Americas
The US Army has signed a $756-million deal with Lockheed Martin to acquire new capabilities for the country’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) system. Under the contract, Lockheed will provide additional LRHW battery equipment, systems and software engineering support, and logistics solutions. The items will boost the force’s ability to launch hypersonic missiles from ground mobile platforms, providing updated features for the US’ critical national security posture.
Boeing won a $7.9 million modification, which exercises an option to reconstitute 29 All-Up-Round Encapsulated Harpoon Missiles for the Navy. Work will be performed in St. Charles, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in September 2025. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Middle East & Africa
The United Arab Emirates’ coast guard has signed a $435 million deal to acquire 10 offshore patrol vessels from both a domestic defense conglomerate and an Italian shipbuilder, the companies announced Monday. The deal follows the creation of a joint venture in February between the UAE’s Edge Group and Italy’s Fincantieri.
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South Korea’s KF-21 Boramae fighter has successfully fired an IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile for the first time, capping off one of the program’s ongoing capability tests for the 4.5-generation jets. The missile was designated using the active electronically scanned array radar onboard the aircraft, guiding the missile to engage with the target drone. A similar drill was conducted in 2023 to test an unguided missile, functioning as a stepping stone for the current firing.
