibles, and youth culture, known locally as the “Guzi Economy,” will receive policy support. The city also plans to develop a “Future Beauty City” by attracting cosmetic and medical aesthetic business.

Beijing is also expanding online healthcare services. As of June, 307 local medical institutions offered online services. A total of 1.11 million online consultations were recorded in the first half of this year, up 45% year on year.

New tourism projects, including the second phase of Universal Studios and cultural routes along the Great Wall and the Grand Canal, will further enrich leisure options. Public spaces and old venues will be revitalized to create more vibrant commercial areas.

Beijing will boost consumption around its two main airports. Plans include building a world-class shopping and tourism complex near Beijing Daxing International Airport and turning the airports into gateways for foreign shoppers.

Duty-free shops will offer more premium Chinese goods, and cross-border e-commerce will be expanded, making it easier for shoppers to buy online and pick up in person.

In addition, the city will promote greater use of Olympic venues and major sports events to stimulate spending. A series of premium international and domestic sporting events will be held to drive sports-related consumption, according to the plan.

MIL OSI China News –

July 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: “Polytech in Priority”: the second issue of the video digest on key projects

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

We present the second issue of the video digest “Polytech as a Priority”, which was launched by the SPbPU Office of Technological Leadership.

A series of video digests is created for regular coverage of key scientific and technological areas (KNTA) and projects supported by the Priority 2030 program. The main objective is to provide all employees and interested people with complete information about what areas this program covers, what projects receive funding and how their implementation is progressing.

The news presenters are the actual project managers and chief designers. The first presenter was the head of the Office of Technological Leadership, Oleg Rozhdestvensky. In the second issue, this role was taken on by the head of the SPbPU PISh “Digital Engineering” Alexey Borovkov.

Alexey Ivanovich is the chief designer of KNTN-1 “System Digital Engineering” – development of technologies and products that are superior to foreign analogues, based on digital twin technology andCML-Bench® Digital Platform.

In the issue, Alexey Borovkov presented up-to-date information on the implementation of ten projects that were included in KNTN-1. This is the development of digital twins and the development of the CML-Bench® digital platform, its application to new industries, including unmanned technologies, in particular, in light aircraft. A number of works are related to nuclear energy, nuclear engineering, closed-cycle nuclear plants. Research is underway related to tokamak reactors. Alexey Borovkov also spoke about plans for both the near future and the long term.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Leading Airline Air China Launches Direct Flights Beijing-Tashkent and Urumqi-Tashkent

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) — China’s international airline Air China will soon launch new direct flights to Tashkent from the Chinese capital and Urumqi, the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), respectively, the carrier said on its official account on Wechat.

Flights on the Beijing-Tashkent-Beijing route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft from July 19 three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flights on the Urumqi-Tashkent-Urumqi route will also be operated on Boeing 737 aircraft, starting from July 22, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Earlier, the airline reported that the opening of these two flights will take place in June-July. -0

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 11, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on July 8, 2025 2025-07-11 On the afternoon of July 8, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answered recent media queries concerning the military.

Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

On the afternoon of July 8, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answered recent media queries concerning the military.

On the afternoon of July 8, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answers recent media queries concerning the military. (Photo by Sun Yue)

(The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.)

Jiang Bin: First, I would like to announce one piece of information.

The People’s Armed Police (PAP) will host the Sharp Blade-2025 International Sniper Competition in Xinjiang in mid-July. Competition events include precision sniping, typical scenario sniping, comprehensive combat sniping and extreme scenario sniping. Nearly 50 sniper teams from 20-plus countries will participate in the events. The Competition will help improve realistic training of the PAP, and strengthen its cooperation and exchange with foreign police and gendarmerie forces.

Journalist: The Shandong carrier task group concluded a successful visit to Hong Kong. Please tell us more about the visit.

Jiang Bin: From July 3 to 7, Shandong aircraft carrier task group visited Hong Kong and many activities were carried out including vessel open days, training demonstrations, a deck reception, and sports and cultural exchanges. The visit sparked a new wave of “carrier fever” in the “Pearl of the Orient”. The timing of the visit coincided with the 28th year since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the 5th anniversary of the promulgation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is the first time PLANS Shandong was open to the public after it commissioning. More than 30,000 Hong Kong residents, young students, and patriots from all walks of life boarded this big ship and engaged with navy sailors with a strong sense of national pride and belonging. We believe that with an advantage of having the backing of the motherland and being connected to the world, Hong Kong will enjoy greater prosperity and stability and the “Pearl of the Orient” will shine more brightly.

Journalist: It is reported that the PLA and the PAP participated in flood rescue in Rongjiang county of Guizhou. Please brief us on the details.

Jiang Bin: Recently, Guizhou’s Rongjiang county was struck by floods. A natural disaster is an order for action, and the disaster-hit area is the battlefield for the troops. PLA and PAP forces rushed to the affected region to fight the floods and mitigate the losses. More than 9,200 military personnel and 14,000 militia personnel have been deployed, and 90 sets of large engineering equipment mobilized to participate in such tasks as search and rescue, relocation of residents, road clearance, supplies transportation, removal of mud, and disinfection.

People’s safety is the top priority. The people’s military will faithfully live up to its fundamental purpose of serving the people wholeheartedly, earnestly safeguard the lives and property of the people, and resolutely fulfill all tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.

Journalist: It is reported that some countries are in talks with China to purchase Chinese weapons including J-10 fighter jets. Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: The Chinese government maintains a prudent and responsible approach to military exports. We are willing to share the achievements of China’s equipment development with friendly countries and play a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability.

