launches

May 5 (UPI) — Stratolaunch successfully tested for the second time a fully recoverable uncrewed hypersonic vehicle for the Department of Defense in March, the private contractor and federal agency said Monday.

Stratolaunch, based in the Mojave Desert in California and Nevada, first tested one in December.

Reusable hypersonic flights are the first since the manned X-15 program was scrapped in 1968.

The Stratolaunch Talon-A hypersonic vehicle launched from the twin-fuselage Roc carrier aircraft, flew over the Pacific Ocean and achieved speeds greater than Mach 5 before landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base, DOD said in a news release.

Mach 5 refers to five times the speed of sound, or 3,806 to 7,680 mph.

Roc, named after the griffin-like creature, can carry as much as 500,000 pounds of payload, or more than 33 large elephants. It has a wingspan that stretches 385 feet, larger than any other plane.

The new program is called Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed, or MACH-TB.

“Demonstrating the reuse of fully recoverable hypersonic test vehicles is an important milestone for MACH-TB,” George Rumford, director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center, said. “Lessons learned from this test campaign will help us reduce vehicle turnaround time from months down to weeks.”

It will also help lower costs.

“With the data collected from this second flight, we are able to apply lessons learned to enhance the strength and performance of the Talon-A vehicles,” Stratolaunch CEO Zachary Krevor said. “We’ve now demonstrated hypersonic speed, added the complexity of a full runway landing with prompt payload recovery, and proven reusability. Both flights were great achievements for our country, our company, and our partners.”

MACH-TB provides the Defense Department, other federal agencies, industry and academia “the capability to affordably and rapidly conduct hypersonic experiments and test hypersonic system components,” the release said.

Stratolaunch has a contract to launch five MACH-TB flights, Defense News reported.

Stratolaunch’s mission, according to its website, is to “advance high-speed technology through innovative design, manufacturing, and operation of world-class aerospace vehicles.”

The company was founded in 2011.

“I am in awe of what this team has achieved,” Krevor said. “We’ve executed four incredible Talon-A flights, completed twenty-four Roc flights to date, flew two new supersonic and hypersonic airplanes in a single year, and we are firmly on the path to making hypersonic flight test services a reality.”

Stratolaunch has been making modifications to one of its launch platforms, a modified Boeing 747 jetliner called the Spirit of Mojave.

Before the United States started the program, China and Russia made progress developing and fielding hypersonic systems of their own.

In January, North Korea launched a hypersonic glide at first peak of 61 miles and a second peak of 26 miles, the state-run Korean Central News Agency reported.

The range was estimated at 683 miles.

“The hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region that can affect the security of our state,” said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who oversaw the launch via a monitoring system.

SHOPPERS are racing to pick up a £35 beauty box designed for holidaygoers — and it’s worth over £131.

The limited-edition Beauty Bay set comes with 13 skin, body and haircare products that are ideal for travelling.

Beauty Bay Jet Set Essentials, £35 (was £131.35)

The deal means shoppers are bagging a 73% discount compared to if the products were purchased separately.

Inside the new Jet Set edit, beauty fans will find favourites from Sol de Janeiro, Mario Badescu an d Phillip Kingsley.

It comes with everything you’d need for a weekend away, including shampoo, cleanser, shower gel and SPF, all wrapped up in a handy travel bag.

Sol de Janeiro’s viral Bum Bum Cream is included in the set, which has been a cult favourite for several years now.

The trending body moisturiser has racked up thousands of five-star ratings online.

One reviewer wrote: “Miracle cream! My skin is so soft and silky and smells beyond amazing.”

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Another added: “Fabulous body cream, it goes on like silk and absorbs into the skin so easily.

The smell is gorgeous too. It leaves your skin with a beautiful healthy glow.”

Mario Badescu’s popular facial spray is also inside the beauty box, which works to hydrate and sooth the skin.

The refreshing feeling on the skin is also great for travelling to warmer climates, or for during the UK heatwave.

Every product in the Jet Set Essentials set is under 100ml, so it can all be carried in hand luggage.

