profile

The SOFX Report

USS Zumwalt returns to sea as hypersonic striker

Published 7 days ago • 6 min read

Hi Folks, we are interested in hosting one or more Skillbridge veterans interested in media entrepreneurship. Specifically, we want to work with soon to be separating veterans evaluating them for potential to become Entrepreneurs in Residence who will lead, build, and scale media related ventures under my instruction.

Interested veterans should send resumes to emily.benjamin@sofx.com. People will be considered on a rolling basis. Thx. Sam.

Sam Havelock  

Sam Havelock
CEO, SOFX

Was this Email Forwarded to You?

​Subscribe!​

Major Developments

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

 

Gladys West, Mathematician Whose Work Became Foundation for GPS, Dies at 95

Gladys Mae West, whose pioneering algorithms and satellite data analysis became the integral foundation for modern GPS, passed away peacefully on January 17 at age 95. West was one of four Black employees and only the second Black woman hired at the Naval Proving Ground in 1956.

Her contributions remained classified until 2017. In an exclusive interview with SOFX, West's daughter Carolyn Oglesby details how her mother's precision and persistence shaped both her career and modern navigation. Read Haley Havelock's full feature on SOFX. (Read More)​

French Navy Intercepts Sanctioned Russian Tanker in Mediterranean

The French Navy on Thursday intercepted the sanctioned Russian oil tanker Grinch in the Alboran Sea, east of Gibraltar. The vessel had loaded oil in Murmansk, Russia, before heading toward the Mediterranean.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the tanker was “subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag.” Sanctioned by the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Switzerland, the Grinch is currently being escorted by the French Navy for further inspection. (Read More)​

Stealth Warship USS Zumwalt Completes Sea Trials After Hypersonic Conversion

Stealth warship USS Zumwalt successfully completed sea trials following its conversion into a hypersonic strike platform. The milestone validates the U.S. Navy’s decision to transform the Zumwalt class into its first surface vessel purpose-built for Conventional Prompt Strike missions.

The destroyer’s twin 155mm guns were replaced with four missile tubes, each capable of carrying three hypersonic CPS missiles. Recent trials tested the ship’s propulsion, combat systems, and overall operational readiness. (Read More)​

SPONSORED

Bring Order to Chaos. Join UG Solutions.

At UG Solutions, we are driven by a singular purpose: to bring order to chaos. As a team of elite former SOF and intelligence professionals, we continue to serve by being creating stability, security, and enabling humanitarian responses.

No matter the project, we act decisively to protect, defend, and restore. Like during our time in uniform, the team is greater than any one of us. We operate alongside multinational partners in high-threat and high-impact regions to train, operate, and build stability.

We are committed to fostering a safer, stronger world. Will you join us?​

If you’re ready to put your experience to work where it matters most, you can learn more here.
The Tear Line

QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ President Donald Trump said a “massive armada” is heading toward Iran, even as he seeks to avoid further conflict in the Middle East. His remarks came after U.S. officials confirmed that a carrier strike group and additional military assets are en route to the region. (Read More)​

➤ Ukrainian drone strikes targeted multiple Russian facilities overnight on Jan. 22. The attacks hit the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal, radar stations in occupied Crimea, a drone storage site in Kherson Oblast, and a Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast, the Ukrainian General Staff said. (Read More)​

➤ About 3,000 U.S. Marines, alongside other NATO forces, will join Exercise Cold Response 26 in Norway in March. The Norwegian-led drill is designed to test NATO’s ability to operate in extreme Arctic conditions. Over 25,000 personnel from 12 nations are set to participate in the exercise. (Read More)​

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ A mass stabbing at a Kurdish protest near the busy Opera Square in Antwerp, Belgium, left six injured, including two in critical condition. The attack erupted as the demonstration against violence toward Kurds in Syria was ending. Police have since arrested four suspects. (Read More)​

➤ Mexican authorities arrested César Alejandro Sepúlveda Arellano, known as “El Botox,” in Michoacan Thursday in connection with last October’s killing of lime grower leader Bernardo Bravo. He leads the White Trojans, allied with Los Viagras and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. (Read More)​

➤ Jordanian authorities used Cellebrite phone-cracking technology to access devices of activists and human rights defenders, according to a Citizen Lab investigation released Thursday. The report said the actions violated international human rights treaties and called on Cellebrite to investigate its Jordanian clients. (Read More)​

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ Australia’s first MC-55A Peregrine arrived at the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Edinburgh, Australia on Thursday. The jet, configured for airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare, is a highly modified Gulfstream G550 business aircraft. (Read More)​

➤ The Air Force has revealed the name and expected delivery timeline for the Boeing 747 donated by Qatar for presidential transport. Dubbed the “VC-25 bridge aircraft,” it is now scheduled for delivery by summer of 2026. (Read More)​

➤ Italy’s spending on the design and development of the tri-nation Global Combat Air Programme fighter has soared from €6 billion ($7 billion) to €18.6 billion ($21.8 billion) over the past five years, the country’s defense minister told parliament. (Read More)​

SPONSORED

Stability Requires Strength. UG Solutions Delivers Both.

