Boeing Tapped For F-15 ADCP II | Saab Launches Gripen And GlobalEye Evaluation For Finland | Taiwan Potentially Upgrading Its E-2C Fleet

Americas

Boeing won a $84.1 million contract modification for the F-15 Advanced Display Core Processor (ADCP) II Low-Rate Initial Production 4. The modification exercises an option that provides the production and integration of the ADCP II boxes and related equipment into the F-15 platform. The ADCP II can process 87 billion instructions per second of computing throughput, Boeing said, creating faster and more reliable mission processing capability for pilots and crews. The increased processing capability is critical to new advanced capabilities such as Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System, long range infrared search and track capability, high speed radar communications and future software suite upgrades. Work will take place in St. Louis, Missouri and estimated completion date is July 22, 2022.

Lockheed Martin won a $77.1 million Foreign Military Sales contract for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability-3. The FMS involves Bahrain, the Republic of Korea, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates. Patriot is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defense system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. It is produced by Raytheon in Massachusetts and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in Florida. Work will take place in Dallas, Texas and expected completion will be on January 31, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries won a $240 million contract to acquire T-38 Wings. The Northrop T-38 Talon was the world’s first supersonic trainer at the time of its introduction. It is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Student pilots fly the T-38A to learn supersonic techniques, aerobatics, formation, night and instrument flying and cross-country navigation. In 2015, IAI delivered the first replacement wing for the aircraft. Work under the new contract will take place in Lod, Israel and expected completion is by January, 2033.

General Dynamics Land Systems won a $29.9 million contract modification to provide Abrams technical support. The M1 Abrams is a third generation American made Main Battle Tank. The first M1 Abrams battle tanks were delivered to the US Army in 1980. A total of 3,273 M1 tanks were produced for the US Army, 4,796 M1A1 tanks were built for the US Army, 221 for the US Marines and 880 co-produced with Egypt. The contract modification involves Kuwait Foreign Military Sales funds in the full amount. Work will take place in Michigan and estimated completion date is January 29, 2021.

Europe

Swedish company Saab officially launched the flight evaluation phase of its Gripen E/F fighter and GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for Finland’s HX program. Gripen E test aircraft 39-10 arrived at Tampere-Pirkkala Airbase north of Helsinki the day prior to Saab’s media day to mark the commencement of its HX Challenge, although due to poor weather conditions it was decided not to fly until the following day. The single-seat 39-10 was joined by the twin-seat Gripen NG demonstrator 39-7 on January 31. A GlobalEye did fly from Saab’s facility in Linköping, Sweden, on January 30 with a Finnish Air Force delegation on board. This aircraft will continue to fly out of Linköping for the duration of the evaluation as that is where the company’s bespoke de-briefing and other specialist related equipment is located. The Gripen E 39-10, Gripen NG 39-7 and the GlobalEye will be evaluated through to February 6.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan is said to have awarded a $49 million contract to the US government to study the possibility of upgrading its E-2C fleet. The study will run from this year till 2024. The E-2C Hawkeye is the US Navy’s all-weather, carrier-based tactical airborne warning and control system platform. It provides all-weather airborne early warning and command and control functions for the carrier battle group. Additional missions include surface surveillance coordination, strike and interceptor control, search and rescue guidance and communications relay. Taiwan received four E-2T Hawkeyes as of September 1995 as part of a $749.5 million deal with US firm Northrop Grumman.

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