Latest news with #FOBS
BBC News
12-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
East Sussex train driver killed in WW2 remembered with plaque
A plaque has been unveiled at a railway station in East Sussex for a train driver who was killed while operating a service in the region during World War plaque at Bishopstone Station is to commemorate Southern's Charles Henry Pattenden, 59, from Tunbridge Wells, who was killed on 3 July 1940 in his line of duty when a German Luftwaffe plane opened fire on the 17:37 train from Pattenden's surviving relatives, including grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were there to reveal the plaque which was installed by the Friends of Bishopstone Station (FOBS).Ivor Pattenden, grandson of Mr Pattenden, said: "It was a great success and a few tears were shed." Graham Moore, FOBS's director, put out an online appeal for information about the attack, and Ivor Pattenden attended an event in the restored community space at the Moore said the steam train had departed from Seaford and was passing through Bishopstone Beach Halt on its way to Horsted the train drove past the halt for the exposed Tide Mills stretch of the line, the German Dornier bomber opened fire on it with machine aircraft then delivered its load of six bombs, which exploded not far from the halt. Although the train was directly hit by the bombs, it had blast damage with most, if not all, of the glass being shattered and the wooden frame and panels struck Mr Pattenden and caused a serious injury and he died shortly Pattenden was buried in Tunbridge Wells.
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Leeds-Morecambe 'lifeline' railway line celebrates 175th birthday
Volunteers who have helped to drive up passenger numbers on a railway line between Leeds and Morecambe are celebrating the route's 175th Bentham Line, originally completed on 1 June 1850 and highlighted by travel publisher Lonely Planet for its diverse scenery, has been designated the UK's first "dementia-friendly railway".The route, through the Yorkshire Dales, is one of 75 in the UK supported by a community rail partnership, with one station on the route adopted by Townson, chair of the Friends of Bentham Station (FOBS) and the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership, says the railway is a "vital ingredient in the community". Improving the station means "substantially more people are making use of the line here at Bentham", Mr Townson the FOBS group was set up in 2011, approximately 11,000 journeys were made through the station each year, compared to 37,000 in the 2024/25 financial year."It makes a superb gateway to the town," adds Mr Townson."If you can get everybody out [and] off mobile phones and tablets, there's a good world outside." Recalling its history, Mr Townson explains how station buildings on the line were initially designed in a "mock-tudor" after "the woodworm got" Bentham in 1954, the station was demolished, with a new modular building constructed in just 16 1970, the station had 21 staff, with facilities including a porters' room and large waiting the following 30 years, the station became an "old, rundown place - with graffiti and all sorts of stuff", according to Friends of Bentham Station (FOBS) secretary, Lin Barrington - but the last decade has seen a transformation."The passengers can look out of the window, and it just looks welcoming and friendly," says retired maintenance electrician Chris Birkbeck, who moved from Bradford to work in the factory over the road from the station. Mr Townson believes the route "offers it all" - starting in previous industrial heartlands of Leeds, Bingley, Shipley and Keighley, emerging into the Yorkshire Dales at Skipton, passing by the "mighty" Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent mountains, along the Forest of Bowland, through the historic Georgian city of Lancaster, and ending at the coast."One of the most popular things, all the way from those Victorian times, has been the pilgrimage to Morecambe for an ice cream, a stick of rock and a fish-and-chip supper." 'It's a lifeline' The community is "quite fortunate to have our line", says another FOBS volunteer, Pete Hardman."So many others have closed down, but for people who live here, it's a lifeline. Without it, we'd be a bit isolated."The retired engineer says members of the group are brought together by "a will to help", but also have individual skills."I've done some bug hotels and some of the heritage side," he says. And their efforts are by no means purely aesthetic."Don't think about us as a set of people with trowels and not much else," Mr Hardman warns."The fact is, Gerald managed to get some of the train timetables changed to offer better connectivity in Lancaster and so on."This has proved even more important because of a declining bus service in recent years, Ms Barrington adds."I've got a son who was growing up in Bentham, and it means they get the chance to go to Leeds - the big city, or Lancaster," she says. Groups like FOBS work with a community rail partnership officer, who is paid to support Huddleston, who works on the Bentham Line, says it brings people together, enabling "active discussions about what people need, rather than presuming"."It feels great to give people a variety of opportunities and create a welcoming environment, while also helping wider causes like greener travel."She has supported FOBS and the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership to make the line more welcoming for people living with dementia, work which has been recognised at government along the line have also taken part in initiatives focused on the environment and railway safety, while volunteers have given their time to help local refugee groups enjoy the Yorkshire Dales. Ms Huddleston explains how the community rail groups' work has, in some cases, been enabled by "skill swaps"."Gerald's a retired maths teacher and has delivered A-level lessons before, in return for a bit of gravel," she members' individual skills have also helped to raise money for a defibrillator on site, says former local government worker Martin himself, has a "secret talent" as a quiz-master, according to Mr Townson, while "Margaret's famous lemon drizzle cake" is a regular feature at bake Cowling is a former teacher from Coventry, who first joined the "Bloom in Bentham" group, and now leads gardening efforts at the she says: "It's all thanks to Gerald – he's the big Mr Motivator." Mr Hardman says everybody in the group "has a sense of pride" about the station, which is currently decorated to celebrate the 175th anniversary."The celebrations only come once every 175 years, so that's worth a bit of bunting."Another group member jokes: "This is your third one, isn't it?!" Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
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
- Business
- Time of India
Donald Trump announces ‘Golden Dome' missile shield to intercept hypersonic & space-launched threats by end of his term
As part of his renewed focus on national security, US President Donald Trump has confirmed that a design has been finalized for the ambitious 'Golden Dome' missile defence system. The system, intended to shield the United States from next-generation aerial threats, is expected to be operational by the end of Trump's term in office. The project was set in motion just days after his return to the White House in January. The proposed system is aimed at tackling advanced threats such as ballistic and cruise missiles, and possibly missiles launched from space. With a preliminary funding of $25 billion approved through a budget bill, Trump has described the initiative as vital to protect the country from what the White House has called 'the most catastrophic threat' facing the US today. Technology across land, sea, and space President Trump explained that the Golden Dome would involve next-generation technologies spread across land, sea, and space. He stated that the system will use both space-based sensors and interceptors. 'It will even be capable of intercepting missiles launched from the other side of the world, or launched from space,' he said from the Oval Office. Drawing inspiration from Israel's Iron Dome system, which has been used since 2011 to intercept short-range threats, the Golden Dome will be significantly larger and designed to address a broader range of attacks. This includes new-age hypersonic weapons and systems like FOBS (Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems), which can deliver warheads from space. Costs and capability challenges Though Trump has projected an overall cost of $175 billion, the Congressional Budget Office warns the real figure could exceed $542 billion over two decades, especially for space-based components. The expansive geography of the US and the variety of threat directions present significant challenges that are not present in countries like Israel. Marion Messmer, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, noted that the US faces a 'much more complex' missile defence problem due to its size and threat landscape. Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, told the BBC that the Golden Dome would likely use thousands of satellites to detect missile launches and then intercept them using space-based weaponry. However, he added that while the military may treat the plan seriously, completing such a system within Trump's term would be difficult. The high costs would also heavily impact the rest of the defence budget. International involvement and command structure Trump confirmed that Canada had expressed interest in joining the initiative. During a visit to Washington earlier this year, then-Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said it was 'in the national interest' for Canada to participate in the project. Oversight for the entire system will fall under a single command structure. US defence officials have appointed Space Force General Michael Guetlein to oversee the development and coordination of the ambitious missile shield may reshape defence planning, but cost and complexity remain major hurdles to timely delivery.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nuclear hypersonic missiles from space: US faces its biggest threat from Chinese, Russian FOBS
