Alliant Techsystems Operations LLC won a $167.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for 263 full-rate production Lot 8 Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles or AARGM. The deal for the subsidiary of Northrop Grumman includes the conversion of US government-provided AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles into 260 AGM-88E AARGM all-up rounds and 3 Captive Air Training Missiles as well as supplies and services needed for manufacture, spares and fleet deployment. AARGM is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile compatible with US and allied strike aircraft, including all variants of the F/A-18, Tornado, EA-18G, F-16, EA-6B, and F-35. Designed to upgrade the AGM-88 High-Speed, Anti-Radiation Missile system (HARM), AARGM features an advanced, digital, anti-radiation homing sensor, millimeter wave radar terminal seeker, precise Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) guidance, net-centric connectivity, and Weapon Impact Assessment transmit. Missile Impact Transmitter capability is available for approved customers. The missile offers extended-range engagement, as well as organic, in-cockpit emitter targeting capability and situational awareness. Work under the contract will take place in California and is scheduled to be finished by March 2022.
PAE Aviation and Technical Services won a $50.4 million contract modification for organizational, selected intermediate, and limited depot maintenance and logistics support for the F-5F and F-5N aircraft. The F-5 is a supersonic light fighter. The F-5N is a single seat, twin-engine, tactical fighter and attack aircraft providing simulated air-to-air combat training. The F-5F is a dual-seat version, twin-engine, tactical fighter commonly used for training and adversary combat tactics. The aircraft serves in an aggressor-training role with simulation capability of current threat aircraft in fighter combat mode. The F-5F Tiger II and F-5N Freedom Fighter are used by the Navy and Marine Corps for adversary training purposes. They serve as proxies for third-generation Soviet-era fighters due to their small size, maneuverability and relatively primitive sensor gear compared to modern aircraft like the F/A-18. PAE will perform work in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida. Estimated completion date is in July next year.
Middle East & Africa
The 38th Contracting Squadron awarded Sierra Nevada a $23.2 million modification to support the A-29 pilot and maintenance training for the Afghanistan Air Force at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia; and in Afghanistan. The modification involves building partner capacity/pseudo-Foreign Military Sales to Afghanistan. In April, the company won an almost $43 million contract for the A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft training for the Afghan Air Force. The Super Tucano is a flexible two-seat aircraft designed for counter-insurgency roles. It can also be used for reconnaissance missions in low-threat environments and for pilot training. Estimated completion date for the contract modification is December 31, 2023.
Europe
According to local reports, Russia has started serial production of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets. Sukhoi began to implement its contract for the delivery of the jets to the Russian Air Force. The deal entails delivery of 76 Su-57 fighter jets to Russia’s Aerospace Force. The first plane is scheduled to be delivered by the end of the year. The Russian Air Force was expected to receive two Su-57s prototypes by the end of 2019 and two more aircraft in 2020. The Su-57 is designed to destroy all types of air targets at long and short distances and hit enemy ground and naval targets, overcoming its air defense capabilities.
The German Chief of Defense Staff, General Eberhard Zorn, selected a new replenishment tanker for the German Navy on July 17. The two new Type 707 replenishment tankers will be able to carry 15,000 m3 of fuel and 20 containers, compared with 11,500 m3 and two containers for the two Type 704 Rhön Class tankers Rhön and Spessart they will replace. The Type 707 will have a speed of over 20 kt, compared with 16 kt for the Type 704. They can keep up with other warships such as frigates. The German Navy expects the new class to serve until the 2050s. The new Type 707 tanker will have a crew of 42.
Asia-Pacific
India has reportedly paid approximately $218 million to buy a batch of R-27 air-to-air missiles. The missiles will be equipped on the SU-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects, which mandate the three services to maintain critical weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period. The R-27 is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia for its MiG and Sukhoi series of fighter jets. Russia developed these missiles to add capability to the Sukhoi and MiG warfare aircrafts. Indian Air Force has signed $1.1 billion deals in the past two months. These deals were supposed to acquire equipments under emergency requirements.
CPI Aerostructures won a $65.7 million deal for T-38A/B/C sustainment. The contract is for structural and fastener kits. The T-38 Talon is a twinjet supersonic jet trainer. It was the world’s first supersonic trainer and entered service in 1961. Since then, more than 60,000 Air Force pilots have trained on the aircraft. The T-38A is a basic supersonic trainer aircraft and the AT-38B is the lead-in fighter trainer fitted with a centerline weapons station for practice bomb dispenser. A program to upgrade the T-38A and extend the service life of the aircraft until 2020 is underway. The program includes new avionics and propulsion and new structural elements including the wings.The upgraded aircraft is the T-38C. CPI Aerostructures will perform work under the ceiling contract in Edgewood, New York and estimated completion date is July 25, 2030.
The Naval Medical Logistics Command awarded Draeger a $9.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for anesthesia recording and monitoring devices (ARMD) sustainment services. The deal is in support of the US Navy, Army, and National Capital Region Military Treatment facilities inside and outside the continental US. Anesthesia monitoring devices are type of patient monitoring devices used during surgery to track vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature of patients under sedation in the operation theater. The contract has a five-year period of performance and all work is expected to be completed by July 26, 2024.
Middle East & Africa
The US delivered the last 101 of 930 mine-resistant military vehicles to the Egyptian Armed Forces. Under the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program affiliated to United States Defense Ministry, which works to get rid of surplus military equipment and dedicates it to friendly countries and allies, Egypt received the 101 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored vehicles. Excess defense articles refer to equipment no longer in the Army’s inventory. MRAPs are light tactical vehicles that are designed specifically to withstand improvised explosive device attacks and ambushes. The MRAP program began in 2007 as a response to the increased threat of IEDs during the Iraq War, and over 12,000 MRAP vehicles were deployed to Iraq as well as Afghanistan. Egypt will use the vehicles primarily for fighting terrorism, said Security Assistance Command Country Program Manager Shawn Arrance.
Europe
UK’s Marshall Aerospace signed a contract with Boeing to start work for the E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) program. Marshall is responsible for the conversion and delivery of the new fleet. The program has Marshall turn 737 Next-Generation aircraft into E-7s, including adding the Northrop Grumman multi-role Electronically Scanned Array surveillance radar, communication and mission computer systems. The E-7 is a twin-engine airborne early warning and control aircraft. The aircraft was designed for the Royal Australian Air Force. The Wedgetail can control the tactical battle space, providing direction for fighter aircraft, surface combatants and land based elements, as well as supporting aircraft such as tankers and intelligence platforms.
Asia-Pacific
Smiths Detection Inc. won a $16.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for Azerbaijan X-rays and screening equipment. The deal provides X-ray screening systems, installation, initial spares, training and extended warranty and maintenance support for Azerbaijan. The deal is for the State Customs Committee, supporting US European Command Theater Campaign Plan line of effort to counter transnational threats. The X-ray scanners can be used to inspect freight, including railway wagons as part of a customs modernization project already underway. Work will take place in Azerbaijan and estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.
The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to Thailand for 60 Stryker infantry carrier vehicles with equipment and support. The deal is valued at $175 million. Thailand had requested to buy 60 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles and 60 M2 Flex .50 cal machine guns. The Infantry Carrier Vehicle provides protected transport and, during dismounted assault, supporting fire for the infantry squad. The Stryker is a full-time four-wheel drive, selectively eight-wheel drive, armored vehicle weighing approximately 19t which carries an infantry squad with their equipment.
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Lockheed Martin announced that it has received a contract from Northrop Grumman to produce 24 additional APY-9 radars for the US Navy’s E-2D aircraft program. It’s also known as the Advanced Hawkeye program. The deal is valued at $600 million. The APY-9 radar program is close to completion of a current five-year production contract in 2020, and this new award calls for another five years of production with deliveries spanning from 2021 to 2025. The latest radar order will include Lockheed Martin’s new Advanced Radar Processor. The deal follows a contract award in April for 24 more E-2D aircraft for the Navy. The ultra high frequency surveillance radar is designed to “see smaller targets” at greater range Lockheed says, especially in both coastal regions and over land. The newly ordered radar systems also will include the new Advanced Radar Processor.
AAR Government Services won a $118.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for two C-40 aircraft. The deal is for the procurement, modification as well as delivery and includes associated peculiar support equipment and common support equipment for the Marine Corps. The C-40 is the military version of the Boeing 737-700C transporter. The C-40A or Clipper provides critical logistics support to the United States Navy. The contract is for the acquisition, modification, acceptance and delivery of two Boeing 737-700 Increased Gross Weight series commercial aircraft that will meet USMC C-9B replacement medium lift requirements and will be designated C-40A. Under the contract, a passenger-cargo configuration shall be certified to meet 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 25 or military airworthiness standards that will consist of seating and cargo pallets that will provide the USMC with the added mission flexibility to configure the aircraft in a cargo-passenger configuration. AAR will perform work in Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and Oklahoma and estimated completion date is in September 2021.
Middle East & Africa
Jane’s reports that the United Arab Emirates will replace one of its Apache attack helicopters. The defense sales is part of the Iran-related emergency invoked by the Trump administration on May 24 to ensure that 22 sales to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan did not require Congressional approval by Congress. The government cited the need to deter what it called “the malign influence” of Iran throughout the Middle East as justification for the emergency arms sale. A notification released by the US Federal Register on 24 July covers a single new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter for the UAE. This notification was an amendment to one released in December 2016 covering the remanufacturing of 28 of the UAE’s Apache attack helicopters to the AH-64E standard and nine new AH-16Es.
Europe
According to local reports, France wants to develop laser weapons capable of destroying satellites in space. French Defence Minister Florence Parly unveiled the plans as she launched a new space defense strategy at a French Air Base near Lyon on Thursday. France has ambitions to close the gap on rivals, who are developing new arms and surveillance capabilities in space. The United States, Russia and China have been heavily investing in technology for space, which they see as a new military frontier. The ability to detect and potentially destroy or cripple spy satellites is seen as a key capability. Around 2,000 active satellites are currently estimated to be orbiting the Earth, mostly to relay commercial and military communications, but also to track the weather and for spying. Parly’s announcement comes after President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this month that France would create a new military “space force”, following in the steps of his US counterpart Donald Trump, who made a similar pledge in March.
Asia-Pacific
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Pakistan for continued support of the F-16 program. The FMS is valued at $125 million. The Government of Pakistan had requested a continuation of technical support services, US Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support to assist in the oversight of operations in support of the Pakistan Peace Drive advanced F-16 program. Pakistan has used the F-16 fighter jets against India, the latest being in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike inside Pakistan by India. The program raised the total number of F-16s ordered by Pakistan to 54. The Pakistan Air Force received its first F-16, in the block 15 F-16A/B configuration, in 1982.
The US approved an FMS worth $670 million to support India’s C-17 military transport aircraft. The decision in this regard comes after a recent Indian request to buy equipment for C-17 follow-on support, to include spares and repair parts, support equipment, and personnel training and training equipment among others. The C-17 Globemaster III is a high-wing, 4-engine, T-tailed military-transport aircraft, the multi-service C-17 can carry large equipment, supplies and troops directly to small airfields in harsh terrain anywhere in the world day or night.
Latest updates[?]: AAR Government Services won a $118.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for two C-40 aircraft. The deal is for the procurement, modification as well as delivery and includes associated peculiar support equipment and common support equipment for the Marine Corps. The C-40 is the military version of the Boeing 737-700C transporter. The C-40A or Clipper provides critical logistics support to the United States Navy. The contract is for the acquisition, modification, acceptance and delivery of two Boeing 737-700 Increased Gross Weight series commercial aircraft that will meet USMC C-9B replacement medium lift requirements and will be designated C-40A. Under the contract, a passenger-cargo configuration shall be certified to meet 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 25 or military airworthiness standards that will consist of seating and cargo pallets that will provide the USMC with the added mission flexibility to configure the aircraft in a cargo-passenger configuration. AAR will perform work in Illinois, Indiana, Florida, and Oklahoma and estimated completion date is in September 2021.
