Americas
* Lockheed Martin has received $112 million as part of the 2016 Aegis modernization program. The US Navy contract modification covers the production of multi-mission signal processor equipment sets, ballistic missile defense 4.0.2 equipment, Aegis weapon system modernization upgrade equipment, as well as associated spares to support the fielding of Aegis modernization capabilities to the fleet. Under the program, vessels receiving the upgraded systems will experience increased computing power as well as improved detection and reaction capabilities of its radars.
* The Pentagon and the USAF have run into issues over the latter’s plan to replace the LGM-30G intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Concern over cost estimates given the USAF have been expressed by Washington, who found that the flying branch’s figure differs greatly from that of the office of independent cost assessment. The disparity stems from the fact that the US hasn’t built new ICBMs in decades, and nuclear spending over the next 30 years could exceed $1 trillion.
Middle East North Africa
* Following Monday’s bombing of a school and a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Yemen by Saudi-led forces, an investigation will commence by a body set up to investigate civilian casualties. The two bombings resulted in the death of 24 people, at least ten of them children, and adds to a growing number of incidents where coalition attacks have targeted non-military targets. Saudi Arabia has received much international criticism for its actions in Yemen, with some organizations claiming it is complicit in war crimes. US, UK and Canadian arms manufacturers have also come under fire for selling the Gulf kingdom weaponry.
* If Russian media sources are to be believed, the Royal Moroccan Air Force could potentially be moving away from Western made aircraft in favor of the Su-34. Sources claim a deal between Rabat and Moscow is in the cards for a number of the bomber’s export versions as well as the Amur-class 1650 diesel electric submarine. Morocco has been undergoing modernization in all of its military branches, often with US help, in order to curb Islamist militants. However this latest deal may have more to do with its frosty neighbor Algeria, who has been buying Russian hardware for some time now.
Europe
* Slat armor has been designed for tracked and wheeled armored fighting vehicles (AFV) by Russian defense manufacturers. Vehicles on which the armor can be installed include the BTR-60, BTR-70 and BTR-80 8×8 amphibious armored personnel carriers (APCs), the BMP-1 and BMP-2 tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and the 4×4 BRDM-2 amphibious scout car. Up to 100% of the vehicle can be protected by the armor for enhanced survivability against anti-tank weapons fitted with a single high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.
* Rheinmetall has upped the stakes in the UK’s Challenger 2 Life Extension Program by offering wider enhancements to the platform alongside the requested spec by the MoD. This includes replacing the tank’s 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun with 120 mm L55 smoothbore, which allows for a much wider choice of ammunition options of which Rheinmetall is a leading expert. Other options offered include new optronics, situational awareness systems, and fire control solutions.
Asia Pacific
* Too few aircraft and too few pilots, that’s whats being said about the Afghan air force’s hampered ability to tackle Taliban militants. While 130 aircraft is deemed as too few, the main problem stems from a lack of suitable candidates to be trained as pilots. Regarding the training of the air force by the US-led NATO coalition, their energies have been focused on establishing a special operations air wing and training crews to fly new aircraft, like the small A-29 attack aircraft and C-130 cargo planes. As a result, experienced pilots and crew have been pulled from other units.
* They’re THAAD as hell, and they’re not going to take it any more. 900 South Korean protestors angry at their government’s deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) have taken part in a mass head shaving. Citizens from the southeastern county of Seongju have brought up several issues including safety issues regarding the system’s sophisticated radar and its potential to be a wartime target. Meanwhile, the US continues to lobby Beijing, saying THAAD’s deployment on the Korean peninsula does not threaten China.
Today’s Video
Belarus unveils its brand new Russian “Protivnik-GE” 59N6-E mobile 3D surveillance radar: