Americas
Sargent Aerospace & Defense won a $15 million contract for the procurement of 104 linear direct valves used on the Virginia-class submarines. This is a stand-alone contract with no options. All work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by June 2039. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.
In a comprehensive analysis of US Army aviation from 2000 to 2023, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has revealed significant trends in fleet size, availability, and utilization. The report, released in Sept. 2024, offers insights into the Army’s ongoing efforts to modernize its aviation assets while maintaining operational readiness. Despite an overall decline in fleet size since 2000, the Army’s aircraft availability has shown a marked improvement, bucking the trend observed in other military branches. As of 2023, the Army maintained approximately 3,900 manned aircraft, primarily helicopters, with an additional 700 large unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Middle East & Africa
Iraq has finalized a contract for the purchase of 14 Caracal H225M multi-role troop transport helicopters. The deal, signed on Sept. 5, includes 12 new aircraft and two pre-owned units slated for modernization. Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbassi stated that these helicopters would “strengthen the capabilities of the Iraqi army and military aviation.” The acquisition comes as Iraq continues to face security challenges from remnant ISIS cells, particularly in rural and remote areas, despite declaring victory over the Islamic State in late 2017.
Africa
The US Navy has revealed for the first time its previously undisclosed attempt to acquire F-16 Fighting Falcons from Greece, as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize its adversary air capabilities. This revelation comes as the Navy Reserve welcomed its newest F-16 to the fleet on August 27, 2024, marking a crucial milestone in the Tactical Support Wing’s (TSW) long-term modernization strategy initiated in 2009. The acquisition of F-16s gained public attention when Vice Admiral John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve, first mentioned the plan during his testimony before the House Subcommittee on Defense Committee on Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 National Guard and Reserve on May 4, 2021. At that time, Vice Admiral Mustin outlined a proposal to replace F/A-18C aircraft with F-16s from the United States Air Force and Air National Guard, citing the need for advanced, high-fidelity adversary support.
Asia-Pacific
The Australian Army has tested retrofitting a mixed reality-based situational awareness solution on uncrewed and optionally-crewed vehicles converted from manned platforms such as M113 army personnel carriers. The Vegvisir Remote situational awareness solution is designed for both manned and unmanned vehicles, enabling users to navigate complex scenarios on the battlefield.
