🛩️ China claims new radar penetrated toughest US jamming jet, first direct evidence of lava tube on moon found, 100 lorries would need 15 years to clear 40 million tons of Gaza debris

INTERESTING ENGINEERING SHOP

Chinese researchers have revealed how the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy’s ‘kill web’ was able to defeat the U.S. Navy’s EA-18G “Growler” electronic warfare (EW) systems. Highlighted in a peer-reviewed paper published last month, the scientists explained how artificial intelligence (AI) played a crucial role.

This news comes six months after PLA officers onboard a Type 055 destroyer were honored as a “role model of the times” for their actions against a U.S. aircraft carrier fleet. Chinese media showed footage of two U.S. jets buzzing the Nanchang, one widely believed to be an EA-18G “Growler.”

 For more on this development, check out today’s Must-Read.

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> Applied Cybersecurity Engineer, Principal
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🛩️ China claims new radar penetrated toughest US jamming jet in South China Sea

Videos released by China show that the EA-18G may have adopted a combat mode known as jamming-while-accompanying, creating a formation with other warplanes and conducting noise jamming or releasing strong signals of dense, false targets to blind the Nanchang.

However, the radar system on Nanchang continued to operate normally and locked onto the main targets of the U.S. fleet. A commander on the Nanchang later told state media that the U.S. planes and ships backed off shortly after they opened the protective covers of the vertical launching system (VLS).

Manufactured by Boeing, the “Growler” is an EW aircraft primarily used for electronic jamming. Based on the F/A-18 “Super Hornet,” it can be loaded with various EW systems to suppress enemy reconnaissance and communication signals in all frequency bands and all directions with high power.

🌕 First direct evidence of underground lava tube on Moon’s surface found

For more than 50 years, scientists have speculated about hidden lava caves on the Moon.

Thanks to an international team led by the University of Trento, Italy, scientists have the first-ever confirmation of a lava tube in the lunar subsurface.

Lava tubes are a fascinating volcanic feature. These underground tunnels are produced by lava that formerly flowed across the moon’s surface. The outer layer cooled and formed first, functioning as a shell. Meanwhile, the molten rock within continued to flow before draining away. This procedure left a hollow, extended chamber under the surface.

🇵🇸 UN: 100 lorries may need 15 years to clear 40 million tons of Gaza debris

A UN assessment has found that it would take a fleet of over one hundred lorries 15 years to clear nearly 40 million tonnes of rubble from Gaza, with the operation costing between $500 million (£394 million) and $600 million.

The assessment highlights the enormous challenge of rebuilding the Palestinian territory after an extensive Israeli offensive that caused widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.

Published last month by the UN Environment Programme, the assessment revealed that 137,297 buildings in Gaza were damaged, accounting for more than half of the total buildings in the area. Of these, over a quarter were completely destroyed, about 10% were severely damaged, and a third were moderately damaged.

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