Full list of contents:

• By BEAUTY BAY Big Night Out Beauty Bag
• By BEAUTY BAY SPF 50 Face Lotion (50ml)
• Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream (25ml)
• Holika Holika Aloe 92% Shower Gel (55ml)
• Philip Kingsley Frizz Fighting Gloss (20ml)
• Peter Thomas Roth FirmX Glow Sculpt Priming Serum (5ml)
• The Nue Co Barrier Culture Cleanser (15ml)
• Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea (59ml)
• HAIRtamin Gorgeous Growth Scalp Serum (15ml)
• Brushworks Skinny Satin Scrunchies (6 pack)
• Beekman 1802 Mini Bloom Cream (15ml)
• Nudestix Box Mini Magnetic Matte Eye Colour in Fig (2.5g)
• Fable & Mane SahaScalp Amla Serum (14.4ml)

Beauty boxes are a great way to try out new products or stock up on favourites for a discounted price.

Lookfantastic also recently released a travel beauty box, with £105 worth of products for £30.

The Travel Edit also includes a product from Sol de Janeiro, this time a deluxe-size version of the perfume mist.

Products from Boissance, Phillip Kingsley and La Roche-Posay are also inside.

Prime minister of Yemen’s internationally recognised government has resigned amid political turmoil.

Israel has intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, the third such attack by Houthi forces in a 24-hour span, as the United States continues daily attacks on the country.

The Israeli army confirmed on Saturday it had activated air raid sirens across parts of the country following the missile launch.

No injuries or major damage were reported. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it a response to Israeli operations in Gaza.

The Houthis have increasingly targeted Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea, stating that their actions are acts of solidarity with Palestinians as Israel continues its assault on Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The Houthis did not carry out attacks during the Gaza ceasefire earlier this year until Israel blocked all aid into the besieged enclave in early March and followed that with a full resumption of the war.

In the meantime, Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported on Saturday that the US launched two air raids on Yemen’s Kamaran Island and as-Salif district in the port city of Hodeidah.

The new attacks come a day after the same news outlet reported seven US attacks on the Ras Isa oil port in as-Salif district in Hodeidah. Last month, a US strike on the same port killed at least 80 people and wounded 150 in one of the deadliest attacks on the country by US forces.

The US has also ramped up its air campaign in Yemen, launching its most extensive military operations in the Middle East since President Donald Trump assumed office in January.

US forces claim to have struck Houthi positions, however, there have been numerous civilian casualties.

The high civilian toll from US strikes is drawing increasing alarm. The UK-based monitor Airwars reported that between 27 and 55 civilians were killed in March alone. April’s deaths are expected to be higher.

Houthi sources say at least 68 African migrants died in a single overnight strike on Monday, with additional casualties reported around the capital.

Yemen’s prime minister resigns

As the conflict intensifies, political instability is growing within Yemen.

Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, the prime minister of the internationally recognised government, announced his resignation on Saturday, citing persistent challenges, including his inability to reshuffle the cabinet.

Government insiders said a power struggle with Presidential Council leader Rashad al-Alimi triggered Mubarak’s departure.

Within hours of the announcement, the presidential council named Finance Minister Salem Saleh bin Braik as prime minister, according to the state-run SABA news agency. The council also named bin Mubarak as an adviser to the ruling body, without addressing his claims.

Mubarak’s political career has been closely linked to the long-running war in Yemen. He rose to prominence after being abducted by Houthi fighters in 2015 while serving as chief of staff to then-president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

Much of the international community does not recognise the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (supporters of God), even though the armed Iran-aligned group controls most parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and some of the western and northern areas close to Saudi Arabia.

ROBOT drones that can blind Russian radars will fly with RAF jets to protect them on missions.

A new fleet of StormShroud drones will use electronic warfare jammers to “knock out enemy air defences”, the MoD revealed.

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The AI-powered drones – which are made in west Wales and Southampton – have been battle tested in Ukraine.

The UK fleet – which is thought to number about 24 – will be armed with world-class BriteStorm signal jammers that can dazzle enemy radars.

They are designed to spearhead air attacks – flying ahead of the fighter jets to clear a safe path through air defence missiles.

Downing Street said: “The drones offer a step change in capability by using a high-tech BriteStorm signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges, protecting our aircraft and pilots.”

