Defense Industry Daily

DARPA Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program has completed the maiden flight of a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter without anyone onboard. Sikorsky completed 30-minutes of unmanned flight with the optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) over the US Army installation at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on February 5th with another flight on February 7th.

Saab has won a contract to deliver of the short-range air defense systems RBS 70 NG to the Argentine Armed Forces. The Argentine Navy has been a user of the RBS 70 since 1984 and is now upgrading to the latest RBS 70 NG. The contract entails a further expansion of the country’s usage of the RBS 70 NG system to the Air Force and to the Army. The RBS 70 NG systems, training simulators and missiles delivered, will therefore be used by the Argentine Army, Navy and the Air Force.

Defense News reported that according to the nominee to lead the US Central Command there’s a fresh opportunity to integrate air and missile defense in the Middle East. According to Army Lt. Gen., both of the two countries’ newly normalized relations with Bahrain and the UAE provide opportunities for and their partners.

Spain’s Dragón infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) will be protected by an armor package from Plasan, which announced in a press release on February 3 that it had been awarded the contract by the Tess Defence consortium building the vehicle in November 2021. Plasan said it was supplying its Hybrid Slat Fence (HSF) lightweight modular rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) protection and its mine protection solution for underbelly and improvised explosive device (IED) side blast with energy-absorbing mine seats, with deliveries for 348 Dragóns having begun in January and continuing until 2026.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has conducted sea trials for the Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG’s) first 97 m multirole response vessel (MRRV). The vessel conducted the trials in waters near Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works between 25 and 28 January, the PCG announcedon February 2.

Chinese state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) released footage suggesting that it is developing an armed, aerial refuelling-capable variant of the Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) Z-20 medium multirole helicopter. The title screen of the video footage displays the three “20” series aircraft developed by AVIC, namely the J-20 stealth fighter jet, the Y-20 large transport aircraft and the Z-20 helicopter, in computer-generated imagery.

WATCH: First Uninhabited Black Hawk Flight

Boeing won a $95 million deal, which provides engineering services and supplies, to include capability defect package fixes and acoustic software improvement efforts in support of the continued development and sustainment of the P-8A Acoustic Operational Flight Program. Work will take place in California, Washington, Maryland and Missouri. Expected completion will be in January 2027.

The US Air Force has published a RFI for the replacement of the E-3G Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). The contract is expected to be awarded in FY2023 and the winner must produce two prototype aircraft within five years of the award.

The South African Navy is reportedly struggling to meet its operational commitments due to chronic underfunding, according to a recently published parliamentary portfolio committee report. In its budgetary review and recommendations report for the Fiscal year 2020/2021, the South African Committee on Defense and Military Veterans said that ongoing funding shortfalls and the subsequent reduction in ship availability for taskings due to the postponement of planned maintenance lead to the issue that the SAN had been unable to meet its sea hours target for the year.

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales and its partners a contract to install the aircraft satcom stations on French Air Force Phénix MRTT aerial refueling tankers.Thales says the station are able to resist aggressive jamming while providing broadband connections.

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) awarded a $121.61 million subcontract to Thales UK to provide sighting systems under the Challenger 3 MBT upgrade programme. The contract will protect key manufacturing skills in the UK and sustain 700 skilled engineers and technicians based in Glasgow, including 30 apprentices currently receiving training. The contract was signed by RBSL (Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land) and Thales, with the Secretary of State for Scotland in attendance, at Thales’s site in Glasgow where the majority of the integration work will take place.

The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) plans to upgrade 68 Boeing-Mitsubishi F-15J Eagle fighter aircraft through the Japan Super Interceptor (JSI) programme. This information was confirmed on February 4. The Ministry also said that the estimated life-cycle costs of the 68 Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) aircraft over 30 years – including the upgrade – will amount to $5.6 billion.

WATCH: Just How Powerful is P-8 Poseidon

System High Corp won a $104.9 million deal, which provides program services for the F-35 Joint Program Office to include program management, general security, information security, information security, industrial security, physical security, personnel security, counter-intelligence and foreign disclosure support. The deal also provides special security studies, program protection cybersecurity and security control assessments as well as and engineering services support. Work will take place in Virginia, Ohio, Germany, Texas, Maryland and Florida. Expected completion date is in February 2027.

The US Navy has fired the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER) for the second time on January 21. Press release from Northrop Grumman said the weapon was able to “detect, identify, locate and engage a land-based air defense radar system from an extended range.” The AARGM-ER is now in Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) with initial operational capability (IOC) fielding in 2023.

The Turkish Land Forces Command have taken delivery of new Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) equipped with Common Aperture Targeting System (CATS). The Aselsan-developed Common Aperture Targeting System (CATS) is a high-performance electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting system designed for fixed-wing and rotary-wing airborne platforms, including unmanned air systems (UASs), helicopters and aircraft.

A French Navy Rafale M was forced to divert to Malta after running low on fuel and was unable to land back on aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Apparently, part of the refueling probe had broken off, forcing the pilot to divert. A French NH-90 arrived at Malta international Airport on the night of February 6 with a maintenance crew and spare parts to fix the aircraft. Both left shortly after midnight.

