Defense`s Feeds

Americas

Raytheon won an $8.4 million deal, which provides for software product updates and qualification testing for the CV-22 Silent Knight Radar (SKR) Joint Services Vertical Lift Aircraft Experimental (JVX) Avionics System Software (JASS) instrumentation build, the SKR JASS Functional Requirements Document (FRD) 8 port forward, and the SKR JASS FRD 9 port forward in support of the V-22 Joint Program Office. Work will take place in Indiana. Expected completion will be in May 2024.

The Canadian Ministry of National Defence has contracted Quebec-based Logistik Unicorp to deliver operational clothing and footwear to the Canadian Armed Forces. The agreement covers more than 1,000 items, including badges and insignias, personal equipment, combat boots, winter gear, and uniforms with Canadian Disruptive Pattern camouflage.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems signed an agreement with Garuda Aerospace, a top Indian drone start-up, to provide its Skylark 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) drones to commercial and government agencies. According to South Asian news agency ANI, Garuda Aerospace said that the drones would be put to use in the Survey of India national projects, run by the Department of Science and Technology, to implement large-scale surveying and mapping of villages under its SVAMITVA Scheme.

Europe

The British Royal Navy HMS Tamar has completed a series of mine-hunting operations at the Mine Warfare Exercise off the coast of South Korea. During the drill, Tamar carried a Guam-based US Navy mobile diving/explosive ordnance disposal crew that launched Remus sub-surface drones 100 meters underwater to gather data for analysis.

Asia-Pacific

The US Air Force’s 319th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron recently held an assumption of command ceremony at Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Air Base on October 23. The unit is responsible for operating the MQ-9 unmanned air vehicle while at Kanoya.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on October 20 that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $450 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this sale. The Government of Japan has requested to buy up to thirty-two (32) Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles (in two tranches of 16). Also included are Mk 21 Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters; obsolescence engineering, integration and test activity; canister handling equipment, spares, training and training equipment/aids; technical publications/data; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total program cost is $450 million.

Today’s Video

WATCH: CV-22 Osprey | Flying the Spec Ops Tiltrotor Aircraft

Americas

Lockheed won a $12 million contract modification, which adds scope to procure Lot 15-16 gun pod containers in support of F-35 Lightning II aircraft ancillary mission equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, non-US Department of Defense (DOD) partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in February 2026.

The US Air Force has integrated a new engine for the ski-equipped LC-130 transport aircraft to boost its capabilities in the Arctic and Antarctica. Seven airmen conducted a test flight of the new NP2000 T56-A-15A turbo-prop 3.5 engine at Stratton Air National Guard Base in New York. The new engine’s propellers have eight blades instead of four, increasing torque for takeoffs on ice and snow.

Middle East & Africa

Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd. and Hensoldt have inked an exclusive teaming agreement to provide the German Air Force with electronic warfare capabilities in Tel Aviv. The collaboration will combine Rafael’s Sky Shield airborne electronic warfare pod with Hensoldt’s latest airborne electronic attack technology “Kalætron Attack.”

Europe

Eight Royal Air Force fighter squadrons fired a total of 53 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) over a period of 10 days in September. It was the largest ever mass firing of ASRAAMs by the RAF. The missiles were fired from the Eurofighter and F-35B out in the sea at the Hebrides Air Weapon Ranges.

Spain has announced plans to send six Eurofighters to Bulgaria and eight Hornets to Romania starting from next month. The Eurofighters will leave for Bulgaria in the middle of next month while the F-18s will depart from December.

Asia-Pacific

Indian conglomerate Kalyani Group announced that it would construct the world’s largest artillery manufacturing facility in India on Tuesday. The Hindu Business Line quoted company chairman Baba Kalyani as saying that the plant would be ready in three years, producing one gun per day, a five-fold increase over the current production rate.

Today’s Video

WATCH: USAF Ski Equipped LC 130 Transport Aircraft Receives New Engine

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $31.6 million deal, which provides for the inspection and teardown of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye fatigue test article to identify fatigue critical locations and demonstrate that the E-2D aircraft structure satisfy the program’s service life requirement. Work will take place in Florida, New York and California. Expected completion will be in June 2027.

BAE Systems won an $11.2 million contract to provide systems engineering and integration in support of US Trident II (D5) Strategic Weapons System Program D5 Life Extension 2 Strategic Systems Programs Alteration. Tasks to be performed include technical planning, requirements management and integration of Strategic Systems Programs subsystems including interface with the Columbia common missile compartment; configuration management, system security engineering, safety engineering support and infrastructure operations model-based engineering and information systems program acquisition. Work will take place in Maryland, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Maryland and Florida. Work will be finished by October 20, 2024.

