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Lockheed And Boeing In Talks For Space Force Satellites | Norwegian Navy Received Minesweeping Sytems From Patria | Singapore Deployed USV

Americas
Lockheed Martin and Boeing are in a competition to build new military communication satellites for the US Space Force. Both companies have successfully passed early design reviews, allowing them to proceed to the next stage. Lockheed Martin emphasized its use of advanced digital technology and collaboration, creating a reprogrammable payload processor, and its design surpassed expectations. Boeing completed its design review in December 2024, leveraging its existing 702MP satellite platform used by the Space Force. The goal is to expand the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) with two new satellites by 2030, enhancing secure military communications.
Momentus has secured a $3.5 million contract from DARPA to support the NOM4D program, which focuses on building large-scale structures in space. The company will use its Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle to demonstrate in-orbit assembly technologies in low-Earth orbit. This mission, scheduled for early 2026, aims to validate the performance of space-optimized structures like antennas and solar arrays, advancing capabilities for future Department of Defense systems.
Middle East & Africa

A tragic accident has claimed the life of an Air Force of Zimbabwe student pilot during a training mission near Gweru. Air Lieutenant Nesbert Tambudza was killed when his Karakorum-8 (K-8) jet trainer crashed approximately 5 kilometres east of Guinea Fowl. The accident occurred on February 6th. Air Lieutenant Tambudza was undergoing a jet flying conversion training course at No. 2 Squadron, Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base, also in Gweru. At the time of the crash, he was in the final phases of training on the K-8 jet. The aircraft was extensively damaged upon impact with the ground.

Europe

The Royal Norwegian Navy has received advanced acoustic minesweeping systems from Finnish company Patria, completing its 2021 order. The SONAC ACS systems, operational since spring 2024, replace the retired ELMA-AGATE sweep. These systems are highly effective in clearing minefields by simulating ship acoustics to outsmart advanced mine algorithms. Commander Bengt Berdal praised the system for its reliability and sophistication, marking a significant upgrade to Norway’s mine countermeasure capabilities.

Asia-Pacific

The Republic of Singapore Navy has deployed its domestically developed unmanned surface vessels (USVs) on patrol missions along the Singapore Strait. The maritime security USVs accompanied the crewed Independence-class littoral mission vessels starting in January, Singapore’s Ministry of Defense stated. Aside from conducting patrols, the systems are tasked with investigating and interdicting suspicious vessels and remotely carrying out high-risk missions at sea.

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