Swedish company has opened a new 100,000-square-foot production facility in West Lafayette, Indiana, to build T-7A Red Hawks. The Boeing-Saab team is producing the new advanced trainer for the US Air Force, with Saab providing the aft section to Boeing’s forward fuselage. Currently the aft section is built at Saab’s factory in Linköping, Sweden, then shipped to the United States.
Raytheon has presented GhostEye MR, a new medium-range radar for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS. GhostEye MR was displayed at the Association of the US Army’s annual meeting and exhibition, held last week.
Middle East & Africa
In the first bilateral meeting between the Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Delfin Lorenzana and his Turkish counterpart Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar discussed the latest developments and way forward for Philippines-Turkey defense and military relations, in a phone call on 01 October 2021.
Europe
MiG Corporation, part of state-owned Rostec has completed delivery of MiG-29 components to Bulgaria ahead of scheduled. “During the negotiations, which took place in August, the Leadership of Bulgarian Air Force (BAF) and ‘MiG’ Corporation agreed upon the delivery of component parts for MiG-29 aircraft ahead of schedule. Last week we dispatched a final batch of air-technical equipment under valid contracts,” the company said in a recent press release.
BAE Systems has unveiled “Hawkeye” HWK1411 ultra low-light image sensor that enables night vision in overcast starlight conditions. The 1.6 megapixel “Hawkeye” sensor provides good imaging capabilities in all light conditions, and is optimal for battery-powered soldier systems, unmanned platforms, and targeting and surveillance applications.
Asia-Pacific
On October 5, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded Naval Group the contract for the preliminary and detailed design of the Ocean Patrol Vessel program. This award follows on from the signature of the framework agreement carried by the French Defence Procurement Agency on 23 October 2020 for the study, development, production and initial operational maintenance of ten ocean patrol vessels for the French Navy.
The US government has given four ScanEagle unmanned air vehicles to the Philippine Air Force on October 13. The ceremony was attended by Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim (CDA) Heather Variava and Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. John Aquilino. Representing the Philippine government at Clark airbase was Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes.
Latest updates[?]: The US government has given four ScanEagle unmanned air vehicles to the Philippine Air Force on October 13. The ceremony was attended by Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim (CDA) Heather Variava and Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. John Aquilino. Representing the Philippine government at Clark airbase was Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes.
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ScanEagle launch
ScanEagle’s base Insight UAV platform was originally developed by Washington state’s Insitu, Inc. to track dolphins and tuna from fishing boats, in order to ensure that the fish you buy in supermarkets is “dolphin-safe”. It turns out that the same characteristics needed by fishing boats (able to handle salt water environments, low infrastructure launch and recovery, small size, 20-hour long endurance, automated flight patterns) are equally important for naval operations from larger vessels, and for battlefield surveillance. A partnership with Boeing took ScanEagle to market in those fields, and the USMC’s initial buy in 2004 was the beginning of a market-leading position in its niche.
This article covers recent developments with the ScanEagle UAV system, which is quickly evolving into a mainstay with the US Navy and its allies. Incumbency doesn’t last long in the fast-changing world of UAVs, though. Insitu’s own RQ-21 Integrator is looking to push the ScanEagle aside, and new multiple-award contracts in the USA are creating opportunities for other competitors. Can Insitu’s original stay strong?
The Vanilla unmanned aircraft system has set a new world record for unrefueled, internal combustion endurance of an unmanned aircraft on October 2. The drone took off from Edwards Air Force Base and flew for 8 days, 50 minutes, and 47 seconds. The distance covered was 12,200 miles. The Vanilla is designed as a cost-effective, airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform that can be launched immediately to provide persistent coverage.
The US Army wants to perform a test launch of its Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, later today, with the goal of seeing just how far the Lockheed Martin-made weapon can go. The launch is planned from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The goal is for the weapon to hit a target 499km away — roughly 310 miles or around the distance between Washington, DC, and Hartford, Conn. — in what is being described by Lockheed executives as a “max-range” test.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s Rafael unveils its newly enhanced SAMSON 30mm Integrated RWS for light vehicles, designed to meet the threats of the modern battlefield, this week at AUSA 2021 in Washington, DC. The RWS features hostile fire detection capabilities and the ability to rapidly and effectively return fire via a fast, accurate slew-to-cue mechanism. It also includes a unified user interface for all subsystems, an inherent hatch for close situational awareness, and under-armor ammunition loading that increases lethality. These capabilities enable the SAMSON to turn light vehicle into powerful assets.
Europe
British rocket company Skyrora has inked a multi-launch deal with the SaxaVord spaceport on Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands, as it moves closer to launching its XL rocket in 2022. The multi-launch agreement with SaxaVord will run for the next decade.
