Americas
Boeing won a $40 million contract modification for KC-46 engineering, manufacturing, and development. This provides for qualification test of the components and full life qualification of the actuator, as well as for conducting lab test, ground test and flight test verifications. The KC-46A Aerial Refuelling Aircraft has a maximum fuel capacity of 212,000lb. The aircraft is fitted with a flush-mounted air-to-air refuelling receptacle capable of accepting fuel at 1,200gal/min. The tanker is capable of carrying 18 cargo pallets, as well as transporting 58 passengers normally and up to 114 passengers during contingency operations. The tanker aircraft also provides urgent aeromedical evacuation by transporting 54 medical patients. The maximum takeoff weight of the tanker aircraft will be 415,000lb (188,241kg). Work will take place in Seattle, and is expected to be completed December 31, 2023
L3Harris Technologies won a $10.5 million contract modification, which exercises Lot 20 option items to procure digital map computers (DMCs) and digital video map computers (DVMCs); 50 DMCs and 77 DVMCs in support of sparing for the Naval Supply Systems Command; 24 DVMCs for the Navy in support of the F/A-18E/F aircraft; 16 DMCs for the government of the Czech Republic; and three DMCs for the government of Bahrain. Additionally, this modification procures 24 extension housings for the DVMC buy for the Navy in support of the F/A-18E/F aircraft program. The Super Hornet is a maritime strike attack aircraft. The first full-rate production aircraft was delivered in September 2001. 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 Florida. Estimated completion will be in December 2022.
Middle East & Africa
Turkish firm Roketsan is reportedly in the final stages of testing its first domestically manufactured maritime missile, Atmaca. In development since 2009, ATMACA completed tests in November 2018. A deal for its mass production was signed between the SSB and its manufacturer Roketsan in 2018. The launch control system of the missile was developed by Turkish defense electronics firm ASELSAN, while the fire control system was developed by the Turkish Naval Research Center Command (ArMerKom). The ATMACA can be fired from fixed or moving targets such as ships. It has a range of up to 250km, hovers low above water and can reach its target both on a linear and a vertical plane. With this feature, the missile can reach a higher altitude when it gets closer to the target and land on a target ship from directly above, according to information provided by Roketsan.
Europe
The guided-missile destroyer USS Ross completed training exercises in the Baltic Sea with a ship of Poland’s navy, the US Sixth Fleet announced. The USS Ross, based at Rota, Spain, and the frigate ORP Gen. Kazmierz Pulaski conducted a series of maneuvers, air and surface tactics and data link exercises. The Arleigh Burke Class destroyer had conducted similar exercises with ships of NATO partners during this summer, including training with the Lithuanian and Latvian navies. Three weeks before the exercises with the Polish ship, the USS Ross joined British and Norwegian counterparts for maritime exercises led by the British Navy above the Arctic Circle in the Barents Sea.
Asia-Pacific
The US State Department approved the potential Foreign Military Sales of rolling airframe missile (RAM) Block 2 tactical missiles to Japan. The US State Department has approved the potential foreign military sale (FMS) of rolling airframe missile (RAM) Block 2 tactical missiles to Japan. Under the estimated $55.311 million sale, Japan has requested for up to 51 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) Block 2 Tactical Missiles, RIM-116C, and related equipment. Japan has also sought for RAM Guided Missile Round Pack Tri-Pack shipping and storage containers, as well as operator manuals and technical documentation.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force declared that the PAC2 air defense interceptors stationed at Chinen and Onna Sub Bases are now upgraded to the PAC3 version. The change was carried out in August. Both bases are assigned under the 5th Air Defence Missile Group that protects the Okinawa islands. In December 2017, American Company Lockheed Martin has won a $944 million contract to deliver Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles to the United States and allies including Japan, according to a statement released by the company. The upgraded PAC-3 MSE expands the lethal battlespace with a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased performance in altitude and range. PAC-3 MSE is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. The missile uses Hit-to-Kill technology, which engages threats through kinetic energy via body-to-body contact.
Today’s Video
Watch: China Tension (Sept 29,2020): US Deployed MQ-9 Reaper Drone to South China Sea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz1rhIi4Tig
