Americas
Sikorsky won an $8 million deal, which exercises an option to provide for the production and delivery of CH-53K tooling and supplier rate tooling, as well as management through final acceptance, ensuring the program can meet aircraft production rate, based on lead-time and production ramp rates. The CH-53K Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter that can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. The aircraft can be operated from austere and remote forward operating bases.
The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) units worked with the US Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) for the first time to intercept ballistic missiles during flight tests conducted earlier this month, Lockheed Martin announced. During the flight test series, two PAC-3 MSE missiles successfully engaged from IBCS and intercepted tactical ballistic missile (TBM) threats over White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Middle East & Africa
United Arab Emirates-based Calidus unveiled a new light attack turboprop at the Dubai Airshow 2021. The turboprop is designated the B-350. The Calidus B-350 aircraft was developed mostly under the radar but information about the project and some of its characteristics was made public in late 2020 by the Czech company CHARVÁT AXL, which received a contract to design and build the landing gear for the B-350.
Europe
The Italian Coast Guard signed a contract with Fincantieri for the design and construction of a multi-role offshore unit (UAM). The deal was signed in Rome at the headquarters of the General Command of the Harbour Authorities – Coast Guard. The order, finalizing the tender procedure, is worth approximately €80 million and it envisages the construction of one multi-role offshore unit, the related 5-year temporary support service, as well as the possibility of exercising the option right for the construction of 2 additional units.
Elbit Systems has demonstrated its Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) capabilities for ISR missions utilizing heterogeneous autonomous swarms to the RAS Concept Development & Experimentation Program of the Royal Netherlands Army. During the capability demonstration, different robotic pairings operated as swarms autonomously performing three types of operational missions. The missions included planning, navigating to predefined points, allocating sectors and the performance of various ISR tasks.
Asia-Pacific
JS Shimokita delivered a new shipment of missiles to Miyakojima Island on November 14. Around 20 local residents gathered at the port to prevent the vehicles from departing. At the Ground Self-Defense Force ammunition depot, the vehicles were met by another group of protesters.
Today’s Video
Watch: DCS: AH-64D | Introduction
