Latest updates[?]: Rheinmetall has delivered its first Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle to the Hungarian Defence Forces in Budapest, attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. With the delivery, Hungary becomes the first NATO member and European country to receive the newly-developed medium-weight combat system.
Future Lynx naval
In 2006, Finmeccanica subsidiary AgustaWestland received a GBP 1 billion (about $1.9 billion at 02/07 rates) contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for 70 Future Lynx helicopters, and began a new chapter in a long-running success story. The Lynx is an extremely fast helicopter that entered service in the 1970s, and quickly carved out a niche for itself in the global land and naval markets. The base design has evolved into a number of upgrades and versions, which have been been widely exported around the world.
In Britain, Lynx helicopters are used in a number of British Army (AH7 & AH9) and Fleet Air Arm (Mk 8) roles: reconnaissance, attack, casualty evacuation & troop transport, ferrying supplies, anti-submarine operations, and even command post functions. The Future Lynx program reflects that, and British government and industry are both hoping that its versatility will help it keep or improve the Lynx family’s global market share. This is DID’s FOCUS Article for the AW159 Lynx Wildcat Program, describing its technical and industrial features, schedules, related contracts, and exports.
The GAU-18 .50 caliber machine gun was recently unmounted from an HH-60 helicopter and mounted on the ground to be tested as a defensive weapon. The test took place at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida on October 14. It was organized by the 920th Rescue Wing.
The US Defense Innovation Unit has contracted Nauticus Robotics to develop an amphibious drone to support mine-hunting operations. As part of the agreement, the company will modify an off-the-shelf unmanned system to allow it to traverse sea or land during operations. Nauticus will also integrate its “ToolKITT” autonomy software to guide the modified robot in identifying undersea mines and avoiding potential obstacles.
Middle East & Africa
ThyssenKrupp has delivered the first of four MEKO A-200 frigates, the “Al-Aziz,” to the Egyptian Navy in Bremerhaven, Germany. During the handover ceremony, Egyptian Navy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa also revealed that the second Al-Aziz-class A-200 vessel will be named Al-Qadeer. “I am grateful to the friendly Republic of Germany for the constructive relationship which sets the example to be followed by others,” Atwa said at the event.
Europe
The US, Italy, and Poland have teamed up for aerial maneuvers to support an Air Shielding mission in NATO’s eastern territories. The drills were performed “to hone planning and flying skills based on thorough planning and universal tactics, techniques and procedures.” It involved the participation of a US F-22 Raptor tactical fighter, Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, and Polish F-16 Fighting Falcons and MiG-29 multirole aircraft.
Asia-Pacific
Pole/Zero Acquisition won a $53.5 million deal, which procures up to 346 antenna interface units and communications trays, to include 190 for the Navy, 132 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers and 24 for the government of Australia, as well as required technical data, assemblies, subassemblies, and spares in support of the P-8A Poseidon communications suite. Work will be performed in West Chester, Ohio, and is expected to be completed in October 2028.
The US has provided $100 million in foreign military funding to the Philippines as compensation for the nation’s decision to scrap a helicopter deal with Russia. US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said that the Philippine military can use the funding “as they wish.” It could help the Southeast Asian country bolster its defense capabilities and modernize its armed forces.
Today’s Video
WATCH: AL AZIZ Frigate F 904 Egyptian Navy MEKO A200
NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, an ongoing maritime security operation in the Mediterranean, saw a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8 maritime patrol aircraft participating for the first time. Departing from its base in Edinburgh, Australia, the jet and its crew took 3 days to arrive in Italy. From there, the jet undertook a few overwater surveillance missions from October 3-14.
A first-of-its-kind, F-35 crash recovery course was held at Hill Air Force Base and twenty-nine maintainers had the opportunity to train on handling different scenarios using a real F-35A. One of the scenarios in the five-day Crash Damaged or Disabled Aircraft Recovery course involved dealing with a collapsed nose gear, which will be destructive when done on a real jet. Instructors were able to use a repurposed F-35A for this type of training.
Middle East & Africa
SpearUAV, an Israeli developer of an autonomous, AI-based technology for encapsulated UAS, unveiled last week the Viper encapsulated and launchable hovering precision attack drone, empowering tactical forces with an immediate, precise and autonomous aerial loitering munition (ALM) capability against BLOS targets. According the company, enhancing force protection, the hovering capability of the Viper enables aerial observation of targets – including the ability to review buildings floor by floor – in complex urban environments, while also offering mission abort and wave-off capabilities.
Europe
France will train up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its territory, Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu told Le Parisien newspaper in an interview on Saturday. The soldiers will “be taken into our units for several weeks,” he said, adding that there would be three levels of training: general combat, “specific needs outlined by the Ukrainians such as logistics” and then training on how to use defense material furnished by Ukraine’s Estern allies.
Fincantieri has inked memorandums of understanding with potential suppliers for four future Greek corvettes and integrated logistics and in-service solutions for the Hellenic Navy. The agreements support the “high-profile process” for the corvette program set by the Hellenic National Defence Ministry.
Asia-Pacific
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has launched the country’s third Taigei-class attack submarine during a ceremony at the company’s shipyard in Kobe City. Named Jingei (swift swimming whale), the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) will use the underwater vehicle to support a wide variety of missions, including sinking enemy vessels.
General Dynamics won an $18.1 million deal to provide US Trident II Strategic Weapon System Kings Bay Trident Trainer Facility kit and engineering support services. The Trident II Strategic Weapons System is an improved SLBM with greater accuracy, payload, and range than the earlier Trident C-4. It is a key element of the US strategic nuclear triad and strengthens US strategic deterrence.Work will take place in Connecticut, Georgia and Florida.Estimated completion date is December 31, 2025
The last three remaining RQ-4A BAMS-D unmanned air vehicles that belonged to the US Navy have been transferred to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. The ground control equipment and non-payload spares will be transferred as well. The sailing branch had acquired five BAMS-Ds and one was lost in a crash in 2012 while another was shot down by Iran in 2019. NASA will operate the aircraft on behalf of the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center.
Middle East & Africa
The Nigerian Army has officially started operating Textron Systems’ Aerosonde drone, enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The $9 million foreign military sale of multiple Aerosonde Mk 4.7 Fixed Wing unmanned vehicles, awarded in August, marks the first time the African country acquired US-made drones. “We know the Aerosonde system will make a difference for Nigeria as it provides the most cost-effective real-time ISR capability in its class,” Textron’s Vice President Wayne Prender said.
Europe
Fifteen European countries on Thursday announced that they would jointly procure air defense systems to protect the continent under a newly-created European Sky Shield Initiative. Germany, which spearheaded the project, will coordinate the joint procurements to urgently plug existing gaps with regard to possible air attacks at close range — including drones — as well as medium and long-range, and especially against ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which Russia owns, its defense ministry said.
Spain will be donating four of its MIM-23 air defense missile launchers to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg disclosed on October 13. These weapons are transferred to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine, which is designed to protect the country from Russian missile and air strikes.
Asia-Pacific
For the first time, US Marine Corps MV-22Bs are now allowed to fly at 300ft in Japan. The first such flights took place during Resolute Dragon in Hokkaido on October 7. “The Low Altitude Tactics training at Resolute Dragon greatly benefited the squadron and significantly improved operational readiness. By providing a venue for training that is difficult to obtain, the exercise enabled the unit to requalify over 20 aircrew and conduct instructor qualification flights. We are extremely grateful for the months of coordination among USFJ, III MEF, and GOJ that secured clearance to fly at 300 feet and conduct this valuable training. We look forward to continued cooperation with USFJ and the GOJ in order to accomplish bilateral training objectives and improve readiness,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Laird, VMM-265 commanding officer.
A winner has been selected by the US Marine Corps for its Medium Unmanned Logistics Systems – Air (MULS-A) program. Kaman Air Vehicles will build the logistics drone prototype using a version of its Kargo UAV. The prototype will have to demonstrate its ability to operate from austere environment while carrying 800 pounds of payload.
