Americas
Columbia Helicopters won a $54 million deal for maintenance and overhaul of the CH-47 Chinook rotor head. The Chinook CH-47 is a multi-mission helicopter manufactured by American aerospace and defense firm Boeing for the US Army and international defense forces. It’s used for the transportation of troops, artillery, supplies, and equipment to the battlefield. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of September 26, 2028.
Raytheon won a $76.4 million deal for the production of the MK 99 Fire Control Systems (FCS), associated hardware, and engineering support. This procurement provides MK 99 FCS units in support of DDG-51 class ships and the Missile Defense Agency, as well as FCS hardware for the government of Australia under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Andover, Massachusetts; Marlborough, Massachusetts; Chesapeake, Virginia; and Burlington, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. Fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $44,602,762; fiscal 2022 defense-wide procurement funds in the amount of $28,146,836; and FMS (Australia) funds in the amount of $3,329,467, will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Middle East and Africa
The Nigerian Navy is integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operational framework. This strategic initiative aims to elevate the navy’s capabilities and bolster its competitive edge on the seas. The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, says the Nigerian Navy will leverage on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to enhance its operational activities.
Turkey has handed over a Babur-class corvette to the Pakistan Navy and launched two brand-new Hisar-class offshore patrol vehicles (OPVs) for the Turkish Naval Forces. The events were held in a launch ceremony at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard, led by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense and state-owned ship manufacturer ASFAT Inc. The Babur-class corvette and Hisar-class OPVs were delivered as part of the MILGEM Project, a warship development program that aims to develop multipurpose seacraft for both nations.
Europe
The German Navy has finished sea trials for its laser weapon demonstrator (LWD) onboard the Sachsen F-124 air-defense frigate. The LWD completed more than 100 test firings over six sessions, proving its functionality under realistic operating conditions with different targets. The demonstrator will be used to counter short-range threats from drones, drone swarms, speedboats, and missiles. Further updates could see it undergo performance upgrades to counter supersonic missiles, rockets, mortar, and artillery rounds.
Asia-Pacific
In an article for the Space Review, Carlos Alatorre delves into China’s recent advancements in space capabilities, particularly focusing on its deployment of a reusable autonomous spaceplane named Shenlong. The article raises critical questions about China’s potential to establish co-orbital antisatellite (ASAT) platforms and whether there is evidence of China’s intention to do so. The author begins by highlighting China’s successful launch and mission of the Shenlong spaceplane, which spent 276 days in orbit and released an object that conducted coordinated maneuvers with the spaceplane. These developments have raised concerns about China’s capabilities in space technology and its potential to establish co-orbital ASAT platforms.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Evolution of the Chinook
