FlashFeed

Full text

X-Bow Systems, a company that made its name making solid rocket motors and small space-launch vehicles, has unveiled a new low-cost drone interceptor, named Buckler. The interceptor promises high-speed and a unit cost of less than $100,000, a price point that has only been approached by drone-like systems , not modern supersonic missiles.

The Buckler — named after a small shield of the Medieval and Renaissance eras — is designed to defeat Group 3 drones. As we have explained before , under the U.S. military categorization system, Group 3 is a very broad middle tier of drones that covers designs that weigh anywhere from 56 to 1,320 pounds and can fly at up to 18,000 feet, at speeds of 250 knots or less.

Iran’s now-infamous Shahed-136 long-range one-way attack drone, variants and derivatives of which are now in service in Russia and with several Iranian-backed proxies, falls into the Group 3 category.

A view inside a Russian factory producing versions of the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. Russian state media

While optimized for bringing down drones, the Buckler can also engage other aerial threats, including subsonic cruise missiles, under certain conditions. This is especially relevant as newer Shahed-derived designs, and many other long-range one-way attack munitions, increasingly blur the line between drones and low-end cruise missiles through the adoption of jet propulsion and higher-altitude flight profiles. Then there is the emerging group of low-cost cruise missiles being adopted in the United States and potential adversaries , as well as existing, more advanced types. Low-flying aircraft and helicopters would also likely be on the menu for this missile, even as a secondary capability.

The high speed of the missile also means that a single Buckler battery can engage targets more rapidly and respond faster over a given range. It also makes it possible for follow-up shots to be taken if an effector misses within a given timeframe.

The Buckler is one of the growing number of responses to the increasing threat of drone-and-missile barrages, which are exposing the limits of legacy air defense models. In conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine , most notably, costly surface-to-air missile effectors are routinely expended, in significant quantities, against far cheaper incoming threats.

For years now, TWZ has been calling attention to the U.S. military’s concerning short-range air defense (SHORAD) gap, especially as drone threats have continued to expand and evolve .

“This is our answer to the call from the U.S. and its allies: affordable capability at scale,” X-Bow Systems’ CEO Jason Hundley told Axios .

“You can’t win a war of attrition trading million-dollar interceptors against thousand-dollar threats,” Hundley added.

The company is relying upon its own solid-rocket motor and propellant, allied with an airframe that’s also made in-house, which it says will bring down costs.

Now witness the power of this fully operational Solid Rocket Motor! The XB-34 is our largest SRM to date—but not for long. Stay tuned for an upcoming test that will set a new record for X-Bow. #MayThe4th —and thrust—be with you. Volume up. #StarWarsDay #SolidRocketMotor #SRM … pic.twitter.com/SuU0Fi3fOQ

— X-Bow Systems (@XBowSystems) May 4, 2026

X-Bow Systems recently notched a successful flight test for the Buckler, the company says, demonstrating its propulsion system and flight characteristics after completing motor static-fire and igniter testing.

According to Axios , the Pentagon has also requested a briefing on the interceptor.

X-Bow is entering one of the fastest-growing segments of the defense industry. The company is already well established as a producer of solid rocket motors and, last year, secured a $105 million investment from Lockheed Martin to expand production and provide propulsion systems and related services.

The startup will now be hoping that the Buckler’s eye-catching price point of less than $100,000 per copy will set it apart among drone interceptors.

By way of comparison, the combat-proven Raytheon Coyote , in its Block 2 configuration, also primarily intended for the counter-drone mission, has a unit price of around $100,000 , based on past reports. AeroVironment’s Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1), which the U.S. Army picked last year to provide an additional layer of defense against longer-range one-way attack drones and other similarly sized uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), has a target unit cost of between $150,000 and $200,000. These are also notably slower and less responsive systems than the Buckler.