The UK deployed a Boeing P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime multimission aircraft to Iceland for the type’s first overseas visit. The deployment was part of increased cooperation between the UK and Iceland. After a training sortie in the Greenland, Iceland and UK Gap, the maritime patrol aircraft flew into Keflavik airbase.
Asia-Pacific
HSM-51 and VX-51 of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) carried their first joint training exercise on September 14. A MH-60R Seahawk from HSM-51 and an SH-60K from VX-51 flew a Tactical Formation (TACFORM) flight, and a dual helicopter Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) tracking exercise over the Philippine Sea.
Today’s Video
Watch: Vanilla Unmanned has big plans for the US Navy | Vanilla Unmanned
The F-15E has a new bunker buster added to its arsenal, the GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator. The new weapon was tested at the Eglin Air Force Base range by the 96th Test Wing. A joint-direct-attack-munition (JDAM) tail kit from a GBU-31 was modified so that it would fit and guide the 5,000-pound weapon. The first weapons load, flight and release took place on July 23. The Strike Eagle’s existing bunker busting weapon is the laser-guided GBU-28.
According to Defense News, the US Army and Lockheed Martin have worked out a way to accelerate the delivery of the latest variant of Sentinel air and missile defense radar by six months. At the AUSA 2021 annual conference on October 11, Lockheed unveiled its A4 version of the radar. The Sentinel A4 active electronically scanned array is the next-generation radar planned to replace the current phase and frequency scanned array in Sentinel A3 and earlier versions. It can detect cruise missiles, unmanned aircraft systems, rockets, artillery and mortars.
Middle East & Africa
Netline Communications Technologies Ltd. – a leading developer and manufacturer of high-end electronic warfare and spectrum dominance systems for defense forces and homeland security agencies – has unveiled the new C-Guard Micro system. This compact, portable, full-coverage Explosive Ordnance Disposal jamming unit has been designed for use by military forces and law enforcement personnel, to support bomb disposal squads during EOD missions and roadblocks, and anti-terror missions. It is based on the advanced technology of the C-Guard family,
Europe
Serbia has unveiled Lazanski, a new armored vehicle equipped with Russian-made 57 mm AU-220M Automatic Weapon Station. The vehicle was presented for the first time on October 12 at the “Partner 2021” military exhibition being in Belgrade. Lazanski is armed with an Automatic cannon 57 mm, Machine gun 7.62 mm. It can shoot 80 bullets per minute, Serbian state media reported today.
Rheinmetall and Israeli company UVision have inked a strategic partnering agreement to market Hero series of loitering munitions to the armed forces of Europe. The German company will take the industrial, technological and commercial lead for enhancing the capabilities of the weapon system; while UVision will make available the Hero loitering munitions.
Asia-Pacific
A Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2 that scrambled from Tsuiki Airbase on Octpber 10 lost its canopy inflight while the jet was over the vicinity of Asakura city. The aircraft was airborne at 12:45pm local time and the incident happened five minutes later. The pilot recovered back to base safely and a search is underway for the 90kg canopy.
Today’s Video
Watch: Israeli firm to arm wheeled armored vehicles with loitering strike munitions!
General Atomics together with the US Army ist working on developing a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for the Multi-Domain Operations-capable Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System. Incorporating MOSA on GE-ER Increment 2 spans the entire system, including the aircraft and the Command and Control software suite. The implementation of MOSA will provide multiple new standards for C2, Future Airborne Capability Environment, Open Mission Systems, Universal Armament Interface (UAI), as well as further segregating the Flight/Mission systems’ hardware and software.
The US Army’s 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (94th AAMDC) is deploying a set of Iron Dome air defense system to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam for operational testing. The 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment will be responsible for operating the unit.
Middle East & Africa
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been chosen as the prime contractor for developing the concept and technologies for the Israel Defense Force’s (IDF) future Armored Fighting Vehicle called the Carmel. This solution is based on automatic and autonomous systems that complement the two-man team, and operate the central subsystems – the vehicles’ mission planning and management, situational awareness, driving and lethality.
Europe
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated that its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rocket can shot down Class 2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The company said in its press release that the testing was carried out at Yuma Proving Grounds using standard 2.75? test rockets combined standard M151 warheads and Mk66 motors. The only new component that was developed for this task is a new proximity fuze.
According to local news, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Penagiotopoulos has said that Athens and the United States will likely modernize its existing military bases being used by the US military. Earlier, Greece was expected to build new bases through the renewal of the Mutual Defense Cooperation Agreement (MDCA).
Asia-Pacific
According to PNA, Philippine Navy has taken delivery of a batch of Mistral 3 short-range air defence (SHORAD) missiles for the Jose Rizal Class frigates. The weapons were delivered to the Subic Bay International Airport on October 8.
