Americas
Raytheon has demonstrated a simulated missile interception using the US Army’s new missile defense radar and command and control system and the US Navy’s interceptor. The Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) simulators provided threat tracking data and the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) engagement control software to the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) during a Valiant Shield 24 test. The Northrop Grumman IBCS subsequently initiated the transfer of the launch command data and guided a missile interception “successfully,” according to Raytheon.
The US Air Force and Boeing have reached an agreement regarding the planned supply of E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall told reporters at an air show in England that the service finally “got a reasonable price point” for the jets after bringing in a brokering expert.
Middle East & Africa
Germany can no longer cooperate militarily with Niger because of a lack of “trust” in relations with the West African country’s military regime, German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday. Germany already announced on July 6 that it will end operations at its airbase in Niger and pull out its remaining three-dozen troops by August 31. “It was not possible to continue because the trust that existed before was no longer there,” Baerbock said during a visit to nearby Ivory Coast.
Europe
Thales has been contracted to supply 30 dual-band X/Ka ground-based satellite communication stations to the French Army. The new Syracuse IV satcom station will be installed on the Serval light multi-role armored vehicles being developed for the Scorpion program.
Asia-Pacific
The United States Air Force (USAF) has initiated a pilot program to test the effectiveness of a larger fighter squadron in South Korea. As part of this initiative, the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base will receive nine F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, creating a temporary “Super Squadron” with a total of 31 aircraft. This year-long experiment aims to evaluate the impact of a larger squadron on various aspects of combat readiness. The USAF will assess factors like sortie generation – the number of missions flown – maintenance efficiency, manpower utilization, and logistical requirements. Ultimately, the program seeks to identify the optimal squadron size for maximizing combat effectiveness.
