Defense Industry Daily

Americas

BAE Systems won a $103.6 million contract to prepare for and accomplish repair and alteration requirements for USS Preble (DDG 88) Chief of Naval Operations scheduled depot maintenance period. This contract includes options, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $117,754,630. The purpose is to maintain, modernize, and repair the USS Preble. The USS Preble will receive comprehensive modernization for DDG 51 Class ships to ensure a mission relevant service life. This is a “long-term” availability and was solicited on a coast-wide (West Coast) basis without limiting the place of performance to the vessel’s homeport. BAE Systems will provide the facilities and human resources capable of completing, coordinating, and integrating multiple areas of ship maintenance, repair, and modernization for USS Preble. Work will take place in San Diego, California. Expected completion will be by February 2022.

J.F Taylor won a $23.2 million deal, which provides for the production and delivery of a maximum quantity of six first article test external quick-disconnect umbilical cable assemblies and a maximum quantity of 2,500 external quick-disconnect umbilical cable assemblies in support of advanced anti-radiation guided missile production. Additionally, this contract procures a maximum quantity of six first article test external quick-disconnect umbilical cable assemblies and a maximum quantity of 5,000 production representative external quick-disconnect umbilical cable assemblies for various military standard 1760 compliant weapons for the F/A-18 series and EA-18G aircraft. The F/A-18 “Hornet” is a single- and two-seat, twin engine, multi-mission fighter/attack aircraft that can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. The Growler is a derivative of the F/A-18 Hornet. The Growler was developed as a replacement for the US Navy EA-6B Prowler aircraft that entered service in 1971 and retired in March 2019. Work will take place Maryland. Expected completion will be in July 2025.

Middle East & Africa

The Pentagon contracted Lockheed Martin with $62 billion to build 90 F-16 fighters for Foreign Military Sale customers. Twenty-four of those fighters will be for Morocco while the rest is for Taiwan. Assembly will be carried out at the new F-16 plant at Greenville, South Carolina and all aircraft will be delivered by 2026. Work will take place in Greenville, South Carolina; and Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed December 31, 2026. The contract involves 100% FMS to FMS partner nations and is the result of a sole-source acquisition.

Europe

General Atomics von a $188.9 million contract action for Belgium MQ-9B SkyGuardian procurement. This contract provides for four MQ-9B unmanned air vehicles, two Certifiable Ground Control Stations, spares and support equipment. The MQ-9 Reaper is the primary offensive strike unmanned aerial vehicle for the US Air Force. Given its significant loiter time, wide-range sensors, multi-mode communications suite, and precision weapons, it provides a unique capability to perform strike, coordination, and reconnaissance against high-value, fleeting, and time-sensitive targets. Work will take place in Poway, California. Estimated completion is March 31, 2024.

Lufthansa Technik has placed an order with Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) for two A321LR airliners that will be operated by the Luftwaffe. The A321LRs will be able to fly up to 163 passengers, up to 6 intensive care patients and up to 12 medium care patients, depending on the installed configuration, with a maximum range of 4,200nm/7,800km or 9.5 flight hours, said the press release. Lufthansa Technik is the launch customer for the ACJ variant of the A321LR.

Asia-Pacific

India will ban the imports of 101 items of military equipment in an effort to boost local production and improve self-reliance in weapons manufacturing. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said the government is planning to progressively implement the embargo on select military imports between 2020 and 2024. The military equipment includes some high technology weapon systems and range from assault rifles and artillery to transport aircraft and light combat helicopters, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

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Americas

Boeing won a $15.6 million order, which provides for the production and delivery of 25 Harpoon Block II+ captive air training missiles and 24 tactical missiles. Harpoon Block II is an over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile manufactured by Boeing Defence, Space & Security. It is the world’s superior anti-ship missile capable of performing land-strike and anti-ship missions. The all-weather missile can engage a wide variety of land-based targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, aircraft, port or industrial facilities, and naval ships anchored in ports. Work will take place in Missouri, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Alabama, Minnesota, Arizona and Iowa. Estimated completion will be in August 2023.

Capco won a $13.3 million contract for the manufacture of M943 impulse cartridges used on B-1B and B-52H aircraft during the ejection sequence. The deal includes a five-year ordering period with no options. The B-52H is the US Air Force’s long-range, large-payload multirole bomber and is known as the Stratofortress or the Buff. It is the USAF’s principal strategic nuclear and conventional weapons platform that supports the US Navy in anti-surface and submarine warfare missions. Work will take place in Colorado. Estimated completion will be by August 2025.

Middle East & Africa

An attempted cyberattack on Israeli defense companies was stopped, the country’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday. Government officials said the attack came from an “international cyber group called ‘Lazarus,'” which used fake profiles on the social media platform LinkedIn in an attempt to gain access to computer systems. The scheme aimed to send corrupt computer files hidden in job offers from impersonated CEOs and human resources offices at Israeli high-tech firm in order to eventually gather sensitive information, officials said. Israel did not identify a foreign country as the attacker. The cyberattacks were discovered in real time, with no interruption to the work of the defense companies, the Defense Ministry said.

Europe

According to the British Ministry of Defense, a Royal Air Force P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft has flown from its base at Kinloss Barracks this morning to support Border Force Operations in the English Channel. The Poseidon made its operational debut last week tracking a Russian warship near the UK coast, it is now looking for dinghies. The task was previously performed by an A400M Atlas transport aircraft. The P-8 Poseidon is designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), and shipping interdiction, along with an electronic signals intelligence (ELINT) role. This involves carrying torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and other weapons.

The fourth remotely piloted aircraft of NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force has arrived at the Italian Air Force Base in Sigonella, Italy. NATO say that the aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California, USA, at 18:33 local time on July 25th and landed at Sigonella at 16:20 local time the following day, almost 22 hours later. The arrival of the fourth aircraft represents another successful step for NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance Force. Less than two weeks after the landing of the third RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft, also called ‘Phoenix’, the NATO AGS Force’s fleet of five total aircraft is near completion.

Asia-Pacific

The Japanese Ministry of Defense revealed plans to build a Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) base, as well as a training site for US carrier-based aircraft on Mage Island off Kagoshima Prefecture. Reportedly, the new base, where between 150 and 200 JSDF personnel are set to be stationed, will enable field carrier landing practice (FCLP) for the US Navy (USN) once or twice a year. At the base, the JSDF will practice take-offs and landings with its future shipborne F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, as well as to carry out drills with several other aircraft, including its recently acquired MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.

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Watch: Defence Updates #1030 – Hypersonic HSTDV Test Again, China On Gurkha Soldier, HAL LCH Operation LAC

Americas

Sikorsky won a $25.1 million delivery order, which provides non-recurring engineering for the development of logistics support products for the Maintenance Task Analysis Phase II, a provisioning database of technical information to include 2D drawings that supports all operational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance for the CH-53K helicopter. The CH-53K 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. The aircraft can be operated from austere and remote forward operating bases. Work will take place in Connecticut, Florida, Missouri, France, Georgia, England, New York, New Jersey and Ohio. Expected completion will be in August 2024.

DigiFlight won a $15.3 million contract modification for logistic support services for the Apache Attack Helicopter Project Manager’s Office. The Apache Program Office is responsible for all duties and functions associated with being the Army’s central point of contact for all materiel system matters pertaining to the AH-64. The Apache attack helicopter was developed by McDonnell Douglas for the US Armed Forces. It entered service with the US Army in 1984. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter. It was first used in combat in 1989 in the US military action in Panama. Work will take place in Columbia, Maryland an estimated completion date is August 10, 2020.

Middle East & Africa

The 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron broke its previous record on August 3 when it generated its 34th consecutive combat mission while deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, UAE. “The squadron embraced the challenge to provide critical combat air power across three areas of responsibility for coalition forces,” said Lt. Col. Terry “Val” Hjerpe, 968 EAACS commander. “We exceeded all expectations.” The 968 EAACS’s aircraft, the E-3G Airborne Warning and Control System, is the newest model of the E-3 Sentry that includes a modernized computer system and software that vastly enhances mission capability. The unit was tasked last month to increase its operations tempo to deliver significantly increased airborne command and control in theater, above their historic operational pace.