Today’s Video
Watch: Jose Rizal Class Multi-Role Guided Missile Frigate with Advance Systems | Philippine Navy
During a ceremony held on October 6 at the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, the US Army unveiled the newest variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, the UH-60V. As part of their preparation for beginning instruction, EAATS instructor pilots have been training on six UH-60Vs they received from the Utility Helicopter Program Office in July.
General Dynamics won a $482.1 million contract modification 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 littoral operations. Work will take place in Connecticut, Virginia and Rhode Island. Estimated completion will be by October 2022.
Middle East & Africa
Reuters reports that Turkey has sought 40 new F-16 Fighter Jets from the US plus modernization kits for its existing F-16s even as the conflict with Washington over the purchase of Russian S-400 Air Defense System continues.The deal has yet to be approved by the US State Department and the Congress. It is still working its way through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process.
Europe
The Polish Ministry of Defense (MoD) has commenced preparing infrastructure to receive PATRIOT missile battery from the US, which is expected to arrive at the end of 2022. In March 2018, Poland signed a $4.75 billion agreement with the US for two Patriot Configuration 3+ batteries. The purchase includes Northrop Grumman’s IBCS Battle Command System and four fire units equipped with four AN/MPQ-65 radars, 16 launchers, four Engagement Control Stations, six Engagement Operation Centers, 12 IFCN Relays and 208 PAC-3 MSE missiles.
Greece has decided to lease another two Heron TP unmanned air vehicles, bringing the total number to four. Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos disclosed the information to Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on October 6.
Asia-Pacific
Australia has been given clearance by the US State Department to purchase 12 MH-60R naval helicopters. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency says in Transmittal No 21-61 that the Foreign Military Sales package is worth up to $985 million.
Today’s Video
Watch: Eastern Army National Guard present new UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter
The US Air Force announced that two F-35A Lightning II aircraft recently released B61-12 Joint Test Assemblies, or JTAs, during the F-35A’s first Full Weapon System Demonstration, completing the final flight test exercise of the nuclear design certification process. The 422nd and 59th Test and Evaluation Squadrons led Air Combat Command’s portion of the test effort, with Airmen from the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Bolt Aircraft Maintenance Unit leading all maintenance efforts.
Thales has unveiled a new ground-based multi-mission radar with simultaneous ground and low-level air surveillance, providing early UAV detection, in particular of micro-drones. The Ground Observer 20 Multi-Mission (GO20 MM) is a single mode multi-mission radar for continuous 360° 3D detection, tracking and automatic classification of the full threat spectrum. From UAVs and helicopters in the low- level airspace, to insurgents by foot or armed vehicles– simultaneous detection of all threats.
Middle East & Africa
Turkey’s Havelsan and Transvaro are testing Fedai, a Kamikaze drone they developed to neutralize other drone-borne threats. The was exhibited at the 3rd Military Radar and Border Security Summit, organized by the Independent Industrialists and Businesspersons Association.
Europe
Greece has decided to equip its AH-64D attack helicopter with the Israeli-made Spike NLOS missile. The missiles will also be installed on the Machitis Class gunboat and the Mark V Special Operations Craft.
Proteus Advanced Systems Pte. Ltd., a joint venture company of IAI and ST Engineering, has secured a contract to deliver the Blue Spear coastal anti-ship missile system to the Estonian Defence Forces. Commander of the Estonian Navy commodore Jüri Saska said: “The chosen weapon system will form the cornerstone of Estonian naval defence for decades to come. Estonian Navy will be able to contribute significantly both to national, regional and collective defence effort.”
Asia-Pacific
The Chinese military has for the first time revealed details on the latest variant of the JH-7 fighter bomber, the JH-7A2, at the Airshow China 2021 event in Zhuhai. According to the Global Times, it has better surface attack capability as it is built to carry extra surface attack weapons including stand-off air-to-surface missiles, laser-guided bombs and munitions dispensers.
Northrop Grumman won a $8.4 million delivery order for support of the E2-D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft program avionics flight management computers. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. In December 2020, Northrop Grumman was awarded a $13.1 million order to provide new computers and displays for the E2-D Hawkeye. The new contract is a 42-month contract with no option periods. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion date is February 5, 2025.
Boeing won a $26.8 million delivery order for F/A-18 aircraft spare parts, according to the Defense Department. Work will take place in Missouri. Estimated completion date is October 31, 2027. According to the Navy Times, the Department of the Navy also spent more than $2 billion because of metal corrosion on F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets from fiscal 2017 to 2020. However, according to a report, the Department of the Navy maintainers did not complete mandatory 84-day inspections for a percentage of the 151 aircraft sampled in FY20.
