USAF Contracted Persistent Systems For MANET | Iran Unveils 1st Homegrown Jet Trainer | Estonia Started Testing Sniper Rifle

Americas

Boeing won a $18.7 million order to procure the long lead components and parts in support of MH-47G rotary wing aircraft. The MH-47G aircraft provides US Special Operations Forces heavy assault, rotary wing aircraft support. This contract action supports a requirement for replacement of the aging fleet of remanufactured MH-47G aircraft that has airframe components dating back more than 45 years and maximize commonality with the Army’s CH-47F Block II aircraft. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

The US Air Force has contracted Persistent Systems to establish seamless networking at the country’s three strategic-missile bases. The company has already begun installing the world’s largest mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) across an area of 25,000 square miles (64,750 square kilometers) at the Malmstrom, Minot, and Francis E. Warren bases, home to 400 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. The $75.5 million installation will take 36 months to complete.

Middle East & Africa

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will exhibit at DSEI JAPAN 2023, a comprehensive defense and security exhibition to be held March 15-17, 2023, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, Japan. Through its exhibit, the company will introduce its cutting-edge defense technologies that provide crucial security solutions for the most advanced threats. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. has developed, produced and manufactured some of the world’s most sophisticated and commonly used defense systems. The portfolio boasts combat proven and technologically advanced systems like the TROPHY Active Protection System and the IRON DOME Missile Defense system. Both of these technologies achieved recognition by a 2020 Forbes assessment of the “Most Important New Weapons of the Last Decade.”

Iran has launched the mass-production line for its domestically-developed training jet, Yasin. The new jet trainer was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by senior military officials, including Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani. The Defense Minister explained that the Yasin is capable of carrying out various tactical aerial warfare actions, such as close air support (CAS), in addition to combat missions. Before the development of the Yasin, jet pilot training for Iranian pilots was conducted outside Iran, as western and US sanctions prevented Iranian pilots from receiving training abroad. However, Iran began designing jet trainers over a decade ago, and the Yasin is the second generation of a prototype that was first introduced in 2019. This latest version of the Yasin is equipped with a homegrown ejection seat, avionics, engine, landing gear, and full cockpit devices, which are all manufactured domestically.

Europe

The Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) has begun testing four competing proposals for its 8.6-millimeter sniper rifle project. Arms manufacturers Sako, Haenel, Unique Alpine, and Desert Tech showcased their pitches ahead of a final selection later this Spring. During the trial, the tenderers assessed the technical suitability of the competing sniper rifles by integrating various accessories. The test firing also determined the accuracy and reliability of the weapons and their optical sights.

Asia-Pacific

The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Toowoomba Anzac-class frigate has conducted a live-fire test using an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) off the coast of Western Australia. The trial marks the first time the vessel has fired the weapon since its revamp under the Aznac Midlife Capability Assurance Program. Alongside the demonstration, the service validated the Toowoomba’s onboard combat systems and overall operational readiness.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Iran unveils Yasin training jet’s production line

The New Chinooks: Boeing’s Modern H-47 Heavy-Lift Helicopters

DII FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record; this FOCUS Article covers the CH-47F/MH-47G Chinook helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. These helicopters’ distinctive “flying banana” twin-rotor design stems from the brilliant work of aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki. It gives Chinooks the ability to adjust their positioning very precisely, while carrying a large airframe whose load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavy-lift helicopter. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030.

The CH-47F looks similar to earlier models, but offers a wide range of improvements in almost every aspect of design and performance. While the related HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win was terminated, delivery orders continue for CH-47Fs and for MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters. International orders or formal requests have also come in from Australia, Britain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UAE, with India and other countries expected to follow.