Americas
Boeing won a $62.3 million contract modification for performance-based logistics support for the AH-64D/E Apache Attack helicopter. The AH-64 Apache is the Army’s heavy division/corps attack helicopter. The AH-64D Longbow remanufacture effort incorporates a millimeter wave fire control radar, radar frequency interferometer, fire-and-forget radar-guided HELLFIRE missile and cockpit management and digitization enhancements. The helo has a four-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor. The crew sits in tandem, with the pilot sitting behind and above the copilot/gunner. Both crew members are capable of flying the aircraft and performing methods of weapon engagements independently. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date will be April 30, 2024.
Boeing won a $17.6 million modification, which exercises an option to perform 27 modifications in support of the Increment 3 Block I retrofit requirement for P-8A aircraft for the Navy and the government of Australia. The Increment 3 focuses on network ready open architecture and net-enabled weapons. The program consists in the integration of the Harpoon Block II+ anti-ship missile and Link 16 datalink, targeting improvements, and various communications upgrades. The P-8A already in service with the US Navy will all be retrofitted to the Increment 3 standard. The P8-A is expected to have a completely upgraded software by 2022, in time to become fully operational in 2023. Boeing will perform work in Washington, Australia and Arizona and estimated completion will be in September, 2021.
Middle East & Africa
The Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) unveiled the Faisal Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) that it has developed during the Bahrain International Defense Exhibition and Conference (BIDEC) held between October 28 and October 30. The BDF said the Faisal is the first armored vehicle to be designed and developed by its Technical Maintenance Unit. It said the 4×4 vehicle can carry up to eight people, has B6-level armored protection and a V-shaped hull that ensures maximum protection against explosive devices. It is equipped with an automatic fire-suppression system, central tyre inflation system, and external security cameras.
Europe
The US and German Armies signed an agreement targeting an unprecedented level of interoperability between their formations within seven years, Defense News reports. By 2027, the two countries’ ground forces want to push interoperability, which means that both forces work seamlessly on the same tactical objective, to what a statement calls an “integrated level” in both regional and global operations. Additional objectives include aligning the information systems of both militaries so that there is a common procedure at the brigade and division levels for intelligence collection and sharing as well as and joint targeting.
Asia-Pacific
The NAWCAD awarded BAE Systems a $69.2 million contract for 931,200 man hours of installation and certification technical support to the Combat Integration and Identification Systems Devision, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Webster Outlying Field. The deal is in support of the US Navy as well as the governments of Japan, South Korea and Australia. Work will take place in Maryland and estimated completion will be in April 2025.
Lockheed Martin won a $10.6 million modification, which provides for the development and delivery of an enhanced simulator database and project management support for the F-35 aircraft of Japan. The F-35 Lightning II is designed and built to counter the most advanced airborne and ground-based threats. Japan’s program of record is 147 aircraft. In December 2018, the Japan Ministry of Defense announced its decision to increase its procurement of F-35s from 42 to 147. They stated the aircraft will be a mix of 105 F-35As and 42 STOVLS. The F-35 possesses 5th Generation capabilities that are not found on legacy 4th Generation fighters: very low observable stealth coupled with full fighter performance, advanced sensors and sensor fusion, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Work under the contract modification will take place in Florida and Texas and estimated completion will be in July 2021.
Today’s Video
Watch: BIDEC 2019 Bahrain International Defense Exhibition Manama army show daily News Day 3
