Defense Industry Daily

Members of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade got a look at development of the SB-1 Defiant vertical lift helicopter, the Army said. The active duty and National Guard soldiers of the brigade, headquartered at Fort Campbell, visited the Sikorsky Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida., to learn about the design of the medium-lift helicopter destined to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk, which first saw service in 1974.

Northrop Grumman will install an upgraded Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) system that includes the new Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) on aircraft and helicopters under a $146 million order from the US Air Force. The award is part of an existing contract to Northrop Grumman for LAIRCM upgrades, modifications and installations on a wide range of aircraft, including the C-17, C-5, C-130J, P-8, CH-53K, KC-46 and platforms operated by international customers.

Turkish automotive manufacturer, BMC has received a contract to export 41 Kirpi (Hedgehog) mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles and five Kirpi 4×4 ambulances to Tunisia. Shipments of the vehicles will be made in batches in the coming months. With this deal, the number of vehicles that BMC has recently put into use in Tunisia will reach 92. Tunisia will become the country with the largest Kirpi fleet after Turkey, Anadolu agency reported.

ARTEC GmbH, on behalf of its parent companies Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, officially handed over the last of the Boxer armoured transport vehicles (GTK) ordered to date by the Bundeswehr to representatives of the Federal procurement agency (BAAINBw) and the Ministry of Defense. The contract CCG 2nd batch, which was concluded in December 20015, comprised 131 GTK Boxers and was worth EUR 478 million. All the experience gained with modifications from the successful Afghanistan mission have been incorporated into this A2 version.

A long-range standoff missilebeing developed by Japan could be an option to replace the AGM-158C LRASM that Tokyo had wanted to mount on the F-15. Spiraling costs of the F-15JSI program has forced Japan to consider other options to have an anti-ship missile with standoff range.

Northrop Grumman announced the first flight of Japan’s second RQ-4B Global Hawk high-altitude, remotely-piloted, surveillance aircraft. Global Hawk is the only high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to deliver near real-time on demand data around the clock. Once fielded, Global Hawk will integrate with other Japanese intelligence assets, including ground-based command and control units. The capability will provide solutions to monitor and deter regional threats.

Watch: BOXER – Multirole Armoured Fighting Vehicle

Sikorsky won a $735.9 million modification, which increases the scope for nine Lot Five low rate initial production CH-53K heavy-lift aircraft and associated aircraft, programmatic and logistical support. The Lot 5 contract contains an option for Lot 6 award for another nine helicopters. While each helicopter cost $97.6 million under the Lot 5 contract, the price will decrease to $94.7 under Lot 6. Work will take place in Connecticut, Kansas, Utah, Missouri, West Virginia, Washington, Canada, the UK, Wisconsin and Florida. Estimated completion date will be in December 2024.

A Canadian board of inquiry has released its report into the crash of a CH-148 off Greece in April 2020. Six onboard the helicopter died. The pilot was performing a turning maneuver called “return to target” when the helicopter’s autopilot took control of the aircraft at the end of the turn. The pilot realized too late that the autopilot was flying the aircraft into the sea and pulled back the cyclic. He had overridden the autopilot for an extended period of time while executing the maneuver. The board of inquiry found that the autopilot software accumulates commands when it is not turn off. This could reduce pilot’s control of the helicopter in special cases. During the certification of the CH-148, this scenario whereby the autopilot was overridden for extended time was not tested.

A Kenya Air Force Mi-171E helicopter has crashed twenty minutes after it took off from Moi airbase at 8.10 am local time on June 24. A number of people onboard did not survive.

Two MiG-31Ks, which can carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missile, have been deployed to Syria. The deployment was made possible due to the availability of a second runway at Khmeimim airbase.

The State Department has approved the potential sale of F-16 jets, AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, along with other equipment, to the Philippines, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced June 24. All told, the sales would total up to nearly $2.9 billion, with the majority of those funds going to the sale of a dozen F-16 aircraft and accompanying weaponry and equipment. Two of the jets will be two-seat F-16Ds, and 10 will be F-16Cs. However, one day after the DoS. cleared the sale of 12 F-16s to Philippines, the country’s Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana says the price of the foreign military sales package is too high. Lorenzana told media that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) “is evaluating others.” He had previously said the two options are under consideration, the F-16 and the Saab JAS29.

India’s  Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL). The tests were conducted on 24-25 June 2021 at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha in Eastern India, a Ministry of Defence release said. Twenty-five Enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched in quick succession against targets at different ranges. All the mission objectives were met during the launches. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets up to a distances of 45 kms.

Watch: India’s DRDO Tests Extended Pinaka MRBL Rocket

Raytheon won a $136.4 million deal for MK 15 close-in weapon system upgrades and conversions, system overhauls and associated hardware. MK 15 Phalanx CIWS provides ships of the US Navy with an inner layer point defense capability against anti-ship missiles, aircraft and littoral warfare threats that have penetrated other fleet defenses. Phalanx automatically detects, evaluates, tracks, engages and performs kill assessment against ASM and high-speed aircraft threats. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (85%); and the government of South Korea (15%), under the foreign military sales program. If all options are exercised, work will continue through September 2026.

The 325th Fighter Wing’s Formal Training Unit, which trains pilots to fly the F-22, will be permanently located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The unit is currently located at Eglin Air Force Base. It was forced to settle in Florida after Hurricane Michael damaged its original home at Tyndall in 2018. The move will bring 28 F-22s and 16 T-38s to Virginia.

According to reports, the Biden administration is sharply reducing the number of US antimissile systems in the Middle East in a major realignment of its military footprint there as it focuses the armed services on challenges from China and Russia, administration officials said. The Pentagon is pulling about eight Patriot antimissile batteries from countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, according to officials. Another antimissile system known as a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or Thaad system, is being withdrawn from Saudi Arabia, and jet fighter squadrons assigned to the region are being reduced, those officials said.

An experiment by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) flight experiment team will soon determine whether the boundary layer transition of a hypersonic vehicle is laminar or turbulent. The team is targeting a late-June launch of the vehicle from the Esrange Space Center (SSC) in Kiruna, Sweden. Understanding the transition provides valuable information in the design of hypersonic aircraft and missiles.

Duqm Naval Dockyard, the Joint Venture between Babcock International and the Oman Drydock Company, has completed a first of its kind double engine replacement for the Royal Navy in the Middle East. Undertaken at Asyad dry dock facility at Duqm, in Oman, the operation to replace the Forward Auxiliary Machinery Room generators was a package of more than 500 items, and enabled the Royal Navy to sustain operations within the region as the latest example of Babcock’s global reach.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s first Type 075 Yushen Class amphibious assault ship Hainan recently conducted helicopter takeoff and landing training. The ship has a two-digit number 31 on its hull, indicating its likely role as a small aircraft carrier. Several 13 ton-class Z-8 transport helicopters could be seen landing on the large, straight flight deck of the newly commissioned warship, local news reported.

Watch: The Powerful US Phalanx CIWS in Action

The Pentagon launched Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Acceleration (ADA) initiative, goal of which is to rapidly advance data and AI dependent concepts, like joint all-domain command and control. Speaking virtually to the opening of the Defense Department’s Artificial Intelligence Symposium and Tech Exchange, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks said DOD’s operators must come to trust the outputs of AI systems; its commanders must come to trust the legal, ethical and moral foundations of explainable AI; and the American people must come to trust the values DOD has integrated into each of its applications.

Northrop Grumman has successfully flight demonstrated its new Terracotta sensor. The sensor is a digital open mission systems (OMS)-compliant wideband active electronically scanned array (AESA). Terracotta’s nearly 200 wideband digital channels can be molded cooperatively or segmented for unique purposes, including electronic warfare, airborne early warning radar, active and passive sensing, and communications. This most recent flight verified Terracotta’s ability to simultaneously perform active and passive radio frequency capabilities. The flight test was a follow-on to successful ground and flight demonstrations of Terracotta conducted last fall.

Nordic Monitor has obtained and published a technical agreement document between Qatar and Turkey. While the agreement is to permit Qatar to send up to 36 military aircraft and not more than 250 personnel to Turkey for training. The agreement also allows Qatar to transport Turkish military equipment, material, dangerous goods, ammunition, personnel or humanitarian aid materials inside and outside of Turkey. Under point 10, “in case of a support requirement of (Turkey), (Qatar) is to avail of its other type of aircraft in (Qatar’s) inventory for transportation of (Turkey’s) military equipment, material, dangerous goods, ammunition, personnel or humanitarian aid materials, if it is deemed suitable by competent authority of Qatar.”

Boeing won a $580.6 million delivery order for 14 Chinook H-47 extended range rotary wing aircraft that satisfy the United Kingdom’s requirement for heavy assault, rotary wing aircraft. This modification exercises an option that was awarded on an existing delivery order. Foreign Military Sales funding from the United Kingdom in the amount of $580.6 is being obligated at the time of award. The United Kingdom will be the first international operator of a Block II Chinook. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2026. The Block II variant was officially launched in 2017. Block II Chinook improvements are applicable to “regular” CH-47Fs, and Boeing began flying a Block II CH-47F trials aircraft on March 28, 2019, albeit initially lacking the new rotors. Work will take place in Pennsylvania. Expected completion will be by July 2026.

Damen Naval and German ship classification society DNV, signed a contract for the comprehensive classification and verification of the new F126 frigates that a Damen-led team is building  for the German Navy. Following the signing of the contract on June 7 at the DNV Maritime headquarters at its German office, DNV will carry out extensive work and conduct in-depth ship verifications and surveys in Hamburg, Wolgast and Kiel throughout the duration of the project.

Malaysia published the tender for the supply of eighteen Fighter Lead In Trainer-Light Combat Aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force on June 22. Closing date for the tender is September 22. Currently, the tender website is offline.

Watch: Here Comes the New MH-47G Chinook Helicopter

Sikorsky won a $73.2 million modification, which adds scope to procure 362 spare parts and support required for the repair and maintenance of the CH-53K low rate initial production configuration aircraft. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. The Super Stallion can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. Work will take place in Connecticut, Canada, Washington, Pennsylvania, the UK, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas and Massachusetts. Estimated completion date will be in December 2026.

Raytheon won a $17 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide software engineering and testing, avionics integration and testing and avionics acquisition support to include classified and unclassified laboratories, configuration and data management and release of avionics software products and related systems in support of V-22 Software Support Activity systems. Work will take place in Indiana. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense (MoD)’s research organization, Mafat, Elbit Systems and the Air Force have completed a series of experiments during which UAVs were intercepted at different ranges and flight altitudes using an aerial laser system installed on an aircraft. The ability to destroy air threats from the air is an innovative capability with the potential for a strategic change in the air defense capability of the State of Israel, the Israeli MoD announced.

Saab has signed a contract for the delivery of live training systems and services to the Dutch armed forces. The order comprises the supply of new equipment and functionality at $85.1 million, with a 10-year support contract with an annual value of $7.8 million. The total order over the ten year period is valued approximately $163.9 million. The contract also has an option for five years additional support following the initial 10-year period.

The third and final Royal Navy autonomous minehunting boat has been delivered to Clyde Naval Base. “RNMB Hebe, named after the ancient Greek goddess of youth, has now joined sister vessels Harrier and Hazard as part of the Royal Navy’s crewless minehunting programme Project Wilton. Hebe, four metres longer than her sisters and with more technology on board, is able to work in isolation on operations but also integrated with existing equipment, the Royal Navy said in a press release.

Jane’s reports that the Indonesian Ministry of Finance has given the green light to seek foreign loans up to $700 million for the acquisition of two aerial tankers for the Indonesian Air Force. It added that the tanker must be able to employ both the probe-and-drogue and flying boom aerial refueling methods.

Watch: CH-53K King Stallion Takes Flight at MCAS New River

Lockheed Martin won a $9.4 million contract modification for HELLFIRE and Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile engineering services. The AGM-114 Hellfire II is an air-to-ground missile developed primarily for the anti-armor role.  It is a combat-proven tactical missile system using multiple launch platforms based on air, sea and ground. Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) is an Army led program managed by PEO Missiles and Space, Joint Attack Munitions Systems (JAMS) Project Office. JAGM is a multi-sensor air-to-ground missile that is the successor to the combat proven HELLFIRE Romeo and HELLFIRE Longbow missiles. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is June 16, 2023.

Insitu won a $12.5 million modification, which increases the ceiling to provide additional air vehicles, support equipment and spares in support of the RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) and ScanEagle UAS for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. The Blackjack can be deployed in persistent maritime and land-based tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, data collection, target acquisition and dissemination missions. ScanEagle has a range of 1,500km and an endurance of more than 28 hours. The air vehicle can operate at speeds between 80km/h and 126km/h and the cruise speed is 90km/h in level flight.

Turkey’s tactical fixed-wing loitering munition, ‘Alpagu’ hit a target with pinpoint accuracy in a test fire by the military. Weighing less than two kilograms, Alpagu can be operated by a single soldier. Its small size makes it nearly immune to radar and the target’s defensive systems are unaware of the killer drone’s presence until the last moment.

The UK Royal Navy’s newest Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey has been commissioned into the Royal Navy during a ceremony alongside the Ross-shire town of Invergordon. HMS Spey has been undergoing a programme of operational sea training to ready her for action.

Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, said the MiG-21 will be phased out of service within three years. Bhadauria was speaking at the combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. He said once the Rafale is fully operational, the service can turn its attention to inducting the LCA. The indigenous jet will replace the MiG-21. Separately, Times of India also reported that the Indian Air Force has stand up 101 Squadron as the second Rafale Squadron. The unit is now at Ambala and will officially induct at Hasimara air base within a month.

Sea trials of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant has been delayed due to travel and quarantine issues caused by COVID-19. As per news report, Indian navy personnel and equipment suppliers are unable to travel or are being quarantined. New Indian Express says the trials are rescheduled for September after the monsoon period is over.

Watch: America’s AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Destroyed Armored Vehicle in ONE Seconds

Lockheed Martin won a $191.2 million contract modification for the US and United Kingdom to provide strategic weapon system Trident SSI Increment 8 production of inertial navigation systems and associated inertial spares for the Ohio and Columbia ballistic missile submarine shallow water submersible platforms for the fleet ballistic missile program. The Trident II D5 is the latest generation of the USN’s submarine-launched fleet ballistic missiles. First deployed in 1990, the Trident II D5 missile is currently onboard the US Ohio Class and UK RN Vanguard Class submarines. Work will take place in Ohio, California, New York and Virginia. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2028.

The US Air Force has revised upwards the money required to re-engine the B-52H bomber. The program will now cost $11 billion. Acting Air Force Secretary John P. Roth told lawmakers that this represents a 9 percent jump, he also refuted recent press reports of a 50 percent increase as incorrect. Gen. Timothy M. Ray of Air Force Global Strike Command revealed that depending on the scenario, the new engines would reduce the requirement for aerial refueling by up to 50 percent.

Turkey conducted the last test firing of its homegrown Atmaca long-range anti-ship missile on June 18. “The anti-ship missile Atmaca, our homeland’s steel sword, has hit a target ship during the last test today before it will enter service,” Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan posted on Twitter, attaching a 58-second video showing the test firing of the Atmaca missile. The Atmaca project seeks to replace the U.S.-built Harpoon missile from the military’s arsenal as part of a campaign to wean Turkey’s defense infrastructure from overt dependence on US and NATO equipment.

Rheinmetall announced the release of the Mission Master XT, the latest member of its successful Mission Master family of Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs). Unlike the Mission Master SP platform, which is already introduced to the market, the Mission Master XT has a diesel-powered engine. It was developed by Rheinmetall Canada.

Kyodo News says Japan will drop the AGM-158C LRASM (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile) from the list of items it wants to integrate on the F-15JSI. Anonymous officials say this is to reduce costs but no official decision has yet been made. The same article suggests that the AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) will be retained.

Australia has grounded its MRH-90 transport helicopter fleet as a safety precaution, ABC news reports. A defense spokesperson told ABC that the issue was releated “to the application of the helicopter’s maintenance policy in the helicopter’s IT support system.”

Watch: MRH-90 Taipan – Australia’s High Performance Multi Role Helicopter

The US Army declared that it has tested an autonomous variant of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on June 16. The Autonomous Multidomain Launcher was tested at Yuma Proving Ground and two other islands during a 1.25-hour mission.

The Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) land-based intercontinental ballistic missile system (ICBM) is expected to make its first flight in 2023, GBSD program manager Col. Jason Bartolomei disclosed on June 14. He foresees the system reaching initial operational capability in 2029. Full operational capability will be 2036.

Last month, the US Air Force’s 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron carried out a demonstration to covert commercial-grade aircraft fuel (Jet A-1) into military-grade aircraft fuel (JP-8) at King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia.

Ukrainian firm LUCH unveiled a concept of a new mid-range air defense system, called the SD-300, at the Arms and Security exhibition being held in Kyiv from June 15-18. The SD-300 surface-to-air missile system is designed to intercept various threats such as air-to-ground missiles, helicopters, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), guided bombs, and tactical ballistic missiles up to 100km. It can be used to destroy ground (surface) radar-contrasting moving targets, Defence Blog reported.

Pakistan’s state-owned Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) has cut the first steel for what will be the country’s fourth Milgem Class corvette. A ceremony to mark the milestone was carried out at KSEW’s premises in Karachi. While fourth-in-class overall, the vessel that is being worked upon would be the second Pakistani Milgem corvette to be constructed in-country.

Indonesia reportedly signed a ‘Coming into force’ contract with France/Dassault Aviation for 36 Rafale jets on June 7 which will go into effect in December 2021. Airspace Review reported quoting its sources said that the contract was signed in Jakarta but did not mention who were the officials involved in signing the contract on either side. The “Coming into force” contract will then become the basis for an Effective Contract after all agreements between Indonesia and France are reached and Indonesia has paid an advance for the purchase of 36 Rafales, it said.

Watch: Russian Su-35 “flew”: Indonesia chose French Rafale fighters

DigiFlight won a $13.8 million contract modification for programmatic support for the Apache Attack Helicopter. The Boeing AH-64 Apache is a twin-turboshaft attack helicopter. It is equipped with two turboshaft engines, each providing 1,265kW. The American AH-64D has General Electric T700-GE-701 engines and the UK Apache is fitted with RTM322 engines from Rolls-Royce / Turbomeca. Work will take place in Maryland. Estimated completion date is May 23, 2022.

The US Army’s 4th Infantry Division participated in a Counter-Small UAS home-station training session at Fort Carson, Colorado, from April 19-May 7. This is the first time such training was held at home-station. Soldiers learn to operate the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS). This will prepare the soldiers ahead of their deployment to the US Central Command region.

Israel’s BlueBird Aero Systems completed delivery of 100 WanderB-VTOL UAVs to a European customer. The vertical takeoff and landing UAVs are part of a transaction involving over 150 WanderB-VTOL and ThunderB-VTOL UAVs. This is the world’s largest number of VTOL UAVs delivered to any customer at one time, and was completed within the agreed timetable despite COVID-19 conditions, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) that owns 50% shares of the BlueBird Aero systems said in a statement.

The Netherlands MoD approved the purchase of 179 small all-terrain patrol vehicles for the Marine Corps to replace some of the current BV206D, Viking and Landrover vehicles which are at the end of their lifespan. The project will start this year and will last until 2028. The first vehicles are expected to arrive in 2025.

The Polish Air Force celebrates 100,000 flight hours of its F-16 aircraft fleet in May. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Poland’s decision to buy the F-16. The F-16 is a leading multinational aircraft that has allowed the Polish Air Force to engage in multiple multinational exercises and operational deployments to include Baltic Air Policing and Operation Inherent Resolve.

The Indian Army tested the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) developed by the Indian Railways for faster movement of freight across the country. The army conducted a successful trial by moving a military train loaded with vehicles and equipment from New Rewari to New Phulera validating the efficacy of the DFC. The intricate and synchronised coordination by the Indian Army with Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd (DFCCIL) and Indian Railways will significantly enhance the mobilization capability of the Armed Forces.

Watch: BlueBird Aero Systems – ThunderB & WanderB VTOL UAS

Leonardo Helicopters handed over the keys to the first operational TH-73A helicopter to the US Navy at its AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation (Leonardo) plant in Philadelphia on June 10. Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander, Naval Air Forces, accepts the keys accepted the keys on behalf of the Navy from Bill Hunt, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters. The service placed an order for 130 helicopters with Leonardo in January 2020.

Boeing won an $18.4 million delivery order modification to an existing contract (W91215-16-G-0001) for the procurement of long-lead components and parts in support of the MH-47G Chinook Block II production program. Fiscal 2021 Army aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $18,372,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park. The Boeing MH-47G is a special operations variant of the CH-47 Chinook multi-role, heavy-lift helicopter. It is in service with the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOC).

Raytheon won a $78.1 million contract modification for contractor logistic support for the Qatar Early Warning Radar for a period of five years. Raytheon had won a $1.06 billion deal to provide an early warning radar (EWR) to Doha in February 2017. The Qatari radar is supposed to add long-range detection to the country’s layered Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture, which includes Patriot systems and an Air Defense Operation Center. Work will take place in Massachusetts and Doha, Qatar. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2026.

Iranian Navy inducted locally-manufactured ‘Dena’ destroyer and ‘Shahin’ minesweeper at an event in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Dena is the fourth Jamaran Class destroyer manufactured by the Defense Ministry’s naval industries. The Iranian destroyer is “capable of detecting, tracking, and hitting various aerial, surface, and submarine targets. It can carry helicopters on its deck.” the navy said in a statement.

