Latest news with #NorwegianArmedForces
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
An ally took control of live bombs dropped by US Air Force planes. That's never been done before.
The US recently let another country take control of its bombs for the first time. It let Norway take control in flight and steer them toward targets. Norway was testing its technology to make networked weapons that can be guided and redirected in the air. The US Air Force recently allowed another country to take control of American bombs in flight for the first time, with F-15 Strike Eagle pilots passing control of their glide bombs over to Norwegian forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced the successful weapons test last week, describing it as a test of networked weapons, "weapons you can communicate with after they're fired," that delivered a "groundbreaking" result. "For the first time, the Americans have allowed another country to take control of an American bomb on its way to the target," the armed forces said. The Norwegians said that two US Air Force F-15E fighter jets flew toward Norway's coast with two American GBU-53/B glide bombs in the exercise, called Jotun Strike. Using data provided by various sensors, including those on a deployed P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Norwegian soldiers took control of the bombs when they dropped and used a network to direct them toward targets they had selected. With the data support, the soldiers adjusted the bomb's course. Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces' Operational Headquarters, Vice Adm. Rune Andersen, called the result of the test key to Norway maintaining a "technological lead." He added that the test highlighted the "good relationship" between the US and Norway, saying that the test was "based on a high degree of trust and integration between close allies." Capt. Brett Stell, from the 494th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force, explained that the recent exercise was "a demonstration of what warfighting looks like in the future." It proved that "a weapon launched from a US platform can be guided by a Norwegian sensor across domains and distances," he said, adding that "this level of integration shows our shared ability to conduct complex, network-enabled engagements-even in contested environments." The unprecedented exercise was not just about Europe, "it's about homeland defense forward," Stell said. "Threats to the US can originate beyond the Western Hemisphere, and our forward capabilities in the European theater are essential for early warning, rapid response, and deterrence," he said, explaining that "exercises like Jotun Strike make our collective force more lethal, more integrated, and ready to fight and win together." Network-enabled weapons are ones that can be guided and redirected as they fly using communications networks. The armed forces said that "via a built-in radio transmitter, military personnel can communicate with the weapon after it has been fired, change its course, change the target it is going to attack, and await or abort an attack. All based on updates they receive in real time." The concept tested last month was developed in Norway with Norwegian industry, the armed forces said. Specifically, the Norwegian Battle Lab & Experimentation had been working on its concept for network weapons since 2019, with a 2025 deadline. NOBLE is a group in the Norwegian Armed Forces that is affiliated with the operational headquarters and tasked with concept development and experimentation for the military. Its network weapons concept had only previously been tested in simulations, and Col. Roger Samuelsen, the head of NOBLE, said "this was the big test." He said that "it was fantastic that this worked." "It is the first time this weapon has been released in a live version. And it was also the first time someone from the Norwegian Armed Forces tested a live network weapon." The test took place on May 14 at Andøya, a large island in Norway's northwest. The system had already been tested in the US against other simulators, Samuelsen said. He said Norway was repeatedly told it was ahead of others on this technology and that he believed that was why the US wanted to provide weapons and planes for this test. He added that he was "very excited to see if the software we have developed would work as intended, even though we have done all the preparations and tests that were possible in advance." He said the outcome means Norway "now can both plan, lead, coordinate and carry out an engagement with network weapons." Network weapons can get real-time data from external sensors, making them more likely to hit their targets. And they can be made to change course after they are fired. The Norwegian Armed Forces said the network weapons have "increased range and safety" since they don't need to see the target. Instead, they can be launched from further away and controlled, so they "can be fired at a safe distance without the platform supplying the weapon having to expose itself." It also means the target can be changed depending on what's happening and what the military wants to hit. The technology is key for Norway, a smaller country that needs to use its resources efficiently and make the most of recent acquisitions like the P-8 and F-35 fighter jets, but there's also interest from allies. Samuelsen said that people who work in "concept development in NATO have already shown interest in the Norwegian concept." And he said allies are interested in the control software that it has developed with Norwegian software company Teleplan. "There are not many nations that have this weapon or the technology within reach," the armed forces said. Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
06-06-2025
- General
- Business Insider
An ally took control of live bombs dropped by US Air Force planes. That's never been done before.
