Pacific Defense Provides USAF With Space Situational Awareness Sensor | Elbit Systems Awarded Framework Deal To Supply Watchkeeper X | Koster Class Gets Life Extension

Americas

The US Air Force Research Laboratory has contracted California-based Pacific Defense to provide and demonstrate a sensor for space situational awareness missions. As part of the program, the company will deliver its small, lightweight power sensor “Moonraker” to operate in the cislunar region, or the space between the Earth and the moon.

The US Air Force Global Strike Command has announced a safety stand-down for all operations of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet. The temporary halt follows an incident where a B-2 encountered an in-flight malfunction on December 10. According to the command, the aircraft was damaged upon an emergency landing at a runway at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

Middle East & Africa

Elbit Systems has been awarded a framework contract with a maximum value of $410 million to supply up to seven “Watchkeeper X” tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the Romanian Ministry of National Defense. The contract is valid for five years. The Watchkeeper X UAS is the British export variant of the British army’s UAS and is made by UAV Tactical Systems Limited, a UK subsidiary of Elbit Systems. It is compatible with NATO standards, which enables essential interoperability with NATO and other allied forces.

Europe

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully flew its new NATO Pod for the first time on November 23, 2022. The test flight took place at the Yuma Proving Grounds using a GA-ASI-owned MQ-9A aircraft. The NATO Pod is a joint development between GA-ASI and Sener Aeroespacial of Spain, and was designed to meet NATO airworthiness standards while increasing configuration and payload options for GA-ASI’s MQ-9A and MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).

Sweden has awarded Saab a $33.8 million contract to provide life extension services for two Swedish Navy Koster-class minehunter vessels. The agreement will see the replacement and integration of new equipment to “ensure continued operability” of the ships. Among the capabilities to be updated are radar navigation, combat systems, and surface sensors.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Navy has officially launched its first indigenously built anti-submarine warfare (ASW) vessel known as “Arnala.” A ceremony was held in eastern India to mark the milestone, with Ministry of Defence representative Rasika Chaube in attendance. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), the vessel has been named Arnala to signify the strategic maritime importance of the island of Arnala in west India.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Watchkeeper X delivering maritime ISR

USA’s B-2 Bombers Leading the Way in Contracting for Availability

Britain’s practice of “contracting for availability” for key equipment, rather than paying for spare parts and maintenance hours, may be its most significant defense procurement reform. In a world where older air, sea, and ground vehicle fleets are growing maintenance demands beyond countries’ available budgets, it’s an approach whose success could have global significance.

Across the pond, the USA is significantly behind in this area. Fortunately, they have not ignored the model entirely. Recent changes to the contracts covering their B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet demonstrate that some progress is being made, via a $9+ billion commitment from 1999-2014, and 2 parallel development programs that are changing key sub-systems.