Europe

The Royal Netherlands Air Force resumed flights with its NH90 helicopters after they were grounded following the crash of one into the Caribbean Sea on July 19, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten told parliament. Meanwhile, the wreck of the crashed RNLAF NH90 has been found. “Based on the first investigation results it seems unlikely that a technical or mechanical failure of the helicopter was the cause of a crash with an NH-90 helicopter on July 19 in the Caribbean Sea whereby two crew members died,” it was stated in a press release.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian government has approved a purchase of 106 HTT-40 basic trainers made by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The aircraft will be ordered in two batches, the first order is for 70 aircraft followed by another 36 after the type is declared operational. With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft from HAL to address the basic training requirements of the IAF.

A Indonesian Air Force T-50I advanced jet trainer was significantly damaged when the jet veered off the runway during take off at Iswahjudi Air Force Base on August 10. Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Fajar Adriyanto said a student pilot and instructor were aboard the aircraft and both were able to walk away without scratches.

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Watch: Indian Defence Updates : Faster P17A Project,RFP For P75I,6 Swathi Order,New Naval System,12 ATDS/Yr

Americas

The Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) flew for the first time on August 7 under the right wing of a EA-18G from VX-23. Lt. Jonathan Williams, VX-23 test pilot, says the new pod imposed negligible handling issues with the Growler. The first flight, conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, is a Safety of Flight (SOF) checkout that ensures the pods can be safely flown on the EA-18G aircraft for follow-on test flights.

The HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter reportedly carried out its first aerial refueling on August 5 by connecting with a HC-130J tanker over southern Alabama. This connection marked the start of two weeks of developmental testing of the aircraft’s aerial refueling abilities by 413th Flight Test Squadron testers and their mission partners, says the press release. John Biscaino, Sikorsky’s test pilot, and Maj. Andrew Fama, 413th FLTS, were at the controls during the milestone test flight.

Middle East & Africa

The Pentagon said on August 11 it is investigating a pair of attacks on US-supported military convoys in Iraq. According to officials, the military is investigating one attack Monday night on a convoy carrying equipment near the Iraq-Kuwait border, south of Basra. Shiite group Ashab Al Kahf claimed responsibility, saying it destroyed “equipment and vehicles belonging to the American enemy.” The Pentagon uses foreign contractors to provide security in the area, which is a key transportation site.

Europe

According to BAE Systems, engineers from Australia and the UK have successfully completed a rigorous structural testing programme that has seen a Hawk airframe achieve the equivalent of 50,000 flying hours. The Mk127 Hawk operated by the Royal Australian Air Force has a safety clearance to fly 10,000 hours and is the most advanced standard of the aircraft. The firm also say that air forces in the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Oman operate similar standards of aircraft in their Hawk fleets with the Qatar Emiri Air Force due to become the latest to operate this most advanced standard of aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Thailand will spend $30 million to upgrade 12 C-130H cargo planes instead of purchasing new aircraft. The cabinet approved the project on August 4. Royal Thai Air Force commander ACM Maanat Wongwat explained that the budget to finance the upgrade will come from tie-over funds over the next two fiscal year. Earlier this year, the Royal Thai Air Force published a white paper that calls for the replacement of the C-130H by 2030. It said that the aircraft was commissioned in 1980 with 40 years in service and is nearing the end of its lifespan. It wishes to buy new replacement aircraft from 2022 in three batches of four aircraft.

A clear rendering of South Korea’s light aircraft carrier has been distributed to the local media and the ship’s main features can be seen. The overall shape is similar to the America-class with 9 spots on the flight deck for helicopters to take-off and land. The island is longer with two smoke funnels and two octagonal masts that are similar to those on the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. Two phase-array panels could be seen on the the forward mast. The port side aircraft elevator is in the same spot as American-class but the starboard side elevator has been brought forward closer to the island.

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Americas

PoleZero Acquisitions won an $8.9 million modification, which increases the ceiling of the contract to provide for the production and delivery of up to 12 additional Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Antenna Interface Units (AIUs); 22 Very/Ultra High Frequency (V/UHF) AIUs; 12 UHF AIU Communications Tray (COMM-Tray); and 18 V/UHF AIU COMM-Tray assemblies and subassemblies in support of the P-8A aircraft. The P-8A Poseidon is designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It is capable of broad-area maritime and littoral operations. It is also effective for humanitarian and search and rescue missions. Work will take place in West Chester, Ohio. Estimated completion will be in March 2023.

The number of COVID-19-cases in the US military passed the 30,000 threshold this week, the Pentagon reported. The Department of Defense now has recorded 30,392 cases of the coronavirus among military personnel, with civilian, contractor and dependent cases bringing DoD’s total case count to 43,634 as of Friday afternoon. The Army had 10,245 total cases last week. The Marines reported 3,746, the Navy had 7,166, the Air Force had 4,789, the National Guard had 4,151 and other Defense Department agencies had 295. The Army’s increase in cases, from Monday’s Pentagon report to Friday’s, was 548 cases, with the Marines up by 301, the Navy up by 278 and the Air Force up by 194. The National Guard, which has troops activated around the country to assist in COVID-19 response, reported 294 cases this week.

Middle East & Africa

A US Air Force C-17 delivered pallets of food and water to Beirut, Lebanon after the explosions at a local warehouse that lead to at least 220 deaths and 7,000 injuries. Personnel from the 379th Air Expeditionary Win, Air Mobility Command’s 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron and 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron on Al Udeid Air Base, and the Area Support Group Qatar from Camp As Sayliyah worked to palletize food, water and medical supplies delivered to Beirut later that day.

Europe

Snipers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division completed helicopter sniper training with the assistance of 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division at Smârdan, Romania. The team fired at targets while hovering from a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk on August 6th, 2020, at Smârdan, Romania. 3rd Battalion was the home of one of a small number of Special Reconnaissance Platoons created to better bridge the gap between conventional forces and Special Forces. The 15th United States Infantry Regiment is a parent regiment in the United States Army.

Leonardo announced that it was part of a new team launched to support the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Mission Data for Information Advantage (MD4IA) program. Known as Team NOVUS, the group includes Leonardo, Thales, BAE Systems, Sigma, Meta Mission Data, and MASS. The company said in a statement that “the founding members are committed to a transformative MD4IA enterprise approach that is built on outcome-based relationships and an agile delivery culture. Discussions are continuing with like-minded companies to enhance the Team NOVUS response to the MD4IA challenge.”

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan’s Lungteh Shipbuilding launched the first of four fast minelaying ships being built for the Republic of China Navy (RoCN). The 41 m-long vessel, which bears the designation FMLB-I (Fast Mine Laying Boat-I) on its hull, entered the water in a ceremony held at the company’s facilities in Yilan County. Work on the ship, which is expected to be handed over to the RoCN by the end of 2020, began on May 24, 2019, with the keel being laid on November 14. The first mine laying vessel is expected to be delivered this year, according to plans.

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Watch: TAIWAN DEPLOYS AMERICAN MADE F-16A VIPERS ARMED WITH HARPOON ANTI SHIP MISSILE TO TAKE ON CHINA !

Americas

Northrop Grumman Systems won a $21.9 million task order for the Minuteman III Fast Rising B-Plug service life extension. The LGM-30G Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, is an element of the nation’s strategic deterrent forces under the control of the Air Force Global Strike Command. The Minuteman is a strategic weapon system using a ballistic missile of intercontinental range. Missiles are dispersed in hardened silos to protect against attack and connected to an underground launch control center through a system of hardened cables. Launch crews, consisting of two officers, perform around-the-clock alert in the launch control center. Work will take place in Layton, Utah. Expected completion date is November 17, 2022.

Lockheed Martin won a $77.4 million contract modification, which provides for the development and installation of flight test instrumentation on one F-35B Lot 14 aircraft and one F-35C Lot 14 aircraft for government testing in support of the F-35 program. The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF), is being developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and the UK Royal Navy. The stealthy, supersonic multirole fighter was designated the F-35 Lightning II in July 2006. The JSF is being built in three variants: a conventional take-off and landing aircraft (CTOL) for the US Air Force; a carrier variant (CV) for the US Navy; and a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. Work will take place in Texas, California, Denmark and the Netherlands. Estimated completion will be in June 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey will ultimately train around a third of the Somali National Army, according to Mehmet Y?lmaz, the Turkish ambassador to the East African country. Y?lmaz told the state-controlled Anadolu Agency that Turkey had pledged to train 5,000 soldiers for the SNA, which is projected to have a force strength of 15,000–16,000. He said the battalions that have graduated from Turkish training are currently taking part in operations and include officers and non-commissioned officers who are forming the “backbone” of the SNA. The training of a fifth battalion has continued despite the coronavirus pandemic, albeit with strict precautions, bringing the total number of SNA soldiers trained by the Turks to 2,500, he added.

Europe

Lockheed Martin won a $65.3 million deal for fiscal 2020 Aegis modernization, new construction of guided missile destroyers and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) production requirements. This contract combines purchases for the Navy; the Kingdom of Spain; and the government of Japan, under the FMS program. The Aegis Weapon System is a centralized, automated, command-and-control and weapons control system that was designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill. The heart of the system is the AN/SPY-1, an advanced, automatic detect and track, multi-function phased-array radar. This high-powered (four megawatt) radar is able to perform search, track, and missile guidance functions simultaneously, with a track capacity of more than 100 targets. The first Engineering Development Model (EDM-1) was installed in the test ship, USS Norton Sound (AVM 1) in 1973. Work will take place in Moorestown, New Jersey; Clearwater, Florida; and Owego, New York. This procurement covers the production and delivery of multi-mission signal processor equipment sets; Aegis Combat System support equipment; and electronic equipment fluid coolers and kill assessment system 5.1 equipment. This contract action also provides MK 6 Mod 0 equipment for the government of Japan and the Kingdom of Spain FMS requirements. Expected completion will be by November 2024.

A Royal Air Force P-8 has completed the first tracking of a Russian warship on August 3. The maritime patrol aircraft monitored Russian warship, Vasily Bykov, as it transits the North Sea. It was accompanied by Eurofighters from RAF Lossiemouth and A330 Voyager from RAF Brize Norton. The P-8 offers a potent blend of tracking options and associated weapons able to find surface and sub-surface vessels, once more allowing the RAF to complete effective joint maritime operations with the Royal Navy.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea has unveiled an indigenous active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar prototype for use by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) next-generation multirole fighter aircraft, which is being developed under the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) program. The radar, which has been under development since 2016 by South Korean company Hanwha Systems and the country’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD), was unveiled in a ceremony on August 7, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

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Americas

Testers from the US Air Force’s 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron carried out the first four-ship F-16 formation test of the new APG-83 AESA radar on July 2. The mission objective was to determine if the jets experience interference when all four radars are active at the same time and to determine if there is signal improvement or degradation during the flight. According to the press release from Egline Air Force Base, the APG-83 is powerful enough that it allows the pilot to target a corner of a small building or the cockpit of an aircraft from beyond line-of-sight.

An Argentine Air Force A-4AR pilot was killed on August 5 when his fighter crashed south of the city of Cordoba during a training flight. Captain Gonzalo Fabian Britos Venturini ejected from his aircraft but did not survive. The A-4AR is an upgrade of the A-4M carried out by Lockheed Martin in the 1990s. The jets were modernized with new Douglas Escapac 1-G3 ejection seats, AN/APG-66V2 radars and HOTAS controls with CRT color displays.

Middle East & Africa

Kellogg Brown an Root Services son a $75 million job order contract for construction projects at Camp Lemonnier and Chabelley Air Field, Djibouti. No task orders are being issued at this time. The work to be performed provides for various renovations, repairs, maintenance, replacements, alterations, demolition and construction projects for Camp Lemonnier and Chabelley Air Field, Djibouti. The construction may include minor alteration, repair of real property (industrial and commercial) and utilities. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months. Work will take place in Djibouti, Africa. Estimated completion date will be by September 2025.

Europe

Reactivation of the US Army’s fabled V Corps establishes a forward command post in Poland, following announced plans to reduce US troop strength in Germany. The V Corps flag was unfurled on Tuesday in ceremonies in Krakow, Poland, with the promotion of commanding officer Maj. Gen. John Kolasheski to the rank of lieutenant general. About 200 Army personnel will form the post, beginning in Fiscal Year 2021, the US Embassy in Warsaw said. A new forward command post is part of an Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between Poland and the United States, finalized on July 31.

The Belarus Air Force carried out an exercise on the M1 Minsk-Brest motorway on August 5. MiG-29, Su-25, Yak-130 and L-39 landed on a pre-prepared strip of the motorway before taking off to carry out ground attacks at the Ruzhany air range. The section was defended by Tor-M2 air defense system and Mi-24 and Mi-8MTV-5 helicopters patrolled the area. Su-30SM fighters flew overhead as well.

Asia-Pacific

According to Jane’s, Saab reaffirmed its intention to offer its GlobalEye platform for South Korea’s recently announced program to acquire additional airborne early warning and control aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force. Saab reportedly told Jane’s that it expects the procurement to feature an initial two aircraft acquired through either an open tender or a direct acquisition. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is expected to confirm the procurement method later this year. GlobalEye is Saab’s new airborne early warning and control solution. It provides air, maritime and ground surveillance in a single solution. GlobalEye combines Saab’s new Erieye Extended Range Radar and a range of additional advanced sensors with the ultra-long range Global 6000 aircraft from Bombardier.

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Watch: Defense security news TV weekly navy army air forces industry military equipment July 2020 Video 4

Americas

Bell Textron won a $30.4 million order, which provides non-recurring engineering and integrated logistics support to produce and qualify the structural improvement and electrical power upgrade solution for the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper aircraft. This order provides for the integration of structural improvements and power upgrades, as well as the development of technical data and supporting documentation as it pertains to reliability, maintainability, damage limits and tolerances.  Additionally, this order provides for the manufacture and delivery of two drives system accessory power quills, one modified combining gearbox, one test stand upgrade, as well as associated component qualification testing. The UH-1Y utility helicopter provides command & control and assault support under day/night and adverse weather conditions. The AH-1Z attack helicopter provides rotary wing close air support, anti-armor, armed escort, armed/visual reconnaissance and fire support coordination capabilities under day/night and adverse weather conditions. Work will take place in Texas, Michigan and Arizona. Estimated completion will be in December 2022.

The Navy and Marine Corps have found the amphibious assault vehicle that sank off the coast of California last week as well as the remains of those killed in the incident. The services used a remotely operated search and rescue system to find the vehicle, which sank July 30 during a training exercise, killing eight Marines and a Sailor. According to the Marine, According to the Marines, the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard ships and aircraft had been working together to find the vessel. The AAV sank to a depth of 385 feet during a shore-to-ship maneuver about 1,500 meters off the coast of San Clemente Island.

Middle East & Africa

F-35As from the US Air Force have participated in the second joint exercise with Israeli F-35s on August 2. The training between the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Israel’s 140th Squadron took place over southern Israel. The fighters were supported by a KC-10 from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron and a G550 from Israeli Air Force 122 Squadron.

Europe

Martin Baker won a maximum $150 million contract for T-6 and T-38 Sustainment. This contract provides for T-6 and T-38 replenishment spares. The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer designed to train Joint Primary Pilot Training, or JPPT, students in basic flying skills common to US Air Force and Navy pilots.The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Work will take place in Uxbridge, UK and is expected to be finished by December 31, 2026.

The first ever Luftwaffe Eurofighter training detachment while embedded with a Royal Air Force (RAF) contingent that is deployed to Lithuania as part of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission has concluded. Pilots from RAF Lossiemouth-based 6 Sqn RAF flew with pilots from the German Tactical Fighter Wing 71 Richthofen to practice air intercepts and basic fighter maneuvers together as a pair. Both sides will reverse roles in September when the British will embed with a German detachment in Amari, Estonia.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won an $181.7 million contract modification, which provides for the production, delivery and integration of 24 Airborne Low Frequency Sonars (ALFS) for the government of India; eight ALFS for the Navy and seven ALFS for the government of Denmark, into MH-60R Seahawk aircraft. The ALFS is the primary undersea warfare sensor of the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. This integrated dipping sonar system enables the MH-60R to accomplish the assigned ASW missions of submarine detection, tracking, localization and classification. It also performs missions relating to acoustic intercept, underwater communications and environmental data acquisition. Work will take place in Rhode Island and New York. Estimated completion will be by December 2024.

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Watch: U.S AIR FORCE IS READYING ‘GOLDEN HORDE’ SWARMING WEAPON TO TAKE OUT ENEMY TARGETS !

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $34.7 million ordering agreement, which provides non-recurring engineering for requirements development and systems engineering technical reviews and certification planning; initial requirements change requests; procurement strategy source selection package; performance based navigation certification plan; initial system safety; cyber; program protection and exportability analysis; integrated master schedule; and other associated technical deliverables in support of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye cockpit redesign. Operating from an altitude more than 25,000ft high, the Hawkeye alerts the naval task force to approaching air threats, while also providing threat identification and positional data to fighter aircraft such as F-14 Tomcats. The next-generation E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a new radar system, theatre missile defense capabilities, multi-sensor integration and a Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems tactical glass cockpit. Work will take place in Melbourne, Florida and Patuxent River, Maryland. Expected completion will be in January, 2022.

