Americas
L-3 Communications Integrated Systems won a $20.7 million contract modification for the installation of auxiliary power units, digital red switch systems and Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals/Presidential National Voice Conferencing modifications and associated support on two E-6B Mercury aircraft. The Boeing E-6 Mercury is a command post and communications relay aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the US Navy. The aircraft relays communications for ballistic missile submarine forces and provides airborne command and control for strategic forces. The E-6B features battle staff positions and an airborne launch control system equipped with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. Work will take place in Waco, Texas. Estimated completion date will be in July 2021.
American company Boeing announced that it had signed a Direct Commercial Sale agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to upgrade Japan’s F-15J to the F-15JSI. The rendering by Boeing shows the jet carrying a JASSM or LRASM cruise missile on station 5 on the centerline. The aircraft is believed to be armed with the AAM-4 air-to-air missiles as well. The medium-range active radar homing is made by Mitsubishi. Besides having new air-to-ground weapon, the F-15JSI will have a new cockpit system along with a powerful mission computer. The electronic warfare system will be state-of-the-art, Boeing said in the press release. On October 30, 2019, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency cleared the upgrade of 98 F-15J aircraft to the Japanese Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration. The fighter will be equipped with APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II) Mission System Computer.
Middle East & Africa
The State Department approved a possible $59.6 million deal to sell various M1A2K training ammunition and related equipment to Kuwait, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Tuesday. According to DSCA, Kuwait asked to buy 10,260 120MM M865 Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot Tracer Cartridges and 9,810 120MM M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) Cartridges. The sale would also include 600,000 linked cartridges, containers, munitions, support and test equipment and technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.
Europe
The Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) Carrier Strike Group is currently participating in a joint exercise with the Air Force and Navy of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. The joint operations started on July 24 and will end today. Hellenic Navy frigate HN Aegean (FFGH 460) joined the CSG as an air defense unit, locating and identifying air contacts around the task force. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) conducted day and night bombing practices at the Greek Karavia Range. Aircrews were able to fire unguided and guided rockets and drop laser training rounds at the range. To make the training more realistic, the navy fighters had to fight their way to the target against Hellenic F-16s. “Being able to practice air-to-air combat with a foreign partner and then immediately transition to an air-to-ground weapons release is what flying the F/A-18 is all about,” said a CVW-3 department head.
Asia-Pacific
Lockheed Martin won an $18.1 million modification, which provides non-recurring efforts and modifies three Lot 14 MH-60R helicopters to the initial India configuration in support of the MH-60R modification program for the government of India. The R-model Seahawks primarily provide maritime anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities to India, with secondary missions including cargo and utility, search-and-rescue, and communications relay. In May, Sikorsky finalized a $905 million deal to build two dozen MH-60R maritime utility helicopters for India, the largest defense contract that parent company Lockheed Martin has signed with the country. Work will take place in Owego, New York and Stratford, Connecticut. Expected completion will be by March 2022.
Today’s Video
Watch: RUSSIA TEST FIRES ZIRCON MISSILE FROM ADMIRAL GORSHKOV FRIGATE – HAS PLASMA CLOUD TO EVADE RADAR !