The US approved a potential FMS worth about $100 million to “sustain, maintain, and improve” the Patriot missile defense system used by the self-governing island claimed by China. In a statement, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress following State Department approval for the sale requested by Taiwan’s TECRO.

The Indian Army has placed an order with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the delivery of Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). In a statement, BDL said the contract is worth $418 million. The Konkurs ATGM was developed by the Tula Machinery Design Bureau (Tula KBP) of Russia. BDL has been producing Konkurs ATGMs under Russian license at the Bhanur facility. The missiles have been upgraded with a tandem warhead.

S.Korean Turkish army receives new Bayraktar TB2 combat drone with local electro-optical system

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) completed acceptance sea trials on Friday for the amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). The San Antonio Class ship, built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, spent several days with the US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. Ingalls’ shipbuilders will now complete final finish work on the ship in preparation for delivery this quarter.

General Dynamics won a $19.2 million deal for Environmental and Ship Motion Forecasting (ESMF) systems, which provides sea-based forces with environmental and ship motion forecasting as input to the common operation tactical picture, in order to forecast windows of opportunity for inter/intra-ship material and personnel movement. The ESMF system allows for single-ship motion modeling and predictions, and for two ship motion modeling and predictions. Estimated completion date is in January 2027.

An unnamed Air Force in the Middle East has carried out the deployment of two Silent Arrow GD-2000 cargo delivery drones. The evaluation was carried out under a $1.5 million contract. Two C-130s were used in the test and each GD-2000 was filled with 465 kg of cargo.

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of Foreign Military Sales Order (FMSO) II Case and related equipment for an estimated cost of $65 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Russia’s upgraded Tu-160M strategic bomber, which made its first fight last year will be built together with the proposed new stealth bomber, PAK-DA. The Tu-160M aircraft opens up prospects for implementing the new project of building the prospective complex of long-range aviation (PAK DA), Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Friday while on a visit to the Tu-160 plant in Kazan.

The US Senate foreign relations committee has been notified on a potential sale of four more Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Block 1B Baseline 2 (IB2) systems to South Korea. Two of those systems were approved by the Biden administration in December 2020 and the new request builds on that Foreign Military Sale package. The new proposal is to cost the South Korea taxpayer $129 million.

S.Korean DAPA Announces Project to Develop Naval Interception System

The first low-rate initial production MQ-4C in the B8 configuration, with multi-intelligence capabilities, has been delivered to NAS Patuxent River on February 1. The B8 is the first production Triton to be upgraded to the multi-intelligence configuration to meet the Navy’s critical maritime intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting needs.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, said it is building nine additional CH-53K aircraft for the USMarine Corps. The CH-53K will support the military in its mission to conduct expeditionary heavy-lift assault transport of armored vehicles, equipment and personnel to support distributed operations deep inland from a sea-based center of operations, critical in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Biden administration has cleared Jordan to buy 16 F-16C/D Block 70 fighters in a Foreign Military Sale worth up to $4.2 billion. Twelve of those fighters are C variants and Jordan will buy five spare engines. The package also contains 302 kits to convert bombs into JDAM and Paveway II smart munitions. Jordan will also have to decide whether to select the JHMCS II or Scorpion Hybrid Optical-based Inertial Tracker (HObIT) helmet mounted displays for the pilots.

The US State Department approved a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of multifunctional information distribution system-low volume terminals (MIDS-LVT) to Saudi Arabia. The estimated cost of the FMS, along with the associated equipment, is $23.7 million.

Hungary has blocked Ukraine’s membership in NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). The Secretary of the Ukrainian National Defense and Security Council (NSDC), Oleksiy Danilov confirmed it, reports Ukrayinska Pravda. Ukraine submitted an official request to join the CCDCOE in August 2021. Two months later, the procedure for approving the application began.

The US Air Force has held an online meeting for the public to discuss the setup of a training base for foreign military pilots at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith on February 4. Patrick Jeanes of the Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command disclosed that Singapore will relocate its 12 F-16s from Luke Air Force Base to Ebbing in June 2023. The first F-35 will arrive at Ebbing in July 2024, however, there is no information on which country owns the F-35 that will be delivered there.

Watch: US Navy Tests Upgraded MQ-4C Triton Drone

Serco won a $22 million contract action in support of the Program Executive Office (PEO) “SHIPS” PMS 400D mission to design, build, outfit and test all DDG 51 guided-missile destroyer-class ships, increasing the design performance capability of the DDG 51 class ships. The Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) class guided missile destroyers provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface environments. The US Navy currently has seven new DDG 51 Flight III destroyers under construction, Work will take place in Washington DC. Estimated completion date is September 8, 2022.

JF Taylor won an $8 million deal for F-35 high fidelity crewstations. The contract provides for cockpits, spares, manuals, training, installations and integration in support of High End Advanced Training and Tactics simulator missions. Work will take place in California and Nevada. Estimated completion will be by November 17, 2023.

Spartan Iraq won a $14.9 million deal for T-6 contractor logistics support and base life support security. The T-6 is a single-engine turboprop aircraft. It is used by the Iraqi Air Force for basic flight training. Work will take place in Iraq. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2022. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

The Spanish Army took delivery of the first remanufactured CH-47 Chinook helicopter at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Spanish Army Airmobile Forces in Colmenar Viejo, Madrid. The aircraft is the first of 17 that will modernize the Spanish Chinook fleet, upgrading their existing CH-47D-model aircraft to the newer CH-47F model.