Middle East & Africa

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deployed its first Barak air defense system from Israel, according to a report by Breaking Defense, citing defense sources. The development comes a few months after Abu Dhabi quietly reached out to Jerusalem following a drone and missile attack by the Houthis on some of the country’s critical infrastructure.

Europe

Poland will lease a number of MQ-9A unmanned air vehicles from General Atomics while it prepares to acquire the MQ-9B. The country’s Armaments Agency concluded the $70 million contract on October 20. The planned acquisition of an undisclosed number of aircraft is poised to make the  Polish Armed Forces the first military on NATO’s eastern flank to purchase the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone.

Lithuania says that it has placed an order unspecific number of Bolide and MK-2 missiles for the RBS 70 air defense system. The contract is worth $45 million and will Lithuanian Defense Ministry says it will help to achieve a “more effective execution of air defence tasks.”

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed won a $49.6 million modification, which provides non-recurring engineering and add/delete efforts to bring 12 MH-60R aircraft from standard Foreign Military Sales configuration to a unique configuration for the government of Australia. Additionally, this modification procures 12 Australian unique modification one kits and 10 embedded Global Positioning System Inertial Navigation Systems spares. Work will take place in New York, Connecticut and Alabama. Expected completion will be in December 2026.

Today’s Video

WATCH: The Indo Israeli Barak 8 Air Defense System

Ballistic, or bullet proof, armour is used to protect vehicles against different threats. But it also makes them heavier, especially when seeking to protect against more powerful weapons. Taken together, armour and the vehicle structure constitute more than half of vehicle’s weight, requiring more fuel and potentially making it harder to manoeuvre.

In search of a lighter armour, the European Defence Agency (EDA) launched a project on 20 October 2022 to use new advances in metallic materials for ballistic steels.

Known as the Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Auxetic Structures and Materials for Lightweight Armour, (AMALIA), the project aims to enhance the performance of ballistic and blast protections using auxetic structures, which become thicker when stretched or thinner when compressed. Making use of specific alloys developed for ballistic applications, this material can be tailored for the additive manufacturing process.

In response to a violent impact, the auxetic materials have the advantage of being denser in the strike zone and allow a higher energy absorption, offering more protection.

The AMALIA project, costing slightly less than € 5 million, is funded by seven EDA Member States (Italy, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovenia), led by RINA Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali.

The state-of-the-art structures are still mainly at a theoretical level, involving numerical simulations. Several studies have assessed the positive effect of these structures on energy absorption, suggesting that auxetic structures can be used for protective equipment, including armour for military vehicles. However, due to the manufacturing difficulties of such structures, not many 3D metallic structures have been developed.

Some examples of parts with auxetic structures are made in aluminium, stainless steel and titanium alloys (EBM technology) but are still on a small scale.

 

 

The AMALIA project aims to explore technical issues related to the difficulties of manufacturing such auxetic structures using traditional manufacturing methods. Material development will also have an important role in producing alloys specifically developed for the additive manufacturing process by means of thermodynamic, kinetic and solidification tools.

The materials will be investigated to better understand the response of auxetic materials to static and dynamic impact loading conditions at different strains, an aspect not yet sufficiently explored.

 

 

 

 

The project will rely on extensive simulations, in order to test the ballistic properties of new auxetic structure topologies and fine tune the process parameters for the actual structures production. 

 

 

 

 

 

The properties of the additive manufactured part will be improved through gas atomisation, a process aiming at synthesizing high-quality metal powders with controlled particle sizes.

 

Americas

L3Harris Technologies has chosen Moog Space and Defense Group to provide its weapon Stores Management System (SMS) for the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Armed Overwatch Program. The USSOCOM awarded L3Harris a $3 billion contract in August to provide a fleet of up to 75 AZ-802U Sky Wardens multi-mission aircraft for the program to operate in austere environments with little logistical tail.

Lockheed Martin is planning to ramp up production of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) by over 50 percent annually, Politico reported  citing CEO Jim Taiclet. Taiclet told investors during a third-quarter earnings report Tuesday that the company plans to manufacture 96 HIMARS annually from 60 currently, the outlet wrote.

Middle East & Africa

General Robotics, an Israeli company engaged in the development and manufacturing of light and smart RCWS (Remote Control Weapon systems), introduced this week a new version of its Remote Controlled Weapon Station optimized for naval applications – The SHARK. The new SHARK naval RCWS addresses the need for SOF to operate their weapons on small boats. These compact boats move at high speed and agility. Yet, the constantly moving platform degrades fire accuracy with conventional weapon mounts, requiring operators to get dangerously close to the enemy to deliver the desired effects.

