Latest news with #BMD
UPI
16-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
USS Nimitz carrier group to join Vinson in Middle East
The Nimitz strike group could reach the Middle East later this week, an observer said. The aircraft carrier (picture in 2024) was commissioned in 1975 and is one of the U.S. Navy's older class of carriers. File Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samuel Osborn Mass/U.S. Navy June 16 (UPI) -- The Nimitz aircraft carrier group was rerouted from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East, joining the USS Carl Vinson. The move comes amid airstrikes between Israel and Iran. Also, the Defense Department is moving aircraft to the European and Central Command theaters if needed to support U.S. bases in the region, the Navy Times reported. And other ships, including Navy destroyers, are also headed to the region, a U.S. official told NBC News. Those ships, which are now based in U.S. European Command, include ballistic missile defense, or BMD, capabilities. Some destroyers are now stationed off Israel's coast in the Mediterranean. "Over the weekend, I directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted Monday on X. "Protecting U.S. forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region." The Nimitz was scheduled to go to the Middle East but officials canceled a stop in Vietnam, NBC News reported. The George Washington carrier group is operating in the Philippine Sea. The Nimitz strike group could reach the Middle East later this week, an official told Politico. The exact location hasn't been disclosed. The carrier was sailing in the South China Sea and has made its way through the Strait of Malacca, which connects the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea and is about 1,200 miles from Iran. The Vinson has sailed in the Arabian Sea, and it has partnered with the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group to hit Houthi targets in Yemen, as well. Its home port is San Diego. President Donald Trump hasn't said whether the United States will join Israel against Iran. "We're not involved in it," Trump said during an interview with ABC News. "It's possible we could get involved. But we are not at this moment involved." Israel's aircraft have mainly been targeting nuclear facilities, including the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant built into a mountain and buried deep underground. The Nimitz carrier group has about 5,000 sailors and Marines, including aircraft crews. Assigned destroyers are Wilbur, Gridle, Meyer and Higbee The aircraft carrier was commissioned in 1975 and the home port is in Bremerton, Wash. All but three of the 11 active U.S. aircraft carriers are in homeports now. The Vinson and Nimitz are among the 10 in an older carrier class. The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier is only one commissioned in the new class.
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- The Hindu
Guardians of the skies: India's air defence systems explained
India's skies are protected by one of the most sophisticated multi-layered air defence networks in the world. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force demonstrated its capability to intercept waves of enemy drones, cruise missiles, and kamikaze UAVs in real time. In this video, we break down India's air defence architecture—from long-range systems like the Russian S-400 and the indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) shield to the Akash SAM system, Israeli Spyder, and quick-reaction jammers. We also explain the role of IACCS (Integrated Air Command and Control System) and Akashteer in coordinating these assets across sectors. Watch till the end for a clear, simplified breakdown of how India protects its skies against modern aerial threats—and why this network is crucial in the age of drone warfare and hypersonic weapons. Presentation, editing and script: Aniket Singh Chauhan Video: Vishnoo Jotshi
India.com
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Masterstroke by DRDO, develops missile shield that can destroy..., big worry for China, Pakistan, Bangladesh as India's BMD system can foil...
New Delhi: In a major development that promises to boost India's defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a technology that can destroy enemy nuclear missiles in mid-air. According to the reports, India has developed an indigenous Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system. This new technology will be able to neutralize missiles before they reach the ground, whether they are outside or within the atmosphere. If a nuclear missile is intercepted early, it eliminates the risk of radiation or a nuclear explosion. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces demonstrated the strength of its indigenously developed weapons and technology. In this operation, India used its own missile systems, radars, and anti-drone weapons to successfully thwart enemy missile and drone attacks. To recall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the nation after 'Operation Sindoor' had said that India will no longer give importance to Pakistan's nuclear attack threats or blackmail. What is the BMD system? The Ballistic Missile Defence system is a multi-layered defence mechanism consisting of two main components. The first level is the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD). This missile can destroy enemy missiles at altitudes of 50–80 km. The second one is the Advanced Air Defence (AAD). This missile can intercept and destroy enemy missiles at an altitude of 30 km. Advantages of the BMD system Enhanced defence capability: The BMD system significantly strengthens India's defence posture. Deterrence: It forces the enemy to think twice before launching an attack. National security: The BMD system boosts the nation's security and territorial integrity. How does the BMD system work? The BMD system operates in multiple phases: Target detection: Radars and other sensors detect incoming enemy missiles. Target tracking and information: The Mission Control Centre receives the target information and prepares to launch the interceptor missile. Interceptor missile launch: The interceptor missile is launched towards the target. Target destruction: The interceptor missile neutralizes the incoming threat. The indigenously developed interceptor missile AD-1, under the country's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system, is capable of destroying enemy missiles with a range of 3,000 to 5,000 kilometers even in their terminal phase (final stage). This clearly means that if a ballistic missile is heading towards India, the AD-1 can neutralize it within the atmosphere—before it can touch the ground.
The Print
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
All about Golden Dome, Trump's $175 billion plan to shield America
First ordered via executive order in January 2025, the system's design is said to counter threats from Russia and China, particularly emerging capabilities such as hypersonic glide vehicles and the Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS), systems that are considered too fast and complex for the existing ballistic missile defence (BMD) networks to neutralise. 'This is our national Iron Dome, but on a much grander scale,' Trump said Wednesday at a press briefing at the Oval Office, referencing Israel's short-range missile defence system. 'It will protect our homeland from threats no matter where they originate, even from space.' New Delhi: US President Donald Trump formally unveiled the concept of his administration's $175 billion 'Golden Dome' missile defence system, aimed at shielding America from aerial threats, including hypersonic weapons and space-launched projectiles. At a press briefing in the White House, Trump said that the U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein would lead the programme. 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they're launched from space,' Trump said, adding that it is projected to be fully operational by the end of his current term in January, 2029. The Elon Musk-led SpaceX is reportedly among the leading contenders for major contracts under the mega project. Canada, he said, had expressed interest in joining. A statement from the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed ongoing talks with Washington to enhance the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the binational U.S.-Canada aerospace command responsible for air defence across North America. Trump also went on to compare Golden Dome to Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), popularly dubbed 'Star Wars', which was shelved due to technological limitations in the 1980s. 'Reagan wanted this, but we now have the technology to make it real,' Trump added. Earlier this month, both Russia and China slammed the project as 'destabilising', warning that it could trigger a new arms race and turn space into a battlefield. The same month, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Golden Dome could cost as much as $831 billion over two decades. Also Read: What is Akashteer & why it's dubbed as 'hell for Pakistan's air adventures' The concept Although inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, the Golden Dome is still in its conceptual phase, but with far greater scope and complexity. It aims to combine existing US missile defence systems with a new generation of space-based and terrestrial weapons. The Golden Dome, according to US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, will protect the homeland from 'cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, drones, whether they're conventional or nuclear.' At its core, the Golden Dome is designed as a multi-layered system that integrates low-Earth orbit satellites, radar sensors, kinetic interceptors and potentially even space-borne weapons like laser-based systems. The space-based sensors to be integrated, such as the US Missile Defense Agency's Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS), are already under development and are expected to provide real-time data on incoming missile launches. In terms of interception, the system would use a combination of existing and future assets, working in tandem to provide multiple opportunities to neutralise incoming aerial threats during different phases of flight. An US official had confirmed to the Associated Press that the Pentagon is assessing three levels of capability—medium, high, and 'extra high'—depending on how many interceptors and satellites are deployed. For boost-phase (the missile's earliest stage of flight) intercepts, space-based kill vehicles are envisioned to be employed. The missile shield will include space-based interceptors and sensors. Meanwhile, for the mid-course phase, the US intends to expand its Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system at Fort Greely in Alaska, which is already operational with Next-Generation Interceptors (NGIs). The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system, deployed aboard Navy ships and Aegis Ashore sites, are also said to provide additional interception during the midcourse and terminal phases using SM-3 and SM-6 missiles. On the ground, systems such as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and PAC-3 Patriot batteries will be used to intercept missiles in the terminal stage, when they re-enter the atmosphere or approach their targets. Additionally, the Department of Defense is also reported to be investing in directed-energy weapons like high-powered lasers and microwave systems, which may offer an additional layer of interception in the future. While still in its early stages, Golden Dome is currently backed by an initial $25 billion R&D budget within a broader $175 billion defence proposal submitted to the US Congress. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: How upgraded L/70 guns, or 'original Bofors', became India's frontline defence against Pakistan UAVs
