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Canada Revamps Its Fighter Pilot Training Program | 3rd Abrams Tank Reportedly Lost in Ukraine | Singapore Introduces New Urban Warfare Technology

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 03/07/2024 - 05:00
Americas The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is transitioning its fighter pilot training program, marking a significant change for its future pilots. The CT-155 Hawk aircraft, which has served as the primary trainer for decades, will be retiring from service. This move coincides with the commencement of the Bridge Fighter Lead-in Training (FLIT) program and […]
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European satellite constellation for very low earth orbit to launch in two years

EDA News - Wed, 03/06/2024 - 10:53

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has brought together two EU Member States to develop a satellite demonstrator that can manoeuvre from Low Earth Orbit  (LEO) to Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO)  – and back again. 

The €10 million project – called LEO2VLEO: Military Crisis-Response Satellite Constellation – with the Netherlands and Austria, will design, develop, launch and operate a constellation of between two and four satellites. It aims for a space launch in two years time. In this innovative approach to space, the project will, once operational, have the capability to support military operations. 

The project was signed on 19 January 2024 between the Netherlands, Austria, and EDA. It was signed in EDA’s Capability Technology Area (CapTech) Space, which helped bring the two countries together for this collaborative project. EDA will support the project throughout.

Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) is most commonly situated at an altitude of between 250-350 kilometres. It has the advantage of being closer to the earth than the traditional orbit of satellites, allowing for higher resolution images from optical sensors, improved communications and agility.

As a demonstrator for initial space capabilities, the LEO2VLEO project aims to show the cost benefits of such an approach in a short timeframe. While VLEO is safer from collisions with space debris because objects eventually burn up, dragged into the Earth’s atmosphere, such altitudes require satellites to deal with surface erosion from atomic oxygen and so need more resistant materials. 

Developing a satellite able to manoeuvre back into the traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) would extend its lifespan by spending time in VLEO only when necessary, as well as presenting lower costs and additional launch opportunities.

EDA Hub for EU Defence Innovation, known as HEDI, has funded a preliminary study for this problem; HEDI was established within EDA in 2022 to foster innovative solutions for military capabilities. If successful, the LEO2VLEO demonstrator could pave the way for a fully operational system to support military missions in the future.

EDA's wider role  

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.  

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here.

RACAF Unveils New Concept Called DIT | China To Boost Defense Spending | Saab Started Carl Gustaf Rifle Factory In India

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 03/05/2024 - 15:00
Americas Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won a $34,142,015 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-plus-incentive-fee type modification to exercise options for AEGIS development and test sites operation and maintenance at the Combat Systems Engineering Development Site, SPY-1A Test Facility and Naval Systems Computing Center. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to several countries. Work will be performed […]
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Lockheed Tapped For Trident Integration Into Columbia/Dreadnought | Russia Expands Military Base In Mali | India To Commission Seahawk

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 03/05/2024 - 05:00
Americas Lockheed Martin Space won a $109.3 million contract to support the integration of the Trident II (D5) Missile and reentry subsystems into the Common Missile Compartment for the US/UK Columbia/Dreadnought submarine construction programs. Work is expected to be complete by February 28, 2029. Strategic Systems Programs, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin […]
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Greece joins two EDA projects in the air domain, boosting Agency training

EDA News - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 11:14

Greece has become an official member of the EDA programme arrangement - C-27J Spartan Cooperation. From March, Greece will be part of efforts to enhance the operational and logistical capabilities of participating Member States' fleets of C-27J tactical military airlifters. The Hellenic Airforce will participate for the first time with an aircraft in the upcoming European Spartan Exercise 2024. Greece is also now part of EDA’s Multilateral Air Transport Training and Exercises Initiative as its 19th participating member.  

Sixth member of the C-27J Spartan cooperation programme 

The C-27J programme, which entered into force in 2020, focuses on areas such as equipment improvement, training, operational harmonisation, and increased fleet availability through optimised logistics solutions. Bringing together Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and now also Greece, the programme encourages the exchange of data and collaboration among Member States using the same platform, to achieve common objectives while avoiding duplication of efforts.

The admission of Greece was formalised through a ‘Statement of Accession’ signed by the Minister of National Defence, marking the country's commitment to the cooperative endeavour. The European Spartan Exercise 2024, which mark the first participation of a Hellenic Air Force aircraft, will take place in Romania from 30 September to 11 October 2024.  It will build upon the track record of the 2023 and 2022 editions, held in Romania and Bulgaria respectively.

Greece joins the Multilateral Air Transport Training and Exercises Initiative

Continuing the trend of collaborative European efforts in the air domain, Greece has taken a significant step by joining the Technical Arrangement (TA) regarding Multilateral Air Transport Training and Exercises. This initiative, launched in May 2018, aims to streamline and enhance training and exercise opportunities among EDA’s Member States. 

The decision to establish a common TA stemmed from the recognition of the cumbersome process involved in drafting individual agreements for each training and exercise event. Since its inception, the common TA has garnered significant support, with 18 Member States already on board. They are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Greece's accession to the common TA as its 19th member, was signed by the Minister of National Defence of Greece, confirming the country's active participation. This initiative represents a milestone in fostering training, exercises, and interoperability across Europe.

EDA's wider role

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks allowing it to the whole spectrum of defence capabilities. 

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see here

Boeing Tapped By Navy For P-8A Delivery | F-16 Sale To Turkey On Track | Poland Boosts Military With New Carriers

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 03/04/2024 - 05:00
Americas Boeing won a $3.4 million deal for the procurement and delivery of 17 Lot 13 P-8A Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (14 for the government of Canada and three for the government of Germany), as well as associated non-recurring engineering. Work will be completed in March 2028. Foreign Military Sales customer funds in the amount of […]
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Sikorsky Plans New VTOL Systems | Nigeria Gets CN235-220 From Indonesia | Putin Agains Warns Of Risk Of Nuclear War

Defense Industry Daily - Fri, 03/01/2024 - 05:00
Americas Boeing won a $21.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for the F-15 Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System. Work will be performed at Nashua, New Hampshire, and is expected to be completed by November 30, 2025. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Sikorsky has announced a […]
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USAF Completed Red Hawk Test | UNMAS Gets Donations For Humanitarian Mine Actions In Ethiopia | Germany Acquires US High Frequency Radios

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 02/29/2024 - 05:00
Americas General Dynamics Land Systems won a $210.3 million contract for the purchase, warehousing, repair, issue, shipment, disposal, obsolescence management and configuration management of parts to support the Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of […]
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CROWN project delivers a step towards a European Multifunction AESA System

EDA News - Wed, 02/28/2024 - 17:00

An active electronically scanned array (AESA) is a sophisticated antenna system known as a phased array. It utilises computer control to adjust the direction of its radio wave beam without physically repositioning the antenna and is commonly used in aerial platforms. Launched in July 2021, with funding from the European Commission under the Preparatory Action for Defence Research (PADR), the project European active electronically scanned array with Combined Radar, Electronic Warfare and Communications functions for military applications (CROWN) focuses on the innovative concept of a multifunctional radio frequency (RF) system, which aims at substantially enhancing future defence capabilities, with specific focus on AESA for manned and unmanned aerial platforms.

On 26-27 February, the eleven consortium members concluded 32-months of work on the CROWN project during the final meeting hosted by Indra. The final meeting focused on the main topics developed within the CROWN project and the results achieved: particularly CROWN demonstrated the different Building Blocks designed during the project and the performance of the demonstrator in a controlled anechoic chamber environment.

CROWNING SUCCESS

CROWN successfully reached its the objective to design, develop and test a compact, lightweight multi-function radiofrequency system prototype, by integrating radar, electronic warfare and communication in one single system, without any end-user restrictions. In addition, the project created a technological demonstrator showcasing the feasibility of the system and its potential to introduce a new enabling capability.

The CROWN project has yielded promising results, establishing a crucial foundation for presenting the CROWN concept. This project also determined necessary investments and outlined research activities essential for further developing a Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL7) prototype demonstration in an operational environment. The project included, in particular, two connected activities focusing on R&D assessment on critical technologies for the development of future European multifunction radio frequency systems and R&T activities on system and component level. Follow-on activities aiming at producing an EU prototype by the end of 2027 are recommended, also exploiting the EDF framework.

CROWN CONSORTIUM

CROWN brought together a consortium of eleven beneficiaries from seven EU countries, led by Indra (Spain): Thales (France), ONERA (France), Hensoldt (Germany), Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniquesv (Germany), SAAB AB (Sweden), FOI (Sweden), TNO (the Netherlands), Leonardo S.p.A (Italy), Elettronica S.p.A (Italy), and Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (Lithuania). The project had a budget of approximately €10 million.

(C) INDRA 

ABOUT THE PADR

The CROWN project is part of the Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) launched by the European Commission in 2017 to assess and demonstrate the added-value of EU supported defence research and technology (R&T). It paved the way for a proper European Defence Programme to come as part of the European Defence Fund (EDF), under the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027).

The PADR implementation is run by EDA following the mandate via a Delegation Agreement between the European Commission and EDA signed on 31 May 2017. By this agreement the Commission entrusts EDA with the management and implementation of the research projects launched within the PADR.  