BAE Systems has confirmed its bid submission, together with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), for the Combat Vehicle 90 (CV90)) in response to the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic’s acquisition of 152 new Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) in multiple variants. The offer will ensure the production and delivery of the CV90 in collaboration with local Slovak industry, on time and to budget.

Iraq has signed a contract with Pakistani company to purchase an unspecified number of aircraft, believed to be JF-17 Block III. Pakistan media had earlier reported that negotiations had been held between Islamabad and Baghdad for the latter to buy 12 JF-17s for an estimated $664 million.

Watch: CH-47 Chinook | The World’s Most Iconic Helicopter

A crew from the 40th Flight Test Squadron successfully carried out the first AIM-120D missile firing from an F-15EX on January 25. The test took place in the Gulf of Mexico and a BQM-167 target drone was engaged by the air-to-air weapon. Maj. Benjamin Naumann, who fired the missile, said: “I am humbled to have the opportunity to fire the first weapon, but the bigger success is the verification of the F-15EX capability to live-fire a missile.”

The US Navy will mark the centennial of its first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1) this year. CV 1 entered service on March 20, 1922. The ship fought against the Japanese during the World War Two and was sunk off Java on February 27, 1942.

Israel is building a laser-based counter rocket, artillery, and mortar system which will be operational in the country’s south by next year. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett during his speech at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv on February 2. Bennett says the cost of using the current Iron Dome system to defeat incoming rocket attacks “doesn’t make sense” as the rockets are cheap to manufacture while the Iron Dome interceptor are more expensive to produce.

US President Joe Biden indicated plans to nominate Qatar as a “major non-NATO ally” after his meeting with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The designation will change the way the United States and its military interact with that country, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby told reporters during a briefing today at the Pentagon. “It does open up a full new range of opportunities: exercises, operations and you know, perhaps, the … acquisition of capabilities as well.”

Russia’s state-owned Rostec has delivered the first batch of serially-produced ‘Balkan’ 40mm anti-personnel grenade launchers. “The design documentation for the ‘Balkan’ system has been formalized and accepted by the Defense Ministry of Russia for serial production. The first serial batch has been produced,” Rostec Armament Cluster Industrial Director Bekkhan Ozdoyev was quoted by Russian news website TASS.

Lockheed Martin said it integrated demonstrated the integration of the AN/SPY-7(v)1 radar into Japan’s Aegis Weapon System. Through the demonstration, the company said it executed the processing required to detect, track and discriminate ballistic missile threats, and successfully guide interceptors to those threats.

Watch: SPY-7: The World’s Most Advanced, Versatile Radar

Lockheed Martin won a $1.4 billion deal from the US Air Force for the C-130J mission sustainment support effort. This contract provides for contractor logistics support and sustainment of the C-130J aircraft fleet. The C-130J is equipped with a Honeywell dual-embedded global positioning system/inertial navigation system (GPS/INS), an enhanced traffic alerting and collision avoidance system (E-TCAS), a ground collision avoidance system, SKE2000 station keeping system, and an instrument landing system (ILS). Work will take place in Georgia. Expected completion date is January 31, 2032.

General Dynamics won a $20 million contract modification to support Virginia and Columbia Class efforts detailed design (Phase 3) efforts. The Virginia Class is a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral (shallow water) operations. The Columbia Class is an upcoming class of nuclear subs. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be by September 2024.

Israeli company Rafael said it has completed development of the latest generation of the Sky-Shield family of Electronic Attack (EA) Pods. The pod is now undergoing extensive flight trials on a 4.5 generation fighter aircraft for an undisclosed customer & will soon provide unprecedented capabilities, according to the company.

Egypt ordered K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers built by South Korean company Hanwha Defense. The deal is worth $1.65 billion. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the contract includes the production of K9s in Egypt and a technology transfer. The agency did not reveal how many howitzers will be delivered to Cairo

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) handed over the fourth and final F125 frigate “RHEINLAND-PFALZ” to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in Hamburg last week. With that, all four ships of the F125 class, which TKMS built together with the NVL Group in the ARGE F125 consortium, have been successfully delivered, the company said in a release.

Apollo Information won a $29.7 million deal, which procures up to 1,966 Fortinet FortiGate license subscriptions in support of continued services to meet security communication requirements in support of the P-8A Poseidon Program for the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion will be by January 2027.

Watch: K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer / Why is it so successful?

Boeing won a $21.6 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure 104 proprotor hub spring and drive link kits for the V-22 Osprey aircraft, to include 60 for the MV-22 aircraft; 10 for the CV-22 aircraft; 29 spare kits for the MV-22 aircraft; and five spare kits for the CV-22 in support of proprotor hub spring and drive link improvement efforts to improve safety, reliability, and maintainability of MV and CV V-22 Osprey aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. Bell Helicopter Textron is responsible for the wing and nacelle, propulsion, rotor, empennage (complete tail system), ramp, overwing fairing and the dynamics. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion will be in February 2024.

