F-15C over DC (click to view full) “Array of Aging American Aircraft Attracting Attention” discusses the issues that accompany an air force whose fighters have an average age of over 23.5 years – vs. an average of 8.5 years in 1967. One of the most obvious consequences is the potential for fleet groundings due to unforseen structural issues caused by time and fatigue. That very fear is responsible for the #1 priority placed on bringing new KC-X aerial tankers into the fleet to complement the USA’s 1960s-era KC-135 Stratotankers. It can also affect the fighter fleet more directly. Following the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C aircraft Nov 2/07 (see crash simulation), the US Air Force suspended non-mission critical F-15 flight operations on Nov 3/07. While the cause of that accident is still under investigation, preliminary findings indicate that a structural failure during flight may have been responsible. In response, Japan suspended its own F-15 flights, which left them in a bit of a bind – even as Israel’s F-15s joined them on the tarmac. As the effects continue to spread and the USAF and others continue to comment on this situation, DID continues to expand its coverage […]

Americas Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has christened the US Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock vessel, the USS Harrisburg, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The hull was named after Pennsylvania’s capital city to honor the region’s continuous support for the US armed forces as well as its critical role in the country’s industrial history. Notable contributions by the Harrisburg were recorded throughout the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. At the ceremony in Pascagoula, US Navy Ships Program Executive Officer Rear Admr. Tom Anderson provided the keynote address for the event. The first F-15E Strike Eagles equipped with the advanced Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) have touched down at RAF Lakenheath, marking a significant leap in electronic warfare capabilities for the US Air Force in Europe. The arrival of these upgraded aircraft on January 16, signals a major step in the Air Force’s modernization efforts to ensure the F-15 fleet remains effective against evolving threats. Europe The US military has begun deploying upgraded B61-12 nuclear bombs at its bases in Europe, further enhancing its strategic deterrence capabilities. The deployment follows the completion of a $9-billion upgrade to the so-called “gravity bombs,” which extends their service life by at least 20 […]

AEGIS-BMD: CG-70 launches SM-3 (click to view full) The AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System for missiles, the SM-3 Standard missile, and the ship’s command and control system, in order to give ships the ability to defend against enemy ballistic missiles. Like its less-capable AEGIS counterpart, AEGIS BMD can also work with other radars on land and sea via Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). That lets it receive cues from other platforms and provide information to them, in order to create a more detailed battle picture than any one radar could produce alone. AEGIS has become a widely-deployed top-tier air defense system, with customers in the USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Norway, and Spain. In a dawning age of rogue states and proliferation of mass-destruction weapons, the US Navy is being pushed toward a “shield of the nation” role as the USA’s most flexible and most numerous option for missile defense. AEGIS BMD modifications are the keystone of that effort – in the USA, and beyond.

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $92 million modification for AEGIS combat system configurations. This contract combines purchases for the governments of Japan, South Korea and Australia under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. L-3 Harris Technologies won an $8.8 million for the procurement of spares for the MK 20 Electro-Optical Sensor System (EOSS), MK 46 Optical Sight System (OSS), and associated the MK 48 and MK 34 Gun Weapon Systems. Work will be performed in Northampton, Massachusetts; Orlando Florida; Moonachie, New Jersey; Keene, New Hampshire; and Radford, Virginia and is expected to be completed by April 2027. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Israeli firms SMARTSHOOTER and HevenDrones have announced a strategic partnership to equip logistics drones with advanced robotic weapon systems. As part of the collaboration, the two companies will integrate the cutting-edge SMASH Dragon weapon into HevenDrones’ H100 and Urban drone platforms. This integration will enable the unmanned aerial systems to conduct combat missions against ground and aerial targets. Europe Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense […]

Americas According to Defense Post, AeroVironment has been contracted to deliver Switchblade loitering munitions as part of the US Army’s Directed Requirement for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The $55.3-million contract is the second order of the 5-year contract awarded to the company in August with a ceiling of $900 million. The LUS requirement is intended to enhance infantry soldiers’ ability to neutralize fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks. The US Army has approved the full-rate production of its M1147 120mm Advanced Multi-Purpose (AMP) round, designed to provide next-generation firepower to M1 Abrams main battle tanks. Announced on Friday, the decision moves the M1147 program beyond low-rate initial production, providing a critical capability to meet the needs of both the US Army and its international partners. Middle East & Africa The Turkish navy wrapped up the weeklong Mavi Vatan 2025 exercise, a large-scale operation meant to showcase Ankara’s strategic maritime ambitions in the region and beyond. The Mavi Vatan (Blue Homeland) doctrine, introduced in 2019, symbolizes the country’s shift from a land-focused power to a maritime force, prioritizing the protection of its maritime zones. It reflects a broader transformation of the Turkish navy into a high-seafaring force capable of extended operations. […]

M1A2 SEP (click to view full) America’s M1 Abrams tanks come in a number of versions. In addition to the M1A1 that is now standard, the US Army is beginning to field its M1 TUSK for urban warfare. It also operates the M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP), currently the most advanced standard variant. This Spotlight article covers the M1A2 Abrams SEP upgrade program, and will be updated and backfilled as new contracts are issued and key events take place.

Americas After years of testing and refinement, the US Air Force’s microvane program is nearing full implementation across it’s C-17 fleet. These small, strategically placed devices are set to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase fuel efficiency by redirecting airflow around the aircraft’s fuselage, proving that even the most mature aircraft designs can be enhanced. Air Force Operational Energy and Air Mobility Command are now in the final stages of evaluating the microvane technology. The microvanes themselves are deceptively simple: small, 3D-printed devices, measuring approximately 4 x 16 inches, and shaped like a thin blade. These are attached to the rear of the C-17’s fuselage using strong adhesive bonding. The Peruvian Navy has christened and launched two Pativilca-class offshore patrol vessels as part of its effort to strengthen national maritime operations. The BAP Río Huarmey (PM 210) and BAP Río Nepeña (PM 211) are two of 10 boats planned under the program for surveillance, anti-piracy, environment response protection, and search and rescue tasks. Middle East & Africa The US announced Saturday it would donate more than $117-million in security assistance for Lebanon’s armed forces, as the crisis-hit country seeks to implement a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The State Department said […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $280.4 million for combat systems engineering efforts of the planned modernization and new combat system capabilities selection for international partner Canadian Royal Navy ships operating AEGIS. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey and is expected to be completed by January 2028. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC is the contracting activity. Mustang Advanced Engineering won an $11.3 million contract for a test stand capable of testing both left-hand and right-hand V-22 PropRotor Gearbox Input Quill assemblies for the V-22 aircraft. This includes all mechanical, electrical, software, and control systems, as well as ancillary subsystems required to test either PropRotor Gearbox Input Quills. This contract was competed as a small business set aside with four offers received. Naval Air Systems Command, Commander Fleet Readiness Center, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa The naval arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards unveiled an underground base housing dozens of assault boats equipped with missile launchers in footage aired by state television on Saturday. The broadcaster did not reveal the location of the base, saying only that it served Iran’s strategic “southern waters” — the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of […]

Breakthrough… (click to view full) The US Navy flies the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet fighters, and has begun operating the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare & strike aircraft. Many of these buys have been managed out of common multi-year procurement (MYP) contracts, which aim to reduce overall costs by offering longer-term production commitments, so contractors can negotiate better deals with their suppliers. The MYP-II contract ran from 2005-2009, and was not renewed because the Pentagon intended to focus on the F-35 fighter program. When it became clear that the F-35 program was going to be late, and had serious program and budgetary issues, pressure built to abandon year-by-year contracting, and negotiate another multi-year deal for the current Super Hornet family. That deal is now final. This entry covers the program as a whole, with a focus on 2010-2015 Super Hornet family purchases. It has been updated to include all announced contracts and events connected with MYP-III, including engines and other separate “government-furnished equipment” that figures prominently in the final price.

Americas The Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) has acquired five A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from Brazilian firm Embraer. The deal includes mission equipment, integrated logistics services, and a flight simulator. “We are ready to offer the best multimission aircraft to the FAU as well as our full support to increase their operational readiness and to enhance their capabilities to accomplish strategic missions such as border surveillance,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer. Boeing won an $18.5 million delivery order for the repair of R2 trailing edge flaps used on the F/A-18 E/F aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida and work is expected to be completed by January 2027. Annual working capital (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,055,200 will be obligated at the time of award, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for this sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 US Code 2304 (c)(1), with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Africa The Republic of Zambia is set to enhance its air capabilities […]

