Americas
Tech giant DZYNE has inked a $49-million contract with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop low-cost, military-grade capabilities to boost the US unmanned fleet’s endurance and propulsion. The contract will support research and development for DZYNE’s long endurance program to create technology allowing the Air Force’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to perform ultra-long endurance missions.
Tech giant L3Harris has completed the first flight and delivery of the US Air Force’s digitally-equipped C-130H Hercules aircraft. The reworked plane received updates to its flight management systems, multifunctional displays, autopilot, terrain awareness, and warning systems.
Middle East & Africa
Bell Textron won a $13,8 million order, which provides engineering and logistics sustainment efforts in support of the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters for the Marine Corps and the government of Bahrain; production and sustainment support for the government of the Czech Republic; as well as sustainment support of domestic and Foreign Military Sales customer peculiar support equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas; and Patuxent River, Maryland, and is expected to be completed in December 2024.
Tactical Communications Group won a $9,9 million contract for a ground support system. TCG will be responsible for sustainment and maintenance of the previously acquired ground support system (GSS) to include the purchase of GSS parts and functional components to repair or expand the functional use of the GSS. Work will be performed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2027. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $4,516,266 are being obligated at time of award.
Europe
The Ukrainian military wants to procure more precise AI-upgraded Caesar wheeled artillery, said Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Lieutenant General Ivan Gavrylyuk. The upgrade is expected to improve the gun’s targeting and firing mechanisms for greater precision.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the signing of a contract with the US government for the purchase of 20 additional F-35A stealth fighter jets. The agreement, finalized on December 8, comes after Washington’s approval of the sale in September. The South Korean Air Force, currently equipped with 39 F-35A fighters following a previous procurement of 40 units from 2019 to 2022, is set to enhance its aerial capabilities with the addition of these advanced fighter jets. The decision to acquire more F-35As is a testament to South Korea’s commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture amid evolving regional security challenges.