C-40A Clipper
The 737 based C-40 Clipper represents a substantial upgrade over the 1970s-era, DC-9 based C-9 Skytrains and 727-based C-22Bs that have performed its transport roles to date. The C-9s are still in service with the US Naval Reserve and USAF, but they’re expected to be be phased out as the C-40s take up the load. Meanwhile, concern has been expressed about the funding levels for this replacement program, as well as the USAF and US Navy C-9 fleet’s continued durability. The USAF’s C-9A models are of particular concern.
The C-40 comes in 3 variants; the C-40A is a Navy aircraft, while its counterpart C-40C and executive/ VIP C-40Bs are USAF planes. The USAF’s C-40 leasing contracts have been a source of some controversy, but the program has continued, alongside Air Force and Navy buys.
Huntingon Ingalls said in a press release that the completion of builder’s trials on the amphibious assault ship Tripoli or LHA 7 was successful. Builder’s Trials is the Navy’s first opportunity to assess the operational readiness of the ship. During the trials, the multipurpose amphibious assault ship underwent dock trials followed by more than 200 at-sea test events. Tripoli is the second ship of the America Class. It is built to facilitate forward presence and power projection. LHA 7 is the last Flight 0 ship planned for construction and features an enlarged hangar deck, realignment and expansion of the aviation maintenance facilities, an increase in available stowage for parts and support equipment, and increased aviation fuel capacity. LHA 8 will be the first Flight I ship, reincorporating a well deck to enhance expeditionary warfighting capabilities while maintaining the principal aviation characteristics of the Flight 0 ships. The Tripoli completed four days of trials in the Gulf of Mexico to test its main propulsion, combat and other systems before returning to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where it was constructed. It will later undergo acceptance trials and formal delivery to the US Navy.
Flight Global reports, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has not received any confirmation that it has won an order to supply the FA-50 to Argentina. A person familiar with the requirement says that no confirmation has been received, and that the deal, if concluded, would cover eight aircraft. KAI says the contract covers the installation of fire-control radar, radar warning receivers and defensive countermeasures. A few days ago, several media reported that Argentina had chosen the FA-50 to purchase as a light fighter. The aircraft is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Should the FA-50 win the deal, it would mark the type’s first sale in the Western Hemisphere, the Flight Global article states.
Middle East & Africa
Jane’s reports that the naval ship designer CMN held a launch ceremony for first two of the 39 boats that are being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The deal, announced in April last year, half of the 39 boats built by Zamil Shipyard in Dammam on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast as part of the Kingdom’s plan to indigenize 50% of its defense procurement by 2030. Photographs of the launch show the vessels to be HS132 fast patrol boats. They are part of the CMN’s DV Interceptor family. HS132 is designed to conduct sea strike operations, search and rescue, maritime security, sea safety, convoy protection, sea policing, anti piracy, protection of vulnerable vessels and offshore installations, and control of illegal immigration, trafficking and smuggling.
Several hundred US Air Force personnel are expanding an operating base in Saudi Arabia, which will host fighter planes and Patriot missiles. According to reports, increasing threats by Iran prompted the US to establish an expeditionary annex at the Prince Sultan Air Base. Central Command said in a statement Friday, “In coordination with and at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Secretary of Defense has authorized the movement of US personnel and resources to deploy to Saudi Arabia.” The deployment focuses on defensive capabilities, with Patriot batteries for missile defense and the fighter jets intended to defend US Forces on the ground.
