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The U.S. marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Events will honor those lost, at a time when Americans are divided about the meaning and legacy of the terrorist attacks.

(Image credit: Mario Tama)

After 9/11, thousands of rescue and cleanup crews went to work at ground zero. They were exposed to toxic debris and experienced psychological trauma. Today, many say they live in fear of deportation.

(Image credit: Nate Langston Palmer for NPR)

The two day Republican convention in Dallas showcased the party's biggest asset in trying to win competitive midterm races and its greatest obstacle: President Trump.

(Image credit: Alex Brandon)

For decades, the U.S. and Canadian auto supply chains have been tightly woven together. The trade war is threatening to unravel a complex system.

(Image credit: Cole Burston)

In the Oscar-winning filmmaker's latest documentary, director Alex Gibney investigates the rise of Elon Musk and says what's behind Musk's success are distressing truths.

(Image credit: Andrew Harnik)

The Trump administration declined this week to terminate TPS for Salvadorans, even though it has done so for people from other countries like Haiti and Syria. But it also hasn't said whether it will extend the protection in the future.

(Image credit: Alex Wong)

President Trump's tariff standoff with Canada is rankling some key voters ahead of this year's midterm elections.

(Image credit: Paul Sancya)

Keep CRM data accurate, complete, and usable with better standards, enrichment, governance, validation, and ongoing quality monitoring.

The post CRM Data Management: Best Practices for Cleaner Revenue Data appeared first on TechRepublic.

A Houthi advance along Yemen's Red Sea coast could help push gas prices up even more as the Iran-backed group also launches attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities

(Image credit: STR)

The activists were sentenced to about 5 to 7 years in prison in a case widely seen as a barometer of the city's eroding freedoms as Beijing clamps down on dissent.

(Image credit: Kin Cheung)

The rebel group took over Yemen's port of Mokha, an area vital to controlling shipping through the Red Sea, Houthi and Yemeni officials said. Mokha is about 50 miles from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

(Image credit: STR)

Here are hints and the answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle No. 718 for Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Trump Mobile’s T1 phone now costs $749, echoing price hikes across other phone retailers.

• Boeing receives $12.68 million investment to update the MQ-25's RF blanker, encrypted storage, and mission computer security, running through November 2029
• The change is a recent one: the Navy's April 2026 acquisition report lists refueling as the MQ-25's primary mission and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as secondary, with no electronic warfare requirement and only two key performance parameters
• An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility hardware that stops an aircraft's own transmitters from deafening its receivers, allowing it to conduct EW more effectively

A single line buried in a recent US Department of War contract announcement is being read across multiple channels as the Navy's first carrier-based drone acquiring multiple electronic warfare upgrades.

The details, however, seem to focus on the defensive side of the spectrum and include a Radio Frequency Blanker Unit and an updated Encrypted Mass Storage System carrying an embedded Data Transfer System.

The modification also provides an option for deficiency analysis and corrections, supporting security assessments of the aircraft's Mission Management System Computer.

Why do these upgrades matter?

The most important upgrade for the MQ-25 Stingray, arguably, is its RF Blanker. An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility equipment. When an aircraft carries several transmitters and sensitive receivers within a few meters of each other, a transmitter firing at full power can deafen or damage a nearby receiver operating in an overlapping band.

A blanker fixes that by taking a blanking request from each transmitter and issuing a suppression pulse to the affected receivers for the duration of the transmission, as GE Aerospace describes. For a drone that could also house sophisticated EW capabilities in the future, this is essentially a prerequisite.

The Navy's Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 21, 2026, offers a relatively narrow scope for the drone for now; however, it states that the MQ-25 conducts aerial refueling as its primary mission and provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capability as a secondary mission.

It is fairly possible that the upgrades are purely defensive, to prevent rogue players from accessing the drone or knocking it offline with relative ease. In its current capacity, the MQ-25 serves as an unmanned aerial refueling drone for the US Navy, offering capabilities including the ability to carry roughly 14,000 to 16,000 pounds of fuel at a combat radius of 500 nautical miles.

This could change even as the US continues hardening its EW offerings and prepares for potential hostile actors to have the same capabilities it currently harbors. For now, the $12 million invested in what is a $19 billion program is essentially a rounding error at the end of the day.

This sudden investment may signal more to come: Boeing has already pitched a land-based MQ-25 variant with external pylons and marketing language about ISR, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning roles, though the aircraft has no customer yet.

• The US Army has moved TITAN from prototypes into production
• Palantir received $127 million under the latest TITAN contract award
• Anduril secured $65 million for TITAN hardware and integration work

The US Army has shifted its Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN) program from prototype status into full production this week.

