Defense Industry Daily

Americas

The Iowa Air National Guard has repainted an F-16A static display in a gold paint scheme. This scheme replicates the F-16C that was painted in gold back in 1996 to commemorate the 185th Fighter Wing’s 50th anniversary back then. The original F-16C #85-1565 is now a QF-16 and will eventually be destroyed during live-fire training exercise.

Northrop Grumman won a $337.9 million deal, which provides researching alternatives, investigating and documenting new capabilities and anomalies related to H-1 avionics and weapons; and the development, integration, verification, validation, and testing of H-1 Integrated Avionics Systems, as well as identifies maintenance capabilities, upgrading and/or updating test equipment and other support equipment required to support the systems. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion will be in June 2027.

Middle East & Africa

The Israeli Air Force has wrapped up its investigations into an AS565 naval helicopter crash that killed both pilots on January 3. Investigators found that aluminum parts deep inside the helicopter’s engine had corroded and a turbine blade had broken off while leading to a fire. The manufacturer does the inspection of the components and this component is not part of routine checks stipulated by the helicopter’s manufacturer.

Amentum Services won a $16.9 million modification for maintenance, supply and transportation logistics support services for Army Prepositioned Stocks-5. The Army Prepositioned Stock program is a cornerstone of the Army’s ability to rapidly project power and send a clear signal of U.S. commitment. Sets of equipment, such as all the tanks and wheeled vehicles of an armored brigade combat team, are strategically prepositioned in climate controlled facilities worldwide. Work will take place in Kuwait. Estimated completion date is January 2, 2023.

Europe

Jane’s reports that France, Germany, and Sweden have agreed development of a new fixed-wing medium-lift transport aircraft. The French Ministère des Armées reported the agreement, saying that the three countries launched the Future Mid-Size Tactical Cargo (FMTC) programme during the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (AAE)-hosted French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (PFUE) European Wings event.

Asia-Pacific

A KF-21 fighter prototype was spotted undergoing ground tests at Korea Aerospace Industries’ facility near Sacheon airport, South Korea.  Located south of the country, Sacheon Airport (HIN) houses the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries, which develops and manufactures the upcoming 4.5 generation fighter jet. The 3rd Flying Training Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is also based in the vicinity of the airport.

Today’s Video

WATCH: KF-21 Boramae undergoing ground test (higher quality)

Americas

The US Air Force contracted Boeing with $14.5 million for KC-135 engineering sustainment services. The contract modification provides for recurring engineering services for sustainment of the KC-135 aircraft for one option year. Work will take place in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Florida. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2022.

Tactical Air Support won a $265.3 million deal, which provides non-recurring engineering, inspection, modification, and block upgrade efforts for 16 F-5E and six F-5F Tiger II aircraft from a Swiss Confederation configuration to a Navy/Marine Corps N+/F+ configuration. Additionally, this contract procures eight block upgrade retrofits to existing fleet aircraft. Estimated completion will be in June 2027.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey’s landmark Bayraktar Akinci attack drone successfully fired a new laser-guided missile in a recent trial. During the test, the drone took off from Corlu airfield in northwestern Turkey and flew at an average altitude of 30,000 feet (9.1 kilometers). It struck a floating target laser-marked by another Bayraktar drone flying below cloud-level.

Europe

Slovakia will sign a government-to-government deal to purchase 152 CV90 MkIV tracked infantry fighting vehicles fitted with 35mm cannons by BAE Hägglunds, the country’s ministry of defense has announced. Bratislava plans to acquire the vehicles from Sweden in an “effort to build [a] heavy mechanized brigade, and reinforce its defense and support local industry,” Slovakia’s Defence Minister Jaroslav Na? said in a tweet.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won a $192.4 million contract modification for technical engineering and management efforts for the Australia Surface Combatant program. The deal involves Foreign Military Sales to the government of Australia. Work will take place in New Jersey and Australia.

India’s Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has successfully flown for the first time. In a statement, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that the UCAV was flown by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, in the southern state of Karnataka, the same day.

Today’s Video

WATCH: F5E Tiger II Best of Aviation Documentary

Americas

Federal Contracting won a $92.4 million deal for a B-21 Combined Mission Operations Planning Facility and Field Training Detachment Facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. The B-21 is a new high-tech bomber slated to replace or complement the US Air Force’s aging fleet of B-52s, B-1s, and B-2 bombers, and represents the first new US bomber design in 30 years. As with its predecessors, it is designed to be long-range, highly survivable and capable of carrying a mix of conventional and nuclear ordnance and be a key part of the US nuclear triad. Work will take place in South Dakota. Estimated completion date is September 7, 2024.

Edwards Air Force Base will hold its first airshow for the first time in 13 years on October 15 and 16. Besides the US Air Force, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center will be participating as well. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first supersonic flight, jets from the USAF and NASA will compete to determine which will be first to go supersonic during the airshow.

Middle East & Africa

Israel’s Defense Attaché to Morocco, in addition to two IDF officers, participated as viewers in an international military exercise held in Morocco this past week. The “African Lion 2022” exercise, led by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), is the largest annual exercise held by both armies in Africa. Israel’s participation in the exercise is an additional step in strengthening the security relations between the two countries’ Defense Ministries and militaries. In addition, it constitutes a continuation of the FAR’s Counterterrorism Unit’s participation in the multinational exercise, which was held in Israel last year.

Europe

Oshkosh Defense won a $216.7 million contract modification to support fielding the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles for Foreign Military Sales. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2023. Fiscal 2020 Air Force procurement, Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Navy procurement, United States Marine Corps procurement and other procurement, Army funds; fiscal 2021 Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, and operation and maintenance, Army funds; and fiscal 2022 Air Force procurement European Deterrence, Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Navy procurement, United States Marine Corps procurement, Foreign Military Sales (Brazil, Lithuania and Montenegro), other procurement, Army, and research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Greece has signed the Letter of Request (LoR) to buy the F-35 fighter, local media reports. The letter was sent by the Greek defense ministry to Washington on June 29. Athens hopes to buy 20 aircraft with options for another 20.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $307.1 million deal by the US Army for repair and recertification of Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3 missiles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. Fiscal 2022 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) funds in the amount of $150,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award.

