Americas
Blue Force Technologies (BFT) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have successfully completed a ground test for a novel carbon fiber composite propulsion flow path system for BFT’s Fury uncrewed fighter under the AFRL Bandit program. “On an uncrewed fighter like Fury, proper integration of the propulsion flow path is the most significant design driver for the overall vehicle. It was crucial to us to demonstrate, prior to building flight test aircraft, that we could correctly predict the interaction between the propulsion flow path components and the Williams International engine,” said Scott Bledsoe, President of Blue Force Technologies.
Boeing won a $2 billion modification for KC-46A Air Force Production Lot 9 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses. The contract modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46A aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by Aug. 31, 2026.
Middle East & Africa
After pledging all 19 of its French-made Caesar howitzers to Ukraine, Denmark is in talks with Israeli arms maker Elbit Systems for new mobile artillery to plug a “critical gap.” The defense ministry said late Thursday that negotiations were on “with the manufacturer Elbit Systems for the delivery of ATMOS artillery pieces and PULS rocket launcher systems as soon as possible.”
Europe
Poland will deliver an additional 60 tanks to Kyiv to help it fend off Russia’s aggression, in a move hailed on Friday by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “Thank you… Poland for these important decisions to deliver to Ukraine 60 Polish tanks — 30 of which are the famous PT-91 Twardy, along with 14 Leopards,” Zelensky said on Twitter. Ukraine has also been promised battle tanks from Germany and the US, announced this week.
The French defense procurement agency has awarded a $26-million contract to Saab for the delivery of AT4 anti-armor weapons. According to the Swedish firm, the man-portable weapon system can neutralize enemy tanks and heavy combat vehicles. It can also be used to attack buildings and protected infrastructure where enemy troops are hiding.
Asia-Pacific
The US Navy’s lead America-class amphibious assault ship LHA 6 has conducted a live firing demonstration in the Philippine Sea. During the trial, the vessel launched its RIM-116 rolling airframe missile to identify, track, and intercept decoys. The event was held to validate the weapon system’s capability and sailors’ warfighting readiness.
Sikorsky won a $656.8 million modification for UH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Australia) funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Elbit Systems / ATMOS
