Apr 03, 2020 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin won an $818.2 million contract modification for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) Lot 17 and 18 production. The deal provides for 360 Lot 17 JASSM-Extended Range (ER) missiles; 40 Lot 17 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) JASSM-ER missiles; and 390 Lot 18 JASSM-ER missiles. The JASSM is a long range, conventional, stealthy, air-launched ground attack cruise missile designed for the Air Force and international partners with a range of 223-621.4 miles. JASSM was designed to destroy high-value, well-defended, fixed and re-locatable targets. The threshold integration aircraft were F-16, B-52, and F/A-18 E/F. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida. Expected completion date is October 31, 2024.
Boeing won an $11.1 million contract modification for F-15C and F-15E Mission Training Centers (MTC) services on contractor furnished, high-fidelity simulation equipment. Contractor will provide the simulation capability to train pilots and weapons system operators for F-15C and F-15E aircraft platforms. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity.The F-15 Eagle has been the US Air Force’s primary fighter jet aircraft and intercept platform for decades. The Eagle’s air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. Work will take place at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina; Mountain Home, Idaho; Langley, Virginia; Kadena Air Base, Japan; and Royal Air Force, Lakenheath, England, and is expected to be completed by December 31 2020.
Middle East & Africa
Ivory Coast Air Force has taken delivery of two second-hand Mi-8P helicopters. Their registrations are TU-VHL and TU-VHN. The country plans to use the helos to assist with coronavirus mitigation efforts. The aircraft were delivered to the Force Aerienne de la Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast Air Force) in mid-March and were seen transiting Palma de Mallorca Airport in Spain on March 14 during their ferry flight to Abidjan. The helicopters will be operated by the Groupe Aérien de Transport et de Liaison (Air Transport and Liaison Group), based at Abidjan-Port Bouet Airport. The Mi-8Ps were built before 1993 and are configured for VIP transport.
Europe
A pair of British Army Wildcat helicopters have been shuttling in and out of Derby on March 31. An army spokesperson confirmed that the helicopters were on “Covid-19 related tasking.” Derby Telegraph says the operation is given the code name Rescript. Aircraft from the Army Air Corps based at RNAS Yeovilton will provide assistance to the government where needed across the southeast and southwest UK. Additional helicopters from RAF Odiham and RAF Benson will also be mobilized. The twin-engine AW159 multirole helicopter has logged over 50,000 flight hours, with more than 70 being operated by the British Army, RN, South Korean Navy and Philippine Navy.
Asia-Pacific
The United States Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea for certain upgrades to the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) F-16 Block 32 aircraft. The approval covers the transfer of Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) packages and Link 16 Tactical Datalink (TDL) equipment. An IFF system allows military aircraft to use on-board radar to discriminate friendly aircraft; advanced IFF systems can also determine an aircraft’s bearing and speed. IFFs contribute to the prevention of friendly fire incidents and enhance command and control for large fleets of aircraft. South Korea is a US treaty ally and the US State Department noted that the “proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting legitimate security and defense needs of one of the US’s closest allies in the INDOPACOM Theater.” The primary contractor on the sale will be Lockheed Martin.
Myanmar’s Armed Forces (Tadmadaw) have officially rejected calls from foreign governments and local ethnic rebels for a ceasefire to facilitate a response to stem the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the Southeast Asian country. Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the True News Information Team (TNIT), the Tatmadaw’s public relations wing, noted on April 2 that the ceasefire proposals were “not realistic,” adding that insurgent groups engaged in hostilities with the Tatmadaw “just have to follow the law”. The TNIT response came a day after the ambassadors to Myanmar of 10 European countries, the European Union, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States issued a joint appeal for a cessation of hostilities, the resolution of grievances through dialogue, and a lifting of Internet and media restrictions. The Rakhine conflict is underway in western Myanmar in the Rakhine and Chin states since 2015 between the ethnic Arakan Army and the Tatmadaw.
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Apr 02, 2020 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin won a $4.7 billion contract modification for the procurement of 78 F-35 combat aircraft (48 F-35A combat aircraft for the Air Force, 14 F-35B combat aircraft for the Marine Corps, 16 F-35C fighter aircraft for the Navy) and associated aircraft red gear. The contract was awarded by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD. The majority of the work related to the deal will be carried out in Fort Worth, TX. The F-35 is a fifth-generation single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole jet fighter-bomber designed to perform ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, and air defense missions. It is one of the most advanced combat jets in the world. The order involves 48 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jet aircraft for the US Air Force for operation from conventional long runways; 14 F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jet aircraft for the US Marine Corps for operation from small ships and unimproved runways; and 16 F-35C reinforced aircraft with folding wings for the US Navy for aircraft carrier operations. Work will take place in Texas, California, the UK, Florida, New Hampshire and Maryland. Estimated completion will be by March 2023.
Lockheed Martin won a $90 million deal, which provides requirements development, technical analysis, engineering and integration support for the H-60 aircraft. The Sikorsky H-60 is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter. Variants of the Black Hawk are operational or have been ordered by 25 international customers: the Argentine Air Force, Royal Australian Army, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Colombian Air Force, Egypt, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan Self Defence Force, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, People’s Republic of China, Royal Saudi Land Forces Army Aviation Command, the Turkish Jandarma, Spain, The Philippine Air Force, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Work will take place in Oswego, New York. Expected completion will be by March 2028.
