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May 17, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
Black Construction won an $83.7 million deal for design and construction of wharf improvements at Naval Base Guam. The work to be performed includes the renovation and modernization of Berth 2 to provide full capability to support two loaded T-AKE vessels with the proper depth of water, sufficient wharf length, and power and utilities. The Lewis and Clark Class T-AKE is a dry cargo/ammunition ship, totaling 14 ships. Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway replenishment services, the T-AKE directly contributes to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. Work will take place in Guam. Expected completion date is in September 2024.
Deloitte Consulting won an estimated $12.5 million contract modification for a training virtual environment (TVE) that will host the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) training curriculum and deliver curriculum packages for CANES baselines. The TVE is a virtualized computing environment that fully replicates the functionality of CANES that provides realistic and testable training and scenarios. The TVE provides a centrally located and integrated learning management system that allows for rapid curriculum updates and configuration changes. Work will take place on California, Arizona, Florida and Virginia. Estimated completion will be by December 2023.
Middle East & Africa
Israeli defense firm XTEND has inked an agreement with the US Department of Defense to supply hundreds of new Wolverine Gen2 drones to the US military. The unmanned system will be used to protect ground troops, particularly on dangerous missions.
Europe
UK shipbuilder Babcock has inked a $36.7 million contract to conduct the routine dry-dock maintenance periods of the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) two Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) carriers for the next decade at its dockyard in Rosyth, Fife. Babcock said the 10-year contract also includes the provision of any contingency dockings that may be required over the timeframe of the agreement. Scheduled dockings will be conducted over a six-week period and will include all routine maintenance and repairs that cannot be done when the carriers are afloat. The UK government said the latest contract would help sustain 300 jobs at the yard and the wider supply chain.
Asia-Pacific
According to Japan’s Sankei news, Tokyo has decided to switch its partner for developing the F-X fighter from Lockheed Martin to BAE Systems. Both countries had announced plans to develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator in December 2021. The aircraft was supposed to be develop by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with assistance from Lockheed Martin. However, talks on how to carry out the development work have run into roadblocks. This prompted Japan to switch the main partner to BAE Systems.
Kazakhstan will be able to assemble the ANKA unmanned air vehicle in the future as state-owned Kazakhstan Engineering as it signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish Aerospace Industries for the production. The memorandum of understanding also covers the repair and maintenance of the ANKA in Kazakhstan. Turkish Aerospace Industries General Manager Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil said, “We are very excited to sign a new production base for our ANKA.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Meet the XTEND Wolverine, Multi-mission UAS
May 16, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
General Dynamics Land won a $29 million deal for Abrams Systems technical support. The M1 Abrams is a third generation main battle tank. Work will take place in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023.
The first C-130H with eight-bladed propellors assigned to the 133rd Airlift Wing has returned home after modifications. The aircraft arrived home on May 11 at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. Another seven C-130Hs are undergoing the modifications with a completion date by the end of September 2023. After which the cargo planes will get new T56 3.5 turboprop engines.
Middle East & Africa
SpearUAV, an Israeli company which develops autonomous, AI-based technology for encapsulated SWARM-based UASs, announced last week the completion of a $17 million funding round. The round was led by Israel’s UVision Air, which specializes in aerial loitering munition systems, and a number of other investors. Air UVision stated that following its investment in SpearUAV, it would become a minority shareholder in the company.
Europe
Ukraine could be operating its most sophisticated air defense missile system in November if a plan by Germany to supply the country with the IRIS-T SLM goes ahead. German media says training of Ukrainian solidiers could start as soon as the German government has approved the plan.
Asia-Pacific
Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV won a $71.4 million contract modification for the Javelin Missile System. Javelin is a man-portable anti-tank guided weapon. The F-Model of the Javelin missile first entered production in 2020 and includes improvements to the missile’s warhead to defeat reactive armor as well as improved case fragmentation that enables the user to strike lightly armored or unarmored targets. Work will take. Place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2025. Fiscal 2022 missile procurement, Army funds; and Foreign Military Sales (Thailand, Norway, Albania and Latvia) funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.
