Americas
Lt. Col. Joel “Thermo” Thesing, an F-15C instructor pilot from the 123rd Fighter Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, became the unit’s first aviator to take the controls of the highly anticipated F-15EX fighter jet. This inaugural flight marks a significant step forward as the 142nd Wing prepares to transition its fleet to this next variant of the Boeing F-15. The training mission took place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where five F-15C instructor pilots from the 123rd Fighter Squadron are currently undergoing a two-week intensive training program on the F-15EX. They are receiving instruction from experienced pilots of the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, a unit that was tasked to evaluate and integrate the F-15EX into the Air Force inventory.
Embraer Defense & Security and ST Engineering have joined forces in a strategic partnership to explore joint ventures across the Asia Pacific and South American regions. This collaboration aims to leverage the complementary strengths of both companies and unlock new growth opportunities. A key focus of the agreement lies in bolstering the presence of Embraer’s C-390 Millennium multi-mission transport aircraft in the Asia Pacific market. The partnership will see the two companies collaborate on establishing a framework for joint efforts in engineering, maintenance, and support services for the C-390. This initiative directly targets potential new customers for the versatile aircraft in this developing market.
Middle East & Africa
French defense contractor Naval Group has signed an agreement to co-develop the National Combat Management System (NCMS) for the Emirati Navy. The contract stipulates the “complete and extensive” transfer of technologies and associated processes from the company to Abu Dhabi’s local industry, maturing the capability’s production for warfighters.
Europe
The US State Department approved a potential $90.6 million foreign military sale (FMS) of AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles to Italy for use in training with the country’s F-35 fighter aircraft. The Government of Italy has requested to buy: twenty-eight (28) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles, four (4) AIM-9X Block II+ Tactical Guidance Units; eight (8) AIM-9X Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), two (2) AIM-9X CATM Guidance Units. These will be added to previously implemented cases whose values were under the congressional notification threshold. The original Foreign Military Sales cases, valued at $34.1 million ($24.1 million in MDE) and $17.6 million ($9.7 million in MDE).
The F-35 deployment to Sweden as part of Exercise Nordic Response 24 marked the first overseas exercise for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 542 since achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC) on February 5. The historic landing of a US F-35B on Swedish soil took place on March 13, 2024. Held at Kallax Air Base in Lulea, Sweden, Exercise Nordic Response 24 aimed to bolster military capabilities and strengthen partnerships between NATO allies and partners under the demanding conditions of the Arctic environment. A key focus of the exercise was Distributed Aviation Operations, a tactic that disperses aircraft across various locations to enhance operational flexibility and resilience against potential adversaries.
Asia-Pacific
HII has received a contract to deliver a REMUS 620 underwater drone to an Indo-Pacific customer. The vehicle has a maximum range of 275 nautical miles (500 kilometers/300 miles) and is equipped with a 110-hour battery for endurance operations. It can dive 600 meters (1,900 feet) and carry both wet and dry payloads depending on user requirements. The REMUS 620 can be used for mine countermeasures, surveillance and intelligence gathering, electronic warfare, and hydrographic surveys.
