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NG Gets $375M for G/ATOR Sys | Congress Set to Approve $7B in Arms to Qatar & Kuwait | Japan Plans to Boost Defense Budget Again for 2017

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Americas * A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded during a static test-firing yesterday morning at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The explosion resulted in the destruction of its payload, an Israeli-owned AMOS-6 communications satellite. SpaceX had planned to launch the Falcon 9 and satellite into orbit on Saturday. * Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $375 million […]
Americas

* A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded during a static test-firing yesterday morning at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The explosion resulted in the destruction of its payload, an Israeli-owned AMOS-6 communications satellite. SpaceX had planned to launch the Falcon 9 and satellite into orbit on Saturday.

* Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $375 million Navy contract for procurement of the Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system. Due for completion in 2020, the contract will cover nine G/ATOR low-rate initial production systems. G/ATOR provides a highly mobile, multi-mission radar system designed to support global expeditionary requirements and offers multi-faceted detection and tracking capabilities to engage a range of hostile threats while providing robust air traffic control.

* US government and industry officials have been cleared to finish negotiations for the sale of 24 Beechcraft T-6C Texan trainers to the Argentine air force. The $300 million sale comes at the same time as the completion of the 20-year-old Joint Primary Aircraft Training Systems (JPATS) program, offering a timely lifeline to the T-6C production line in Wichita, Kansas. The company also has received a recent order from the UK Ministry of Defence to supply T-6 trainers to replace Embraer Tucanos.

Middle East & North Africa

* After years of delay, the US Congress look set to approve a $7 billion arms sale to Qatar and Kuwait as early as next week. The sales have been pending for more than two years, amid concerns raised by Israel that equipment sent to Gulf Arab states would be used against them. Qatar has been waiting on a $4 billion sale for 36 Boeing F-15 fighter jets, while Kuwait is looking for 28 F/A- 18E/F Super Hornets, plus options for 12 more, valued at around $3 billion.

Europe

* Ukraine and China are to recommence the production of the Antonov An-225 “Cossack” strategic airlifter. As part of the deal, Beijing will get access to designs and technologies of the aircraft for the purposes of domestic production. Only one An-255 was ever finished to an airworthy standard and flown, and while work on a second example was begun it had become clear by mid-2001 that funding would no longer be provided, and the project was shelved.

Asia Pacific

* South Korea may join the US Navy, India, and Australia in operating the P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, according to defense ministry officials. If given the go ahead, Seoul may purchase four of the aircraft to help expand their surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities following submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) tests by North Korea. The aircraft can fly at altitudes up to 41,000 feet and are capable of striking enemy submarines immediately upon detecting them with weapons such as the MK 54 torpedo.

* Once again, Japan has upped its request of funds for next year’s defense budget. Now valued at $51.47 billion, the funds will go toward rejigging the nation’s defense requirements amid a decrease in Russian threats and an increased threat from North Korea. The most expensive purchase is the $970 million upgrade of their Patriot missile defense system, while another significant amount will go for funding to improve Aegis destroyers, Japan’s first line of defense against ballistic missiles.

* Sikorsky is to produce and deliver 24 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Taiwan. The $135 million sale will see the aircraft uniquely configured for the Taiwanese government with delivery by October 2018. This follows a recent $158 million contract modification to produce 14 more Black Hawks for the US Army.

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