Taiwan is scheduled to unveil the design of its new fighter in 2024 and make its first flight in 2025, Up Media reports. The F414-GE-400 has been selected as the power plant while L3Harris will be supplier of the avionics. Ejection seat will be provided by Martin-Baker. Decisions will be made by end of the month to select companies to supply the AESA radar and cockpit displays.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Germany intends to transfer NATO air defense systems IRIS-T to Ukraine
May 13, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin won a $43.6 million order, which provides for diminishing manufacturing sources non-recurring engineering in support of a redesigned panoramic cockpit display electronic unit video mixer for F-35 Lightning II production aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-US Department of Defense participants. Work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2029.
Lockheed Martin Sippican won a $14 million contract modification to exercise options for engineering and maintenance services for the Heavyweight MK48 Torpedo Program at the Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) Pearl Harbor. Work will take place in Hawaii. Expected completion will be by March 2023.
Middle East & Africa
It was announced that earlier this year, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems alongside the Israeli Navy and Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) successfully completed a series of tests on Rafael’s C-GEM naval system. C-GEM is an innovative shipborne off-board RF Active Decoy (RFAD) system protecting naval vessels from anti-ship missiles through electromagnetic spectrum manipulation. C-GEM jams and deceives threats from multiple directions, independent of ship maneuvers.
Europe
According to the British Royal Air Force, two C-130J Hercules aircraft out of RAF Brize Norton have conducted a low level formation training sortie across the South West of England. the aircraft, after departing Brize Norton, practiced low-level altitude flying near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The pair then climbed before practising close-formation airdrop procedures over land.
Asia-Pacific
The annual migration of Global Hawks based in Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to Japan has started this year. Aircraft from the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron cross the Pacific Ocean on May 11.
Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) – the country’s primary military research and development (R&D) organisation – has conducted a series of missile tests from a military base in the southern county of Pingtung. The trials are aligned with Taiwan’s growing efforts to expand its missile development and production capacity in the face of growing tensions with China.
Today’s Video
WATCH: U.S. Air Force UAV RQ-4 Global Hawk : using a modernised ground control station
May 12, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
General Atomics has announced the availability of a short takeoff and landing (STOL) wing and tail kit for the MQ-9B. The American company had demonstrated STOL capability on a modified Gray Eagle Extended Range platform last year under its Mojave initiative. The new MQ-9B STOL kit can fold upwards so that the unmanned air vehicle can be parked on the deck or in the hangar bay, of an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship.
Raytheon won a $272.7 million performance-based logistics requirements contract to provide logistics, repair, and upgrade support for 15 Multi-Spectral Targeting System Forward-Looking Infrared components in support of MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters. The deal will include a five-year base period with one two-year option period which if exercised, will bring the total estimated value to $376,414,525. Work will take place in Florida and Texas. Expected completion will be by May 2027; if the option is exercised, work is expected to be completed by May 2029.
Middle East & Africa
The Morganti Group won a $14.7 million deal to construct an air traffic control tower. Work will take place in Azraq, Jordan. Estimated completion date is June 18, 2024. US Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, is the contracting activity
Europe
Multinational defense firm Elbit Systems has been chosen to provide training technologies for the UK navy’s future Dreadnought-class submarines. The solution will reportedly be provided to British soldiers prior to the deployment of the submarine to ensure “safe and competent” operations.
Asia-Pacific
Anduril Industries will develop three Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (XL-AUVs) for the Royal Australian Navy. The three-year, 140 million Australian dollars ($100 million) co-funded program will see long-endurance AUVs integrated with multi-mission payloads for military and non-military missions such as “advanced intelligence, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting,” the company stated.
South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the “complete denuclearization” of the North at his swearing-in on Tuesday, describing Pyongyang’s weapons as a threat to regional and global security. Yoon, 61, who started work in an underground bunker with a security briefing on North Korea, took office at a time of high tensions on the peninsula, with Pyongyang conducting a record 15 weapons tests since January.
Today’s Video
WATCH: BAE System Build Most Powerful Dreadnought Class Submarine for UK
May 11, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
A US Air Force KC-46A crew has flown the aerial refueling aircraft for 24.2 hours in a mission to gather human factors data on long-duration flights. The aircraft was flown by four pilots working on four-hour shifts with another two pilots acting as backup. They were joined by three boom operators, a photojournalist, and a physician assistant. Taking off from McConnell Air Force Base on May 5, the jet landed back at McConnell Air Force Base the next day with just one refueling from a KC-46A.