Lockheed Martin won a $9.3 million contract modification for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support for the US Navy. The Trident II Strategic Weapon System (SWS) is deployed aboard Ohio Class (Trident) submarines and consists of: the Trident II (D5) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM); Reentry System; and supporting Shipboard Systems. Work will take place in Colorado, California, Georgia, Washington and Florida. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2026.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) revealed it has plans to develop a naval version of the ATAK-II heavy-class helicopter. Rear Admiral Alper YEN?EL (Naval Air Commander), who made a speech at the “Naval Air Projects” session held within the scope of the 10th Naval Systems Seminar, announced that 10 attack helicopters are expected to be delivered within the scope of the protocol signed with the Land Forces in March 2022.

The Norwegian Defense Material Agency (NDMA) asked Navantia to modernize Fridtjof Nansen Class (F-310) frigates designed and built for the Norwegian Navy between 2000 and 2011. As part of the contract, Navantia will perform a Configuration Audit of the Fridtjof Nansen Class Frigates in order to integrate in the design documentation all the modifications and relevant changes conducted by NDMA on the Frigates since they left the Spanish shipyard.

Rheinmetall introduced a new version of its Maske smoke/obscurant grenade recently. The Maske 81mm is based on a bimodular, bi-spectral ammunition concept. It consists of a fast-acting decoy module that generates intense blooming thanks to proven decoy technologies. The grenade is paired with a long-lasting concealment module whose visible and infrared smoke/obscurant interrupts the enemy’s line of sight in both the visual and infrared spectrum.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is bringing its F-35A fighters to Guam for Exercise Cope North 2022 with the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Accompanying the F-35s are Australian E-7A, C-27J,and KC-30A tanker. The 356th Fighter Squadron of the US Air Force was the first to introduce the F-35A to the multilateral exercise last year.

Watch: Turkish Plans to Develop Naval Version ATAK-2 Heavy Class Attack Helicopter

Boeing won a $106 million delivery order for the repair of flight control surfaces used on the F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G aircraft. The US Navy F/A-18 E and F Super Hornet maritime strike attack aircraft are twin-engine, carrier-capable multirole fighter. The Growler is a derivative of the combat-proven two-seat F/A-18 Hornet, the US Navy’s maritime strike aircraft. The primary missions of the aircraft are electronic attack (EA) and suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), particularly at the start and ongoing early stages of hostilities. Work will take place in Florida and Missouri. Estimated completion will be by March 2024.

Raytheon won a $66.2 million deal for procurement of Excalibur 155mm Increment 1B projectiles. The Excalibur 155mm Precision Guided Extended Range Artillery projectile, also known as the M982 ER DPICM (Extended Range Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions) projectile, is a fire and forget, smart munition. Work will take place in the UK, Arizona, California, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah. Estimated completion date is April 29, 2024.

General Dynamics won a $14.5 million deal for Abrams systems technical support for Kuwait. The Kuwait Army received its first upgraded M1A2 Abrams main battle tank, known as M1A2K, almost two years behind the initial schedule in July 2021. Work will take place in Michigan. Estimated completion date is January 27, 2023. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Kuwait) funds; fiscal 2022 operation and maintenance, Army funds; and fiscal 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 other procurement, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Inter-Coastal Electronic won an $11.3 million deal for AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Tactical Engagement Simulation System kits, spares, aviation ground instrumentation network and logistics support services for Morocco. Morocco inked a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract for 24 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is July 26, 2027.

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Milrem (programme’s prime contractor) and seven other partners, chose Nexter Robotics to evaluate several ground and airborne robotics platforms for the Italian Army. The decision was taken on January 13. The five-year programme has three objectives: to expose the state of the art in robotics; to initiate experimentation with existing platforms; and to develop a concept for an autonomous robotic system tailored to the end-customer’s needs.

Philippines’s Department of National Defense (DND) inked a ceremonial contract worth $368 Million with Brahmos Aerospace to acquire a Shore-based Anti-ship Missile System for the Philippine Navy. The acquisition project was first conceptualized in 2017 and the Philippines is planning to acquire three batteries of the Anti-ship Missile System.

Watch: India and Philippines ink contract for BrahMos missiles | Manila accepts $374.9 mn worth deal | WION

The US Navy deployed the MQ-8C Fire Scout next generation ship-based autonomous helicopter system operationally on December 14, 2021. Deployed with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Detachment 5 (HSC-22 DET 5) aboard USS Milwaukee (LCS-5), Fire Scout provides greater organic intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) capabilities for the US Navy, manufacturer of the UAV said in a statement.

The US Federal Trade Commission has sued to block Lockheed Martin Corporation’s $4.4 billion proposed vertical acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc, the last independent US supplier of missile propulsion systems. The FTC will file a complaint in the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeking a Preliminary Injunction to stop the deal pending an administrative trial. The administrative trial is scheduled to begin on June 16, 2022.

The United Arab Emirates has approached Israel to inquire on three air defense missile systems that could beef up its missile defense capabilities. The three systems are the IAI Barak 8, Barak ER, and the Rafael Spyder. The Israeli systems will serve as an interim solution against attacks from Houthis until the M-SAM from South Korea is inducted into service.

