Americas
Airbus Defence and Space has recently concluded a successful two-week flight-test campaign for its A400M Roll-on/Roll-off firefighting prototype kit. The campaign, conducted in south-western and central Spain, showcased the prototype’s ability to drop 20,000 liters of retardant, creating high concentration lines over 400 meters long on the ground. Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, highlighted the advancements, stating, “We have tested a new version of the kit, improving dropping efficiency and reducing discharge time by over 30% compared to last year, while combined with rapid deployment and easy installation on the A400M aircraft. We continue to pioneer new solutions and capabilities for our A400M fleet, in this case protecting populations and natural environments from fires.”
DARPA has awarded Raytheon an $8-million contract to deliver a procurement and supply delivery simulator for the US Department of Defense. The project supports DARPA’s Resilient Supply-and-Demand Networks program seeking strategic solutions to address logistics challenges across the US military’s materiel supply chain and distribution processes.
Middle East & Africa
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Saudi Arabia of RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System (TASS) aircraft modernisation and related equipment for an estimated cost of $582 million. The announcement, published by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), stated that Saudi Arabia had earlier requested to purchase hardware and software modifications to modernise its fleet of RE-3A TASS aircraft. Including in its request were seven GPS/INS security systems with selective anti-proofing module, five L3Harris BlackRock communications intelligence sensor suites, KY-100M narrowband/wideband secure communications terminals, integrated signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems, among other equipment. The principal contractor will be L3 Technologies, the DSCA stated.
Europe
The UK Royal Air Force and Norwegian counterparts have trained their cold weather survival skills in an environment reaching -20 degrees Celsius (-4F) above the Arctic Circle. The drill involved gunners, engineers, tactical communicators, medics, drivers, and chefs from the RAF Regiment functioning as a specialist corps within the air force.
The United States and Sweden on Tuesday inked a first-ever defense cooperation agreement that will strengthen military ties and permit bilateral exercises as the Scandinavian nation awaits accession to NATO, authorities said. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed the agreement with Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson, the Pentagon said.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea has been cleared to procure US-made precision weapons to integrate into its fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft. According to a US State Department announcement, Seoul has requested 39 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and other munitions for $271 million. It also signified its intent to purchase two AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Sections, 88 KMU-556 Tail Kits, and 86 Mk-84 General Purpose bombs for attacking hardened targets such as bunkers.
