Lockheed Wins Deal For MK 48 | Niger Takes Deliver Of Final C-130H | French Army Awards Deal For European Combat Jet

Americas

Bell Textron won a $48.3 million deal, which provides for the installation of Structural Improvements and Electrical Power Upgrades Phase II Part 3 kits, as well as ground and flight test for one AH-1Z and one UH-1Y aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland; Fort Worth, Texas; and Amarillo, Texas, and is expected to be completed in August 2025. The AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra that features a four-blade rotor system, uprated transmission, and a new target sighting system. It has upgraded avionics, weapons, and electro-optical sensors designed to find targets at long ranges and attack them with precision weapons.

Lockheed Martin won a $302 million contract action for the proof of manufacture, production, spares, production support material, and engineering support for components related to the MK 48 heavyweight torpedo all up round. This contract combines purchases for the Navy; and the Royal Australian Navy. Work will be performed in Liverpool, New York; Clearwater, Florida; and Braintree, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by October 2026.

Middle East & Africa

The Nigerien Air Force (Armée de l’Air du Niger) has taken delivery of the third and final C-130H from the United States. On December 12, the aircraft completed an extensive four year overhaul with Sabena Aerospace in Brussels and departed for its delivery flight to Base Aérienne 101 (BA101) in Niamey/Diori Hamani, Niger. The C-130H, formerly designated as a WC-130H with the United States Air Force with the serial number 65-0985 and construction number 382-4140, will now be known as 5U-MTU within the Nigerien Air Force. It was a HC-130H that was converted into a WC-130H and had served with the 169th Operations Group of the South Carolina Air National Guard.

Europe

The French army on Friday officially awarded the contract to develop a new European combat jet, a key project in the push to integrate the continent’s military capabilities and reduce its reliance on American equipment. French and German officials announced the deal last month, burying the hatchet after months of dispute over how the industrial work would be shared out for the stealth delta-wing aircraft. European planemaker Airbus and France’s Dassault Aviation, joined by Spain’s Indra and a host of subcontractors, will collaborate on the so-called Future Combat Air System against a rival project, Tempest, pursued by Britain, Italy, Sweden, and Japan.

Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has received a $137-million contract to deliver Naval Strike Missile (NSM) coastal defense systems to Romania. The contract award follows the signing of a letter of acceptance for the weapon system between Bucharest and the US government. According to Kongsberg president Eirik Lie, the selection of its NSM defense system is an important milestone for the company and the Eastern European nation.

Asia-Pacific

The relocation of around 4,000 Okinawa-based Marines to Guam is on course for 2024 as construction of the military base in the US Pacific territory is proceeding at “full steam again,” Marine Commander Benjamin Nicholson said. Japanese media outlets reported that US base Camp Blaz is halfway complete following a two-year construction slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Today’s Video

WATCH: The AH-1Z Viper: Most Advanced Attack Helicopter in the World