Europe
The German military procurement organization commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to supply nine Mungo N/C Recce vehicles for the Bundeswehr. The procurement is valued at $57 million. The Mungo N/C Recce is a nuclear-chemical detection-capable reconnaissance vehicle with a range of equipment including mass spectrometer, radiation detector and weather sensors at the disposal of the three-man crew. Capable of detecting, tracking and identifying nuclear and chemical threats, the vehicle provides the crew with a safe shelter throughout the reconnaissance and identification process. The crew is also able to conduct such activities as lane and/or contaminated ground marking from the interior of the vehicle. The vehicles will be delivered by the end of 2022.
Asia-Pacific
The British defense company Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group rolled out the first of a number of C-130J Hercules aircraft it is preparing for delivery to the Bangladesh Air Force, during an official ceremony last week. Some of the other C-130Js the Bangladesh Air Force recently purchased from the UK Ministry of Defense were also on view. Marshall is carrying out comprehensive depth maintenance and important modifications on all the aircraft including capability enhancements such as MEDEVAC, avionic upgrades and the provision of a Passenger Transport Configuration.
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Latest updates[?]: Flight Global reports, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has not received any confirmation that it has won an order to supply the FA-50 to Argentina. A person familiar with the requirement says that no confirmation has been received, and that the deal, if concluded, would cover eight aircraft. KAI says the contract covers the installation of fire-control radar, radar warning receivers and defensive countermeasures. A few days ago, several media reported that Argentina had chosen the FA-50 to purchase as a light fighter. The aircraft is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. Should the FA-50 win the deal, it would mark the type's first sale in the Western Hemisphere, the Flight Global article states.
Kfir C2
Argentina’s air force is having a hard time maintaining its core Nesher/”Finger” fighters, even as the Kirchner regime seeks to take control of the Falkland Islands and their potential offshore oil reserves. That led Argentina to search for new fighter options, as the most reliable way of projecting power to likely exploration zones. Britain’s defenses are also much more run down than they were in the 1980s, and their complete lack of a carrier force leaves ongoing protection of the islands’ surrounding economic zones to just 2-4 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, an offshore patrol vessel, and part of a regular navy ship rotation.
Argentina’s window of opportunity will close when Britain’s advanced carrier force enters service in 2020, which has added urgency on both sides as Argentina tries to make a deal. Can Argentina find its partner?
Latest updates[?]: The Indian Navy has commissioned Indian Naval Air Squadron 313, the fifth Dornier maritime patrol aircraft squadron, at a ceremony on July 22, local news reports. The squadron will operate from Chennai International Airport. The squadron will operate Dornier multi-role short range maritime reconnaissance aircraft in a range of missions including maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations and providing targeting data to weapon platforms. The Dorniers are twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft. From 1981 until 1998 Dornier GmbH produced the aircraft. In 1983 Hindustan Aeronautics bought a production license and manufactured 125 aircraft. The Indian Navy is procuring 12 Dornier aircraft with improved sensors and equipment including glass cockpit, advanced surveillance radar, electronic intelligence, optical sensors and networking capabilities.
Lower tier:
Indian Do-228 MPA
In January 2009, the wheels began turning on pair of follow-on buys covering short and medium range manned aircraft for India’s Navy and Coast Guard. That effort stalled out, restarted with a 2013 RFP.
India’s growing power is creating growing naval responsibility around the Indian Ocean, from the strategic chokepoint and shipping channel represented by Indonesia’s Straits of Malacca in the east, to anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and basing agreements with Madagascar in the west. Hence the January 2009 deal for 8-16 of Boeing’s 737-derived P-8i Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, which will replace Russian-built TU-142s as India’s long-range patrol aircraft.
Closer to home, however, India has its own long coastline to patrol, and neighbors like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan that represent existing or potential trouble spots along its borders. The P-8i will work in those problem areas, but less-expensive and shorter-range aircraft are needed to supplement their coverage. Inshore, and at strategic locations like Nicobar Isand, new Dornier Do-228NG aircraft, and UAVs like India’s Israeli-built Searcher and Heron UAVs, provide solid local coverage. In between, medium sized manned aircraft must fill their own niches in India’s Navy and its Coast Guard.
