Americas
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced that it successfully conducted flight maneuvers with its MQ-20 Avenger drone using artificial intelligence aided by Low Earth Orbit satellite communication. The company demonstrated its “live, virtual, constructive collaborative combat aircraft ecosystem over a Low Earth Orbit satellite communication (LEO SATCOM) provider’s IP-based Mission Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) datalink” by conducting collaborative maneuvers between AI and human pilots.
The US Army awarded BlueHalo $45.7 million to develop a 20-kilowatt high-energy laser, which it will mount on Infantry Squad Vehicles to protect them against drones. The base award, which includes a further $30.2 million in options, will see the company develop a prototype of the Army Multi-Purpose High-Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system. The US Army plans to deploy the weapon to protect Division and Brigade Combat Teams against growing drone threats on the battlefield.
Middle East & Africa
The Turkish Navy’s new landing helicopter dock (LHD) TCG Anadolu (L 400) was formally commissioned into service during a ceremony held at Sedef Shipyard in Tuzla, Istanbul, on April 10. Anadolu was built by Sedef Shipyard in partnership with Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Navantia under a contract signed in 2015. The ship is based on Navantia’s Juan Carlos I-class landing platform dock (LPD) design.
The United States has approved two foreign military sales to Morocco, for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW) that are collectively worth over $750 million. The US State Department on April 11 announced the possible sales, after notifying Congress. Morocco has requested to buy 18 M142 HIMARS launchers along with nine M1152A1 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV), practice rocket pods, radios, 18 FMTV resupply vehicles, three FMTV wrecker trucks, 18 M1095 trailers and other equipment. Along with ammunition, the sale value is $524 million.
Europe
Ukraine’s defense minister said Wednesday he had asked his Spanish counterpart to supply air defenses, including F-16 jets, and more ammunition to fend off Russia’s invasion. While Western allies, led by the United States, have been supporting Ukraine with military training and weapons, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said still more was needed to help end Europe’s deadliest conflict since WWII. “For us, the number one priority is air defense,” he told a joint news conference with Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
Asia-Pacific
The Indonesian Ministry of Defense has approved Australia’s offer to donate Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles to the Indonesian National Armed Forces. Australia announced the provision of 15 Bushmasters to Indonesia in September 2021.
Today’s Video
WATCH: The F-16 is Not the Best Fighter Jet But…
