Defense Industry Daily

The United States intends to test-fire the Patriot air defense missile system in Palau on June 15, the island’s ambassador to Washington D.C. has disclosed. The 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, from Okinawa will be deployed to Palau for this event. The firing is part of Exercise Valiant Shield which will involve Palau and Micronesia for the first time this year. The Patriot unit is to be deployed at Airai, according to Island Times.

Laurel Technologies Partnership won an $12 million deal for production of Launch Control Unit (LCU) MK 235 Mod 17 and Mod 18 and associated components in support of the MK 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The LCUs are used to select and issue prelaunch and launch commands to selected missiles in the VLS. Work will take place in Pennsylvania. Expected completion will be by July 2023.

Gürcan Okumu?, manager of Tubitak SAGE, says mass production of the company’s Bozok laser-guided munition has started. He added that a new penetrating warhead has been developed for Bozok and will undergo testing. The range of the weapon has been extended from 8 to 15km.

Britain said it will mirror the United States and send long-range missile systems to Ukraine, defying warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin against supplying Kyiv with the advanced weapons. The UK Ministry of Defence said London had coordinated closely with Washington over its gift of the multiple-launch rocket systems, known as MLRS, to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

Sweden has joined Finland and Latvia in the research and development of 6×6 armored vehicles based on shared requirements of the participating countries. The participation of Sweden in the initiative will allow the country to have access to the work results.

The Azerbaijani Armed Forces will adopt cutting-edge technologies developed by Turkish software company HAVELSAN. The development was announced following the TEKNOFEST Azerbaijan Aerospace and Technology Festival conducted in Baku last week. According to HAVELSAN official Mehmet Akif Nacar, the company has been doing business in Azerbaijan over the last two years, which includes providing support to the modernization efforts of the country’s military.

WATCH: MiG 41 fighter jet | How far has it been built?

C4 Planning Solutions won a $236.7 million contract for the procurement of services to support Tactical Systems Support 3 (TSS-3). The TSS-3 contract will be used to issue task orders to provide professional engineering support services to provide US forces worldwide with continuous support of fielded tactical command, control, communications, computers and intelligence (C4I) programs of record to ensure that Marines can successfully set up and operate fielded C4I tactical systems. Work will take place in California, Japan, North Carolina, Germany, Washington DC and Louisiana. The period of performance for the base award is from June 23, 2022, through March 6, 2027.

A-10s will be landing on a highway in Michigan on June 28 as part of Exercise Northern Agility 22-1. The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) will also land an MC-12W and one U-28A aircraft during the event. An MQ-9 from the North Dakota ANG’s 119th Wing will be flying overhead to provide overwatch. Last year, A-10s from Michigan ANG landed on M-32 near Alpena as part of Exercise Northern Strike. This year, the A-10s will practice hot refueling and weapons loading while on the ground.

Israeli company BIRD Aerosystems will unveil two new products at the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition, which will take place on Mid-June in Paris: Hybrid-Eye, an advanced hybrid detection system that enhances the protection of armored vehicles and µMPR, a miniature airborne radar for ground and maritime border surveillance.

A series of “first-ever” events took place during the recently concluded Neptune Shield 2022 exercise. The Super Hornet from USS Harry S. Truman carried out the first aerial refueling of a Spanish AV-8B and Italian F-35B.

The Australian Department of Defence has released a press statement on June 5 saying that a Chinese J-16 fighter carried out a dangerous maneuver to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8 maritime patrol aircraft in South China Sea on May 26. Media reports in Australia provided more details on the incident. The fighter first approach the side of the P-8 and release flares. It then cut across the nose of the P-8 and release chaff. Some chaff were sucked into the engines of the P-8. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he is aware of the incident and the government is concerned about this incident.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has inked a deal with Hyundai Rotem to acquire an unspecified number of wheeled command post vehicles (CPVs). The contract worth $44.7 million – enables Hyundai Rotem to start mass-producing the CPVs, with deliveries to battalion and higher-level units within the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC) to start from 2023.

WATCH: China’s New J-16 Electronic Warfare Fighter Shocked The World

South-east Welding & Manufacturing won a $1.2 billion deal for complex repair, maintenance and modernization requirements of non-nuclear Navy Surface Combatant (CG, DDG, and AMPHIB) class ships homeported in or visiting San Diego, California, homeport. These efforts consist of Chief of Naval Operations-scheduled docking and non-docking; continuous maintenance; and emergent maintenance availabilities of Surface Combatant class ships to be performed in the San Diego, California, port. Delivery orders will be competitively awarded under these contracts, which are to be performed in San Diego, California. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

FEW Inc. won a $49.2 million contract to manufacture, produce, inspect, store, stage and ship mortar systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 28, 2027.

Israeli company DSIT Solutions has unveiled its task force underwater security system KnightShield, at the UDT 2022 Exhibition in the Netherlands. The system supports task force underwater protection, simultaneously protecting multiple ships anchored at ports, port entrances, and designated areas of port basins from swimmers, UAVs, SDVs and sabotage attempts. According to DSIT, based on the sophisticated technology implemented in PointShield, the company’s advanced Diver Detection Sonar (DDS) Systems, KnightShield covers medium ranges in ports, delivering exceptional reliability and precision.

The Royal Navy’s current stock of Tomahawk cruise missiles will be upgraded to the Block V standard. The weapon will arm the Royal Navy’s Astute-Class submarines, allowing them to strike targets at a range of up to 1,000 miles. The Foreign Military Sale contract, worth $333 million, will commence in July and BAE Systems, Babcock International and Lockheed Martin will provide technical and maintenance support. The contract includes spares, operational flight testing, software, hardware and training provisions. The first Block V missile will be ready in 2024.

The US and Germany pledged Wednesday to equip Ukraine with some of the advanced weapons it has long desired for shooting down aircraft and knocking out artillery, as Russian forces closed in on capturing a key city in the east. Germany said it will supply Ukraine with up-to-date anti-aircraft missiles and radar systems, while the US announced it will provide four sophisticated, medium-range rocket systems and ammunition.

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has contracted Saab to conduct studies related to the development of future fighter aircraft technologies. The aircraft manufacturer announced the $25. million deal on June 1, saying that the study will be “preparatory in nature, and its purpose is to widen the work on how future combat air capabilities can be developed and realised”

Two private-sector Indian defense firms have announced that they will co-operate in the research and development of a submarine-launched unmanned aerial system (UAS). According to an industry source, the UAS will comprise the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) plus a specialised underwater launch canister.

WATCH: Tomahawk vs. Kalibr Cruise Missile

The Government of Canada has awarded Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) of Mirabel, Quebec, a contract valued at nearly $800 million for the extension of the life of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CH-146 Griffon helicopter fleet into the mid-2030s. The contract affects 85 helicopters. According to the contract, BTCL will modify the first 9 helicopters and then manage a competitive process to award subcontracts to suppliers to modify the remaining 76 helicopters.

Lockheed Martin won a $34.7 million contract modification for the C-5 Super Galaxy Replacement Multi-Functional Control Display Program. The modification provides for engineering and technical services to produce a hardware and software prototype architecture for transition into the engineering and manufacturing development phase. Work will take place Texas. Expected completion date will be by May 31, 2025.

General Dynamics Land Systems won a $38.9 million modification for Abrams Systems technical support. Work will take place in Michigan. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2023. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales (Kuwait) funds; fiscal 2022 other procurement, Army funds; and fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is showcasing a diverse array of defense solutions and systems at the Hemus International Defense and Services Exhibition in Bulgaria from June 1-4. At Hemus 2022, RAFAEL will exhibit a variety of its solutions, for air, land and naval applications, with a special focus on Bulgaria’s defense programs and requirements. This includes the country’s 8X8 combat vehicle program, where RAFAEL offers a complete package of systems to enable and enhance full ground combat vehicle survivability, maneuverability and lethality.

German government and opposition party leaders are lobbying their members to approve a constitutional change that would secure a $108 billion defense fund announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in late February, days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The fund, which is meant to plug holes in equipment and ammunition, will be key to setting Germany on course for the NATO-agreed goal of spending 2% of gross domestic product on defense.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) declared that the two T129 attack helicopters that were delivered in March this year are now fully mission capable. The declaration came just after the crews had completed a gunnery competition dubbed Sanay Tudla 2 last month.

WATCH: Just How Big is America’s C-5M Super Galaxy

According to sources and an Army document viewed by Defense News, the Brazilian Army has written out requirements for its next eight-wheel drive armoured reconnaissance vehicle, after authorization for the service to buy up to 221 of the platforms, each armed with a 105mm or 120mm gun. The VBC Cav-MSR procurement attempt will take the role of the VBR-MR programme. The Army’s General Staff is currently waiting for permission to publish the rules and schedule for industry bids.

According to Jane’s, Information and network technology specialists at the US Department of Defense (DoD) want to evaluate potential solutions to meet multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) requirements for on-the-move tactical communication networks. Industry submissions for the distributed MIMO (D-MIMO) development effort are due to the department’s Research and Engineering directorate by the end of June, according to the request for sources (RFS) solicitation issued in April. The D-MIMO programme is part of a larger DoD-led advanced mobile communications development effort known as the Innovate Beyond 5G (IB5G) programme.

NNS Kada, the Nigerian Navy’s new landing ship tank (LST 1314) has arrived Nigeria, on May 27 and is currently berth at its new home port in Apapa, Lagos. Kada was ordered from Damen Group in 2019 and built at Albwardy Damen shipyard in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was laid down in December 2019, launched in June 2021, and handed over to the NN in Sharjah on 30 March. The vessel departed for Nigeria on 1 April and prior to its arrival in Lagos, made stopovers in five countries: Angola (Luanda), Gabon (Port Gentil), Kenya (Mombasa), Oman (Port of Duqm), and South Africa (Cape Town).

Two previously unseen types of air-breathing missile were displayed during an event intended to showcase Iran’s unmanned aircraft capabilities on May 28. The missiles were seen in media coverage of a visit by Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of the general staff of the armed forces, to an underground facility identified as Strategic Base 313, which is operated by Iran’s regular military rather than the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), where he inspected dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Finland will initially bed down its F-35As at Rovaniemi airport in 2026, the country declared on May 26. It is Finland’s most northern air base and lies within the Arctic Circle. The country ordered 64 F-35As and will be operational with the aircraft by 2030.

South Korea’s Defense Project Promotion Committee has approved a $605 million project to buy PAC-3 missile interceptors and upgrade its existing PAC-2 launchers so that it can launch the PAC-3 missiles. Seoul will also spend $783 million to develop a mine-sweeping helicopter.

WATCH: Patriot Missile Defense System Overview

Raytheon won a $624.6 million contract modification for the procurement of Stinger missiles and associated equipment for the US Army. The Stinger missile is a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that can be rapidly deployed by ground troops. Its supersonic speed, agility and highly accurate guidance and control system give the weapon an operational edge against cruise missiles and all classes of aircraft. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026.

Northrop Grumman won a $13 million order, which provides for the procurement for depot maintenance for the TE-6B in-flight trainer aircraft. Work will be performed in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Expected completion will be in August 2023. Fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the full amount will be obligated at the time of award.

Rolls-Royce won an $8.4 million contract modification, which increases the scope to procure original equipment manufacturer engineering and logistics support for KC-130J aircraft AE2100D3 engines for the Marine Corps and the government of Kuwait under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will take place in Indiana, Japan, North Carolina, California, Texas and New York. Estimated completion will be in November 2022.

12 Squadron, a joint squadron by the Qatar Emiri Air Force and the British Royal Air Force, will secure the airspace during World Cup 2022 in Doha. The British Ministry of Defense says the World Cup deployment co-insides with a pre-planned deployment.

According to Reuters, President Joe Biden said that the US won’t supply Ukraine with long-range rocket systems that can hit Russian territory. Several news reports from last week said that US was preparing to approve the transfer of MLRS rocket launchers to Ukraine, which have a maximum range of more than 180 miles.

The Philippine Air Force organized a gunnery competition from May 16 to 24 at Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base and the newly-delivered T-129 attack helicopter participated as well. Through live voice, video, and data feeds from sensors, shooters and decision makers were provided with a “common operational picture” in near-real time.

WATCH: Ukraine’s MiG Killer: How the Stinger Missile Works

Bell Boeing Joint Project Office won a $61.1 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide additional non-recurring engineering to support the production line incorporation of nacelle improvements for the CV-22 aircraft. Additionally, this modification exercises an option to procure 14 nacelle improvements kits in order to accelerate the CV-22 installation schedule, as well as procure an additional six brackets to support the kit installation. Work will take place in Texas and Pennsylvania. Estimated completion is in December 2025.

L3Harris Technologies has been chosen by Tactical Air Support to upgrade the F-5AT. L3Harris will provide GH-4001 Electronic Standby Instruments and Tactical Airborne Navigation Systems (TACAN+) for this contract.

An adviser for the British defense ministry, Air Marshal Martin Elliot Sampson, told Qatar’s state news agency (QNA) on Monday that the first delivery of typhoon jets will be delivered to Qatar in August. In 2017, BAE Systems and Qatar entered into a contract valued at around 5 billion pounds ($6.7 billion) for the country to buy 24 Typhoon combat aircraft.

Romania’s Ministry of Defense announced on May 24 that the country’s MiG-21 flight has resumed flying a day earlier. However, this will be a temporary measure as the fighters will be retired from service in one year’s time on May 15, 2023.

Sweden’s Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab Dynamics to supply new 400 mm diameter torpedo launcher systems for Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) surface combatants. The approximately $15.3 million order covers the delivery of the new Tub m/20 launch tube previously developed for the Finnish Navy’s four new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes. Deliveries are set to start in 2023.

Raytheon won a $9.7 million modification to exercise options and incrementally fund existing contract line items for engineering and technical support of Standard Missiles 2 and 6 (SM-2/6). This contract combines purchases for the U.S. government (23%); and the governments of Japan, Germany, Spain, Denmark, South Korea, and Chile (77%) under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will take place in Arizona, Alabama, Missouri, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland. Expected completion will be by February 2025.

WATCH: MiG-21 | The Soviet Fighter that Flew EVERYWHERE!

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV won a $10 million contract modification to support the Javelin Engineering Services contract. Javelin is a versatile one-man-portable anti-tank weapon, manufactured by the Raytheon/ Lockheed Martin Javelin joint venture. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is November 30, 2023.

Sierra Nevada won a $34 million contract modification for the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program low rate initial production. This order provides for the procurement of production kits, spares, interim contractor support and weapon system trainer support. Work will take place in Colorado. Expected completion date is January 19, 2023.

An Iranian Air Force FT-7 jet trainer crashed on May 24 in Iran’s Isfahan province and both pilots did not survive in the accident. A local official identifies the crew as Maj. Qasem Zamani and trainee Mohammad Javad Bai.

The British government will commit $375 million to give the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers a Maritime Ballistic Missile Defense capability. The warships will be equipped with the ASTER 30 Block 1 missile interceptor and SAMPSON Multi-Function Radar (MFR) will be updated, along with the Sea Viper command and control missile system.

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz B?aszczak has announced his country is launching the second phase of its mid-range air defense program by requesting the US government to sell it six Patriot batteries with related gear. These would be in addition to the $4.7 billion order for the first two Patriot Configuration 3+ batteries that are scheduled for delivery this year.

It was reported earlier this year that the United States intends to deploy the MQ-9 to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Kanoya airbase in Kagoshima Prefecture. The latest information from Asahi news is that the deployment will take place in July. Parliamentary Vice Minister Tsuyohito Iwamoto briefed Kanoya Mayor Shigeru Nakanishi and Kagoshima Governor Koichi Shiota on May 23 on the deployment. The deployment is expected to last for one year, the exact number of aircraft and personnel was not disclosed.

WATCH: Boeing T-7A: Advanced American Trainer Aircraft for US Air Force pilots

Lockheed Martin won a $13.3 million deal, which provides for engineering, development and production of Operational Test Program Sets (OTPS) to support AN/APY-9 Radar Avionics Line Replaceable Modules (LRMs). These OTPSs will provide support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program and will be used at the depot level to provide test and repair capabilities for the LRMs. Work will take place in New York. Expected completion date will be in September 2025.

Raytheon won a $422.6 million modification to previously awarded contract N00024-22-C-5500 to exercise options for hardware production of the AN/SPY-6(V) Family of Radars. Work will take place in Massachusetts, California, Maryland, New York, Alabama, Rhode Island, Texas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Estimated completion will be by September 2025.

The US State Department has approved a possible foreign military sale of TOW 2A radio frequency missiles, support, and related equipment to Egypt for $691 million. Egypt has requested more than 5,000 TOW 2As, including support equipment, spare parts, training, and technical and logistical support.

France will deploy the MAMBA anti-missile system to Romania. The deployment of the French state-of-the-art MAMBA weapons system and an air defense command post to Romania is designed to “augment NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence”. The MAMBA surface-based air and missile defence system is operated by the French Air and Space Force as a theatre antimissile system to protect tactical sites against airborne threats, including cruise missiles, tactical ballistic missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft.

Denmark will arm Ukraine with with a modern Harpoon anti-ship launcher and missiles to protect its coasts, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday after concluding the latest US-led meeting of international defense chiefs to coordinate military aid for Ukraine. The announcement came as Russia’s blockade of Odessa, Ukraine’s largest port on the Black Sea, which is threatening global food supplies.

Bell Boeing won a $9.5 million firm-fixed-price order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001922G0002). This order provides for the upgrade and delivery of the V-22 Half Wing Part Task Trainer in support of executing training for the government of Japan. Work will take place in Texas and Japan. Expected completion date is in January 2027.

WATCH: TOW Missile & How BGM-71 TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Work?

Airbus US Space & Defense won a $14.3 million deal for UH-72 Lakota helicopter contractor logistics support and engineering services. The UH-72 Lakota is the US Army’s multi-mission helicopter, which acts as the key platform for the US Army, Navy and National Guard in their mission of protecting and serving communities across America. It combines operational capability, reliability and affordability, fulfilling all the Army’s requirements for speed, range, endurance and overall performance. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2026.

The US Navy’s Airborne Command & Control and Logistics Wing (ACCLOGWING) achieved a new milestone on May 6 when it was able to generate 23 Fully Mission Capable (FMC) E-2Ds, surpassing a record of 22 aircraft set in April 29, 2022. “Attaining 23 FMC, above our target of 22, is a huge accomplishment not only for our community but for Naval Aviation,” said Capt. Chris “Mullet” Hulitt, ACCLOGWING commodore. “We’re embracing the Chief of Naval Operations’ ‘Get Real, Get Better’ guidance to take hard, honest looks at our efforts to make sure we have the right plan. We achieved this through unwavering determination and superb teamwork across an entire team of teams in the NAE.”

Epsilor, an Israeli developer and manufacturer of mobile energy products for defense and aerospace applications, will reveal its NATO 6T Li-Ion rechargeable battery in a metal-case that meets the safety requirements of MIL-PRF-32565C (the US Army Performance Specification) at  Eurostory 2022 show, which will take place on mid-June in Paris. Epsilor’s 6T battery is equipped with a smart Battery Management System (BMS) with self-charging and self-balancing.

Two French Air Force Rafale fighters had a mid-air collision during an airshow demonstration on May 22. Both jets landed safely and one piece of the debris landed in the town of Gensac-la-Pallue. Photos online showed that the jet damaged was a Rafale in black livery that recently participated in NATO Tigers Meet. The aircraft from EC 3/30 had won an award for the best painted aircraft. EC 3/30 had also won the Silver Tiger award at the exercise in Greece.

Subaru has flown the first production UH-2 helicopter at Utsunomiya Air Field on May 20. The helicopter, based on the Bell 412EPX, is ordered by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The pilot flew the aircraft for 30 minutes during the flight.

According to news reports, New Zealand’s government unveiled plans to train a small number of Ukrainian soldiers in using field artillery guns, deepening the country’s involvement in a conflict on the other side of the world. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her cabinet agreed to deploy up to 30 members of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to Britain to train Ukrainian forces in the use of L119 105mm howitzers. The deployment will run until the end of July and Chief of Defense Force Air Marshal Kevin Short said his personnel expected about 230 Ukrainian soldiers to be trained.