Middle East & Africa
The US Air Force Life Cycle awarded a $91 million contract to Universal Propulsion for multiple national stock numbers for Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices. The deal provides for use in the egress systems of Air Force B-1, B-2, F-22, F-117, QF-16, and U-2 aircraft; Air Force, Navy, and Foreign Military Sales C-17, F-15, F-5, QF-4, T-37 and T-38 aircraft, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration aircraft. Universal Propulsion designs and manufactures aircraft ejection systems. The Company products include air crew escape systems, sequencing systems, ejection seats and related components. Aircraft Interior Products Propulsion Systems serves customers worldwide. The contract involves foreign military sales to Bahrain, Chile, Greece, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia and Turkey. Work will take place in Fairfield, California. Expected completion will be by March 1, 2027.
Europe
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics won a $22.9 million deal that integrates the government of Belgium into the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft enterprise. In October 2018, Belgium became 13th nation in the world to join the program when it picked the F-35A jet to replace its aging F-16s. Earlier that year, the US State Department approved a $6.5 billion deal to sell 34 F-35 fighters to Brussels. The F-35A beat Eurofighter in a close contest to win the deal, mainly owing to its ability to drop US-made B-61 nuclear bombs and superior stealth features. This is part of the government of Belgium’s $5.1 billion agreement with the US government for the procurement of the F-35 air system. Work is expected to be complete by September 2023.
The US Air Force Life Cycle awarded Lockheed Martin a $8.5 million modification for C-130J support. The deal is for long term sustainment for France’s C-130J aircraft. The Lockheed Martin C-130 is US Air Force’s principal tactical cargo and personnel transport aircraft. The C-130J Hercules is the latest model, featuring a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller. Back in February the second of two Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules aerial refueling aircraft arrived in France. Work under the contract modification will take place in Marietta, Georgia and is expected to be finished by January 31, 2021.
Asia-Pacific
BAE Systems Land & Armaments won a $99.4 million contract modification or MK 41 Vertical Launching System canister production and ancillary hardware. This modification combines purchases for the Navy and the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. A VLS canister functions as a missile shipping container and a launch tube when loaded into system modules. The branch initially awarded BAE a $954.5M contract in February to manufacture and update canisters as well as provide spares and support equipment. Work will take place in South Dakota and Minnesota. Expected completion will be by April 2022.
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Apr 01, 2020 05:00 UTCAmericas
General Electric won a $215 million modification for the procurement of 48 F414-GE-400 install engines and engine devices for the Navy Super Hornet F/A-18 warfare aircraft. The F414-GE-400 combines the proven reliability, maintainability and operability of its successful F404 predecessor with advanced technologies to provide the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with up to 35 percent more thrust and significant improvements in aircraft performance, survivability and payload. F414-GE-400 engines also power Boeing’s EA18G Growler electronic attack aircraft, also operational with the United States Navy. Work will take place in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Kentucky. Expected completion will be by August 2022.
Raytheon Missile Systems won a $17.1 million contract modification to exercise options in support of the fiscal 2020 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block 2 low rate initial production requirements. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. The missile is currently in service with the US Navy and some of the 12 NATO Sea Sparrow consortium nations. It offers naval combatants reliable self-defense and high fire-power. The missile can be launched from surface ships to destroy threats that include high speed, highly maneuvering anti-ship cruise missiles, low-velocity air threats (LVATs), high-diving threats and surface-based targets. Work is expected to be complete by March 2023.
Middle East & Africa
Raytheon Missile Systems won a $146.1 million contract for Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2/2A Guided Missile Round Pack and spare replacement components. This contract combines purchases for the US Navy, Germany as well as the governments of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey. The RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile. It was intended originally and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against antiship cruise missiles. Work is expected to be complete by June 2025.
The US Navy awarded Marvin Engineering a $25.3 million modification to procure 428 F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G BRU-32 ejector bomb racks for the Navy and the government of Kuwait. The BRU-32 bomb rack is a gas operated ejector rack with dual ejector pistons. It weighs 76 pounds, incorporate 14- and 30-inch suspension hooks and can accommodate single stores or multiple carriage racks. The bomb rack features an electrical fuze safety interlock, automatic sway bracing and store sensing switches. Work will take place in Inglewood, California. Expected completion will be by July 2023.
Europe
Airbus has temporarily closed its operations in Spain in line with a royal decree limiting movement and industrial activity in the country. The company announced this on March, 30. The move will see all non-essential work at its Spanish facilities cease until April 9 as the country’s government battles the coronavirus. In terms of Airbus’ industrial footprint in Spain, this will most dramatically affect the Airbus Defence and Space (DS) CN235, C295 and A400M assembly lines in Seville in the south of the country, and the A300 MultiRole Tanker Transport (MRTT) conversion facility in Getafe, near Madrid. In addition, Airbus Helicopters’ NH90 and Tiger facilities will be similarly affected.
Asia-Pacific
Boeing won a $1.6 billion modification, which procures 18 Lot 11 P-8A maritime aircraft for the Navy, the government of New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. The Republic of Korea Navy and Royal New Zealand Air Force acquired the aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales process and will receive the same P-8A Poseidon variant designed and produced for the US Navy. The Royal New Zealand Air Force is expected to begin receiving aircraft in 2022 and the Republic of Korea Navy is expected to begin receiving aircraft in 2023. The P-8 is a long-range multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations. It is a military derivative of the Boeing 737 Next-Generation airplane. The procurement also includes a segregable effort consisting of unknown obsolescence for Lot 11, Class 1 change assessment and obsolescence monitoring as well as non-recurring engineering for the Republic of Korea. Work will take place in Washington, California, Arizona, Alabama and Texas. Estimated completion will be by October 2023.
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Watch: U.S MARINE’s ‘THE ‘BLACK KNIGHTS’ TRANSITION FROM F/A-18A++ HORNET TO F35C LIGHTNING II !
