The Pentagon said Monday that AeroVironment Inc's Switchblade-600 loitering munition was the first weapon to be publicly confirmed to be part of the Replicator initiative, which aims to rapidly deploy thousands of military drones. The Switchblade-600 has gained notoriety because the Ukrainian military is using it to strike Russian troops. In an effort to enhance the U.S. military's autonomous and uncrewed capabilities, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks kicked off the $1 billion Replicator idea in August.
The referee for Monday’s Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United will wear a camera on his head for a program that will be broadcast later this year offering an insight into the demands of being a match official. The league said the head-mounted device — or “RefCam” as it is being called — worn by Jarred Gillett at Selhurst Park will be integrated into the referee’s usual communications system. The technology is being used on a one-off basis, the league said, as part of filming for a short program promoting match officials.
A Warrenton officer fired in March during excessive-force probe continues to work for nearby North Carolina town.