Northrop Grumman Systems won an $9 million deal for the manufacture of initiating propellant used on the MK48 heavyweight torpedo. This contract includes a three-year ordering period with no options. All work will be performed in Elkton, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by November 2025. Weapons procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,203,980 will be issued for delivery order N00104-22-F-ZN01 that will be awarded concurrently with the contract and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. In July 2017, Northrop was awarded a $50.1 million contract to manufacture 45 torpedo transducer array and nose shell assemblies for the heavyweight torpedo.
A US Air Force T-38 assigned to Columbus Air Force Base crashed out of the airfield around 1 pm local time on November 7. The pilot ejected safely after the aircraft suffered an in-flight emergency. The T-38 Talon is a twinjet supersonic jet trainer produced by American aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman.
Middle East & Africa
The Turkish government’s defense industrial-policy office, the Defense Industries Presidency SSB, has unveiled the MIR, an unmanned naval vehicle designed to fight submarines from the surface. Ismail Demir, head of SSB, told the press that the MIR will come in three features. It can be used autonomously, in a remote control operations or manned with a crew.
Europe
The UK Royal Air Force’s first Wedgetail E-7A airborne early warning and control aircraft has received a multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) sensor. Developed by Northrop Grumman, the MESA system will enable the E-7A to monitor its surroundings over 360 degrees in flight. The sensor will assist airmen in detecting, identifying, and tracking targets at longer ranges while maintaining continuous surveillance in an operational area.
The Polish Army has ordered 11 more Wolverine armored personnel carriers for $30.8 million, with delivery expected between 2024 and 2025. In 2018, the Polish Armed Forces received 33 Wolverine vehicles following a June 2014 deal valued at $50 million. The 8.3-meter (27 feet) Wolverine is equipped with a remote-controlled armament module and a 7.62-meter (25 feet) machine gun allowing for enhanced observation and self-defense capabilities.
Asia-Pacific
Collins Aerospace and PT Dirgantra Indonesia (PTDI) have signed an agreement to support the Indonesian Air Force’s C-130 Hercules with a new digital cockpit. As part of the air force’s Phase 2 rollout plan, Collins will supply 11 C-130s with its Flight 2 Integrated Avionics System, which includes the latest AOS-7000 digital auto-pilot system. The system offers the military transport aircraft “the most cost-effective and lowest-risk communications, navigation and surveillance systems for air traffic management (CNS/ATM) upgrade solution,” according to Collins.
Naval Group and PT PAL Indonesia inked a memorandum of understanding to develop an energy research laboratory for submarines and propulsion solutions at the Indo Defence 2022 Expo and Forum in Jakarta. The joint research and development will involve potential submarine energy storage, such as embedded electrical networks, next-generation Li-Ion batteries, and hydrogen cells.
Bell Textron Inc. has delivered the 189th and final AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter for the US Marine Corps at Amarillo Assembly Center in Texas, concluding the Program of Record for the latest H-1 platforms. With the delivery of 160 UH-1Y Venom choppers in 2018, the marine corps now has 349 H-1s in service. The Bell AH-1Z Viper was developed to replace the older two-bladed AH-1W Super Cobra. Meanwhile, the UH-1Y replaced the UH-1N Twin Huey constructed specifically for the US Army.
The US Navy is developing a torpedo-tube launch and recovery system for nuclear attack submarine-launched underwater drones. Submarines currently require a dry deck shelter and divers to recover a medium-sized unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), limiting the vehicle’s capacity. “The Medium UUV can go on any one of our submarines. That is a priority for us. We have no problem launching UUVs. That’s easy. The recovery part has been the critical aspect,” USNI News quoted Submarine Force commander Vice Adm. Bill Houston as saying.
Middle East & Africa
Israel-based Gadfin Aero-Logistics Systems has secured a contract with Israel’s medical GPO & logistics company – SAREL, for sending supplies from its advanced medical logistic center, to gradually connect all the major hospitals in Israel, in a radius of up to 200Km, under a long-term exclusive partnership agreement. Gadfin says that this will make Israel the first western country in the world to have an automatic, on demand, medical delivery aerial grid. This contract will allow SAREL to have constant supply of medical equipment, medicines Vaccines, blood, Serum ,lab samples and more, using a star model all across Israel, at less than one hour from call.
Europe
Belgium’s 349th squadron has painted an nearly 50-years old F-16 in a special paint scheme to commemorate the unit’s 80th anniversary. The plane’s decorated tail fin shows a drawing of Spitfire pilot Ivan Du Monceau de Bergendal, its first commander, wearing a leather helmet. On the left, it is decorated with an F-35A stealth fighter – the future mount of the squadron from 2027 – and a pilot wearing the latest generation helmet with the words “349 Sqn. Proud of the past, Ready for the future.”
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Finland of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $535 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. The state department is still in the process of diverting 50 percent of the procurement from US stocks. A final decision based on this process will determine the GMLRS version Finland receives.
Asia-Pacific
North Korean forces said they would respond to joint exercises by the United States and South Korea with “sustained, resolute and overwhelming” military measures, its state media reported Monday. The warning came following a spate of missile tests by North Korea last week, including four ballistic missiles on Saturday, while the United States and South Korea conducted their biggest-ever air force drills. Hundreds of US and South Korean warplanes — including B-1B heavy bombers — participated in the Vigilant Storm exercises last week.
The US military flew an demonstration flight of the MQ-9 at Maritime Self-Defense Force Base Kanoya to local officials on November 5. Attending the event was Kagoshima Governor Shioda, Mayor Nakanishi of Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture, and town councilors from around the base.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Demonstration flight of the U.S. military’s MQ9 unmanned reconnaissance aircraft conducted
Northrop Grumman won a $29 million modification, which exercises an option that provides five aerial refueling retrofit kits including installation onboard E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the Navy. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in Florida. Expected completion will be in August 2025.
On November 2, the 31st and final AC-130J gunship was delivered by Lockheed Martin to the US Air Force Special Operations Command. The warplane will be assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base.
Middle East & Africa
The Royal Jordanian Air Force is getting 10 Bell 505 helicopters to train its student pilots. The five helicopters will be delivered in 2023 with the rest the following year. These rotorcraft will go to King Hussein Air College. They will replace the existing Robinson R44 Raven II trainers.
Europe
Norway will sell 32 of its F-16 fighters to NATO partner Romania. The contract was signed on November 4. “The agreement signed by the NDMA will help strengthen the air power of one of our allies, at the same time as it will generate revenues for both Norwegian industry and the Norwegian state,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram. All jets will be modified to the M6.5.2 Romanian configuration prior to delivery starting next year.
Asia-Pacific
Bloomberg reports that Boeing “is concerned about the ability of” Indonesia to finance the deal to buy F-15EX fighters. Earlier in February, the US government cleared the sale of up to 36 F-15EX fighters to the South East Asia nation. The deal is worth $14 billion, figures given by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency show. Indonesia’s Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto had also said late last month during a visit to the United States that the country wants to pay for the F-15EX deal in installments.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has clinched a $308 million deal to develop amphibious attack helicopters for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, the company announced. KAI will develop three prototypes in 46 months under the contract, signed with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
Today’s Video
WATCH: 50 Years Undefeated! Why is the F-15 the best fighter jet?
Northrop Grumman Systems won a $25 million contract modification, which adds scope for fabrication and installation support to retrofit the Delta System Software Configuration 4.0 capabilities, to include tactical targeting network technology and the beyond line of sight in the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Melbourne, Florida; Boulder, Colorado; Norfolk, Virginia (8%); Salisbury, Maryland; Ronkonkoma, New York (3%); and various locations within the continental US, and is expected to be completed in September 2025.
Sikorsky won a $21.4 million modification, which exercises options to procure one CH53K containerized flight training device (2F243-3), as well as associated technical data based on low-rate initial production Lot 4 configuration in support of CH-53K phase II training system efforts. Work will be performed in Chantilly, Virginia; Stratford, Connecticut; and Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed in February 2025.
Middle East & Africa
The flagship product of D-Fend Solutions, an Israeli company which develops counter-drone, cyber-takeover solutions, has received a recommendation by the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office (JCO). The recommendation, which came out of a formal US government evaluation event held at Yuma Proving Ground in April 2022, pertains to the EnforceAir system, which, according to the company, features the world’s premier counter-drone, cyber, radio frequency (RF)-based takeover technology.
Europe
Russian firm PPSh Laboratory has unveiled an electronic warfare gun capable of jamming “American unmanned aerial vehicles,” state-owned TASS revealed. The Saint Petersburg-based company is testing the LPD-802 gun, an upgrade on the LPD-801 being used in the Ukraine conflict. The company unveiled the LPD-801 in 2021. The counter-drone device jams “drone control channels and navigational signals, in particular, disabling Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, Galileo and Glonass satellite system signals and quashing unauthorized data transmission.”
Asia-Pacific
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) may enter a joint venture with a foreign ejection seat manufacturer to make the escape devices in India. The news report suggest HAL is interested in capturing a slice of the market now dominated by Britain’s Martin Baker.
The Biden administration has given approval for Australia to buy 24 C-130J-30 aircraft and related equipment on November 2. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency made the announcement shortly after Australia says it will stick with the C-130J for its future airlifter project. In Transmittal No 22-62, the DSCA says the Foreign Military Sale contract is worth up to $6.35 billion.
L3 Technologies won a $20.7 million deal for the Manned/Unmanned Teaming hardware and technical and engineering support for the Apache attack helicopter. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received.
The US Air Force carried out its first test of the rappelling system on the new MH-139A helicopter on October 6. During the mission, special operators successfully rappelled out of a hovering MH-139A at Eglin Air Force Base.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s Elbit Systems announced that that it was awarded a contract valued at approximately $25 million from the Finnish Ministry of Defense to supply radio communications systems to the Finnish Army. The contract will be executed over a two-year period. Under the contract, Elbit will supply advanced secured radio communications systems that enable enhanced tactical command and fire control and are backward compatible with analogue radio equipment that is currently in use by the Finnish Army. Military radio communications solutions of Elbit Systems have been selected to-date by several European and NATO countries including Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Canada, Spain and others.
Europe
Sweden’s new prime minister said Tuesday he was open to allowing nuclear weapons on Swedish soil once the country becomes a NATO member, a turnaround from the previous government’s stance. When asked if the two nations would accept nuclear weapons on their soil, Marin replied: “We shouldn’t put any preconditions… We have decided that we don’t want to close any doors for the future.”
Kraken Robotics has won a $1.1 million contract to provide its AquaPix synthetic aperture sonar for the sub-surface drones of two NATO navies. AquaPix was designed to replace traditional high-end side scan systems on autonomous vehicles. It delivers improved range, resolution, and area coverage.
Asia-Pacific
The Royal Australian Navy has tapped BAE Systems to provide in-service periscope support for its six Collins-class submarines. The $45-million extension contract guarantees the Royal Australian Navy continued maintenance and logistic services, as well as engineering and supply support.
Today’s Video
WATCH: The First MH-139A Grey Wolf Flight • UH-1N Replacement
Sikorsky won a $280.4 million modification, which exercises an option to procure long lead items in support of full rate production Lot 8, CH-53K aircraft. CH-53K King Stallion is a next-generation heavy-lift cargo helicopter. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be in December 2023.
General Electric won a $1 billion requirements contract for repair, replacement, and program support of 784 F414 engine components in support of F/A-18 aircraft. This contract includes a five-year base with no options. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support is the contracting activity. Work will take place in various continental US contractor locations that cannot be determined at this time, and in Florida. Work is expected to be completed by October 2027.
Middle East & Africa
The shooting training center of the Special Forces Command (KSK) of the German army in the town of Calw has been using training system components from the Israeli company Trango Systems. According to German website Soldat & Technik, in a report on the visit of the German Minister of Defense to the German Army’s Special Forces Command, photos were publicly revealed for the first time indicating that the command is using modern means in the shooting training center, including system components from Trango Systems.
The Turkish government will assist the country’s maiden unmanned helicopter project, the Alpin, its manufacturer Titra reported. Ankara has put the project on its “regional priority investment list,” ensuring subsidies and incentives, the Ankara-based firm added. The government has promised to buy the dual-use platform following field trials, and could export it to friendly countries once it is battle-proven.
Europe
Norway, a NATO member that shares a border with Russia in the Arctic, will raise its military readiness, its prime minister said on Monday, stressing however that no direct threat had been detected. “The military will as of tomorrow raise its preparedness in Norway,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told reporters.
Asia-Pacific
The Royal Australian Air Force will continue to stick with the C-130J as the platform for its medium air mobility fleet. The Australian government announced on November 1 that Project AIR 7404 Phase 1 has chosen the C-130J. The project’s aim was to replace and expand the current fleet of 12 C-130J with a new aircraft. The defense ministry determined that the C-130J was the only option that meets the requirements for low risk, being certified in all roles, that is proven, mature and affordable.
Today’s Video
WATCH: The US Marine CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter is Worthy of Its Name
Latest updates[?]: General Electric won a $1 billion requirements contract for repair, replacement, and program support of 784 F414 engine components in support of F/A-18 aircraft. This contract includes a five-year base with no options. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support is the contracting activity. Work will take place in various continental US contractor locations that cannot be determined at this time, and in Florida. Work is expected to be completed by October 2027.
Breakthrough…
The US Navy flies the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighters, and has begun operating the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare & strike aircraft. Many of these buys have been managed out of common multi-year procurement (MYP) contracts, which aim to reduce overall costs by offering longer-term production commitments, so contractors can negotiate better deals with their suppliers.
The MYP-II contract ran from 2005-2009, and was not renewed because the Pentagon intended to focus on the F-35 fighter program. When it became clear that the F-35 program was going to be late, and had serious program and budgetary issues, pressure built to abandon year-by-year contracting, and negotiate another multi-year deal for the current Super Hornet family. That deal is now final. This entry covers the program as a whole, with a focus on 2010-2015 Super Hornet family purchases. It has been updated to include all announced contracts and events connected with MYP-III, including engines and other separate “government-furnished equipment” that figures prominently in the final price.
A US Navy EA-18Gis back flying again five years after it was grounded after a mid-air collision. Formerly attached to VAQ-133, the electronic attack jet is now assigned to VAQ-129. More than 2,000 man hours were spent fixing the aircraft back to a serviceable state.
Lockheed Martin won a $111 million contract modification, which adds scope for the development of a Common Reprogramming Tool (CRT) minimum viable product, as well as establishing network connections required to establish the CRT development network and selection of a service-oriented architecture needed to commence development of enhanced reprogramming tools in support of efforts to replace legacy programming tools utilized by reprogramming labs to modernize and revolutionize F-35 reprogramming. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion in October 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz heralded Thursday a new era in his country’s overt security ties with Turkey after a decade-long rupture, marked by a whirlwind visit to Ankara. Gantz’s one-day trip to the powerful NATO member came two months after Israel and Turkey renewed diplomatic ties.
Europe
Australia has confirmed the delivery of 30 additional Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles to Ukrainian forces. The latest military aid will increase the number of Bushmasters donated to Ukraine to 90. “Since their arrival, the Bushmasters have been used extensively by the Ukrainian Armed Forces with more requested by the Ukrainian President, Minister for Defence, and the Ambassador,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
Asia-Pacific
Bo-105 helicopter donated by Dornier Technology, Inc. was inducted into service with the Philippine Army (PA) Aviation Regiment at Fort Ramon Magsaysay on October 26. “The donation of the cutting-edge Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo 105 will be an additional mission-essential equipment for the Army Aviation that will support the Army units and other government agencies during disasters and calamities in the country,” PA spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.
After much procrastination, South Korea has decided that the Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) proposed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is the platform that will meet the requirements of its Marine Corps for an attack helicopter. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) gave KAI a $303 million contract to develop its MAH and the company has 46 months to come up with three prototypes.
Latest updates[?]: A US Navy EA-18Gis back flying again five years after it was grounded after a mid-air collision. Formerly attached to VAQ-133, the electronic attack jet is now assigned to VAQ-129. More than 2,000 man hours were spent fixing the aircraft back to a serviceable state.
EA-18G at Pax
The USA’s electronic attack fighters are a unique, overworked, and nearly obsolete capability. With the retirement of the US Air Force’s long-range EF-111 Raven “Spark ‘Vark,” the aging 4-seat EA-6B Prowlers became the USA’s only remaining fighter for radar jamming, communications jamming and information operations like signals interception [1]. Despite their age and performance limits, they’ve been predictably busy on the front lines, used for everything from escorting strike aircraft against heavily defended targets, to disrupting enemy IED land mine attacks by jamming all radio signals in an area.
EA-6B Prowler
All airframes have lifespan limits, however, and the EA-6B is no exception. The USA’s new electronic warfare aircraft will be based on Boeing’s 2-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet multi-role fighter, and has 90% commonality with its counterpart. That will give it decent self-defense capabilities, as well as electronic attack potential. At present, however, the EA-18G is slated to be the only dedicated electronic warfare aircraft in the USA’s future force.
DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. This article describes the EA-18G aircraft and its key systems, outlining the program, and keeping track of ongoing developments, contracts, etc. that affect the program.
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