Europe

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said Wednesday that “several Russian rockets” had been downed over the Ukrainian capital after AFP reporters heard loud explosions in the center of the city. “Air defences have shot down several Russian rockets over Kyiv. Stay in shelters!” Klitschko said on social media.

Asia-Pacific

According to local news, the Indian Army is seeking unmanned aerial platforms to better direct artillery fire. A request for proposal for 80 small, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), 10 runway-independent RPAS, 44 upgraded long-range surveillance systems, and 106 inertial navigation systems will be soon issued.

The Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has received its second C295W tactical military transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space. The new medium utility military aircraft officially joined the Bangladeshi Fleet on September 25 after a six-day journey from the company’s factory in Spain.

Raytheon Technologies won a $9.8 million modification, which adds scope to procure one F-35 Convectional Take-off and Landing variant, full scale, high fidelity, main engine mock-up, and engine maintenance training package in support of the for the F-35 Lightning II program. Work will take place in Australia. Expected completion will be in March 2025.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Watch the Airbus C295 take its first flight!

Americas

Continental Maritime of San Diego won an $88 million deal for the execution of the USS Chafee (DDG 90) fiscal 2023 depot modernization period and the USS Momsen (DDG 92) fiscal 2024 depot modernization period. These availabilities will include a combination of maintenance, modernization, and repair for both the USS Chafee and USS Momsen. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $204,493,154. Work will be performed in the San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by June 2025.

Two aerial porters from the 87th Aerial Port Squadron were impressed when they were allowed to use a pneumatically-powered exoskeleton to move a pallet weighing 3,500 pounds on their own. The demonstration was organized by the US Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation along with the 445th Airlift Wing. The Forge System exoskeleton was provided by ROAM Robotics. “I can definitely tell a difference; there’s a lot less pressure on my knees and I can feel the assist this system gives,” says Chief Master Sgt. Sean Storms, one of the two people who participated in the test.

Middle East & Africa

Syria’s autonomous Kurdish region has transferred over 600 relatives of suspected jihadists detained at the notorious Al-Hol camp to Iraq, a war monitor and a Kurdish security source said Tuesday. “The Iraqi government repatriated 161 families, including 659 people, from Al-Hol camp to Iraq,” said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The Iraqi families left Al-Hol camp, which lies less than 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Iraqi border for their home country in a move coordinated by with Iraqi authorities, the monitor said.

Turkish authorities have disabled a mine in the Black Sea, the defense ministry said on Wednesday, in the fourth such incident since the start of the war in Ukraine. “A mine was detected off Kiyikoy … and has been secured and neutralised,” the ministry tweeted. Kiyikoy is located less than 100 kilometers from the Bosphorus.

Europe

Rheinmetall has delivered its first Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle to the Hungarian Defence Forces in Budapest, attended by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. With the delivery, Hungary becomes the first NATO member and European country to receive the newly-developed medium-weight combat system.

Asia-Pacific

The US Department of Defense has selected Hanwha Defense’s Arion-SMET unmanned ground vehicle for a competitive field test and evaluation program. This is the first time the US has chosen a South Korean unmanned weapon system for performance tests, potentially opening the door for greater cooperation between the two nations on future modernization programs.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Hanwha Defense Arion-SMET, a futuristic UGV empowering infantry soldiers

Americas

The GAU-18 .50 caliber machine gun was recently unmounted from an HH-60 helicopter and mounted on the ground to be tested as a defensive weapon. The test took place at Avon Park Air Force Range, Florida on October 14. It was organized by the 920th Rescue Wing.

The US Defense Innovation Unit has contracted Nauticus Robotics to develop an amphibious drone to support mine-hunting operations. As part of the agreement, the company will modify an off-the-shelf unmanned system to allow it to traverse sea or land during operations. Nauticus will also integrate its “ToolKITT” autonomy software to guide the modified robot in identifying undersea mines and avoiding potential obstacles.

Middle East & Africa

ThyssenKrupp has delivered the first of four MEKO A-200 frigates, the “Al-Aziz,” to the Egyptian Navy in Bremerhaven, Germany. During the handover ceremony, Egyptian Navy Chief of Staff Vice Adm. Ashraf Ibrahim Atwa also revealed that the second Al-Aziz-class A-200 vessel will be named Al-Qadeer. “I am grateful to the friendly Republic of Germany for the constructive relationship which sets the example to be followed by others,” Atwa said at the event.

Europe

The US, Italy, and Poland have teamed up for aerial maneuvers to support an Air Shielding mission in NATO’s eastern territories. The drills were performed “to hone planning and flying skills based on thorough planning and universal tactics, techniques and procedures.” It involved the participation of a US F-22 Raptor tactical fighter, Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, and Polish F-16 Fighting Falcons and MiG-29 multirole aircraft.

