Brazilian Air Force Cuts KC-390 Order | Royal Navy Using AI To Defeat Missile Attacks | Japan’s Aegis Ashore Likely To Cost $9B
Americas
L3 Communications Integrated Mission Systems won an $18.9 million contract, which provides non-recurring engineering and material to develop and qualify the degraded visual environment helmet mounted display and processor capability for integration into the Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft. The MV-22 Osprey’s mission for the US Marine Corps is the transportation of troops, equipment, and supplies from ships and land bases for combat assault and assault support. Work will take place in Texas, Illinois, California and Alabama. Expected completion will be in December 2024.
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) has announced a decision to reduce the number of KC-390 transport aircraft it has ordered. The initial order was for 28 airframes, the FAB said it will now only take deliveries of two KC-390s a year. The final number of aircraft reduced was not disclosed. Air Data News reports that based on the schedule to deliver all aircraft till 2027, the final number will be less than 20 aircraft.
Middle East & Africa
Leidos won a $17.6 million contract modification for contractor logistics support services for the Afghan Air Force Special Mission Wing. Fiscal 2010 Pseudo Foreign Military Sales (Afghanistan) funds in the amount of $17,635,011 were obligated at the time of the award. Pseudo-FMS is a type of foreign security cooperation in which the United States, instead of selling arms or services to a foreign country, procures them from defense contractors using US-appropriated funds and transfers the arms to allies. Work will take place in Kabul, Afghanistan. Estimated completion date is August 31, 2021.
Europe
The UK’s Royal Navy is using artificial intelligence for the first time at sea in an effort to help defeat missile attacks. According to the Navy, leading-edge software is being tested at sea against live missiles during the largest exercise of its type off the coasts of Scotland and Norway.
A missile traveling at about 5,000 miles per hour was destroyed recently by a French frigate during NATO exercises off the Scottish coast, the US Navy 6th Fleet and French navy said. The French anti-missile ship FS Forbin fired an Aster 30 combat missile, destroying the target skimming the water’s surface, on May 21, the nations said in a statement this week.
Asia-Pacific
Documents obtained by Asahi Shimbun revealed that Japan’s Aegis Ashore alternative sea-based proposal is likely to cost $9 billion in the long run. The undisclosed figures are for the repair and maintenance of equipment plus testing of the missile system.
Today’s Video
Watch: Embraer KC-390 Impressive Take off (Paris Air Show 2019)
