Americas
Northrop Grumman won a $17 million modification, which adds scope to provide for the production, delivery, and installation of Link 16 Crypto-Modernization/Hybrid Beyond Line of Sight capabilities on 15 E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in Florida, Virginia, Illinois, California and New York. Estimated completion date is May 2023.
The US Air Force, the US Navy, and the US Marine Corps will have an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle that will need to increase the combat capability, accuracy, and concentration of the US military during air battles. The ‘Aggressor’ aircraft, dubbed Bandit, is a training UAV and its construction has been given the green light, Jane’s reports.
Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia’s Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems (ACES) inked an agreement with a Chinese defense firm to design and manufacture military drones in the kingdom. The joint venture is called “Aerial Solutions”. It was announced during the World Defense Show 2022, held from March 6 to 9 in Riyadh.
Europe
Israeli small arms manufacture Emtan has won the Spanish Civil Guard contract for the supply of a new MZ-4P 5.56 x 45 mm caliber assault rifle to equip personnel from various units worth almost six million euros – 5,929,000 euros. According to Infodefensa.com, the price offered per unit is 850 euros, without VAT. The contract initially contemplates the supply of a minimum of 3,500 units over the next two years, although everything indicates that the final order will be considerably higher.
During the acquisition of three Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 and KC-130J “Super Hercules” aircraft each, the German Air Force decided to equip all aircraft with HENSOLDT’s latest generation of defence sensor technology. With MILDS Block 2, the company is supplying a total of 35 sensors (five per aircraft and five units for lab use) to Danish company Terma A/S, which is managing the integration of the systems at Lockheed Martin through Terma Inc. The contracts were signed in 2020. So far, 20 sensors and the ordered desiccant-kits have already been delivered. By January 2023, the remaining 15 sensors will be delivered. The first “Hercules” for the German Air Force was handed over in Évreux/Fauville (France) on February 19, 2022 to the Franco-German air-transport squadron. With MILDS Block 2, HENSOLDT is also helping to close the capability gap created by the retirement of the C-160 “Transall”.
Asia-Pacific
A Global Hawk acquired by Japan has arrived home at Misawa Air Base on the morning of March 12. It is the first of three unmanned aerial vehicles ordered by Japan. The Global Hawk’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance collection capabilities to support joint combatant forces in worldwide peacetime, contingency and crisis operations. The system can be used to cooperatively address common regional challenges such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, piracy, terrorism and other issues affecting the region.
Today’s Video
WATCH: First Flight of 1st Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules for the Luftwaffe (German Air Force)
