Americas
General Dynamics Land Systems won a $210.3 million contract for the purchase, warehousing, repair, issue, shipment, disposal, obsolescence management and configuration management of parts to support the Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2030. Fiscal 2024 Army working capital funds; and fiscal 2024 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $210,343,447, were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity.
The US Air Force announced the successful completion of a month-long climate testing program for its new T-7A Red Hawk trainer aircraft. This critical evaluation, held at Eglin Air Force Base’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory, is a crucial step in the T-7A’s development journey, ensuring its ability to withstand the diverse weather conditions it may encounter at training bases across the nation. Military aircraft operate in a vast array of environments, from the frigid Arctic tundra to the scorching deserts of the Middle East. These varying climatic conditions can significantly impact an aircraft’s capabilities, affecting engine performance, system functionality, and overall operability. To guarantee the aircraft’s reliability and safety in its intended deployment locations, engineers conduct rigorous climate testing. This process allows them to identify potential limitations or vulnerabilities in extreme temperatures and humidity, ensuring the aircraft can function effectively and safely across diverse environments.
Raytheon Technologies Corporation (RTX) announced a successful first flight test of the new Extended Range Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM-ER) variant, marking a significant milestone in its air defense missile development program. This innovative variant represents a first-of-its-kind configuration, incorporating several advanced technologies. The AMRAAM-ER goes beyond simply building upon the existing AMRAAM’s capabilities. It represents a first-of-its-kind configuration incorporating the guidance section of the AIM-120 C-8, potentially offering enhanced targeting and precision. Additionally, the variant boasts a more robust 10-inch rocket motor from Nammo, enabling increased range and performance. Furthermore, the AMRAAM-ER integrates a 10-inch Control Actuator System (CAS) from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, branded as the Norwegian Propulsion Stack. This was done in collaboration with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) as a partner.
Middle East & Africa
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has received a generous donation of $2 million from Denmark and Japan to support its humanitarian mine action activities and operations in Ethiopia. The donation comes at a critical time, as Ethiopia faces a humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing conflict in the northern region of Tigray, which has left millions of people in need of assistance and protection.
Europe
Germany will acquire high frequency radios in a possible $281 foreign military sale approved by the US State Department. The possible foreign military sale includes AN/PRC-117 radios, AN/PRC-160 radios, spare and repair parts, support equipment, tools and test equipment, diagnostic equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor technical assistance, technical and logistics support services, logistics and program support.
Asia-Pacific
Eleven Chinese naval vessels were detected around Taiwan, Taipei’s defense ministry said on Wednesday, the highest number this year as a row between the island and China over a fatal fishing boat incident drags on. A Chinese speedboat carrying four people capsized on February 14 near Taiwan’s Kinmen islands while being pursued by the Taiwanese coast guard, throwing all on board into the water. Two of the crew died, and two others were rescued and temporarily detained in Kinmen — a territory administered by Taipei but located just five kilometers (three miles) from China’s city of Xiamen.
American company Honeywell has signed an agreement with PT Dirgantara Indonesia to provide avionics and mechanical products to a planned Black Hawk helicopter program. The memorandum of agreement, inked during the Singapore Airshow last week, includes the integration of Honeywell’s TPE331 turboprop engine into the Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk GFA-type transport helicopters. PTDI will assemble the helicopters at Bandung under a manufacturing license for the Indonesian Defense Ministry.
Today’s Video
