Americas
Northrop Grumman has submitted a bid for the US Navy’s E-6B Mercury command, control, and communications aircraft replacement program. The US defense giant is offering its “weapons system integration and battle management leadership” for the E-6 recapitalization aircraft (E-XX) Take Charge And Move Out (TACAMO) program. The aircraft will be based on the C-130J platform. “Our extensive experience integrating aircraft and mission systems, combined with our expertise in creating operationally-ready solutions in support of the nuclear enterprise, makes Northrop Grumman the optimal partner to deliver the Navy’s E-XX TACAMO weapon system,” Northrop vice president Janice Zilch said.
On March 15, 2023, during exercise Guerrier Nordique 23, a joint effort between the United States and Canada resulted in the first-ever platoon movement of its kind. Thirty-seven US and Canadian soldiers were tactically inserted on Arctic Ocean ice east of Little Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada, via an LC-130 Hercules. The New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, flying with a ski-equipped C-130, played a significant role in this operation with their expertise in snow and ice landings. They were able to land on specially built skiways and ski landing areas thanks to airmen who build and maintain those runways. The LC-130H that was used in this operation was equipped with 4 by 20-foot skis.
Middle East & Africa
Aviation Training won a $28.6 million modification, which increases the ceiling to provide continued KC130J pilot, enlisted aircrew, and maintenance training support services as well as program management and administrative support services for the government of Kuwait. Work will be performed in Altus, Oklahoma; and Kuwait. It is expected to be completed in March 2025.
Europe
European Union member states reached an agreement that aims to provide Ukraine with 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition over the next year. The EU members agreed to a plan Monday to back spending $1.1 billion from its European Peace Facility for the bloc’s countries to jointly buy ammunition, according to people familiar with the matter. They also backed spending another €1 billion from the same fund to reimburse what member states send from their own existing stockpiles of both modern and Soviet-era ammunition to Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific
Valiant Global Defense Services won a $14 million modification for personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform Korea Battle Simulation Center Operation Center operations services. Work will be performed at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, with an estimated completion date of March 31, 2024.
Australia said a deal to buy 220 US Tomahawk cruise missiles was essential for keeping “adversaries at bay” Friday, as Canberra ratchets up defense spending to counter growing Chinese military clout. Defense industry minister Pat Conroy said the potent long-range weapons would be deployed first to existing surface ships and later to a new fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Lockheed LC-130H Hercules – Takeoffs