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Be #Shelcalstrong: Shelcal's vision to fortify India's bone health
India's hidden calcium crisis India faces its quietest health challenge — calcium deficiency. Despite calcium's crucial role in bone health and muscle function, a significant number of Indians fail to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of calcium, leading to alarming consequences such as osteoporosis occurring 10–20 years earlier in India compared to Western countries . have reported that nearly 1 in 4 adults in India has osteoporosis, and almost 1 in 2 has low bone density. Also, there is a higher prevalence of osteoporosis in women than men . This deficiency can affect at all life stages , from peak bone mass development in youth to maintaining bone density in adulthood. Daily hustle and lifestyle challenges often make it difficult to meet the required intake. Research shows that Indians consume an average of only 300 mg of calcium daily, far below than the recommended dietary allowance of 1000 mg. Diet plays a vital role, while supplementation is often needed. Below is a list of foods that are rich in calcium. Shelcal500 – Strengthening India's bone health Over the decades, Shelcal500 has been at the forefront of the fight against calcium deficiency. Enriched with Vitamin D3, Shelcal500 ensures essential calcium intake with rigorously tested formulations. Raising awareness through Shelcal Strong Over the years, Shelcal500 has been committed to raising awareness about calcium deficiency through multiple initiatives, including: HCP education programs to spread knowledge about calcium requirements. Bone Mineral Density (BMD) check-up camps at healthcare centres, helping individuals screen for calcium deficiency. Calcium calculator on the Shelcal website, allowing individuals to assess their daily calcium intake. In-clinic patient education, guiding individuals toward better bone health. The BMD screenings have revealed that 7 out of 10 individuals tested had brittle bones. WHO quality standards Shelcal500 is manufactured under World Health Organization (WHO) GMP-certified standards, ensuring quality and safety. Shelcal500 is verified on 260+ parameters. Furthermore, to enhance transparency, every original Shelcal500 pack features a QR code, allowing consumers to verify product authenticity with ease. A Calcium sufficient future Shelcal's elemental Calcium is obtained from nature's richest source. To further cater to different demographics and provide calcium supplementation in convenient formats, Shelcal500 has expanded its product range. Take charge of your bone health today. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and the right supplementation play a vital role in maintaining long-term bone health. Know your calcium levels! Take the Calcium Calculator or consult with your healthcare professional today. Please consult healthcare professionals before starting any supplement regimen. Disclaimer : Shelcal is not a substitute for a proper diet or healthy lifestyle. To be consumed as per direction on pack. Consult a doctor if pregnant, have medical condition or if symptoms persist. *SMSRC Data, February 2025 Sources As per Front Endocrinol, 12: 583-654, Indians consume only 300 mg of calcium Vs 1000 mg RDA As per Lancet global health 2024, 10-30 years of Men and Women have low calcium intake The peak incidence of osteoporosis in India occurs 10-20 years earlier than in Western countries - (Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar; 19(5): 2999) ^ Babhulkar S, Seth S. Int J Res Orthop. 2021 Mar;7(2):362-8 & Sab at SK et al, European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine. 2023 Jan 1;13(1) As per the Shelcal BMD camps conducted in-clinics Data on File ~70% of them have brittle bones (7 out of 10) Bone loss starts from the age of 30–40 years in both men and women - Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 22(1):p 67-73, Jan–Feb 2018. After attaining peak bone mass, the human bone lose 1% bone every year - IJO - July - September 2009 / Volume 43 / Issue 3 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgments of the doctors/experts, and TIL does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details. This article has been produced on behalf of Torrent Pharmaceuticals by Times Internet's Spotlight team.
