Americas
Areté Associates won a $13 million order for integration of the Coastal Battlefield Reconnaissance and Analysis (COBRA) Block I-3A System into the MQ-8C unmanned aerial system. This delivery order is for 19 months. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona; and Valparaiso, Florida (50%), and is expected to be completed by February 2025. Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $5,654,164; fiscal 2022 other procurement (Navy)funds in the amount of $5,455,000; and fiscal year 2023 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $1,968,856 (15%) will be obligated at time of award, of which $5,654,164 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Northrop Grumman won a $7.8 million deal for B-2 audio central distribution units. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition regulation 6.301-1. This is a three-year nine-month contract with no option periods. The performance completion date is March 31, 2027. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2023 defense working capital funds.
Middle East & Africa
Iran’s forthcoming destroyer, the Damavand-2, will feature hypersonic missiles, according to chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani. The Moudge-class warship is reportedly undergoing operational tests and will be inducted into the fleet shortly. “All the defense equipment installed in the Damavand 2 destroyer is completely up-to-date,” Mehr News Agency quoted Irani as saying.
Europe
The US State Department has approved the sale of over 1,500 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles to France and up to 250 AMRAAMs to Sweden. The estimated $203 million sale to France includes technical assistance, integration support, and other related logistical and program support elements. “The proposed sale will improve France’s capability to meet current and future threats by building its long-term defense capacity to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity in order to meet its national defense requirements,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
The US State Department on June 30 said it has approved the potential sale to NATO ally Romania of equipment and services to modernize 32 F-16 aircraft. The deal, valued at $105 million, will be conducted by a third-party transfer from Norway. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national-security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the State Department said. The deal also must be approved by the US Congress.
Asia-Pacific
Boeing has received a $793-million US foreign military sale contract to produce the final Block I CH-47 Chinook helicopters for South Korea and Spain. Under the agreement, the company will manufacture 18 aircraft for South Korea and one for the Spanish government. Deliveries of the helicopters are expected to be completed by 2027.
Today’s Video
WATCH: MH-47 Chinook in Action