Testers from the US Air Force’s 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron carried out the first four-ship F-16 formation test of the new APG-83 AESA radar on July 2. The mission objective was to determine if the jets experience interference when all four radars are active at the same time and to determine if there is signal improvement or degradation during the flight. According to the press release from Egline Air Force Base, the APG-83 is powerful enough that it allows the pilot to target a corner of a small building or the cockpit of an aircraft from beyond line-of-sight.

Middle East & Africa

Raytheon won a $33.7 million contract modification for National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) integration and alternate Air Defense Operations Center (ADOC) installation. The contract modification is for the procurement, installation, integration and testing of NASAMS into the ADOC and alternate ADOC. The modification involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Qatar. Work will take place Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Expected completion will be in October 2021.

Europe

Reuters reports that Serbia has bought the FK-3 air defense missile system from China, the FK-3 is the export variant of the HQ-22. The information was disclosed by state-run arms company Jugoimport SDPR’s annual report, submitted to the state Business Registers Agency last week and seen by Reuters. This is the first time that such type of Chinese air defense missile system has been exported to Europe.

The British Army has ordered 589 AJAX vehicles, including the Ares variant, which will be delivered between now and the end of 2024. According to a press release, the first six vehicles were delivered to the Household Cavalry Regiment at Bulford, Wiltshire. Ares, and the other variants in the Ajax family of armored vehicles, will replace the Army’s Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR(T)) vehicles which have been the mainstay of armored reconnaissance for almost fifty years.

Asia-Pacific

The Pakistan Army officially inducted into service its first batch of Al-Khalid-I main battle tanks in a ceremony at the facilities of state-owned defense manufacturer Heavy Industries Taxila in the Rawalpindi District of the Pakistan’s Punjab Province. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said that several units of the tank, which is an improved variant of the in-service Al-Khalid MBT, were handed over to the PA’s Armoured Corps. The Al-Khalid-I is part of a joint venture between Pakistan, China, and Ukraine, and is believed to be intended to replace approximately 300 Type 85 and 320 T-80UD MBTs.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : IAF AWACS-Tanker Combo,2Mn Rifles At $12 Bn,6 More Scorpenes,62 C-295 Delay

Americas

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) had its first Air Intercept Control (AIC) event on July 30 and the aircraft carrier’s crew directed F/A-18s from VFA-103 and VFA-213 to protect high value asset against enemy threats. Two separate AIC events took place during the exercise and Ford’s Air Intercept Controller, Operations Specialist 1st Class David Geary, controlled two Super Hornets from Jolly Rogers and four F/A-18Fs from Black Lions to “intercept, escort and if necessary kill the inbound threat aircraft.”

The US Air Force may replace its 218 F-15Es with F-15EXs, which could expand the new program to over 400 aircraft, according to service documents justifying the sole-source contract to Boeing. In its F-15EX Justification and Approval (J&A) document, which was dated March 2018 but only published this month, the flying branch said while the F-15EX acquisition program is “initially” intended to refresh the aging F-15C/D, a decision to similarly replace the F-15E Strike Eagle fleet with the EX “has not been made, but remains an option.” The documents also disclosed that Boeing will most likely build 144 F-15EX fighters to replace the 234 F-15C/Ds that are currently in USAF service. It also quoted the F-15 system program office as saying the EX will enjoy “90-95 percent commonality” with the F-15QA that Qatar has ordered. Deliveries of the F-15QA will commence soon. It further justified the purchase by stating that it takes approximately “six months or less to transition from the F-15C/D to the F-15EX.” And transitioning from “F-15s to the F-35 (or any other airframe) will take approximately 18 months for an Active-duty squadron and 36 months for an Air National Guard squadron.”

Middle East & Africa

METIS Solutions won a $27 million contract modification for counter threat finance. The contract modification exercises Option Year One. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $23,455,736 are being obligated at the time of award. Work will take place in Afghanistan, National Capital Region as well as Florida. Expected completion date is September 27, 2024.

Europe

The Hungarian army received four refurbished Leopard 2 tanks from its German manufacturer. The country awaits delivery of 44 upgraded tanks starting in 2023. While the tanks were handed over by maker Kraus-Maffei Wegmann on Thursday at an army base in Tata, Hungary, eight older versions of the Leopard 2A4HU variant will be provided for training purposes. Hungary will receive 44 of the newest Leopard 2 variant, called the 2A7+, to replace Soviet-made T-72 tanks. Germany and Denmark currently use the upgraded tanks, and the purchase suggests some interoperability between the German, Danish and Hungarian armies. All of them are NATO members. The sale is part of a $2 billion purchase by Hungary of German tanks, howitzers and other battlefield support equipment. At least momentarily, Hungary is Germany’s largest arms customer.

The Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk is one of the options that Serbia is considering as a replacement for its existing jet trainer and light attack fleets. A senior government official said on TV, that aircraft could replace both the SOKO G-4 Super Galeb (Super Seagull) advance trainer and light attack platform and the SOKO J-22 Orao (Eagle) ground attack jets that, despite ongoing modernization efforts, are due for retirement. Serbia has expressed interest for the acquisition of 20 T-7A jets, the acting assistant minister for material resources in the Serbian defense ministry, Nenad Miloradovi?, said. He added that the T-7A, which is being developed as a trainer for the US Air Force (USAF) and marketed as a potential light fighter/attack solution for the international market, possesses “excellent characteristics and capabilities”.

Asia-Pacific

China said that long-range bombers were among the aircraft that took part in recent aerial drills over the South China Sea amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over the strategic waterway. The exercises included nighttime takeoffs and landings and simulated long-range attacks, Defense Ministry spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said. Among the planes were H-6G and H-6K bombers, upgraded versions of planes long in use with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and the People’s Liberation Army Navy Air Force, Ren said.

Today’s Video

Watch: DEFENSE UPDATES WEEKLY NEWS ROUND-UP 2nd AUG – U.S TO HELP JAPAN MONITOR EAST CHINA SEA AGINST CHINA

Americas

Swedish company Saab submitted its proposal for the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) to Canada. The proposal comprises 88 Gripen E fighter aircraft, with a comprehensive support and training package and an industrial and technological benefits program. The submission is a formal response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) on July 23, 2019. Saab is committing to deliver an industrial program that has been designed to generate long-lasting, high-tech employment opportunities, and business opportunities across all regions of Canada. “Saab’s Gripen fighter is designed to operate in harsh environments and defeat the most advanced global threats. The system meets all of Canada’s specific defence requirements, offering exceptional performance and advanced technical capabilities. A unique element of the avionics design is that Gripen E’s system can be updated quickly, maintaining technological superiority against any adversary,” says Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President and head of Saab business area Aeronautics. Meanwhile, the deadline for Canada’s fighter competition has now closed and only three companies have submitted their bids. Boeing will enter the competition with its Super Hornet while Lockheed Martin will compete with the F-35. Europe’s only entrant in the competition is the Saab JAS-39. The winner will be decided in 2022, with the first aircraft delivery projected in 2025. The tender is worth approximately $14 billion.

Walsh Federal LLC won a $37.3 million deal for the construction of an F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft training and simulator facility, Marine Corps Air Station, New River, North Carolina. According to the DoD, the work to be performed will provide a one story simulator facility that will support six mission rehearsal trainers and full mission simulators, six deployable mission rehearsal trainers and support spaces which will include administrative, classroom and conference space. The facility will also include space for a Marine aviation training systems site and a night imaging and threat evaluation lab. The facility will be a reinforced concrete masonry unit building with seismic upgrades. It will be located on a pile of supported and reinforced concrete slabs on grade foundation with structural steel framing and a pre-finished insulated roof system with renewable energy features. Structural elements will allow for the expansion of the facility in the future if required. The facility will be constructed and certified for secure handling and storage of classified material and components to meet top secret/special access program facility classifications. Work will take place in New River, North Carolina. Estimated completion is in April 2022.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey has deployed its combat helicopters to Azerbaijan for a live-fire exercise. According to local media, a group of servicemen and the aircraft of the Turkish Armed Forces participating in the Azerbaijani-Turkish Live-Fire Joint Large-Scale Tactical and Flight-Tactical Exercises arrived in Nakhchivan. Military, attack and combat helicopters of the Turkish Armed Forces arrived on a military transport aircraft, are brought to a state of readiness for Live-Fire Flight-Tactical Exercises at the military airfield of the Combined Arms Army.

Europe

Lockheed Martin has secured an order from the Swiss Army for its Indago small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The aerospace giant will customize the Indago to meet Swiss requirements by fitting a transponder for sense and avoid; install a Silvus Technologies’ radio; and provide the VCSi Touch SUAS Ground Control System software that includes access to Swiss maps, with digital terrain elevation data (DTED), and Geofencing.

Asia-Pacific

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Philippines of scout, assault, and light support boats with armaments and related equipment for an estimated cost of $126 million, US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. US DSCA also said the the required certification notifying US Congress was delivered.The possible sale includes thirty-six 9M Scout Boats (SB); thirty-six 10M Assault Boats (AB); eighteen 16M Light Support Boats (LSB); and 156 M240B 7.62x51mm machine guns.

Lockheed Martin won a $34.2 million contract modification for the Service Life Extension Program for the Republic of Korea’s F-16 aircraft. In December of 1981, the Republic of Korea signed a letter of agreement for the purchase of 36 F-16C/D block 32 Fighting Falcons under the Peace Bridge I Foreign Military Sales program. This made the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) the first foreign operator of the F-16C/D model of the Fighting Falcon. Work will take place in the Republic of Korea. Estimated completion date is August 15, 2026.

Today’s Video

Watch: INDIA GETS FIRST 5 OF 36 LETHAL RAFALE FIGHTERS – WHY IS A GAME CHANGE ? UNBIASED ANALYSIS

Americas

Boeing won an $11.3 million contract modification to update critical safety items for the Apache attack helicopter (AH-64E). The Apache attack helicopter was developed by McDonnell Douglas, which is now Boeing, for the US armed forces. It entered service with the US Army in 1984. The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four bladed, multi-mission attack helicopter designed as a highly stable aerial weapons-delivery platform. With a tandem-seated crew consisting of the pilot, located in the rear cockpit position and the co-pilot gunner (CPG), located in the front position. Work will take place in Mesa, Arizona. Estimated completion is December 31, 2014.

Raytheon won a $47.3 million modification for full rate production of the Javelin weapon system. Javelin is an anti-tank guided munition that can be carried and launched by a single person. It is made by the Javelin Joint Venture, a partnership between Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Lockheed Martin. The weapon can be deployed from multiple platforms and used during the day, at night and in any kind of weather. Work will take place in Tucson, Arizona. Estimated completion date is August 31, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

The US Air Force’s 378th Air Expeditionary Logistics Squadron was able to set up an R-20 refueling station next to a taxiway at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in 48 hours after getting the call. F-15s from the 44th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and a KC-135 landed at the air base to refuel and turnaround for another mission on Jul. 14 to test out the new refueling station. 1st Lt. McDaniel, 349th EARS, KC-135 Stratotanker pilot, said: “With the rapid refueling process, it was a lot faster. We took 85,000 pounds of fuel in less than an hour. This will allow us to get off the ground, provide the fueling capability in the (area of responsibility) and sustain combat operations.”

Europe

Defense Secretary Mark Esper revealed plans for US Forces in Europe on Wednesday, prior to an announced troop withdrawal from Germany. Speaking at the Pentagon, Esper announced the start of plans for repositioning US Forces in Europe, known as the European Command or EUCOM. The plan includes five goals: deterrence of Russia, strengthening NATO, reassuring allies, improvement of US strategic flexibility and EUCOM operational flexibility and care of US service members and their families. He noted that 11,900 U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Germany, leaving about 24,000, but about half of those removed will be placed in other NATO countries. The move, objected to by Republicans in Congress, was widely expected.

Asia-Pacific

The Philippine Air Force will now have to wait until October to take delivery of a C-130 after the United States informed Manila that it is not possible to fly the aircraft over to Philippines this month due to COVID-18. Another C-130 scheduled to be delivered at the end of the year will only be going home on 2021 instead. The coming C-130s were procured through the US foreign military financing program. Both planes cost $50.9 million but the Philippines would pay only $31.6 million, while the US would bankroll the rest of the amount.

The first five of 36 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter aircraft ordered for the Indian Air Force in late 2016 for $9.27 billion landed at Ambala Air Force Station (AFS) in northern India on July 29. The aircraft are part of a purchase to upgrade India’s military, as it contends with Pakistan on its west and China on its east, officials have noted. The Indian government discouraged media coverage or celebration, opting instead for a “final induction ceremony” in August.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : 5 Rafale Arrive,2 Tankers Lease,AON For INS Vishal,5 FFS Deal,New Al-Khalid

PAF C-130H
(click to view full)

The Philippine Air Force has devolved in many ways since the 1980s, but China’s ongoing pressure is finally focusing high-level attention on the need to rebuild it. A country of islands means a special premium for sea and air transport, but the country’s aerial transport fleet has declined especially badly. At the high end, it has crashed from a high of 18 C-130 medium transports to just 3 aged C-130B and L-382 (converted civil C-130H) aircraft. Poor storage and practices mean that only 3 other PAF airframes can even hope for refurbishment now, and the country is also looking to buy second-hand C-130s from the United States.

Contracts & Key Events

C-130T
(click to view full)

July 31/20: Delay The Philippine Air Force will now have to wait until October to take delivery of a C-130 after the United States informed Manila that it is not possible to fly the aircraft over to Philippines this month due to COVID-18. Another C-130 scheduled to be delivered at the end of the year will only be going home on 2021 instead. The coming C-130s were procured through the US foreign military financing program. Both planes cost $50.9 million but the Philippines would pay only $31.6 million, while the US would bankroll the rest of the amount.

April 8/16: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has taken delivery of the first of two ordered C-130 cargo aircraft acquired through the excess defense articles (EDA) program. It is expected that the second C-130 will be delivered in the third of forth quarter of this year. Originally configured for tanker missions, the two aircraft have been converted for transport missions, and will significantly boost the PAF’s heavy lift capabilities. At present, the air force operates three Airbus Military C-295 medium, and three Fokker F-27 transports for its logistics and lift missions.

March 10/16: The Philippine Air Force will receive two more second hand C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft at a cost of $34.1 million. Delivery of the first is expected next week, while the second will follow in September. This brings the total number of C-130 aircraft in their fleet to five. The deal was announced by the outgoing Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey F. Hidalgo as part of attempts to modernize the air force’s capability for humanitarian and disaster response, and territorial defense from Chinese expansion.

July 24/14: The US DSCA announces the Philippines official request for 2 ex-US Navy C-130T Hercules medium tactical transports, 10 T56-16 engines (8 installed and 2 spares), 3 years of sustainment and support, modification equipment and labor costs, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, aircraft ferry support, personnel training and training equipment, and other US Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is $61 million.

“Contractor requirements are still being researched, and will be fulfilled through open competition. Should USG representatives or contractor support in-country be required in support of the case, length of time in-country will be minimized to the maximum practical extent. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.”

C-130Ts are US NAVAIR’s designation for planes the USAF would classify as C-130H models, with some changes. the Navy bought 20, and the type reached Initial Operating Capability in 1991. They, and their dual-role KC-130T counterparts, are being replaced by new KC-130J transport/ tankers. Sources: US DSCA #14-24, “Government of the Philippines – C-130T Aircraft”.

Nov 27/13: Will buy 2. Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says that they’ll buy 2 used C-130s from the USA:

“He said the current C-130s are overused given the scale of the operations in Visayas–particularly Leyte and Samar–the region that was battered by Yolanda and a 7.2 magnitude quake in October. The secretary said buying brand-new planes is not a priority at this time because the country cannot afford the tag price…. The Air Force is down to three functioning C-130 from a high of 18. It will cost around P500 million [DID: $11.5 million] to fix the non-functioning planes.”

Sources: “Philippines to buy 2 used C-130s”

June 10/13: Fleet to 9? The Philippine blog MaxDefense says that the country could have as many as 9 C-130s again by 2015:

“For those who passed by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you may have seen three parked C-130s on the apron. These three aircraft are currently not operational, and are the only units found by PAF and Lockheed Martin specialists as acceptable for re-commissioning after extensive refurbishment and repair… According to MaxDefense sources, these 3 units (2 C-130B and an L-100 civilian version) will undergo in-house refurbishing and repair similar to what was done last year to C-130B tail no. 3633. It will be done by the PAF’s 410th Maintenance Wing…. Information given to MaxDefense regarding these 3 C-130s is not yet final though…. According to MaxDefense sources, the DND and PAF are in talks with the US government to get at least 3 units of “H” models from US EDA stocks.”

Sources: MaxDefense, “More C-130 Hercules transport planes for the PAF staring 2014”.

Aug 10/12: 1 operational. PH Defense Today is still on top of key RFPs, and places them in the context of the fleet’s current condition. When this RFP is done, the country’s fleet will rise to 3 C-130s in service:

“An unidentified Philippine Air Force C-130 is due to undergo its 24th Year Scheduled Maintenance Program (SMP). On August 1, 2012, the PAF Bids and Awards Committee invited suppliers to bid for tools and equipment related to the SMP on PhilGEPS…. as of writing, the Air Force only had one operational Hercules: #4726, making it the logical object of this effort.

Two other PAF C-130s are undergoing maintenance programs. The long suffering #4704, which had been the AFP’s lone operational C-130 for years, is currently in the United States for a protracted repair effort. The second, #3633, is nearing the end of its maintenance cycle at the 410th maintenance wing…. The text of the bid invitation appears below…”

Sources: PH Defense Today, “Another PAF C-130 due to undergo Scheduled Maintenance Program (SMP)”.

Jan 6/12: PH Defense Today pulls some official data to illustrate a problem:

“The 305th Contracting Office of the AFP Procurement Service currently has P7,928,421.13 [DID: about $181,000] worth of bid invitations on PhilGEPS that dramatically illustrate the challenges that AFP logisticians face. Instead of establishing service support agreements with aircraft suppliers, the service is inviting potential suppliers to 18 individual bids for C-130 components. These appear in the table below…”

Sources: PH Defense Today, “The PAF’s piecemeal acquisitions”.

Additional Readings

• US NAVAIR – C/KC-130T Hercules.

Americas

L-3 Communications Integrated Systems won a $20.7 million contract modification for the installation of auxiliary power units, digital red switch systems and Family of Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals/Presidential National Voice Conferencing modifications and associated support on two E-6B Mercury aircraft. The Boeing E-6 Mercury is a command post and communications relay aircraft manufactured by Boeing for the US Navy. The aircraft relays communications for ballistic missile submarine forces and provides airborne command and control for strategic forces. The E-6B features battle staff positions and an airborne launch control system equipped with land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles. Work will take place in Waco, Texas. Estimated completion date will be in July 2021.

American company Boeing announced that it had signed a Direct Commercial Sale agreement with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to upgrade Japan’s F-15J to the F-15JSI. The rendering by Boeing shows the jet carrying a JASSM or LRASM cruise missile on station 5 on the centerline. The aircraft is believed to be armed with the AAM-4 air-to-air missiles as well. The medium-range active radar homing is made by Mitsubishi. Besides having new air-to-ground weapon, the F-15JSI will have a new cockpit system along with a powerful mission computer. The electronic warfare system will be state-of-the-art, Boeing said in the press release. On October 30, 2019, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency cleared the upgrade of 98 F-15J aircraft to the Japanese Super Interceptor (JSI) configuration. The fighter will be equipped with APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II) Mission System Computer.

Middle East & Africa

The State Department approved a possible $59.6 million deal to sell various M1A2K training ammunition and related equipment to Kuwait, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Tuesday. According to DSCA, Kuwait asked to buy 10,260 120MM M865 Target Practice Cone Stabilized Discarding Sabot Tracer Cartridges and 9,810 120MM M1002 Target Practice Multipurpose Tracer (TPMP-T) Cartridges. The sale would also include 600,000 linked cartridges, containers, munitions, support and test equipment and technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

Europe

The Dwight D. Eisenhower (IKE) Carrier Strike Group is currently participating in a joint exercise with the Air Force and Navy of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. The joint operations started on July 24 and will end today. Hellenic Navy frigate HN Aegean (FFGH 460) joined the CSG as an air defense unit, locating and identifying air contacts around the task force. Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) conducted day and night bombing practices at the Greek Karavia Range. Aircrews were able to fire unguided and guided rockets and drop laser training rounds at the range. To make the training more realistic, the navy fighters had to fight their way to the target against Hellenic F-16s. “Being able to practice air-to-air combat with a foreign partner and then immediately transition to an air-to-ground weapons release is what flying the F/A-18 is all about,” said a CVW-3 department head.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin won an $18.1 million modification, which provides non-recurring efforts and modifies three Lot 14 MH-60R helicopters to the initial India configuration in support of the MH-60R modification program for the government of India. The R-model Seahawks primarily provide maritime anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities to India, with secondary missions including cargo and utility, search-and-rescue, and communications relay. In May, Sikorsky finalized a $905 million deal to build two dozen MH-60R maritime utility helicopters for India, the largest defense contract that parent company Lockheed Martin has signed with the country. Work will take place in Owego, New York and Stratford, Connecticut. Expected completion will be by March 2022.

Today’s Video

Watch: RUSSIA TEST FIRES ZIRCON MISSILE FROM ADMIRAL GORSHKOV FRIGATE – HAS PLASMA CLOUD TO EVADE RADAR !

Americas

SCD.USA Infrared LLC won a $17.4 million contract for sustainment support services for the AN/VSQ-6B Vehicle Optics Sensor system. The AN/VSQ-6B Vehicle Optics Sensor System is a surveillance system designed for vehicles supporting route and area clearance of explosives, ordnance and other threats. It is a gyrocam system that uses gyro-stabilized electro-optical sensors and night vision devices designed for bad weather and completely dark nights. It can be used by ground vehicles, aircraft and ships, as well as in static positions for area security. Estimated completion date is July 27, 2030.

The Pentagon has not taken contractors’ risks because of climate change into account, a Government Accountability Office report says. The reports says that the Defense Department has regarded climate change as a threat to operations since 2010. The report details a review of acquisition and supply processes, as well as mission assurance processes, to protect or ensure the function of capabilities and assets critical to the department’s missions. The review found that the Defense Department “has not routinely assessed climate-related risks faced by its contractors as part of its acquisition and supply processes,” and that typical processes to spot potential supply chain problems “do not systematically identify and consider climate-related risks to materiel acquisition and supply or the acquisition of weapon systems.”

Middle East & Africa

Vectrus Systems Corp. won a $529.1 million contract modification for Kuwait base operations and security support services. The Kuwait-Base, Operations and Security Support Services program supports key US Army installations across Kuwait including Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, Udairi Range Complex, Camp Patriot on the Kuwait Naval Base and sites at Kuwait City International Airport and the Port of Shuaiba. Work will take place in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Estimated completion is September 28, 2021.

An unmanned aerial vehicle made in Israel for Germany’s Defense Ministry completed its first successful flight, builder Israel Aerospace Industries announced. The Heron TP, modified to the specifications of the German Defense Ministry, completed its first flight on July 26 in Israel, the company said. The medium altitude, long endurance Heron TP, regarded as the company’s most advanced drone, can be used for reconnaissance and support roles, and can fire air-to-ground missiles. With a maximum takeoff weight of 11,365 pounds, the vehicle has a 54-foot wingspan and can carry a payload of over 2,200 pounds. It is based on the Eitan UAV in use by the Israel Air Force. The German and Israeli defense ministries signed a nine-year, $600 million agreement in 2018 to lease an unknown number of UAVs. The contract covers training, support and maintenance, with 35 two-man teams from Germany training in Israel to operate the drones.

Europe

Netherlands has been given the green light to buy 16 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) for $39 million. The deal includes containers, weapon systems support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, US Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands’ capability to meet current and future threats by deterring regional threats, strengthen its homeland defense, and enable interoperability and standardization between the armed forces of the Netherlands and the United States. The Netherlands, which already maintains AMRAAM missiles, will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan has decided to add another $1 billion to acquired the Boeing Harpoon Coastal Defense system. This will force the Navy to delay the purchase of 10 MH-60R naval helicopters in 2021 due to a shortfall in budget. According to the news report, the number of vehicles for the system remains the same. However, the island will be buying more Harpoon missiles instead. The move has created some resistance in the military as Taiwan has been trying to increase its anti-submarine capability, the delay in purchasing the naval helicopters will lead to a capability gap in undersea warfare in the short term.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : Russia Offers New TOS-1A,250 K9 Light Tank,S400 Stopped,12 US2I Deal,EMISAT

Americas

Curtiss-Wright Defense Systems won a maximum $7.6 million deal for an advanced mission management system in support of the MQ4-C Triton aircraft program. The MQ-4C Triton is a broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) unveiled by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy. The MQ-4C Triton is based on the RQ-4N, a maritime variant of the RQ-4B Global Hawk. The main aluminum fuselage is of semi-monocoque construction, while the V-tail, engine nacelle and aft fuselage are made of composite materials. The MQ-4C Triton program is managed by the Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Programme Office. Work will take place California. Estimated completion date is February 28, 2022.

Sikorsky won a $19.5 million contract for overhaul and repair of the tail rotor blade with pitch horn replacement for UH60 Blackhawk aircraft. The Black Hawk is the Army’s front-line utility helicopter used for air assault, air cavalry, and aeromedical evacuation units. It is designed to carry 11 combat-loaded, air assault troops, and it is capable of moving a 105-millimeter howitzer and 30 rounds of ammunition. First deployed in 1978, the Black Hawk’s advanced technology makes it easy to maintain in the field. Estimated completion date of work is July 23, 2025.

Middle East & Africa

The Turkish Navy’s first dedicated intelligence-gathering ship has started sea acceptance tests. Ufuk was observed sailing in the Gulf of Izmit. The new ship was designed by STM and built at Istanbul Shipyard under a contract awarded in 2017. The vessel was laid down in 2018 and launched on 9 February 2019. Ufuk is derived from the MilGem corvette design, but features a different main propulsion system and changes to the superstructure. It features the same hull dimensions as the Ada class, with an overall length of 99 m, a beam of 14.1 m and a draught of 3.6 m. However, Ufuk is expected to be at least 100 tonnes heavier than the Ada corvettes at around 2,400 tonnes.

Europe

GKN Aerospace Sweden announced that it is to participate with partner industries in Italy and the UK in feasibility studies on future fighter engine technology development. The announcement, made during the virtual Farnborough International Air Show, is part of a wider firming-up of Sweden’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the UK on the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program that was signed in July 2019.

Asia-Pacific

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has confirmed to Yomiuri Shimbun by email that there are talks with Japan on how Tokyo can join the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program. The HBTSS is a new space-based sensor that can detect and track hypersonic weapons. Data collected will be feed to fire control systems for engagement.

Taiwan has decided to add another $1 billion to acquired the Boeing Harpoon Coastal Defense system. This will force the Navy to delay the purchase of 10 MH-60R naval helicopters in 2021 due to a shortfall in budget. According to the news report, the number of vehicles for the system remains the same. However, the island will be buying more Harpoon missiles instead. The move has created some resistance in the military as Taiwan has been trying to increase its anti-submarine capability, the delay in purchasing the naval helicopters will lead to a capability gap in undersea warfare in the short term.

Today’s Video

Watch: Indian Defence Updates : New Predator-C For India,Twin Dhruvastra On LCH,F/A-18 Test For INS Vikrant

Americas

AHI, Grand Prairie won a $74 million contract modification for 15 UH-72 D-2 production aircraft and options to procure three additional D-2 production aircraft, 18 jettisonable cockpit doors, 14 engine inlet barrier filters and 14 environmental control units. The UH-72A Lakota is the US Army’s multi-mission helicopter. Selected in June 2006 following a rigorous evaluation, it combines operational capability, reliability and affordability, fulfilling all of the Army’s requirements for speed, range, endurance and overall performance. Work will take place in Grand Prairie, Texas. Estimated completion date is August 31, 2022.

The US State Department has cleared Chile to purchase modernization upgrades for its F-16 fleet, with a potential $634 million price tag. Chile currently operates 44 F-16s. That includes 10 Block 50 models purchased in the early 2000s, as well as 36 older models bought second-hand from the Netherlands. The upgrades included in this potential sale include 19 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing Systems (JHMCS); six inert MK-82 (500LB) general purpose bomb bodies; two MXU-650KB Air Foil Groups (AFG); 44 LN-260 Embedded GPS/INS (EGI) and 49 Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radios (MIDS JTRS). Also included are avionics equipment and software upgrades, new radios, upgraded IFF transponders, secure communications equipment and other parts. The upgrades are expected to go across the 44 plane fleet.

Middle East & Africa

The United Arab Emirates defense industrial conglomerate Edge announced that it was buying out the 40% stake in aircraft maintenance joint venture AMMROC from Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky. Under a conditional agreement between the two companies, Edge will acquire the stake for $307 million. Edge CEO and Managing Director Faisal Al Bannai, said in a statement that, “Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky have played a pivotal role in developing the UAE’s MRO capabilities. As Edge assumes full ownership of AMMROC and continues to pursue the military and civil MRO market with specialist skills, we recognise that such achievements are the outcome of our international partnerships. Going forward, we will continue to explore emerging business opportunities with Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky to further strengthen our relationship”.

Europe

Facilities to house the Poseidon MRA Mk1 fleet have been handed over to Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S), marking a major milestone in the Poseidon program. DE&S, the MoD procurement arm, say they will take control of the $127.9 million strategic facility at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland. In the coming months, DE&S will oversee the installation of computers, audio-visual technology and the IT network to ensure the facility meets the RAF’s requirements, say the MoD. Once operational in the autumn, the facility will take the total number of people working out of the coastal base in the north of Scotland to about 2,200. All nine Poseidon aircraft, which are based on the Boeing 737 Next-Generation airliner, are expected to be in the UK by the end of 2021

Construction has begun on the 57th segment of the 8,000-tonne HMS Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 Frigates to be built on the Clyde. According to the British Royal Navy, it’s almost two years to the day that work on Glasgow began in the yard on the Clyde, with many of the completed sections pieced together in one of BAE’s assembly halls. The eight ships will replace the eight dedicated anti-submarine Type 23 frigates which will reach the end of their active lives by the mid 2030s. In addition five Type 31 general purpose frigates are intended to replace the general-duty Type 23s currently in service and also coming towards the end of their long careers.

Asia-Pacific

Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) is under pressure from the military to complete the Initial Operational Test & Evaluation of its Hai Chien 2 anti-air missile by this year. The Navy wants to start limited production of the missile from March next year so that the Tuo Chiang Class corvettes can have an anti-air capability. Unfortunately for NCSIST, the institute has run into problems integrating the missile with air defense radar. To meet the deadline by next year, it has to start shipborne testing in the next few months. So far, the missile has only been fired at sea once in 2014. Another effort to have the missile fired from the Mk 41 VLS is also delayed as the indigenous Hsun Lien naval combat systems is behind schedule.

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Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $16.3 million task order under the ground subsystems sustainment contract for the Minuteman III general sustainment. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a three-stage, solid-fueled, intercontinental-range ballistic missile. The Minuteman III is the sole land-based component of the US nuclear triad. The Minuteman III has a fast launch time, nearly 100 percent testing reliability, and backup airborne launch controllers to preserve retaliatory capabilities. The Minuteman missile program began in 1958 and the first missile in the series, Minuteman I, was test-launched in February 1961. Minuteman II, the second version in the series, was launched in 1964. Unlike its predecessor, the missile was considerably advanced to strike multiple targets with high accuracy. Work will take place in Layton, Utah and is estimated to be finished by August 31, 2021.

Lockheed Martin won a $7.6 million contract modification for the production and delivery of AEGIS weapon system MK 6 MOD 1 spares for new construction and AEGIS modernization guided missile destroyers. The AEGIS Weapon System is a centralized, automated, command-and-control (C2) and weapons control system that was designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill. The heart of the system is the AN/SPY, an advanced, automatic detect and track, multi-function phased-array radar. This high-powered radar is able to perform search, track and missile guidance functions simultaneously, with a track capacity of more than 100 targets.

Middle East & Africa

Israel is combining the capabilities of several elite units under one roof as part of its multiyear plan to prepare the military for future warfare. Israel announced the creation of the 7th Wing under the Israeli Air Force earlier this month. The move is part of a larger reorganization effort, known as Momentum for the Israel Defense Forces. The effort foresees more combinations of units, pushing intelligence and digitization to front-line forces and using fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, future combat vehicles and air defense capabilities. In recent years, Israel has been concentrating many of its efforts against threats from the north, including Hezbollah and Iranian entrenchment in Syria during the course of the Syrian civil war. Israel fought three conflicts in Gaza with Hamas between 2009 and 2014, but relations are less tense.

Europe

BAE Systems has awarded a further five contracts to suppliers worth more than $127.4 million, as progress on the Type 26 frigate program continues apace at the company’s shipyards in Glasgow. The new contracts will support 250 jobs, with the Type 26 program sustaining more than 4,000 jobs in total across the UK, helping to support the nation’s economic recovery by maintaining much-needed skills and capabilities. More than $1.3 billion has been invested across the program’s supply chain to date, with more than 100 suppliers globally. Designed and built by BAE Systems in Glasgow, the Type 26 frigate is an advanced anti-submarine warship, which will deliver critical protection of the Royal Navy’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent and Carrier Strike Group.

The British, Swedish and Italian defense industries are in discussion to collaborate on air combat capability, defense contractor BAE Systems said. The framework was promoted Wednesday as a means to employ tens of thousands of skilled workers in those countries’ leading defense industry companies, a BAE statement said. The announcement mentioned Britain’s BAE, Leonardo UK, Rolls-Royce and MBDA UK; Italy’s Leonardo Italy, Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italia, and Sweden’s Saab and GKN Aerospace. The companies would reportedly also work, in part, within Britain’s Future Combat Air System project, a $24 billion plan by Britain to build the next-generation fighter plane, now known as Tempest, by 2035. While the Tempest would replace France’s Rafale and Britain’s Typhoon planes, it is expected to be an advancement over the F-35 of the United States, which is flown by several countries in Europe. European defense industry leaders were enthusiastic on Wednesday of the prospective collaboration.

Asia-Pacific

India could send the Navy’s MiG-29Ks to an air force base in the northern sector, local media reports. “It is being planned to deploy the MiG-29K fighter aircraft at an IAF base in the northern sector. They might be used for carrying out operational flying in the eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control,” local media quoted government sources. The news report also added that some of those fighters could replace air force fighters at bases in western India as those are being moved to the northern sector facing China. India has 45 MiG-29Ks but lost three so far in accidents.

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Americas

The Sixteenth Air Force, also known as Air Forces Cyber, is now at full operating capacity, officials announced this month. According to the Air Force, the declaration means the Air Force’s Information Warfare organization “met a rigorous set of criteria, including an approved concept of operations and demonstrated performance of mission under stress in simulated and real-world conditions.” Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command commander and Lt. Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber) commander made the announcement during a virtual ceremony held at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland July 14.

Raytheon announced Tuesday that it has delivered the first AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar array to Huntington Ingalls for installation on the Navy’s future USS Jack H. Lucas guided-missile destroyer. “SPY-6 will change how the Navy conducts surface fleet operations,” said Capt. Jason Hall, program manager for Above-Water Sensors for the US Navy’s Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems in a press release. The first 14-foot-by-14-foor modular array was transported from Raytheon’s Radar Development Facility in Andover, Mass., to the Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., company officials said. In November 2019, Raytheon received a $97.3 million contract modification for integration and maintenance of the AN/SPY-6(V) air and missile defense radar system on Navy vessels.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli Xsight Systems, a global provider of advanced runway safety solutions, announced that it will deliver an intelligent Runway Debris Monitoring System to Qatar’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) as part of the airport’s plan to upgrade its safety measures and acquire the latest and most advanced runway technologies. The RunWize system will be deployed on the airport’s two parallel runways, including a 4,850 meter runway that is one of the longest in the world. The installation is to be carried out by local company Bayanat Engineering Qatar (BEQ), a leading airport systems integrator in the Gulf and North Africa. RunWize provides real-time, automated foreign object debris (FOD) detection, location, identification and classification, chosen and defined by HIA as a Tier 1 system to take a major part in the airport’s robust eco-system harmonized with other critical interfaces.

Europe

Marshall Advanced Composites has received an order worth £890,000 from Honeywell for sonobuoy launch carousel assembly units. The order was received from Honeywell in Yeovil, UK and will be delivered throughout 2021 and 2022. The carousel assembly was originally designed for use on the Nimrod aircraft and is used to drop submarine-seeking sonobuoys. Each carousel holds 10 sonobuoys, which are dropped through apertures in the aircraft floor and can be reloaded in-flight. Marshall says it has been supplying sonobuoy carousel units to Honeywell for a number of years and delivered its 100th unit to the company in December last year. During that time Marshall updated the design so they could be installed on the S-92 and Wildcat helicopters.

Asia-Pacific

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expecting delivery of the first five of 36 Dassault Rafale multirole fighter aircraft before the end of July, according to a 20 July statement by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in New Delhi. The aircraft are expected to be inducted at Ambala Air Force Station (AFS) in northern India on July 29 “subject to [the] weather”, said the MoD, adding that no media coverage is planned on arrival. The final induction ceremony will take place in the second half of August.

SpaceX launched South Korea’s first communications satellite to be dedicated for military use Monday evening from Florida. A Falcon 9 rocket lifted off as planned at 5:30 pm from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station into a partly cloudy sky and headed over the Atlantic Ocean. The mission had been postponed twice over the last week. SpaceX confirmed the satellite deployed at 32 minutes, 49 seconds into the flight. SpaceX successfully recovered the first stage booster of rocket, which landed on a barge in the ocean about 350 miles east of the launch site. The booster is the same one that launched astronauts to the International Space Station on May 31.

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Watch: India Will Receive Six Rafale Aircraft To Guard Against China

Americas

General Dynamics Missions Systems won a $13.6 million contract modification to exercise an option for engineering support for ongoing development, test and production of the Surface Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (SMCM UUV) program, also known as Knifefish. The Knifefish program will provide persistent volume and bottom mine hunting capability in a contested environment. This option exercise is for engineering support hours to support a number of efforts, including test and evaluation, engineering change proposal development and upgrade initiatives. The Knifefish is an autonomous unmanned water vehicle. It is a propeller-driven minesweeping robot. Work will take place in Massachusetts, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and Michigan. Estimated completion will be by September 2021.

Lockheed Martin won an $861.7 million modification, which exercises options to procure eight Lot 14 F-35A Lightning II repositioned aircraft as a result of the Republic of Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program, and six Lot 14 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force.  Additionally, this modification establishes undefinitized line items that provides recurring engineering in support of the modification of the eight Lot 14 F-35A Lightning II repositioned aircraft to a full operationally capable F-35A Air Force configuration. Lockheed Martin has marketed the F-35 successfully to 14 countries over nearly 20 years. Subtracting Turkey’s canceled program for 100 jets, Lockheed still boasts commitments from 13 countries to buy nearly 3,220 F-35s, with deliveries projected out to 2046. Work will take place in Texas, California, United Kingdom, Florida, New Hampshire, Maryland, California and various locations within the continental US. Expected completion date will be by May 2026.

Middle East & Africa

According to Elbit Systems, the Israeli Defense Forces recently initiated a series of brigade level exercises in Elbit Systems’ new Brigade and Battlegroup Mission Training Center. The new training center immerses commanders, headquarters staff and two subordinate command levels in high-fidelity combat situations in actual battle zone territory. It presents commanders and their staff with a realistic operational picture, enables them to operate a range of assets, compels them to respond to real-time changes and requires them to cope with tactical communications that are realistically impacted by various effects.

Europe

Britain’s Ministry of Defense finalized a contract for a new Skynet military satellite in a $628.5 million deal with Airbus Defense and Space. The contract calls for launch and ground support of the latest Skynet 6A telecommunications satellite, which is regarded as an improvement of military communications capability — and is an update to the current Skynet 5 system. A new generation of communications spacecraft, a $7.5 billion upgrade, is expected at the end of the decade. The deal has been in the works since 2017, when Airbus was chosen as a preferred supplier and received a preliminary contract for the new system. The satellite will be developed and assembled in Britain, with a planned launch date of 2025.

As a part of Saab’s plan to create a hub for participation in the future Combat Air Systems program (FCAS); Saab will be creating a new FCAS center in the UK. The center forms part of Saab’s long term plans for the UK market to develop indigenous capabilities, invest in research and development and grow intellectual property. Saab is committed to build a long term relationship with the UK related to FCAS by investing initially 50 MGBP. The UK and Sweden signed a MoU on FCAS co-operation in July 2019. Saab is leading Sweden’s FCAS industrial participation in close co-operation with Sweden’s Ministry of Defense.

Asia-Pacific

Japan is reportedly immediately scrambling fighter jets against all Chinese military aircraft taking off from an air base in Fujian Province, as tensions continue between the two countries over the Senkaku Islands. China has escalated its pressure campaign against Japan’s Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea in recent months, using increased maritime and air operations and heightened administrative and enforcement claims. Beijing claims the islands, which Japan administers, as the Diaoyu Islands. Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force planes have been flying above the East China Sea from sunrise to sunset every day to monitor Chinese military aircraft moves, the sources said. Before Japan reviewed its policy early last year, it used to scramble fighter jets against Chinese military aircraft approaching its airspace.

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Watch: INDIAN NAVY HOLDS NAVAL EXERCISE WITH ‘USS NIMITZ’ CARRIER STRIKE GROUP- CLEAR MESSAGE TO CHINA !