Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $35.7 million modification for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) efforts, which include the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. CSEA is a software tool that supports the Aegis Combat System. The Aegis Combat System provides advanced defense capabilities for navy ships. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by December 2023. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Sierra Vista, Arizona, has been awarded a $16,372,416 modification for Global Hawk (RQ-4) aircraft sustainment. The contract modification is for the purchase of replenishment spares for operational use and to support depot repair, as well as two engineering change proposals to support diminishing manufacturing sources being produced under the basic contract. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $250,409,843. Work will be performed in the Republic of Korea, and Sierra Vista, Arizona. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Republic of Korea. The work is expected to be completed by Feb. 24, 2028. FMS funds in the amount of $16,372,416 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
South Korea sent a military transport aircraft and 50 military personnel, including security and medical staff, to evacuate its nationals from Sudan as fighting between the country’s armed forces and paramilitary groups continues to escalate. The evacuation mission was set into motion after the National Security Office reported the worsening situation in Sudan to President Yoon Suk Yeol. President Yoon ordered Seoul’s foreign and defense ministries to undertake swift measures to protect “the safety of our overseas nationals under all circumstances.”
The US State Department has approved upgrades worth $259 million for the Turkish F-16 fleet. The proposed upgrades include “software upgrades of the Operational Flight Program avionics with the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency explained. The upgrades will help improve the aircraft’s safety and interoperability with NATO, the Pentagon agency stated.
Europe
Projekt System & Management has received a $844 million deal to upgrade 143 German Puma infantry fighting vehicles. The agreement with the Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann joint venture builds on a $1.2 billion award signed last year to convert 154 Puma variants to the new S1 standard. The retrofit involves adding MELLS multirole-capable lightweight guided missile systems, high-resolution day/night cameras, and digital radio equipment.
Asia-Pacific
Japan’s military is currently seeking foreign assistance to develop a railgun, a weapon that uses electromagnetic forces to launch projectiles at incredibly high speeds. The technology is still in its early stages of development, but Japan sees it as an important asset for its military to counteract the threat posed by neighboring countries. The primary Japanese contractor on the program is Japan Steel Works, a company that specializes in steel production and heavy machinery manufacturing. However, due to the complexity of the railgun technology, Japan has turned to foreign experts to help with the project.
Today’s Video
WATCH: This is the $220 Million US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk Spy Plane