The US Air Force recently allowed another country to take control of American bombs in flight for the first time, with F-15 Strike Eagle pilots passing control of their glide bombs over to Norwegian forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced the successful weapons test last week, describing it as a test of networked weapons, "weapons you can communicate with after they're fired," that delivered a "groundbreaking" result. "For the first time, the Americans have allowed another country to take control of an American bomb on its way to the target," the armed forces said. The Norwegians said that two US Air Force F-15E fighter jets flew toward Norway's coast with two American GBU-53/B glide bombs in the exercise, called Jotun Strike. Using data provided by various sensors, including those on a deployed P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Norwegian soldiers took control of the bombs when they dropped and used a network to direct them toward targets they had selected. With the data support, the soldiers adjusted the bomb's course. Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces' Operational Headquarters, Vice Adm. Rune Andersen, called the result of the test key to Norway maintaining a "technological lead." He added that the test highlighted the "good relationship" between the US and Norway, saying that the test was "based on a high degree of trust and integration between close allies." Capt. Brett Stell, from the 494th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force, explained that the recent exercise was "a demonstration of what warfighting looks like in the future." It proved that "a weapon launched from a US platform can be guided by a Norwegian sensor across domains and distances," he said, adding that "this level of integration shows our shared ability to conduct complex, network-enabled engagements-even in contested environments." The unprecedented exercise was not just about Europe, "it's about homeland defense forward," Stell said. "Threats to the US can originate beyond the Western Hemisphere, and our forward capabilities in the European theater are essential for early warning, rapid response, and deterrence," he said, explaining that "exercises like Jotun Strike make our collective force more lethal, more integrated, and ready to fight and win together." A new kind of weapons test Network-enabled weapons are ones that can be guided and redirected as they fly using communications networks. The armed forces said that "via a built-in radio transmitter, military personnel can communicate with the weapon after it has been fired, change its course, change the target it is going to attack, and await or abort an attack. All based on updates they receive in real time." The concept tested last month was developed in Norway with Norwegian industry, the armed forces said. Specifically, the Norwegian Battle Lab & Experimentation had been working on its concept for network weapons since 2019, with a 2025 deadline. NOBLE is a group in the Norwegian Armed Forces that is affiliated with the operational headquarters and tasked with concept development and experimentation for the military. Its network weapons concept had only previously been tested in simulations, and Col. Roger Samuelsen, the head of NOBLE, said "this was the big test." He said that "it was fantastic that this worked." "It is the first time this weapon has been released in a live version. And it was also the first time someone from the Norwegian Armed Forces tested a live network weapon." The test took place on May 14 at Andøya, a large island in Norway's northwest. The system had already been tested in the US against other simulators, Samuelsen said. He said Norway was repeatedly told it was ahead of others on this technology and that he believed that was why the US wanted to provide weapons and planes for this test. He added that he was "very excited to see if the software we have developed would work as intended, even though we have done all the preparations and tests that were possible in advance." He said the outcome means Norway "now can both plan, lead, coordinate and carry out an engagement with network weapons." Network weapons can get real-time data from external sensors, making them more likely to hit their targets. And they can be made to change course after they are fired. The Norwegian Armed Forces said the network weapons have "increased range and safety" since they don't need to see the target. Instead, they can be launched from further away and controlled, so they "can be fired at a safe distance without the platform supplying the weapon having to expose itself." It also means the target can be changed depending on what's happening and what the military wants to hit. The technology is key for Norway, a smaller country that needs to use its resources efficiently and make the most of recent acquisitions like the P-8 and F-35 fighter jets, but there's also interest from allies. Samuelsen said that people who work in "concept development in NATO have already shown interest in the Norwegian concept." And he said allies are interested in the control software that it has developed with Norwegian software company Teleplan. "There are not many nations that have this weapon or the technology within reach," the armed forces said.
Local Norway
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Local Norway
Why an American bomber plane flew over central Oslo on Friday
The American bomber flew at a flow altitude with its Norwegian escort over Akershus Fortress in central Oslo just after mid-day. During the flyover, the B-52 Stratofortress and F-35s were visible over large parts of the city. Friday's flyover was part of a planned exercise involving US and Norwegian forces. 'The United States is our largest and most important ally, so it is important that they come here and train with us. The fact that the Americans are coming to Norway to train with the Norwegian Armed Forces is an important signal of American commitment to European and Norwegian security,' Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik said in an press release. Norway's armed forces said that the United States sends its Bomber Task Force to the Nordic countries a few times a year to ensure good cooperation. Colonel David Herndon of the US Air Force said that such exercises were good for preparedness. 'It also demonstrates our shared ability to quickly demonstrate decisive combat power,' he said.
Jordan Times
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Safadi calls for intensified support to Syria at meeting with Canadian envoy to Damascus
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday meets with Canada's Special Envoy to Syria Omar Alghabra (Petra photo) AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday met with Canada's Special Envoy to Syria Omar Alghabra to discuss ways to boost bilateral relations and coordinate efforts regarding developments in Syria. The top diplomat underlined the critical need to intensify support for the Syrian people in rebuilding their country through an inclusive, Syrian-led process that brings together all segments of society, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. He stressed that the priority should be on Syria's unity, security, and stability, the elimination of terrorism, and the protection of its people's rights after years of hardship and destruction. Safadi reiterated Jordan's full support for Syria and its readiness to assist the Syrian people navigate the transitional phase, expressing Jordan's hope that this period would mark a historic turning point in rebuilding a sovereign, free, and stable Syria that guarantees the rights of all its citizens. Also on Monday, Safadi met with a delegation from the Executive Senior Course at the Norwegian Defence University College. The delegation, consisting of representatives from various Norwegian ministries, institutions, the Norwegian Armed Forces, and security agencies, was accompanied by the Norwegian Ambassador to Jordan. Safadi highlighted the strong, enduring friendship between Jordan and Norway, emphasising the importance of further enhancing bilateral cooperation. The minister also stressed the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate, sufficient delivery of humanitarian aid into the war-torn Strip.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Survey shows majority of Norwegians support increasing aid to Ukraine
The number of Norwegian citizens who are afraid of war has increased since last summer, with more than 35% of them now. Source: A survey conducted by Omnibus at the request of the Norwegian Armed Forces, as reported by European Pravda Details: The new survey shows that 35.1% of Norwegians are afraid of war, up from 30.5% in the summer of 2024. Women (44.6% vs. 25.7% among men) and young people aged 18-29 (almost 40%) are most afraid of war among those surveyed in Norway. Compared to the previous survey, the fear of war has increased in all parts of Norway except for the northern regions. On the contrary, the number of those who fear war has fallen from 43.2% to 36.5%. The people in charge of the survey note that as Norwegians' fear of war grows, so does their support for Ukraine. In total, 55.8% of respondents want to provide much more or slightly more aid than Norway currently provides. The current level of support is satisfactory for 23%, and only 4.2% want to stop any support. Background: This month, the Norwegian Intelligence Service warned that it expects Russian sabotage in 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
