profile

The SOFX Report

Iran Used Chinese Satellites to Target U.S. Bases

Published about 13 hours ago • 5 min read

Was this Email Forwarded to You?

​Subscribe!​

Major Developments

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

 

Iran Used Chinese Spy Satellite to Target U.S. Bases, Report Says

Iran reportedly used a Chinese-built TEE-01B satellite to monitor U.S. military sites across the Middle East during the recent conflict, Financial Times reported, citing leaked Iranian military documents.

The satellite was allegedly used to track facilities including Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, U.S. Fifth Fleet sites in Bahrain, and Erbil airport in Iraq around the time of reported Iranian attacks. China’s Foreign Ministry denied the report, saying that some forces are “fabricating rumors.” (Read More)​

Air Force Releases Unprecedented B-21 Raider Photos Mid-Refueling

The U.S. Air Force has released the first overhead images of the B-21 Raider, offering a rare top-down view of the stealth bomber during aerial refueling tests.

The imagery suggests that the B-21 is smaller than the B-2 Spirit and likely powered by two engines rather than four. The aircraft will carry a smaller weapons payload than the B-2 but significantly more fuel, according to The War Zone. The B-21 is expected to enter service in 2027. (Read More)​

Pentagon Quietly Expanding Military Planning for Operations Against Cuba

The Pentagon is quietly expanding contingency planning for possible U.S. military operations in Cuba, preparing options in the event President Donald Trump orders direct intervention on the island, according to USA Today.

A spokesperson from the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees American military operations in Latin America, says there is no active planning or rehearsals for a Cuba takeover. (Read More)​

SPONSORED

StreamCaster NEXUS: Next Generation Tactical Networking System For The Dismounted Operator

Purpose-built for the dismounted operator, ​StreamCaster NEXUS​ seamlessly pairs the ultra-slim SM5200 MANET radio with Samsung's mission-ready EUD to deliver mission-critical connectivity and real-time situational awareness at the tactical edge. Custom designed Juggernaut chest-mount features streamlined, snag-free cable routing that minimizes weight and maximizes operator freedom.

With access to ATAK and other mission apps, operators gain geospatial intelligence, mission planning tools and can manage radio and network configurations through the StreamScape ATAK plug-in. Available access to ​Spectrum Dominance 2.0​ – Silvus' ever-expanding suite of LPI/LPD, Anti-Jam and Advanced Threat Protection capabilities – ensures secure and protected communications in EW contested environments.

Multiple I/O connectors, Dual PTT, dedicated RoIP interface and Nett Warrior unified power options combine to make StreamCaster NEXUS an operator-focused, next-generation tactical networking system, engineered for today's dynamically changing battlespace.

Experience next-generation tactical networking with StreamCaster NEXUS.
The Tear Line

QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ Russia’s Defense Ministry published the names and addresses of 21 facilities across Europe it says manufacture strike drones or components for Ukraine. The list includes sites in Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Israel, and Turkey. (Read More)​

➤ Videos circulating on social media appear to show a French Dassault Rafale fighter jet shooting down an Iranian Shahed drone over northern Iraq. The footage has not been independently verified. (Read More)​

➤ The U.S. Navy confirmed an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone crashed in the Middle East during the recent Iran war, classifying the loss as a Class A mishap. The Triton is among the Navy's highest-end maritime ISR platforms. (Read More)​

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ Steven Garcia, a government contractor with top-secret access to a nuclear weapons component facility in Albuquerque, has gone missing, becoming the tenth person tied to U.S. defense or space research to die or disappear in recent years. (Read More)​

➤ The European Union has launched an age verification app requiring users to upload a passport or national ID to verify age across mobile devices and computers, aiming to prevent minors from accessing social media and adult content. (Read More)​

➤ Sweden blamed Russian-aligned hackers for an attempted cyberattack on a thermal power plant in 2025, part of what Stockholm described as an escalating campaign against European critical infrastructure. (Read More)​

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ The U.S. Army has designated its new Bell V-280 tiltrotor assault aircraft as the MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” honoring the Cheyenne tribe. Expected to become operational in 2027, the aircraft can carry an external load of up to 10,000 pounds and is designed to reach speeds of over 300 miles per hour. (Read More)​

➤ A previously unidentified U.S. Navy deck launcher seen on the Pearl Harbor-based USS Carl M. Levin is an upgraded Coyote counter-drone missile system, according to a Navy spokesperson. Earlier versions of the Coyote launcher were observed aboard the USS Bainbridge. (Read More)​

➤ Boeing is planning to equip the CH-47 Chinook with the ability to launch swarms of drones and is also exploring future crewed and uncrewed versions of the helicopter, according to the company. (Read More)​

SPONSORED

Parsons delivers advanced cybersecurity and intelligence solutions to help government and defense customers counter complex digital threats. Combining mission planning, automation, threat intelligence, and incident response, we enhance full-spectrum cyber operations and resilient defenses.

Leveraging modern architectures, AI-driven analytics, and Zero Trust principles, Parsons anticipates, detects, and responds to threats across critical networks and systems, supporting the Intelligence Community, Department of War, and federal agencies.

By integrating deep expertise with innovative tools, Parsons strengthens operational readiness, protects vital assets, and ensures digital superiority in an increasingly contested environment.
Special Interest

SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ The Italian Air Force’s 17th Stormo Incursori has been accredited by U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command as the first NATO unit qualified for Global Access Operations after a multi-year evaluation process.

➤ More than 200 Iranian naval personnel have been returned home after being rescued in Sri Lanka following the sinking of the warship Iris Dena in a U.S. strike in the Indian Ocean that killed at least 104 sailors.

➤ MIT Technology Review covers NASA's renewed push for nuclear-powered spacecraft, detailing plans to develop fission-based propulsion and surface power systems that could cut Mars transit times and enable sustained operations on the lunar far side.

On this day in history: On April 16th, 1945, the destroyer USS Laffey survived 80 minutes of sustained kamikaze attacks off Okinawa, absorbing four suicide planes and three bombs while shooting down 11 aircraft. The crew kept her guns firing, earning her the name "The Ship That Would Not Die."
Special Interest

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

Yesterday’s Results:

Would you consider switching from a smartphone to a "dumb" phone to reduce screen time?

  1. No (50.1%)
  2. Yes (41.0%)
  3. Unsure (8.9%)

Have a question you would like polled? Email us at editor@sofx.com​
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
Cultural Support Officer Defense Division Worldwide
Emergency Care Medical Provider Defense Division Remote, US
International Humanitarian Security Officer Defense Division Worldwide
Interpreter Defense Division Remote, US
Logistics Officer 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

SPONSORED

70,000+ daily readers trust The SOFX Report for independent coverage of global conflict and defense technology. Over 11 years of consistent publication has built an engaged audience of defense professionals and decision-makers.

Interested in partnering with SOFX? Contact ​emily.benjamin@sofx.com​ →

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 © 2026 SOFX Inc. All rights reserved.

The SOFX Report

The World's Leading Report on Conflict, Security, and Technology Impacting You.

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

Read more from The SOFX Report
CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman (Antonello Marangi / Shutterstock.com)

Was this Email Forwarded to You? Subscribe! CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman (Antonello Marangi / Shutterstock.com) SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES Feds Recover AI Executive ‘Kill List’ From Suspect Charged in Molotov Attack on Sam Altman's Home Federal prosecutors charged 20-year-old Daniel Moreno-Gama with attempted murder and arson over an April 10 Molotov attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s San Francisco home. During his arrest, investigators recovered a document titled “Your Last Warning,” which listed the...

1 day ago • 5 min read
The Ukrainian Droid TW 12.7 unmanned ground vehicle, developed by DevDroid and codified by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. (Photo: DevDroid / CC BY 4.0)

Was this Email Forwarded to You? Subscribe! The Ukrainian Droid TW 12.7 unmanned ground vehicle, developed by DevDroid and codified by Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. (Photo: DevDroid / CC BY 4.0) SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES Ukraine Claims First-Ever Capture of Russian Position Using Drones and Ground Robots For the first time, Ukrainian forces have captured a Russian position using only drones and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, describing the operation as a...

3 days ago • 5 min read
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations. (U.S. Central Command Photo)

Was this Email Forwarded to You? Subscribe! U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces began setting conditions for clearing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, April 11, as two U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers conducted operations. (U.S. Central Command Photo) SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES Trump Declares Naval Blockade of Strait of Hormuz After Ceasefire Collapse President Donald Trump on Sunday said the U.S. would block vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the Strait of Hormuz...

4 days ago • 5 min read