Toward the higher end of the scale, the cost of a Stinger short-range surface-to-air missile has historically been put at between $100,000 and $120,000, but reports in recent years have said that current-generation versions, including ones optimized for use against drones , can run up to $400,000 .

In terms of more exquisite SHORAD solutions, the U.S. Army’s Enduring Shield is presently configured to fire AIM-9X Sidewinders , each of which has a price tag around $500,000.

As for the kinds of threats that these effectors are intended to destroy, Shahed-type drones are typically understood to have a unit cost range measured in tens of thousands of dollars .

The Buckler is also intended to bring benefits in terms of speed and scalability of production. This should ensure that production facilities are able to ramp up quickly and, in response to demand, be able to increase the output accordingly. Applying the vertical integration approach, the company says it can address the “industrial-base bottleneck defense leaders cite as the top constraint on scaling interceptors.”

As demand for advanced missile propulsion accelerates, traditional production can’t keep up. Discover how X-Bow is delivering scalable, rapid solutions for urgent national security needs. #TechThisOut with @waltmac pic.twitter.com/nzSbikCz7X

— X-Bow Systems (@XBowSystems) May 7, 2026

Whether Buckler can deliver on its promised combination of performance, affordability, and production scale remains to be seen. But with militaries around the world urgently seeking cheaper ways to counter drones and cruise missiles that are appearing in greater numbers, X-Bow is entering the market at a particularly opportune moment.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

The post X-Bow Unveils Sub-$100K Buckler Supersonic Drone Interceptor appeared first on TWZ .

Full text

Shittleheugh Bastle is a well-preserved 16th-century, Grade II listed example of a fortified two-story farmhouse.

Shittleheugh Bastle was constructed during a period of frequent border conflicts and raids carried out by the much-feared Border Reivers.

The Border Reivers plagued the area between Scotland and England during the 16th and 17th centuries. As a result, many landowners felt the need to fortify their homes to protect themselves, their families, and their livestock. A bastle therefore became a common type of residence found in the dangerous border region.

A bastle served as a secure, fire-resistant home during the period of these conflicts.

Built on a west-facing slope with extensive views of Redesdale, Shittleheugh Bastle gave its inhabitants somewhere safe to retreat when trouble was spotted on the horizon.

Shittleheugh Bastle features 1.2 m thick walls made from stone. The bastle is notable for its high-status, superior design; it is thought that it possibly included an attic and a porch. It measures around 13 m by 6.5 m.

The gables of Shittleheugh Bastle still stand to their full height, and although the building is now without its roof or internal floors, it stands as a testament to the tumultuous history of the region and the defensive measures taken by its inhabitants.

Full text

Halloween might seem like a long way away, but it's never too early to start getting ready, and if you're anything like me, then you can't wait for the weather to start getting cooler, with crisp leaves underfoot and misty mornings. It seems the designers at IKEA agree, because they've already launched a whole set of Kustfyr Halloween decor so you can start preparing for spooky season now.

The new seasonal lights are particularly cute, and I defy anyone not to be charmed by the adorably spooky LED ghost table lamp with its arms raised mid-scare. Pair it with a set of ghostly battery-powered LED string lights for a full themed room.

It wouldn't be Halloween without pumpkins, and you can avoid the mess and hassle of carving a real gourd by picking up one of IKEA's fun pumpkin lamps. The globe-shaped LED pumpkin table lamp is a cute classic, while the matching battery-powered pendant lamp is safe to use outdoors, so you can hang it on your porch when it's time for trick-or-treating.

Want more creepy ways to decorate your home? Check out the full Kustfyr collection , which includes everything from plushies to plates.

Adorably spooky Halloween lights

IKEA

Kustfyr Battery LED Table Lamp - Ghost

IKEA

Kustfyr LED Table Lamp - Pumpkin

IKEA

Kustfyr Battery Pendant Lamp - Pumpkin

IKEA

Kustfyr Lantern for Pillar Candle - Black

IKEA

Kustfyr Battery LED Table Decoration - Pumpkin

IKEA

Kustfyr LED Lighting Chain With 32 Lights - Ghost

IKEA

Kustfyr LED String Light With 12 Lights - Ghost

Full text

Smart has teased the production #2, ahead of its debut this fall.

