Americas
The United States Air Force (USAF) F-22 Raptor made its debut at Exercise Pitch Black, Australia’s largest air warfare exercise. Deployed from Kadena Air Base, Japan, a contingent of six F-22s integrated seamlessly with a diverse array of allied aircraft, demonstrating the platform’s interoperability and combat capabilities. Lt. Col. Ryan Nickell, commander of the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, highlighted the exercise as an invaluable opportunity to operate alongside partners from both NATO and the Asia-Pacific region. The expansive Australian airspace provided an ideal environment for the Raptors to showcase their full performance envelope.
Ottawa-based WR Davis Engineering has received a supply chain contract to support the development of Canada’s future River-class guided missile destroyers. The $21.6-million deal stipulates the design and implementation of the warships’ full engine intake and exhaust system and its corresponding infrared suppression capabilities.
Middle East & Africa
Northrop Grumman won a $50 million contract for F-16 System Program Office Foreign Military Sales support. This contract provides for the repair and return of F-16 radar (AN/APG-68 version 9) components for 11 foreign military sales countries. Work will be performed at Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by July 30, 2030. This contract involves foreign military sales to Chile, Iraq, Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Pakistan, Türkiye, Indonesia, Oman, Thailand, and Poland. The Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, F-16 Foreign Military Sales Contracting, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.
Europe
The Netherlands has formalized a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LoA) to purchase Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER). This agreement solidifies the Netherlands as the fifth international customer for the advanced long-range strike weapon. The JASSM-ER, renowned for its precision and extended range, will significantly enhance the Netherlands’ air-to-ground capabilities. The weapon system’s ability to engage high-value, heavily defended targets from a safe distance will provide the Dutch fighter fleet with a critical advantage.
Asia-Pacific
Taiwan has partnered with American aerospace firm RapidFlight to explore the potential of 3D additive manufacturing in rapidly producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The move aims to establish a drone production line that utilizes cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and processes in the face of increasing threats from China. According to RapidFlight, additive manufacturing results in lower production costs and helps reduce the storage footprint of UAVs by a “factor of 10.”