Americas
The Navy tapped GE Aviation Systems LLC with $68.2 million for G2/G3 generator converter units repair for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The F/A-18 is a twin engine, mid-wing, multi-mission tactical aircraft. All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles or both, through selected use of external equipment to accomplish specific missions. GE Aviation designs, develops, and manufactures jet and turboprop engines, components, and integrated systems for military, commercial, business and general aviation aircraft, and ship propulsion applications. The current deal includes a three-year contract with one two-year option period which, if exercised, will rise the total value of the contract to $87,116,502. Seventy percent of the work will occur in Coronado, California, while the remaining 30 percent will take place in Vandalia, Ohio. Work is scheduled to be completed by February 2024.
Saab will supply the US Army with the latest version of the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon. The Carl-Gustaf or M3E1 recoilless rifle is an 84 mm man-portable reusable anti-tank weapon. It can fire six rounds per minute. The new weapon is fully backwards compatible with all ammunition types, including future ones, and weighs significantly less than its M3 predecessor. The M4 reduces the launcher weight from 10 kg to less than 7 kg. The first weapon will be delivered this year at a cost of $19 million. In all, the Pentagon can place orders for approximately $40.8 million with the Swedish-based company.
Space and Missile Systems Center Remote Sending Systems Contracting Division contracted Tecolote Research $38.8 million to support acquisition and financial operations at the US Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. The deal provides the remote sensing systems directorate to execute integrated program management for a broad range of acquisition, financial, and administrative capabilities of space-related research, development, production, sustainment and lifecycle acquisition activities. The center is part of the Air Force Space Command and employs an estimated 6,300 people including military, civilians and contractors at Los Angeles Air Force Base and other locations worldwide. Work will take place in El Segundo, California and is scheduled to be completed by August 17, 2024.
Middle East & Africa
The US Army awarded PAE Government Systems with a $27.6 million contract modification for contractor logistics support efforts to the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The purpose of the fund is to provide assistance to the security forces of Afghanistan to include the provision of equipment, supplies, services, training, facility and infrastructure repair, renovation and construction, and funding. The United States has been training and equipping the Afghan military and security forces since 2001. PAE Government Services, Inc. provides professional engineering services. The Company offers military aircraft and vehicle maintenance, infrastructure, software solutions, logistics, and base support services. Work will take place in Hikia, Afghanistan and is expected to be finished by August 30, 2022.
Europe
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group started work on the center-wing box (CWB) replacement effort for 14 UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin C-130J/C-130J-30 Hercules, Jane’s reports. The Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft. The RAF fields both the short-bodied C-130J (designated C5 in RAF service) and long-bodied C-130J-30 (C4) variants of the Hercules. The Hercules family has the longest continuous production run of any military aircraft in history. The CWB sits atop the aircraft’s main fuselage and forms the attachment point for the outer wings and the inboard engines.
The Polish Defense Minister, Marius Blaszczak signed a contract for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The deal worth $414 million approved the sale of 20 HIMARS launchers and related equipment. According to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the sale of HIMARS launchers and related equipment to Poland aimed to strengthen security in the region. The system will be delivered by 2023. The first Polish HIMARS unit will be organized similarly to US Army HIMARS units.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out an exercise involving about 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters in a fire power demonstration close to the border with Pakistan. The exercise came two days after the Pulwama attack, in which a vehicle-borne suicide bomber attacked a convoy of vehicles carrying security personnel. In the so called Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF showcased fire power capability of indigenous platforms like Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter and efficacy of Akash surface-to-air missile and Astra air-to-air missile. The Vayu Shakti was planned in advance and the drill was a demonstration of the force’s capability to hit targets with pinpoint accuracy and carry out missions at short notice.
Today’s Video
Watch: In action: How smart the uk MQ-9 Reaper combat drone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpzhuQDMZpc
