Lockheed Awarded $2.45 B For Patriot PAC-3 Missile Production | Iran Army Gets 200 New Drones | India Flight Tested BMD
Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $2 billion modification for Phased Array Tracking Radar Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability-3 missile production. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2029. The PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a missile defense system developed by the United States, designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles. It uses a combination of radar, command and control technology, and high-performance interceptors to detect and track incoming missiles and engage them in flight.
Raytheon won a $13 million order, which provides for sustainment of delivered block fleet releases, as well as ongoing development of flight test and fleet releases and analysis in support of implementation of future sustainment block fleet releases for the V-22 avionics systems. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in April 2024. The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that has a unique tiltrotor design, which allows its two rotors to swivel from a vertical position for takeoff and landing to a horizontal position for forward flight.
Middle East & Africa
Iran’s defense ministry has delivered the army with more than 200 new drones equipped with missile capabilities and electronic warfare systems, state media reported on Thursday. In a ceremony broadcast on television, Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani handed over “more than 200 long-range strategic drones” to army chief Abdolrahim Mousavi, the official news agency IRNA said.
Europe
The UK Royal Marines Commando Helicopter Force has completed aerial assistance training in extreme Arctic Circle weather conditions. The Somerset-based group operates at the Norwegian Bardufoss Air Base every winter in the “Clockwork” exercise, upskilling in critical air support with multinational cold weather specialists for emergencies.
Asia-Pacific
Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has approved a $419 million deal with the US to provide maintenance services for the island nation’s fighter aircraft fleet. Around $323 million is allotted for spare parts, while the remaining $95.9 million will be used for nonstandard parts and aviation materials.
India flight-tested a sea-based ballistic missile defense (BMD) system on Friday. The endo-atmospheric interceptor’s maiden trial from a vessel elevated “the country into the elite club of nations having naval BMD capability,” the Ministry of Defense stated. Currently, only the US, China, Russia, and Israel have operational sea-based BMD capability.
Today’s Video
WATCH: This is America’s MIM-104 Patriot Missile
