Americas
Boeing won a $1.2 billion contract action for the E-7A Rapid Prototype program. This contract provides for the initiation of the development activities for the program. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be complete by August 2024. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity. The E-7A Wedgetail “will provide advanced Airborne Moving Target Indication and Battle Management, Command, and Control capabilities, and advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array radar that enhances airborne battle management and enables long-range kill chains with potential peer adversaries,” the Air Force said. The E-7A was originally developed for Australia, and has also been adopted by the U.K. By leveraging allied investment in the E-7A, the US aims to acquire the new AWACS replacements more quickly than would otherwise be possible.
Pacific Propeller International LLC won a $50.9 million deal for the overhaul support for the C-130 54H60 series propeller. This contract provides for the overhaul and repair of the C-130 54H60 series propeller for the Air Force and multiple countries. All work will be performed in Kent, Washington, and individual orders will be placed by the Air Force and Foreign Military Sales partners through February 27, 2028. This contract is the result of a sole source acquisition. Fiscal 2023 working capital funds in the amount of $771,800 are being obligated at the time of award on an Air Force requirement to address the barrel cracking issue, with performance being completed within 90 days.
Middle East & Africa
The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed on Tuesday it had detected particles of uranium enriched up just under the 90 percent needed to produce an atomic bomb. “Discussions are still ongoing” to determine the origin of these particles, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a confidential report seen by AFP. The report said that during an inspection “on 22 January 2023, the agency took environmental samples… at Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, the analytical results of which showed the presence of high enriched uranium particles containing up to 83.7 percent U-235.”
Europe
The US State Department has approved a possible $125.2 million FGM-148F Javelin medium range antitank missile sale to the United Kingdom. Announced Tuesday, the new deal follows a request by London for 600 of the weapons and includes 12 “fly-to-buy” missiles, US technical assistance and logistical support, noted the State Department. “The proposed sale will improve the United Kingdom’s capability to meet current and future threats,” it added. “The United Kingdom will use the enhanced capability to build its long-term defense capacity to meet its national defense requirements.”
Asia-Pacific
Singapore’s Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) has exercised an option to acquire eight additional F-35B Lightning II Fighter multirole combat aircraft from Lockheed Martin. The update builds on a deal inked in 2020 for 12 F-35Bs to be delivered by the end of the decade for the Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has selected the MQ-9B SeaGuardian from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for the former’s Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS Trial Operation Project. According to GA-ASI, the trials will begin in April this year. The MQ-9B will undergo rigorous testing to evaluate its adaptability to support manned-unmanned teaming missions and reduce the level of required manpower. The Japanese government has also announced an agreement for the exchange of data obtained from the MQ-9B drones operated by the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Today’s Video
WATCH: The Bizarre and Risky Future of Electronic Warfare – The E-7 Wedgetail