The US Army has contracted Elbit Systems of America a $107-million contract for its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) systems. The deal also requires Elbit Systems to supply spare parts, logistics support, and test equipment for the systems for two years starting 2023. “This order attests to the quality of Elbit Systems of America’s technologies and their unique operational contribution, demonstrating the significant potential of our night vision activity,” President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.
Middle East & Africa
According to local media, the Nigerian Army will acquire a Medium Girder Bridge system from the United Kingdom for $2,2 million to improve its logistics capacity. The British-made tactical military bridge is designed by WFEL- a military bridges provider based in the UK – and is 76m, and can handle a Maximum Payload Capacity of MLC 70t. The medium girder bridge (MGB) is a lightweight, modular military bridging system supports various types of military operations, including tactical or disaster response scenarios. T
Europe
The UK has awarded Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) $37 million to upgrade the weapon systems aboard the Royal Navy’s Duke-class frigates over the next five years. Work involves upgrading the vessels’ Magazine torpedo launch systems and the electronics of the Seagnat threat countermeasure capabilities responsible for protecting the frigates against anti-ship missiles.
Serco has secured contracts to deliver its automatic test solution General Purpose Support Equipment (GPSE) to the UK Royal Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. The first contract will see Serco provide the latest version of the GPSE test sets to refresh the support capabilities of the UK’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet. The second contract requires the integration of additional Pylon and High-Pressure Pure Air Generator test functionality to the existing GPSE capability at Spanish Air Force bases in Morón and Albacete.
Asia-Pacific
The Korea Coast Guard has welcomed its third S-92 search and rescue helicopter from aviation company Sikorsky. The newest addition to the Asian country’s S-92 fleet guarantees an enhanced maritime security capability for safety and life-saving missions. Since 2014, the Korean Coast Guard has completed 195 rescues and has accrued more than 2,700 flight hours.
The US Navy awarded AAR Government Services an $114.5 million modification, which exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon aircraft depot scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, depot in-service repair/planner and estimator requirements, technical directive incorporation, airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support, and removal and replacement of engines in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in October 2023.
L3Harris has integrated its new advanced battlefield awareness systems onto Rheinmetall’s Lynx Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), increasing its lethality. The digitally-engineered systems enable the next-generation armored fighting vehicle “to detect and engage battlefield threats faster and at greater distances while reducing crew members needed from three to two.”
Middle East & Africa
DSIT Solutions Ltd., an Israeli developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-end, comprehensive and integrated protection solutions against all underwater threat types, will showcase its multilayered defense solution for securing strategic assets against the various types of underwater threats in diverse ranges and sea depths at EURONAVAL 2022, set to take place in Paris next week. These solutions include, among others, hostile military, terror and illegal activities, intrusion, sabotage and smuggling by divers, Semi-Submersible Vehicles (SSVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and all submarine types.
Europe
A private company has successfully bid for a Swiss government PC-24 business jet. The aircraft, registration T-786, was delivered to the Swiss government in February 2019. The Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement (armasuisse) says the bid received was higher than the cost of purchasing the jet.
Canada on Tuesday said it would soon send combat engineers to NATO ally Poland to help train Ukrainian forces who have been battling a Russian invasion for more than seven months. “In the coming weeks, Canada will deploy approximately 40 combat engineers to Poland to help Polish forces train Ukrainian sappers on engineer reconnaissance, explosives, mining and demining,” Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said in Warsaw alongside her Polish counterpart.
Asia-Pacific
Malaysia’s Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein revealed on October 9 that the government has opted for two of Leonardo’s ATR 72MP maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and three medium-altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft systems (MALE UAS) from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to meet Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) requirements. “The government has agreed with Leonardo’s offer and has decided to issue a contract to [TAI] for the acquisition of three [MALE UAS],” said the minister, noting the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is in the midst of issuing notices of acceptance once final negotiations have been completed.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Meet the RAF’s submarine hunter – the P-8A Poseidon
During AUSA 2022, Boeing took the opportunity to unveil its Modernized Apache concept to leaders of the US Army. Touting it as the next evolution of the current AH-64E v6 attack helicopter, the Modernized Apache can be differentiated externally from the classic Apache by its longer wing, which allows it to have three hard points per wing, upward-facing engine exhaust and the substitution of the chain gun with a laser turret. Powered by the new Improved Turbine Engine (ITE), Boeing is improving the drivetrain in order for the Modernized Apache to faster, further and more efficiently.
