GenDyn Tapped For Virginia Class Block V Work | Saab To Support German GÜZ | China Might Have Second Hypersonic Weapon

Americas

General Dynamics won a $22.2 modification for construction of nine Virginia Class submarines, eight with Virginia Payload Module (VPM), from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2023. The contract modification includes spare material and an option for one additional submarine with VPM. The deal is for the construction of the fifth block of Virginia Class submarines by General Dynamics Electric Boat and major subcontractor Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division, inclusive of design support and all efforts necessary to test and deliver each submarine. The Block V submarines built from 2019 onward will have an additional Virginia Payload Module. mid-body section, increasing their overall length. The VPM will add four more VPTs of the same diameter and greater height, located on the centerline, carrying up to seven Tomahawk missiles apiece, that would replace some of the capabilities lost when the SSGN conversion Ohio Class subs are retired from the fleet. Work under the modification will take place in Virginia, Rhode Island, Connecticut, California, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Work is scheduled to be complete by August 2029.

The US Navy awarded L-3 Technologies a $10 million modification to procure eight Common Data Link Hawklink AN/SRQ-4 systems for the MH-60R aircraft. AN/SRQ-4 is the shipboard element of a situational awareness system that links the MH-60R helicopter with surface warships in the area. The L3 Technologies’ next-generation AN/SRQ-4 provides Command/Control, sensor data transfer, data link operation and comprehensive built-in test. CDL Hawklink offers real time exploitation of aircraft sensors, extending situational awareness over the horizon. L3 Technologies’ Communication Systems produces network and communication systems, secure communications products, radio frequency components, satellite communication terminals and space, microwave and telemetry products. Work under the contract modification will take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, and estimated completion is in December 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Kellogg Brown and Root Services won a $14.1 contract modification for base operations support services at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Kingdom of Bahrain. Work will provide for, but is not limited to, all management, supervision, tools, materials, supplies, labor and transportation services necessary to perform security operations, galley services, unaccompanied housing, facility management, emergency service requests, urgent service, routing service, facilities investment, custodial, pest control service, integrated solid waste, grounds maintenance, utility management, wastewater, operate reverse osmosis water treatment system, chiller and transportation at NSA Kingdom of Bahrain. Work will take place at NSA Kingdom of Bahrain. Option period is from December 2019 to November 2020.

Europe

Saab inked a contract in support of the German Army. The company will help with the operation of their Combat Training Center Gefechtsübungszentrum Heer (GÜZ). The deal is valued at $91.3 million. Work includes management and maintenance of all live simulation training equipment, communication infrastructure and the exercise control center. Saab will provide additional logistical services such as the servicing of vehicles and radio equipment, storage and handling of weapons and ammunition, transportation of military personnel and the overall sustainment of GÜZ. Saab has partnered once more with Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG),

Asia-Pacific

A military expert from China said on a China Central Television (CCTV) program that the country has another hypersonic weapon besides the DF-17. The expert says the Xingkong-2 (Starry Sky-2) is still under development and not ready for deployment. Analysts said unlike the DF-17, the Xingkong-2 is protected by fairing during launch. “From the test subjects that were made available to the public, the Xingkong-2 (Starry Sky-2) might use a different flight pattern to the DF-17,” said military expert Ma Jun on Military Time, a China Central Television (CCTV) program on military affairs, on Saturday, without further elaboration. The Xingkong-2 Ma referred to is the first Chinese waverider hypersonic vehicle unveiled by the country, dating a year earlier than the DF-17.

A F-16 pilot assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing was ejected from his aircraft during a routine landing near Kunsan Air Base, South Korea at approximately 3:30 pm local time on December 2. The Wing said in a press release that the pilot suffered minor injuries and has been transported to a medical facility. The pilot was the only person onboard the aircraft. The aircraft was assigned to the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.

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