GD Gives Up on T-X Trainer | Lockheed Cleans Up on Targeting Pods | Thales & BAE Partner for Counter Mine Unmanned Vessels

Americas

• General Dynamics has removed itself as prime contractor for the T-100 trainer, a contender for the T-X requirement to provide next-generation trainer jets to replace the T-38. The Air Force released the final set of requirements for the T-X only a matter of days ago and with GD now withdrawing, the ability of manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi to compete without a US prime is uncertain, especially given the high level of competition for the lucrative program.

• Lockheed Martin was awarded a $485 million IDIQ contract Friday for advanced targeting pods, a portion of which are earmarked for FMS. The Sniper pod is operational on the F-15, F-16, F-18, B-1, B-52 and A-10 platforms. Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Canada, the UK and Belgium are previous export customers. A separate $8.9 million contract will also see Lockheed provide the Jordanian Air Force with 10 of the targeting pods, through the UK as a third party.

• A $28.5 million contract was awarded to Boeing for twenty-five QF-16 target drones, following the delivery of the first initial rate production aircraft on 20 March. The QF-16 is a pilotless version of the F-16 fighter, with the Air Force planning to procure 126 to replace its rapidly diminishing fleet of Phantom-based QF-4 drones.

• The Navy awarded a $51.6 million contract modification as part of the Aegis Modernization program, including Ballistic Missile Defense 4.0.2 equipment. Raytheon was also awarded a $16.7 million contract in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities of Aegis-equipped Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers. In a separate contract, Raytheon also won a $16.1 million contract to support the Ship Self Defense System for CVN-68, CVN-72 and LHD-2.

Europe

• A joint Anglo-French mine countermeasure contract was awarded Friday to a team of French Thales and British BAE Systems. The contract will see the development of both subsurface and surface unmanned vehicles, with prototypes due for completion in 2019.

Asia

• German firm Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems is looking to sell the Indian Navy six of its HDW Class 214 subs, with full technology transfer included, according to Indian media.

• Japan and India are in talks to set up a joint venture in order to manufacture the US-2 amphibious plane currently operated by the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. India reportedly plans to procure twelve of the aircraft, with ten of these produced in India. These latest reports have reduced the number of aircraft India plans to procure compared to previous media coverage, falling from fifteen.

Today’s Video

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