Americas
The US Army is ordering more Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGMs) from Lockheed Martin. The company will procure an unspecified number of the Hellfire replacements at a cost of $49.6 million. The JAGM is an air-to-ground missile that provides advanced line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight capabilities. The missile is equipped with a fire-and-forget seeker and boasts an increased range and lethality compared to its predecessor. The JAGM is able to engage a multitude of targets ranging from heavy vehicles and patrol craft to bunkers and buildings. Work will be performed at Lockheed’s facility in Orlando, Florida and is set to run through February, 2021.
The US Army is procuring combustible case cartridges for its artillery systems. Armtec Defense Products will produce and deliver the cartridges for the modular artillery charge systems M231/M232-series at a cost of $35.8 million. The M231/M232A1 MACS was developed as the propelling charge system for use in all currently-fielded 155mm howitzer systems. MACS leaves no residue in the cannon breech and eliminates the need to cut and/or retie bag charges. Combustible case cartridges are made of nitrocellulose-based molded-fiber components which makes them both durable and rigid. Work locations and relevant funding will be determined with each order. The contract is scheduled for completion by May, 2020.
The US Navy is awarding Tecnico Corp with a contract in support of the Landing Craft, Air Cushion service life extension program (LCAC SLEP). The firm-fixed-price contract has a value of $25.6 million and provides for three LCAC SLEP availabilities. The company will be responsible to repair and upgrade the LCAC’s buoyancy box, replace its gas turbine engine and will install a new skirt and an integrated command, control, computers, communications and navigation equipment package. The Landing Craft Air Cushion is a high-speed, over-the-beach fully amphibious air cushion landing craft capable of carrying a 75 ton maximum payload and operating from existing and planned well deck ships. The craft is used to transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and across the beach. The LCAC SLEP will extend the service life of the platform from 20 to 30 years. Work will be performed in Little Creek, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by February 2021.
The Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport is ordering support services from L3 Technologies. The company will provide support and repair services for the TB-23 towed array systems and related test equipment. Under this $49.3 million contract. Towed array sonars are kind of like Christmas lights, except each light is a sonar emitter. They trail in the water behind moving ships, which accepts the data they generate and collate each emitter’s data into a powerful underwater picture. The TB-23 is designed to help attack submarine crews detect, track, and engage hostile submarines at long distances. The array is particularly effective at detecting quiet conventional and nuclear-powered submarines. Work will be performed in Sylmar, California facility and is expected to be completed by December 2021.
Middle East & Africa
The Afghan Air Force can now fly Enhanced M 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters. MDHI recently delivered the first five MD 530Fs to Kandahar Air Base. The helicopter can be deployed in tactical, reconnaissance and transport operations, as well as carry out airborne law enforcement, executive and personnel transport, air medical services, search-and-rescue (SAR), firefighting and other public safety missions. Afghanistan ordered a total of 30 Cayuse Warriors at a cost of $1.4 billion. The multipurpose armed helicopter enhances scout attack, armed escort and close air attack capabilities of the Afghan Air Force.
Kuwait’s budget for the current fiscal year suggests that the country will buy several additional Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The Ministry of Defense plans to spend $1.1 billion on the Typhoons and another $1.1 billion on machinery and air transport equipment. Kuwait purchased an initial 28 Eurofighter aircraft equipped with the Captor-E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar back in 2016. First deliveries of which are expected to commence in 2019.
Europe
Hungary welcomes two overhauled Mi-24Ps back into service. The Mi-24 is a an attack and transport helicopter that was first flown in 1970. The Mi-24P is a later variant of the helicopter and is equipped with anti-tank missile systems that allow it to engage moving armored targets, weapon emplacements and slow-moving air targets. It has a total of four underwing pylons for up to 12 anti-tank missiles. The helicopters are stationed at Szolnok.
Asia-Pacific
The Australian National Audit Office is voicing concerns over the acquisition procedures involved in the $975 million purchase of the Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light for the Australian Defense Force. Hawkei is a lightweight protected vehicle designed and developed by Thales Australia. A total of 1.100 Hawkei vehicles were procured under Project Land 121 Phase 4 as replacement to the army’s fleet of unarmored Land Rovers. However as Jane’s notes, the auditor-general advised in a recent report that he has been unable to reach a clear conclusion on whether the procurement has been effective and achieved value for money.
Today’s Video
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