Korte Construction Co., doing business as The Korte Co. won $37 million firm-fixed-price contract to design and construct an operations and test facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will take place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, with an estimated completion date of May 5, 2024. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
Iran has claimed that the production of two indigenous destroyers, the Zagros and Damavand-2, has made significant progress and that they will join the country’s navy “in the near future.” As per the Iranian Navy, the studies related to the manufacturing of the destroyers have been completed and they are soon expected to enter the production phase.
Europe
According to Defense News, US Pentagon leaders are asking Congress for new authorities when it comes to cooperative defense programs with the European Union, a prospect officials on both sides of the Atlantic have said will complement traditional NATO processes. Defense officials circulated legislative language to that effect on Capitol Hill this month in hopes of having it included in the annual defense policy bill now on the congressional docket.
German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) announced that it has delivered 3,000 unprotected transport vehicles (UTVs) to the German military. The delivery was part of a 2017 contract to produce 2,000 UTVs capable of carrying up to 15 tons (30,000 pounds) of payload.
Asia-Pacific
Australia has announced plans to acquire 12 more MH-60R naval helicopters and 29 AH-64E attack helicopters. The MH-60R contract will include a 13th aircraft to replace one that was lost in 2021. All will be based at HMAS Albatross. Boeing says it welcomes Australia’s decision as the AH-64E Apache provides Australia with a low-risk, fully-integrated, battle-proven capability.
Today’s Video
WATCH: MH-60R Seahawk Best Anti Submarine Helicopter
May 10, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin won a $14.5 million contract modification to exercise options for Machinery Control System production shipsets in support of both the DDG 51 modernization program and the DDG 51 new construction program. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 202. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington DC, is the contracting activity.
Sikorsky Aircraft won a $12.3 million modification, which exercises an option to provide production system engineering and program management support in support of CH-53K low-rate initial production. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be in May 2023. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced that it has signed contracts with the US and France to import advanced military weapons and equipment. According to senior military commander Major General Abd Al-Ardawi, the agreements include the supply of high-powered artillery systems that have recently proven effective in fighting extremist groups.
Europe
The British Army will reportedly soon see its Coyote six-wheeled tactical vehicles equipped with 105-millimeter Howitzer weapon systems. The Coyote is currently equipped with the Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon, currently used by Ukraine to destroy Russian tanks. Although the armored vehicle already has a powerful weapon, British Army experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria reportedly highlighted the need for the Coyote to have additional firepower.
The joint venture of Nexter and Texelis has handed over the first SERVAL 4×4 light armoured multi-role vehicles (véhicule blindé multi-rôles, VBMR) to the French Ministry of Defence. The companies have announced that a total of 70 vehicles will be delivered this year. The French procurement agency had ordered a first batch of 364 SERVALs in early 2021. The SCORPION programme, the objective of which is to renew the French Army’s medium armoured vehicles, foresees 689 vehicles in the first phase
Asia-Pacific
The militaries of Britain and Japan will “work more closely together” under a defense deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced during talks with his Japanese counterpart on May 5. Johnson hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at 10 Downing Street. He commented on the “strong stance” Japan has taken “against the Russian aggression in Ukraine” and drew a parallel with the security situation in Asia.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Inside The Largest Marine Helicopter | CH-53K King Stallion
May 09, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin won a $372.4 million modification, which adds scope to procure F-35 Lightning II Lots 15-16 ancillary mission equipment requirements for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Additionally, this modification adds scope to procure F-35 Lightning II initial spares for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion will be in December 2024.
The US Marine Corps will have a second aggressor squadron by 2024 when VMFT-402 is declared safe for flight in 2024 at MCAS Beaufort. VMFT-402 will initially have three F-5N+ fighters before growing to a fleet comprising of eight F-5N+ and two F-5F+ aircraft. These jets will be ex-Swiss Air Force aircraft. According to the 2022 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, the service has a 15,000 sorties requirement for adversary training this year, but the existing VMFT-401 aggressor squadron can only generate 3,300 sorties per year.
