Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $54,5 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement. This modification adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering and associated materials in support of power thermal management system controller and gun lube diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages redesign effort in support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2030. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
According to Defense Post, Thales subsidiary Advanced Acoustic Concepts (AAC) has delivered the first CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar for the US Navy’s Constellation-class guided-missile frigates. Prime contractor Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) awarded the contract in May 2022 after the navy ended Raytheon’s AN/SQS-62 variable-depth sonar development, which was to originally equip the Constellation class.
Middle East & Africa
French defense contractor Nexter has offered its latest VBCI infantry fighting vehicle to Qatar for its military modernization beyond 2030. The announcement referred to possible contracts for VBCI II, an upgraded version of the company’s armored combat system specifically made for the French armed forces. Alongside future deliveries, Nexter opened potential discussions for the vehicle’s final assembly line, associated maintenance and support services, as well as the manufacturing of “a large range of ammunition” in Qatar “to benefit the government’s sovereignty.”
Europe
Rheinmetall has inked a deal to supply an undisclosed NATO member with rocket launcher ammunition amounting to more than $326 million. The order states that the capabilities will be designed to reach a maximum range of 186 miles (300 kilometers). Additional logistic services and systems will be covered by the agreement. This marks Rheinmetall’s first sales success in rocket artillery.
France’s defense-procurement agency said it awarded contracts to five domestic computer-research startups to develop technology that will allow the country to have two universal quantum computer prototypes by 2032, with the goal of developing quantum systems usable for defense requirements. The framework agreements with the five companies – Alice & Bob, C12, Pasqal, Quandela and Quobly – are worth up to $545 million, the Armed Forces Ministry said in an emailed statement on March 6.
Asia-Pacific
Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is developing a 50-kilowatt laser weapon to neutralize enemy missiles and drones. The laser can be mounted on CM-32 Clouded Leopard armored vehicles for added mobility and range. According to an unnamed defense official, the weapon will have enough raw power output to support various combat applications. Last year, the NCSIST reportedly produced a low-power prototype of the vehicle-mounted laser weapon.
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