Defence`s Feeds

Event Six people were killed in Burkina Faso’s Est province when a police-escorted convoy returning from the Boungou gold mine was ambushed on 11 August. Four gendarmes and a civilian died in the attack; the lead vehicle exploded after driving over an improvised explosive device (IED)

An arms trade agreement signed in October 2010 by Russia and Benin has taken effect, the Interfax-AVN news agency reported on 15 August. The report did not identify the specific equipment that Benin is receiving, but quoted the agreement as saying that, “The Russian side has the right to

The arrival of the remaining 56 of 60 M109A5 155 mm self-propelled artillery systems granted by the US Government to the Brazilian Army as excess defense articles (EDA) in a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) in January 2018 is expected to take place in December, the service told Jane’s .

The Chilean Navy’s Marine Corps has ordered a Mavic Pro four-engine, rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Chinese manufacturer DJI to address a security requirement following an open tender. The UAV, which has no infrared capacity but features good low-light performance, will be

Key Points China announces establishment of ‘key laboratory’ dedicated to developing blockchain technologies Move part of China’s increasing efforts to create a blockchain ecosystem to support sectors including defence China’s Ministry of Industry and Information

AT LEAST two people were killed and six others wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED), emplaced by unidentified militants, detonated in the predominantly Shia Muslim Sadr City district of Iraq's capital Baghdad on 14 August, Reuters reported. No group immediately claimed responsibility

Key Points Mass protests increase the likelihood of government reshuffle, if not the prime minister's resignation. Anti-government protests are likely to continue as long as Liviu Dragnea remains leader of the governing Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the PSD maintains its controversial

Key Points The National Congress Party (NCP)’s nomination of President Omar al-Bashir to stand for re-election in 2020 is most likely designed to entrench his legitimacy and lend early support to his bid for re-election. Should Bashir stand for re-election, as appears likely given his

Uganda revealed its armoured vehicle production facility for the first time on 8 August, when it was officially opened by President Yoweri Museveni. The Ugandan People’s Defence Force (UPDF) said the Nyoka Conversion Project is located at the Magamaga Barracks in the Mayuge district, east of

The US Naval Sea Systems Command awarded General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company a USD147.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to overhaul and upgrade the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63) on 14 August. This long-term availability will include a

Key Points Mattis said he sees future opportunities with Brazil for advanced research, particularly in space Brazil has a healthy appetite for enhanced space partnerships, but regulatory problems loom US Secretary of Defense James Mattis sees future opportunities for advanced research with

Turkey Would Have Operated Both the F-35 and the Russian Engineered S-400 Missile System. On Monday, August 13, 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the new John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Named as a tribute to Arizona Senator John McCain, who is afflicted with brain cancer, the bill includes provisions […]

U.S. Air Force F-22 deployed to Poland. Five jets USAF F-22s have arrived at Powidz Airbase, Poland, this week. On Aug. 15, along with a C-130J that acted as a camera-ship, four stealth aircraft celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Polish Independence and Armed Forces Day by participating in a multi-aircraft flyover in Warsaw (most probably, […]

Americas

The Air Force is quickly moving ahead with its hypersonic missile program. The service is contracting Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control division to move ahead with the critical design review and relevant testing of its air-launched rapid response weapon (ARRW). The undefinitized contract has a value of $480 million. The ARRW is one of two current US hypersonic missile research programs. Once completed the ARRW will be able to travel at least five times the speed of sound. Current information suggests that the missile will achieve hypersonic speeds by the use of scramjets, which use an aircraft’s forward motion to shovel air at supersonic speeds into the engine, causing thrust. The hypersonic scramjet will be carried aloft by a large aircraft as a wing-mounted missile. Once the parent aircraft is going fast enough that the scramjet will ignite, it launches the missile. Hypersonic weapons will likely be engineered as “kinetic energy” strike weapons, meaning they will not use explosives but rather rely upon sheer speed and the force of impact to destroy targets. The Air Force is currently investing over one billion dollars to aggressively expedite the ARRW’s and HACSW’s development schedule. Work will be performed at Lockheed’s facility in Orlando, Florida and is expected to be completed by November 30th, 2021.

The Navy’s Blue Angels squadron is set to receive new wings. Boeing is being awarded with a firm-fixed-price delivery order valued at $17 million. The contract provides for necessary work needed to convert nine F/A-18E and two F/A-18F aircraft into a Blue Angel configuration. The Blue Angels were formed in 1946 following WWII as a public relations and recruiting tool to inspire airshow crowds to pursue excellence in all of their endeavors and as a recruiting asset to attract potential candidates to join the US Navy. Work is likely to include removing the jet’s 20mm Vulcan cannon, enhancing the the aircraft’s fuel systems for prolonged inverted flight, adding an oil tank and extra plumbing to the Super Hornet’s exhaust for the smoke system, as well as other smaller changes. Flight controls on the Blue Angels’ F/A-18’s are usually modified to make formation and inverted flight easier. The flight control stick between the pilots’ legs uses a spring to exert 40-pounds of forward bias force meaning the pilot constantly exerts slight rearward pressure compared to a normal Hornet to maintain level flight. Work will be performed at Boeing’s facility in St. Louis, Missouri and is scheduled for completion by December, 2021.

Ceradyne is being tapped to support the US Army’s newly developed lightweight helmet. The $34.6 million contract modification provides for the incorporation of additional systems and components in the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS). The helmet is capable of providing a larger area of protection for the head and face. The new head protection system is also equipped with accessories, such as mandibles, visors, night vision goggle attachment devices, rails and a modular ballistic appliqué that provides protection against fragmentation, 9mm and rifle fire. The Army intends to field 7,000 units of IHPS to separate brigades during the FY2018 before moving to full-rate production. Work will be performed at the company’s location in Irvine, California.

The US Army is procuring a number of Inflatable Satellite Antenna (ISA) systems. GATR Technologies will provide the service with the systems, kits, spares and associated training under this $522,4 million contract modification. GATR’s ground-mounted antennas look like giant beach balls with tie-downs to point them in the right direction. The inflatable satellite terminal reduces the tactical footprint of large-aperture satellite communications systems and enables portable high-bandwidth communications in remote areas. The ISA is designed for military ground use in remote areas with harsh weather and where the movement and installation of large standard rigid satellite antennas is challenging. The main advantage of the terminal is portability, the company noted. When the ball is deflated, it rolls up (with the dish inside) like a sleeping bag and weighs 18 pounds. The antenna bag, blower, hoses and plates fit in one transportable case. The modification brings the contract’s total face value to more than $960 million. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order. The contract has an estimated completion date of September 26th, 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Iranian media reports that the Islamic Republic has a new anti-ship ballistic missile in its arsenal. Dubbed Fateh Mobin, the new missile is based on the existing Fateh 110 missile design. The Mobin was recently tested by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The missile flew more than 100 miles on a flight path over the strait to a test range in the Iranian desert. The Fateh 110’s development started in 1995 and was first tested in 2001. According to CSIS the Fateh 110 already comes in two anti-ship variants. In 2014 the IRGC displayed the Hormuz-1 and Hormuz-2 equipped with anti-radiation capabilities for attacking radar systems. Another anti-ship variant of the Fateh is the Khalij Fars, which does have the electro-optical seeker required to improve accuracy enough to potentially hit a moving target. Defense Minister Gen. Hatami recently underlined Iran’s determination to further enhance its defense power in all fields “despite sanctions, pressures and psychological war by enemies”. A message clearly directed towards an US and regional audience.

Turkey may lose a $1.5 billion defense deal as the diplomatic crisis with the US escalates. The contract in question is Pakistan’s planned acquisition of 30 Turkish-made T129 ATAK helicopter gunships. The T129 is produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries but partly uses US-made engine parts for which TAI will need US export licenses. If those licenses are not issued Turkey cannot legally export the gunships to Pakistan. The helicopter is powered by two CTS800-4A turboshaft engines that are manufactured by LHTEC, a joint venture between the American firm Honeywell and the British company Rolls-Royce. Turkey and Pakistan signed a deal July 13th for 30 T129 ATAK helicopter gunships.

Europe

The German Navy plans to equip its K130 corvettes with the Skeldar V-200 rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Navy is procuring two V-200s and will start to operate them by the end of 2019. The Skeldar is developed by Saab, is capable of being launched from the deck of any vessel, and delivers real-time intelligence and surveillance. The Skeldar V-200’s major mission capabilities include surveillance, reconnaissance, target attainment and transfer of target data to strike platforms. The typical payload configuration includes EO/IR gimbals, a laser pointer, laser range finder (LRF), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), ground moving target indicator (GMTI), electronic warfare, AIS transponder, searchlight, megaphone and cargo hook. The German Navy has its K130s deployed to a variety of naval missions where an increased reconnaissance capability is direly needed. During combat operations the V-200 will assist in guiding ship-launched RBS15 Mk3 missiles to their target.

Asia-Pacific

Vietnam is exporting three radar systems to Laos. The VRS-2DM radar system is produced by Viettel and provides information to air-defense troops and can perform airspace and flight management tasks. Laos purchased the system as means to boost its combat capability.

The government of Australia is set to receive a new engine for one of its P-8 Poseidon aircraft at a cost of $12.8 million. The Poseidon is powered by a CFM56-7B27AE engine is produced by CFM International belongs to the family of high-bypass turbofan aircraft engines. The CFM56-7 first ran on 21 April 1995 and has a takeoff thrust range of 19,500–27,300lb. It powers commercial Next-Generation 737s and military versions of the airframe including the AWACS and C-40 Clipper. Work will be performed at multiple international locations, including Villaroche, France and Durham, North Carolina. Delivery of the engine is scheduled for September 2019.

Today’s Video

Watch: Iran unveils ‘Mobin’ missile

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been awarded a contract by the Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) to supply the Barak-8 weapon system for the Israeli Navy’s four future Magen-class corvettes. Designated Sa’ar 6 in Israeli service, the new corvettes are being acquired under the

Beijing has heavily criticised the US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019) for containing what it referred to as “negative content related to China” along with plans to strengthen Taiwan’s force readiness and military capabilities. Referring to

Damen Marine Components, part of Damen Shipyard, recently signed a contract to supply propulsion parts, systems, and equipment to Chile for the country’s new Antarctic research vessel, the company said. Damen will provide twin Commander Ram-Type electro-hydraulic steering gear units, twin

Argentina has selected US-based seabed survey company Ocean Infinity to bolster the search for the nation’s submarine ARA San Juan (S-42). The Argentine Ministry of Modernisation (Ministerio de la Modernización) accepted Ocean Infinity’s USD7.5 million bid on 6 August to assist the

The United States and United Kingdom support the investigation into an apparent airstrike that hit a bus carrying school children in Yemen that will be carried out by the Saudi-led coalition, not an independent body. The strike took place on 9 August and hit the bus when it was in a crowded market

Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said on 15 August that Turkey would exercise its legal rights if the United States does not deliver Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Ankara. He made the remarks in reaction to US President Donald Trump’s signing on 13 August of