Americas
The US Navy awarded Boeing a $139.8 million modification to continue manufacturing precision laser guidance sets for the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). Boeing received a $357.8 million contract in 2015 to manufacture precision laser guided sets for the Navy, the US Air Force and multiple Foreign Military Sales clients. The JDAM is a low-cost guidance kit that converts existing unguided free-fall bombs into accurately guided “smart” weapons. The kit consists of a new tail section that contains an inertial navigation system/global positioning system (INS/GPS) and body strakes for additional stability and lift. The company will supply the military service with 12,000 additional JDAM kits. Work will take place in the US and is expected to be completed in April 2020.
Raytheon Missiles Systems won 101.3 million to build the tactically launched and optically tracked wireless-guided missiles, or TOW. The company will build the radio-controlled anti-tank missiles for the US Army. The weapon system includes TOW 2A, TOW 2B Aero and TOW Bunker Buster versions. It is deployed by more than 40 international Armed Forces and integrated on more than 15,000 ground, vehicle and helicopter platforms. According to Raytheon, the TOW missile enables ground forces to achieve overmatch against adversary armored and wheeled systems, regardless of the environment or conditions. Raytheon has delivered more than 700,000 TOW weapon systems and expects upgrade programs will extend the missile’s life cycle beyond 2050. They were first produced in 1970. The company will perform work in Tucson and expects completion on August 31, 2022.
Middle East & Africa
The Israeli Navy deployed its Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) equipped Seagull in an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise. According to Elbit, the Seagull Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) systems have superior mine counter measures (MCM) capability. The Seagull facilitates end-to-end mind hunting operations, including detection, classification, location, identification and neutralization of bottom, moored and drifting sea mines while taking the sailor out of the mine field. The HELRAS is a naval helicopter undersea sensor that can detect submarines up to 12 kilometers. A HELRAS dipping sonar was recently converted for operation onboard the Seagull. The exercise, which was conducted together with the Hellenic Navy, demonstrated that operating a dipping sonar onboard such a vessel significantly increases the operational working time while substantially enhancing detection capabilities and the effectiveness of Anti-Submarine Warfare.
Europe
Saab will provide the UK Royal Navy with its AUV62-AT anti-submarine warfare training system. The company received the order together with UK-based QinetiQ. AUV62-AT provides real-time warfare exposure to the ASW units of Naval Forces. The training system helps ASW units to conduct cost-efficient training activities, while avoiding the use of submarines. It resembles a real submarine in a range of ASW scenarios and can be deployed in operator training activities, as well as the evaluation of sonar and other command control systems. The procurement follows a period of testing and evaluation together with QinetiQ and the Royal Navy.
Asia-Pacific
According to reports, South Korea’s early warning systems may not have detected North Korean missiles tested last week. Reasons for the Peace Eye airborne early warning and control aircraft, and early warning systems on Aegis ships not detecting the missiles are currently being investigated. North Korea’s missiles flew 260 miles and 170 miles. They were launched from Kusong in the northwest last Thursday. South Korea just recently approved plans for the next batch of Aegis destroyers. A contract for the construction of the destroyers is scheduled to be signed with Hyundai Heavy Industries later this year. South Korea’s Peace Eye fleet started deployment in 2011-2012. A total of four aircraft are deployed in the network, but one aircraft is undergoing maintenance.
Lockheed Martin will not sell its F-21 fighter jet to any other country in the event of India placing an order of 114 planes. The company specifically configured the F-21 for the Indian Air Force. Lockheed would produce the fighter in India together with Tata. Lockheed Martin, which has a longstanding relationship of 25 years in India, unveiled the F-21 during the Aero India show in Bengaluru in February, saying it will address the Indian Air Force’s unique requirements. The newest offer is an attempt by the company to pitch itself ahead of its US, European and Russian competitors for the deal.
Today’s Video
Watch: Otokar debut AKREP IIe: Turkey’s first Electric Armoured Vehicle