A recent assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency paints a grim picture for the Americans. The threats from China and Russia is increasing with the former, too, now in a position to hit target all across the US mainland. The large variety of missiles with China and Russia make defending the US mainland a herculean task. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads China, Russia missile stockpile makes US jittery Hypersonic missiles Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads America's biggest fear of a nuclear-tipped missile hitting it from space is coming true and the Chinese are on course to militarily push it into a corner in the next 10 years. The world's primary military power since the collapse of the USSR in 1991 is now faced with the dreaded prospect of a lethal new weapon in China's arsenal called the fractional orbital bombardment system ( FOBS ). The missile threats to the US is going to expand both in scale, modern technology and sophistication in the next 10 years, according to a recent US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Russia, the primary military rival of the US since the 1990s is building on its missile strength, it's China which is taking rapid strides in developing a wide range of delivery systems to exploit gaps in current American ballistic missile defenses. And, the US forces are keeping a wary eyeAlthough the FOBS technology is not a new one as it was developed decades back in the 1960s by the erstwhile USSR and is known to exist with the current Russian armed forces, the rapid pace of development and the projected deployment by China is giving sleepless nights to the United States to the DIA assessment titled 'Golden Dome for America: Current and Future Missile Threats to the U.S. Homeland', the picture is not so rosy for the American military as it gears up to face not only a belligerent China but also the growing arsenal of Russia despite the war with Ukraine, which has been going on for over three years a chart prepared by the DIA, the missile threats have been categorized under six categories which are as follows: intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), two types of hypersonic weapons, land attack cruise missiles (LACM), and fractional orbital bombardment systems (FOBS). All these systems have nuclear of the above-mentioned missiles have the capability to inflict unimaginable damage to the US, but the most lethal is the FOBS, which is essentially an ICBM that flies in a low-earth altitude orbit before reentering to strike its target. A FOBS takes much shorter flight time to reach its target if flying the same direction as traditional ICBMs. The FOBS can also be programmed to fly over the South Pole to avoid early warning systems and missile defenses and strike its target before completing a full neither Russia not China have operationalised FOBS, the DIA assessment projects that the former can deploy 12 such missiles by 2035 while China will have a bigger arsenal with 60 in and Russia have several nuclear-capable ICBMs which can hit any target in the US. While China currently has 400 ICBMs, many of them having Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) versions, the number is projected to go over 700 by 2035. On the other hand, Russia is likely to increase the number of ICBMs in its forces to 400 plus from the 350 that it currently other countries - North Korea and Iran - are also building missiles which can hit targets on US mainland. Iran also has an advanced space program and can develop and deploy ICBMs by 2035 if its government decides to go ahead with military use of the capability and SLBMs could rise to 132 from the current 72 10 years down the line while Russia is likely to have the same number as it has now - two countries are also in the fast lane to develop and deploy boosted hypersonic weapons which can fly at speeds over Mach 5+. Russia has already used some of these in the ongoing war against Ukraine while China also also operational hypersonic are two types of hypersonic missiles - aeroballistic and Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) - and both can be nuclear missiles can be fired from land, air or sea, they use aerodynamic maneuvers with phases of ballistic loft to extend range. HGVs are highly maneuverable sporting an aerodynamic built body and are mounted on ballistic missile. They are programmed to fly at altitudes of 15-50 km with sustained hypersonic Russia has demonstrated the capability to use both aeroballistic missiles and HGVs to target the US mainland, China is most likely armed with the latter which can hit targets in currently possess 600 such missiles with the number reaching 4,000 by 2025 while Russia will see its current arsenal of 200-300 go up to 1,000 during the same time it come to LACMs, the Russian have enough to take out targets in the US while the Chinese are rapidly expanding their capability and range with its current missiles only able to hit Alaska, Hawaii, and the American west coast. Russia is projected to increase its LACM stockpile to 5,000 in the next 10 years from the current 300-600. China will also reach the figure of 5,000 by mid-2030s from the 1,000 it has now.
