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October
Oct 29, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
The US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) recently completed exercise New Horizon, the first at-sea evolution for its new unmanned task force. During the two-day training exercise, Task Force 59 integrated and evaluated new MANTAS T-12 unmanned surface vessels (USV) that operated alongside manned US patrol craft and Bahrain Defense Force maritime assets.
BAE Systems won a five-year Systems Engineering and Integration Support Services contract to continue supporting the US Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) office. The contract, worth up to $478 million, was awarded in September 2021.
Middle East & Africa
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and SixAI will commercialize IAI’s military technologies and their adaptation to current civilian market needs. Ran Poliakine, Founder and Board Member of SixAI said: “Converting existing IAI dual-use technologies will enable us to introduce to the world solutions that could potentially solve pressing global challenges such as humanitarian issues, traditional industrial employment, and the climate crisis.”
Europe
French Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) has qualified Thales-made Sea Fire digital radar for use on the Navy’s future FDI frigates. The radar is now handed over to Naval Group for integration into combat system on-board the FDI frigates, Thales announced.
Asia-Pacific
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has sent a P-8A to participate in Exercise Albatross Ausindo for the first time. The exercise with the Indonesian Air Force took place last month. The aircraft, from No. 11 Squadron, was flown to Darwin for the exercise.
India commissioned the indigenously built Coast Guard Ship Sarthak in Goa on October 28. It was commissioned by the Director General of Indian Coast Guard K Natarajan. ICGS Sarthak will be based at Porbandar in Gujarat and operate on India’s Western Seaboard under the Operational and Administrative Control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (Northwest). ICGS Sarthak is commanded by Deputy Inspector General MM Syed and has complement of 11 Officers and 110 men.
Today’s Video
Watch: Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Sarthak’ was commissioned & dedicated to the nation at Goa today.
Oct 28, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
Raytheon won a $340 million deal for mobile sensors operations and maintenance services of the Cobra King radar system. Cobra King is a mobile radar system, called an active electronic scanned array, of S- and X-band phased radars in use by the Air Force Technical Applications Center. It provides radar data to the Department of Defense’s strategic community, the Missile Defense Agency and other government agencies. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is October 31, 2031.
SECO has successfully tested a new deck control device (DCD) to be used for controlling the MQ-25 on aircraft carrier flight decks. The device was successfully tested earlier this month during a multi-day demonstration featuring Navy and Boeing personnel simulating carrier-based operations at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
Middle East & Africa
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) wants to boost its air defense systems to neutralize aerial threats, including Iranian drones. Within two years, the IDF intends to have a full, permanent defensive coverage in place over the airspace of northern Israel, with plans to eventually expand this to the entire country.
Europe
The Turkish-made deadly Bayraktar TB2 combat drone has been deployed at Donbas by the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) for the first time. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Valeriy Zaluzhny, has ordered the deployment of Bayraktar TB2s in Donbas to force the “enemy” for a ceasefire. The unmanned aerial vehicle did not cross Ukrainian territory.
Asia-Pacific
Hakugei, the second Taigei-class unit in the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s (JMSDF) new class of diesel-electric attack submarines, has been launched and named in mid-october. The launching ceremony was held at Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ (KHI) shipyard in Kobe on October 14, the navy officials revealed.
An Ariane 5 rocket launched from the Guiana Space Centre placed France’s new Syracuse 4A military telecommunications satellite in low orbit on October 22. The satellite “is designed to resist military aggression from the ground and in space, as well as interference,” said French air and space force spokesman Colonel Stephane Spet.
Today’s Video
Watch: The MQ-25 Conducts First Unmanned Aerial Tanking
Oct 27, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
Northrop Grumman won a $50.9 million contract modification, which provides for repair services for 36 critical common items for the RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-4C Triton. It will support reparable National Stock Numbers (NSNs) encompassing the air vehicle, multiple sensor packages, Mission Control Element, and Launch and Recovery Element. In addition, this effort includes support engineering services covered under the Engineering Delegation Authority for NSNs transferred to and under the 407th Supply Chain Management Squadron. According to Northrop Grumman, the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) provides real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) over vast ocean and coastal regions.
The 355th Fighter Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska took delivery of four more F-35As on October 19. The 354th Fighter Wing is slated to have a total of 54 F-35As by the end of 2022.
Middle East & Africa
Sudan’s main opposition coalition has called for civil disobedience and protests across the country after the military, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, dissolved the transitional government and seized power on Monday. The takeover came more than two years after protesters forced the ouster of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir. Former leader al-Bashir came to power in 1989 when, as a brigadier general in the Sudanese Army, he led a group of officers in a military coup that ousted the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi after it began negotiations with rebels in the south.
Europe
Saab AB, has entered a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate with ORBCOMM and AAC Clyde Space AB to develop the next generation of global maritime communication services based on a VHF Data Exchange System (VDES). The parties, collaborating under a new brand named AOS, aim both for services directed to end customers as well as for safety of navigation services. The goal of the consortium is to create a global maritime communication network enabling ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication everywhere on the globe.
Asia-Pacific
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) recently conducted the first ever test where it destroyed a hostile high-piled wharf, a capability it can use in future combat for attacking enemy ports to cutoff their supply lines. The underwater explosion test was organized by an institute under the PLA Naval Research Academy at an undisclosed naval port, government-owned China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday.
Chinese and Russian warships have conducted the first ever joint patrol in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The patrols involved a total of 10 warships, five from each nation, and lasted a week, from Sunday, October 17 to Saturday, October 23, covering 1,700 nautical miles, according to the Ministry.
Today’s Video
Watch: China Conducts First Underwater Port Demolition Test
Oct 26, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
Two F-15EXs that were delivered to the US Air Force have carried out the first operational test mission at Nellis Air Force Base. The evaluation involved F-15Cs and F-15Es as well. Running from October 18-25, the pilots were also evaluating the Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System while there.
German company Rheinmetall will export a Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) Test Chassis to the United States of America from its factory in Redbank Queensland. The Lynx vehicle export order will be delivered to Rheinmetall in the United States supporting the business’s worldwide activities currently underway in the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle competition and the US Department of Defense’s Bradley fighting vehicle replacement program.
Middle East & Africa
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have signed an additional memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a loitering munitions programme. IAI is a global leader in developing loitering munition systems. The new concept weapon system technology maximizes the effectiveness of SEAD & DEAD missions, can perform long-endurance reconnaissance missions, and can strike a target immediately when necessary. IAI’s loitering munitions, including IAI’s HARPY NGW and HAROP loitering missile, are combat proven in many countries around the world.
Europe
The UK’s Royal Navy has successfully tested a new missile designed to protect warships from attacks by swarms of small boats. According to the service, HMS Defender’s Wildcat helicopter of 815 Naval Air Squadron fired the Martlet lightweight missile at an inflatable target in the sea – known in the navy as the big red tomato – during operations in the Pacific Ocean with the UK Carrier Strike Group.
Italy’s Leonardo announced it has signed a framework agreement with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the supply of up to 107,929 daylight optics for use on both current and new German Army assault rifles. According the company, the most important design change is the ability to operate the switching mechanism from 1x to 4x magnification on both sides of the new sight for assault rifles, while retaining the compact design and robustness of the optic.
Asia-Pacific
India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant left Kochi on October 24 for the second phase of sea trials. Following the first sea trials, the Navy had said the performance of key systems of the warship was found to be satisfactory.
Today’s Video
Watch: INS Vikrant Starts Sea Trial: Why It’s a Historic Moment for India
Oct 25, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
The US Air Force Research Laboratory has partnered with ThermAvant Technologies and Maxar Technologies to develop and deploy the next generation of spacecraft thermal control technology. The groundbreaking technology, Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs), provides lightweight and highly efficient temperature control on higher power yet smaller spacecraft. The OHP was recently launched in the second quarter of 2021 on a Maxar-built satellite.
The United States conducted the launch of a precision sounding rocket on October 20 to accelerate the development of advanced hypersonic weapons. The High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight campaign was conducted by the Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and the Army Hypersonic Program Office (AHPO).
Middle East & Africa
The first AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter for the Royal Bahraini Air Force was completed by Bell on September 30. The helicopter will be shipped to Bahrain in 2022. The country has ordered 12 AH-1Zs.
Europe
The Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (NDMA) has signed a contract with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS to to supply the Joint Strike Missile (JSM) for Norway’s fleet of F-35A Lightning II fighters. The contract is valued at $473 million. The partnership between KONGSBERG, the Norwegian Armed Forces and Norwegian Defence Research Establishment in the definition, development and test of the JSM has been critical factor in developing a missile with such advanced capabilities.
According to an answer from Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defense Procurement in the UK, ASRAAM Block 6 standard is due to enter service on Typhoon in 2022 and F-35 Lightning II in 2024. ASRAAM is in service with the Royal Air Force as its ‘Within Visual Range’ anti-air missile. The weapon is also in operational service with the Royal Australian Air Force on its F/A-18 Hornet.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippine House of Representatives has approved a request from the Philippine Air Force to buy five C-130J transport aircraft. Lawmakers realigned the 2022 General Appropriations Bill so that funds can be used for the down payment of the aircraft.