Northrop Grumman Systems won two deals in support of the MQ-4C Triton drone. One delivery order worth $33.8 million procures material kits and retrofit labor to incorporate the Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 configuration into retrofit aircraft and ground segments. Work is expected to be completed in January 2022. Under the second contract, Northrop Grumman is awarded $14,1 million for modification that incorporates integrated functional capability 4.0 into low-rate initial production Lot 2 Aircraft B12. Work is expected to be completed in November 2021. The MQ-4C Triton is an autonomously operated system that provides a persistent maritime ISR capability using multiple maritime sensors. The MQ-4C Triton air vehicle is based upon the United States Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk.
The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission System a $15.7 million contract modification for the AEGIS Weapons System design requirements in support of the Guided Missile Frigate FFG(X). The deal includes the design of the Combat Management System. The planned contract action will modify CMS capabilities under development and integrate increased combat system element capability, resulting in an AEGIS Weapon System that aligns with FFG(X) Class ships. The FFG(X) Class ships are multimission guided-missile frigates. They are to be contracted from 2020 and will be a follow-on to the Littoral Combat Ships. At the beginning of July, Lockheed won a $7 million contract that includes combat system ship integration engineering support and test planning, conducting a waterfront CS ship integration and test program, post-delivery engineering support to government test teams, engineering services for CS ship integration and test and developing test program documents for FFG(X) ships. Work for the contract modification will take place in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is scheduled to be finished by September 2021.
Middle East & Africa
The British Army will contribute a 250-strong long-range reconnaissance task group to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 2020. “Based in Gao, 250 personnel will deploy in response to a UN requirement and will address a key capability gap“, the Ministry of Defense said in a press release. The release also noted that the deployment aims to prevent “conflict spilling over to neighboring states.” The stabilization mission in Mali, which began in 2013, is considered one of the most dangerous UN peacekeeping missions, and attacks against blue helmets in the center and north of the country are common. More than 200 people deployed to MINUSMA have died, including 18 this year.
Europe
Germany’s defense procurement office awarded a contract to the ARGE Puma consortium for the System Panzergrenadier Very High Joint Readiness Task Force 2023 (VJTF 2023) project, Rheinmetall announced. The company will furnish the German Bundeswehr with 41 upgraded Puma infantry fighting vehicles along with additional measures for improving communication between the infantry fighting vehicles and dismounted infantrymen. Included in the “System Panzergrenadier VJTF 2023” package is a comprehensive combat performance upgrade of forty-one Puma infantry fighting vehicles, coupled with additional measures for improving communication between the infantry fighting vehicles and dismounted infantrymen. The order is valued at $288.1 million.
Asia-Pacific
Fighter jets from the Republic of Korea Air Force reportedly fired warning shots at a Russian military aircraft after the latter entered South Korean airspace at 9:09 am local time. Based on a release by Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the Russian aircraft that was subjected to warning shots from South Korean fighter aircraft was an A-50. South Korean F-15K fighter jets sent warnings, dropped 10 flares, and fired 80 warning shots into the air close to the Russian aircraft. The Russian warplane left the area at 09:12 am and exited the KADIZ at 9:15 am. The A-50, however, again entered South Korean airspace at 9:33 am for the second time, prompting Korean fighter jets to fire 280 warning shots and 10 flares. The warplane left the area at 9:37 am and flew toward the Northern Limit Line, exiting the KADIZ at 9:56 am. The Russian aircraft is assumed to have been participating in a joint military exercise with China, as two other Russian warplanes were also found entering into the KADIZ along with two Chinese bombers.
NAG, Indian state-owned Defense Research and Development Organisation’s indigenously developed 3rd Generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) has successfully undergone a series of summer trials at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges carried out by the Indian Army in July. According to officials associated with the project, the missile was test-fired around 12 times during the 11-day period and the mission was completed on Thursday. Jane’s reports that now the Nag missile system is ready for series production. The ATGM has been developed to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in all weather conditions with day-and-night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500 meters and a maximum range of four kilometers.