US President Joe Biden on Monday promised to provide advanced air defense systems to Ukraine after Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities, the White House said in a statement. Biden spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky and “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the statement said.
Middle East & Africa
Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and its US subsidiary have presented the IRON BEAM High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) at AUSA 2022 (Association of US Army’s national conference), currently taking place in Washington, DC. The Iron Beam is the first laser system of its kind to have been documented intercepting a range of aerial threats. According to the company, it is on track to become the first operational laser-based defense system that effectively intercepts a wide spectrum of threats – including RAM and UAVs as well as swarms of mini-UAVs – with pinpoint accuracy from a range of a few hundred yards to up to several miles.
Europe
President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia’s response to any further Ukrainian attacks would be “severe,” after Moscow’s forces carried out retaliatory missile strikes across Ukraine. “It was not possible to leave (Ukrainian attacks) unanswered. If attempts at terrorist attacks continue, the response from Russia will be severe and correspond to the level of threat,” Putin said at the start of a televised meeting of his security council.
Asia-Pacific
The seven recent North Korean missile launches were all “tactical nuclear” drills, state media said Monday, which were personally overseen by leader Kim Jong Un. At a key party congress in January 2021, Kim outlined a five-year defense development plan, calling for the development of smaller and lighter nuclear weapons for “more tactical uses.”
Today’s Video
WATCH: Boeing AH-64E Apache, Modernized Attack Helicopter Concept of the Feature
The KC-135 has set a new endurance mission record of 72 hours by two of the aerial refueling tankers from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. The jets went airborne and landed repeatedly over the 72 hours and had at least one engine running while being refueled and serviced on the ground. Engine-running flight crew changes were also carried out over the three-day mission. Both aircraft refueled B-2 bombers, B-52s, an E-3 Sentry, and an E-6B Mercury. Engine oil servicing was only done during one of the engine running crew changes (ERRCs), allowing the crews to demonstrate tanker “drop-in” concept. The previous KC-135 endurance mission record was 40 hours and was also set but the 92nd ARW in March this year.
The US Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center recently tested the new AGM-114 R-4 long-range Hellfire missile, revealing it for the first time. A 174th Attack Wing MQ-9 Block 5 drone test-fired the missile during an exercise, clocking the longest Hellfire shot to date. The R-4 boasts three times the range of its predecessor, the AGM-114 R, which can hit targets from around 7 miles (11 kilometers) under optimal conditions, the developers claim.
Middle East & Africa
Lockheed Martin won a $10.4 million contract modification, which provides for the procurement of installation of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II Line Replaceable Units on fourteen non-flight test aircraft, updates to existing Country Standard Technical Order Manuals and Country Standard Time Compliance Technical Orders. Additionally, this modification provides for the procurement of additional Peculiar Support Equipment and Alternate Mission Equipment. Work will be performed in Greenville, South Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas. Expected completion date is February 28, 2026. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Europe
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency has completed the demilitarization, dismantling, and disposal (D3) of 722 decommissioned M113 armored personnel carriers from the Italian Army. The agency identified, removed, and treated hazardous materials in compliance with health and safety standards and necessary environmental protection practices.
Germany said Monday it was rushing long-promised air defense systems, capable of protecting an entire city, to Ukraine after Russia ordered several missile attacks on the country. Calling the latest attacks “despicable,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on Twitter that “we are doing everything to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.” Germany had earlier expected to deliver the first of several missile shield systems by year’s end, but Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said the first would now be “ready for the effective protection of people in the coming days.”
