Americas
Northrop Grumman won a $32.6 million modification, which exercises option years two and three for continued fabrication and installation support to retrofit the Delta System Software Configuration 4.0 (DSSC4) capabilities, to include Tactical Targeting Network Technology and the Beyond Line of Sight for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Work will be performed in Melbourne, Florida; Carson, California; Menlo Park, California; and various locations within the continental US, and is expected to be completed in December 2027. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $32,308,980 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
The US Air Force has awarded its first Joint Strike Missile (JSM) cruise missile contract to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace for its F-35s. Kongsberg will produce the missiles for $141 million in Norway through August 31, 2026. The production Lot 1 contract includes JSM all-up rounds, containers, and test equipment, with $69 million being allocated for fiscal 2024. The number of missiles to be purchased was not stated. However, the service said in 2023 it was planning to procure 268 JSMs over the next five years, including 48 in 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Israel is examining the M61 Vulcan cannon to counter drones, according to the Israel Defense Forces, with local media reporting the weapon would go atop armored personnel carriers deployed along the northern border. The potential acquisition comes as the country clashes with the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah, which launched drones and missiles toward Israel in April.
Europe
The UK Ministry of Defence has selected Avioniq to develop modeling and simulation software for the country’s maiden hypersonic missile development effort. Avioniq’s technology will be assessed for Lot 2 of the Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework agreement to rapidly develop the country’s first hypersonic missile over the next seven years. Around 90 organizations are eligible to bid for contracts for the 1-billion-pound ($1.3-billion), eight-lot framework agreement.
Asia-Pacific
Taiwan’s new defense minister has unveiled plans to create the country’s own Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to boost its asymmetrical warfare capabilities. Wellington Koo, who assumed office late last month, told reporters the unit will facilitate better integration of research on the development of military and civilian defense technologies. It will combine the resources and capabilities of the state-run National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) with private defense technology companies. The DIU will operate under the Department of Integrated Assessment within Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.
