Americas
Boeing won a $33 million deal for Small Diameter Bomb I sustainment and titled contractor logistics support. The deal provides for the SDB-I program and requires continuous contractor logistics support throughout production, fielding, and sustainment. The Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) is a type of precision-guided bomb used by military aircraft. It’s designed to be more accurate than traditional bombs, meaning it can hit its target with greater precision. The “small diameter” refers to its compact size, allowing aircraft to carry more of these bombs, and the “I” indicates that it’s the first version of this type of bomb. Essentially, it’s a smart bomb that helps reduce collateral damage and improves the effectiveness of military airstrikes. Work will take place at St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by March 31, 2028.
Boeing has commenced low-rate initial production of the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after successfully concluding the program’s Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) phase. The completion of this phase included the delivery of the sixth and final test aircraft to the US Air Force last month. Azeem Khan, the MH-139 program director at Boeing, stated, “Delivering all of the RDT&E aircraft to the Air Force enables them to continue critical operational testing and allows Boeing to focus on building the first production aircraft. The Grey Wolf will provide crucial national security capability improvements to the Air Force. This is an important step in getting the aircraft into service.”
Middle East & Africa
A temporary ceasefire agreement to facilitate the release of dozens of people taken hostage during Hamas’ raid on Israel is expected to bring the first respite to war-weary Palestinians in Gaza and a glimmer of hope to the families of the captives. Israel and Hamas agreed to the four-day halt, which was announced Wednesday and will also see the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The deal, brokered by Qatar, the US and Egypt, was made public as fighting intensified in central neighborhoods of Gaza City. Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV channel said the truce would take effect Thursday morning local time.
Europe
The Royal Navy has launched and recovered its largest uncrewed aircraft on an aircraft carrier, heralding “the next generation of UK naval air power.” A remotely-operated Mojave drone took off and landed on board HMS Prince of Wales off the US East Coast, demonstrating the teaming potential of manned and unmanned aircraft.
Italy has blocked French form Safran to buy a key Italian defense and aerospace company, with sources citing the state of conflict around the world as a reason to avoid approving such sales. Italy halted the purchase of Microtecnica, which makes components for the Eurofighter jet, by using its so-called Golden Power legislation, which grants it the right to block purchases of strategic firms by overseas buyers.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea’s arms procurement agency will jointly research high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles with Boeing. The collaboration aims to produce South Korean-made “advanced aircraft” with Boeing design and unmanned technology, Yonhap News Agency wrote, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