Asia-Pacific
Malaysia has selected Leonardo’s P-27A maritime patrol aircraft and TAI’s Anka unmanned air vehicle and letters of award will soon be issued to both foreign companies. Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirmed that two P-27As will be acquired while three Ankas are being purchased.
Today’s Video
WATCH: NASAMS: Ukraine’s new weapons system explained
At a combat zone, a US Air Force MQ-9 drone has successfully perform an Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) without the need for a ground-based Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) for the first time. The feat was accomplished during Exercise Oktober Fist, a training exercise conducted by the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing. “The ability to autonomously launch and recover MQ-9s from austere locations without a recovery crew is a leap in operational potential. This is essential in creating a dynamic weapon system that will out-maneuver our adversary,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Barber, 332d AEW A2/3/5 Directorate Deputy.
Lockheed Martin has opened its 85,000-square-foot All-Up Round III facility in Arkansas to boost the production capacity of the PAC-3 missile. The second expansion of Lockheed’s Camden Operations is part of a $142 million investment announced in June 2019. With the new facility, Lockheed is expecting to raise its production of PAC-3 missiles by 500 per year.
Middle East & Africa
The US government notified Congress on October 6 of a potential Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS). Under the $3 billion package, Kuwait will be getting seven AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars along with AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X missiles, each missile type getting 63 orders. The main contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense and the company will send six employees to Kuwait for approximately three years to support the sale.
Europe
Embraer has release images showing Hungary’s first KC-390 in an advanced stage of assembly. The aerospace manufacturer says the transport aircraft will be ready to fly in the second half of 2023. Hungary place an order for two KC-390s in November 2020, the first aircraft will be delivered by Embraer in the second quarter of 2024.
It has been disclosed b that Romania had to ground its MiG-21 fleet because the jets were supplied with low-quality jet fuel. According to Gandul, local businessman Cristian Berendel was given a contract to supply fuel from 2018 to 2022. While the initial batches of fuel were of acceptable quality, Berendel quietly began supplying low-quality fuel from Greece and Turkey.
Asia-Pacific
Lockheed Martin has inked a collaborative agreement with French group Thales to establish a new missile factory in Australia. The facility is expected to provide “highly advanced” defense manufacturing capabilities to Canberra, bolstering its ability to produce military weapons and equipment at home. The company said it had tapped the services of Australian firm Conscia to identify potential future manufacturing locations.
Today’s Video
WATCH: NASAMS: Ukraine’s new weapons system explained
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)departed Naval Station Norfolk October 5 for its first deployment. Accompanying the first-in-class aircraft carrier are fighter squadrons VFA-213, VFA-31, VFA-37, and VFA-87. USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188), USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), and USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) are the rest of the ships that will form the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG).
The last F-16 that was assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing has departed Truax Field and the wing will now transition to the F-35. The sendoff ceremony for the aircraft also marks 30 years of F-16 service at the 115th Fighter Wing.
Middle East & Africa
Clayton International won a $7 million deal to provide depot level maintenance services for one VH-3A Helicopter for the Government of Egypt. Work will take place in Georgia. Estimated completion will be in June 2024.
Europe
According to Defense News, Britain and Poland are investigating possible cooperation in the development of a surface-launched, long-range missile in the latest step towards strengthening their ties in the defense sector. The two nations announced their intention to take a look at forming a partnership at the end of a visit October 5 to Poland by British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for talks with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz B?aszczak.
Ukraine said Thursday it had recaptured over 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) in Kherson in less than a week, after Moscow claimed to have annexed the southern region. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated more than 400 square kilometres of the Kherson region since the beginning of October,” Ukrainian southern army command spokeswoman Natalia Gumeniuk said in a briefing online. The Russian army meanwhile said “the enemy had been pushed back along the Russian defence line” on this southern front.
Asia-Pacific
The Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has received its second C295W tactical military transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space. The new medium utility military aircraft officially joined the Bangladeshi Fleet on September 25 after a six-day journey from the company’s factory in Spain.
Today’s Video
WATCH: After numerous delays, Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford leaves on 1st deployment
