Americas
United Technologies, Pratt & Whitney, won a $58.4 million task order, which provides non-recurring engineering for early identification, development and qualification of corrections to potential and actual operational issues, including safety, reliability and maintainability problems identified through fleet usage, accelerated mission testing, continues engine maturation and evaluates component life limits based on operational experience in support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Aircraft for the Navy, Air Force; non-Department of Defense participants and Foreign Military Sales customers. The F-35 combines 5th Generation fighter aircraft characteristics, advanced stealth, integrated avionics, sensor fusion and superior logistics support with the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history. The F-35’s advanced stealth allows pilots to penetrate areas without being detected by radars that legacy fighters cannot evade. Work will take place in Connecticut, and Indiana. Estimated completion is in December 2024.
Progeny Systems won a $34.8 million deal for the production of MK54 MOD 1 lightweight torpedo kits, proof of manufacturing components, associated production support material, spares and engineering and hardware support services. The modification combines purchases for the Navy as well as the Government of Canada under the Foreign Military Sales program. The MK 54 Mod 0 Lightweight Torpedo integrates existing torpedo hardware and software from the MK 46, MK 50 and MK 48 torpedo programs with state-of-the-art commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) digital signal-processing technology. It incorporates an advanced guidance and control (G&C) section employing COTS processing technologies and tactical software improvements to significantly increase shallow water counter-countermeasure capability at reduced lifecycle costs. These features provide performance improvements in the most challenging littoral scenarios. The MK 54 Mod 1 adds a new sonar array assembly and improved processing capability. Progeny Systems will perform work in Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia. Estimated completion will be in November 2022.
Middle East & Africa
The US Army awarded Boeing a $1.5 billion Foreign Military Sale to Israel, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE. Th deal provides for support services for the AH-64D/E Apache helicopters. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter. In July, Boeing was awarded $96.9 million to provide support for Apache helicopters and Longbow crew trainers for the United Arab Emirates. The AH-64E Apache Guardian features enhanced performance, joint digital operability, improved survivability and cognitive decision aiding, and reduced operating and support costs, Boeing officials say. The AH-64E Apache, is being delivered to the US Army and has been selected by several international defense forces. Work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2024.
Europe
The US Air Force tapped Rolls-Royce with an $83.7 million deal for MissionCareTM propulsion support on the C-130J Aircraft, as well as the initial task order in support of the French Air Force. This contract and initial task order provides for the program management, in-country field support representatives, replenishment of spares, MissionCare service, travel and per diem, over and above as well as organizational and commercial depot level maintenance of the AE 2100D3 propulsion systems. The C-130J has been produced since 1996 and is currently operated by a number of US allies and partners around the world. The C-130J is updated with digital avionics, facilitating crew operations, and improved turboprop engines. Work is expected to be finished by December 20, 2029.
MBDA says it has received an order to supply more Meteor beyond visual range air-to-air missiles to the German Luftwaffe. The firm says the contract was signed on December 16. Meteor is the world’s most advanced air-to-air missile, and has a unique ramjet propulsion system that allows it to fly further and faster than any other air-to-air missile – allowing it to defeat maneuvering targets even at extreme ranges. The Meteor BVRAAM can be integrated on Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale aircraft.
Asia-Pacific
Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana confirmed on December 16 that the Philippine Air Force is evaluating two aircraft for its multirole fighter (MRF) program. “One of the aircraft being evaluated is from Sweden the Saab Gripen and the other is the American F-16V,” Lorenzana was quoted by the state-owned Philippine News Agency (PNA) as saying, without providing further details. During the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) 2018 exhibition in Manila a senior PAF official told Jane’s that the PAF had budgeted $1.1 billion to procure a multirole combat aircraft over the following five years.
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