Asia-Pacific

Pole/Zero Acquisition won a $53.5 million deal, which procures up to 346 antenna interface units and communications trays, to include 190 for the Navy, 132 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers and 24 for the government of Australia, as well as required technical data, assemblies, subassemblies, and spares in support of the P-8A Poseidon communications suite. Work will be performed in West Chester, Ohio, and is expected to be completed in October 2028.

The US has provided $100 million in foreign military funding to the Philippines as compensation for the nation’s decision to scrap a helicopter deal with Russia. US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson said that the Philippine military can use the funding “as they wish.” It could help the Southeast Asian country bolster its defense capabilities and modernize its armed forces.

Today’s Video

WATCH: AL AZIZ Frigate F 904 Egyptian Navy MEKO A200

Americas

NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, an ongoing maritime security operation in the Mediterranean, saw a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8 maritime patrol aircraft participating for the first time. Departing from its base in Edinburgh, Australia, the jet and its crew took 3 days to arrive in Italy. From there, the jet undertook a few overwater surveillance missions from October 3-14.

A first-of-its-kind, F-35 crash recovery course was held at Hill Air Force Base and twenty-nine maintainers had the opportunity to train on handling different scenarios using a real F-35A. One of the scenarios in the five-day Crash Damaged or Disabled Aircraft Recovery course involved dealing with a collapsed nose gear, which will be destructive when done on a real jet. Instructors were able to use a repurposed F-35A for this type of training.

Middle East & Africa

SpearUAV, an Israeli developer of an autonomous, AI-based technology for encapsulated UAS, unveiled last week the Viper encapsulated and launchable hovering precision attack drone, empowering tactical forces with an immediate, precise and autonomous aerial loitering munition (ALM) capability against BLOS targets. According the company, enhancing force protection, the hovering capability of the Viper enables aerial observation of targets – including the ability to review buildings floor by floor – in complex urban environments, while also offering mission abort and wave-off capabilities.

Europe

France will train up to 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers on its territory, Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu told Le Parisien newspaper in an interview on Saturday. The soldiers will “be taken into our units for several weeks,” he said, adding that there would be three levels of training: general combat, “specific needs outlined by the Ukrainians such as logistics” and then training on how to use defense material furnished by Ukraine’s Estern allies.

Fincantieri has inked memorandums of understanding with potential suppliers for four future Greek corvettes and integrated logistics and in-service solutions for the Hellenic Navy. The agreements support the “high-profile process” for the corvette program set by the Hellenic National Defence Ministry.

Asia-Pacific

Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has launched the country’s third Taigei-class attack submarine during a ceremony at the company’s shipyard in Kobe City. Named Jingei (swift swimming whale), the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) will use the underwater vehicle to support a wide variety of missions, including sinking enemy vessels.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Why Japan’s Taigei Submarines Embraced Lithium-ion Batteries

Americas

General Dynamics won an $18.1 million deal to provide US Trident II Strategic Weapon System Kings Bay Trident Trainer Facility kit and engineering support services. The Trident II Strategic Weapons System is an improved SLBM with greater accuracy, payload, and range than the earlier Trident C-4. It is a key element of the US strategic nuclear triad and strengthens US strategic deterrence.Work will take place in Connecticut, Georgia and Florida.Estimated completion date is December 31, 2025

The last three remaining RQ-4A BAMS-D unmanned air vehicles that belonged to the US Navy have been transferred to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. The ground control equipment and non-payload spares will be transferred as well. The sailing branch had acquired five BAMS-Ds and one was lost in a crash in 2012 while another was shot down by Iran in 2019. NASA will operate the aircraft on behalf of the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center.

Middle East & Africa

The Nigerian Army has officially started operating Textron Systems’ Aerosonde drone, enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The $9 million foreign military sale of multiple Aerosonde Mk 4.7 Fixed Wing unmanned vehicles, awarded in August, marks the first time the African country acquired US-made drones. “We know the Aerosonde system will make a difference for Nigeria as it provides the most cost-effective real-time ISR capability in its class,” Textron’s Vice President Wayne Prender said.

Europe

Fifteen European countries on Thursday announced that they would jointly procure air defense systems to protect the continent under a newly-created European Sky Shield Initiative. Germany, which spearheaded the project, will coordinate the joint procurements to urgently plug existing gaps with regard to possible air attacks at close range — including drones — as well as medium and long-range, and especially against ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which Russia owns, its defense ministry said.

