Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $99 million modification, which increases the ceiling to provide continued management and maintenance of the Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS) software product baseline and required system and software documentation. Additionally, this modification provides for system design and development for TTWCS Security and supportability builds and software builds for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be complete by January 2025.
The US Navy has demonstrated its MQ-9 Reaper drone and E-2D airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft to support long-range missile strikes. Conducted during Operation Neptune Strike 2023, the exercise allowed the unmanned vehicle to receive and pass the coordinates of the target ship to the E-2D Hawkeye. The AEW aircraft then forwarded the information to a strike force composed of F/A-18 Hornets and Spanish AV-8B Harriers.
Middle East & Africa
Elbit Systems Ltd., a leading defense electronics company, has secured four contracts from the Romanian Ministry of National Defense to supply aircraft upgrades, electronic warfare suites, electro-optical infrared (EOIR) payloads, and Brightnit systems for Romania’s military aircraft. The first contract involves the integration of Elbit Systems SPECTRO XR payload onto IAR 330 helicopters to enhance the Romanian Navy’s operational capabilities. Under the second contract, Elbit will supply a comprehensive electronic warfare (EW) suite including Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Laser Warning System (LWS), Infrared Missile Warning System (IR MWS) and Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) to a domestic supplier for the installation and integration onboard six PUMA helicopters.
Europe
The UK Royal Navy and Microsoft have introduced software that processes aircraft maintenance data much faster, in some cases reducing months to minutes. Called the Motherlode, the capability is expected to “change the game” for aerial asset readiness by reducing naval engineers’ repair data burden. “It’s been an exciting project for Microsoft, and we hope this collaborative endeavour will help the Royal Navy maximise aircraft availability,” Microsoft Client Delivery Partner Allen Hart said.
The US State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale of Assault Amphibious Vehicles (AAVs) to Greece. Valued at $268 million, the possible sale includes the delivery of 63 AAV personnel variants, nine AAV command variants, and four AAV recovery variants. It also covers the supply of 63 50-caliber machine guns, an undisclosed number of MK-19 grenade launchers, and M36E T1 thermal sighting systems.
Asia-Pacific
German sensor provider Hensoldt has received two contracts to supply radars for future Philippine Navy patrol boats and corvettes. Once installed, the radars are expected to bolster the navy’s surface surveillance and navigation capabilities. One contract orders the delivery of Kelvin Hughes Mk11 SharpEye navigation radars for six 2,400-ton offshore patrol vessels.
Today’s Video
WATCH: E-2 Hawkeye: The Hummer You Don’t Mess With
