Americas
Northrop Grumman won a $9 million modification to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target), cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable contract. This modification increases the contract ceiling to procure the necessary hardware and associated technical engineering, management and logistics support for fabrication, assembly, test, and delivery of eight AN/APR-39 D(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver/Electronic Warfare Management Systems, and eight D(V)2 Battery Handle Assemblies in support of the MV-22B aircraft. Work will be performed in Rolling Meadows, Illinois; Woburn, Massachusetts; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; San Leandro, California; Lewisburg, Tennessee; Longmont, Colorado; Verona, Wisconsin; Salt Lake City, Utah; Newark, Delaware; Melbourne, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; and various locations within the continental US, and is expected to be completed in May 2027. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won a $102 million deal for capability package development and fielding, system integration and fielding, and in-service sustainment in support of current configurations of the AEGIS combat system. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024. Fiscal 2024 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $24,803,348; fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $6,183,214; fiscal 2024 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,029,852; fiscal 2023 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $999,114; fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $394,513 and fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $9,546 will be obligated at time of award, and funds in the amount of $3,028,966 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
The US military has ordered MSI Defense Solutions’ (MSI) laser-guided counter-drone systems to help defend American forces in the Middle East. The $24.18 million contract includes five Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher Systems (EAGLS) and associated engineering and maintenance support. It came days before Iran launched a volley of drones and missiles on Israel. Delivery is expected in 30 days. The contract is in response to “emerging and persistent UAS threats in the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR),” according to an associated Justification and Approval document the US Navy released.
Leonardo has signed a deal to deliver 24 M-346 transonic jets to the Nigerian Air Force. The contract will see the company deliver the aircraft in tranches of six, with the first batch expected to arrive by the end of 2024. The M-346 will be integrated as an advanced pilot training capability, as well as a multi-role aircraft for close air support, air interdiction, and tactical reconnaissance. Leonardo will provide maintenance support for the fleet for a minimum of 25 years. The group will also actively coordinate with the force in the program’s pilot and engineer training efforts.
Europe
Austrian arms manufacturer Steyr has signed a contract to supply Germany’s armed forces with the GL-40 low- and medium-velocity grenade launcher. The order calls for 4,776 of the 44mm portable launchers, according to German outlet Hartpunkt. The grenade launchers are designed as both a standalone device and as an attachment on rifles such as the G95K and the Steyr AUG assault rifles.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippines wants to purchase more defense systems from Israel as it seeks to bolster its military readiness amid increasing tensions with China. The Southeast Asian nation has reportedly submitted a shopping list of weapons to Jerusalem, which includes different types of missiles and sensors. Israeli defense sources also said Manila wanted to procure advanced command-and-control systems and long-range radars to better monitor its territory.