WATCH: UH-72B Lakota : The next generation helicopter of U.S. Army

Raytheon won a $10.8 million delivery order for deploy and retrieve systems in support of the AN/AQS-20 mine-hunting program. The AN/AQS-20C sonar mine-hunting system is the U.S. Navy’s latest mine-hunting technology, which is integrated into the littoral combat ship mine countermeasures mission package. Work will take place in Washington and Those Island. Estimated completion will be by December 2023.

DARPA has announced its new X-plane concept, a low-cost long-range seaplane that can fly up to 10,000ft. However, the aircraft will utilize the “wing-in-ground effect” to extend its range so that it can serve as a strategic or tactical transport.

Ugandan troops sent to Democratic Republic of Congo last year will withdraw by May 31 unless the two countries strike a new agreement, Ugandan military officials said. Uganda joined Congolese forces on November 30 in a fight against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), accused of massacres in eastern DR Congo and bombings in Uganda.

General Dynamics Electric Boat won a $313.9 million modification for additional United Kingdom (UK) Strategic Weapon Support System kit manufacturing, and submarine industrial base development and expansion, as part of the Integrated Enterprise Plan supporting Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and the nuclear shipbuilding enterprise (Virginia-class and Ford-class). The industrial base development work is for the furtherance of the Fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 117-81) which authorized, and the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117-103) which appropriated, additional funds for submarine industrial base development and expansion to ensure second- and third-tier contractors are able to meet increased production requirements. Work will take place in Rhode Island and Virginia. Estimated completion will be by September 2029.

India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out the first test-firing of its Naval Anti-Ship Missile on May 18. The weapon was released from a Seaking helicopter off Odisha coast.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has secured a contract to supply its MiniPOP electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems for the Philippine Navy’s patrol vessels, the company announced in a media release. This particular MiniPOP system that is focused on maritime applications has been developed by IAI’s Tamam Division, and is “designed to operate during both day and night, and meet harsh environmental conditions such as shock, vibration from waves, and extreme temperatures”, the company said.

WATCH: Liberty Lifter

Lockheed Martin won a &632.1 million deal, which provides engineering, maintenance, logistics and material support to continue to develop, sustain and produce software builds, as well as carryout developmental flight tests in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customer, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants’ funds. The deal also provides unique sea trials on aircraft carriers for the government of the United Kingdom. Work will take place in Texas, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, California, United Kingdom and Canada. Expected completion is in March 2024.

A 50kW-class high energy laser integrated on a Stryker has shown that the weapon can defeat 60mm mortar rounds and drones during four weeks of continuous live-fire exercises at White Sands Missile Range. The laser system is part of the US Army’s Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) effort. The system is provided by Raytheon Intelligence & Space and the integrator is Kord, a wholly-owned subsidiary of KBR.

According to Israel Defense, Israeli company Mobius Protection Systems announced it has secured a new order from Leonardo, for the production of its energy-absorbing seat systems. The value of the order has not been disclosed. Mobius will supply its energy-absorbing seats to Leonardo for installation in the manned turret of the Centauro II vehicle.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has laid the keel for the landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ship on order for the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces. An official keel-laying ceremony was held at the shipbuilder’s yard in Palermo on May 17. Fincantieri is building the LPD for Qatar under a contract awarded in 2016.

Belgium is to acquire nine CAESAR NG (new generation) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) under the expansion of the Capacité Motorisée (Motorized Capability, CaMo) programme with France, the ministries of defense (MoDs) of the two countries announced. Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder and her French counterpart, Florence Parly, signed the CaMo 2 intergovernmental agreement on the $65 million procurement of the SPHs for delivery in 2027. The French and Belgian MoDs expected the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), France’s defense procurement agency, to announce the contract in the coming weeks.

The US Army activated a new air cavalry squadron tasked with providing permanent reconnaissance support to US forces in South Korea. The 5th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade was activated in a ceremony on Camp Humphreys, the largest US military base overseas. The new squadron consists of roughly 500 soldiers and 24 AH-64E Apaches, the latest version of the Army’s attack helicopter. The 5-17th air cavalry squadron also includes RQ-7B Shadows, unmanned aircraft systems that provide reconnaissance and surveillance assistance to aviation brigades.

WATCH: Belgium acquires nine Caesar NG 155 mm from France

Black Construction won an $83.7 million deal for design and construction of wharf improvements at Naval Base Guam. The work to be performed includes the renovation and modernization of Berth 2 to provide full capability to support two loaded T-AKE vessels with the proper depth of water, sufficient wharf length, and power and utilities. The Lewis and Clark Class T-AKE is a dry cargo/ammunition ship, totaling 14 ships. Designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea while providing underway replenishment services, the T-AKE directly contributes to the ability of the Navy to maintain a forward presence. Work will take place in Guam. Expected completion date is in September 2024.