Today’s Video

WATCH: New B-21 Raider: The Most Feared Bomber Ever Ready to Fly

Americas

Sikorsky won a $429.2 million deal from the US Army for maintenance and overhaul of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2027.

Raytheon won a $57.9 million contract modification to exercise options and incrementally fund existing contract line items for fiscal 2022 Standard Missile-2 Block IIIC low rate initial production and spares. The SM-2 missile is a surface-to-air missile primarily intended for fleet area air defence and ship self-defense. Work will take place in Alabama and Arizona. Expected completion will be by December 2024.

Middle East & Africa

The Turkish Navy’s landing platform dock (LPD) Anadolu has started its official sea acceptance tests. Following the completion of its SATs, the future flagship of the Turkish Navy and the largest ship to be operated by the service is scheduled for commissioning in December 2022.

Europe

The Swedish government has inked a contract with Saab for two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The contract is worth $714 million and Sweden has the option to purchase another two GlobalEye. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to be in 2027.

The Swedish ambassador to Czech Republic Fredrik Jörgensen said in an interview with Seznam Správy that Czech can keep the Gripens that it leased from Sweden for free. The news comes as Czech is looking into buying 24 fighters as the lease for the Gripens will expire in 2027. According to the news report, the F-35 is the leading contender.

Asia-Pacific

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has successfully sent three satellites from Singapore into space. The main satellite is the 365 kg DS-EO satellite which has an electro-optical digital imaging payload capable of 0.5 m resolution imaging capability.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Turkish First Amphibious Assault Ship TCG Anadolu has Begins Sea Tests

Americas

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $2.3 billion deal for procurement of 120 H-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related support for fiscal years 2022-2026, including options for an additional 135 aircraft. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. With more than 2,100 H-60 variants in the US Army’s inventory, the Black Hawk remains the workhorse and backbone of US Army aviation. As the US Army continues to develop its Futura Vertical Lift (FVL) programs – in which the company competes with its Raider X and SB-1 Defiant – they will continue to operate the H-60M for decades to come and alongside its future replacements. According to the US Department of Defense publication, the contract is multi-year and firm-fixed-price, and includes the aircraft and the logistics support ecosystem. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027.

Lockheed Martin won a $13.3 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5116 for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) efforts. Work will take place in New Jersey. Expected completion will be by December 2022. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Middle East & Africa

Baykar, the Turkish manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2, will donate additional unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Ukraine, refusing to accept crowd-funded payment for the aircraft. Baykar announced the gifting of three UCAVs on June 27, saying that “The People’s Bayraktar” campaign to raise funding for the procurement should instead redirect the monies raised to “the struggling people of Ukraine”.

Djibouti has revealed itself to be an operator of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2, parading the Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at its independence day celebrations on June 27. Two Bayraktar UCAVs were showcased in a military parade to mark the 45th anniversary of independence for the east African country, with each being transported on the back of a flatbed truck.

Europe

At the recently concluded ILA Berlin Air Show, MBDA took the opportunity to unveil the Joint Fire Support Missile (JFS-M) that can be fitting inside the ammunition pods of the HIMARS or M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The company decided that a cruise missile solution is more desirable than using ballistic missiles as the latter require larger boosters.

Asia-Pacific

According to Business World, the US has reoffered to co-develop the 110-kilonewton (kn) engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). An earlier US offer in 2019 to jointly develop the fighter engine was shelved after disagreements arose over technology sharing between the two countries. The US was reluctant to share “core or hot engine technology” with India, the outlet wrote.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Joint Fire Support Missile – Growth of capability for the artillery

Americas

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services won a $12 billion deal for Integration Support Contract (ISC) 2.0. The main function of ISC 2.0 is to support the government as the lead systems integrator and augment government resources for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system systems engineering and integration and professional services. According to solicitation documents, the Integration Support Contract 2.0 covers support for Minuteman III and the next-generation ground-based strategic deterrent missile or any future ICBM weapon system developed throughout the duration of the contract. Work will take place at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by December 24, 2040.

Five RQ-4 Block 30 unmanned air vehicles assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base have been transferred to Northrop Grumman for the Sky Range program. The US Air Force says a total of 20 Global Hawks are to be transferred and four Block 20 aircraft were transferred last year.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin won a $22.1 million contract modification to procure modernized day sensor assembly kits and spares for Apache helicopters. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). It entered service with the US Army in 1984 and has been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the UK. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2024. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Egypt) funds; and fiscal 2021 and 2022 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $22,112,989 were obligated at the time of the award.

Europe

The United Kingdom has cancelled its Mosquito ‘loyal wingman’, deciding instead on a “change of direction” for the Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) programme from which it was being developed. Announced by the Ministry of Defense on June 24, the decision by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) not to take the Mosquito beyond its current design phase was decided on the basis that the desired additive capabilities can be better achieved by other means.

Asia-Pacific

A senior military officer from Japan has revealed that the Philippines and Tokyo could soon explore space and surveillance as the countries’ next areas of defense cooperation. The plan comes in response to China’s increasing military activities in the Indo-Pacific region. During his recent visit to Manila, Japan Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff Shunji Izutsu said that the sea and skies are no longer safe for either nation.

IAI says that an Asian Air Force has ordered the ELTA ELL-8222SB Scorpius-SP jammer pod. Scorpius-SP is based on AESA technology with multi-beam operation – the ability to simultaneously detect and suppress multiple threats in different directions around the aircraft. It utilizes Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) and a range of sophisticated ECM techniques, providing protection against all types of Air-to-Air (A/A) and Surface-to-Air (S/A) threats in a dense radar-guided weapons environment.

Today’s Video

WATCH: This is the $220 Million US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk Spy Plane

Americas

The US Navy awarded Raytheon $78.7 million to exercise options for additional fiscal 2022 guided missile assemblies in support of the fiscal 2021-2023 Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 full rate production requirements. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. Work will take place in Arizona, Australia, California, Canada, New Hampshire, Norway, Germany, New York, Turkey and Denmark. Estimated completion will be by March 2025.