A new training facility that according to the British Defense Ministry will “secure HMNB Clyde as the central base for submariners in the UK” is taking shape at HMNB Clyde. Last year the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) awarded a contract to Kier Graham Defence Ltd to deliver the works, which are expected to be completed in early 2023. HMNB Clyde in Scotland will host the Submarine Training Facility for the personnel on board the future Dreadnought Class nuclear submarines yet to enter service.

France’s Naval Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to jointly explore new technologies such as additive manufacturing for naval applications. Under the agreement, the organisations will jointly identify potential use cases of harnessing additive manufacturing. This includes the sharing of production methodology, certification and qualification of additive manufactured components for naval platforms.

Watch: Delivery of the First TH-73A

Sikorsky won a $9.5 million order, which provides systems engineering and program management services in support of CH-53K low rate initial production Lots 5 and 6 aircraft rate tooling. The CH-53K is the United States Marine Corps’ (USMC) heavy lift replacement for the CH-53E. It is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies. Work will take place in the UK, Washington, Connecticut and Spain. Estimated completion is in December 2024.

The American MQ-25 programme has successfully conducted the first ever aerial refueling operations between a crewed receiver aircraft and an uncrewed tanker. According to the US Navy, the successful flight “demonstrated that the MQ-25 Stingray can fulfill its tanker mission using the Navy’s standard probe-and-drogue aerial refueling method”.

Turkey is working on its ambitious TF-X National Combat Aircraft. Temel Kotil, general manager of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), which is the main contractor of the project, told government-owned Anadolu Agency that the production process is progressing well and that the prototype, which includes avionics, control and hydraulic systems, will be unveiled for the first time on March 18, 2023.

Textron won a $12.5 million firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract action for Tunisia T-6C long lead items procurement and site survey. This contract provides for the procurement of long lead production items and spares to support delivery of eight T-6Cs in 2022 and conducting a site survey in Tunisia. Work is expected to be completed October 2022.

According to the UK Defence Journal, an F-35B Lightning from British Carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has conducted the UK Lightning Force’s first ‘austere forward refuellng’ in an overseas environment, whilst operating from the aircraft carrier. The RAF aircraft flew to the Italian island of Pantelleria where it conducted a fast ground refuel from an Italian KC-130J.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is assembling five more prototypes of its KF-21 fighter jet after the first prototype was rolled-out on April 9. The first prototype is currently in the building opposite the assembly line, where its insides are exposed for ground testing which will take another year or so, a report in South Korean media outlet Hankyoreh, which was granted access to the assembly line, said.

Watch: T-6A Texan II Inflight Cockpit Vid • 80th Flying Training Wing

The deputy head of Air Mobility Command has revealed that the next Gremlins test flight is set to take place between October to November. Steve Fendley, president of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, told Military.com that the Pentagon has added a new requirement for the Gremlins to be able to rearm in flight and redeploy out of a C-130. Kratos builds the airframe of the Gremlins. Fendley added that around 20 Gremlins will be deployed on a typical mission.

Northrop Grumman won a $53.7 million deal to provide continuing operator, maintenance, logistics and sustainment engineering support, to include training, supply chain and spares management for peculiar items, peculiar support equipment, and technical publications in support of the RQ-4A Global Hawk Broad Area Maritime Surveillance – Demonstrator (BAMS-D) aircraft being mission-capable for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions for the Navy. Work will take place in Maryland, California, Indiana, Virginia and Utah. Estimated completion date is in April 2022.

Exercise African Lion will take place in Kenitra, Morocco over the two-weeks and three C-130J from the 86th Airlift Wing are participating. The C-130J crews will assist in training their Moroccan counterparts in airdrop, airlift and aeromedical evacuation capacities. While on their way to Kenitra, the C-130s airdrop over 150 U.S. and British paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 16th Air Assault Brigade over Grier Labouie, Morocco for a joint forcible entry via airborne assault demonstration.

US Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps joint terminal attack controllers participated in a joint training exercise with Italian Air Force Eurofighters at Udairi Range Complex, Kuwait on May 26. Four Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jets are currently stationed in Kuwait, to support OIR (Operation Inherent Resolve), the multinational campaign against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The F-2000A jets have deployed in April 2021, as part of “Prima Parthica”, as the Italian Armed Forces operation is dubbed at national level, and operate within the Task Group “Typhoon”.

The authorities of Ukraine’s Mariupol city are reportedly planning to buy the Iron Dome system from Israel to protect its airport. Mariupol International Airport, located just 5km from the city, was closed in June 2014, due to the escalation of an armed conflict. The airport is situated on the extreme south-eastern part of Ukraine near the border with Russia. The Iron Dome reportedly shot down over 90% of the rockets fired by Hamas during the recent bloody 11-day war.

A group of 12 Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) aircrew students have started their training to operate the KC-46 aerial refueling tanker at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Lead by Lt. Col. Tetsuji Kamiguchi, 405th Air Refueling Squadron commander, the team consists of six pilots and six boom operators. The three-months conversion course is made up of three phases. The academic phase will have four classes daily before they proceed to the second phase to work on simulators and performed pre-briefs and debriefs. The group will then proceed to fly eight flights and a check ride with one of the 56th Air Refueling Squadron instructors before graduating.

Watch: The C-130J Super Hercules

Raytheon won a $3 billion contract for F-15 Radar Eagle Vision. This contract provides for the production, modernization and support of the F-15 APG-82 radar system to rapidly deliver and stay aligned with the F-15 weapon system program. According To Raytheon, the APG-82(V)1 AESA radar is the latest radar advancement for the US Air Force F-15E fleet and optimizes the F-15E jets multirole mission capability. Additionally, with its extensive range and advanced multi-target track and precision engagement capabilities, the APG-82(V)1 offers enhancement in system reliability over the APG-70 radar. Work will take place in California. Expected completion date is June 8, 2036.

The Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) completed initial flight tests equipped with a new brushless generator system, providing over 50% more power than the current system. The tests were held on May 13, 2021, at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona. The initial flight test of the system marks an important milestone towards upgrading the GE-ER fleet with generators that will significantly improve reliability and dramatically reduce platform sustainment costs. The new generator also provides electrical power to support expanding mission scenarios for the UAS, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. said.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Tomer, a government-owned company producing rocket propulsion systems, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop projects in rocket propulsion and innovative missiles rocket engines. The MoU includes investment in joint projects, mutual R&D and establishing infrastructure for the companies’ respective R&D departments for the benefit of developing future, advanced technologies in the field of rocket propulsion and innovative rocket motors, at a higher quality and faster than in the past.

The 50th Baltic Operations (BALTOPS 50) exercise, the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, kicked off on June 6th. Between June 6th and 18th, air and maritime assets from 18 NATO Allies and partner nations will participate in live training events that include air defence, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious operations, maritime interdiction, mine countermeasure operations.

Insitu, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company has collaborated with two Norwegian firms – Robot Aviation and Andøya Space – to promote the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) ecosystem in the Arctic and High North. The alliance will offer products and services optimized for the harsh environments north of the Arctic Circle where many North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) allies operate.

A mock-up of a fighter, likely the Shenyang FC-31 stealth jet, was seen at a naval test facility in Hubei Province’s Wuhan, fueling speculations that China intends to operate the type on its ships. An unverified photo recently surfaced on social media that, for the first time, showed an FC-31-like model positioned on the “flight deck” of a full-size mock aircraft carrier at the test center. The photo also showed mockups of J-15 carrier fighters, as well as one of a Z-18 series helicopter, a standard heavyweight rotary-wing type in People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) service and a frequent visitor to its carriers.

Watch: Most Expensive Drone & Scary MQ-1 Gray Eagle in The World

Boeing won a $39.7 million contract modification for new-build AH-64E aircraft. The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform. The helicopter is designed as a weapons delivery platform and is equipped with: a M230E1, 30mm automatic gun, aerial rockets system, and point target weapons system. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion date is October 31, 2025.

A US Air Force probe into its recent contract award to Boeing for Japan’s KC-46 tankers spare parts has raised concerns about unfair pricing. Service officials reportedly confirmed to Defense News the Air Force’s recent $88 million contract award to Boeing for the spare parts included about $10 million in costs they could not determine to be fair or reasonable.

The Lebanese Navy is set to receive new offshore patrol vessels from the United States and France, Defense News reported. 4 of the 7 vessels will be provided with help from France, while the remaining three Protector-class offshore patrol vehicles (OPVs) will come from the US.

Swiss newspaper Le Matin says the Dassault Rafale fighter is leading the competition to become the next fighter for Switzerland. The news report says a decision could now be announced on June 23. Le Matin says there are signs that the Swiss government has decided on the Rafale. For example, the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Viola Amherd, had cited the Rafale as an example of how the Swiss military could achieve its strategic objectives.

Saab announced that it would be working with Finnish firm Varjo to integrate the company’s Human eye resolution mixed reality (XR) technology into all simulators for the Saab Gripen E/F aircraft. Saab’s Head of Tactical Environment Simulation and Visualisation Stefan Furenbäck said in a statement, “We are finalising the basic functionalities in our own simulator so that we can use Varjo’s XR-3 headsets in all our flight simulators. We’ve previously carried out smaller, independent prototype-like projects but now we’re integrating them into our actual flight simulators.”

Samsung Heavy Industries Co. said that it teamed up with Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) to develop carbon-free nuclear-powered ships. The project will be based on the so-called molten salt reactor technologies. A molten salt reactor is a kind of small module reactor that utilizes molten fluoride salts as the primary coolant at low pressure. It has been emerging as a carbon-zero nuclear energy source, Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday.

Watch: Is the Boeing AH-64 Apache The Ultimate Weapon?| The Ultimates: Combat Helicopters | Spark

Airbus US Space & Defense won a $119.8 million contract modification for an extension of contractor logistics support services for the UH-72 Lakota. The UH-72A Lakota is a light utility helicopter. UH-72A Lakota helicopters were acquired to replace the UH-1H Iroquois and OH-58 A/C Kiowa helicopters. Work will take place in Grand Prairie, Texas. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2022.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has flown the first AH-1Z flight that has Link-16 capability. Bell says a two-way connection was completed from the helicopter to a ground station. Bell added that the Link-16 package from Northrop Grumman adds a new digital moving map, a new security architecture and Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) datalinks to the helicopter.

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters operated by the Air Forces of Italy, UK and Israel are set to take part in this year’s edition of Falcon Strike 21 (FS21) exercises. Falcon Strike 21 a joint, multinational exercise involving service members from the US, Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom to integrate 4th and 5th generation fighter capabilities in a large force employment event.

Welding for the fabrication of prototypes and subsequent series production of the Boxer Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme, under which British Army is procuring over 500 Boxer vehicles started. Under the aegis of Artec GmbH, a joint venture of Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), Rheinmetall will fabricate first prototypes at its plant in Kassel, Germany which will also make the the first series vehicles. The prototypes will have content supplied by the United Kingdom, such as the remotely controlled weapon stations, generic vehicle architecture components, the local situational awareness system or the vehicle emergency lighting system.

