Lockheed Fired Spike NLOS From Apache | Israel Integrated Gravity Bomb Into Drones | Ukraine Troops Train On Samp-T

Americas

Lockheed Martin has announced the successful firing of its Spike NLOS (Non Line-of-Sight) missile from the Apache Echo Model V6 helicopter. The demonstration was performed by the company’s Precision Strike team at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. During the trial, the chopper launched two Spike missiles towards a stationary target in two different scenarios.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has asked General Atomics to build and flight test its unmanned aircraft for the Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program. The AFRL awarded General Atomics and Kratos identical $17.6 million OBSS development contract in October 2021. The development period was for 12 months.

Middle East & Africa

Israel has reportedly integrated a “smokeless” and “silent” gravity bomb into its combat drones to make them more lethal on the battlefield. The development was unveiled after Iran accused Jerusalem of attacking one of its unmanned systems facilities using combat drones last month. According to a report by Reuters, the bomb was developed domestically and can travel as fast as the speed of sound in free fall.

Europe

Environmental Chemical Corp won a $20,3 million contract for taxiway and apron upgrades. This contract provides for the repair and upgrade of existing airfield pavement to support the P-8A mission at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. Work will be performed at Sigonella, Italy, and will be completed by November 2025. Funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the sam.gov website with four offers received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic, Norfolk Virginia, is the contracting activity (N62470-23-C-0001).

Ukraine announced it is sending service members to train on the Franco-Italian Samp-T air defense system after the countries announced its delivery. Ukrainian Air Force Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that personnel are “already on their way” to training. “I sincerely thank the governments of France and Italy for the decision regarding the provision of SAMP/T-Mamba anti-aircraft systems to protect Ukraine from Russian missile terror and strengthen the country’s air defense system,” Oleshchuk said.

Asia-Pacific

A US decision to shoot down a Chinese balloon that Beijing claimed had veered off course has “seriously impacted and damaged” relations between the two countries, China’s foreign ministry said Monday. The aircraft, which Washington said was a spy balloon, had spent several days flying over North America, leading the United States to call off a planned visit to Beijing by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

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