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture won a $33.4 million contract modification for the low-rate initial production of lightweight command launch units in support of the Javelin Weapon System. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 30 2025. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has successfully doubled the Venµs satellite’s service life. In addition, IAI changed the Venµs satellite’s altitude in space, which initially decreased from its initial mission of 720km above Earth to 410km. Instead of returning the satellite to Earth and completing its mission, IAI’s engineers returned Venµs to higher altitude to continue carrying out its mission at 560km. This altitude increase allows for an addition of a new and unplanned phase in the satellite’s life.

Europe

Spain has ordered another 20 Eurofighter jets to bring its fleet to 90 aircraft. The Halcón contract will see Spain getting 16 single-seat aircraft and 4 twin-seat fighters. These jets will be equipped with e-scan radars and are intended to replace Spain’s Hornets. 48 new EJ200 engines will be bought as well. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) concluded their second Bilateral Training on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Execution exercise on June 24. In the exercise, both sides practice airdrop and ground load/offload utilizing PAF and JASDF C-130 aircraft. JASDF Chief of Staff, Gen. Izutsu Shunji, also joined a press conference held by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas on June 23.

The Pentagon has confirmed that a US Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft has flown over the Taiwan Strait on June 24. “A US Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on June 24. The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows including within the Taiwan Strait. By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” according to a statement from the Indo-Pacific Command.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Javelin Missile | How a Javelin Missile works

Americas

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control won a $130.5 million modification for the Advanced Radar Threat System – Variant 2 (ARTS-V2) systems. The contract modification is to provide for the exercise of Options 3 and 4 for an additional quantity of eight ARTS-V2 systems being produced under the basic contract. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion date is June 16, 2024. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.

Jane’s reports that Boeing sees foreign partners as potential customers for its updated MQ-25A Stingray drones. The MQ-25 UAV is designed to refuel carrier-based aircraft. The UK, France, and Italy are among allies with aircraft carriers. However, the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class carrier uses a ski-jump capability, which the MQ-25 design does not support.

Middle East & Africa

Israel has confirmed that it is part of a regional military partnership focused on addressing Iranian threats. The move is Jerusalem’s effort to bolster its defense ties with Arab nations and recalibrate Middle Eastern alliances. Beyond the US, the other countries involved in the Middle East Air Defense Alliance (MEADA) have yet to be revealed.

Europe

Cyprus will be buying six H145M armed helicopters to replace the 11 Mi-35 attack helicopters that are currently in service with the Cyprus Air Command. Lawmakers approved the down payment of $55 million for the deal in a closed-door session in June 20. Media reports say the deal is worth $147 million and includes weapons for the helicopters. Cyprus has an option to buy six more H145Ms. The eleven Mi-35s will be sold to Serbia, according to news reports.

According to Defense News, the French Army began the process of quickly procuring American-made loitering munitions as part of a longer-term effort to field remotely operated weapon systems, according to officials. The service is looking to add AeroVironment’s Switchblade to its inventory within the next six months, Col. Arnaud Goujon, the Army’s chief of plans, told reporters at the Eurosatory.

Asia-Pacific

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AGM-88E2 AARGM E2 Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $94 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to fifteen (15) AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) Guidance Sections; up to fifteen (15) AARGM Control Sections; up to fifteen (15) High Speed Anti Radiation Missiles (HARM) Rocket Motors; up to fifteen (15) HARM Warheads; and up to fifteen (15) HARM Control Sections. Also included are AGM-88E2 AARGM All Up Round (AUR) tactical missiles; AGM-88E2 AARGM Captive Air Training Missile (CATM); HARM G-Code AUR; HARM G-Code CATM; M-Code GPS receivers; containers; support and test equipment; EA-18G Growler test support; spare and repair parts; software (Classified and Unclassified); U.S. Government and contractor engineering support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total value is $94 million.

Today’s Video

WATCH: H145M firing campaign: Spike ER2 missile

Americas

Canadian government documents have disclosed that Lockheed Martin is required to deliver nine F-35s to Canada by December 1, 2027. The last aircraft will have to be delivered before December 31, 2031. The Liberal government plans to purchase 88 U.S.-built F-35s as part of a project expected to cost taxpayers between $15 billion and $19 billion. Critics of the purchase have noted, however, the full lifecycle cost for the planes is estimated at $77 billion.

According to Defense News, Argentina has kicked-started the process for procuring four Boeing-made CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from the US. Aimed at fulfilling a requirement first issued in 2011, the helicopters are intended for Army and Air Force operations, both in tactical transport and special forces support roles, as well as disaster relief and civil support.

Middle East & Africa

The Israeli Defense Forces’ Special Forces units are getting an upgrade. Israel will be purchasing new “Negeva” combat vehicles worth $28 million for their Special Forces. Israeli Deputy Director-General and the Directorate Head of Production and Procurement (DOPP) Avi Dadon signed the order for “hundreds of vehicles,” revealing that the new combat vehicles for the IDF SOF will be the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) ‘s Negeva vehicles. The contract for the purchase was signed during a ceremony at the IAI Land Division production line in Be’er Sheva. Commonly referred to as the Z-MAG and the ZD, manufacturing will be done in cooperation with Ido Cohen and The Armored Group.

Europe

German Dynamit Nobel Defense (DND), a subsidiary of Israeli defense giant Rafael, presented the final design of the RGW110 HH-T (HEAT/HESH tandem) shoulder-launched weapon, at the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition in Paris. The German website esut.de notes that the system has a new design of the grip and a spike protruding from the barrel. According to DND, the RGW110 HH-T is about to complete the company qualification, and it should be ready for series production in just over a year. The basic version intends to take over the strengths of the Panzerfaust 3-IT warhead and combine them with the ergonomics and operating concept of the RGW series.

According to a tweet by the Royal Air Force, testing started on the MESA sensor destined for the UK’s 1st E-7. The first of the E-7 Wedgetails purchased by the UK to replace the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning And Control aircraft will arrive in 2023.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea kicked off the biannual exercise Soaring Eagle on June 20. Around 70 aircraft are participating in the exercise held by the 29th Tactical Fighter Weapons Group. The theater-level “Soaring Eagle” combat training exercise is being staged over five days through Friday at the 29th Tactical Fighter Weapons Group located at an air base in the central city of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province.

