Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $29 million modification for the Mobile User Objective System Service Life Extension (MUOS SLE) Phase I prior to entering MUOS SLE Phase II. Work will be performed at the contractor’s facility and is expected to be completed by August 1, 2026. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation appropriation funding in the amount of $10,000,000 is being obligated at the time of modification award. The Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity.
The US Army has begun equipping its helicopter crews with new navigation tools after a Black Hawk crashed into a commercial jet in Washington DC in January, killing all 67 people aboard both aircraft. Fort Belvoir-based 12th Aviation Battalion, the unit involved in the fatal incident, is receiving priority as the military distributes about 1,700 Stratus navigation devices across its helicopter fleet, The Washington Post reported.
Middle East & Africa
Iran’s top security body approved the establishment of a National Defense Council on Sunday, according to state media, following the war with Israel in June that was Iran’s most acute military challenge since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War. “The new defense body will review defense plans and enhance the capabilities of Iran’s armed forces in a centralized manner,” the Supreme National Security Council’s Secretariat was quoted as saying by state media.
Europe
Lithuania is set to acquire a Ukrainian acoustic detection system amid increasing incursions by Russian drones into its airspace. Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, General Raimundas Vaikšnors, stated that the system will be acquired and tested this year, with extensive implementation planned for next year.
Asia-Pacific
India’s Nibe Limited has signed an agreement with Elbit Systems to build the Israeli firm’s Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS) multiple rocket launcher (MRL) in India. The agreement covers the system’s production and supply for both domestic and international customers and transfer of technology. This marks the first time an international MRL will be manufactured in India, boosting the country’s technical expertise in this niche capability and positioning it as a potential global supplier of MRL systems.