According to Breaking Defense, a Kuwait-based defense analyst has said that the US Marine Corps is interested in taking over Kuwait’s F/A-18s when they are retired from service. Malaysia and Tunisia are said to be interested in acquiring those legacy Hornets, however, the USMC will have priority as approval is required from the US government before Kuwait can sell the jets to other nations. The USMC is planning to retire its F/A-18s in 2030 and has given its existing F/A-18 fleet some upgrades such as a new AN/APG-79(v)4 radar and ejection seats.

The Kalashnikov Group’s kamikaze drone KUB-E guided munitions system has received an export permit from Russian authorities making it possible to promote this product abroad. “The Kalashnikov, Group, together with Rosoboronexport, is ready to start promoting the KUB UAV on the international market, including during intergovernmental commissions and international exhibitions. It should be noted that this drone already has a successful experience of combat use, confirmed in real conditions,” the press service of the Kalashnikov Group said.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has received the first Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules transport aircraft upgraded to Block 8.1 standard, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on January 19. The aircraft, which arrived at RAAF Richmond air base in New South Wales, was upgraded by Lockheed Martin in the United States with support from the United States Air Force.

Watch: Top 10 Iconic RAAF Aircraft – 3: Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules

Northrop Grumman won a $10.5 million contract modification, which adds scope to procure 55 Link 16 A-kits, to include 26 each for AH-1Z and UH-1Y production aircraft; two spares for AH-1Z aircraft; and one spare for UH-1Y aircraft, as well as one A-kit test stand for the Navy. The Naval Air Systems Command ist the contracting activity. The United States Marine Corps replaced the two-bladed AH-1W Super Cobra with the AH-1Z Viper, which features a new, four-bladed composite rotor system, performance-matched transmission, four-bladed tail rotor, upgraded landing gear and a fully integrated glass cockpit. The AH-1Z is equipped with an integrated advanced fire control system and the capacity to support multiple weapons configurations. Work will take place in California and is expected to finished by March 2024.

Mercury Mission won a $165 million deal for the F-16 Secure Mission Data System. This award is the result of a sole-source, non-competitive acquisition, Small Business Innovation Research Phase III production follow-on. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center obligated aircraft procurement funds, operations and maintenance funds, and National Guard and reserve equipment appropriation funds worth over $16 million on the award. Work will take place in California and is expected to be finished on January 19, 2028.

The US State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Egypt of C-130 aircraft and Air Defense Radar Systems, and related equipment for $2.5 billion. The Government of Egypt has requested to buy three (3) SPS-48 Land Based Radar (LBR) manufactured by L3 Harris, spares, motor generators, repeaters, radomes, technical manuals, site surveys, installation, calibrations, testing, operator training, and maintenance training associated with the SPS-48 LBR; obsolescence replacements of processor, track management system, communication equipment, uninterrupted power supply (UPS), generators, and/or Transmitter Control Unit in fielded SPS-48 LBR systems; updated built-in-testing (BIT) and overhaul of fielded SPS-48 LBR antenna systems; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program cost is $355 million. Before the sale was announced a group of six House Democrats, including the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called on the administration to insist that Egypt meet human rights criteria for military transfers.

An 80-tonne shipment of US anti-tank missiles has arrived in Ukraine. A plane loaded with 300 Javelin missiles worth some $50 million landed in capital Kiev late Tuesday, the third part of a $200million shipment of American military aid that is being sent to help its ally. The US Embassy in Ukraine on Tuesday afternoon reported that 79 tons of security assistance arrived in Kyiv.

China conducted a test flight for a new rocket engine that could power China’s future hypersonic aircraft and near-space plane. Developed by the Laboratory of Spray Combustion and Propulsion under School of Aerospace Engineering at Tsinghua University, successfully conducted a flight test on Monday morning, Global Times reported quoting a China Central Television (CCTV) report.

Thales Australia will start the development of a rocket motor for Australia’s hypersonic weapons. The Australian Hypersonics Research Precinct unveiled by Defence Minister Peter Dutton at Eagle Farm in Brisbane today will accelerate collaboration between Defence, industry, universities and international partners to advance Australian development of hypersonic technology.

Watch: AH-1Z Viper in Action: Intense Close Air Support Exercise! Day & Night Live Fire

General Dynamics won a $47.7 million deal for a dry-docking selected restricted availability in support of the USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54) to accomplish maintenance, repair, and modernization of the ship prior to the its next deployment. The USS Curtis Wilbur is the 4th Arleigh Burke Class missile destroyer. The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers is the USN’s first class of destroyers built around the Aegis Combat System and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion will be by September 2023.

Raytheon Missiles and Defense won a $92 million contract modification for StormBreaker (SDBII, GBU-53/B) production all up rounds and containers. The StormBreaker bomb is an air-launched precision strike weapon manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems for the US Air Force (USAF) and the US Navy. It is planned for integration on the F-15E Strike Eagle twin-engine aircraft. Raytheon Missile Systems is the prime contractor for the joint USAF and Navy SDB II programme. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date ist February 28, 2026.

Jane’s reports that Boeing has handed over the first CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters for Saudi Arabia. The US government approves a Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia for CH-47F Chinook Cargo Helicopters and related equipment, training, and support back in 2016.