Today’s Video

WATCH: This is What the E-3 Sentry Replacement Looks Like

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $20.5 million contract modification, which provides additional labor and material to incorporate production engineering change proposals that modify MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system production assets (B13-B15) to an Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 multiple intelligence configuration for the Navy. Work will take place in California, Virginia, New York, Utah, Wisconsin, North Dakota and various other locations within the continental US. Expected completion is in April 2023. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

The US Air Force will swap the A-10 mission computer with a new one from Raytheon Intelligence & Space. Common Open Secure Mission Computer will become the main central computer for the A-10C under a $46.2 million firm-fixed-price Project-Level Agreement.

Middle East & Africa

Jordan has officially signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the sale of eight new production F-16 Block 70 aircraft, Lochheed Martin announced. According to the announcement, the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) is to receive eight Block 70 aircraft to be built at Greenville in South Carolina.

Europe

Dutch State Secretary Christophe van der Maat has informed lawmakers that the Embraer C-390M will be replacing the country’s aging C-130 fleet. Five aircraft will be acquired to replace the four C-130s, delivery will begin in 2026. Van der Maat explained that the extra aircraft is necessary due to increase flying hours projected. It was also found that the C-390M can already meet the minimum requirement of 2,400 flying hours with 4 aircraft. The rival C-130J needs 5 aircraft for this.

The first Meeting of States Parties to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) will take place at the Austria Center in Vienna, Austria from 21 to 23 June 2022.   The TPNW entered into force on 22 January 2021 – the first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty in more than two decades. The TPNW contains among other things, a comprehensive set of prohibitions on participating in any nuclear weapon-related activities. This includes undertakings not to develop, test, produce, acquire, possess, stockpile, use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. The Treaty also prohibits the deployment of nuclear weapons on national territory as well as the provision of assistance to any State in the conduct of prohibited activities.

Asia-Pacific

Australia has sent the first four of a planned 14 M113AS4 Armored Personnel Carriers being donated to Ukraine. The armored vehicles were loaded onto a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 aircraft and took off from Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley last week, the Australian Department of Defense announced on Sunday.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Royal Netherlands Air Force to Replace C-130H Hercules fleet with C-390M Millennium

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $458 million deal for fiscal 2022-2026 shipyard field operations, program management, systems engineering, documentation, logistics and hardware production activities in support of the Columbia and Dreadnought Fleet Ballistic Missile Program. The contract action contains option line items. Work will take in California, Washington, Florida, Maryland, Georgia and the UK. Work will take place in November 30, 2027.

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won a $62 million deal for fiscal 2022 AEGIS modernization, DDG new construction, and Frigate new construction production requirements. Work will take in New Jersey and Florida. Estimated completion will be by September 2025.

Middle East & Africa

An Iranian F-14A has crashed on June 18 after suffering engine issues near the city of Isfahan. Both pilots ejected safely, local media reports say. The pilots were taken to a local hospital. It said there was a technical failure in the engine of the Grumman F-14 Tomcat that led to the crash.

Lockheed Martin won a $13. 9 million deal for Apache helicopter refurbishment. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas, which is now Boeing. It entered service with the US Army in 1984 and has been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the UK. Work will take place in Arizona with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2024. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement, Army; and 2010 Foreign Military Sales to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom funds in the amount of $13,883,140 were obligated at the time of the award. The US. Army Contracting Command is the contracting activity.

Europe

One of the two Hermes 900 in service with the Swiss Armed Forces has made its maiden flight in Switzerland on June 15. Designated as ADS 15, the first aircraft to go airborne, registration D-14, flew for 70 minutes with a Swiss pilot at the controls. The other aircraft, D-11, is expected to be flight tested soon and both will be transferred to the Swiss Air Force later this year. Delivery of four more ADS 15 will commence in 2023.

Asia-Pacific

China unveiled its first homegrown aircraft carrier on Friday, a vessel with advanced aircraft launch technology similar to its US counterparts, in an event designed to symbolize the country’s expanding military might. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai, officials unveiled the Type 003 warship, called “Fujian” according to the country’s defense ministry and state media.

Today’s Video

WATCH: China launches its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian

Americas

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) published a request for information on June 14 seeking industry feedback on a concept to wirelessly recharge unmanned air vehicles using a high-powered laser mounted on an external pod. Agency officials want industry feedback on the possibility of retrofitting aerial refueling aircraft like the Air Force’s KC-46 and KC-135 with “an underwing power beaming pod” to wirelessly recharge a fleet of unmanned aerial systems. The benefits of having drones recharge their batteries in mid-air include extended range and having small energy storage capacities.

The installation of AN/APG-83 radars on 72 Air National Guard F-16s across nine bases in the United States has been completed. “The completion of these deliveries highlights Northrop Grumman’s continued commitment to rapidly field 5th generation radar capability to the fleet to counter and defeat increasingly sophisticated threats to our nation and its allies,” said Mark Rossi, director, SABR programs, Northrop Grumman.

Middle East & Africa

Nir-Or, an Israeli company that designs, develops, manufactures and integrates electronic systems and products for land, air, and sea military applications, is launching a new product with another Israeli company, Axon-Vision, which develops AI for the defense sector. The two companies presented the EdgeRCWS, an AI system for Next-Generation Remotely Controlled Weapon Stations (NG RCWS).at the Eurosatory.

Europe

Germany has signed a statement of intent to join the Finnish-led Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) programme, Patria writes in a press release. The official joining agreement is due to be signed before the end of 2022. Germany will be the fifth country to join the first stage of the multinational cooperation. Finland, Latvia and Estonia entered into the programme in 2019 and Sweden in 2021. In the scope of the programme, Patria is responsible for system development.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea intends to test-fire the SM-2 air defense missile interceptor from two warships during RIMPAC 2022 next month. Korean Herald reports that Sejong the Great and Munmu the Great destroyers will each fire one missile off Hawaii.

Charlie Battery, 1-1 ADA (Air Defense Artillery), 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade based in Japan successfully destroyed a cruise missile target using two PAC-3 air defense missile interceptors on June 15 in Palau. This is the first time the Patriot missile has been fired from Palau and the second time the US conduct such live-firing of the Patriot missile west of the International Date Line. According to the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, targeting data was provided from an F-35.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Anti-ship Missile SM-2 in Action . US Navy Missile Launch Compilation | MFA

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $15 million contract modification, which provides additional labor and material to incorporate production engineering change proposals that modify MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system production assets to an Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 multiple intelligence configuration for the Navy and the government of Australia. Work will take place in California, New York, North Dakotaand various locations within the continental. Expected completion will be in April 2025

The Air Force contracted Lockheed Martin with $450 million for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) production support. The contract will provide lifecycle support for all efforts related to JASSM in the areas of system upgrades, integration, production, sustainment, management and logistical support. Work will take place in Florida. Expected completion date is June 10, 2027.