Model closely echoes the concept, but has been toned down.

Slated to have a 35.7 kWh battery and around 186 miles of range.

The ForTwo used to define Smart , but it faded into the history books as the revamped brand decided to focus on crossovers and their first sedan. However, the company is finally returning to their roots with the electric #2.

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("0f7e3106-c4d6-4db4-8135-c508879a76f8");

} else {

adpushup.triggerAd("82503191-e1d1-435a-874f-9c78a2a54a2f");

}

});

Set to drop at the Paris Motor Show in October, the two-seat city car was previewed by a concept earlier this year. The road-going model closely echoes the show car, but adopts a revised grille and vertical air curtains.

More: Smart’s Smallest EV Just Grew Almost A Foot And Mercedes Is To Blame

Further back, we can see more conventional mirrors and side skirts. They’re joined by traditional door handles and a larger charging port door.

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("89c65a14-4682-4807-a4bb-5436c5361bee");

} else{

adpushup.triggerAd("f25825bd-1260-4574-84ce-2b26e315fad8");

}

});

The rear end has been toned down a bit and there’s a new liftgate with a license plate recess. The production model also has a spoiler and a relatively plain rear bumper.

Smart noted the #2 is currently undergoing “rigorous pre-production testing and validation” to ensure the model offers “unmatched urban agility, driving stability, elevated NVH refinement, and uncompromising safety.” As part of this effort, prototypes have been subjected to a number of “real-world urban challenges,” while engineers have worked to continuously refine the model.

Smart also paid special attention to the tires, as they’ve tested multiple compounds on rough asphalt, grooved concrete, and high-speed straights. Their ultimate goal is to select a tire that has an “optimal balance between low rolling resistance for maximum range and exceptional noise reduction.”

The automaker has previously revealed the #2 will ride on the new Electric Compact Architecture, which has been developed specifically for the EV. The model is targeted to have a 35.7 kWh battery pack that provides around 186 miles (300 km) of range. When it’s low, a DC fast charger can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes.

We also know that the #2 will measure 109.9 inches (2,792 mm) long and have a tight turning circle of 22.8 feet (6.95 meters). This means the new model will be 3.8 inches (97 mm) longer than the second-generation ForTwo.

var adpushup = window.adpushup = window.adpushup || {que:[]};

adpushup.que.push(function() {

if (adpushup.config.platform !== "DESKTOP"){

adpushup.triggerAd("bb7964e9-07de-4b06-a83e-ead35079d53c");

} else {

adpushup.triggerAd("9b1169d9-7a89-4971-a77f-1397f7588751");

}

});

Full text

A common culprit behind severe gum disease may also stiffen and narrow the heart's aortic valve, preliminary research suggests. This may help explain links between gum problems and poor heart health.

Scientists have long linked severe gum disease to inflammation throughout the body and a higher risk of heart problems , including coronary artery disease , which can raise the risk of heart attack. Studies have also found that treating gum disease can improve blood-vessel health.

Now, researchers suggest that Porphyromonas gingivalis , one of the main bacteria involved in severe gum disease, may also contribute to calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), a condition in which calcium builds up in the heart's aortic valve. The findings were presented in July at a meeting of the American Heart Association in Boston and have not been peer-reviewed yet.

Dr. Elena Aikawa , a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the study, said the findings "fit well with our current understanding of calcific aortic valve disease as an active, inflammation-driven disease rather than simply wear and tear of the valve."

Periodontal disease is likely just one contributor among many, rather than the sole cause of CAVD, she added. But the study does identify a biologically plausible pathway linking oral health to heart health that could open new opportunities for prevention and treatment.

