Americas
General Electric won a $1.3 billion modification for T700 engine deliveries in support of the Army H-60 and AH-64 programs, Navy H-60 programs, Air Force programs, Foreign Military Sales and other government agencies. General Electric’s T700 turboshaft engine was initially bench-tested in 1973, passed military qualification in 1976, and went into production in 1978, according to published reports. In 2016, General Electric won a five-year contract to service the turboshaft engines powering the US Army’s Sikorsky Black Hawk and Apache ground-support combat helicopters. Estimated completion date for work under the modification is December 31, 2024.
The US Navy awarded Boeing a $127.2 million contract modification, which increases the ceiling of the contract to continue service life modifications to extend the operational service life from 6,000 flight hours to 10,000 flight hours of up to 23 F/A-18E/F aircraft. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft, manufactured by Boeing, flew for the first time on November 29, 1995. The Super Hornet is about 25% larger than its predecessor, the F/A-18C/D, but contains 42% fewer structural parts. The single-seat F/A-18/E and the two-seat F/A-18/F fly greater ranges with heavier payloads, have more powerful engines and provide greater survivability. Work will take place in Texas, California and Missouri. Expected completion will be in May, 2022.
Middle East & Africa
Navistar Defense won a $26.7 million firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sale to Somalia for two commercial Medium Tactical Vehicle Variants, the 6×6 General Transport Truck and the 6×6 Wrecker Vehicle Recovery Truck, and spare parts. Bids were solicited via the internet. Work locations as well as funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is in November 25, 2022.
Afghanistan received the last of 60 MD Helicopters Inc. MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light attack and reconnaissance rotorcraft that have been delivered from 2011. The final five Cayuse Warriors, which were part of a follow-on batch of 30 helicopters ordered by the US Army under a wider $1.4 billion Foreign Military Sales (FMS) effort for allied nations, were delivered to Kandahar via a Boeing 747 cargo aircraft on October 27. The manufacturer announced the arrival on November 24. All five helicopters have now been reassembled and are now in operational service with the Afghan Air Force. All AAF MD 530Fs are fitted with the Enhanced Mission Equipment Package. The baseline Mission Equipment Package comprises the FN Herstal Heavy Machine Gun Pod that features the company’s M3 12.7 mm (.50 calibre) machine gun. The HMP, which is carried on external weapons planks, has a rate of fire of 1,100 rds/min and a 400-round ammunition box.
Europe
The US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark is asking the country to buy more F-35s and that Denmark should fulfill three-year-old promises to strengthen defense and surveillance in the Arctic. Denmark currently has ordered 27 F-35As and at least five will remain in the US for training purposes. Ambassador Carla Sands is concerned that NATO’s aircraft power and surveillance capacities are not enough in the Arctic and that Denmark should fulfill three-year-old promises to strengthen defense and surveillance there. Sands referred to a report from the Ministry of Defense on the tasks in the Arctic from 2016, which show concern about the presence of Russian soldiers in the Arctic. Sands also believes the report shows that the lack of satellites means that Denmark does not monitor Greenland’s skies or waters well enough.
Asia-Pacific
The Indian Ministry of Defense introduced a policy to support long-term orders of defense equipment from state-owned enterprises in order to stimulate industrial efficiencies and reduce reliance on imports, Jane’s reports. The ministry said, the new framework for placing long-term orders for the indigenization by defense public sector undertakings and the Ordnance Factory Board support purchase orders for a period of up to 10 years. This would make it economically attractive for industry to invest in its development/indigenization. The policy aims at at enabling local industry to replace imported components and spares.
Today’s Video
Watch: BRP GABRIELA SILANG – PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD OPV – On its way home very soon!