Americas The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks to develop quantum sensors for moving military platforms. Quantum sensors use quantum mechanics to sense minute variances in motion and electric and magnetic fields, achieving greater accuracy than conventional sensors. In technical terms, they extract information from individual atoms rather than from a collection of atoms and are less vulnerable to signal jamming and other electromagnetic interference that traditional light- and sound-based data sensors are vulnerable to. The Marine Corps has awarded Forterra a contract to integrate its autonomy package on the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary Fires ground vehicle, the Pentagon’s first-ever production contract for off-road autonomous driving capability. The company’s advanced stack and AutoDrive system gives the ROGUE Fires vehicle – built by Oshkosh Defense – off-road, self-driving technology in “nearly any environment,” which moves “beyond Leader-Follower capabilities,” Forterra said in a Jan. 13 statement. Leader-Follower technology uses a lead vehicle to guide other unmanned vehicles behind it. Middle East & Africa Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has introduced a new loitering munition, reportedly capable of reaching a range of 20 kilometers. Dubbed the “Razvan,” the kamikaze drone was unveiled during the recent Payambar-e Azam (The Great Prophet) 19 […]

Americas The US Army is seeking industry input on a spy aircraft that can launch unmanned aerial systems. The aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform will be based on an executive jet aircraft, such as a Bombardier G6500, and operate at medium to high altitudes. This announcement seems to attempt to expand the capabilities of the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program, which is also based on the Global 6500 and operate at medium to high altitudes. The US Air Force has enhanced its forward posture in the Indo-Pacific with the deployment of F-35A Lightning IIs from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (EFS) to Kadena Air Base, Japan, on Jan. 13. The move comes as the service begins to retire its ageing fleet of F-15C/D Eagles in Japan, some of which have been in service for more than four decades. The US Air Force is retiring its fleet of F-15C/D Eagle aircraft, which have been operational for over 40 years, and the 18th Wing, formerly the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, first received the F-15C on 29 Sept. 1979. The 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron was the first to be fully operational with the Eagle in the […]

Americas The Pentagon has awarded QinetiQ a $13.3-million contract to supply its Vindicator II uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) target support services to the US Navy (USN). As QinetiQ Target Systems is based in Canada, the deal was facilitated by the Canadian Commercial Corporation as the prime contractor together with Public Services and Procurement Canada. The five-year deal – with a six-month extension provision – came into effect in December and includes Canadian personnel deployed to provide services to the USN. Lockheed Martin won a $678.4 million modification to support the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft retrofit and modification efforts for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-US Department of Defense (DoD) F-35 program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2028. The order and contract being modified were not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Europe Norway said Friday it wants to reintroduce mandatory construction of air raid shelters in new buildings, one of around 100 proposals aimed at boosting preparedness in case of war. Norway, a NATO member that shares a northern border with Russia, […]

Americas Raytheon won a $333.2 million contract for Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) full rate production requirements, spares, and round design agent. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $908,144,803. Work will will continue through September 2030. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1) (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements). Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. General Dynamics won a $188 million modification for Construction Spares associated with the Virginia Class Block V submarines. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California (36%); South Yorkshire, United Kingdom (7%); Westfield, Massachusetts (6%); Staffordshire, United Kingdom (4%); McKeesport, Pennsylvania (3%); Manchester, New Hampshire (3%); Tacoma, Washington (3%); Newport News, Virginia (2%); Warren, Massachusetts (2%); Farmingdale, New York (2%); El Cajon, California (2%); Tucson, Arizona (1%); Chesapeake, Virginia (1%); Tampa, Florida (1%), Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1%); and other locations less than 1% (26%), and is expected to be completed by September 2035. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Qatar has bought GM Defense’s Suburban Shield armored vehicles for the armed forces and […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $678.4 million modification, which adds scope to procure various material modification kits, special test/tooling equipment, and associated seed assets to support the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft retrofit and modification efforts for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-US Department of Defense (DoD) F-35 program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2028. The order and contract being modified were not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Vigor Marine won a $7.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the 50-calendar day shipyard availability for the mid-term availability of Military Sealift Command’s fast combat support vessel USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11). This contract includes a base period and two unexercised options for additional work and time, which if exercised, would increase the cumulative value of this contract to $7,991,778. Work will be performed in Portland, Oregon, beginning January 10, 2025, and is expected to be completed by February 28, 2025. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the sam.gov website and three offers received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Middle […]

