Americas
The Air Force on Tuesday directed commanders to review official and unofficial unit emblems and other symbology to root out offensive language or imagery. According to the Air Force, commanders have 60 days from December 23 to conduct a comprehensive review of official and unofficial unit emblems, morale patches, mottos, nicknames, coins and “other forms of unit recognition and identity.” The directive came in the form of a memorandum from Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, Air Force Chief of Staff Charles Q. Brown, Jr. and Chief of Space Operations John W. Raymond.
The Navy has awarded BAE Systems with a $4 million contract to conduct a quick-turnaround demonstration of a new radio frequency countermeasure system for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft. According to BAE, the RFCM system is a light-weight, high-power system that will add a new self-protection capability to the Poseidon. The company said it plans to design, build, integrate, and ship the RFCM system in about five months. Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon is a modified version of the company’s 737-800ERX, developed for the US Navy and in use by the India’s Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force Britain’s Royal Air Force.
Middle East & Africa
NHIndustries has flown the first of 22 new NH90 helicopters for Qatar, with the consortium announcing in late December 2020 that both variants ordered by the Gulf state had made their maiden flights. According to NHI, the flights of the first NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) and Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) variant NH90 for the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) included take-off, general handling, functional checks, and landing operations. The QEAF is due to receive 12 maritime NFH and 16 land-based TTH variant NH90s under a USD2.8 billion deal signed in March 2018.
The Navy awarded Boeing a $20.9 million contract modification, which adds new scope for integrated logistics support for 22 F/A-18E and six F/A-18F Super Hornets in support of the government of Kuwait. The Super Hornet is a maritime strike attack aircraft. The aircraft is fitted with new mission computers, fibre-optic network, Raytheon AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod, Boeing joint helmet-mounted cueing system and Raytheon AIM-9X next generation Sidewinder air-to-air missile. Work will take place in Missouri, California and Florida. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.
Europe
SAFE Boats International LLC won a $20 million contract action for long lead time material and associated pre-production and planning support for two MK VI patrol boats to be delivered to the government of Ukraine. The Mark VI is a class of patrol boat in service with the US Navy, designed to patrol riverine and littoral waters. The MK VI patrol boat design features a pilothouse, covered fly bridge, an aft boat ramp, a re-configurable main deck cabin and below-deck accommodation. The vessel includes shock mitigating seating for up to 18 crew and passengers, as well as two additional seats in the fly bridge. In June 2020, the US State Department approved the sale of up to 16 Mark VI patrol boats and associated equipment to Ukraine at an estimated cost of $600 million.
Asia-Pacific
Lockheed Martin Rotary Mission Systems won a $731.1 million deal for engineering and technical services for Aegis in-service combat systems engineering, ship integration and test engineering, computer program maintenance, integrated logistics support and planning and in-country support for multiple international partners employing Aegis. This contract provides in-service lifetime support efforts, including engineering, technical and logistical support related to the maintenance and modernization of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Aegis Combat System and Aegis weapon system equipment and computer programs. The deal includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $750,000,000 and involves FMS to Japan, Australia, Republic of Korea, Norway, Spain and Canada. Work will take place in New Jersey, Korea, Japan, and Australia. Expected completion date will be in December 2024.
Today’s Video
Watch: New Airbus NH90 – the most versatile multi-role helicopter