Today’s Video
Watch: Top 10 Air-to-Air Missiles Today (AAMs)
Oct 22, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
Sikorsky won a $14.1 million contract modification to procure four retrofit kits and associated system engineering support for the incorporation of 34 deployable configuration changes into CH-53K System Demonstration Test Article 1-4 Aircraft. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. Work will take place in Connecticut and Florida. Estimated completion is in November 2023.
Lockheed Martin won a $206.9 million modification, which adds scope to provide non-recurring engineering, detailed aircraft modification execution planning and technical data packages in support of modifications to the F-35 developmental test fleet aircraft. These modifications are necessary to support flight tests for the F-35 developmental test fleet and for the capabilities delivered under the F-35 Block 4 modernization in support of the Joint Strike Fighter Program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will take place in Texas, Maryland and California. Estimated completion in December 2025.
Middle East & Africa
Aeronautics Group, an Israeli provider of integrated solutions based on unmanned system platforms, payloads and communications for defense and HLS applications, announced it had concluded a successful evaluation of its Orbiter system, operating from the Finnish Border Guard’s Turva offshore patrol vessel, demonstrating high capabilities in a marine environment.
Europe
According to George Allison from the UK Defence Journal, the HMS Cardiff, the second of eight Type 26 Frigates, is starting to look ship-shape in Glasgow. Each Type 26 will be equipped with a range of capabilities including the Sea-Ceptor missile defence system, a 5-inch medium calibre gun, an embarked helicopter, medium range radar, powerful bow and towed array sonars, helicopter-launched torpedoes and a design which makes them extremely difficult for enemy submarines to detect.
Asia-Pacific
Rheinmetall has submitted the company’s Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) best and final offer for the Australian Department of Defence Land 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability tender. Rheinmetall is one of two competing companies involved in the tender for this procurement project. Lynx is fitted with the Rheinmetall Lance turret for precise and lethal effects and offers an integrated battle management system. Designed for close combat operations, the extensive family of Lynx vehicles is modular.
According to Defense News, China unveiled its first retired fighter in the 1950s and converted it into an unmanned drone. Satellite images of two East Coast bases near Taiwan show a large number of jets.The People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command posted photos of two Shenyang J-6s on its Weibo social media account during a post about a ceremony commemorating the start of the training brigade’s training cycle in late 2021.
Today’s Video
Watch: From HMS Glasgow to HMS Cardiff – The shipbuilding team at BAE Systems
Oct 21, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
Vertex Aerospace won an $8.7 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide intermediate-level maintenance and repair services and logistics support for the T-45 aircraft and T-45 support equipment in support of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department for Chief of Naval Air Training aircraft, tenant activities, and transient aircraft. Work will take place in Texas, Florida and Mississippi. Expected completion is in September 2022.
The Boeing-made KC-46A Pegasus multirole tanker has been given the green light to refuel all versions of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets. Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, approved a third Interim Capability Release (ICR) mission set for the KC-46A Pegasus, on October 13. This ICR decision allows the KC-46 to refuel all variants of the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon during US Transportation Command tasked missions.
Middle East & Africa
Turkish defense company Otonom Teknoloji has said it signed a deal with the Iraqi government for supplying aerostat and airship systems. The company said on October 17 that the deal would also involve technological know-how transfer and co-production options in the future. No financial details of the sale were disclosed.
Europe
UMS Skeldar’s V-200 medium-range VTOL UAV has completed five-day long surveillance flight trial demonstrations aboard the OPV Turva as part of the Valvonta2 project led by the Finnish Border Guard and funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. The project aims to achieve an understanding of how authorities could use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for diverse and demanding operations at sea both now and in future scenarios.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippine Air Force is looking at acquiring heavy-lift helicopters and the technical working groups within the service are carrying out studies. PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano declined to identify what models of helicopter are being considered but there have been reports that the service is interested in the CH-47.
Austal has launched the first of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (CCPBs) ordered by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Construction has commenced on the remaining five patrol boats. The first boat will be handed over to the Navy early next year.
Today’s Video
Watch: Australia Launches 1st of New “Evolved” Cape-class Patrol Boats…
Oct 20, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
Lockheed Martin won a $79.9 million contract modification to definitize the task order for the fire control components development and flight test support for Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System, PATRIOT advanced capability and PAC-3 missile segment enhancement integration with lower tier air and missile defense sensor. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2023.
Safran has opened a second assembly line at their facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, for the Arriel 2E engine. The first assembled and tested Arriel 2E engines have been delivered to Airbus. These engines power the UH-72B delivered to the US Army as part of the newest Lakota helicopter. Also installed in the H145, the Arriel 2E was until now produced in France.