Spain will be donating four of its MIM-23 air defense missile launchers to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg disclosed on October 13. These weapons are transferred to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine, which is designed to protect the country from Russian missile and air strikes.

Asia-Pacific

For the first time, US Marine Corps MV-22Bs are now allowed to fly at 300ft in Japan. The first such flights took place during Resolute Dragon in Hokkaido on October 7. “The Low Altitude Tactics training at Resolute Dragon greatly benefited the squadron and significantly improved operational readiness. By providing a venue for training that is difficult to obtain, the exercise enabled the unit to requalify over 20 aircrew and conduct instructor qualification flights. We are extremely grateful for the months of coordination among USFJ, III MEF, and GOJ that secured clearance to fly at 300 feet and conduct this valuable training. We look forward to continued cooperation with USFJ and the GOJ in order to accomplish bilateral training objectives and improve readiness,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Laird, VMM-265 commanding officer.

Today’s Video

WATCH: A look at Nato’s new spy drones – BBC News

youtube.com/watch?v=dAGgZTYEBB8

Today, the Defence Joint Procurement Task Force presented its work and interim achievements, and the way forward at a meeting with EU Member States.

Based on the response from Member States, the Task Force presented areas of common interest for possible joint procurement in different equipment categories (i.e., 1. Medical equipment and supply, 2. CBRN individual protection equipment, 3. Anti-tank systems & missiles, 4. Soldier equipment and radios, 5. Ammunition, explosives, mortars and MLRS, 6. Missiles, air defence, MANPADS, bombs, and 7. Small arms).

The Task Force will now engage with the European industry. The Task Force outlined the approach to map and assess the potential supply capacity of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base to address Member States’ needs. This will allow identifying mismatches between demand and supply, and areas where a ramp-up in production may be required. 

Background

Following the adoption of the Joint Communication on Defence Investment Gaps on 18 May, the EU swiftly set up a Defence Joint Procurement Task Force bringing together the European External Action Service (EEAS), including the EU Military Staff, the European Defence Agency (EDA), and the European Commission, namely the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space and the Secretariat-General.

The Task Force supports and facilitates the coordination and de-confliction of Member States’ short term joint procurement needs.

Building on the Joint Communication’s Defence Investment Gaps Analysis and the Way Forward and the EDA’s analysis on Scoping of the EU Defence Investment Gaps, the Task Force consulted all Member States and engaged with those most interested to collect and aggregate their most critical and urgent procurement needs, and explore potential interest for future joint procurement projects, including under the future European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), submitted by the Commission to the Council and the Parliament. It is now under examination in view of its adoption.

More information:

• Ministers discuss EDA analysis on defence investment gaps
• EU steps up action to strengthen EU defence capabilities, industrial and technological base: towards an EU framework for Joint defence procurement

Americas

A winner has been selected by the US Marine Corps for its Medium Unmanned Logistics Systems – Air (MULS-A) program. Kaman Air Vehicles will build the logistics drone prototype using a version of its Kargo UAV. The prototype will have to demonstrate its ability to operate from austere environment while carrying 800 pounds of payload.

The US Army has contracted Elbit Systems of America a $107-million contract for its Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) systems. The deal also requires Elbit Systems to supply spare parts, logistics support, and test equipment for the systems for two years starting 2023. “This order attests to the quality of Elbit Systems of America’s technologies and their unique operational contribution, demonstrating the significant potential of our night vision activity,” President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis said.

Middle East & Africa

According to local media, the Nigerian Army will acquire a Medium Girder Bridge system from the United Kingdom for $2,2 million to improve its logistics capacity. The British-made tactical military bridge is designed by WFEL- a military bridges provider based in the UK – and is 76m, and can handle a Maximum Payload Capacity of MLC 70t. The medium girder bridge (MGB) is a lightweight, modular military bridging system supports various types of military operations, including tactical or disaster response scenarios. T

Europe

The UK has awarded Systems Engineering & Assessment (SEA) $37 million to upgrade the weapon systems aboard the Royal Navy’s Duke-class frigates over the next five years. Work involves upgrading the vessels’ Magazine torpedo launch systems and the electronics of the Seagnat threat countermeasure capabilities responsible for protecting the frigates against anti-ship missiles.

Serco has secured contracts to deliver its automatic test solution General Purpose Support Equipment (GPSE) to the UK Royal Air Force and the Spanish Air Force. The first contract will see Serco provide the latest version of the GPSE test sets to refresh the support capabilities of the UK’s Eurofighter Typhoon fleet. The second contract requires the integration of additional Pylon and High-Pressure Pure Air Generator test functionality to the existing GPSE capability at Spanish Air Force bases in Morón and Albacete.

