Americas
Raytheon won an $18.7 million modification to exercise options for design agent and engineering support services for the Rolling Airframe Missile. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by March 2028. Federal Republic of Germany funds in the amount of $22,471,090 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.
The US Army is conducting tests for the M10 Booker armored infantry support vehicle at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Testing includes firing trials as well as performance and maintainability assessments. Personnel from different US Army divisions are trialing the vehicles on rough terrain, steep slopes, and water obstacles. Operations also evaluate durability and performance in extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, cold-weather testing is underway at Fort Greely in Alaska to assess its capability in sub-zero temperatures.
Middle East & Africa
A shipment of heavy US-made bombs, specifically MK-84 munitions, arrived in Israel overnight. This delivery coincided with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first visit to the country in his new role. The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed that the bombs were unloaded at Ashdod Port and transported to Israeli airbases. These 2,000-pound munitions had previously been held up by the Biden administration but were recently authorized for release by President Donald Trump’s administration. Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the significance of this shipment, stating that it represents a valuable asset for Israel’s air force and military, while also demonstrating the strong alliance between Israel and the United States. Katz expressed gratitude to President Trump and the US administration for their continued support.
Europe
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has awarded Airbus a significant contract to design and build two advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, named Oberon, marking a crucial step in the nation’s pursuit of enhanced space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Oberon system, slated for launch in 2027, promises to deliver day-and-night, all-weather surveillance capabilities. The Oberon satellites will incorporate active, ultra-high-resolution SAR technology, a considerable leap forward that provides the UK MOD with greater operational capabilities and enhanced autonomy in space surveillance. These satellites will provide imagery of the Earth’s surface regardless of weather conditions or time of day, ensuring a constant stream of information.
Asia-Pacific
Thales and India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will jointly supply the first batch of Laser Beam Riding Man Portable Air Defense systems (LBRM) following a request from the Indian government. The High Velocity Missiles (STARStreak) and their launchers are set for delivery this year, marking the system’s debut in India. Thales and BDL signed an agreement for the LBRM project in 2021, backed by the Indian and UK governments. The partnership aims to enhance India’s air defense capabilities with a system known for its high accuracy and resistance to countermeasures.
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