Middle East & Africa

The Israel Ministry of Defense will begin testing a robotic unmanned vehicle (M-RCV Medium Robotic Combat Vehicle), developed by the Ministry’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), the Tank and APC Directorate, and Israeli security industries. The robotic combat vehicle was unveiled at Elbit Systems’ pavilion at the Eurosatory Defense and Security Exhibition. The vehicle includes a new robotic platform type BLR-2 made by BL, a 30 mm autonomous turret developed by the Tank and APC Directorate for the “Eitan” APC, Elbit’s “Iron Fist” Active Protection System, fire control and mission management systems, and robotic autonomous kit, in addition to situation awareness systems.

Jane’s reports that the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) released a photograph on June 11. The picture showed a Cobra II 4×4 armoured vehicle made by the Turkish company Otokar deployed in Mozambique. The RDF did not explicitly identify the vehicle as one of its assets, but the photograph was one of four it released showing a Mozambican delegation visiting Rwandan forces in the northern districts of Mocímboa da Praia and Palma.

Europe

Sweden has committed to buying more Archer 155mm mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, having signed a letter of intent at the Paris-based defense exhibition Eurosatory this week. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and BAE Systems Bofors took the first step to establish an additional artillery battalion in line with Sweden’s defense strategy, which runs through 2025.

Asia-Pacific

The last four F-16s that Taiwan is transferring back home from Luke Air Force Base have touched down on the island on June14. The F-16s landed at Hualien Air Force Base in eastern Taiwan around 3:40 p.m., a military official familiar with the matter told CNA.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Swedish Armed Forces demonstrate the Archer Artillery System in the USA

Bofors Archer system
(click to view full)

BAE Systems Bofors’ Archer is a light, air-portable, and highly automated 155/52 light mobile artillery system. Archer began as a Swedish project, administered by their FMV procurement agency. Funding was provided for system development and some initial production, but the project’s future had been shadowed by anemic Swedish defense budgets.

In May 2007, however, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Norway’s FLO procurement agency, which evolved into a joint production venture. Just as initial production moved the Archer system from concept to imminent reality, however, Norway left the program. Why?

The Archer System

Archer
click for video

Archer belongs in the same class as Nexter’s Caesar (France), Denel’s G6 (South Africa), and Soltam’s Atmos-2000 and Rascal (Israel).

The Archer system mounts BAE Systems’ FH77-B05 155mm/ 52 caliber cannon on a modified Volvo commercial A30E 6×6 all-terrain articulated truck, which has been militarized to add armor and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection. Road speed is up to 70 km/h, with a cruising range of up to 500 km. The entire system weighs 33.1t / 36.5 tons.

BONUS shells

Automation ensures that the crew can fire the gun within 20 seconds of arriving in position, and without leaving the cabin. The magazine holds 21 shells, which can all be fired in an intensive 3.5 minute volley that includes multiple simultaneous impact targeting for groupings of up to 6 shells. Continuous fire is only 54 rounds in 35 minutes, and is regulated by barrel temperatures and reloading speed. The system can hit targets with great accuracy at ranges up to 50 km/ 31 miles, using rocket-boosted Excalibur GPS-guided shells. Conventional 155mm fire can reach to 40 km/ 24.85 miles, and Bofors and Nexter’s BONUS anti-tank shells can reach to 35 km/ 21.75 miles.

Ammunition resupply involves an armored truck or other vehicle equipped with a modified standard container. Full reloading takes about 10 minutes using integrated lifting equipment, and it’s the only time the crew needs to be outside the system.

M151 on Stryker, Mosul
(click to view full)

Under the Swedish-Norwegian co-development agreement, Archer will use Kongsberg’s popular M151 Protector remote-controlled weapon/ surveillance turret for close-in self defense. This continues in force despite Norway’s withdrawal from the program.

System Design and Development was scheduled to continue until 2009-2010, at which point the Swedish and Norwegian governments had an option to buy up to 24 Archers each at a pre-set price. That option was exercised in March 2010, with delivery supposed to take place from October 2011 – 2013, but the 1st delivery didn’t arrive until September 2013. After Norway’s withdrawal, production deliveries won’t begin until 2016.

Even late as it was, that 2013 delivery was an important milestone for the Archer project. The big break will come at the end of testing and acceptance, whereupon the Archer will become a proven competitor in the light-to-medium mobile artillery market.

Contracts and Key Events 2011 – 2022

Norway withdraws; RWS contracts to Kongsberg; 1st delivery happens, but it’s late.

Archer
(click to view full)

June 16/22: Letter Of Intent Sweden has committed to buying more Archer 155mm mobile howitzers from BAE Systems, having signed a letter of intent at the Paris-based defense exhibition Eurosatory this week. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration and BAE Systems Bofors took the first step to establish an additional artillery battalion in line with Sweden’s defense strategy, which runs through 2025.

September 29/15: BAE Systems delivered the first serial production Archer artillery systems to the Swedish Armed Forces on Monday, following delivery of pre-serial systems in September 2013 and an initial batch of 24 Archers in 2007.

June 17/14: Sweden’s FMV concluded an amended contract with BAE Bofors AB, following Norway’s withdrawal. Final deliveries will now begin in early 2016, and continue at approximately 2 systems a month. Financial terms weren’t addressed.

Meanwhile, Swedish reservists are beginning to train with the system. Sources: FMV, “Nytt leveransavtal for Archer” and “Ovning med Archer”.

Amended contract

June 3/14: Update. Sweden’s FMV explains what’s going on with Archer:

“The Archer development project, like many complex projects at the leading edge of technology, has suffered delays. However, FMV was still able to handover the first systems to the Swedish Armed Forces in the autumn of 2013. Shortly afterwards the Norwegian Ministry of Defence announced that they wished to withdraw from the project.

