Americas
General Electric won a $13.3 million, which provides engineering services and engine system improvement support for the F408 engine component improvement program. The F408 is a turbofan engine developed for a number of UAVs, drones, and cruise missiles. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Expected completion is in December 2022.
General Dynamics Electric Boat won a $30.9 million deal for lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia Class attack submarine is the US Navy’s newest undersea warfare platform. The Virginia Class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral operations. Virginia class SSNs have a fly-by-wire ship control system that provides improved shallow-water ship handling. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be by November 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Turkey will start testing the engine it is buying from Ukraine to power its T929 ATAK-II twin-engine heavy attack helicopter this year. In a New Year’s greeting for employees working at Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), General Manager Temel Kotil revealed the progress of various projects undertaken by the company. He announced that the 11-ton helicopter will start its engine and rotate its propellers in 2022. The helicopter will be equipped with 2500 hp turboshaft engines and will make its flight in 2023.
The Israel Ministry of Defense inked an agreement estimated to be worth $3 billion with the United States for CH-53K helicopters and KC-46 refueling aircraft. On Friday, the ministry said in a statement that it is ordering 12 helicopters built by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, as well as two tanker aircraft. It is part of an upgrade of Israel’s air force capabilities and includes an option to buy six additional helicopters.
Europe
Finland’s Minister of Defense Antti Kaikkonen authorized the Finnish Defense Forces Logistics Command for the procurement of new rifle systems manufactured by Sako Ltd. last month. The procurement contract for the rifle system includes the procurement of a semi-automatic sniper rifle for sniper use and a designated marksman rifle for use as an infantry section support weapon by designated marksmen. In addition, the contract includes accessories, spare parts, maintenance equipment and training provided by the manufacturer.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) installed Military Space Branch to bolster the country’s space security capabilities. The launch came as South Korea has been striving to craft space operation concepts and strategies based on inter-service cooperation amid an intensifying rivalry among major space powers in the emerging security domain.
Today’s Video
Watch: Israel Signs $3B Deal for CH-53K Helicopters, KC-46 Tankers!