​UG Solutions unites former SOF and intelligence professionals​ who seek to use their expertise for the greater good—leveraging elite backgrounds to promote humanitarian efforts, global stability, and peace through strength.

From conflict zones to disaster-stricken regions, our teams support multinational programs that foster security, rebuild communities, and protect the most vulnerable. This is work that demands adaptability, discipline, and purpose.

We are hiring for multiple roles in international operations.
Special Interest

SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ President Donald Trump launched the “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. The UAE, Hungary, and Pakistan attended the signing ceremony, while major nations including Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and Russia were absent from the event.

➤ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized European leaders in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland for repeatedly failing to act against Russia, warning that their inaction raises security risks and could threaten other NATO countries.

➤ Google’s Gemini AI can now generate free SAT practice tests with interactive scoring and answer explanations, helping students prepare for the exam. The company says more types of standardized tests will be added later.

On this day in history:On January 23rd, 1855, John Moses Browning, the "father of modern firearms," was born in Ogden, Utah. His designs powered Winchester, Colt, Remington, and Savage rifles. Browning revolutionized weapons technology by harnessing muzzle gas to create automatic reloading, a breakthrough that armed American soldiers through both World Wars and remains foundational today.
Special Interest

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

Lookback: Earlier this month, 70% of respondents said they believed that the U.S. would strike Iran while protests were ongoing.

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you support U.S. ground troops in Ukraine if NATO invoked Article 5?

  1. No (55.8%)​
  2. Yes (34.4%)
  3. Unsure (9.7%)
Job Board

ASSIGNMENTS

Security and Intelligence
All Source Intelligence Analyst Defense Division Remote, US
Armorer Defense Division Remote, US
Austere Medic Defense Division Remote, US
Comms & Command Systems Instructor Defense Division Remote, US
Critical Care Medical Provider Defense Division Remote, US
Intl. Humanitarian Security Officer Defense Division Worldwide
Interpreter Defense Division Remote, US
Security Director Defense Division Remote, US
Security Operations Chief Defense Division Remote, US
Security Team Lead Defense Division Remote, US
Targeter Defense Division Remote, US
Business Development
SARs Development Director 100K - 120K Fort Lauderdale, FL

SPONSORED

At UG Solutions, we enable former SOF and intelligence professionals to continue to serve missions that matter. Humanitarian support in areas of conflict or crisis, training of allied nation security services and forces, and protection of key infrastructure are only some of the work UG does to support stability and build resiliency.

​Your mission isn’t over. Join us in transforming chaos into order. ​

Was this Email Forwarded to You?

About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former Special Operations & Intelligence Professionals not Career Journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

Have feedback for us? We want to hear any and all comments you may have. Contact us at editor@sofx.com​.​

This email was sent to Reader

You've received it because you've subscribed to The SOFX Report.

​Unsubscribe or Update to Sunday Only​

​

Copyright © 2025 SOFX Inc. All rights reserved.

The SOFX Report

The leading report for decision makers in the Special Operations, Private Military, and Clandestine Services community.

Join 70,000+ decision makers who get The SOFX Report delivered daily.

Read more from The SOFX Report
A Russian soldier wearing a distinctive winter camouflage suit that online observers have likened to a penguin moves across snow-covered terrain. Ukraine’s 120th Territorial Defense Brigade said its troops engaged at least two Russian soldiers using FPV d

Was this Email Forwarded to You? Subscribe! A Russian soldier wearing a distinctive winter camouflage suit that online observers have likened to a penguin moves across snow-covered terrain. Ukraine’s 120th Territorial Defense Brigade said its troops engaged at least two Russian soldiers using FPV drones. (Photo: 120th Territorial Defense Brigade) SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES Russian Troops in ‘Penguin’ Camouflage Killed by Ukrainian Drone Strike Ukrainian forces have eliminated at least two Russian...

about 14 hours ago • 5 min read
Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft (Vitalii Masliukov / Shuttetstock)

Was this Email Forwarded to You? Subscribe! Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft (Vitalii Masliukov / Shuttetstock) SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES Onboard Footage Captures Destruction of Ukrainian Su-25 A camera on board a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 Frogfoot close air support jet captured a rare footage showing the final moments of the aircraft after it was hit by a Russian missile during a combat sortie. Pilot Vladislav “Magic” Rykov, 30, was killed in the February 2024 incident. A veteran of 385 missions with...

1 day ago • 5 min read
File Photo. A NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft, one of only two aircraft types capable of flying above 50,000 feet. The modified Canberra bomber can reach 60,000 feet and stay aloft for six and a half hours. (Photo: NASA/Sean Smith)

Was this Email Forwarded to You? Subscribe! File Photo. A NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft, one of only two aircraft types capable of flying above 50,000 feet. The modified Canberra bomber can reach 60,000 feet and stay aloft for six and a half hours. (Photo: NASA/Sean Smith) SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES Scientists Use AI to Create First Fully Synthetic Virus From Scratch Scientists at Stanford have used AI to design a new virus, Evo–Φ2147, which efficiently destroyed E. coli colonies in...

3 days ago • 6 min read