Middle East & Africa
The Israel government has reportedly approved a budget of $1.5 billion to strengthen the military against Iranian attacks, according to local media. Some $900 million from this year’s budget and $600 million from next year’s budget will be spent on military procurement and intelligence gathering.
Europe
According to The Print, Dassault hopes to bring its Rafale M carrier-borne fighter to the shore-based test facility (SBTF) at INS Hansa, India to prove that the jet can take off from a ski-jump. India is shopping for new fighters to equip its STOBAR carriers and so far, Boeing has demonstrated that its Super Hornet can operate from a ski-jump during tests at NAS Patuxent River last year.
Asia-Pacific
China tested a domestically developed solid rocket engine, with a thrust of more than 500 tons. The test was conducted in Xi’an, capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, setting a world record in the field. The successful test signals significant progress in China’s solid carrier rocket technology and lays the foundation for the development of large-scale, heavy-lift launch vehicle technology.
North Korea might have tested a Submarine Launch Ballistic Missile (SLBM) from the vicinity of Sinpo. According to Reuters, the US military’s Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch as destabilising, but judged it did not pose an immediate threat to the United States or its allies.
Today’s Video
Watch: French Navy Dassault Rafale M
Oct 19, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
General Dynamics won a $269 million contract for lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and shallow water operations. Work will take place in North Carolina and Virginia. Estimated completion date is October 16, 2022.
Boeing won a $14.5 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide test and engineering support necessary to complete the development of the Next Gen Jammer-Mid Band system in support of the phased replacement of the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System currently mounted to the EA-18G aircraft. Work will take place in Maryland and Missouri. Estimated completion will be in September 2022.
Middle East & Africa
British Typhoon jets currently deployed as part of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing joined Egyptian Air Force F-16s during an exercise called Bright Star. According to the Royal Air Force that this was the first time since 2001 that the RAF have flown with the Egyptian Air Force. The Typhoons were also joined on the exercise by F-16s from the Greek Air Force and US Air Force F-15s and F-16s together with C-130 Hercules and B-52s.
The Netherlands agreed to send a C-130 transport aircraft to Mali to support the UN mission MINUSMA. The aircraft and personnel will leave the country in November and stay there for six months. They will operate from Bamako to transport people and cargo.
Europe
Saab continues to expand research and development operations in Finland, now into the fields of data-link communication technology as well as Virtual and Extended Reality (VR/XR) technology. The expansion will lead to the creation of 30-50 new jobs at Saab in Tampere and Helsinki in the near future, a press release said.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Navy took delivery of its 11th P-8I Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft manufactured by American company Boeing. The patrol aircraft is an integral part of the Indian Navy’s fleet and has surpassed 30,000 flight hours since it was inducted in 2013. This is the third aircraft to be delivered under an option contract for four additional aircraft that the Indian Ministry of Defense awarded in 2016.
Today’s Video
Watch: WHY did America Build the Virginia Class??
Oct 18, 2021 05:00 UTCAmericas
The US Navy’s Amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) arrived in San Diego October 15, after a decade of forward-deployed service in the Indo-Pacific region operating out of Japan. Germantown sailed from San Diego on January 5, 2011, replacing USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). USS Rushmore (LSD 47) will replace Germantown later this year.
The US Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) has completed its longest flight to date, exceeding maximum threshold, at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB), California, on Wednesday. This marks the fifth consecutive successful flight test for the missile.
Middle East & Africa
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will open a new flight control system integrated test facility called “Iron Bird” to accelerate the pace of its defense projects, including the one to build a fifth-generation indigenous stealth fighter jet. The facility is supposed to speed up the development, certification and production processes of domestic defense products. According to TAI, the Iron Bird will provide infrastructure for the integrated testing and verification of critical systems in National Combat Aircraft (MMU) as well as Hürjet, Turkey’s advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft and its different configurations.
Europe
Rheinmetall developed a new high-roof version of the 6×6 Fuchs/Fox wheeled armoured transport vehicle. The vehicle can serve in roles ranging from tactical operations centre to armoured field ambulance. The high-roof Fuchs/Fox demonstrator’s modernized exterior design and greater height are particularly striking. The interior volume now measures twelve cubic metres, with headroom increased to 1.60 metres from the previous 1.26 meters.
Asia-Pacific
Boeing won a $131 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon engine depot-level maintenance and repair in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. The P-8A Poseidon, the US Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft, is capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, and is also successful at search and rescue. Work will take place in Georgia and Washington. Expected completion date is in October 2022.
The Pakistan Army Air Defense commissions HQ-9/P air defense missile system into service on October 14. The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Today’s Video
Watch: Rheinmetall Presents Fuchs/Fox Wheeled Armoured Vehicle’s High Roof Variant!
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