Americas
American Systems won a $31.4 million modification, which exercises options to provide all required development testing, integration, delivery, and installation, as well as aircrew training and readiness for the P-8A Increment 3 Block 2 mission software integrated into existing P-8A training systems, to include Weapons Tactics Trainer, the new Combat Systems Part Task Trainer, and the new Combat System Electronic Classroom, for the government of Australia. This contract is in support of Small Business Innovation Research Phase III topic N00-123, titled “Automated Readiness Measurement System (ARMS)”. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida (70%); Edinburgh, Australia (25%); and St. Louis, Missouri (5%), and is expected to be completed in September 2027.
Raytheon Technologies (now RTX) has announced that it is selling its cybersecurity and intelligence division to an undisclosed buyer for $1.3 billion. The move comes after the company reported a 21 percent decline in total sales for the third quarter of 2023. According to Raytheon, its cybersecurity and intelligence unit provides improved protection of critical information systems and operations through state-of-the-art technologies and world-class talent.
Middle East and Africa
The Kuwaiti Air Force received four Eurofighter Typhoons this week, bringing its fleet size to 13 out of the 28 on order, the country’s official Kuwait News Agency announced. Deliveries began in December 2021 as part of an effort to enhance the service’s combat readiness.
Europe
The Slovak Armed Forces has received two MANTIS air defense systems from Germany in a ceremony in Nitra, southwest Slovakia to boost its ground-based border security. The $116 million systems, part of the German Air Force’s SysFla air defense initiative, were handed over to Bratislava “free of charge” to help the country defend its eastern border with Ukraine.
Lockheed Martin won a $364.3 million order, which is for the production and delivery of six MH-60R aircraft for the government of Norway. Work will be performed in Owego, New York (52%); Stratford, Connecticut (40%); and Troy, Alabama (8%), and is expected to be completed in July 2027.
Asia-Pacific
Aviation units from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) joined forces during the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23, held from October 14 to October 31, 2023. Under the collaborative umbrella of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, the Western Army Aviation Group, and the 1st Helicopter Brigade, this exercise aimed to enhance the partnership between the two nations. A groundbreaking moment in the joint training involved Japanese AH-64 Apache attack helicopters providing attached escort for a US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft as they operated in the Hijyudai Range of Northern Kyushu.
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