Remains of a Drone Attack, Counterspace Race, and War Beyond Technology

This week, The New York Times published pictures of the belongings of Sgt. Kennedy Sanders who was killed in a drone attack in Yemen in January on its front cover, followed by a story of her parents facing the remains of their daughter.

Counterspace capabilities are increasingly in focus for the US as well as Russia and China. Robotic arms installed on satellites could now capture other crafts or knock them from stable orbits.

But first, a comment on war itself. In the opening scene of the movie Land of Bad, where a special forces unit is about to be airdropped into a mission supported by drones, a soldier says:

The Big Story

Belongings of a Soldier Killed in a Drone Attack

On Tuesday, The New York Times published eight photos on the front page picturing the belongings of Sgt. Kennedy Sanders that were shipped home to her parents after she was killed: dog tags, identification cards, polaroids of her family, gold jewellery and a quarter that appeared to be stained with blood.

Sgt. Kennedy was a part of a team of engineering specialists, trained to deploy on short notice and build infrastructure like roads and airstrips. Shortly after the war between Israel and Hamas began in October last year, they were sent to Jordan to support Operation Inherent Resolve, a mission to combat the Islamic State. There, they were stationed at the military base Tower 22 in Rukban near the Syrian border.

On January 28th, three soldiers were killed and over 40 service members were injured in a one-way uncrewed aerial system attackthat impacted their container housing units. The attack drone was launched by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian-backed Shia militia group.

In The New York Times article, Sgt. Kennedy Sanders’ parents share how the last day they heard their daughter’s voice was the day before she was killed. They had talked about the type of cookies Kennedy wanted and her decision to re-enlist in the Army. Since then, the parents have grappled with the pain of outliving their child.

When the three bodies were transferred home, President Biden stood, hand over heart, on the airfield while the flag-draped cases were carried off a military cargo plane. Afterwards, Biden visited Mr and Ms Sanders privately at Dover. He also posthumously promoted Kennedy from specialist to sergeant and awarded her a Purple Heart, one of the military’s most distinguished decorations.

Kennedy’s parents had not received the official autopsy report and did not see their daughter’s body until just before the public viewing on February 16.

“You know, if you think about an explosion victim, your mind goes all types of directions,” Ms Sanders said to The New York Times. “I didn’t know what was coming back to us in that box.” Seeing her daughter’s body in one piece “was a relief for me,” she said.

The Counterspace Race of Lasers, Jammers, and Grabbers

In May 2023, the Union of Concerned Scientists measured more than 7,500 operational satellites in orbit. Over 5,000 of them were US-owned and commercial. China which has been increasing its satellite launched, had 628, and Russia had fewer than 200.

Satellites are central to national defence and global communications and have long faced threats from the ground, such as signal jamming and missile attacks. Now the new threats are orbital manacles, robotic arms installed on satellites, that could capture other crafts or knock them from stable orbits, as well as high-powered lasers or microwaves that can be used to fry satellites’ internal electronics.

The Space Force - the newest US military branch - is looking at how to best manoeuvre US satellites and predict what threats might be coming up. It has developed scenarios for countering lasers, jammers, grabbers and nuclear weapons being used in space. In the Space Force’s recent budget request, about 25% of the $29.4 billion funding would go toward so-called space superiority.

Both Russia and China have also advanced their development of tech that could be used for such purposes in recent years.

“Developing counterspace capabilities such as (anti-satellite) weapons provides a means to disrupt your adversary’s space-based capabilities, whether it is communication, navigation, or command and control systems and logistics networks that rely on space-based systems,” said Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, director of the Center for Security, Strategy & Technology at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, to CNN.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow has accused the West of using commercial satellite systems for military purposes and warned that “quasi-civil infrastructure may become a legitimate target for retaliation.” Russia has also been accused of mounting cyberattacks against the largest commercial satellite constellation, SpaceX’s Starlink, which has been an asset for the Ukrainian military.

In the News

German AI Defence Giant Helsing Eyes $4B Valuation in Series C Funding

German AI defense company Helsing is seeking to raise €370 million in Series C funding, potentially valuing the company at $4 billion. The funding, led by General Catalyst, will support Helsing’s development of AI-powered military capabilities. Known for its software solutions that enhance defense operations, Helsing has been active in Ukraine and collaborates with various defense programs, including the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and upgrades to Germany’s Eurofighters.
Read more at Tech EU.

Defense Tech Startup BlueHalo Makes Lasers That Shoot Drones Out of the Sky

Defense tech startup BlueHalo has developed high-energy laser systems capable of shooting down drones, now deployed by the U.S. Army. Founded by Jonathan Moneymaker, BlueHalo’s laser technology offers AI-powered precision and rapid deployment. The company’s success is attributed to its deep understanding of military needs and navigation of the defense procurement process, positioning it as a significant player in the defense tech industry.
Read more at Yahoo News.

UK Defence Tech Funding Falls at Faster Rate Than Wider Investment Landscape

Funding for UK defense technology companies dropped significantly in 2023, with completed deals falling by 75% and the amount invested decreasing by 22% compared to the previous year. This decline contrasts with a 36% drop in overall tech funding deals. Despite the slowdown, 2023 saw the second-highest amount of grant funding for defense tech companies. The report highlights the resilience of dual-use sectors and emphasizes the need for strategic investment in defense technology to ensure future growth and innovation.
Read more at UK Tech News.

Israel’s State-Owned Defense Giant Brings High-Tech War Plans to Washington

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is sharing advanced warfighting technologies with U.S. counterparts amid ongoing conflicts involving Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. IAI’s President, Boaz Levy, emphasized the importance of integrated, multi-capability systems in modern warfare. IAI’s technologies, including the Iron Dome and Arrow systems, have been crucial in intercepting attacks from multiple fronts. The company’s new visitors center in Washington, D.C., aims to strengthen defense ties and share innovations that enhance real-time battlefield awareness and autonomous missile deployment.
Read more at NewsWeek.

Russia Is Increasingly Blocking Ukraine’s Starlink Service

Russia is deploying advanced electronic warfare to disrupt Starlink satellite internet service, critical for Ukrainian military communications and operations. The increased interference has led to significant outages, affecting the Ukrainian front line’s ability to communicate and coordinate. Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been a vital resource for Ukraine, but its reliability is now challenged by sophisticated Russian jamming techniques. The disruptions highlight Ukraine’s dependence on Starlink and the broader implications for satellite internet in conflict zones.
Read more at The New York Times.