Palantir Technologies and Anduril Industries together received a combined $192 million award covering the next production phase.

The Army first selected Palantir back in 2024 to serve as lead contractor for developing this next-generation targeting system for ground forces.

Contract splits work between two defense firms

TITAN was built to streamline how soldiers collect and process data when locating and striking distant targets on the battlefield.

Palantir secured $127 million of the total award and will oversee TITAN's production alongside several supporting partners in the effort.

Those partners include L3 Harris Technologies, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Strategic Technology Consulting and World Wide Technology, each contributing specialized capabilities to the program.

Anduril received the remaining $65 million and will build the hardened, vehicle-mounted units required for field deployment.

Anduril's portion also covers integrating power systems and thermal management components, so TITAN functions reliably in harsh operating conditions.

The program includes two distinct configurations built for different vehicle platforms and mission requirements across Army units.

An advanced version will mount on tactical trucks and can pull data directly from orbital sensor networks overhead.

A simpler basic version is intended for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, giving smaller units similar targeting capability.

Under the current award, contractors must deliver four advanced units and four basic units within eighteen months.

Production ramp builds on existing prototype fleet

These newly ordered units will supplement nine prototype systems the Army already operates and uses in current exercises.

Army officials have indicated they plan to issue further production contracts for TITAN sometime during fiscal year 2027.

The move from prototype to production status marks a milestone for a program meant to modernize how ground troops gather targeting information.

TITAN forms a central piece of the Army's broader push to overhaul aging ground systems across its combat formations.

By linking space-based sensors with vehicle-mounted terminals, the system aims to shorten the time between spotting a target and engaging it.

Whether that translates into a meaningfully faster targeting cycle in real combat conditions remains to be tested at scale.

The involvement of five separate companies alongside Palantir and Anduril suggests the Army is spreading technical risk across multiple vendors.

That approach could either strengthen the program's resilience or complicate coordination as production accelerates toward the 2027 follow-on orders.

For now, the contract signals steady progress rather than a dramatic leap forward for the broader modernization effort.

The scale of future procurement will depend on Army requirements, funding decisions, and how the systems perform during operational evaluation.

Via Defense News

• The US Navy approved Rolls Royce engines for autonomous surface vessels
• The certified engines can support missions lasting up to 30 days
• Series 4000 engines completed two separate 720-hour durability trials

The US Navy has approved Rolls-Royce marine engines for unmanned vessels capable of operating for periods reaching 30 days without crews onboard.

The certification covers mtu Series 4000 and Series 2000 engines following tests examining their suitability for extended autonomous naval missions.

The approval comes as the Navy expands its use of unmanned surface vessels for missions where keeping sailors away from danger remains important.

Rolls Royce engines clear tests for autonomous vessels

The Series 4000 completed two separate 720-hour durability assessments before receiving approval for propulsion and onboard electricity generation duties.

That engine can deliver as much as 4,300 kilowatts for propulsion while providing up to 3,000 kilowatts through its electrical generation system.

The smaller Series 2000 gained approval after component checks and operational trials, allowing it to provide propulsion output reaching 1,939 kilowatts.

Both engine families can now support Navy vessels designed for lengthy missions without requiring people aboard for routine maintenance or repairs.

The certification followed requirements established through the National Defense Authorization Act, which sets conditions governing equipment used within autonomous military platforms.

The Navy has already begun deploying unmanned boats, including Sea Hunter vessels fitted with twin mtu 12V 2000 engines supplied by Rolls Royce.

That deployment gives the newly approved engines a direct connection with the Navy's growing fleet of vessels designed for remote operations.

The company says its propulsion systems have supported naval operations for decades, while newer autonomous missions create different demands for endurance.

“For decades, mtu engines have been trusted to provide reliable, mission ready power for our crews at sea,” said Scott Hanson, vice president of governmental sales at Rolls Royce Power Systems North America.

Longer missions create new demands for naval engines

The ability to keep a vessel operating for 30 days without onboard personnel changes how the Navy can use unmanned surface craft.

Such vessels can remain at sea for extended periods while avoiding the accommodation, support, and immediate safety requirements associated with crewed naval platforms.

Rolls-Royce said the certification gives the Navy additional options as unmanned vessels become part of its wider fleet plans.

The company also supplies propulsion equipment for several unmanned aircraft, including the MQ 4C Triton and MQ 25A Stingray platforms.

Its portfolio also includes engines used by the United States Air Force's RQ 4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft.

The latest approval therefore extends an existing relationship between Rolls Royce and American military programmes into autonomous maritime operations.