How mouth bacteria harm the heart

CAVD affects millions of people worldwide , and there are no approved drugs that slow or stop its progression. As the disease worsens, people may develop fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain, and in severe cases, they often require valve-replacement surgery .

Meanwhile, prior to the new research, it was known that bacteria and inflammatory signals from the mouth can sometimes enter the bloodstream and affect distant tissues, said Richard Lamont , chair of oral immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, who was not involved in the study. Over time, these effects can accrue and gradually reshape how the immune system behaves, he said.

In CAVD, calcium builds up in the aortic valve, which connects the left side of the heart to the large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body. (Image credit: Noctiluxx via Getty Images) P. gingivalis is known to be particularly destructive to gum tissue, causing lots of inflammation, and it's been tied to cardiovascular disease in the past. To see if the bacterium might be directly impacting heart health, researchers at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing looked for P. gingivalis in aortic valve tissue removed during valve-replacement surgery. They compared this diseased tissue to valves that weren't calcified.

The calcified valves contained much higher levels of P. gingivalis DNA and proteins made by the bacterium. " P. gingivalis was about 30 times more abundant in calcified valves than in non-calcified valves," study first author Dr. Chenyang Li , a doctoral candidate at Fuwai Hospital, told Live Science in an email.

To test whether the bacteria might directly contribute to valve damage, Li and colleagues injected live P. gingivalis into the bloodstreams of healthy lab mice. The bacteria reached the animals' aortic valves, triggering inflammation, calcium buildup and narrowing of the valve.

"We were surprised to see valve calcification even in mice without high cholesterol," Li said. "This suggests P. gingivalis may directly contribute to valve disease, beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors."

A comparison group of mice was given antibiotics before the injection and had less bacteria in their aortic valves and slower disease progression. Meanwhile, mice injected with dead P. gingivalis bacteria did not show any changes in their aortic valves.

Related stories

How does plaque cause cavities?

Scientists gave mice flu vaccines by flossing their tiny teeth

'Night owls' may have worse heart health — but why?

The researchers traced the changes in the mice's hearts to interleukin-1 beta, a signalling molecule that normally helps the body fight infections. Exposure to P. gingivalis ramped up the production of this molecule, and in turn, the immune signal switched on genes that pushed healthy valve cells to behave more like bone-building cells, which is a hallmark of CAVD . This switch causes the cells to lay down calcium in the surrounding valve tissue.

When the scientists blocked interleukin-1 beta in some mice, the animals developed much less valve calcification even when the bacteria reached the valve. Lamont said that the mouse experiments strengthen the case that there's a biological mechanism directly linking gum and heart diseases. However, he cautioned that mice have very different oral microbiomes than humans, making it difficult to know whether the exact same process occurs in people.

That said, the team also saw the same pattern in human valve cells grown in the lab. Exposure to P. gingivalis increased inflammation and calcium buildup among the cells, while blocking interleukin-1 beta blunted those effects.

Both Aikawa and Lamont said more research is needed to confirm the relationship in humans. The findings give researchers a new pathway to explore for future treatments, raising questions of whether targeting inflammatory signals like interleukin-1 beta could help slow the progression of this widespread heart disease.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical advice.

What do you know about the body's hardest-working muscle? Find out with our heart quiz!

Full text

The lordship of Kirkcunzeon passed from the Herries family to a minor branch of the Maxwells of Caerlaverock when one of Lord Maxwell's sons married Agnes Herries in 1550. The couple may have built Drumcoltran Tower soon after, but the building history is not clear.

Drumcoltran is an archetypal L-shaped tower house, although unusually it has rounded corners instead of the more common angled corners.

Drumcoltran stands three storeys high and has a garret, with a corbelled parapet at the top. The ground floor would have been a kitchen and storeroom; the first floor would have originally contained the large laird’s hall, heated by a huge fireplace. The hall was later divided and a second fireplace added.