Italy’s Leonardo said it is not subject of a judicial investigation in relation to the Kuwait Eurofighter program. The country signed a $9 billion order with Leonardo in 2016 for 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. On Monday, Kuwait’s Anti-Corruption Authority said that a major general and colonel in the Army would face prosecutors in a major corruption case related to this purchase.

NATO said that its members are putting forces on standby and sending additional ships, fighter jets and personnel to eastern Europe as Russia continues its military build-up in and around Ukraine. The US Department of Defense in Washington said about 8,500 American troops were put on heightened alert and were awaiting orders to deploy to the region, should Russia invade Ukraine.

The first Red Flag-Nellis exercise has started on January 24 and E-7A from Australia are participating. About 2,900 participants from the US Air Force, Navy, Marines, Space Force, Air National Guard, US Air Force Reserves, the Royal Air Force (UK) and the Royal Australian Air Force will fly a variety of aircraft in complex mission scenarios. The 388th Fighter Wing from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, will be in the lead wing position.

Watch: US successfully tests GBU-53/B StormBreaker smart bomb: All of enemy stronghold within range

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group ships are heading to the Mediterranean Sea for exercise Neptune Strike ’22, the Pentagon said. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says the deployment is not a response to increased tensions with Russia. He stressed that planning for Neptune Strike ’22 began in 2020. “The exercise itself is not designed against the kinds of scenarios that might happen with respect to Ukraine. It really is a NATO maritime exercise to test … really a wide range of maritime capabilities that we want to make sure we continue to improve.”

The US Army Contracting Command Issued a Sources Sought notification for an organic small unit-level Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) precision guided loitering weapon system. The LMAMS is expected to be capable of either automatically locking on both stationary and moving targets or manually controlled by one operator during the weapon’s terminal engagement phase, according to a sources sought notice on SAM.gov.

The UAE Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants last Monday, marking its first known use in a military operation. The THAAD took out the midrange ballistic missile used to attack an Emirati oil facility near Al-Dhafra Air Base that hosts US and French forces, Defense News reported.

Russia is sending Su-35 fighters to Belarus for military drills. Previous reports state that 12 aircraft are being dispatched. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation said that the crews will work out flights to the maximum range, landing on Belarusian airfields, and also joint preparations with Belarusian specialists for re-flights.

Belgium Naval & Robotics (BNR) and Naval Group-ECA consortium tested the solution for rallying, recovering, maintaining and launching surface drones (Launch And Recovery System or LARS) in Toulon recently. On January 13, a demonstration of the deployment and recovery operation of the fully remotely operated USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) and a presentation of the test results took place in the presence of the Royal Belgian and Dutch navies as part of the rMCM (Replacement Mine Counter Measure) program.

Upmedia reports that Taiwan will begin the development of an air-launched variant of the HF-3 supersonic anti-ship missile. The weapon will be carried by the indigenous IDF fighter and around $314 million has been allocated for the project which will be called Hsiung Chih. This will be Taiwan’s first anti-ship missile that can be fired from land, sea and air.

Watch: Russia: Russian Su-35S fighter jets begin re-deployment to Belarus

Rolls Royce won a $96.3 million vehicle requirements contract modification. The modification incorporates an additional five-month option period to maintain continuity of services for the C-130 engine repairs. The contract modification incorporates an additional five-month option period to maintain continuity of services for the C-130 engine repairs.  The C-130 operates throughout the US Air Force, serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, US Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Work will take place in Indiana. Expected completion date will take place in June 30, 2022.

Boeing won a $21 million contract modification by the US Navy, which increases the contract ceiling to provide post-production engineering and logistics support for the T- 45 aircraft. The T-45A/C Goshawk is the US Navy’s two-seat advanced jet trainer. The aircraft is jointly manufactured by Boeing and BAE Systems. Work will take place ein Missouri, the UK and Georgia. Estimated completion will be in January 2025.

American International Contractors won a $64 million deal to dredge the harbor at King Abdulaziz Naval Base. Work will take place in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is June 26, 2023. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Middle East District, is the contracting activity.

France and Greece signed the roadmap for the ‘strategic partnership’ deal forging deeper military relationship between the two countries to defend shared interests in the Mediterranean. As part of the commitments made to the EU and NATO, this partnership agreement aims to strengthen and structure long-term military defense relations between our two countries.

Boeing and the UK Ministry of Defense inked a $348 million contract for the provision of long-term training, support and sustainment for the British Army’s new fleet of 50 Apache AH-64E helicopters. The announcement was made by Minster for Defense Procurement, Jeremy Quin MP, as he visited Wattisham Flying Station to see the Apache AH-64E.

BrahMos Aerospace test-fired BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with increased indigenous content and improved performance from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on Thursday morning. The launch was conducted by Brahmos Aerospace in close coordination with the teams of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In this text-book flight, the missile followed the predicted trajectory meeting all mission objectives, the Indian defense ministry said in a statement.

