Americas
Saab Inc. won an $8 million firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract to exercise options for fiscal 2025 MK 9 production efforts. Work is expected to be completed by March 2027. Fiscal 2025 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,097,844 were obligated at the 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.
General Atomics has tested the Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) drone using the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite network for aircraft communications under a US Army contract. The company has completed two GE-ER flights and multiple ground tests focusing on aircraft control, sensors, and communication systems. Future tests are being planned to cover extended flight operations.
Middle East & Africa
French firm Exail will develop next-generation autonomous Mine Countermeasure (MCM) solutions in the UAE, partnering with EDGE Group entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). “This strategic partnership reinforces Exail’s commitment to delivering modular, interoperable and autonomous systems that enhance naval forces’ MCM capabilities in the UAE,” stated Exail. As part of the initiative, ADSB has unveiled the 170M Detector, a 17-meter (56-feet) vessel designed for advanced MCM operations.
Europe
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has finished the first phase of its Advanced Solutions for Camouflage of Land Systems (ASCALS) program. This initiative aims to develop smart camouflage technologies for military vehicles and equipment in response to advanced surveillance methods like visible, radar, and thermal detection. The nearly two-year phase, with a budget of 1.3 million euros ($1.42 million), focused on creating materials that can dynamically adjust to different environmental conditions. These materials are designed to enhance concealment by modifying optical, thermal, and radar signatures. The program involved a consortium from six member states and is set to move into its next phase, with field testing planned for 2027.
Asia-Pacific
A South Korean Army Heron unmanned air vehicle collided with a parked KAI KUH-1 Surion helicopter at an Army aviation base in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, on Mar. 17th, at approximately 1 p.m.. The collision ignited a fire that completely destroyed both the drone and the helicopter. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of the incident. This event occurred a mere 11 days after a South Korean Air Force KF-16 fighter jet bombing mishap in Pocheon. The incident unfolded at the 11th Aviation Group’s Ganap-ri airfield. Based on the location, it is likely that the unit involved was the 209th Aviation Battalion under the 11th Aviation Group of the 1st Corps. The Heron reconnaissance drone, operated by the Army Ground Operations Command, struck a KUH-1 Surion multi-purpose helicopter while the helicopter was stationary on the ground. The drone was reportedly returning from a reconnaissance flight and was in the process of landing when the collision occurred. According to a military official, the drone unexpectedly veered to the right immediately after touching down and collided with the parked helicopter.
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