Space Force Asks For 16$B For Spy Satellites | Swiftships Tapped For Additional CPC For Egypt | Russia Can’t Meet Arms Delivery To India

Americas

Raytheon won a $33 million spares delivery order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-19-G-UX01 for the procurement of two Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system APG-79 weapon repairable assemblies (WRAs), for a total quantity of 54 WRAs in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in Forest, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet series. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet.

The US Space Force has requested nearly $16 billion over the next five years to continue building a new class of spy satellites that can help track missiles moving at hypersonic speeds. The budget represents an increase of almost twice as much as previously estimated. The Space Force’s budget request for FY24 includes $2.3 billion for the development of small spacecraft in orbits less than 22,000 miles above Earth to identify and track enemy missiles. However, the Space Force is looking for steeper funding increases in the years ahead. The Resilient Missile Warning Missile Tracking Program is being developed to increase defenses against Russia and China, who are currently developing weapons that travel and maneuver above Mach 5 speeds. In the next few years, the program should produce several smaller satellites that can be launched into more diverse orbits, replacing the Space-Based Infrared System and Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared satellites currently in orbit.

Middle East & Africa

Swiftships has received a deal to deliver seven additional coastal patrol craft (CPC) for the Egyptian Navy. The award follows an agreement in 2022 to deliver six patrol vessels on top of orders in 2014 and 2016. A total of 23 boats, including units under construction, will be delivered to the navy by 2027. Egypt’s future CPCs have a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 kilometers/29 miles per hour) and a range of up to 900 nautical miles (1,700 kilometers/1,000 miles).

Europe

Lockheed Martin Space won a $474.2 million modification for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. This contract award also benefits a foreign military sale to the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Magna, Utah; Camden, Arkansas; Rockford, Illinois; Biddeford, Maine; Elkton, Maryland; Inglewood, California; Denver, Colorado; Titusville, Florida; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Joplin, Missouri; Lansdale, Pennsylvania; and locations less than 1% each. Work is expected to be completed September 30, 2027.

Asia-Pacific

Russia cannot meet its arms delivery commitments to India because of its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, according to the Indian Air Force (AIF). The statement, aired during a parliamentary committee meeting earlier this week, was the first official confirmation from New Delhi of Moscow’s defense export shortfalls. It confirmed speculation that Russia’s defense industry is experiencing serious problems producing military supplies.

The Australian Defense Force (ADF) has halted operations of its entire MRH-90 Taipan helicopter fleet after one crashed near a New South Wales beach. According to deputy prime minister Richard Marles, ten soldiers were on board the multi-role Airbus chopper when it was forced to make an emergency landing in the water just after 9 pm on Wednesday.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Space Force Is The Newest US Military Branch. But What Do They Actually Do? | Boot Camp