Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $70.8 million contract modification, which provides requirements decomposition through system functional review for the F-35 Super Multi-Function Aircraft Data Link Band 5 receiver warning capability in support of the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and non-Department of Defense participants. Multifunction Advanced Data Link is a fast switching narrow directional communications data link between stealth aircraft. Work will take place in New Hampshire, California, Texas and Maryland. Expected completion will be in June 2023.
Testek LLC won a $38.1 million contract, which is for the production and delivery of up to 42 Aircraft Generator Test Stands (AGTS), 41 for the Navy and one for a Foreign Military Sales customer. The AGTS will be used to conduct full functional testing of the new F/A-18E/F and EA-18G G4 generator converter units, the V-22 Constant Frequency Generator and Variable Frequency Generator, the ALQ-99 Ram Air Turbine Generator and generators tested by the legacy Aircraft Engine Component Test Stand (AECTS) at those sites where the AECTS is being replaced by the AGTS. Work will take place in Michigan and estimated completion date is September 2026.
Middle East & Africa
Afghanistan received a further four Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC)-Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack turboprop aircraft, with a delivery ceremony held at Kabul International Airport on September 17. The delivery, announced by NATO the same day, brings to 23 the total now fielded by the Afghan Air Force (AAF), of which 18 are in-country with the remainder located at Moody Air Force Base in Virginia. The Super Tucano has been active in Afghanistan from early 2016, since which time it has served as the AAF’s only fixed-wing combat aircraft. The Super Tucano’s range, speed, service ceiling, and availability (coupled with its ability to dispense precision-guided munitions), enables it to operate effectively throughout Afghanistan.
Europe
Russia is reviving one of the Soviet-era space concepts, the nuclear-powered space transportation, by building a space tug for a trip to the Moon, Venus and Jupiter. The space tug is part of the Nuklon space complex, a scientist from Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos told TASS. The space tug is being assembled by KB Arsenal under the project name Transport and Energy Module (TEM.) Alexander Bloshenko says the nuclear-powered space tug’s – propelled by electric engines – first flight will be a full-fledged scientific mission that will deliver a research satellite to the Moon and head for Venus. It will then perform a gravity assist maneuver to head towards Jupiter.
Romania officially took delivery of the first set of Patriot air defense missile system on September 18. The country was cleared to buy the system in July 2017. It was reported then that the deal was worth approximately $3.9 billion. A total of seven PAC3+ fire units were bought.
Asia-Pacific
Bangladesh has taken delivery of the third second-hand C-130J that it purchased from Britain. The aircraft arrived at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu on September 17. Chief of Air Staff of Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, and High Commissioner of British High Commission in Bangladesh H. E. Robert Chatterton Dickson were present at the base to welcome the crew.
Today’s Video
Watch: 350 STRONG CHINESE NAVY FLEET AGAINST 293 WARSHIPS LOADED U.S NAVY FORCE – ITS QUANTITY vs QUALITY !
