Charles Stark Tapped For Trident Subsystem Deal | US Compensates Czech Republic For weapons Supply To Ukraine | Australia Trains Ukrainian Troops

Americas

The Charles Stark won a $95.1 million modification, which exercises fiscal 2023 options to provide technical and engineering services necessary to maintain and sustain the Trident II Strategic Weapon System MK 6 Guidance subsystem. The effort also includes a requirement for strategic guidance, navigation, and control subject matter expertise and resources to plan and implement an advanced development program that explores and evaluates current and maturing concepts and technologies that will enable follow-on, full-scale development of the second life extension of the Navy’s Trident II Strategic Weapons Systems. Work will be performed in Cambridge, Massachusetts (81%); and El Segundo, California (19%), and is expected to be completed September 30, 2024.

DRS Training & Control Systems won an $11.3 million deal for maintenance and overhaul of the AH-64 Apache Digital Captive Boresight Harmonization Kit. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 9, 2028. US Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Middle East & Africa

The US is considering providing Ukraine with thousands of suspected Iranian weapons and ammunition seized while being delivered to Iran-backed fighters in Yemen. US defense officials are looking at sending more than 5,000 assault rifles and 1.6 million rounds of small arms ammunition to help Kyiv counter Russia’s aggression, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Europe

The US has given $200 million to the Czech Republic as compensation for sending military weapons and equipment to Ukraine. The donation is on top of the $106 million that Washington pledged last year under Foreign Military Financing. According to the US Embassy in Prague, the money is intended to strengthen the European nation’s defense capabilities amid increasing threats in the region.

The Australian Army is conducting tactical and survivability training for Ukrainian Armed Forces recruits in southern England. The exercise was launched as part of Operation Kudu, an Australian defense initiative to upskill Ukrainian warfighters as they combat Russia’s invasion. Led by the Royal Australian Regiment 5th Battalion, the infantry training focuses on section attacks, patrolling, and ambush techniques.

Asia-Pacific

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and French Safran Helicopter Engines have inked a work share agreement to develop the engine for the future Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH). The deal follows an agreement signed by the companies in July 2022 , including establishing a production and servicing facility in New Delhi. The deal includes HAL’s involvement in the “design, development, and production of some of the core engine components,” considered a “breakthrough” for the country in engine manufacturing.

Today’s Video

WATCH: AH-64 Apache: A Beast You don’t Want to Mess With

American AH-64D Apache: War Replacement Contracts

War takes its toll on equipment, as well as men. In some cases, it wears out. In other cases, enemy fire or accidents destroy equipment. The USA has recognized this fact by funding wartime replacement expenditures as supplemental funding, which is outside the normal budgetary process. The intent is that this money will be spent on replacing equipment that has been worn out, damaged or destroyed, or will be used to provide specialized capabilities like MRAP mine-resistant vehicles that are directly related to front-line demands.

Admittedly, this hasn’t always been true. Politicians are what they are, and so are large organizations like the military. One area where this ethic has undoubtedly been honored, however, has been the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter fleet. This article covers US Army Wartime Replacement Aircraft (WRA) AH-64D Longbow buys, which are the only truly new attack helicopters in the America’s inventory. That will change with the new Block III model, which is more advanced than the WRAs.

• AH-64D Program: Past and Present [updated]
  
• AH-64D WRAs: Program Contracts [updated]
  
• The AH-64’s Future
  
• Additional Readings [NEW]