Americas
The US Navy has introduced a tethered capability to accelerate experiments for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Called the Tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Experimentation Payload System (TULEPS), the solution supports the evaluation of drone software and mission equipment under real-world conditions. Users can attach the machine’s cord directly to a generic UAV airframe without requiring flight authorizations, under all weather conditions, and with various power payloads for endurance trials.
The Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has contracted six small businesses to expedite the construction of Virginia-class submarines. The $5-billion Maritime Acquisition Advancement Contract is intended to accelerate the procurement of integrated weapon systems equipment and services for the US Navy platforms. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has five one-year options, each valued at $1 billion and possibly reaching $10 billion.
Middle East & Africa
The US has begun reducing its military presence in Syria with a view to eventually closing all but one of its bases there, the US envoy for the country has said in an interview. Six months after the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, the United States is steadily drawing down its presence as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), a military task force launched in 2014 to fight the Islamic State group (IS).
Europe
The UK Government has published its Strategic Defense Review 2025, the underlying message of which is that the world has changed. The threat the UK now faces is more serious and less predictable than at any time since the Cold War. The UK faces war in Europe, growing Russian aggression, new nuclear risks, and daily cyber-attacks at home. Its adversaries are working more in alliance with one another, while technology is changing how war is fought. Drones now kill more people than traditional artillery in the war in Ukraine, and whoever gets new technology into the hands of their Armed Forces the quickest will have the advantage. The UK will move to warfighting readiness by establishing a more lethal ‘integrated force’ equipped for the future, and a strengthened homeland defense.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippines has signed a $700 million contract with Korea Aerospace Industries to purchase 12 additional FA-50 fighter jets. The deal, finalized on Jun. 3 with the Philippine Department of National Defense, will bring the total number of FA-50 aircraft in the Philippine Air Force fleet to 23 units. Delivery of the new aircraft is scheduled for completion by 2030.