With the disappearance of the 24 Norwegian systems from the order, there is a risk that the long-term costs will increase for the Swedish Armed Forces. At present, during the spring of 2014, FMV is negotiating with representatives from Norway with the aim of finding a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.”

The problem is that if the extra costs are high enough, Sweden’s FMV has more incentive to dispute Norwegian claims of breach of contract. They’re looking for a balance where Norway pays something, without having to turn this into a chancy, costly, and grudge-inducing legal dispute. Sources: Swedish FMV, “International Collaboration”.

Dec 6/13: Norway out. Norway pulls out of the Archer project, claiming non-performance to contract terms. They haven’t received any guns yet, despite a contract that was supposed to have delivered all 24 by the end of 2013. Norway also claims unspecified failures to meet operational requirements, per the contract. This is important, because Norway will be responsible for significant cancellation fees if they can’t show a major breach of contract.

Sweden’s FMV responds that Archer offers equal or better performance vs. competitors at a lower price, and has found the balance it needs between protection and weight. Which may be true, but won’t change the legal issues.

Sweden’s FMV also announces it will pursue the acquisition on its own. Norway and Sweden will still cooperate on other elements of the program, including the ARTHUR artillery locating radar, ODIN fire control system, ammunition, education and training. Sources: Norway Forsvarsdepartementet, “Norge avslutter kontrakten om artillerisystemet Archer” | Swedish FMV, “Norge bryter samarbetet kring Archer”.

Norway out

Sept 23/13: Delivery. BAE Bofors delivers the 1st Archer artillery systems to Sweden’s FMV procurement agency. Source: FMV, “FMV tar emot leverans av de första Archerpjäserna”.

1st delivery

Dec 21/11: RWS. Norwegian and Swedish sign an NOK 960 million (about $162 million) umbrella contract for Protector “Nordic” Remote Weapon Stations, as an extension of the Jan 31/11 agreement. The initial order is NOK 380 million (about $64.2 million), and includes systems for both the Norwegian and Swedish Defence Forces. They will equip Archer vehicles, as well as other vehicle types chosen by each military.

Because the RWS systems have uses beyond the Archer program, DID will not be covering individual orders as they arise. Kongsberg | UPI.

RWS umbrella contract

Jan 31/11: Sweden RWS. Kongsberg announces an NOK 80 million Swedish order for Protector remote weapon stations. It’s part of the PROTECTOR Nordic program, where Sweden and Norway in cooperation will procure the same RWS configuration for use throughout their platforms.

208 – 2010

Swedish-Norwegian agreement, followed by final development funding and the purchase of 48 systems.

Ready.
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March 26/10: +48. BAE Systems announces a GBP 135 million ($200 million) contract to commence series production of 48 Archer systems and their associated ammunition handling systems for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces. This contract represents the initial production option at the end of the System Design & Development phase.

The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011, and production will continue over the following 2 years. FMV [in Swedish] | BAE Systems.

Archer production

Aug 24/09: Sweden OK. The Swedish government gives the green light to an initial order for 24 Archer artillery pieces. They will join Norway’s planned purchase of 24 Archer systems, which was approved by the Norwegian Stortinget shortly before mid-summer 2009. This is not yet a contract. defpro.

June 7-15/09: Prototypes. Sweden’s FMV procurement agency confirms that the first Archer prototype rolled out from Bofors this week, adding:

“Project Archer has previously had two experimental pieces which, for an untrained eye, might look like prototypes. The experimental pieces aim was to test and develop the idea of a wheeled autonomous artillery system and test the new technology in different environments and contexts and in particular to develop methods for the use of artillery. The result of testing and development is now in a final phase… Then there are still some developments, there will be some differences on the prototype one and two. The cab of the prototype which has not, for example, the same protection as the cab at the prototype two and on the next series of products.”

Archer P1 has the Swedish configuration and Archer P2 will be the Norwegian configuration. The 2 prototypes will be verified and completed in spring 2010, with the first production delivery to Sweden and Norway scheduled to begin in 2011.

Jan 15/09: BAE Systems announces a $70 million contract to finalize the development of the Archer artillery system for the Swedish and Norwegian armed forces. This order consists of final development of the self propelled gun, development of ammunition handling system and modular charges.

Construction of a final prototype gun is expected to be complete by September 2009. As part of the contract, both governments hold an option to purchase 24 Archer systems each (total: 48), that can be exercised by September 2009.

Final Archer development

Nov 4/08: The Swedish FMV defense procurement agency announces that intensified cooperation agreements were signed at the end of October 2008 by FMV’s Hakan Espmark and the FLO’s Asle Kjelsberg. Additional joint agreements are in the pipeline for 2009: one for Archer procurement, one regarding a joint control and management system for indirect fire, one for joint maintenance approaches, and one in the field of artillery ammunition.

FMV and FLO will begin joint negotiations with BAE Systems Bofors on the assignment to complete development and delivery.

Swedish – Norwegian agreement

Additional Readings

• Swedish FMV – This is Archer.

• Swedish Forsvarsmakten – Archer [in Swedish].

• BAE Systems – Archer datasheet [PDF].

• Army Guide – Archer.

• DID – GPS-guided shells: The New Excaliburs.

• Nexter – BONUS target detection anti-tank shell.

Americas

Raytheon proposed an upgrade to the main sensor of the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). The company is offering the GhostEye MR radar for the air defense missile system. “With the addition of GhostEye MR, we extend battlespace coverage to the full kinematic envelope, or reachable area, of the AMRAAM?ER effector,” said Lindsay Viana, director of ground?based air defense on Raytheon Missiles & Defense’s Requirements and Capabilities team.

Defense News reports that Lockheed Martin is evaluating how its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile can be configured for mobile, short-range air defense. “It’s a concept we have. We think it will have applicability to a number of platforms,” Rita Flaherty, the company’s vice president for strategy and business operations within its Missiles and Fire Control sector was quoted as saying.