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Lockheed Martin won $22.6 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification for AEGIS Baseline 9 integration and delivery, Aegis Baseline 5.4 and 9A2A post-certification support. The deal provides for the completion of the development and fielding of the AEGIS Baseline 9 AEGIS Weapon System and integrated AEGIS Combat System on the remaining AEGIS Technical Insertion (TI) 12 configured destroyers as well as TI 12 and TI 08 configured cruisers. The Aegis Combat System is an integrated naval weapons system, which uses powerful computer and radar technology to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. The Aegis Combat System is the world’s most advanced combat system and the only maritime ballistic defense system capable of simultaneously attacking land targets, submarines, and surface ships while protecting the fleet against aircraft, cruise and other ballistic missiles. Baseline 9 is the upgraded version of the weapons system that enables the crew members to track enemy missiles and aircraft with accuracy. The system further enhances the overall range and weapon capabilities of the vessel compared to its predecessors. Lockheed will perform work for the modification in Moorestown, New Jersey and is scheduled to be finished by July 2020.
The company Lockheed Martin also won an $8.2 million contract modification in support of Surface Navy Laser Weapon System Increment 1, High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance or HELIOS system. The deal includes technical and field engineering services and a cost-only line item for travel. Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS laser weapons system uses light beams to defend against Chinese or Russian cruise missiles. With the High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler with Surveillance (HELIOS) system, Lockheed Martin will help the Navy take a major step forward in its goal to field laser weapon systems aboard surface ships. The army intends to integrate the navy’s laser systems around 2023, however it may not be possible to fully utilize it. Before it can use a system with double the power of those currently in development, the army will need to develop support systems capable of operating these higher-powered naval lasers. The US Navy is planning to deploy Lockheed Martin’s HELIOS laser on destroyers by 2021 after a testing period, in which the weapon was successfully used to target and take down drones.
Middle East & Africa
Iran deployed three Mohajer-6 drones. The UAV would be used to identify and destroy threats to the country’s borders. The military had released photographs showing at least one Mohajer-6 deployed to an unidentified airfield that was said to be in northeast Iran. Iran begun mass production of the indigenously-produced Mohajer-6 tactical and combat unmanned aerial vehicle back in February 2018. The Mohajer-6 was unveiled in 2016. The drone is the first of the Mohajer series to have wheeled undercarriage.
Europe
In a press release, Raytheon announced that the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Ministry of Defense to join Team ARTEMIS Industry, a collaboration between government and industry formed to fast track the launch of a small satellite constellation and enhance the UK’s sovereign space capability. “In large part because of US efforts to raise the profile of military space, allies are working hard to ‘close the space gap,'” said Air Vice-Marshal Rocky Rochelle, Royal Air Force chief of staff for capability. ARTEMIS is a hyperspectral sensing system, operating in the visible to shortwave infrared wavelengths. Hyperspectral sensors capture light across a wide swath of the electromagnetic spectrum, providing unprecedented spectral detail. That spectral information produces a distinct signature, which can be compared against the spectral signatures of known objects to rapidly identify potential areas of interest.
MBDA announced it signed a contract for the purchase of Mistral 3 short range air defense systems. This makes Serbia the 32nd customer country for the Mistral missile and the 10th country invited to join the Mistral user club. This will also be the first European order of the missile. The Mistral 3 is a man-portable, fully digital, heat-seeking missile. It features a lightweight man-portable launcher. It can be easily transported and operated from the ground, a vehicle, a building or a ship. MISTRAL MANPADS is normally operated by a gunner and a crew commander. However, if the mission is carried out in a simple tactical environment, it can be operated by one single soldier.
