💀 First look at Kratos’ Thanatos stealthy combat drone

Plus: Brain implants for speech and walking, drones that use group chat to get the job done. In Coordination with Smartasset [Find your perfect financial advisor with Smartasset.]( Navigate retirement confidently and unlock your financial future by taking the Smartasset Retirement Quiz. [Read more.]( A formidable robotic wingman may soon join the US military’s airborne arsenal. Defense firm Kratos has unveiled Thanatos, its most advanced combat drone concept yet. This stealthy aircraft could fly unmanned missions that are too risky for human pilots. With the rise of drone warfare, the face of battle is becoming increasingly electronic. Thanatos and similar drones perhaps foreshadow a future of fully-automated combat. Kratos is angling to secure US military contracts against intense industry competition. Will the company’s Thanatos drone deal death from above starting in 2025? Jump to today’s [Must Read]( to learn more about its design and capabilities. Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let's get into it. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( Grok AI Chatbot: What it is and how to use it Elon Musk has introduced a new AI chatbot named Grok, developed by his company xAI, as part of his venture into the AI landscape. It's already known for its unique humor and sarcasm. SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest in science and engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. 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Must Read [💀 Thanatos: Kratos’ supersonic, stealthy combat drone revealed]( US defense firm Kratos recently unveiled Thanatos, its most advanced stealth drone design to date. Named after the Greek god of death, few details are public about Thanatos’ capabilities. However, its diamond-shaped wings and sleek shape suggest supersonic speed and low radar observability. Kratos aims to propose Thanatos for major US military drone programs needing long-range, reusable systems. The US Air Force plans to acquire over 1,000 collaborative combat drones by 2025 to team with fighter jets. Thanatos could fill roles like missile carrier, electronic warfare, or independent operations. The aircraft’s tailless shape and covered exhaust minimize infrared and radar signatures. Kratos already has experience with combat drones like the XQ-58A Valkyrie. While specifics remain unknown, Thanatos illustrates Kratos’ push into cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems. Next-gen drones like Thanatos could transform aerial warfare by extending the reach of manned aircraft. Kratos forecasts the drone in action by 2025. Thanatos faces competition from other industry offerings for US military budgets and programs. Click below to learn more and see its sleek and stealthy design. [[Read More]( [Transportation]( [💬 China’s “chatty” drones coordinate via AI group chat]( Researchers in China equipped drones with AI chatbot capabilities, enabling them to coordinate via natural language group chats. The drones divided tasks themselves and provided mission updates to human operators. This intelligent communication between drones and users closes the human-machine gap. The technology may enhance security patrols, disaster response, and delivery operations. Discover more about China’s communicative drones. [[Read More]( A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSOR [Are you spending sleepless nights worried about your future?]( Choosing a financial advisor shouldn't be a leap of faith. Without expert advice, you're at risk of making decisions that could jeopardize your financial well-being. The cost of these mistakes isn't just monetary—it's nights spent tossing and turning, worried about the future. Smartasset understands these challenges and offers a lifeline. Here's how they make the process smooth: - Stress-Free Start: Begin with a free retirement consultation. - Expert Matching: Connect with up to three vetted and legal financial advisors tailored to your needs. - No More Guesswork: Eliminate the risk of choosing the wrong advisor. Take the [SmartAsset Retirement Quiz]( and embark on a future where your retirement savings work for you. Not against you. [[Read More]( [Health]( [🚶🏻‍♂️ Spinal implant lets Parkinson’s patient walk again]( A spinal cord implant has allowed a Parkinson’s patient to walk again after losing mobility from the disease. The experimental neuroprosthetic transmits electric signals to initiate leg movement. In one advanced Parkinson's case, the implant dramatically improved walking and stability within days. Though not yet clinically tested, the technology offers new hope for managing debilitating Parkinson’s symptoms. Learn about the life-changing spinal implant. [[Read More]( [Innovation]( [🧠Brain implant decodes thoughts into speech]( Duke University researchers developed a brain implant that can translate thoughts into speech. In tests on fourpatients, the device recorded brain signals as patients spoke, then an AI decoded the neural patterns into words with up to 84% accuracy. The technology offers hope for restoring communication abilities lost due to neurological conditions. Continued innovation could enable thought-to-speech systems without implanted devices. Learn more about the thought-to-speech brain implant. [[Read More]( job alert In this section you’ll find the latest jobs as featured on: [jobs.interestingengineering.com]( [Senior ASIC Verification Engineer, Coherent High Speed Interconnect]( at NVIDIA Santa Clara(US) [.Net Full Stack Developer Software Engineer II]( at FIS Global Saint Petersburg(US) [Junior Software Engineer (Full stack)]( at Boeing Intelligence & Analytics Annapolis Junction(US) [Software Engineer]( at EMG Acquisitions Virginia Beach(US) [Staff Query Engineer, Atlas Search]( at MongoDB San Francisco(US) [IoT Software Engineer]( at CarShield Saint Peters(US) QUESTION OF THE DAY What's the most exciting consequence of thought-to-speech technology, such as the new implant with 84 percent accuracy? [Restoring speech for people with disabilities]( [Greater understanding of the brain]( [Mind-reading technology]( [Merging human and machine intelligence]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday’s poll focused on the implications of Oneka’s wave-powered desalination system. 60 percent of you were most impressed by its ability to produce sustainable clean drinking water. 60% Sustainable clean drinking water 20% Humanitarian potential 13% Reduced impact on marine life 8% Modular, scalable design “I turn on the stimulation in the morning and I turn off in the evening. This allows me to walk better and to stabilize. Right now, I’m not even afraid of the stairs anymore. Every Sunday I go to the lake, and I walk around 6 kilometers. 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