Lockheed Tapped For F-35 Testing | R2S Started Construction On Tamir Manufacturing Facility | US Delivered Hercules To Philippines

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 02/28/2024 - 05:00
Americas Triumph Gear won a $18.5 million deal for the repair of one item that is part of the V-22 pylon conversion actuator system. All work will be performed in Park City, Utah. Work is expected to be completed by April 2025. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. […]
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GD Tapped For Virginia Sub Work | Germany Moves Eurofighters To Latvia | Slovenia Gets New Air Combat Training Module

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 02/27/2024 - 05:00
Americas General Dynamics won a $151 million modification for long lead time material associated with the Virginia Class submarines SSN 814, SSN 815, SSN 816, and SSN 817. Work will be performed in Sunnyvale, California; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Spring Grove, Illinois; York, Pennsylvania; Annapolis, Maryland; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Windsor Locks, Connecticut; Cleveland, Ohio; and other locations, and […]
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Call for contributions: Market Research on Innovative Unmanned Solutions for Military Logistics

EDA News - Mon, 02/26/2024 - 16:43

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched a call for contributions for market research on innovative unmanned solutions for military logistics. EDA actively engages in market research to discover innovative unmanned technologies for military logistics applications, collecting inputs from commercial entities about their innovative products and services.

The survey aims to identify and understand the market readiness regarding capabilities of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Systems (UGS) that can support military logistics. The platforms should be able to transport a payload of at least 5kg.

EDA intends to create a representative overview of available solutions, including general technical specifications and operational capabilities.

Participate in the survey by 15 March 2024 and contribute to shaping the future landscape of military logistics.

Canada And Czech Republic Explore Artillery Shells For Ukraine | Hungary Expands Gripen Fleet | South Korea Mass Produces 155mm Artillery Shell

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 02/26/2024 - 05:00
Americas Bell Boeing won a $11.5 million modification, which adds scope to procure three shipsets of proprotor gearboxes in support of the Nacelle Improvements Step 2 requirement for CV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Amarillo, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and is expected to be completed in January 2026. Naval Air […]
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Merlin Labs To Test Auto Tech On KC-135 | Turkey Gets Upgraded M60T Tanks | Indonesia Downsized Black Hawk Programme

Defense Industry Daily - Fri, 02/23/2024 - 05:00
Americas The US Air Force has tapped Merlin Labs to test autonomous flight technology for the KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. The stepwise approach will begin with reducing crew workload and then proceeds to reduced crew operations, the Boston-based aviation technology firm explained. A reduced workload could help the crew avoid costly mistakes.  Autonomous uncrewed operations at […]
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Raytheon Tapped For AEGIS Modernization | Elbit Unveiled New Aircraft | Expansion OF RAN’s Surface Combatant Fleet

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 02/22/2024 - 05:00
Americas Raytheon won a $38.2 million order for the procurement of AEGIS modernization kits for Navy guided-missile destroyers and allied nations. This contract combines purchases for the US. Navy; and the governments of Japan and Australia, under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work is expected to be completed by February 2028. Naval Sea Systems […]
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Ecuador Won’t Send Weapons To Ukraine | Ghanan Air Force Makes Case For Super Tucano | Italian Leonardos Will Get Their Own Components

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 02/21/2024 - 05:00
Americas Ecuador’s foreign minister said the country did not plan to send Soviet-era weapons to Ukraine after the president’s vow to do so sparked a spat with Moscow over banana and flower exports. “Ecuador will not send any war material to a country that is involved in an international armed conflict,” Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld told […]
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Super Tucano Counter-Insurgency Plane Makes Inroads in Africa

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 02/21/2024 - 04:58
Super Tucano Embraer’s EMB-314 Super Tucano trainer and light attack turboprop continues to rack up global orders, solidifying its position as the globe’s pre-eminent manned counter-insurgency aircraft. The latest order set of about $180 million expands the plane’s footprint into 3 African states: Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania. They join Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican […]
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US Air Force EA-37Bs to Receive Upgraded EW Systems | British Soldiers Fired Archer | Embraer And Mahindra Offer C-390 Millennium To India

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 02/20/2024 - 05:00
Americas Lockheed Martin won a $8.1 million modification by the US Navy to exercise options for Combat System Ship Integration and Test on Littoral Combat Ships and Large Unmanned Surface Vessels. Work will be performed in Camden, New Jersey; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Jacksonville, Florida; Pascagoula, Mississippi; Moorestown, New Jersey; San Diego, California; Virginia Beach, Virginia; and […]
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The JAS-39 Gripen: Sweden’s 4+ Generation Wild Card

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 02/20/2024 - 04:58
South African JAS-39D (click to view full) As a neutral country with a long history of providing for its own defense against all comers, Sweden also has a long tradition of building excellent high-performance fighters with a distinctive look. From the long-serving Saab-35 Draken (“Dragon,” 1955-2005) to the Mach 2, canard-winged Saab-37 Viggen (“Thunderbolt,” 1971-2005), […]
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SpaceX Launches Six Hypersonic, Ballistic Tracking Space Sensors | AMRAAMs and SDB-IIs Sales Approved For Italy | Norinco Revealed New Howitzer

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 02/19/2024 - 05:00
Americas SpaceX launched six US missile-detection satellites to low-Earth orbit on Wednesday. They include two Missile Defense Agency Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites and the final four Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 0 Tracking Layer satellites of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Of the 27 Tranche 0 satellites in orbit, 19 perform data […]
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