Americas

Marvin Land Systems won a $14.7 million deal for M1 Abrams tank auxiliary power units. The ordering period end date is September 19, 2024. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 through 2024 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan.

American company CAES has been awarded a US Army contract to supply a precision strike sensor core for the service’s Long-Range Precision Fires capability. Under the agreement, the Colorado-based company will deliver a state-of-the-art transceiver that enables assured positioning, navigation, and timing. The programmable tech will facilitate radio frequency guidance and control, as well as in-flight data link communications to help ensure first-strike success.

Middle East & Africa

General Dynamics has teamed with Israeli company Elbit Systems to supply unmanned turreted mortar systems to a European military customer. The $53-million contract stipulated the Crossbow 120-millimeter soft recoil weapon, a solution unveiled in 2023 as part of Elbit’s mortar portfolio. It was designed to integrate into 6×6 and 8×8 ground vehicles as well as other tracked platforms. The Crossbow is offered with a 3-meter (9.8-foot) barrel with a maximum range of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Europe

The US government said on Friday that it had notified Congress of the sale of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, and related support to Ukraine for an estimated cost of 30 million dollars. It said the cost will be funded by the government of Germany on behalf of Ukraine. HIMARS, which is a rocket launching system installed on a military vehicle, is said to have both maneuverability and precise offensive ability. The US government has been increasing military aid quickly as Russian forces launched attacks on the eastern Ukrainian region of Kharkiv.

Asia-Pacific

French defense contractor Safran has inked contracts to support helicopter engines for Chinese aerospace company GDAT. GDAT is Beijing’s largest industry partner for rotorcraft leasing and distribution. The firm also provides repair, sustainment, and emergency rescues for the federal sector. Safran’s first deal will cover support-by-the-hour services for the Makila engines powering GDAT’s Airbus-made H225 all-weather transport helicopters.

Australian officials have accused a Chinese military jet of releasing flares in close proximity to an Australian Navy helicopter on a UN mission in international waters. The incident, which occurred on May 4th in the Yellow Sea near South Korea, has been condemned as “unsafe” and “unacceptable” by the Australian government. The Australian MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, deployed from the destroyer HMAS Hobart, was conducting a routine flight as part of Operation Argos, enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea. According to Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, the helicopter was intercepted by a Chinese J-10 fighter jet.

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