Middle East & Africa

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled its latest tactical multi-mission, multi-sensor system: the Green Lotus Designed to provide high performance Counter-Rocket, Artillery & Mortar (C-RAM) and Air & Ground Surveillance capabilities to maneuvering as well as stationary forces, the Green Lotus features a unique array of active and passive sensors that maximize situational awareness and countermeasures efficiency. The Green Lotus integrates a proven range of IAI-ELTA’s sensors into a highly automated system that detects, tracks, classifies, and identifies aerial targets, from very low Radar Cross Section (RCS) mortar, rocket and artillery fire and small drones, to manned and unmanned fixed and rotary wing aircraft. It also performs ground surveillance, detecting and tracking vehicles and slow-moving personnel.

Europe

Poland is to procure Leonardo AW149, after having previously discounted the medium-twin utility helicopter in favor of other types. Polish Minister of National Defense, Mariusz B?aszczak, made the announcement as part of wider defense procurement spending. The procurement will meet a long-standing requirement for a multimission helicopter.

HNLMS Groningen will become the first of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s (RNLN’s) four Holland-class patrol ships to receive a hull vane modification. Wageningen-based manufacturer Hull Vane BV announced that the stern-mounted underwater structure, which acts like a hydrofoil to convert energy from the stern wave and ship motions into forward thrust, had been handed over on June 8 at Den Helder naval base. Installation on Groningen will be undertaken as part of an upkeep period scheduled for early 2023.

Asia-Pacific

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Thailand’s prime minister on Monday as part of an effort to strengthen what Austin says is Washington’s “unparalleled network of alliances and partnerships” in the region. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also defense minister, also met Austin last month in Washington.

Today’s Video

WATCH: GhostEye® MR: advanced medium-range radar for NASAMS

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $53.1 million modification, which adds scope for non-recurring engineering, delivery and installation of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Pilot Training and Maintainer Training technical refresh hardware. Work will take place in Florida and Texas. Estimated completion date is January 2025. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

The aerospace firms of Korea Aerospace Industries and Lockheed Martin have inked a “Teaming Agreement” on June 9 to jointly design, produce and promote an improved model of FA-50 in order to compete in the US market. The US Air Force and the US Navy plan to introduce about 280 and 220 units of new fighter trainers, respectively, in around 2024 and 2025.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli company Plasan, which operates globally in the area of survivability for land, air and naval platforms for the defense market, is revealing its new vehicle, the Wilder, at the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition currently taking place in Paris. According to the company announcement, the Wilder provides Stanag 4569 Level 2 protection for 4 people in a compact package weighing just 3.7t and offering a full 800kg of payload.

Europe

Hungary’s 2023 budget bill reached the country’s parliament on June 7. The draft budget’s allocation to the Ministry of Defense is $1.9 billion, a 28.3% nominal and 31.7% real cut compared to this year’s budget. This is largely due to a 92% fall in the ‘accumulation budget’ for the Hungarian Defense Forces, which is linked to the Zyrinyi 2026 defence development programme.

Russian troops forced Ukraine’s units out of central Severodonetsk, a strategically vital city in Ukraine’s eastern, the Ukrainian military said on Monday as Putin’s forces increasingly press forward in the Donbas region. On Sunday, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Ukrainian troops were fighting for “every meter” of Severodonetsk and pleaded to international partners for “modern missile defense systems.”

Asia-Pacific

Australia’s deputy prime minister and defense minister, Richard Marles, has said on the weekend, that China’s military buildup must be accompanied by transparency and reassurances to its neighbours or risk triggering an arms race. Speaking in Singapore at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Marles laid out a vision of economic cooperation balanced with military deterrence, but sounded a warning about militarisation in the Asia Pacific.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Plasan WILDER – Ultra Light Armored Vehicle

Americas

L3Harris won a maximum $13 million firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Army Chinook CH-47 helicopter spare parts production and repair. The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a tandem rotor helicopter. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Performance completion date is June 8, 2027.

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $40.7 million order, which provides Full Scale Fatigue Test (FSFT) and Effects of Defects (EoD) for the Triton MQ-4C unmanned aircraft system, to include testing, analyzing, and documenting the results of both the FSFT and EoD test, as well as identifying post-test activities in order to fully verify and validate fatigue and damage tolerance requirement of the performance based system specification. The order provides Full Scale Fatigue Test (FSFT) and Effects of Defects (EoD) for the Triton MQ-4C unmanned aircraft system, to include testing, analyzing, and documenting the results of both the FSFT and EoD test, as well as identifying post-test activities in order to fully verify and validate fatigue and damage tolerance requirement of the performance based system specification. Work will take place in California, Kansas, Canada and New York. Estimated completion will be by February 2028.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has disclosed the development of a sixth-generation evolution of its Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) multi-purpose, multiplatform man-in-the-loop precision-guided missile system. The current Mk 5 variant Spike NLOS features a gimballed dual-mode charged coupled device (CCD) TV/uncooled imaging infrared (IIR) terminal guidance sensor package, coupled with an embedded inertial navigation system/inertial measure unit (INS/IMU) mid-course navigation, and an encrypted radio frequency (RF) two-way datalink delivering real-time video imagery.

Europe

British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, an aircraft carrier functioning as NATO command ship, has arrived in Spain. According to the Royal Navy, the HMS Prince of Wales is currently the lead vessel in NATO’s Response Force – which can be deployed anywhere at short notice to react to world events – and has stopped in Rota on Spain’s west coast ahead of joint training led by Spain.

The UK Ministry of Defense plans to develop a weapons demonstrator that can operate at hypersonic speed. The plan is part of a $2.5 billion in research funding for programs that provide “generation-after-next” military capabilities between 2022 and 2026. The ministry stated that the cutting-edge weapons demonstrator would help the British military deter future threats without providing specific details.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department has given the green light to a proposed sale of $120 million in ship spare parts, ship system spare parts, and related equipment to Taiwan, the fourth Taipei-bound arms package approved under US President Joe Biden. According to a statement released by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Wednesday, the proposed sale will include unclassified spare and repair parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance, US government and contractor representative technical and logistical support, and other related elements of logistical and program support requested by Taiwan.

Today’s Video

WATCH: RAFAEL Unveils the 6th Generation SPIKE NLOS Missile

Americas

General Dynamics won a $133.2 million deal for MK80 series general purpose tritonal bomb components. The Mark 80 series are the primary US GP bombs. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2023.