The certification does not mean every unmanned vessel using these engines will automatically achieve 30-day endurance during actual missions.

Actual operating duration can vary according to vessel design, speed, weather, payload, fuel capacity, mission demands, and maintenance requirements.

For the Navy, the immediate significance lies in having certified propulsion options for vessels expected to spend longer periods operating without crews.

As more unmanned boats enter service, engine reliability will remain important because failures far from support facilities can impede mission success.

Via The Drone Front

• Ukraine has started European production of its BARS jet-powered strike drone
• The latest BARS configuration reportedly has a 1,000 kilometers range
• BARS can now carry warheads weighing up to 60 kilograms

Ukraine has begun production of its BARS jet-powered strike drone in Europe, and the latest version has a range of 1,000 kilometers.

Production commenced in early September, intending to support higher output as developers continue to modify the drone for different mission needs.

This is a joint effort between Ukraine and Germany, with the first completed drones expected to reach Ukraine's Defense Forces from October 10 2026.

BARS enters European production with longer reach

The arrangement followed an agreement signed July 8 by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Germany is financing the first production stage, while completed systems are intended for use by Ukraine's armed forces.

Engine availability remains a key limitation, since turbojet deliveries currently determine how quickly additional aircraft can leave production.

The BARS jet-powered strike drone can travel above 700 kilometers per hour while carrying a substantial warhead.

However, with several modifications and upgrades, the newest configuration can reportedly travel 1,000 kilometers.

Its maximum warhead weight has also increased substantially, rising from 22.5 kilograms on earlier models to 60 kilograms.

Its design allows developers to alter fuel storage and payload capacity based on the distance required for a particular mission.

Longer missions can use additional internal space for fuel, while shorter flights can devote more room to carrying additional weight.

Developers keep changing the drone and its guidance

BARS has reportedly gone through more than 40 design changes and upgrades since the prototype was developed.

The platform is divided into DeepStrike, MiddleStrike and FrontStrike configurations, covering different mission ranges and operational requirements.

The developer says artificial intelligence now contributes to several stages of the program, including engineering work and the drone's final guidance system.

“We use the tools that AI technologies provide us today, and we do not shy away from them at any level—from development and solving engineering problems to implementing machine vision in our target-guidance systems,” said the BARS developer.

During the final part of its flight, the operator can continue controlling the drone or transfer control to optical guidance.

This expansion of BARS production is a strategically sound move for Ukraine because German financing and supply chain ease pressure on Kyiv's defense budget.

Producing BARS in Europe also shields manufacturing from Russian strikes that have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian defense facilities.

For Germany, this partnership signals a deepening commitment to Ukraine's long-term defense industrial base rather than merely short-term arms transfers.

It strengthens bilateral ties and proves that European backing can translate into real, sustained battlefield capability.

Such a longer-range, heavier-payload drone with AI-assisted guidance raises Moscow's defensive costs by threatening targets deeper behind the front line.

This forces Russian air defenses to stretch across a wider geography, while the joint-production model may set a template for future allied co-production deals.

Via United24media

Here are hints and the answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle No. 718 for Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Elon Musk has been at the heart of promoting various companies throughout the 21st century, with two of his most prominent companies anchored in the notion of mass production. In the case of his infamous clunky and angular Tesla Cybertruck, he encountered several difficulties in bringing the prototype to market.

Planting the seed

Musk was speaking about the rigors of bringing the Cybertruck to life during an appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast.

Quote of the day

This article is part of TechRadar Pro's QOTD project to provide an insight into the minds of the brightest and most recognized figures in the technology industry today and in years gone by. Read the full series here.

Rogan asked how far away Musk was from delivering the vehicle to people, with Musk revealing at the time that the timing was about a month away.

But the prototype was initially unveiled in November 2019. Explaining the delay, the Tesla CEO hinted that the process of manufacturing the vehicle proved much harder than expected given the need for consistency in producing each model.

Rinse and repeat

There's an element of common sense in buying into the idea that making a prototype is much easier than mass-producing a finished version of that product.

Not only is there a much lower tolerance for error, but establishing the supply chain for materials, components, and resources is far more complex. Then there's the economics of it all – ensuring that the cost to produce one vehicle can, at least, be recouped by a customer should there even be a willingness to pay for it.

It's reminiscent of the "production hell" phrasing that Musk has also frequently deployed through the years – especially during a manufacturing crisis between 2017 and 2018. During this time, the Tesla production line became a futuristic and automated process known as the "alien dreadnought" – but this robotic network eventually slowed down manufacturing and prevented Tesla vehicles from being ready on time.

The yeast used won’t brew beer, but it can help brew a building.