Deloitte Consulting won an estimated $12.5 million contract modification for a training virtual environment (TVE) that will host the Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES) training curriculum and deliver curriculum packages for CANES baselines. The TVE is a virtualized computing environment that fully replicates the functionality of CANES that provides realistic and testable training and scenarios. The TVE provides a centrally located and integrated learning management system that allows for rapid curriculum updates and configuration changes. Work will take place on California, Arizona, Florida and Virginia. Estimated completion will be by December 2023.

Israeli defense firm XTEND has inked an agreement with the US Department of Defense to supply hundreds of new Wolverine Gen2 drones to the US military. The unmanned system will be used to protect ground troops, particularly on dangerous missions.

UK shipbuilder Babcock has inked a $36.7 million contract to conduct the routine dry-dock maintenance periods of the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) two Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) carriers for the next decade at its dockyard in Rosyth, Fife. Babcock said the 10-year contract also includes the provision of any contingency dockings that may be required over the timeframe of the agreement. Scheduled dockings will be conducted over a six-week period and will include all routine maintenance and repairs that cannot be done when the carriers are afloat. The UK government said the latest contract would help sustain 300 jobs at the yard and the wider supply chain.

According to Japan’s Sankei news, Tokyo has decided to switch its partner for developing the F-X fighter from Lockheed Martin to BAE Systems. Both countries had announced plans to develop a future fighter aircraft engine demonstrator in December 2021. The aircraft was supposed to be develop by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries with assistance from Lockheed Martin. However, talks on how to carry out the development work have run into roadblocks. This prompted Japan to switch the main partner to BAE Systems.

Kazakhstan will be able to assemble the ANKA unmanned air vehicle in the future as state-owned Kazakhstan Engineering as it signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish Aerospace Industries for the production. The memorandum of understanding also covers the repair and maintenance of the ANKA in Kazakhstan. Turkish Aerospace Industries General Manager Prof. Dr. Temel Kotil said, “We are very excited to sign a new production base for our ANKA.

WATCH: Meet the XTEND Wolverine, Multi-mission UAS

General Dynamics Land won a $29 million deal for Abrams Systems technical support. The M1 Abrams is a third generation main battle tank. Work will take place in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2023.

The first C-130H with eight-bladed propellors assigned to the 133rd Airlift Wing has returned home after modifications. The aircraft arrived home on May 11 at Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport. Another seven C-130Hs are undergoing the modifications with a completion date by the end of September 2023. After which the cargo planes will get new T56 3.5 turboprop engines.

SpearUAV, an Israeli company which develops autonomous, AI-based technology for encapsulated SWARM-based UASs, announced last week the completion of a $17 million funding round. The round was led by Israel’s UVision Air, which specializes in aerial loitering munition systems, and a number of other investors. Air UVision stated that following its investment in SpearUAV, it would become a minority shareholder in the company.

Ukraine could be operating its most sophisticated air defense missile system in November if a plan by Germany to supply the country with the IRIS-T SLM goes ahead. German media says training of Ukrainian solidiers could start as soon as the German government has approved the plan.

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV won a $71.4 million contract modification for the Javelin Missile System. Javelin is a man-portable anti-tank guided weapon. The F-Model of the Javelin missile first entered production in 2020 and includes improvements to the missile’s warhead to defeat reactive armor as well as improved case fragmentation that enables the user to strike lightly armored or unarmored targets. Work will take. Place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2025. Fiscal 2022 missile procurement, Army funds; and Foreign Military Sales (Thailand, Norway, Albania and Latvia) funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Taiwan is scheduled to unveil the design of its new fighter in 2024 and make its first flight in 2025, Up Media reports. The F414-GE-400 has been selected as the power plant while L3Harris will be supplier of the avionics. Ejection seat will be provided by Martin-Baker. Decisions will be made by end of the month to select companies to supply the AESA radar and cockpit displays.

WATCH: Germany intends to transfer NATO air defense systems IRIS-T to Ukraine

Lockheed Martin won a $43.6 million order, which provides for diminishing manufacturing sources non-recurring engineering in support of a redesigned panoramic cockpit display electronic unit video mixer for F-35 Lightning II production aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-US Department of Defense participants. Work will take place in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2029.

Lockheed Martin Sippican won a $14 million contract modification to exercise options for engineering and maintenance services for the Heavyweight MK48 Torpedo Program at the Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) Pearl Harbor. Work will take place in Hawaii. Expected completion will be by March 2023.

It was announced that earlier this year, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems alongside the Israeli Navy and Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) successfully completed a series of tests on Rafael’s C-GEM naval system. C-GEM is an innovative shipborne off-board RF Active Decoy (RFAD) system protecting naval vessels from anti-ship missiles through electromagnetic spectrum manipulation. C-GEM jams and deceives threats from multiple directions, independent of ship maneuvers.

According to the British Royal Air Force, two C-130J Hercules aircraft out of RAF Brize Norton have conducted a low level formation training sortie across the South West of England. the aircraft, after departing Brize Norton, practiced low-level altitude flying near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.  The pair then climbed before practising close-formation airdrop procedures over land.

The annual migration of Global Hawks based in Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to Japan has started this year. Aircraft from the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron cross the Pacific Ocean on May 11.

Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) – the country’s primary military research and development (R&D) organisation – has conducted a series of missile tests from a military base in the southern county of Pingtung. The trials are aligned with Taiwan’s growing efforts to expand its missile development and production capacity in the face of growing tensions with China.

WATCH: U.S. Air Force UAV RQ-4 Global Hawk : using a modernised ground control station

General Atomics has announced the availability of a short takeoff and landing (STOL) wing and tail kit for the MQ-9B. The American company had demonstrated STOL capability on a modified Gray Eagle Extended Range platform last year under its Mojave initiative. The new MQ-9B STOL kit can fold upwards so that the unmanned air vehicle can be parked on the deck or in the hangar bay, of an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship.

Raytheon won a $272.7 million performance-based logistics requirements contract to provide logistics, repair, and upgrade support for 15 Multi-Spectral Targeting System Forward-Looking Infrared components in support of MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters. The deal will include a five-year base period with one two-year option period which if exercised, will bring the total estimated value to $376,414,525. Work will take place in Florida and Texas. Expected completion will be by May 2027; if the option is exercised, work is expected to be completed by May 2029.

The Morganti Group won a $14.7 million deal to construct an air traffic control tower. Work will take place in Azraq, Jordan. Estimated completion date is June 18, 2024. US Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, is the contracting activity

Multinational defense firm Elbit Systems has been chosen to provide training technologies for the UK navy’s future Dreadnought-class submarines. The solution will reportedly be provided to British soldiers prior to the deployment of the submarine to ensure “safe and competent” operations.

Anduril Industries will develop three Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (XL-AUVs) for the Royal Australian Navy. The three-year, 140 million Australian dollars ($100 million) co-funded program will see long-endurance AUVs integrated with multi-mission payloads for military and non-military missions such as “advanced intelligence, infrastructure inspection, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting,” the company stated.

South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the “complete denuclearization” of the North at his swearing-in on Tuesday, describing Pyongyang’s weapons as a threat to regional and global security. Yoon, 61, who started work in an underground bunker with a security briefing on North Korea, took office at a time of high tensions on the peninsula, with Pyongyang conducting a record 15 weapons tests since January.

WATCH: BAE System Build Most Powerful Dreadnought Class Submarine for UK

A US Air Force KC-46A crew has flown the aerial refueling aircraft for 24.2 hours in a mission to gather human factors data on long-duration flights. The aircraft was flown by four pilots working on four-hour shifts with another two pilots acting as backup. They were joined by three boom operators, a photojournalist, and a physician assistant. Taking off from McConnell Air Force Base on May 5, the jet landed back at McConnell Air Force Base the next day with just one refueling from a KC-46A.

Korte Construction Co., doing business as The Korte Co. won $37 million firm-fixed-price contract to design and construct an operations and test facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will take place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, with an estimated completion date of May 5, 2024. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, California, is the contracting activity.

Iran has claimed that the production of two indigenous destroyers, the Zagros and Damavand-2, has made significant progress and that they will join the country’s navy “in the near future.” As per the Iranian Navy, the studies related to the manufacturing of the destroyers have been completed and they are soon expected to enter the production phase.

According to Defense News, US Pentagon leaders are asking Congress for new authorities when it comes to cooperative defense programs with the European Union, a prospect officials on both sides of the Atlantic have said will complement traditional NATO processes. Defense officials circulated legislative language to that effect on Capitol Hill this month in hopes of having it included in the annual defense policy bill now on the congressional docket.

German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) announced that it has delivered 3,000 unprotected transport vehicles (UTVs) to the German military. The delivery was part of a 2017 contract to produce 2,000 UTVs capable of carrying up to 15 tons (30,000 pounds) of payload.

Australia has announced plans to acquire 12 more MH-60R naval helicopters and 29 AH-64E attack helicopters. The MH-60R contract will include a 13th aircraft to replace one that was lost in 2021. All will be based at HMAS Albatross. Boeing says it welcomes Australia’s decision as the AH-64E Apache provides Australia with a low-risk, fully-integrated, battle-proven capability.

WATCH: MH-60R Seahawk Best Anti Submarine Helicopter

Lockheed Martin won a $14.5 million contract modification to exercise options for Machinery Control System production shipsets in support of both the DDG 51 modernization program and the DDG 51 new construction program. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 202. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington DC, is the contracting activity.

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $12.3 million modification, which exercises an option to provide production system engineering and program management support in support of CH-53K low-rate initial production. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be in May 2023. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced that it has signed contracts with the US and France to import advanced military weapons and equipment. According to senior military commander Major General Abd Al-Ardawi, the agreements include the supply of high-powered artillery systems that have recently proven effective in fighting extremist groups.

The British Army will reportedly soon see its Coyote six-wheeled tactical vehicles equipped with 105-millimeter Howitzer weapon systems. The Coyote is currently equipped with the Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon, currently used by Ukraine to destroy Russian tanks. Although the armored vehicle already has a powerful weapon, British Army experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria reportedly highlighted the need for the Coyote to have additional firepower.

