Americas
HDT Global has confirmed the selection of its Hunter Wolf 6×6 unmanned ground system for trials under the US Army’s Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) program. S-MET is an ongoing effort to integrate modern autonomous platforms into service, decreasing risks to warfighters deployed in austere environments.
Austal USA has launched the construction of a new submarine module production center in Mobile, Alabama, to further support the US Navy’s submarine programs. The future indoor facility will support the US Navy’s plan to obtain one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually, according to the company. It will encompass 369,600 square feet (34,337 square meters) at the site and incorporate a material storage area, machine shops, assembly area, and improved waterfront capabilities for the logistics of completed modules via barge.
Middle East & Africa
Israeli communication solutions provider Gilat Satellite Networks has received a $4-million contract to deliver portable satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals for the US Department of Defense. The deal covers the DKET 3421 developed by Gilat’s American subsidiary Data Path, which supports multi-band connectivity, fiber optic linking, and 32-modem compatibility. The 5,000-pound (2,268-kilogram) terminal is deployable in less than three hours in environments above 55 degrees Celsius (131 degrees Fahrenheit) and can interchange between military and commercial network coverage.
Europe
The Italian Navy is planning for a future in which swarms of airborne, surface and undersea drones will deploy from its ships and has challenged shipyard Fincantieri to build and adapt vessels which are ready for the task. “We expect new navy vessels in ten years will be using a large number of drones and we want to be prepared,” said Capt. Gianluca Marcilli, who heads the Technology Innovation Office at the Navy General Staff’s General Space and Innovation Office (UGSI).
Asia-Pacific
Turkish defense manufacturer FNSS unveiled its conceptual design of the Kaplan Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) at the Saha Expo in Istanbul. The armored vehicle was jointly developed with Indonesia’s state-owned arms company PT Pindad in continuation of their long-term cooperation agreement signed in 2015 to meet the Indonesian Army’s requirement for a 30-ton-class tracked personnel carrier. The latest Kaplan APCs are set for production by 2025, with work on the first vehicle to take place at FNSS facilities in Turkey and the second at PT Pindad in Indonesia. They are scheduled for delivery to the Indonesian Army by the end of 2026.