RABAT - Morocco is set to host an Israeli drone production facility by BlueBird Aero Systems, despite protests against normalization with Israel. BlueBird's CEO, Ronen Nadir, confirmed the establishment of the facility, which is expected to be operational soon.

Israel Aerospace Industries, a major Israeli defense firm owning 50% of BlueBird, has previously collaborated with Morocco, including a $500 million deal in 2022 for an Israeli missile defense system. Recent developments also include a memorandum of understanding in aeronautics between the two nations, indicating deeper strategic and economic cooperation.

Despite domestic opposition and ongoing regional tensions, particularly concerning Western Sahara, Morocco continues to strengthen its military ties with Israel, evidenced by its plans to enhance its drone capabilities and other military assets. This move is part of Morocco's broader strategy to maintain strong defense capabilities amid its conflict with Algeria and the Polisario Front.

Source: The New Arab
Associated URL: https://www.newarab.com/news/morocco-host-israeli-drone-site-amid-anti-israel-uproar

JERUSALEM - A Hebrew media report alleges that Israel used a locally-developed air-to-surface missile, dubbed The Rampage, in an overnight attack on a military base near Isfahan, Iran. According to the Kan broadcaster, The Rampage, identifiable from photos, matches the damage observed at the site. This 15-foot missile, capable of supersonic speeds, challenges detection and interception by systems like the Iron Dome.

Israel has not officially commented, while Iran contends the attack involved only three small drones. Unveiled in 2018, The Rampage is designed to penetrate protected areas such as bunkers. The New York Times reported that a similar high-tech missile was used in a separate alleged Israeli strike on Iranian air defenses near the Natanz nuclear site, suggesting a strategic move to deter Iran from further attacks.

Source: The Times of Israel
Associated URL: https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/report-israel-used-air-to-surface-missile-called-the-rampage-in-iran-attack/

LONDON -- Rolls-Royce has been awarded a $1 million contract to develop an Advanced Closed Brayton Cycle converter for NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Over the 12-month contract period, Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks will provide a preliminary design of a closed-cycle Brayton power conversion system for next-generation space-based nuclear microreactors.

The goal of the effort is to provide electricity from a small nuclear reactor heat source for surface power production for lunar and Mars environments.

Source: https://www.rolls-royce.com
Associated URL: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20100026654/downloads/20100026654.pdf