The joint venture of Nexter and Texelis has handed over the first SERVAL 4×4 light armoured multi-role vehicles (véhicule blindé multi-rôles, VBMR) to the French Ministry of Defence. The companies have announced that a total of 70 vehicles will be delivered this year. The French procurement agency had ordered a first batch of 364 SERVALs in early 2021. The SCORPION programme, the objective of which is to renew the French Army’s medium armoured vehicles, foresees 689 vehicles in the first phase

The militaries of Britain and Japan will “work more closely together” under a defense deal that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced during talks with his Japanese counterpart on May 5. Johnson hosted Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at 10 Downing Street. He commented on the “strong stance” Japan has taken “against the Russian aggression in Ukraine” and drew a parallel with the security situation in Asia.

WATCH: Inside The Largest Marine Helicopter | CH-53K King Stallion

Lockheed Martin won a $372.4 million modification, which adds scope to procure F-35 Lightning II Lots 15-16 ancillary mission equipment requirements for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps. Additionally, this modification adds scope to procure F-35 Lightning II initial spares for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion will be in December 2024.

The US Marine Corps will have a second aggressor squadron by 2024 when VMFT-402 is declared safe for flight in 2024 at MCAS Beaufort. VMFT-402 will initially have three F-5N+ fighters before growing to a fleet comprising of eight F-5N+ and two F-5F+ aircraft. These jets will be ex-Swiss Air Force aircraft. According to the 2022 Marine Corps Aviation Plan, the service has a 15,000 sorties requirement for adversary training this year, but the existing VMFT-401 aggressor squadron can only generate 3,300 sorties per year.

Morocco is in talks to acquire the Delilah cruise missile to equip its F-5 fighters.The F-5 is a a supersonic light fighter jet. The missile system is developed by Israeli weapon manufacturer Elbit Systems. Morocco intends to use the Delilah cruise missiles to upgrade its already-existing fleet of  F-2 fighter jets.

Training is set to begin in Germany next week for Ukrainian soldiers on the Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzer, after officials confirmed Friday that the Dutch and German governments approved sending 12 of the heavy weapons to the fight. Friday’s announcement came a week after the German parliament voted to send “heavy weapons” to Ukraine following weeks of intense debate in Germany on whether that would be a step too far, escalating the war Russian President Vladimir Putin started in February.

Serbia displayed a recently delivered Chinese anti-aircraft missile system HQ-22, raising concerns in the West and among some of Serbia’s neighbors that an arms buildup in the Balkans could threaten fragile peace in the region. The Chinese missile system has been widely compared to the American Patriot and the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems, although it has a shorter range than more advanced S-300s. Serbia is the first operator of the Chinese missiles in Europe.

India’s indigenous Astra Mk. 2 long-range air-to-air missile will be fired from the Su-30MKI fighter for the first time this year, a Times of India report says. Utilizing a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, the Astra Mk. 2 has 60 percent more range than the Astra Mk. The Astra Mk. 3 with solid fuel-based ducted ramjet will also be tested for the first time since 2019. This variant is reported to have a range of 350km.

WATCH: All facts about, China’s New HQ-22 Long-Range Air Defense Missile System

Sierra Nevada won a $34 million contract modification for the MC-130J Airborne Mission Networking program low rate initial production. This order provides for the procurement of production kits, spares, interim contractor support and weapon system trainer support. Work will take place in Colorado. Estimated completion date is January 19, 2023.

Boeing won a $16.3 million deal for the E-3 Replacement Studies and Analysis. This contract provides for studies and analysis for the replacement of the E-3. Work will take place in Oklahoma. Estimated completion will be by July 31, 2022.

The US Army is considering acquiring the Spike FireFly tactical mini-drone developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, according to a report by Breaking Defense. Described as a “miniature electro-optical tactical loitering munition,” the drone was among the cutting-edge technologies demonstrated during Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment 2022.

Two-week long training exercise “Arrow” started. It aims to develop Finnish Defense Forces’ ground combat capabilities and the ability to operate joint fires, alongside international allies. According to the British Army, the exercise will test and develop mechanized units operating in a multinational environment, with more than 3,000 soldiers in total taking part.

The South Korean legislative assembly organized a conference on airpower development on May 4 and Maj. Gen. Choi Chun-song, head of the planning and management staff of the Air Force Headquarters, briefed participants on a proposal to shorten the timeline for the replacement of legacy fighters. Choi said 60 fighters aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industry should be acquired to replace the F-4s and F-5s in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force. Choi says 20 FA-50s, 20 KF-21s and 20 F-35s can be bought to trim the time frame by 3 to 5 years. At the same conference, a representative from LIG Nex1 spoke about a proposal to Malaysia to equip the FA-50 with a new radar and electronic warfare system from his company to sweeten the deal to sell the light fighter to the South East Asia nation. Currently, the FA-50 uses a radar from Israel, a state from which Malaysia does not have diplomatic recognition.

Raytheon Australia has teamed up with shipbuilder Austal and maritime systems designer BMT in its bid to supply the Australian Army with a new amphibious landing craft. The proposal, presented by the teaming, is known as the Independent Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel (ILMV) and it seeks to fulfil Canberra’s Land 8710 Phase 1A requirement, which will enhance the Australian Army’s amphibious assault capabilities.

WATCH: Inside the Flying Control Tower | Air Force E-3 Sentry