Darkstar November

1/2 I guess it's time for Telegram to have a channel dedicated on the South China Sea territorial disputes and the ever-increasing Chinese aggression. So I made one!

9 April 1997. Production Lockheed F-22 Raptor model, a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology, was unveiled at Lockheed Georgia Co., Marietta, Georgia.

A hacker using the alias “FlamingChina” claims to have breached China’s National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin, stealing over 10PB of data spanning aerospace, military research, bioinformatics and fusion simulations, and is offering access for sale in cryptocurrency — CNN

This afternoon, in a clear and deliberate act of bullying, Chinese forces fired flares directly at Philippine Coast Guard Caravan aircraft while we were conducting routine Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) flights over the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG). The provocative incidents occurred specifically at Panganiban Reef and Zamora Reefs, where our PCG aircraft were operating peacefully to monitor maritime activities and ensure the safety of our waters. These reckless and aggressive actions by China represent yet another escalation in their campaign of intimidation and harassment. By targeting unarmed PCG aircraft with flares, Beijing is not only violating established international aviation safety norms and the spirit of regional peace but is also directly endangering the lives of personnel on board. The Chinese forces also issued radio transmissions during the incidents, brazenly claiming “indisputable sovereignty” over these areas—referring to their own illegally reclaimed and militarized bases in the West Philippine Sea. These assertions have no basis in international law, as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal ruling, and serve only to mask China’s expansionist agenda and repeated violations of international law.

3/ Within three months, reclamation has surged & new piers are emerging, satellite imagery analysis indicates the structure now spans nearly 11,000ft with further growth expected

2/ Located in the disputed Paracel chain, roughly 170 miles off China’s southern coast, the site is claimed by China, Vietnam & Taiwan

Once a marginal sandbar, Antelope Reef is now a sprawling construction site, Chinese dredgers continue to circle the feature in the South China Sea, indicating feature could emerge as China’s largest artificial island in the region telegraph.co.uk/world-news/202…

Here Is What Trump’s Gargantuan $1.5T Defense Budget Has In It The U.S. military is pushing to make huge investments in many programs in Fiscal Year 2027, but also some notable cuts. twz.com/air/here-is-wh…

The Pentagon summoned the Pope's ambassador, told him the United States has the military power to do "whatever it wants," and warned that the Church better take its side. They even invoked the Avignon Papacy, a dark chapter in history when a government used military force to bend the Church to its will. So where exactly does this end? If the Pope refuses to fall in line, what's the next move, bomb the Vatican? thedailybeast.com/trump-official…

A Golden Fleet and an American Maritime Revival… Last week the President issued his proposed budget and there is a huge order for ships - naval as well as logistics/commercial (eg tankers capable of supporting warships at-sea). See that budget here: whitehouse.gov/wp-content/upl… But how this plan is executed will determine its effectiveness and sustainability - a naval buildup that will be a decade long. “For too long, the Navy’s shipbuilding and fleet design has been focused on budgets and short-term business decisions, considerations that have neither delivered capacity nor resiliency against a formidable foe in Beijing.” See the latest here: washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/… And for a deeper read on reviving America’s maritime industry and waging a naval statecraft campaign to win the New Cold War see the book: amazon.com/Naval-Power-Ac…

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE PHOTO OF ALL TIME HOLY SHIT

UPDATE: Letters from Leo can now independently confirm that the meeting took place — and that the Vatican was so alarmed by the Pentagon’s tactics that Pope Leo XIV shelved plans to visit the United States later this year. Many in the Vatican saw the Pentagon’s reference to an Avignon papacy as a threat to use military force against the Holy See.

What ever happened to freeing the people of Iran from the Islamic Regime?

Ultra Maritime wins U.S. Navy contract for new AN/SSQ-125B sonobuoy Designed to detect the quietest submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles at greater ranges, the Q-125B provides operators with clearer acoustic data, faster insights and stronger operational advantage in increasingly complex undersea environments. navalnews.com/naval-news/202…

Hello, Moon. It’s great to be back. Here’s a taste of what the Artemis II astronauts photographed during their flight around the Moon. Check out more photos from the mission: nasa.gov/artemis-ii-mul…

New Views Of Massive RQ-180 Stealth Drone Flying Over Greece The secretive drone continues to be spotted flying during the day, offering new insights into its features. twz.com/air/new-views-…

F-22s from the Hawaii Air National Guard are at Basa Air Base in the Philippines for Cope Thunder 2026. This Philippine Air Force base has been the primary recipient of EDCA investments and initiatives over the last few years. 📷 Department of National Defense

the astronomy community is getting FED today

1968 - the arrival 1972 - the farewell 2026 - the return

Our, Humanity’s Moon, captured by NASA’s Artemis ll.