Americas
The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Integral Aerospace a $14.3 million contract modification for external fuel tank testing and exercises option year one for the production and delivery of 114 external fuel tanks in support of the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft. Integral Aerospace is a manufacturer of flight critical subsystems and components based in Santa Ana, California. The Boeing F/A-18E/F are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multi-role fighter aircraft variants primarily used by the US Navy. The aircraft, also called „Super Hornet“ entered service for the United States in 1999. The Boeing EA-18G Growler is specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. It provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to US military forces and allies. The Growler has the ability to protect itself against adversarial aircraft using its AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles. Work is scheduled to be finished by May 2020.
The US Naval Sea Systems awarded Boeing a $9.3 million contract modification for the integration of the High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) on the Poseidon P-8A submarine-hunting aircraft. The High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) provides an all-weather, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapon system capable of high altitude launch of the MK-54 torpedo from the P-8A Poseidon. HAAWC consists of a modular, Air Launch Accessory (ALA) kit that attaches to the MK-54 Torpedo. the ALA transforms the MK-54 into a precision-guided glide weapon wich operates in either GPS-aided or GPS-denied environments. Back in June the the US Navy announced, it intended to award Boeing a contract for full rate production of the HAAWC Air Launch Accessory for use in launching the MK 54 Torpedo from the P-8A Poseidon aircraft from high altitude. Work will be performed in Missouri and is expected to be finished by May 2020.
Middle East & Africa
Algeria commissioned two new submarines from Russia. The Kilo class submarines Ouarsenis (031) and Hoggar (032) were commissioned during a visit by Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Ahmed Gaïd Salah to the Mers el-Kébir naval base. They are part of a 2013/2014 order for two new Project 636 Varshavyanka (Kilo class) vessels from Russia. The project 636 Kilo class vessels are a more advanced version of the naval diesel-electric attack submarine 877 Paltus. The attack submarine are intended for anti-shipping and anti-submarine operations in shallow waters. The Project 636 boats have improved sonar systems, 533 mm torpedo tubes. They carry up to 18 homing or wire-guided torpedoes, or 24 AM-1 mines.
Europe
Ukrainian automobile manufacturer AutoKrAZ donated a 8?8 KrAZ-7634?? cab-chassis truck to the Ukrainian army. The truck, equipped with a powerful engine rated at 460hp and automatic transmission with maximum torque rated at 2500 N/m, is used for conversion to a vehicle equipped with heavy special equipment. Instead of two rectangular tanks with capacity of 350 liters, two 165-liters round fuel tanks are provided. The truck’s ergonomic mounted cab has been lowered to a height of 2800 millimeters to allow its roof to be fitted with special equipment.
Russia’s Missile Troops and Artillery will be completely rearmed with Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile systems this year. The 9K720 Iskander-M is a short-range system deployed by Russian, which includes a cluster munitions warhead, a fuel-air explosive enhanced-blast warhead, a high explosive-fragmentation warhead, an earth penetrator for bunker busting and an electromagnetic pulse device for anti-radar missions. In 2011 the Kolomna-based Machine-Building Design Bureau (KBM) and the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a long-term contract under which KBM was to deliver two Iskander-M brigades to the military per year. The implementation of the contract began in the year 2013.
The Czech company LOM Praha agreed to buy four L-39NG next generation jet training aircraft from Aero Vodochody in 2020. The order ist valued at $49.2 million. LOM Praha military aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul, and training provider will be the launch customer for the L-39NG and has an option to buy two additional aircraft. The company’s machines are used for pilot training services. The L-39NG is a single-engine two-seated aircraft, that achieves a speed of 750 kilometers per hour. The first pre-serial machine took off for the first time last December. Serial production is scheduled to begin in 2020.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Army is in the process of spending an estimated $503 million on a new service rifle for its frontline infantry troops. The Indian Ministry of Defense is about to enter a three-month negotiation period with US-based SIG Sauer to procure SIG 716 battle rifles. SIG 716 uses a short stroke piston-driven operating system and has a 16 inch hammer-forged free floating barrel.
Today’s Video
Watch: Finally! Japan launch its first aircraft-carrier and 105 F-35 super-fighter jets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VHIRshD5qo
