Americas
SpaceX launched six US missile-detection satellites to low-Earth orbit on Wednesday. They include two Missile Defense Agency Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites and the final four Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 0 Tracking Layer satellites of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Of the 27 Tranche 0 satellites in orbit, 19 perform data transport and communications, with the remainder devoted to missile warning.
The US Air Force has tapped Northrop Grumman to upgrade the two-decade-old LITENING targeting pod with the LITENING Large Aperture (LA) pod. The LA features significant enhancements in electro-optical/infrared sensing and processing capabilities, according to Northrop. Additional upgrades include greater imaging range due to higher resolution, “faster video processing, greater image stabilization, enhanced pod command and control functions, and continuous roll for uninterrupted imaging during maneuvers.” Air and ground targeting enhancements enable greater accuracy and tracking under challenging conditions.
Middle East & Africa
According to Defense News, the US Navy is incorporating lessons learned from its Red Sea engagements with Houthi missiles and drones, and are using them to improve tactics for seeing and eliminating threats, service leaders said Tuesday. Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, the commander of Naval Surface Forces, said U.S. ships in the Red Sea are sending data about their engagements with Houthi threats back to the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, for the experts there to share ideas for how to best tune radars to optimize performance, as an example.
Europe
The US State Department has approved possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Italy of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) and Small Diameter Bomb IIs, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 15 February 2024. The two FMSs, which have been passed to the US Congress for final approval, are estimated to be worth USD 69.3 million (EUR 64.3 million) and USD 150 million respectively. More specifically, Italy has requested to buy 12 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs that will be added to a previously implemented case, the value of was under the congressional notification threshold. The FMS case, valued at $32.5 million ($23 million in Major Defense Equipment (MDE)), included 12 AIM-120C-8s. This notification is thus for a combined total of 24 AIM-120C-8s.
Asia-Pacific
China’s state-owned land systems manufacturer Norinco has revealed a new type of truck-mounted howitzer. The highly automated system, which is aimed at export markets, mates a 6×6 truck chassis with an unmanned turret containing a 155mm L/52 howitzer. The weapon was shown alongside existing artillery products in a Norinco promotional video clip circulated to coincide with Lunar New Year celebrations around February 10. The video was highlighting a Chinese artillery marketing event attended by foreign delegations.
The Indian military upgraded its strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Command to recover fixed-wing aircraft in low visibility conditions. According to the Indian Navy, a precision approach radar installed at a command naval air station will provide vertical and horizontal guidance to landing aircraft
