Last updated: Friday Aug 23, 2019 - 05:00 UTC ()
A Higher-Tech Hog: USAF A-10C Upgraded, Refurbished, Unloved – But More in Demand
Super Hornet Fighter Family MYP-III: 2010-2018 Contracts
Rapid Fire | Friday, August 23, 2019, 05:00 UTC ()
Boeing Tapped For A-10 Wing Replacement | Germany Gets Dangerous Waters Simulator Maintenance | Australian P-8A Joins US in Strait of Hormuz
Americas
Boeing won a $999 million ceiling contract for A-10 wing replacements. The deal is for up to 112 new A-10 wing assemblies and up to 15 wing kits. Boeing is teaming up with Korean Aerospace Industries for the effort. The news comes after the recent completion of Boeing’s first re-winging contract, awarded to the aerospace company in 2007. Only 109 A-10s still need to be re-winged. The planes, which entered service in 1976 and have deployed to the Middle East, Europe and the Pacific, have played an outsized role in the air campaign that began in 2014 against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, helping provide close-air support for Iraqi and US partner forces on the ground. Also dubbed the “Warthog” for its aggressive look and often painted with teeth on the nose cone, the A-10 Thunderbolt II is the US Air Force’s primary low-altitude close air support aircraft. Boeing will perform work under the nearly $1 billion contract at multiple subcontractor locations in the US and South Korea. Estimated completion date is August 23, 2030.
The Navy tapped General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical System with a $20.8 million contract modification that provides for the procurement of 66 M61A2 20 MM Gun Systems in support of F/A-18E/F aircraft production for the US Navy as well as the government of Kuwait. The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is an updated and enlarged variant of the original F/A-18A/B/C/D Hornet, using an enlarged airframe, new engines, and updated avionics and weapons systems. It is a twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The M61A1 and M61A2 Gatlin guns are externally powered six-barrel 20mm Gatling gun systems that offer lightweight combat support for a variety of air, land and sea platforms. For the production modification General Dynamics will perform work in various locations in the US and Canada. Work is expected to be finished in March 2023.
Middle East & Africa
Russia and the US agree that Israel can strike Iranian targets in Iraq, Israeli Defense reports. Israel has struck Iranian targets in Iraq at least three times over the past few weeks after Russia and the United States gave the green light. Citing Western diplomatic sources, Saudi-owned and London-based newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported that Israel attacked military positions and arms depots of Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after receiving a green light from Washington and Moscow. Moscow and Washington agreed that the Jewish state could conduct these attacks on Iranian targets in order to “ensure Israel’s security,” the source told the London-based newspaper. As part of the reported agreement, Israel would not publicly acknowledge carrying out the strikes.
Europe
Sonalysts won a $9.5 million contract to the German Navy for maintenance of the Dangerous Waters Naval Simulator to meet its simulation and training requirements, including proper levels of integration and interoperability. According to the company the Dangerous Waters Simulator allows total control over multiple air, surface, and submarine platforms in a modern-day naval environment. The SCS – Dangerous Waters allows the player to take control of over 10 of the world’s most potent naval units out of a total of more than 270 civilian and military surface, submarine, and air units included in the game. The awarded contract includes purchases to the Federal Republic of Germany under the FMS program. Work will take place in Germany and the US. Estimated completion date is in August 2023.
Asia-Pacific
The Guardian reports that Australia will become the third country to join the United States in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has agreed to dispatch troops and a P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft will be in the region for one month before the end of the year. The contribution to the United States-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Gulf region. The United Kingdom and Bahrain are the only other countries to join the US in the Strait of Hormuz. Australia’s P-8A Poseidon has advanced sensors and mission systems, including a state-of-the-art multi-role radar, high definition cameras, and an acoustic system with four times the processing capacity of the AP-3C Orions.
According to Jane’s, Taiwan’s showcased its Cloud Leopard II M2 prototype last week. The prototype of the next-generation 8×8 Cloud Leopard II armored vehicle was showcased at the 2019 Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition. The M2 prototype is the second of two Cloud Leopard II development testbeds built by the 209th Arsenal at the MND Armament Bureau’s Materiel Production Center in partnership with the Hsinchu-based Industrial Technology Research Institute. A major modification carried over from the M1 prototype is a new hydropneumatic suspension system, which replaces the double wishbone suspension of the current Cloud Leopard APCs. The Cloud Leopard II can be used as an armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, fire support vehicle, command and control vehicle and ambulance.
Today’s Video
Watch: U.S TEST NEW CRUISE MISSILE AFTER WITHDRAWAL FROM INF TREATY !!
More In-depth Contract News & Updates
P-8 Poseidon MMA: Long-Range Maritime Patrol, and More
| The Guardian reports that Australia will become the third country to join the United States in patrolling the Strait of Hormuz. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has agreed to dispatch troops and a P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft will be in the region for one month before the end of the year. The contribution to the United States-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at protecting freedom of navigation in the Gulf region. The United Kingdom and Bahrain are the only other countries to join the US in the Strait of Hormuz. Australia’s P-8A Poseidon has advanced sensors and mission systems, including a state-of-the-art multi-role radar, high definition cameras, and an acoustic system with four times the processing capacity of the AP-3C Orions. More »
AH-64E Apache Block III: Evolving Battlefield Roles
| Boeing won a $154.9 million contract modification for new-build Apache AH 64E helicopters. The AH-64E attack helicopter is the latest version of the AH-64 helo used by the US Army. It is also known as Apache Guardian. Until 2012 it was designated as AH-64D Block III. The helicopter is fitted with more powerful General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, developing 1 994 shp instead of the 1 800 shp on the previous versions. In March 2017, Boeing won the first $3.4 billion multi-year contract for the AH-64E Apache helicopter. Under the first contract, the army was supposed to receive 244 remanufactured Apaches while an undisclosed international customer was to acquire 24 new units. Under the modification, Boeing will perform work in Mesa, Arizona and estimated completion date is December 31, 2922. More »
CH-53K: The U.S. Marines’ HLR Helicopter Program
| The Navy tapped Sikorsky with a $48.3 million firm-fixed-price order in support of the CH-53K King Stallion. The order is to procure spare parts to repair and maintain low-rate initial production Lot Three configuration aircraft. A couple of days ago Sikorsky won a one-year $107.3 million contract from the US Navy for the long-lead items needed to manufacture its fourth batch of six CH-53K helicopters for use by the US Marine Corps. In May, the company received a $1.1 billion contract to produce 12 CH-53Ks and provide aircraft system spares and logistics support services. The King Stallion is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter. Its design features three 7,500 shp engines, new composite rotor blades, and a wider aircraft cabin than previous CH-53 variants. Sikorsky will perform work under the newly received order in Canada as well as the UK and various parts in the US. Estimated completion date is in August 2024. More »
Trident II D5 Missile: Keeping Up with Changing Times
| Lockheed Martin won a $13.4 million contract modification to provide US Trident II Strategic Weapon System efforts for the navigation subsystem. The Trident II D5 is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile that can carry multiple independently targeted re-entry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360km. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Navy's Trident missile prime contractor, developed and produced the missile and support equipment. The company also supplies technical and logistical support at sites where the missiles are deployed. The Trident II D5 LE Program is intended to extend the service life of the weapon system until 2042, to match the hull life of the Ohio Class submarine. Earlier this month Lockheed won an $11.5 million modification for Strategic Weapon System efforts for the navigation subsystem. Work will again take place in Mitchel Field, New York. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2022. More »
F-35 Lightning: The Joint Strike Fighter Program
| The Naval Air Systems Command tapped Lockheed with a $32.1 million modification for modification and retrofit of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters for the Air Force. The deal procures modification kits and special tooling. The contract will cater to the US Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The F-35 Lightning is a supersonic, multi-role fighter jet that represents a quantum leap in air-dominance capability, offering enhanced lethality and survivability in hostile, anti-access airspace environments. Currently, it is being used by the defense forces of the United States and 11 other nations. The F-35 is Lockheed Martin's largest program that generates more than 25% of its total sales. Lockheed will perform work in Fort Worth, Texas and estimated completion date is in June 2025. More »