There are amazing views from the parapet at the top! Although the floor of the laird's hall has rotted away, the staircases are still in good condition and a rope is in place to help nervous climbers.

Drumcoltran Tower now sits on the edge of an active farmyard, but it has always had a close association with farming. The Inglis family acquired the tower in 1668 and built the current farmhouse and steading nearby in the 1700s.

Most of the window openings of the tower were enlarged during the 1700s to allow in more light when the tower no longer needed to be so defensible.

The tower housed farm servants until it was abandoned during the 1800s.

Full text

Less than a week after Ubisoft promised that a new Ghost Recon game is coming but probably not anytime soon , the company says it will mark the series' 25 th anniversary in August with some proper news on what's coming next.

"It’s been a while Ghosts!" the announcement excitedly states. "We know some of you saw some updates, we’ll have more to say on the 6th of August when we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Ghost Recon. Intel coming soon."

My initial impression was that this is basically a scaled-down version of last week's big Bethesda blowout : A blast of the hype machine intended, at least in part, to help you forget about all the bad stuff going on, specifically the sweeping layoffs at Xbox that are putting thousands of people out of work.

Obviously an update on the Ghost Recon franchise, whose most recent game is now seven years old and was decidedly not great (although it has gotten better in the years since), doesn't have the hype heft of Fallout 5. But Ubisoft's condition is dire , and sometimes the best gun is the one you can reach.

My second and more lasting impression, however, is one of annoyance, and I'll tell you why. After a few seconds of pondering this Ghost Recon update, I thought to myself, perhaps there will also be news on Splinter Cell! After all, Tom Clancy is Tom Clancy, right? Hard men doing unpleasant things for freedom and stuff. The Ghosts, the Rainbows, the Echelons—it's all Clancyverse underneath, right? And if anyone in that gang is overdue for some attention, it's Team Splinter Cell.

Ah, but they are not all the same, at least not in the way that matters at the moment. I popped around to the Splinter Cell X account and found a Ubisoft 40 th anniversary retweet from earlier in July, a half-dozen 2025 posts (mostly about the Splinter Cell animated series on Netflix), one retweet from 2023, and a relative flurry activity from 2022. I thought for a second that would correspond to the announcement of the Splinter Cell remake, but no: That was actually announced in 2021, believe it or not. (Hint: Believe it .)

The 2022 activity marked the 20 th anniversary of the first Splinter Cell game; it was also the year that remake director David Grivel left Ubisoft for "a new adventure." He's had enough time since then to work on Battlefield 6, then return to Ubisoft and resume directorship on the Splinter Cell remake.

In that same stretch we've also seen Netflix make its Splinter Cell cartoon without Michael Ironside , the Splinter Cell movie starring Tom Hardy get cancelled , and Ubisoft making everyone mad by posting the wrong picture of Sam Fisher , which I genuinely think was intentional because at this point it's clear that Ubisoft just gets off on screwing with us.

Of course, this isn't a problem unique to Splinter Cell. Consider the Sands of Time remake, which was cancelled after six years of futility, or Skull and Bones, which came out six years late , or Beyond Good and Evil 2, which will soon celebrate 20 years of non-existence . Timeliness just isn't Ubisoft's strong suit, which is how we got here—"here" being the recent announcement of a "quieter year" in Ubisoft releases before things start happening in 2027-28—in the first place.

One possible spot of good news, relatively anyway: The 25 th anniversary of the first Splinter Cell game lands on November 18, 2027, about a year and a half from now. Maybe Ubisoft just really digs big anniversaries and has decided that at this point it might as well hold out for a good one before it drops any more Splinter Cell news. So there's something to look forward to. In the meantime, we'll let you know what's cooking in the world of Ghost Recon when it happens.

2026 games : All the upcoming games

Best PC games : Our all-time favorites

Free PC games : Freebie fest

Best FPS games : Finest gunplay

Best RPGs : Grand adventures

Best co-op games : Better together