Watch: Brahmos Missile’s New Version Has Been Successfully Tested

USAF Gets Upgraded 105mm For The AC-130 Gunship | Arrow-3 Successfully Flight Tested | Saab To Deliver New Camouflage System To French DGA

Rockwell Collins won a $32.4 million deal for the manufacture of ballistic signal transmission devices and canopy severance assemblies in support of the egress system of the V22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft. The aircraft operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90° forward once airborne, converting the aircraft into a turboprop aircraft. Work will take place in Iowa. Fiscal 2022 procurement of aircraft (Navy) funds; FMS Japan funds; fiscal 2020 procurement of aircraft (Air Force) funds; and fiscal 2021 procurement of aircraft (Air Force) funds will be used to fund requirements.

An upgraded 105mm for the AC-130 gunship has been designed, developed and delivered by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) to the US Air Force. The previous 105mm gun uses components from the M102 Howitzer and M137A1 recoil mechanism, which are no longer supported by the US Army.

Israel and the US have completed a successful flight test of the Arrow-3 ballistic missile interceptor, the Israeli Ministry of Defense. At a test site in central Israel, the ballistic missile interceptor detected and destroyed a target in outer space, the ministry said in a statement. The Arrow 3 weapon system is designed to shoot down ballistic missiles while the incoming projectile is still outside the earth’s atmosphere.

Saab has signed a framework contract for the supply of its Barrakuda camouflage with the French defense procurement agency (DGA). The contract includes the delivery of new camouflage systems as well as a system adaptation phase in cooperation with the DGA. The contract is for eight years and provides for annual deliveries.

The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) welcomed the first six of a total of 18 Rafale aircraft at the Tanagra Air Base in the presence of  the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. The newly inducted aircraft are said to be entering the Hellenic Air Force’s 332 Squadron. These aircrafts are a part of the 18 aircraft deal signed last year between Greece and France.

Indian state-run firm Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has signed contracts to export its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv aircraft to Mauritius. The ALH Mk III is a multi-role, multi-mission versatile helicopter in 5.5 tonne category. It has proven its mettle in various utility role including numerous lifesaving missions during natural calamities in India and abroad. HAL also ensures technical assistance and product support to the customer to ensure healthy serviceability of the helicopter.

Watch: Israel Tests Anti-Ballistic Missile System Capable of Downing Satellites!

General Dynamics Electric Boat won an $11.5 million contract modification to support the Virginia Class Common Weapon Launcher (CWL) technology insertion advanced processor build efforts for all variants. The Virginia Class submarine is the Navy’s latest fast-attack submarine and is capable of targeting, controlling, and launching MK 48 torpedoes and Tomahawk land-attack missiles (TLAMs). Work will take place in Connecticut. Estimated completion will be by September 20, 2022.

The US Navy awarded General Dynamics Electric Boat a $22.2 million deal for additional labor hours for smart start maintenance, repair, and modernization efforts in support of the USS Hartford (SSN 768) engineered overhaul. The USS Hartford is a Los Angeles Class attack submarine. The Los Angeles Class is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that forms the backbone of the US Navy’s submarine force. Work will take place in Connecticut. Expected completion will be by February 2022.

Science and Engineering Services won a $13.6 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide return to flight repairs and storage for three SH-60F aircraft for the government of Israel. The SH-60F serves as an antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and Search and Rescue (SAR) aircraft. It can carry offensive weapons, primarily on ASW missions. These include Mk 46, Mk 50, or Mk 54 torpedoes. Work under the modification will take place in Alabama. Estimated completion will be in January 2024.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will reportedly fully unveil Hürjet advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft in two months. TAI head Temel Kotil told the Turkish website Daily Sabah that the company will build six to seven aircraft in the first year in the mass production phase. “We aim to produce two aircraft per month and 24 aircraft per year from the next year. After 2025, two Hürjets will leave the hangar and will be delivered to the customer every month,” he said.

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces’ Directorate of Aeronautical Maintenance (DMAé) recently awarded Dassault Aviation a contract to support the Mirage 2000 fleet of the French Air and Space Force (FASF). Covering a period of 14 years, the BALZAC contract includes all maintenance activities for the French Mirage 2000s until their retirement. Engine maintenance and the services provided by the SIAé (Service Industriel de l’Aéronautique) are the subject of separate contracts.

North Korea said that it tested a tactical guided missile on Monday to confirm the accuracy of the weapons system under production. The South earlier suspected Pyongyang to have fired two short-range ballistic missiles eastward from the Sunan airfield. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the projectiles fired flew about 380km at an altitude of 42 km, reaching speeds of Mach 5.

Watch: Kitty Hawk SH-60F Ocean Hawk Build Review – Part 1: Cabin and Cockpit

The Pentagon’s blue-sky research agency recently announced that it selected 10 organizations to develop enhanced, less bulky night vision goggles to keep the crimp out of servicemembers’ necks. And so they can see better at night. The program, dubbed Enhanced Night Vision in Eyeglass Form (ENVision), will be divided to solve those problems in two separate technical areas. The five organizations selected in the first technical area will try to reduce the size and volume of night vision goggles.

The Netherlands will base its soon-to-be received MQ-9A Reaper medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles in the Caribbean region. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is due to receive four MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from US manufacturer General Atomics next month.

The United Arab Emirates inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea for the purchase of M-SAM advanced air defense systems for $3.5 billion. The MoU for the surface-to-air missiles was signed on Sunday after the meeting between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai.

