US Army Greenlights eLRV Buy | RN Awards BAE For Mk-45s | DoS Approves Weapons FMS To Taiwan

Americas

The US Army has approved the requirements to begin prototyping its new Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (eLRV). According to Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainment Timothy Goddette, the budget is now being prepared. Prototyping and the early stages of the program could begin as early as next year. However, the first prototypes may be partially electric due to the lack of availability of all necessary technologies.

Puerto Rico-based Red Cat Holdings has teamed up with Australian tech firm Athena AI to provide a new computer solution for the Teal 2 military-grade drone. Under the partnership, the drone will be integrated with Athena’s proprietary computer vision architecture, which combines machine learning and artificial intelligence. The technology enables rapid weapons tracking for intelligence operations, even when targets are in various positions at night.

Middle East & Africa

Boeing won a $70.7 million deal to provide integrated logistics support for the government of Kuwait in support of preparing Kuwait pilots for delivery of the Kuwait F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The support will include general logistics support; logistics program management; logistics support to aircraft during pilot training within the continental US (CONUS); maintenance of aircraft, aircraft armament equipment, F414 engines, and Sniper pods; logistics representative support within the CONUS, as well as both within the CONUS and outside the CONUS ferry support; packaging, handling, storage, and transportation; and program security tasks.  Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana (90%); St. Louis, Missouri (8%); various locations within the CONUS (1%); and various locations outside the CONUS (1%), and is expected to be completed in September 2026.

Europe

The Royal Navy has awarded a $219-million contract to BAE Systems for five Mk-45 Maritime Indirect Fire Systems (MIFS). The MIFS will be integrated into the service’s future Type 26 frigates to provide a critical advantage at sea. The company’s indirect fires system combines the 5-inch, 62-caliber Mk-45 Mod 4A naval gun system with a fully automated ammunition handling system (AHS).

Asia-Pacific

During the Avalon 2023 Australian International Airshow, Boeing announced that it is ready to offer the T-7 advanced trainer to Australia. The aerospace giant says the T-7 is designed to train future Australian pilots of F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and F-35A. Boeing says the single-engine jet trainer, with its digital open architecture and reconfigurable cockpit, is a game-changer in the world of pilot training.

The United States government has given approval for Taiwan to purchase a weapons package, valued at up to $619 million, to strengthen its defense capabilities. The package includes 100 AGM-88B HARM missiles and 200 AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles, intended for Taiwan’s F-16 fleet. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has not specified whether the weapons are intended for Taiwan’s existing F-16A/B fleet or the newly acquired C/D fleet that is waiting for delivery from Lockheed Martin.

Today’s Video

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