Frank E. Petersen Jr. Completed Builder’s Trials | Norway To Deploy Poseidon For Surveillance In The Arctic | Taiwan To Purchase New Warplanes

Americas

Raytheon Missiles and Defense won a $77.1 million contract modification for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production Lot 35 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) and CATM guidance sections. This Captive Air Training Missile is an inert store that is captive carried on the aircraft and simulates the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile for training purposes. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2024.

According to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division, the US Navy’s guided missile destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) completed builder’s trials. The Arleigh Burke Class destroyer spent three days in the Gulf of Mexico testing the ship’s combat system, which included firing a missile.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Shipyards announced the signing of an agreement for the detailed design phase for the construction of the Reshef Class Vessel for the Israeli Navy. The agreement was signed with the Ministry of Defense as a final step before the ship’s production phase. During this phase, Israel Shipyards will present an engineering plan, adapted to the needs of the Navy.

Bryan 77 Construction JV won a $9.2 million task order for repair of the Scorpion Gate at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $9.3 million. The work to be performed provides for the repair and replacement of the Scorpion Gate at Camp Lemonnier to meet current anti-terrorism force protection requirements. The project consists of demolition of six existing structures, construction of a new pedestrian screening building, five prefabricated guardhouses, and re-configuration of the gate access. The contractor is to provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. The option, if exercised, provides for the relocation of an existing guard tower. Work will take place in Djibouti, Africa. Estimated completion will be by February 2023.

Europe

Norway plans to deploy the P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft in the Arctic in 2022. According to Defense News, this represents a major advance in the country’s long-term efforts to enhance defense capabilities and readiness in the region. The Department of Defense unveiled the schedule on August 13, after it had already approved Ivins Air Station as the home base for its future Boeing-built fleet. The Royal Norwegian Air Force has ordered five P-8A Poseidons to replace its in-service fleet of six Lockheed Martin P-3C/N Orion maritime patrol aircraft and two Dassault Falcon 20 special mission aircraft. The P-3 Orions service operates from Andoya Air Force Station, which is located 190 miles inside the Arctic Circle.

Asia-Pacific

According to Reuters, Taiwan will allocate $1.4 billion to purchase new warplanes next year to bolster the island’s defense capabilities amid increasing pressure from China. The money is part of the $16.8 billion defense budget for 2022 approved by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s cabinet on Thursday. It is the country’s greatest defense expenditure to date.

Today’s Video

Watch: Nothing Can Kill the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer