🛫 US’ rapid weapon integration milestone, Google’s next-gen Taara chip, AI-driven robots to modernize US power plants

The U.S. Air Force is exploring the use of the Harpoon anti-ship missile on its F-16s, signaling a potential shift in its approach to naval warfare.

The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 3 demonstrated the crucial ability to rapidly integrate new weapons by conducting an operational taxi test with a U.S. Navy Harpoon missile on an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Instead of taking years, this test proved that weapons integration can be accelerated without costly aircraft modifications, allowing leaders to rapidly deploy advanced weaponry, outpace adversaries, and enhance operational flexibility across multiple platforms. Let's take a closer look at this Must Read.

Today’s job of the day as featured on jobs.interestingengineering.com:

> Data Engineer- AI Trainer

Reading Time: 4 mins

Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? Subscribe here.

MUST-READ

🛫 US’ rapid weapon integration milestone bolsters F-16 attack with Harpoon missile

The test team employed a gateway system to link the Harpoon missile with the F-16, enabling seamless communication without modifying either platform. Acting as a translator, the system allowed the jet to recognize the missile and transmit commands. This approach streamlined integration and reduced the time needed to equip the aircraft with new weapon capabilities.

“Our primary objective was to demonstrate that rapid weapons integration on U.S. Air Force platforms can be achieved efficiently by modifying middleware, without necessitating extensive updates to the aircraft itself. This test paves the way for future projects across various platforms and weapons systems, offering leaders expanded options for operational and contingency planning,” explained the chief project manager for rapid integration.

⚡ Google’s next-gen Taara chip delivers internet at speed of light without cables

Google has released more information about its highly anticipated Taara high-speed, light internet chip. Promising to deliver speeds of up to 20Gbps per second, this new chip could redefine how we all connect and use the internet.

X, Alphabet’s moonshot factory, has been developing the Taara chip for many years. Now, with this new silicon photonic chip, all that hard work has finally paid off.

Alphabet explains that this chip can transmit data through the air using beams of light. The new chip is a significant improvement over its predecessor, namely that it has dispensed with the need for a complicated series of mirrors and other light direction-changing hardware.

🤖 AI-driven robots to modernize US power plants as part of $100M partnership

Gecko, a company that develops AI-driven robotics platforms, and NAES, the biggest independent power operator in the United States, have entered into a strategic partnership to improve the efficiency and dependability of power plants.

In light of the national energy emergency that was declared on January 20, the multi-year arrangement, initially valued at over $100 million with the potential to expand beyond $250 million, intends to update electricity infrastructure.

The collaboration uses AI and robotics to optimize operations and address growing energy demands nationwide. “The energy demand will grow substantially over the next five to ten years, and we need to be smarter about how technology can support our workforce and infrastructure to deliver this,” said Mark Dobler, President and CEO of NAES, in a statement.

Love what you're reading, but too many emails? Sign up to IE+ to get Blueprint Weekly, our exclusive weekly premium newsletter that gives all the insights you love in a more digestible weekly format– plus, enjoy an Ad-Free experience on our website. Try IE+ today for just $1 in the first month. Subscribe here

HOT TOPICS OF THE DAY

SCIENCE

> Quantum computers will soon be able to breach digital security. Experts say it’s high time for financial institutions to invest in quantum-resistant encryption. (More)

>Launched as part of NASA’s CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign, the Blue Ghost lander carried a suite of NASA science and technology payloads to Mons Latreille, a vast basin on the moon’s northeast quadrant. (More)

> Kolmar Korea Develops World's First 'Hybrid Sunscreen' Combining Organic and Inorganic Ingredients. (More)

ENERGY

> A Germany-based world leader in nuclear steam turbine technology is set to bolster Rolls-Royce’s small reactor reactors (SMR). (More)

> Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in the field of sustainable lithium extraction, which is a crucial component of the electric vehicle industry. (More)

> The federal government will provide $500 million in funding and set "ambitious" targets to use locally-made steel and aluminum in renewable projects, including offshore wind. (More)

INNOVATION

> A new biosensor uses an enzyme-based biofuel cell, antibodies called aptamers, and a bacterial elimination mechanism to make water decontamination faster and easier. (More)

> Kratos and RAFAEL will establish a new, state-of-the-art energetics manufacturing campus and facilities. (More)

> The humanoid robot rental business is gaining steam in China as these complex artificial machines spark significant interest across industries and consumer markets. A quick search on major e-commerce and second-hand platforms reveals a growing number of vendors offering humanoid robot rentals, ranging from 2,500 yuan ($344) to 100,000 yuan per day. (More)

VIDEO

> Renewable energy’s rise brings a challenge: storage. What happens when the sun isn’t shining, or the wind isn’t blowing? (More)

> A video of a humanoid robot has gone viral for seemingly attacking a crowd of people. However, is this actually as it seems or was there something else going on? (More)

FROM THE WEB

> Submerged Roman villa emerges in Lake Fusaro

> China’s cold-seep research facility to enhance study of deep-sea science in South China Sea

> Lead-208's doubly magic nucleus defies expectations with surprising shape properties

> Scientists find genetic link between Attila’s Huns and empire that fought Han China

> Nordex wind turbine collapses in 'bizarre' circumstances

> Archaeology breakthrough as 'Lost City of Gold' found in Egypt after 3,000 years