Asia-Pacific

The Korea Coast Guard has welcomed its third S-92 search and rescue helicopter from aviation company Sikorsky. The newest addition to the Asian country’s S-92 fleet guarantees an enhanced maritime security capability for safety and life-saving missions. Since 2014, the Korean Coast Guard has completed 195 rescues and has accrued more than 2,700 flight hours.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Kaman Kargo UAV

Americas

The US Navy awarded AAR Government Services an $114.5 million modification, which exercises an option to provide P-8A Poseidon aircraft depot scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, depot in-service repair/planner and estimator requirements, technical directive incorporation, airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support, and removal and replacement of engines in support of the Navy, the government of Australia, and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in October 2023.

L3Harris has integrated its new advanced battlefield awareness systems onto Rheinmetall’s Lynx Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), increasing its lethality. The digitally-engineered systems enable the next-generation armored fighting vehicle “to detect and engage battlefield threats faster and at greater distances while reducing crew members needed from three to two.”

Middle East & Africa

DSIT Solutions Ltd., an Israeli developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-end, comprehensive and integrated protection solutions against all underwater threat types, will showcase its multilayered defense solution for securing strategic assets against the various types of underwater threats in diverse ranges and sea depths at EURONAVAL 2022, set to take place in Paris next week. These solutions include, among others, hostile military, terror and illegal activities, intrusion, sabotage and smuggling by divers, Semi-Submersible Vehicles (SSVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and all submarine types.

Europe

A private company has successfully bid for a Swiss government PC-24 business jet. The aircraft, registration T-786, was delivered to the Swiss government in February 2019. The Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement (armasuisse) says the bid received was higher than the cost of purchasing the jet.

Canada on Tuesday said it would soon send combat engineers to NATO ally Poland to help train Ukrainian forces who have been battling a Russian invasion for more than seven months. “In the coming weeks, Canada will deploy approximately 40 combat engineers to Poland to help Polish forces train Ukrainian sappers on engineer reconnaissance, explosives, mining and demining,” Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said in Warsaw alongside her Polish counterpart.

Asia-Pacific

Malaysia’s Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein revealed on October 9 that the government has opted for two of Leonardo’s ATR 72MP maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and three medium-altitude long endurance unmanned aircraft systems (MALE UAS) from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to meet Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) requirements. “The government has agreed with Leonardo’s offer and has decided to issue a contract to [TAI] for the acquisition of three [MALE UAS],” said the minister, noting the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is in the midst of issuing notices of acceptance once final negotiations have been completed.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Meet the RAF’s submarine hunter – the P-8A Poseidon

Americas

During AUSA 2022, Boeing took the opportunity to unveil its Modernized Apache concept to leaders of the US Army. Touting it as the next evolution of the current AH-64E v6 attack helicopter, the Modernized Apache can be differentiated externally from the classic Apache by its longer wing, which allows it to have three hard points per wing, upward-facing engine exhaust and the substitution of the chain gun with a laser turret. Powered by the new Improved Turbine Engine (ITE), Boeing is improving the drivetrain in order for the Modernized Apache to faster, further and more efficiently.

US President Joe Biden on Monday promised to provide advanced air defense systems to Ukraine after Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and other cities, the White House said in a statement. Biden spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky and “pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,” the statement said.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and its US subsidiary have presented the IRON BEAM High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) at AUSA 2022 (Association of US Army’s national conference), currently taking place in Washington, DC. The Iron Beam is the first laser system of its kind to have been documented intercepting a range of aerial threats. According to the company, it is on track to become the first operational laser-based defense system that effectively intercepts a wide spectrum of threats – including RAM and UAVs as well as swarms of mini-UAVs – with pinpoint accuracy from a range of a few hundred yards to up to several miles.

Europe

President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia’s response to any further Ukrainian attacks would be “severe,” after Moscow’s forces carried out retaliatory missile strikes across Ukraine. “It was not possible to leave (Ukrainian attacks) unanswered. If attempts at terrorist attacks continue, the response from Russia will be severe and correspond to the level of threat,” Putin said at the start of a televised meeting of his security council.

Asia-Pacific

The seven recent North Korean missile launches were all “tactical nuclear” drills, state media said Monday, which were personally overseen by leader Kim Jong Un. At a key party congress in January 2021, Kim outlined a five-year defense development plan, calling for the development of smaller and lighter nuclear weapons for “more tactical uses.”

Today’s Video

WATCH: Boeing AH-64E Apache, Modernized Attack Helicopter Concept of the Feature

Around 80 experts from European ministries of defence, EU bodies, industry and academia participated in the first two-day hydrogen thematic workshop of the Consultation Forum for Sustainable Energy in the Defence and Security Sector (CF SEDSS). 

