Americas
Lockheed Martin won a $19 million modification for the procurement of material modification kits, and special test and tooling equipment necessary to support F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft retrofit and modification efforts for the Air Force, Marines, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in August 2027. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311) is close to declaring Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the F-35C Lightning II, marking a significant milestone for the squadron and the US Marine Corps. Based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, VMFA-311 is one of only two squadrons in the Marine Corps operating the F-35C variant, designed specifically for carrier operations. The squadron has successfully met the rigorous training, personnel, equipment, and aircraft number requirements to achieve IOC. The unit, boasting a rich history dating back to the 1940s and including notable figures like Ted Williams and John Glenn, is now at the forefront of naval aviation.
Middle East & Africa
The US State Department has approved a possible $2.8 billion foreign military sale of logistics and sustainment systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. US Congress was notified of the possible sale of System Logistics and Sustainment Support and related elements of logistics and program support, by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on July 23. The possible sale includes follow-on logistics support and services, Joint Mission Planning Software hardware and support, KIV-77/78 cryptographic devices and support, spares and repair parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support, calibration support and test equipment, ground and personnel equipment, classified and unclassified software and software support, classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services.
Europe
The Department of State has approved a possible foreign military sale of 196 Guided Bomb Unit-53/B Small Diameter Bombs-Increment II All-Up-Rounds to the government of Belgium. At an estimated cost of $115 million, the transaction will also include training, repair, maintenance, software, munitions, transportation, logistics and other program support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday. The proposed sale will support US foreign policy goals and national security objectives by enhancing the security of the NATO ally. It will bolster Belgium’s ability to address current and future threats by maintaining its F-35 fleet in combat-ready status and providing a credible deterrent to regional threats.
Asia-Pacific
Australia is still considering equipping its MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones with lethal payloads to support combat missions. This comes following local media reports that said the government had already ruled out making its MQ-28 a “killer drone.” Defense industry minister Pat Conroy told Breaking Defense that the plan is still underway, though they are focusing on installing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) payloads for now.
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