Americas
Huntington Ingalls cut the first steel plate of the Columbia ballistic missile submarine at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. A plasma-burning machine cut the steel plate, which will be used to build the SSBN 826, according to a news release. The Columbia Class boats will replace the Ohio Class nuclear ballistic subs. The Columbia Class program’s purpose it to build 12 new SSBNs and the goal is to procure the leadership in FY2021. The Navy’s proposed FY2020 budget requests $1,698.9 million in advance procurement funding and $533.1 million in research and development funding for the program.
L-3 Mustang Technology won a $9.2 million contract in support of the 57mm 332 High Explosive-4 Bolt Guided Cartridge ammunition. The modification provides for long-lead material for the HE-4G cartridge. The HE-4G is a low-cost 57 mm guided smart ammunition intended for use on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship and new Fast Frigate, as well as the US Coast Guard’s National Security and Offshore Patrol Cutters. It is designed to function in the 57mm MK 110 GM, and is intended for combating surface and air targets. The fixed cartridge consists of a Radio Frequency Guided Projectile (RFGP), brass cartridge case, and energetics qualified for Navy use. L-3 Mustang will perform work in Plano, Texas and is expected to finish work by October 2020.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s share of the UAV market is shrinking, according to Israeldefense. While the US industry is increasing and Russia and China have started to export, the Israeli-made MALE UAVs, such as IAI’s Heron, Elbit Systems’ Hermes-900, and similar systems are facing a decline in exports. According to the newspaper the threat to the industry is now expanding. Regulatory revisions along with the US-Aid channel make it easier for the Americans to sell systems while also making it easier for other countries to buy US-made systems. The Netherlands, France, Spain, the UK, and Italy have all purchased the MQ-9 system. In April, Greece announced its intention to also purchase the American drone. Israeldefense urges relevant state organs to address the issue of Israel’s declining UAV industry and provide support in several ways to avoid the threat becoming a national problem.
Europe
The Swedish Army presented its StrisimPC simulation system at the 2019 ITEC in Stockholm, Jane’s reports. StrisimPC is used for crew skills and low-level command training. It supplements its core software, Virtual Battlespace 3 from Bohemia Interactive Simulations, with specifically developed applications to support training on particular platforms and weapon systems, including CV9040 infantry fighting vehicle, the Archer self-propelled howitzer, the CV90 forward observation vehicle, the Kongsberg Protector remote weapon station (RWS), and the RBS-70 air-defense missile system. The ITEC International Training and Education Conference is an annual forum for the Military and Civil Simulation, Training and Education Community. It was held from May 14 to May 16 in Stockholm, celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Russia received its first of six MiG-35UB two-seat multirole fighter, that it had ordered in 2018. The defense ministry expects one more MiG-35UB and four MiG-35S deliveries in 2019 and is preparing a second contract to sign in June. The State Armament Program 2018-2027 authorizes procurement of between 24 and 36 MiG-35s. Russia’s MiG-35UB twin-seat light multirole fighter made its public debut on January 27, 2017. The MiG-35 relies on Klimov RD-33MK engines from the MiG-29K/KUB. With eight weapon stations, the MiG-35 can carry up to seven tons of unguided and guided weapons, including land-strike, anti-ship and air-to-air missiles.
Asia-Pacific
Japan wants to buy 105 US-made stealth warplanes, Donald Trump said while in Tokyo on a state visit. This purchase would make Japan the ally with the largest F-35 fleet. The US is developing and fielding a family of fifth-generation strike fighter aircraft integrating stealth technologies with advanced sensors and computer networking capabilities for the United States Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy, eight international partners, and four Foreign Military Sales customers. The Japanese government first placed an order for 42 F-35As in December 2011. By December 2018, the existing order was updated. At the time it was reported that Tokyo would be adding 63 F-35As and 42 F-35B variants to its order, in addition to the already placed request for 42 F-35As.
Today’s Video
Watch: SAS 2019 – 30DX FFM, Virginia-class Block V SSN & Columbia-class SSBN, MAD-FIRES, Excalibur N5