Americas
The US Air Force has awarded Conti Federal a $31.7-million deal to establish a B-21 Raider stealth bomber fuel cell hangar at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. The project will convert the installation’s existing Dock 81 to Fuel Cell Hangar B7242, comprising fuel systems maintenance supporting the precision strike aircraft. At approximately 26,000 square feet (2,415 square meters), the site will include a fuel cell bay to fit one aircraft, sustainment storage spaces, and service utility divisions. Renovations will deliver a corridor connecting the hangar to the Fuels Systems Maintenance Dock currently under construction by the company.
The US Air Force has accepted three A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft in California to expand training and test capabilities under the service’s Test Pilot School program. The fleet, stationed at Edwards AFB, will support the agency’s key missions, including staff development, growth of test managers, and research on innovative solutions.
Middle East & Africa
The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
The Polish Air Force’s plan to swiftly modernize its fighter fleet has hit a snag. Delivery of 36 FA-50PL light fighters, a deal valued at nearly $3.3 billion, has been postponed according to Wnp.pl. The initial target of receiving the first FA-50PLs in 2025 is no longer feasible. This setback means Warsaw’s ambition to have all 36 aircraft operational by 2028 has been pushed back. These delays are causing apprehension about the programme, which is pivotal for Poland to bolster its air defences in the face of escalating threats from Russia. The Polish Air Force is undergoing a significant transformation, retiring Soviet-era aircraft and striving to modernise its fleet. Warsaw has placed an order for 32 F-35As, with the first aircraft arriving in January 2023. However, as the F-35s are being delivered incrementally, the FA-50s were seen as a crucial stopgap solution to address the capability gap.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea’s military will deploy domestic infrared-shielding smoke canisters by 2025. This follows a $5.5 million deal signed between the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and Samyang Chemical Co. for the mass production of the specialized canisters starting from 2024 to 2026 after completing development in 2020. After successful production inspections and field operation tests, the canisters will be deployed to the military by next year.