The European Defence Agency organised its first CF SEDSS III thematic workshop on hydrogen on 11-12 October 2022 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, under the auspices of the Slovenian Ministry of Defence. Entitled 'Decarbonising defence through hydrogen solutions', the workshop brought together experts of the CF SEDSS Working Group 2 on Renewable Energy Sources and the Transversal Working Group. The primary scope of the workshop was to explore the opportunities for decarbonising the defence sector using clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. It also allowed the participants to become more familiar with the EU strategic context and policy framework on hydrogen.  

In his welcome speech, State Secretary of Slovenia Damir Črnčec shared his perspectives on the importance of hydrogen in supporting the green transition in defence. He provided examples of sustainable mobility projects and the search for alternative fuels in Slovenia, supporting the EU efforts to increase the sustainability of the defence sector. Mr Črnčec stressed that the deployment of hydrogen technologies requires the integration of a wide range of relevant sectors and stakeholders, such as industry and research organisations, highlighting that the participation of the defence sector in these initiatives is a necessity. He concluded by emphasising the role of EDA in identifying and promoting this important topic through activities like CF SEDSS. 

Catharina Sikow-Magny, director of green transition and energy system integration at the European Commission Directorate General for Energy, presented the Commission’s strategy and actions on the development and deployment of renewable and low carbon hydrogen in the future energy system. Ms Sikow-Magny's presentation served as a prelude to a discussion on the role that the defence sector can play in supporting the EU efforts for climate neutrality and improved security of supply by preparing an increased share of renewable and low carbon hydrogen. 

During the two breakout sessions of the workshop, infrastructure and transportation, experts looked more closely into the benefits and challenges of introducing hydrogen in the defence sector, according to the selected topic. In this regard, the workshop provided an opportunity for ministries of defence, supported by the industry and academia, to share ideas and knowledge and generate hydrogen-related project ideas that will be further developed in the CF SEDSS framework, including at the upcoming 5th CF SEDSS Conference, to be held on 30 November-1 December 2022 in Prague, hosted by the Czech Ministry of Defence, under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.  

More information:

• CF SEDSS website
• Green defence - How is the EDA contributing to the energy transition and circular models in defence (europa.eu)
• Consultation Forum concludes first round of defence energy deliverables  (europa.eu)
• 1st Energy Technology Solutions conference and exhibition held (europa.eu)
• New Energy Consultation Forum project to promote low carbon military camps (europa.eu)
• Energy Defence Consultation Forum gains momentum (europa.eu)
• First High-Level Joint Defence and Energy Meeting (europa.eu)
• First Energy Consultation Forum project to receive EU funding

The war in Ukraine is a dramatic reminder that the European Union needs a robust, globally competitive European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to strengthen its Member States’ defence capacities and support the EU’s role as a security provider. While defence industrial policy remains a Member States’ prerogative, the past few months have seen progress in several EU policy initiatives for increasing joint defence expenditures, reducing EU strategic dependencies, boosting civil-military innovation, and more recently, promoting joint defence procurement. All these initiatives represent a great opportunity to enhance the EDTIB and overcome the national fragmentation that persists in the European defence equipment market. A European Defence Agency study has analysed the latest national defence industrial strategies and policies in EDA participating Member States (pMS) relevant for the development, production, and procurement of defence equipment. The aim was to provide an overview of existing national strategies and policy documents and evaluate how far they take into account the EU defence environment and influence national attitudes toward EU defence cooperation. 

Strategic autonomy and EU defence initiatives: a positive if nuanced outlook  

The study shows a generally positive attitude towards strategic autonomy, even if the concept is sometimes understood differently. That reflects the diverse and nuanced defence industrial interests and policies in each pMS. As the analysis shows, strategic autonomy has mainly influenced defence industrial policies through concrete initiatives such as Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the European Defence Fund (EDF).  

The EU defence initiatives undertaken since 2016 enjoy an almost-unanimous support among EDA pMS, although several countries still lack strategies to address them. Interestingly, some countries are set to produce new or renewed defence industrial strategies, taking into account EU-level developments and so bringing change. 

The status of European defence industrial cooperation 

When looking at defence industrial cooperation among EU countries, the study shows how regional cooperative frameworks only play a minimal role in policies and planning. Incentives for cooperation on procurement come from elements other than geography or established diplomatic arrangements. Converging interests in specific industrial sectors, how national DTIBs complement one another, and joint procurement programmes play a bigger and more important role. The landscape of preferred bilateral partners within the EU is quite diversified, as it strongly reflects national demands and characteristics, including the size and feature of domestic industrial bases. PESCO has largely reconfirmed traditional partnerships but, at the same time, the large number of projectsand their inclusive approach broadened the participation and generated mixed partnerships. 

