Matt Bennett-Blacklock
@t3hbb.bsky.social
Drones, UAS and C-UAS, tech, electronics, radio, embedded, science and engineering. Occasional amateur astronomy stuff.
Jet sea planes are cool
January 17, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Jet sea planes are cool
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
King Charles posted a wonderful message to Ukrainians, to mark the end of the first year of the UK's 100-year agreement with Ukraine.
#SlavaUkraïni
#SlavaUkraïni
January 17, 2026 at 8:58 AM
King Charles posted a wonderful message to Ukrainians, to mark the end of the first year of the UK's 100-year agreement with Ukraine.
#SlavaUkraïni
#SlavaUkraïni
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Renee Good had two gunshots wounds to the right side of her chest, one to her left forearm, and a possible fourth on the left side of her head, according to a fire department report released Thursday along with police reports and 911 transcripts.
talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo...
talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo...
Renee Good Suffered Multiple Gunshot Wounds
COMING UP SOON! We’re hosting our first Morning Memo Live event on...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Renee Good had two gunshots wounds to the right side of her chest, one to her left forearm, and a possible fourth on the left side of her head, according to a fire department report released Thursday along with police reports and 911 transcripts.
talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo...
talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo...
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Zelensky says Russia continues to drag out agreed prisoner exchanges, from a 1,000-person swap to 500 and even an "all for all" deal, and that only stronger pressure on Moscow can unblock the process.
January 16, 2026 at 3:57 PM
Zelensky says Russia continues to drag out agreed prisoner exchanges, from a 1,000-person swap to 500 and even an "all for all" deal, and that only stronger pressure on Moscow can unblock the process.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Latest news article:
Royal Navy takes step towards hybrid air wing with first flight of Proteus RWUAS
www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-t...
Royal Navy takes step towards hybrid air wing with first flight of Proteus RWUAS
www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-t...
January 16, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Latest news article:
Royal Navy takes step towards hybrid air wing with first flight of Proteus RWUAS
www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-t...
Royal Navy takes step towards hybrid air wing with first flight of Proteus RWUAS
www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-t...
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
❗️🇺🇦 Concrete sarcophagi preserve transformers even after 20 hits by Shaheds, - Shmyhal
According to him, the passive second-level protection at Ukrainian substations (which is built on the vast majority of them) preserves transformers even after 20 hits by Shaheds and even withstood missile hits.
According to him, the passive second-level protection at Ukrainian substations (which is built on the vast majority of them) preserves transformers even after 20 hits by Shaheds and even withstood missile hits.
January 16, 2026 at 11:22 AM
❗️🇺🇦 Concrete sarcophagi preserve transformers even after 20 hits by Shaheds, - Shmyhal
According to him, the passive second-level protection at Ukrainian substations (which is built on the vast majority of them) preserves transformers even after 20 hits by Shaheds and even withstood missile hits.
According to him, the passive second-level protection at Ukrainian substations (which is built on the vast majority of them) preserves transformers even after 20 hits by Shaheds and even withstood missile hits.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Every power station in Ukraine has been attacked, Energy Minister Shmyhal says. The worst situation is in Kyiv, Odesa region, and front-line communities.
January 16, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Every power station in Ukraine has been attacked, Energy Minister Shmyhal says. The worst situation is in Kyiv, Odesa region, and front-line communities.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
British aviation history was made this week as Leonardo's Proteus, the UK’s first truly autonomous full-size helicopter, completed its maiden flight from Predannack airfield on the Lizard Peninsula.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britains-new...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britains-new...
Britain;s new drone helicopter takes first flight
British aviation history was made this week as Leonardo's Proteus, the UK’s first truly autonomous full-size helicopter, completed its maiden flight from Predannack airfield on the Lizard Peninsula.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 11:31 AM
British aviation history was made this week as Leonardo's Proteus, the UK’s first truly autonomous full-size helicopter, completed its maiden flight from Predannack airfield on the Lizard Peninsula.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britains-new...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/britains-new...
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Antarctica’s Gamburtsev mountain range is the size of the Alps — but if you walked over it you wouldn’t know it existed, bc It’s buried beneath more than a half-mile of ice.
The average thickness of the ice covering the continent is 1.5 miles… yet the South Pole gets just 12” of snow yearly ❄️
The average thickness of the ice covering the continent is 1.5 miles… yet the South Pole gets just 12” of snow yearly ❄️
January 16, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Antarctica’s Gamburtsev mountain range is the size of the Alps — but if you walked over it you wouldn’t know it existed, bc It’s buried beneath more than a half-mile of ice.
