Americas
The Naval Surface Warfare Center tapped Raytheon with $9.3 million for engineering services in support of the Aegis SPY-1 radar and MK 99 fire control system. The SPY-1 radar and the MK 99 are key components of the Aegis Weapon System, the heart of the Aegis Combat System. The MK 99 Fire Control System controls the loading and arming of the selected weapon, launches the weapon, and provides terminal guidance for Antiair Warfare Systems. The AN/SPY-1 radar system is used by Aegis Ashore missile defense sites. The SPY-1 can maintain continuous radar surveillance while automatically tracking more than 100 targets at one time. Raytheon has delivered its first SPY-1 transmitter in 1981. Today, it has equipped 108 ships with 140 systems. The current order provides technical, logistical and engineering services from the original equipment manufacturer. Work is scheduled to be completed by January 2021.
The US Navy awarded Microsoft a potential five-year $1.8 billion contract to support Microsoft-made products for the Department of Defense (DoD), US Coast Guard and intelligence community. Under this deal the company will provide engineering services to help software developers and other product teams use knowledge database, tools, and source code. The contract is issued under the DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI). This project was established to enable a software management process within the Department of Defense. The contract mechanism manages Information Technology agreements, assets, and policies in order to lower the total cost of ownership across the DoD, Coast Guard and intelligence community. ESI combines the DoD’s buying power with commercial software publishers, hardware vendors and service providers. Under the contract, Microsoft will perform work at various locations worldwide through Jan. 10, 2024.
Middle East & Africa
Turkey developed stand-alone software to control imported missile systems without threatening its sovereign rights, Jane’s reports. Turkey will go ahead with purchasing a Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile battery under a $2.5 billion contract, which also includes an option for a second one. The US is trying to prevent Turkey’s government from buying the S-400 defense missile system and is threatening to impose sanctions on the Turkish authorities in case they do not cancel the arms deal with Russia. They are warning, that Turkey risks expulsion from the US-led F-35 program if the country goes through with the S-400 delivery. The US is concerned, the S-400 would harm the flight safety of the fifth generation F-35 aircraft. The S-400 is an anti-aircraft weapon system, which integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command as well as control center. It is able to fire three types of missiles to create a layered defense. Turkey will start to deploy S-400s in October this year.
Europe
France contracted Dassault Aviation with a $2.3 billion for 28 upgraded Rafale aircraft. The aircraft will include some of the F-4 standard’s function. The F4 standard is part of the ongoing process to improve the Rafale in line with technological progress and operating experience feedback. The update includes upgraded radar sensors and front sector optronics as well as improved capabilities in the helmet-mounted display. With the F4 standard the aircraft will be able to receive more data and strengthen the data rate. It will also feature new weapons like the MBDA’s Mica NG air-to-air missile and 1,000 kg AASM air-to-ground modular weapon. Th 28 ordered Rafale aircraft will be delivered to the French Air Force from the year 2023. After that, 30 additional Rafales will be ordered and are scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2030.
The Hellenic Armed Forces, the combined military forces of Greece move forward with two Hellenic Navy acquisition programs for heavyweight torpedoes and maritime helicopters. The programs were approved in December and are now being forwarded to the Ministry of Defense for implementation, Jane’s reports. The Hellenic Navy wants to procure 36 533 millimeter heavyweight torpedoes for the Papanikolis-class Type 214 submarines and sole Type 209 AIP-equipped submarine, HS Okeanos. The new torpedoes are to replace AEG SUT and SST-4 torpedoes. The type 214 submarine features diesel propulsion with an air-independent propulsion system. The 209 Type is a diesel-electric attack submarine armed with eight bow 533 mm torpedo tubes and 14 torpedoes.
Asia-Pacific
Two Indian Army Soldiers developed an armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for the Indian Army. The armed quadcopter prototype was a long-pending requirement of the armed forces. The quadcopter was displayed at the Army Technology Seminar in New Delhi on Friday and has been previously deployed during live operations along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan and counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. No defense service in India possess armed drones, making this a historic innovation in the history of the Indian Army.
Today’s Video
Watch: Sorry Su-57! UK’s new f-35b and New Eurofighter typhoon-jets ready for combat-missions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOpiO4uE5EE