Middle East & Africa
The last A-29 conversion course for the Nigerian Air Force at Moody Air Force Base has graduated on September 2. The aircraft subsequently left on September 15. Training takes nine months and covers subjects such as ground mechanics, aircraft familiarization, and piloting the aircraft.
Europe
BAE Systems will deliver the five year Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) alongside the Ministry of Defence for the Royal Navy in Portsmouth. According to the company, BAE Systems was selected by the MOD to deliver the Ship Engineering Delivery & Management contract at Portsmouth Naval Base.
Asia-Pacific
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted verification landing of the US Marine Corps F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landings (STOVL) fighter on its JS Izumo aircraft carrier for the first time on October 3. “This verification is the first time for an F-35B to land on a JMSDF vessel, and Japan is working to improve its capabilities in the maritime and air domains,” JMSDF announced.
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is receiving export queries for Indian-built Dornier 228 aircraft from Sri Lanka, Mauritius and the Philippines. The aircraft is now rechristened as Hindustan 228. In an interview with the Times of India, R Madhavan, HAL’s CMD, said the aircraft could be exported to the two interested countries.
Latest updates[?]: The last A-29 conversion course for the Nigerian Air Force at Moody Air Force Base has graduated on September 2. The aircraft subsequently left on September 15. Training takes nine months and covers subjects such as ground mechanics, aircraft familiarization, and piloting the aircraft.
Super Tucano
Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano trainer and light attack turboprop continues to rack up global orders, solidifying its position as the globe’s pre-eminent manned counter-insurgency aircraft. The latest order set of about $180 million expands the plane’s footprint into 3 African states: Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. They join Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Indonesia as customers for this aircraft.
The Super Tucano is known as the A-29 or ALX in Brazil, but abroad, it’s the EMB 314 successor to Embraer’s widely-used EMB 312 Tucano trainer. A-29 is better for marketing, though, and Embraer is trying to shift the designation. The Super Tucano offers better flight performance than the EMB 312 Tucano, plus armoring and wing-mounted machine guns, weapons integration with advanced surveillance and targeting pods, precision-guided bombs, and even air-to-air missiles. This makes it an excellent territorial defense and close support plane for low-budget air forces, as well as a surveillance asset with armed attack capability. Brazil uses it this way, for instance, alongside very advanced EMB-145 airborne radar and maritime patrol jet platforms. Meanwhile, in Africa…
Lockheed Martin won an $80 million contract modification to exercise options for littoral combat ship class design services and integrated data and product model environment support. According to the Defense Department, The US Navy plans to build a fleet of 33 literal combat ocean going warships that are also capable of operating in shallow coastal waters. Work will take place in New Jersey, Washington DC and Wisconsin. Estimated completion will be by October 2022.
The US Military Sealift Command announced it has tested the new BQM-177A Sub-Sonic Aerial Target (SSAT) in the Western Pacific. Testing took place from September 9-10 using USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3). The BQM-177A is capable of flying at a height of 2 meters and at speeds in excess of Mach 0.95.
Middle East & Africa
In late September, Oshkosh Defense won a $16 million deal to provide three types of Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks as well as Heavy Equipment Transporters to Lebanon, Iraq and Malaysia. The contract is for M1120A4 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTTs), M977A4 HEMTTs, M978A4 HEMTTs, and M1070A1 Heavy Equipment Transporters. M1120A4?s load-handling system is capable of transporting 11 tons; M977A4 has a 10-ton payload capacity; the fuel-servicing M978A4 tanker can transport 2,500 gallons of fuel; and the M1070A1 tank transporter has a 75-ton maximum payload. Work will take place in Wisconsin. Estimated completion date is January 31, 2022.
Europe
After the successful surface launch of the Tsirkon (Zircon) hypersonic cruise missile from a Russian nuclear-powered submarine on Sunday, a second launch was conducted on Monday; this time from 40 meters underwater signalling a new capability for the country’s navy. “The second test firing of the hypersonic cruise missile Tsirkon was carried out by the crew of the nuclear submarine missile cruiser Severodvinsk for the first time from an underwater position, from a depth of 40 meters, in the waters of the White Sea at a conditional sea target in the Barents Sea”, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The US Air Force 48th Fighter Wing has reactivated the 495th Fighter Squadron, known as the “Valkyries”. It is the first USAF F-35A squadron in Europe. RAF Lakenheath will receive the squadron’s aircraft when they begin to arrive later this year.
Asia-Pacific
Turkmenistan unveiled its Bayraktar TB2 combat drones during a September 27 military parade marking the country’s 30th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union. The TB2 on display was armed with MAM-L and MAM-C munitions, manufactured by Turkish firm Roketsan, and the Argos-II HD/HDT camera system by Germany’s Hensoldt.
Today’s Video
Watch: How Bayraktar TB2 has become one of the most feared drones in the world