Yomiuri Shimbun reports that Japan will budget for the research and development of its loyal wingman in next year’s fiscal budget. The report added that the unmanned air aircraft will be carried aboard the next-generation fighter dubbed F-X. The concept is not new in Japan. The former Fuji Heavy Industries develop the Fuji TACOM unmanned aerial vehicle from 1995 to 2011. The drone was carried on board the F-4E and F-15J. The US Air Force has also integrated the UTAP-22 Mako on the F-15C.

The Indian Navy has started to train its personnel to fly and maintain the MH-60R naval helicopter in the United States. The detachment have started their training at NAS Pensacola. Hindustan Times reports that two MH-60Rs will delivered to the Indian Navy next month and the third helicopter will be delivered by end of the year.

Watch: Viper AH-1Z attack helicopter air missile capability

Lockheed Martin won a $172.4 million contract modification for procurement of spare hardware in association with Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability (PAC-3) FY21 missiles and command and launch system. The PAC-3 serves as an endoatmospheric point defense system with a capability to intercept short-range tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and military aircraft. Unlike earlier Patriot missile defense systems, the PAC-3 interceptor relies on hit-to-kill technology whereby the interceptor uses kinetic energy to destroy its target on impact. Work will take place in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Texas and Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2024.

According to Oshkosh Defense, the company  won a $942.9 million contract to integrate 30mm medium caliber weapons systems onto US Army Stryker vehicles. The upgrade to the Stryker Double V Hull Infantry Carrier Vehicle will provide “precision lethality capability to the Army’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team,” the company said in a press release.

Turkey’s Aselsan has started mass production of tank armor package for integration onto German-origin Leopard 2A4 tanks. The Leopard 2A4 is an upgraded version of the first generation of Leopard 2 MBT including an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types and an improved turret with flat titanium/tungsten armor. This tank is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun which has been developed by Rheinmetall. A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament and one 7.62mm machine gun to the hatch of the loader. Two banks of four 76mm smoke grenade dischargers are mounted to each side of the turret.

A new ‘light’ Multiple Launch Rocket system (MLRS) based on an 80 mm rocket is being developed in Russia with serial production planned for 2024. The new MLRS will be unveiled at the Army-2021 land forces exhibition which will be held from August 22 to 28 at the Patriot Exhibition Center near Moscow.

Trials of Ajax armoured vehicles were halted at the end of last year to March this year due to excessive vibration and noise, leaving crews suffering from nausea, swollen joints and tinnitus. At the end of May, the Sun reported that General Dynamics built Ajax had encountered significant design problems and cited a leaked document outlining the excessive vibration and other issues. In a statement, the UK’s Ministry of Defense confirmed trials had been halted but have also said that trials had resumed.

South Korean prosecutors have said that they will not press any charges against Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) or the military over the crash of the MUH-1 helicopter that took place on July 18, 2018. Investigations into the crash found that a manufacturing defect lead to cracks in the main rotor mast.

Watch: South Korean Marine Corps MUH-1 Marineon amphibious helicopter

BAE Systems won an $18.7 million delivery order for Virginia Class submarine propulsors. This delivery order does not include options. The Virginia Class new attack submarine is an advanced stealth multimission nuclear-powered submarine for deep ocean anti-submarine warfare and littoral operations. Work will take place in Kentucky. Expected completion date is in April 2025.

Northrop Grumman won a $12 million contract modification, which increases the ceiling to extend services and adds hours increasing the full-scale fatigue repair time to achieve the required simulated flight hours in support of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft development. The Advanced Hawkeye features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in California, Florida and New York. Estimated completion is in June 2023.

Turkey’s Katmerciler said it won a contract from Kenya for 118 H?z?r tactical wheeled armored 4×4 vehicles. Kenya will be the third country in the world to acquire Katmerciler’s armored vehicles. The company aims to complete the delivery over two years, Furkan Katmerci, deputy chairperson of Katmerciler, told media.

Damen Shipyards Galati performed the keel-laying ceremony of the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Den Helder last week. The keel laying ceremony was performed by the Director Defence Material Organisation (DMO), vice admiral Arie Jan de Waard and vice admiral Rob Kramer, Commander Royal Netherlands Navy. The yard carried out the steel cutting for this new vessel in December last year. Following the keel-laying, all the building blocks for the actual construction of the ship in Romania are now ready. The engineering of the CSS has been largely carried out in the Netherlands.

Japan will allocate funds in 2022 to start the development of a new long-range standoff missile based on the Type 12 missile. The missile can be fired from surface ships and aircraft. Tokyo first indicated that it will acquire a standoff attack capability in 2018. $306 million were allocated this year to conduct feasibility studies on modifying the Type 12. The new missile is anticipated to be ready in 2026. Prototype development and operational testing for surface ships will take five years while the air-launch variant will need seven years of work.

The Biden administration has given its approval to sell 29 AH-64E attack helicopters to Australia that is expected to cost $3.5 billion. Australia has requested to buy 29 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, but also engines, modernized target acquisition and designation sight and pilot night vision sensors and fire control radars with electronic units, a release said.

Watch: FLOW – The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Enhancement: Refuel in Air

Lockheed Martin won a $49.5 million deal for the AH-64 Apache Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor performance-based logistics program. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter. The US Army has more than 800 Apaches in service, and more than 1,000 have been exported. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2025.

In a report, the Defense Department cites 23 civilians killed, and 10 injured, during US military action in 2020. The unclassified, 21-page “Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in Connection with United States Military Operations” is a requirement by Congress that includes explanations that avoiding harm to civilians “is the moral and ethical thing to do.” The report defines theaters of active armed combat, and limits them, for 2020, to action in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and Nigeria.

Elbit Systems won a contract worth $80 million to supply electro-optic systems integrated with artificial intelligence to the maritime forces of a country in the Asia-Pacific region. The contract will be performed over a period of four years. Under the contract, Elbit Systems will supply SPECTRO XR EO systems that will be integrated onboard a variety of maritime platforms. SPECTRO XR is a multi-spectral long-range EO system that provides naval, air and land forces with enhanced intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (“ISTAR”) capabilities, in both day and night and under low visibility conditions, such as fog, humidity, smoke, haze and dust.

Three Boeing P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft for the first time fired AGM-84D Harpoon missiles during a NATO’s three week-long At-Sea Demo/ Formidable Shield 2021 exercise. Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) successfully conducted a coordinated missile launch with VP-40 using two Air-to-Surface Missile (AGM-84D) Harpoons against a target barge off the coast of Norway on May 31, the Navy said.

South Korea’s Hanwha Defense has offered a new variant of the K9 self-propelled howitzer to the British Army under the Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme. A Request for Proposal for MFP is due to be released in 2022. The K9A2 development has been led by Hanwha Defense and the state-funded Agency for Defense Development.

Rheinmetall delivered first 25 Boxer 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRV) to the Australian Army under the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability project. Rheinmetall will deliver a total of 211 Boxer 8×8 Vehicles in different versions, 131 will be the CRV variant. They will replace the Army’s Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV) under LAND 400 Phase 2. Delivery of the first 25 vehicles enables Army to continue towards Initial Operating Capability on schedule as Rheinmetall moves into the next phase of the LAND 400 Phase 2 program.

Watch: America’s AH-64 Apache vs Russia’s KA-52 Alligator

The USS Paul Ignatius fired two Standard Missile-3 interceptors at the end of May in order to engage ballistic missile targets launched from the Hebrides Guided Weapon Range off the west coast of Scotland, the Navy announced. The test was carried out as part of a cooperative engagement with the Royal Netherlands Navy, which used its advanced combat system suite to warn the maritime task group of a threat, allowing the Ignatius to fire missiles and negate it, officials said.

US B-52H Stratofortress aircraft flew over all 30 NATO allied nations in North America and Europe Monday. B-52s currently deployed to Morón Air Base, Spain, and US-based aircraft planned to fly with more than 20 NATO allies across two combatant commands, according to a press release issued by US European Command before the flight took place.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a $200 million contract to provide unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) services to a country in Asia. The services relate to IAI’s Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This is the fourth major UAS transaction that IAI has announced this year. Controlled remotely from sea frigates or the seashore, the Heron supports ground and maritime missions against submarines and coastal guards. It transmits information while at sea, including between all the weapon systems participating in a mission.

A UK Apache ground crew has been preparing for their latest deployment to Estonia. The Force was created as part of Future Soldier, the Army’s transformation plan. It will be ready to respond rapidly to any threat, anywhere in the world, including to deliver humanitarian support. The Task Force will support the Apache Helicopter Gunships, ensuring they are refuelled and rearmed ready to take on the enemy. The Wildcat helicopter is also part of the Task Force, and will be used together with the Apache to provide reconnaissance and attack elements.

French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will conduct joint training at sea for the first time during exercise Gallic Strike. The exercise is lead by France and involves 14 warships and 56 aircraft. Both carrier groups will jointly conduct air strikes from the sea and defend against various threats.

The Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF) has issued a press statement saying that 16 People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) aircraft were intercepted off the coast of East Malaysia on May 31. The huge formation was detected by Air Defense Center (CRC 2) in Sarawak at 1153hrs local time.

Watch: The AH-64 Apache Helicopter Monstrous Power & Capability

Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) practice using the Drone Buster at an undisclosed location. This hand-held jammer has the ability to force a drone to descend or return to its operator.

The first Biden administration’s defense budget asks for $715 billion for fiscal 2022, including a $5.5 billion increase in research and development accounts and an $8 billion cut in procurement. This signals a new focus on new technologies at the expense of older programs.

ULAQ Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV), developed by Turkish companies Meteksan Defense and ARES Shipyard, successfully completed missile firing tests during Turkish Navy’s Sea Wolf 2021 Naval Exercise. Two CIRIT Laser Guided Missiles fired from ULAQ AUSV and both of them successfully hit the target. The ULAQ AUSV firing ceremony, attended by senior officials from Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries, Ministry of Defense, Turkish Naval Forces Command and Coast Guard Command, was started with the speeches of ARES Shipyard CEO Utku Alanç and Meteksan Defence  President Selçuk Alparslan.

The French General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) received the first operational version of the combat information system for the SCORPION program (SICS) developed by French firm, Atos. Its deployment is planned before the summer following the success of the operational assessments of the Army. SICS is the unique information system of the Scorpion program, which enables the digital transformation of the Army’s contact combat capabilities. All the weapon systems that make up SCORPION are also fully connected; thanks to SICS, they natively share combat information.

Chinese state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported on May 29 that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Army 80 Group Army recently demonstrated that its PHL-03 300 mm long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) has the ability to strike maritime targets. According to the Global Times, the exercise was conducted at Bohai Bay.

South Korea’s Minister of National Defense Suh Wook told lawmakers that a KC-330 will head to the United States on June 2 to bring back the Johnson & Johnson (J&J)’s Janssen vaccines. US President Joe Biden had promise to provide one million doses so that the country’s military can be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. The aircraft is expected to return back home on June 5.

Watch: ULAQ S?DA successfully hit its target in the first shot