Americas Airbus US Space & Defense Inc., Arlington, Virginia won a $315,043,393 modification for UH-72 Lakota contractor logistics support and engineering services. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2025. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $85,621,324 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. The US Navy has declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system, taking a major step in providing the E/A-18 Growler an edge in electromagnetic spectrum warfare. Utilizing the latest software-based and electronically scanned array technologies, the NGJ-MB provides enhanced capabilities to deny and distract adversaries’ radars in the range of 2 GHz to 6 GHz of the overall threat spectrum. Middle East & Africa Elbit Systems has secured a significant $60 million contract with a NATO European country to supply its advanced ReDrone counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS). This deal highlights the growing concern amongst NATO members regarding the increasing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and their potential misuse by terrorists and smugglers. Elbit Systems, a leading global defence technology company, is set to deliver the […]

Americas Boeing won a $615.8 million contract for the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System full rate production. This deal provides for procurement of Group A and Group B kits, system engineering program management, and interim contractor support lay-in material. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri; and Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2030. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas bid farewell to its last T-1A Jayhawk last month, as the Air Force continues its drive to retire the heavy aircraft trainer. Laughlin’s last Jayhawk, from the 86th Flying Training Squadron, took off from the base December 17. It joined a pair of T-6A Texan IIs and a pair of T-38C Talons as the centerpiece of a five-plane flyover, which twice passed over Laughlin’s airfield and air traffic control tower. After the other planes split off, the T-1 continued to its final resting place at “The Boneyard,” an airplane graveyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Middle East & Africa Turkey said Monday that it was “only a matter of time” before Syrian Kurdish fighters – […]

0 Reaper, ready… (click to view full) The MQ-9 Reaper UAV, once called “Predator B,” is somewhat similar to the famous Predator. Until you look at the tail. Or its size. Or its weapons. It’s called “Reaper” for a reason: while it packs the same surveillance gear, it’s much more of a hunter-killer design. Some have called it the first fielded Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). The Reaper UCAV will play a significant role in the future USAF, even though its capability set makes the MQ-9 considerably more expensive than MQ-1 Predators. Given these high-end capabilities and expenses, one may not have expected the MQ-9 to enjoy better export success than its famous cousin. Nevertheless, that’s what appears to be happening. MQ-9 operators currently include the USA and Britain, who use it in hunter-killer mode, and Italy. Several other countries are expressing interest, and the steady addition of new payloads are expanding the Reaper’s advantage over competitors…

Americas The US Air Force has conducted Exercise Reaper Castillo to test the mission capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper drone in challenging environments. The drills involved the 65th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) to test dirt-strip landings, refueling, rearming, and rapid relaunches. Above the Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico, an MQ-9 Reaper circled the area, surveying the terrain before landing on a dirt runway. Dutch shipyard Damen has signed an agreement with Alblasserdam-based Nevesbu to provide engineering support in constructing Colombia’s Sigma-class frigates. The contract encompasses basic and detailed engineering works to complete the program, which is expected to produce up to five modern warships for Bogotá’s naval force. It will also enable Bogotá’s local program partner Cotecmar to build the system under license domestically. Middle East & Africa The Turkish navy has begun the new year by announcing the construction of three warships based on domestic designs: a submarine, an aircraft carrier and the lead ship of the highly anticipated TF-2000 air-defense destroyer series. The shipbuilding programs are closely linked to the political and naval ambitions of Turkey, honing the country’s long-range force projection and strike capabilities, in particular. Europe Latvia’s government and local drone manufacturers are preparing a shipment of […]

Americas The US Coast Guard has received a stand-in icebreaker ship to support the service’s polar cutter fleet modernization program. Handed over by Offshore Service Vessels, the MV Aiviq’s primary role is to retain the force’s presence in the Arctic until the arrival of the service’s new Polar Security Cutters by the 2030s. The $125-million deal to procure the commercially-available system was awarded to the Louisiana-based maritime company in November. After its induction, the MV Aiviq will be renamed USCGC Storis, which makes the system the second to bear the name. The US Army has chosen BAE Systems to prototype a new artillery cannon, envisioned to defend bases against a variety of threats including unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and other advanced air threats. The system has been dubbed the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC) and Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) prototype. Middle East & Africa The United States has officially greenlit a potential arms deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking another significant step in the Gulf nation’s efforts to modernize its naval capabilities. The deal, approved by the State Department and reported to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency [DSCA], involves selling twenty MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes [LWT], […]