Asia-Pacific
The first batch of AH-64E attack helicopters for India will arrive home on July 27 at Hindon Airbase, local media reports. India has purchased 22 Apache helicopters from the United States. The Apaches will be prepared at the Hindon Airbase and in the last week of August will be sent to Pathankot for a formal induction into the IAF. The deployment of Apache’s first squadron in Pathankot will take another month. The first squadron of the Apaches will be stationed at Pathankot. The Apache AH-64E helicopter is equipped with a 30-mm machine gun, which can fired up to 1,200 rounds at a time.
Lockheed Martin won a $23.6 million contract modification to replace joint air to surface standoff missile (JASSM) anti-jam GPS receiver with a new JASSM Anti-Jam GPS Receiver (JAGR), because of obsolescence. According to Lockheed Martin, JASSM is a long-range, conventional, air-to-ground, precision standoff missile for the US and allied forces. Designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and relocatable targets, JASSM’s significant standoff range keeps aircrews well out of danger from hostile air defense systems. JASSM is a 2,000-pound class weapon with a penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida, and is scheduled to be finished by March 31, 2023.
General Dynamics Missions Systems won a $9.2 million fixed-fee modification in support of the Knifefish. The deal provides engineering services for ongoing development, test, and production of the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV) program. Knifefish is a heavyweight class Mine Countermeasure (MCM) Unmanned Undersea Vehicle designed for deployment off the Littoral Combat Ship. The Knifefish UUV provides the mine warfare commander with enhanced mine-hunting capability in a contested environment. Engineering services hours are used for a number of efforts, including test and evaluation, engineering change proposal development, and pre-planned product improvement initiatives. General Dynamics will perform work within the US and estimated completion date is in July, 2020.
Middle East & Africa
Reuters reports that Turkey expects temporary losses for its defense company after the US removed Turkey from the F-35 Fighter jet program. However, the head of Turkey’s Defense Industry Directorate, Ismail Demir, thinks the industry will bounce back even stronger in the longterm. “Our companies may face losses initially, and even though issues like sanctions and more may lead to temporary losses for the defense industry, we think it will result in our defense industry becoming stronger,” he said. Ismail Demir also said the USA’s move was unilateral and not in line with the agreement signed between the parties, and added that Turkey would continue meeting its commitments until its exclusion from the program is finalized.
Europe
RWM Italia certified Nitro-Chef Chemical Plant, a subsidiary of the Polish Armaments Group, to produce the Mk 82 bomb. President of the company, Krzysztof Kozlowski, says production has started for delivery to the Polish Air Force. Two hundred bombs have been ordered. The two companies have signed the deal in November 2017. RWM Italia is part of the Rheinmetall Defense Group – a certified world leader in the production of aerial bombs. The Mk-82 aerial bomb is used to arm Polish F-16 multi-task aircraft. The RWM Italia-certified bomb produced in Poland fulfills the quality requirements set by RWM Italia and is fully interchangeable with the Italian-produced Mk-82 bomb. The Polish bomb will be used in modern aerial bomb configurations thanks to its compatibility with systems used by Raytheon and Boeing. Over the last three years, the Polish Air Force has ordered 1,300 bombs of this type.
Jane’s reports that Russia’s Central Military District’s combined arms and reconnaissance units have received 6,000 AK-74M assault rifles with the Obves upgrade kits. “The district has received six thousand 5.45 mm AK-74M assault rifles fitted out with the Obves modernized equipment sets. The new assault rifles have got the Picatinny rail, which makes it possible to fix any detachable equipment“, Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Kuzin, the acting head of the missile and artillery weapons service, has said. The KM-AK includes the AK-200 series’ multislotted combination flash suppressor and compensator handguard, index finger operable fire-selector plate, left-side-folding telescoping buttstock, and finger moulded pistol grip.
Asia-Pacific
The 14th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation gives a glimpse on future AEW aircraft, local media reports. In an article introducing AEW system aircraft written by the 14th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and posted on its public WeChat account on Tuesday, the company not only gave an overview on the history and facts of AEW carrying aircraft around the world, but also shared its vision on how this type of warplane could develop in the future. China’s top radar firm said, future airborne early warning aircraft could become unmanned, interconnected and highly intelligent.
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