The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $22 million contract through the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane to advance the Growing Additive Manufacturing Maturity for Airbreathing Hypersonics (GAMMA-H) program. This initiative aims to develop a prototype solution for manufacturing hypersonic weapon components.

The GAMMA-H program is a key part of the DoD’s strategy to enhance additive manufacturing processes, ensuring they can meet the stringent propulsion performance and environmental requirements of modern hypersonic airbreathing systems. Traditional manufacturing methods have struggled to achieve the complex geometries needed for advanced hypersonic weapons, making additive manufacturing a promising, cost-effective alternative.

French company Seabike has developed a unique swimming device that harnesses your leg power to propel you through water at remarkable speeds. This crank-driven pusher prop, resembling an underwater unicycle, promises an exhilarating aquatic experience.

The concept behind this “underwater mobility device” is straightforward. You adjust the Seabike’s pole to the desired length and secure it to your waist with a belt. Then, you place your feet on the pedals and start cranking, using the waist strap for support. This action drives a propeller, roughly 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter, propelling you through the water with the smooth grace of a cruising dugong.

In a remarkable feat of engineering, six aircraft, including an 8-pound personnel recovery system, were assembled within a mere 22.5 hours before their launch. This innovative method was spearheaded by the Air Force Center for Strategy and Technology’s Blue Horizons mission, a visionary think-tank dedicated to advocating unconventional strategies to meet tactical demands.

The driving force behind this project was the three-person Black Phoenix crew, selected from among the five teams concluding year-long Blue Horizons fellowships. Their focus centered on the rapid adaptation of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), their technology, and payloads to suit diverse operational environments.

In recent years, the spotlight on bioengineered plants and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has intensified, particularly concerning their implications for food production and food security. Yet, amidst the media fervor, there persists a notable lack of public awareness regarding the intricacies of bioengineered plants and the spectrum of advantages and disadvantages associated with genetic modification.

Traditionally, household plants such as the Marble Queen Pothos have been celebrated for their modest air-purifying capabilities. However, their efficacy has been constrained, often necessitating a substantial number of plants to make a tangible impact on indoor air quality.