Boeing won a $30,7 million modification, which exercises an option to procure 63 Distributed Targeting Processor – Networked (DTP-N) B-kits (32 for the Navy and 31 for the government of Australia); and 56 DTP-N A1-kits (32 for the Navy and 24 for the government of Australia), as well as DTP-N cyber security support data deliveries in support of DTP-N full rate production to implement anti-surface warfare capability in the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft.  Work will take place in St Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in September 2024.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli developer SpearUAV is unveiling the encapsulated Ninox 103 Sub-to-Air loitering UAS, which – according the company –  for the first time enables launch of sub-marine drones into the air, providing immediate beyond-line-of-sight situational awareness. Designed for undetectable, underwater launch, and focusing on existing operational needs, SpearUAV notes that the Ninox 103 sub-to-air is an autonomous AI-based system. Intuitive and easy to operate, it provides the most effective way for submarines, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and other underwater platforms to gain instant aerial capabilities, supporting various missions, including those of Special Forces, reconnaissance, and joint-force operations.

Europe

The UK Ministry of Defense has launched a Science and Technology Portfolio, supported by more than &2.5 billion worth of investment, the MoD announced on June 7. According to the MoD, the new portfolio plans to work with academia and British industry to accelerate cutting-edge research and development (R&D) of generation-after-next military capabilities.

Germany will increase its buy of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime multimission aircraft (MMA) as part of a wider increase in the national defence budget. Kommandeur Marineflieger, Sea Captain Thorsten Bobzin, confirmed the additional purchase in early June, which will happen in the context of Germany’s recently announced $107 billion Söndervermögen (special fund) uplift in defense spending.

Asia-Pacific

According to Janes, Thailand has initiated MS20 configuration upgrades to its fleet of SAAB JAS 39 Gripen C/D multirole combat fighters. A spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) said to the news site that the “MS20 system improvement plan is currently in progress and the planned improvements are expected to be completed by 2025”.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Super Hornet: The Most Lethal Fighter Jet in the World

Americas

Bath Iron Works won a $54.6 million contract modification to exercise options for accomplishment of lead yard support for the DDG 51 class guided missile destroyer program. The DDG 51 class guided missile destroyers are warships that provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. The majority of work will take place in Maine. Estimated completion will be by June 2023.

Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, chief of US Navy Reserve, told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Defense subcommittee that the Reserve’s number one equipment priority is to buy the C-130J to replace the aging C-130T. The Reserve now operates 19 C-130Ts and 11 KC-130Ts in five fleet logistics support squadrons and the average age is about 30 years.

Middle East & Africa

General Robotics, an Israeli developer of light and smart remote control weapon stations is set to introduce the latest version of its PITBULL Remote Control Weapons Stations (RCWS), with enhanced AI-driven capabilities, which will enable armored vehicles and unmanned platforms to gain substantial improvement in situational awareness, response rate, and firepower. The new system will be revealed at the Eurosatory 2022 Exhibition, which will take place at Paris in mid-June.

Europe

The Portuguese Navy is planning to design and build an offshore multi-purpose surface ship dedicated to deploying unmanned surface vessels (USVs), unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The local development and construction of the multifunctional naval platform was formally approved by the Council of Ministers on for a maximum amount of $101 million between 2023 and 2025, with funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the European Union.

Asia-Pacific

The Pacific Air Forces announced that Cope West 22 will take place from June 17-24 at Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base, Malang, Indonesia. The 374th Airlift Wing will send two C-130s from Yokota Air Base, Japan. Indonesia will be represented with two C-130s and its crew.

According to Nikkei, Japan plans to work with the United States to develop an armed drone for flights along with manned aircraft. The drone will fly in front of the manned aircraft, receiving instructions from the pilot or remote command center and receiving terrain and weather estimates from its artificial intelligence. It will be equipped with early detection technology for missiles and aircraft and anti-missile weapons.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Nothing Can Kill the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer

Americas

Raytheon won a $52 million delivery order for the improved Bradley acquisition system Commander’s Viewer Unit. The Bradley fighting vehicle system is manufactured by BAE Systems Land & Armaments (formerly United Defence) and includes the M2 infantry fighting vehicle and the M3 cavalry fighting vehicle. The new Improved Bradley Acquisition System (IBAS) Block 2 includes enhanced capabilities to improve operational efficiencies and lethality and provides life-cycle cost and reliability improvements. The most notable enhancement to IBAS is the high definition high resolution color imagery. The performance completion date is March 31, 2026. Using military service is Army.

Army soldiers in Alaska were issued new unit patches Monday as the service activated the long-dormant 11th Airborne Division, part of a sweeping reorganization aimed at prioritizing operations in the Arctic Region. The new division — led by the former Army Alaska commander Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler — will focus almost solely on Arctic and cold-weather combat operations amid the Pentagon’s renewed interest in challenging Russian and Chinese ambitions in the far North.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey showcased its Karg? kamikaze drone for the first time during exercise EFES-2022. The drone is a product made by Lentatek. Powered by a PG50 engine from TUSA? Engine Industries (TEI), it is expected to replace the IAI Harpy. The ground systems, navigation and automatic flight control system design and production were all developed domestically, as was the system’s software.

Israeli company Aeronautics Group introduced the Trojan, an Unmanned Hover Plane (UHP), which bridges the gap between the need to hover and the need to reach long ranges. According to Aeronautics, the system’s capabilities support challenging operational missions while simultaneously performing point-to-multipoint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), thereby creating a solution for versatile and dynamic environments, and achieving Wide-Area-Persistent-Surveillance (WAPS). The system’s multi-platform architecture utilizes multiple sensors, together with advanced analytics capabilities, to ensure accurate, reliable, real-time situational awareness.

Europe

The French Navy’s first Suffren Class (Barracuda) nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), Suffren (S 635) , was commissioned into service during a ceremony held in Brest on June 3. This was disclosed by French Minister of Defense Sébastien Lecornu has announced on his official Twitter account.

Asia-Pacific

The government of India has approved the procurement of military equipment and state-of-the-art platforms worth $9.8 billion from local defense firms. The country’s top procurement body issued an acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the multibillion-dollar military equipment proposal. India’s procurement rules indicate that the AoN is the first step towards buying military hardware.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Barracuda ClassSubmarine vs Astute Class Submarine Comparison