Raytheon Tapped For StormBreaker Production | Leonardo Not Subject Of Kuwait Eurofighter Investigation | Australian E-7A To Participate In Red Flag-Nellis
Americas
General Dynamics won a $47.7 million deal for a dry-docking selected restricted availability in support of the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) to accomplish maintenance, repair, and modernization of the ship prior to the its next deployment. The USS Curtis Wilbur is the 4th Arleigh Burke Class missile destroyer. The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the USN’s first class of destroyers built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion will be by September 2023.
Raytheon Missiles and Defense won a $92 million contract modification for StormBreaker (SDBII, GBU-53/B) production all up rounds and containers. The StormBreaker bomb is an air-launched precision strike weapon manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems for the US Air Force (USAF) and the US Navy. It is planned for integration on the F-15E Strike Eagle twin-engine aircraft. Raytheon Missile Systems is the prime contractor for the joint USAF and Navy SDB II programme. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date ist February 28, 2026.
Middle East & Africa
Jane’s reports that Boeing has handed over the first CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for Saudi Arabia. The US government approves a Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia for CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopters and related equipment, training, and support back in 2016.
Europe
Italy’s Leonardo said it is not subject of a judicial investigation in relation to the Kuwait Eurofighter program. The country signed a $9 billion order with Leonardo in 2016 for 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. On Monday, Kuwait’s Anti-Corruption Authority said that a major general and colonel in the Army would face prosecutors in a major corruption case related to this purchase.
NATO said that its members are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships, fighter jets and personnel to eastern Europe as Russia continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine. The US Department of Defense in Washington said about 8,500 American troops were put on heightened alert and were awaiting orders to deploy to the region, should Russia invade Ukraine.
Asia-Pacific
The first Red Flag-Nellis exercise has started on January 24 and E-7A from Australia are participating. About 2,900 participants from the US Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Air National Guard, US Air Force Reserves, the Royal Air Force (UK) and the Royal Australian Air Force will fly a variety of aircraft in complex mission scenarios. The 388th Fighter Wing from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, will be in the lead wing position.
Today’s Video
Watch: US successfully tests GBU-53/B StormBreaker smart bomb: All of enemy stronghold within range