The average thickness of the ice covering the continent is 1.5 miles… yet the South Pole gets just 12” of snow yearly ❄️
The average thickness of the ice covering the continent is 1.5 miles… yet the South Pole gets just 12” of snow yearly ❄️
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
A downed Russian BM-35 “Italmas” kamikaze UAV has been recovered with a Starlink terminal installed, giving operators FPV-style control over satellite link rather than pre-programmed autonomous guidance. This is a serious escalation and raises questions about the effectiveness of geofencing.
#OSINT
#OSINT
January 16, 2026 at 11:48 AM
A downed Russian BM-35 “Italmas” kamikaze UAV has been recovered with a Starlink terminal installed, giving operators FPV-style control over satellite link rather than pre-programmed autonomous guidance. This is a serious escalation and raises questions about the effectiveness of geofencing.
#OSINT
#OSINT
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Military expert Serhii "Flash" reports that the first case has been recorded in Ukraine of a Russian BM-35 UAV being controlled via Starlink, which would provide greater resistance to electronic warfare and improved targeting accuracy.
January 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Military expert Serhii "Flash" reports that the first case has been recorded in Ukraine of a Russian BM-35 UAV being controlled via Starlink, which would provide greater resistance to electronic warfare and improved targeting accuracy.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Robert Jenrick becomes the latest Tory Cabinet minister to stand up at a Reform event and say the country is in an appalling state. You have no idea of the self-control required not to yell: "YOU WERE IN FKING GOVERNMENT!"
January 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Robert Jenrick becomes the latest Tory Cabinet minister to stand up at a Reform event and say the country is in an appalling state. You have no idea of the self-control required not to yell: "YOU WERE IN FKING GOVERNMENT!"
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Interception of a Russian jet-powered Shahed armed with an R-60 air-to-air missile. This is the third known intercepted Shahed with an air-to-air missile, all three were downed by STING interceptor drone.
January 15, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Interception of a Russian jet-powered Shahed armed with an R-60 air-to-air missile. This is the third known intercepted Shahed with an air-to-air missile, all three were downed by STING interceptor drone.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
🚨"The digital tanks are already here": A Russian cyberattack almost caused a blackout in Poland at the end of December.
Multiple electricity producers were attacked at the same time as weather conditions made the situation more difficult.
More of these seem likely in 2026.
Multiple electricity producers were attacked at the same time as weather conditions made the situation more difficult.
More of these seem likely in 2026.
January 14, 2026 at 8:38 AM
🚨"The digital tanks are already here": A Russian cyberattack almost caused a blackout in Poland at the end of December.
Multiple electricity producers were attacked at the same time as weather conditions made the situation more difficult.
More of these seem likely in 2026.
Multiple electricity producers were attacked at the same time as weather conditions made the situation more difficult.
More of these seem likely in 2026.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Why AI generated images are going to damage quality defence reporting
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Why AI generated images are going to damage quality defence reporting
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
AI slop is being used by ‘quality’ and ‘fanboy’ defence blogs and news websites as well as mainstream media. It’s terrible news!
A rant 🧵
“the drone’s communication system enables stable operations under Russian EW suppression. Crews “maintain the link with the drone and receive a clear video feed” even in zones where other UAVs fail.”
Ukraine reports record combat performance of Pegasus Arms 25 strike drones
defence-blog.com/ukraine-repo...
defence-blog.com/ukraine-repo...
Ukraine reports record combat performance of Pegasus Arms 25 strike drones
Pegasus Arms has released detailed operational results for its Pegasus Arms 25 heavy strike drone, confirming that Ukrainian forces used the platform in more than a thousand engagements throughout 202...
defence-blog.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:50 AM
“the drone’s communication system enables stable operations under Russian EW suppression. Crews “maintain the link with the drone and receive a clear video feed” even in zones where other UAVs fail.”
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Military communications expert "Flash" reports that cases of Shahed drones dropping PTM-3 mines are being documented in Ukraine. The drones are mining both specific areas and territories near their crash sites.
January 12, 2026 at 12:43 PM
Military communications expert "Flash" reports that cases of Shahed drones dropping PTM-3 mines are being documented in Ukraine. The drones are mining both specific areas and territories near their crash sites.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Europe needs to think the unthinkable on Nato ft.trib.al/pNjQeyP | opinion
Europe needs to think the unthinkable on Nato
Conflict over Greenland could destroy the transatlantic alliance, requiring a new European security treaty to replace it
ft.trib.al
January 12, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Europe needs to think the unthinkable on Nato ft.trib.al/pNjQeyP | opinion
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
“So, no longer speak about “aiding” Ukraine. The Ukrainians are aiding Europeans and Americans by fighting for their survival. We owe them our gratitude, not the other way around.”