Reportedly three people were killed when drones attacked the Adnoc storage tanks in Abu Dhabi on January 17. A separate attack in the new construction area of Abu Dhabi International Airport caused a minor fire. Houthis rebels from Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack. Adnoc says the attack took place at approximately 10.00 a.m. local time and six others were wounded when the three transport tankers caught fire.

Dassault Aviation delivered 55 airplanes in 2021, up from 47 the year before, the French aerospace manufacturer announced. Dassault provided 25 Rafale multirole fighters to export customers in 2021, which met expectations and was up from 13 the previous year. The company also delivered 30 Falcon business jets, up five from an earlier forecast but down four from the previous year.

MD Helicopters (MDHI) has shipped six MD 530G Light Scout Attack helicopters for the Malaysia Ministry of Defense (MoD) via their agent Halaman Optima/ Destini Prima. The 530G for Malaysia is integrated with the Wescam L3 MX10D sensor and the Pathfinder Ares Weapons Management System from Tek Fusion which are used to support the Dillion M134 Mini Gun, FN Herstal Heavy Machine Gun and Rocket Machine Gun pods, and 2.75-inch Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (guided and unguided).

Watch: MD 530G Helicopter Power

General Electric won a $12 million deal for maintenance and overhaul of the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. The UH-60 Blackhawk is a multi-mission medium lift helicopter. The primary mission of the Blackhawk helicopter is as a troop carrier and logistical support aircraft. The helicopter can also be configured to carry out medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, armed escort, electronic warfare and executive transport missions. Estimated completion date is January 14, 2027.

The Air Force awarded L-3 Communications Integrated Systems a $24 million deal for C-130H program depot maintenance. The deal provides for the services required to complete C-130H PDM actions, perform required aircraft modifications and all transactional sustainment actions associated for the C-130 Foreign Military Sales Directorate. Work will take place in Waco, Texas. Expected completion date is January 31, 2027.

Turkey’s first intelligence ship, TCG Ufuk, was put into service in Istanbul on Friday as part of the country’s efforts to increase its naval power with a warship program. The ship was produced with national resources. Speaking at the delivery ceremony in Istanbul Shipyard, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the ship was built with national engineering capabilities, putting Turkey among the 10 countries in the world that can domestically design, construct and maintain a warship.

HENSOLDT has won approximately $57 million to equip the German-Norwegian submarine project U212 CD with a fully digital sensor suite. The optronics division of HENSOLDT has now received a corresponding order worth over €50 million from kta naval systems, a consortium of Kongsberg, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systeme (TKMS) and Atlas Elektronik. TKMS was awarded €5.5 billion in July 2021 to build two 212CD submarines for Germany and another four for Norway.

Leonardo has signed over $297 million worth contracts with HENSOLDT to help in the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon Jet’s ECRS Mk1 (European Common Radar System Mk1) E-scan radar, ordered by Germany and Spain. According to a press release, Leonardo will conduct development work on new wideband capabilities and provide core parts of the new radar’s antenna, APSC (Antenna Power Supply & Control) and its processor.

The Philippine government will acquire another 32 S-70i helicopters. A Notice of Award (NOA) has been issued to PZL Mielec of Poland on December 28. The amount of the purchase is valued at $623 million and it comes with training and logistical support. The first five helicopters are to be delivered from 2023. The last aircraft is supposed to be handed over in 2026.

Watch: ‘Turkey’s eyes, ears at sea’: 1st intelligence ship joins naval fleet

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will soon start testing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) on par with human-piloted vehicles being built under the Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. The DARPA RACER program will develop and demonstrate autonomy technologies that enable unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to maneuver in unstructured off-road terrain at the limit of the vehicle’s mechanical systems and at, or beyond, human-driven speeds and efficiencies.

The US Space Development Agency is planning to deploy 144 transport layer satellites and 28 tracking satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) by 2024 to detect maneuverable hypersonic glide vehicles during flight. Speaking today at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies’ Schriever Spacepower Forum, Derek Tournear said satellites in LEO will make up the tracking layer that will be able to detect hypersonic threats by their heat signatures, eventually on a global scale.

Dyncorp International won a §28.8 million contract modification aviation maintenance support services. Work will take place in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is July 31, 2022.

A new contract has been signed between Artem State Joint-Stock Company, a subsidiary of Ukroboronprom and the Ukrainian defense ministry for the production of a large batch of unguided RS-80 air-to-air missiles. Under the current contract, the number of missiles is five times higher than the order that Artem fulfilled last year. This volume will allow to load own capacities of the enterprise and its co-executors, the company said in a release.

The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to France of MQ-9 Communications Intelligence Sensor Pod Suites and related equipment. The Government of France has requested to buy up to eight Communications Intelligence Sensor Pod Suites, that will be added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS case and amendments, valued at $71 million, included five Communications Intelligence Sensor Pod Suites, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a release.

According to Defense News, the Republic of China Navy commissioned two new rapid minelaying boats at Zuoying Naval Base in Kaohsiung city. The two boats were delivered in late 2021 but were put into active service on January 14. They will form the first and second Mine Boat Squadrons of the Navy’s 192nd Fleet (Minesweeper Fleet).

Watch: America DARPA Testing Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER)