Raytheon Wins MK 15 CIWS Contract | Japan Approves F-35B Purchase | Australia Hands Over Guardian Class Patrol Vessel To Samoa

Americas

Raytheon won a $199.6 million firm-fixed contract for MK 15 Close-In Weapon System or CIWS upgrades and conversions, system overhauls, and associated hardware. CIWS is a fast-reaction terminal defense against low- and high-flying, high-speed maneuvering anti-ship missile threats. At sea, Phalanx is designed to defeat anti-ship missiles and “close-in” threats that have pierced other lines of defense. On land, as part of the US Army’s counter-rocket, artillery and mortar systems, it detects and destroys incoming rounds. It also helps provide early warning of attacks. The Phalanx weapon system is installed on all US Navy surface combatant ship classes and on those of 24 allied nations. The land-based version is forward deployed and has been used in combat. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $367,195,456.

The US Air Force awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $47.9 million contract for 469 Maverick units. According to the company, the Maverick is a precision-attack missile for the air, naval and marine forces of 30 countries. Maverick is certified for use on more than 25 aircraft, including helicopters, fighters, attack and patrol aircraft. More than 69,000 missiles have been produced to date, and more than 6,000 have been used in combat, with 93 percent accuracy. The missile’s guidance software provides attack capability around-the-clock against fixed high-value targets, high-speed moving and maneuvering armored vehicles, ships and fast boats, and targets of opportunity. Targets of opportunity provide all-altitude point-and-shoot flexibility ideally suited for time-critical strike in urban close air support and maritime operations. Raytheon will perform work in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2021.

Middle East & Africa

Syria claimed it shot down a missile that was fired toward the area of Masyaf in the Hama governorate on Thursday night, Israel Defense reports. The missile was reportedly fired from the direction of northern Lebanon toward the Masyaf area, which has been repeatedly targeted in recent years in attacks attributed to Israel. Israel is thought to have shifted to launching missiles from Lebanon into Syria to avoid Syrian air defenses in recent months. The area around Masyaf, which is thought to be used as a base for Iranian forces and pro-Iranian militias has been repeatedly targeted in recent years in attacks widely attributed to Israel.

Europe

Northrop Grumman won a $7 million follow-on contract for the Royal Netherlands Air Force AN/ALQ-131 (V) electronics countermeasures pod upgrade. Northrop Grumman has fielded more than 1,600 ALQ-131 pods, which used state-of-the-art technology to successfully protect aircrews and aircraft in every conflict since becoming operational in the 1980s, the company states. The AN/ALQ-131 Electronic Countermeasures Pod provides electronic countermeasures protection for USAF, ANG, AFRES, and FMS country aircraft. Northrop will perform work in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Estimated completion date is February 15, 2022. This program is focused on the redesign of the ALQ-131 Digital Receiver Exciter and ALM-256 Intermediate Level Support Equipment. The contract involves 100% Foreign Military Sales to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of 42 F-35B fighters. According to Asahi Shimbun, each aircraft is expected to cost $132 million. Funding will be made available for the purchase of 18 jets. The government indicated late last year that it intended to acquire the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft, but no formal decision had been made until now. The F-35B aircraft is manufactured by Lockheed Martin. On May 27, US President Donald Trump said at a press conference following talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that Japan plans to buy 105 F-35 fighters. The F-35B is a single-engine fifth-generation fighter aircraft. It is the first aircraft to combine stealth technology with STOVL capabilities and supersonic speeds.

The Australian government handed over a Guardian Class patrol vessel to Samoa. The boat, dubbed the Nafanua II , was handed over to representatives from the Samoan government at Henderson, Western Australia on August 16. The delivery is part of the Pacific Patrol Boat replacement component of the $1.35 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program, which is designed to enhance maritime security cooperation across the South Pacific. Under this program, Australia will deliver 19 Guardian Class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island countries by the end of 2023. The Police Maritime Wing of the Samoan Police Service will operate the Nafanua II.

Today’s Video

Watch: Laser weapons of the Turkish defense industry technology Turkey able to shoot down drone