Journalist: According to foreign media reports, a large number of foreign vessels have recently been flying the Five-Starred Red Flag while transiting the Strait of Hormuz to avoid becoming targets of attack. Some analysts believe that this is precisely because China upholds the principles of objectivity, neutrality, and win-win cooperation, which provides Chinese vessels with a relatively high level of security when passing through waters in the Middle East. Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: What is right is right. The Chinese side will continue to stand for peace and justice, stay on the right side of history, and inject stabilizing and positive factors to regional and world peace and tranquility.

Journalist: According to reports, Taiwan’s military will conduct the Han Kuang-41 live-troop exercise starting from July 9. The exercise will focus on such subjects as the so-called “response to gray-zone harassment”, “joint anti-landing operations” and “resilient defense on the Island”. Meanwhile, many US weapons will make their debut during the exercise. What’s your comment?

Jiang Bin: The Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick played by the DPP authorities to hijack Taiwan compatriots on-board its “Taiwan Independence” war chariot. The DPP authorities are harming Taiwan out of its selfish interests. We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that “seeking independence by force” is a dead end. Whatever subjects they drill and whatever weapons they use, the PLA’s resolute countermeasures against “Taiwan Independence” would not be deterred, nor would the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China’s national reunification be stopped.

Journalist: Recently, Lai Ching-te delivered the fourth lecture of his so-called “10 lectures on Unity,” in which he once again played up the so-called “mainland military threat,” called for increased “defense” spending, and urged Taiwan’s military to “fight for Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen, and Mazu.” Please comment on that.

Jiang Bin: Taiwan is a province of China. Therefore, how is it possible for it to have a budget for so-called national defense? Lai Ching-te has distorted history and facts and made up lies to cloak his separatist plot for “Taiwan independence.” He has hyped up the so-called mainland threat to stoke security anxiety and manipulate public opinions in Taiwan. By doing that, he is attempting to militarize Taiwan’s society and leave the island’s future to the mercy of external forces. Lai Ching-te’s call to “fight for Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu” is in fact a call to fight for the the DPP authorities’ interests and “Taiwan independence” separatist activities. It will only lead Taiwan people to the dead-end of “resisting reunification with force” and “selling out and ruining Taiwan.”

The two sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same China. Taiwan, Penghu, Jinmen and Mazu are all inalienable parts of China’s sacred territory. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese. The louder Lai and his like clamor for separatism, the faster they will court their demise. Any “Taiwan independence” armed forces that support them will be buried together. The PLA has full capability and confidence to thwart all separatist activities for “Taiwan independence” and to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

MIL OSI China News –

July 11, 2025
Security, trade in focus as Australia PM Albanese heads to China

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for Shanghai on Saturday on an official visit to China where regional security tensions and efforts to grow economic ties are likely to dominate talks.

Australia’s exports to China, its largest trading partner, span agriculture and energy but are dominated by iron ore, and Albanese will travel with executives from mining giants Rio Tinto RIO.AX, BHP BHP.AX and Fortescue FMG.AX and hold business events in three cities over six days.

“The relationship in China means jobs in Australia, it’s as simple as that,” Albanese told reporters on Friday.

Albanese’s second visit to Beijing, where he will meet President Xi Jinping, comes after Canberra stepped up screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals and as U.S. President Donald Trump rattles the global economy with sweeping import tariffs.

Albanese is yet to meet Trump, after scheduled talks at the G7 were cancelled when the U.S. president left early. The United States, Australia’s major security ally, is reviewing the AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership amid concern selling submarines to Australia could weaken U.S. deterrence to China.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned in a speech in Malaysia on Thursday that China continues to project military power regionally with an objective to change the balance of power, saying Beijing’s nuclear and conventional military build-up was “worrying”.

AUKUS contributed to “collective deterrence in our region,” she said.

Richard Maude, an Asia Society non-resident fellow and former Australian intelligence chief, said Albanese needed to expand the economic relationship with China but also “get through the visit in a way that makes clear to Australia’s close partners and to the Australian public that Australia is talking clearly and frankly to China about aspects of China’s behaviour that concern us”.

The Chinese navy held live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand with no advance warning in February, and there have been tense encounters between Australian and Chinese military aircraft in the disputed South China Sea.

While Beijing is keen to move ties forward, its proposals for cooperation on artificial intelligence, for example, have already met with a cool response, said Maude, who wrote Australia’s 2017 foreign policy white paper.

Australia’s two-way trade with China was worth A$312 billion last year, or a quarter of all Australian trade.

Ties have stabilised since 2020 when China imposed unofficial bans on A$20 billion in Australian exports.

Direct engagement with Chinese leaders was important for Australia’s security, Albanese told reporters on Friday.

“We cooperate where we can and we disagree where we must, and we’re able to have those honest conversations about some of the disagreements that are there,” he said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has said economic ties with China are a priority, but also complex.

Australia’s increased screening of Chinese investment in critical minerals, renewable energy and key infrastructure is likely to be raised by Beijing, company executives told Reuters, although on Tuesday Chalmers said Australia would not ease its scrutiny.

“The government understands it is not in Australia’s national interest to further increase China’s stranglehold on the critical minerals supply chain,” said Maude.

Geoff Raby, a former Australian ambassador to China, said China would probably raise its ambition to join the 11-member regional trade pact, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which Australia chairs.

“The most harmful thing is to adopt policies that force China to become more isolationist or which encourage those domestic forces in China who favour more inward-looking policies,” Raby said.

Albanese will meet businesses in Shanghai on Monday, before travelling to Beijing for an annual leaders’ dialogue with Premier Li Qiang, and a company roundtable, and then head to the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu.

(Reuters)

July 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Returns to Beijing After Official Visit to Egypt

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang returned to Beijing on a chartered plane on Friday after completing an official visit to Egypt.

He was seen off at the airport by Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib and Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang. -0-

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 11, 2025

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