Middle East & Africa
Morocco is in talks to acquire the Delilah cruise missile to equip its F-5 fighters.The F-5 is a a supersonic light fighter jet. The missile system is developed by Israeli weapon manufacturer Elbit Systems. Morocco intends to use the Delilah cruise missiles to upgrade its already-existing fleet of F-2 fighter jets.
Europe
Training is set to begin in Germany next week for Ukrainian soldiers on the Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzer, after officials confirmed Friday that the Dutch and German governments approved sending 12 of the heavy weapons to the fight. Friday’s announcement came a week after the German parliament voted to send “heavy weapons” to Ukraine following weeks of intense debate in Germany on whether that would be a step too far, escalating the war Russian President Vladimir Putin started in February.
Serbia displayed a recently delivered Chinese anti-aircraft missile system HQ-22, raising concerns in the West and among some of Serbia’s neighbors that an arms buildup in the Balkans could threaten fragile peace in the region. The Chinese missile system has been widely compared to the American Patriot and the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, although it has a shorter range than more advanced S-300s. Serbia is the first operator of the Chinese missiles in Europe.
Asia-Pacific
India’s indigenous Astra Mk. 2 long-range air-to-air missile will be fired from the Su-30MKI fighter for the first time this year, a Times of India report says. Utilizing a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, the Astra Mk. 2 has 60 percent more range than the Astra Mk. The Astra Mk. 3 with solid fuel-based ducted ramjet will also be tested for the first time since 2019. This variant is reported to have a range of 350km.
Today’s Video
WATCH: All facts about, China’s New HQ-22 Long-Range Air Defense Missile System
May 06, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
Sierra Nevada won a $34 million contract modification for the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program low rate initial production. This order provides for the procurement of production kits, spares, interim contractor support and weapon system trainer support. Work will take place in Colorado. Estimated completion date is January 19, 2023.
Boeing won a $16.3 million deal for the E-3 Replacement Studies and Analysis. This contract provides for studies and analysis for the replacement of the E-3. Work will take place in Oklahoma. Estimated completion will be by July 31, 2022.
Middle East & Africa
The US Army is considering acquiring the Spike FireFly tactical mini-drone developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, according to a report by Breaking Defense. Described as a “miniature electro-optical tactical loitering munition,” the drone was among the cutting-edge technologies demonstrated during Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2022.
Europe
Two-week long training exercise “Arrow” started. It aims to develop Finnish Defense Forces’ ground combat capabilities and the ability to operate joint fires, alongside international allies. According to the British Army, the exercise will test and develop mechanized units operating in a multinational environment, with more than 3,000 soldiers in total taking part.
Asia-Pacific
The South Korean legislative assembly organized a conference on airpower development on May 4 and Maj. Gen. Choi Chun-song, head of the planning and management staff of the Air Force Headquarters, briefed participants on a proposal to shorten the timeline for the replacement of legacy fighters. Choi said 60 fighters aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industry should be acquired to replace the F-4s and F-5s in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force. Choi says 20 FA-50s, 20 KF-21s and 20 F-35s can be bought to trim the time frame by 3 to 5 years. At the same conference, a representative from LIG Nex1 spoke about a proposal to Malaysia to equip the FA-50 with a new radar and electronic warfare system from his company to sweeten the deal to sell the light fighter to the South East Asia nation. Currently, the FA-50 uses a radar from Israel, a state from which Malaysia does not have diplomatic recognition.
Raytheon Australia has teamed up with shipbuilder Austal and maritime systems designer BMT in its bid to supply the Australian Army with a new amphibious landing craft. The proposal, presented by the teaming, is known as the Independent Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel (ILMV) and it seeks to fulfil Canberra’s Land 8710 Phase 1A requirement, which will enhance the Australian Army’s amphibious assault capabilities.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Inside the Flying Control Tower | Air Force E-3 Sentry
May 05, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
Toyon Research won a $9.1 million ordering agreement, which provides for analysis tools and performance analysis to support the E-2D aircraft and provide support equipment for E-2D performance analysis. Additionally, this order provides two E-2D Delta System Software Configuration (DSSC)-4 mission computer upgrade kits to support analysis of E-2D DSSC-4 in an operational environment, as well as develop system requirements to update the E-2D All-source Track and ID Fuser data fusion engine to accept data from tactical information web services. This order continues efforts in support of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Topic N111-016 titled, “Optimizing Track-to-Track Data Fusion for Variable Cases”, which seeks to develop a method that would analyze different approaches of combining tracks from multiple disparate data sources and identify the approach that results in the best overall track accuracy within the processing and time constraints available. Work will take place in California, Florida, Texas and New Hampshire. Estimated completion will be by July 2024.