They added: “In revolutionary new tactics, the drones support aircraft like Typhoon and F35 Lightning, by confusing enemy radars and allowing combat aircraft to attack targets unseen.

“This means for the first time, the RAF will benefit from high-end electronic warfare without needing crew to man it, freeing them up for other vital frontline missions.”

RAF chief Sir Rich Knighton said: “This is a seminal moment for the RAF to maintain our advantage in air combat and national security.”

The AI-powered drones will act autonomously, detecting and disrupting enemy air defence networks.

Sir Rich added: “Autonomous collaborative platforms will revolutionise how we conduct a range of missions, from intelligence gathering to strike and logistical support.”

The Storm Shroud is based on a Tekever AR3 drone fitted with an “electronic warfare payload” made by Leonardo UK in Luton.

The RAF said: “Storm Shroud will support RAF F-35B Lightning and Typhoon pilots by blinding enemy radars, which increases the survivability and operational effectiveness of our crewed aircraft.”

The UK has emerged as a world leader in drone technology.

Our drone market generated around £94.66million in 2023 but is predicted to reach as much as £1.5billion by 2031.

Drones are currently used for an array of tasks including surveying buildings, decommissioning nuclear installations, inspecting dangerous structures and providing emergency searches.

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The Royal Mail is even trialling drone delivery in remote areas.

While 84 per cent of budding drone businesses have fewer than 50 employees, analysts Drone Industry Insights said: “The drone market in the UK is among the top in the world, with significant potential for growth.

“The economy in the UK as a whole offers a unique opportunity for the drone industry to thrive, and it has witnessed significant advancements in the use of drones in recent years, particularly in healthcare and delivery.”

Meanwhile, a probe by The Sun on Sunday revealed that combat drones have now become the dominant killer on the battlefields of Ukraine.

Up to 80 per cent of casualties on both sides of the conflict have been caused by what are known by the military as “unmanned air systems”.

The figures from Western officials mean that eight out of ten soldiers being killed and wounded in the conflict are being targeted remotely by devices piloted by young soldiers often miles behind the front line.

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A school leaders’ union says it is taking legal action against Ofsted over proposed changes to the way it inspects schools in England.

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has asked for a judge to review plans for new school report cards, which are due to be introduced in the autumn after Ofsted got rid of its old one or two-word judgements.

Its general secretary, Paul Whiteman, said the plans amounted to “another crude grading system to hang over the heads of leaders”, and should be scrapped.

Ofsted said supporting mental health was an important part of the proposals, and that the union’s legal claims were “plainly untenable”.

The NAHT said it had issued a claim with the High Court for a judicial review on Saturday, as school leaders gathered for its national conference in Harrogate.

The decision comes after the sister of head teacher Ruth Perry, who took her own life after an Ofsted inspection, called for the new system to be delayed.

A letter signed by Prof Julia Waters with more than 30 others last week, including the general secretaries of four teaching unions, warned the changes would “continue to have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of education staff and hence on students’ school experience”.

On Friday, Mr Whiteman told NAHT members: “Following Ruth’s death, we were promised change.

“What we’ve been offered, if you scratch beneath the surface, is more of the same – another crude grading system to hang over the heads of leaders.”

Mr Whiteman said school leaders embraced accountability, but said it was “utter nonsense” that Ofsted’s proposed model was the only viable way to assess schools.

He called on Ofsted boss Sir Martyn Oliver to “scrap these proposals” and “think again”.

A debate by NAHT representatives on the proposed changes was scheduled to take place on Saturday, the second day of the union’s conference.

Ofsted’s report cards are set to assess key aspects of each school, including quality of education, behaviour and attendance, personal development, and leadership and management.

There will be five possible grades for each area:

• causing concern
• attention needed
• secure
• strong
• exemplary

A separate part of the report card will say whether the school’s duties around safeguarding have been met.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the new system will provide “rich, granular insight” to help deliver “tailored” support for struggling schools.

Ofsted’s consultation on the changes ended this week.

An Ofsted spokesperson said: “Supporting the mental health of those we inspect is an important part of the development of our proposals and we are already hearing positive feedback through our inspection tests.

“Our legal team have responded robustly to NAHT. Their suggested claims are plainly untenable. If legal action is launched, we will resist and seek costs.”