Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $31.8 million modification to incrementally increase the annual award of Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3 missiles. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama; Rocket Center, West Virginia; Camden, Arkansas; Chelmsford, Massachusetts; and Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2024.
Lockheed Martin has made significant progress in the development of its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The company conducted a successful flight test of the JAGM Medium Range (JAGM-MR) on November 16 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California. The missile flew for 16 kilometers, twice the range of the JAGM. This longer range is seen as a major advantage for military operations, as it allows for greater standoff from enemy locations. The ability to operate out of range of enemy weapons systems is critical for the military’s efforts to protect its personnel and assets. In addition to the increased range, the JAGM-MR also features a tri-mode seeker that combines a low-cost imaging sensor with semi-active laser and millimeter wave sensors. This technology was originally required by the U.S. Army, but the requirement was later changed to a dual-mode seeker due to cost concerns. However, the price of tri-mode seeker technology has since become more affordable, and the Army is now looking to address its aviation strategy with a JAGM Increment 3 requirement that would increase the range of the missile and add the tri-mode seeker.
Middle East & Africa
Turkey’s top defense official announced on December 30 that the country’s indigenous long-range air defense missile, Siper, had been successfully test-fired and hit its target at a range of over 100 kilometers. The head of Turkey’s Defense Industries Presidency, Ismail Demir, referred to the test as a “New Year’s gift to our nation as we enter the Turkish Century from our defense industry” on Twitter. The Siper project is being led by Turkish defense giants Aselsan and Roketsan, as well as the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK). Roketsan is in charge of developing the missile, while Aselsan focuses on creating the sensors and electronics. The missile is expected to be a rival to Russia’s S-400 system.
Europe
President Vladimir Putin on Thursday oversaw the commissioning of several new warships and a nuclear-powered submarine as he vowed to further strengthen Russia’s navy. Putin, who has largely avoided public engagements since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, gave the green light for Russian flags to be hoisted on the new vessels via video link. Among the newly-commissioned vessels were a corvette, a minesweeper, and the Generalissimus Suvorov nuclear-powered submarine that is capable of launching ballistic missiles.
Asia-Pacific
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has teamed up with Saunders International and US-Australian venture Nova Nacap to develop a bulk fuel infrastructure in the country’s Northern Territory. The program is an extension of the decade-long alliance between the US and Australian armed forces in promoting regional stability across the Indo-Pacific.
The US State Department approved on Wednesday the $180 million sale of vehicle-launched anti-tank systems to Taiwan, the Pentagon said, the latest weapons deal between the self-governed island and its main ally. Taiwan would receive Volcano anti-tank munition-laying systems, cargo trucks, ammunition, logistics support packages, and a myriad of other related services under the deal, according to a Pentagon statement.
Today’s Video
WATCH: the jagm missile, US military Testing Its the Deadliest New Missile.