F-15s assigned to the 144th Fighter Wing, California, carried out Alaska Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Training exercise with F-22s from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson last month. There were two objectives in this exercise: one is to free up F-22s to allow them to be deployed in the Pacific and the second is to improve interoperability between the two different generations of fighters.
Middle East & Africa
Senegal has ordered eight LG1 105 mm howitzers and ammunition from Nexter. The contract for the Senegal Armed Forces entered into effect on April 20. A unit cost of the 105 mm LG1 howitzer is $2.08 million, indicating that the Senegal procurement is worth more than $16.6 million. Senegal is the eighth customer for the LG1, which has also been bought by Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Europe
UK shipbuilder Babcock has laid down the keel for the first of five new Type 31 Inspiration-class general-purpose frigates on order for the Royal Navy (RN). The keel laying ceremony for the first in class, to be named HMS Venturer , was held at Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard in Scotland on April 26.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea and the United States will hold air and naval anti-submarine exercises in South Korea next week. Korea Flying Training exercise will kick off on May 9 while the Ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) exercise will commence on May 10. The two-week Korea Flying Training exercise is a scale-down version of the Max Thunder exercise that used to be stage back both sides since 2009.
According to Jane’s, the Australian Department of Defence has selected Schiebel’s S-100 Camcopter for an initial phase of the Royal Australian Navy’s programme to acquire a maritime unmanned aircraft system. The Camcopter is already in service with the RAN’s 822X squadron in a trial capacity under the long-running Navy Minor Program (NMP)1942 effort that was designed to inform SEA 129 Phase 5’s requirements. Five systems were shortlisted in March 2021 under an invitation to respond (ITR) to the requirement, and limited request for tender (RFT) was due to have been issued in early 2022.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Finally! HMS Venturer Type 31 Inspiration-class Frigate take shape
May 04, 2022 05:00 UTCAmericas
The US Air Force’s secretive Next Generation Air Dominance future fighter program could be the most expensive aircraft program in history, with each piloted, sixth-generation aircraft expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. When asked about the price tag, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall did not specify exactly how much an individual aircraft could cost, but said the service was talking about “multiple” hundreds of millions.
Huntington Ingalls won an $11 million contract modification to extend the delivery date for vessel storage and towing preparation services of the aircraft carrier ex-USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Work will take place in Virginia. Expected completion will be by September 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Mali’s ruling military has announced it is breaking its defense accords with former colonial ruler France, condemning “flagrant violations” of its national sovereignty by the French troops stationed there. The announcement was the latest sign of deteriorating relations between Mali and France.
Europe
Lockheed Martin is planning to ramp up Javelin anti-tank missile system production, expecting a surge in demand from Ukraine, chief executive James Taiclet announced. Taiclet said the company is ready to invest in further production of the Javelin, the Patriot, and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and requested the Pentagon help provide “future contracts to make up the difference.”
The sudden elevation in intensity of top-level talks between Finland and Sweden has raised the bar on the expectation that the two unaligned Nordic states will jointly announce their decisions to join NATO by May 16. The possibility of Sweden and Finland joining NATO was discussed when the prime ministers of both countries, Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin, meet at Schloss Meseberg castle, near Berlin, to discuss security issues with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on May 3.
Asia-Pacific
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it was considering alternative weapons options after the United States informed it that the delivery of an artillery system would be delayed due to a “crowded” production line. The two allied nations signed an agreement last year to deliver 40 M109A6 medium self-propelled howitzers for $750 million. Taiwan had expected eight Paladin howitzers next year, and 16 each in 2024 and 2025.
Today’s Video
WATCH: How Powerful is America’s Paladin Howitzer
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