Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $13.4 million contract modification to provide US Trident II Strategic Weapon System efforts for the navigation subsystem. The Trident II D5 is a three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile that can carry multiple independently targeted re-entry bodies for a maximum range of over 7,360km. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Navy’s Trident missile prime contractor, developed and produced the missile and support equipment. The company also supplies technical and logistical support at sites where the missiles are deployed. The Trident II D5 LE Program is intended to extend the service life of the weapon system until 2042, to match the hull life of the Ohio Class submarine. Earlier this month Lockheed won an $11.5 million modification for Strategic Weapon System efforts for the navigation subsystem. Work will again take place in Mitchel Field, New York. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2022.
The Naval Air Systems Command tapped Lockheed with a $32.1 million modification for modification and retrofit of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters for the Air Force. The deal procures modification kits and special tooling. The contract will cater to the US Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The F-35 Lightning is a supersonic, multi-role fighter jet that represents a quantum leap in air-dominance capability, offering enhanced lethality and survivability in hostile, anti-access airspace environments. Currently, it is being used by the defense forces of the United States and 11 other nations. The F-35 is Lockheed Martin’s largest program that generates more than 25% of its total sales. Lockheed will perform work in Fort Worth, Texas and estimated completion date is in June 2025.
Middle East & Africa
Jane’s reports that Iran withdrew the S-300 long-range air-defense system. Satellite images show that that system, which was deployed to Asaluyeh in May, has been withdrawn. The S-300s are Russian missile systems. Originally purchased in 2007, Iran’s S-300 order was blocked until April 2015 when the Kremlin lifted its self-imposed ban on the sale due to the international lifting of some sanctions against Iran. The country purchased and received an unknown number of S-300s in 2016, it was fully tested and implemented in 2017. Iran deployed a full S-300PMU-2 battery to an airfield in Asaluyeh from its base near Bushehr, enabling it to cover the central Gulf. The withdrawal could be seen as a sign that Tehran no longer sees an imminent escalation of tensions in the Gulf.
Europe
The crew of the HMS Lancaster moved back on board the ship after a two year overhaul in Devonport, the UK Defense Journal reports. The sip also known as the „Red Rose“ has undergone extensive upgrades mirroring the major changes across the frigate flotilla, such as the new Artisan 3D radar, improved navigational radar and new-generation Sea Ceptor missile system as the ship’s shield against air attack. The Sea Ceptor is a sea-based supersonic missile defense system developed for the British Royal Navy. The system will initially be mounted on Type 23 frigates.The Lancaster will now sail back into her homeport of Portsmouth during December. She will then enter the trials phase. Queen Elizabeth launched the Duke Class Type 23 frigate ship in May 1990.
Asia-Pacific
India gives up its plan to upgrade Jaguar’s engines. The country has decided that upgrading the Jaguar’s engines with Honeywell’s F-125IN is an expensive option and therefore will shelve the idea. Instead, the service could turn to buying more Su-30MKIs. The Print reports that the Rolls-Royce Adour 811 engines of the 1980s vintage twin-engine aircraft have seen 15-30 per cent reduction in thrust. This means the Jaguar cannot carry its full load. “The price quoted by Honeywell and the HAL for ‘re-engining’ is just too high. For the price of two such upgrades, we can get one basic Rafale,” a source said and added: “One plan is to order more Su-30 MKIs to replace those fighters that would be grounded. As far as role is concerned, one Sukhoi can play the same role as two Jaguars“.
The Japanese government is launching satellite to intercept foreign countries’ military satellites in the event of an emergency, the Japan News reports. The plan is part of efforts to strengthen deterrence amid a rapidly increasing military threat in outer space, as seen in the development by China and Russia of satellites that can attack others. The decision is to be made by the end of the fiscal year so it can be launched mid-2020. The government is considering introducing a type of satellite that can disable the operations of other countries’ military satellites.
Today’s Video
Watch: Tour of U.S. Navy’s Norfolk Naval Station and Shipyards – May 2019
