Americas
General Dynamics Land Systems won a $9 million contract modification for Abrams systems technical support. The M1 Abrams is a third-generation Main Battle Tank. The General Dynamics Land Systems-built M1 Abrams battle tank is in service with the US Army and US Marine Corps. Other users include land forces in Kuwait, Egypt, Australia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The M1 Abrams MBT has been the mainstay of the US Army’s armor branch for 40 years. It is one of the heaviest tanks in service. Work under the modification will take place in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of September 30, 2021.
The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center awarded Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials a $13.4 million deal for sustainment of the B-1B aircraft. The Rockwell B-1B Lancer is a supersonic variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber used by the USAF. The deal provides 48 shield mild detonating cord (SMDC) kits for B-1B aircraft; with each kit containing 461 SMDC lines. The B-1 is a highly versatile, multi-mission weapon system. The B-1B’s synthetic aperture radar is capable of tracking, targeting and engaging moving vehicles as well as self-targeting and terrain-following modes. In addition, an extremely accurate Global Positioning System-aided Inertial Navigation System enables aircrews to navigate without the aid of ground-based navigation aids as well as engage targets with a high level of precision. Work will take place at Hollister, California. Estimated completion will be in June 30, 2023.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s new Air Force One flew for the very first time on November 3. An Israeli version of Air Force One took off Sunday for its first test flight after two years of preparation. The aircraft was unveiled on October 31, when a test run at Ben Gurion Airport ahead of its first takeoff was shadowed by a brake malfunction that prompted officials to briefly declare an emergency alert. The Boeing 767-300ER aircraft will be used by the prime minister and the president for official visits abroad. The aircraft’s official name is 4X-ISR. “4X” is part of the name of all Israeli aircraft, and the remaining letters are meant to signify that it is the official plane of the State of Israel.
Europe
Saab and Raytheon successfully finished a series of guided flight tests for the shoulder-launched guided Carl-Gustaf munition, the companies announced. The US Armed Forces as well as the Ground Forces of more than 40 countries use Saab’s Carl-Gustaf weapon system. The guided munition will allow Armed Forces to accurately engage stationary or moving targets up to, and beyond 2,000 meters. The increased range, in combination with a Confined Space capability will offer troops greater tactical flexibility when selecting a firing position. The tests were performed at the Mile High Range in Sierra Blanca, Texas, United States and at Saab Bofors Test Center in Karlskoga, Sweden. “The Guided Carl-Gustaf Munition is a next step in the evolution of the Carl-Gustaf system. It will be the most advanced Carl-Gustaf munition yet and will offer greater precision, minimize collateral damage and deliver outstanding performance with pin-point accuracy and multi-target capability,” says Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab business area Dynamics.
Asia-Pacific
Raytheon Missile Systems won a sole source, cost only contract modification to increase the CLIN 0014 undefinitized contract action not-to-exceed value by $267.2 million from $387.2 billion to $654.4 billion. Under the modification the “pacing items only” restriction is removed and the contractor is now authorized to work the full, unchanged, effort to manufacture, assemble, test and deliver 20 Standard Missile-3 Block IIA missiles and related efforts, and four missiles under Foreign Military Sales case JA-P-ATB to Japan. SM-3 Block IIA is a weapon system, the US Navy uses to target short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles and a key part of the European missile defense system. It has a larger kinetic warhead and rocket motors built to home in on ballistic missile threats.
The Indian Air Force will retire its MiG-27 on December 31, local media reports. Also named Bahadur in India, the Soviet MiG-27 was introduced into the IAF in 1984 and over the years served seven operational squadrons and other combat training and tactics-evaluation establishments. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited built 165 of these aircraft and in 2004 HAL began upgrading some of these aircraft, christened MiG-27 UPG, to enhance their combat capability and extend their service life. The aircraft are armed with rockets, bombs and air-to-surface missiles. The MiG-27 formed an important element of the IAF’s ground attack and tactical close support capability.
Today’s Video
Watch: Indian Defence Updates : FOC Tejas 1st Flight,K4 SLBM Test,4 Type-54 Frigate PAK,114 Dhanush By 2022
