KC-46A Gets ICR | Britain, US Extend Deal For Cooperative Aircraft Carrier Operations | New F-35 FMS

Americas

The KC-46A has gotten its first Interim Capability Release (ICR) mission set, the approval to use its Centerline Drogue System. Air Mobility Command commander Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost gave the greenlight on July 9. The decision provides more daily “taskable” operational capabilities to the various services. “This decision reflects a risk-informed, data-driven, constraint-analyzed approach to releasing KC-46A operational capabilities to the joint force,” Van Ovost was quoted as saying.

The US Army awarded Raytheon approximately $321 million for Stinger missile production. The FIM-92 Stinger is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM). It can be adapted to fire from a wide variety of ground vehicles and helicopters (as an air-to-air missile).

Middle East & Africa

DynCorp International won a $27.6 million contract modification for maintenance support services for the government of Saudi Arabia’s Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command (RSLFAC). The RSLFAC inventory comprises UAVs for reconnaissance and strike missions, as well as the following helicopter types: Boeing AH-64D, Bell OH-58D and Sikorks UH-60L. Work will take place in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2022.

Europe

Sudan is expected to give the green light to Russia for the latter to build a navy base on its territory. After meeting with his Sudanese counterpart Mariam al-Mahdi on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Mariam disclosed that Sudan is preparing for the ratification process. It will be carried out in accordance with procedures that exist in the Sudanese parliament.

Britain and the United States have extended a cooperative agreement between the two nations aircraft carrier fleets. British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met Tuesday in Washington, DC to strike the deal.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won a $23 million deal, which provides for the integration of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) country into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program and provides country-specific program support for F-35 aircraft production, modifications, logistics, and sustainment efforts. Work will take place in Texas. Japan, Florida, California, UK and is expected to be finished in March 2025.

Today’s Video

Watch: How Powerful is FIM-92 Stinger Missile • FIM-92 Stinger In Action