Americas
The US Air Force has announced a milestone for its MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The drone completed its first landing on a dirt landing strip, proving its enhanced operational capabilities and potential for future combat scenarios. The trial, conducted at a remote air strip in West Texas, was held by the 26th Special Tactics Squadron and 311th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron.
Boeing has completed the maiden flight of the US Air Force’s T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri. The demonstration validated the jet’s overall capabilities and marked the continuation of the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase for Boeing’s T-7A program.
Middle East & Africa
Israel has approved buying a third squadron of advanced F-35 jets manufactured by Lockheed Martin in a $3-billion deal, the defense ministry said on Sunday. Israel is the only Middle East nation with F-35s, the world’s most advanced fighter which is stealth capable and can be used to gather intelligence, strike deep into enemy territory, and engage in air duels. The deal to purchase 25 F-35 jets – expected to be signed in coming months – will expand the country’s fleet of the aircraft to 75, a ministry statement said. It will be financed through United States military aid funds received by Israel.
Europe
Lockheed Martin won a $70.3 million modification, which adds scope to provide for maintenance and sustainment operations of the Norway and Italy Reprogramming Laboratory facilities and systems, to include consumables and spare material/tooling support in support of the F-35 program for non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Eglin, Florida; and Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in April 2027.
Asia-Pacific
Gerneal Dynamics won a $14.3 million deal for logistics services. Work will take place in Taipei, Taiwan, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2026. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) funds in the amount of $14,287,601 were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity
The Taiwanese government has procured 14 Volcano mine-dispensing systems from American manufacturer Northrop Grumman. Valued at $146 million, the contract also covers the supply of an unspecified number of M977A4 cargo trucks, on which the systems would be mounted. According to the island nation’s Army Command Headquarters, the equipment will be used to rapidly deploy anti-tank mines over a large area to repel an amphibious landing.
Today’s Video
WATCH: T-7A Red Hawk First Flight with the U.S. Air Force