By @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
By @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
January 12, 2026 at 9:22 AM
“So, no longer speak about “aiding” Ukraine. The Ukrainians are aiding Europeans and Americans by fighting for their survival. We owe them our gratitude, not the other way around.”
By @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
By @phillipspobrien.bsky.social
phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/weekend-up...
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
Kryvyi Rih - look how low the "mopeds" fly, in the middle of the day. It's purely to terrify citizens.
Also now reports Ballistic missiles may have been fired from Crimea.
Also now reports Ballistic missiles may have been fired from Crimea.
January 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Kryvyi Rih - look how low the "mopeds" fly, in the middle of the day. It's purely to terrify citizens.
Also now reports Ballistic missiles may have been fired from Crimea.
Also now reports Ballistic missiles may have been fired from Crimea.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
The BBC:
❗️The UK government found legal grounds that can possibly be used to allow UK military to board and detain vessels of shadow fleets.
The Sanctions and Money Laundering Act from 2018 can provide the foundation to approve the use of military force.
❗️The UK government found legal grounds that can possibly be used to allow UK military to board and detain vessels of shadow fleets.
The Sanctions and Money Laundering Act from 2018 can provide the foundation to approve the use of military force.
January 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
The BBC:
❗️The UK government found legal grounds that can possibly be used to allow UK military to board and detain vessels of shadow fleets.
The Sanctions and Money Laundering Act from 2018 can provide the foundation to approve the use of military force.
❗️The UK government found legal grounds that can possibly be used to allow UK military to board and detain vessels of shadow fleets.
The Sanctions and Money Laundering Act from 2018 can provide the foundation to approve the use of military force.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
🇺🇦 Military engineers have discovered that 🇷🇺 forces are now wiring Starlink satellite terminals on their drones with explosive traps, raising concerns over the safety of capturing such equipment & the increasing use of Western technology by 🇷🇺 troops
#Ukraine #Russia
united24media.com/latest-news/...
#Ukraine #Russia
united24media.com/latest-news/...
January 12, 2026 at 8:29 AM
🇺🇦 Military engineers have discovered that 🇷🇺 forces are now wiring Starlink satellite terminals on their drones with explosive traps, raising concerns over the safety of capturing such equipment & the increasing use of Western technology by 🇷🇺 troops
#Ukraine #Russia
united24media.com/latest-news/...
#Ukraine #Russia
united24media.com/latest-news/...
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
**New Article**
Russian Geran-5 low-cost cruise missile. www.hisutton.com/Russian-Gera...
Somewhere between the Shahed (Geran-2) and the Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo.
Russian Geran-5 low-cost cruise missile. www.hisutton.com/Russian-Gera...
Somewhere between the Shahed (Geran-2) and the Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo.
January 11, 2026 at 1:09 PM
**New Article**
Russian Geran-5 low-cost cruise missile. www.hisutton.com/Russian-Gera...
Somewhere between the Shahed (Geran-2) and the Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo.
Russian Geran-5 low-cost cruise missile. www.hisutton.com/Russian-Gera...
Somewhere between the Shahed (Geran-2) and the Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
A breathtaking scene of glowing light pillars created as streetlights bounce off floating ice crystals in –30°C cold.
January 10, 2026 at 7:25 AM
A breathtaking scene of glowing light pillars created as streetlights bounce off floating ice crystals in –30°C cold.
Reposted by Matt Bennett-Blacklock
‼️ GUR: In early 2026, the Russians first flew the new Geran-5 jet-powered UAV.
The UAV is approximately 6 meters long, with a 5.5-meter wingspan and a warhead weight of 90 kg.
An airborne version is also being developed, specifically for launches from the Su-25, and equipped with R-73 missiles.
The UAV is approximately 6 meters long, with a 5.5-meter wingspan and a warhead weight of 90 kg.
An airborne version is also being developed, specifically for launches from the Su-25, and equipped with R-73 missiles.
January 11, 2026 at 8:54 AM
‼️ GUR: In early 2026, the Russians first flew the new Geran-5 jet-powered UAV.
The UAV is approximately 6 meters long, with a 5.5-meter wingspan and a warhead weight of 90 kg.
An airborne version is also being developed, specifically for launches from the Su-25, and equipped with R-73 missiles.
The UAV is approximately 6 meters long, with a 5.5-meter wingspan and a warhead weight of 90 kg.
An airborne version is also being developed, specifically for launches from the Su-25, and equipped with R-73 missiles.