Towards a gradual Europeanisation of supply chains?

According to the analysis, PESCO and the EDF have triggered a certain convergence on a gradual Europeanisation of national supply chains, with an indirectly positive effect on the European defence equipment market. However, the fact that 12 pMS have not yet implemented the 2019 EU regulations on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) control, despite COVID-19 having epitomised the costs and risks of strategic dependences, raises concerns on the overall resilience of the European defence industrial ecosystem. The gradual Europeanisation of supply chains connects industries and technologies across EU Member States: it links countries protected through FDI control mechanisms with others without similar measures in place, that may present a weak spot for extra-EU interferences. 

Background and contribution to EDA’s work 

The project lasted seven months (December 2021 – July 2022) and was carried out by a consortium led by Istituto Affari Internazionali, and included the Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and numerous national experts. While the study was partly drafted prior to the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the report was reviewed considering the ongoing war. 

The analysis contributed to EDA’s knowledge and understanding of the different national approaches towards the European defence industry. The study’s outcomes and related recommendations provide useful inputs both to EDA’s work as well as pMS' efforts, by informing ongoing activities, such as the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), Permanent Structured Cooperation- PESCO, key strategic activities, and EDA’s industry engagement policy. 

Americas

The KC-135 has set a new endurance mission record of 72 hours by two of the aerial refueling tankers from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. The jets went airborne and landed repeatedly over the 72 hours and had at least one engine running while being refueled and serviced on the ground. Engine-running flight crew changes were also carried out over the three-day mission. Both aircraft refueled B-2 bombers, B-52s, an E-3 Sentry, and an E-6B Mercury. Engine oil servicing was only done during one of the engine running crew changes (ERRCs), allowing the crews to demonstrate tanker “drop-in” concept. The previous KC-135 endurance mission record was 40 hours and was also set but the 92nd ARW in March this year.

The US Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center recently tested the new AGM-114 R-4 long-range Hellfire missile, revealing it for the first time. A 174th Attack Wing MQ-9 Block 5 drone test-fired the missile during an exercise, clocking the longest Hellfire shot to date. The R-4 boasts three times the range of its predecessor, the AGM-114 R, which can hit targets from around 7 miles (11 kilometers) under optimal conditions, the developers claim.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin won a $10.4 million contract modification, which provides for the procurement of installation of Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II Line Replaceable Units on fourteen non-flight test aircraft, updates to existing Country Standard Technical Order Manuals and Country Standard Time Compliance Technical Orders. Additionally, this modification provides for the procurement of additional Peculiar Support Equipment and Alternate Mission Equipment. Work will be performed in Greenville, South Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas. Expected completion date is February 28, 2026. This modification involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Europe

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency has completed the demilitarization, dismantling, and disposal (D3) of 722 decommissioned M113 armored personnel carriers from the Italian Army. The agency identified, removed, and treated hazardous materials in compliance with health and safety standards and necessary environmental protection practices.

Germany said Monday it was rushing long-promised air defense systems, capable of protecting an entire city, to Ukraine after Russia ordered several missile attacks on the country. Calling the latest attacks “despicable,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on Twitter that “we are doing everything to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.” Germany had earlier expected to deliver the first of several missile shield systems by year’s end, but Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said the first would now be “ready for the effective protection of people in the coming days.”

Asia-Pacific

Malaysia has selected Leonardo’s P-27A maritime patrol aircraft and TAI’s Anka unmanned air vehicle and letters of award will soon be issued to both foreign companies. Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirmed that two P-27As will be acquired while three Ankas are being purchased.

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Americas

At a combat zone, a US Air Force MQ-9 drone has successfully perform an Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) without the need for a ground-based Launch and Recovery Element (LRE) for the first time. The feat was accomplished during Exercise Oktober Fist, a training exercise conducted by the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing. “The ability to autonomously launch and recover MQ-9s from austere locations without a recovery crew is a leap in operational potential. This is essential in creating a dynamic weapon system that will out-maneuver our adversary,” said Lt. Col. Jonathan Barber, 332d AEW A2/3/5 Directorate Deputy.

Lockheed Martin has opened its 85,000-square-foot All-Up Round III facility in Arkansas to boost the production capacity of the PAC-3 missile. The second expansion of Lockheed’s Camden Operations is part of a $142 million investment announced in June 2019. With the new facility, Lockheed is expecting to raise its production of PAC-3 missiles by 500 per year.

Middle East & Africa

The US government notified Congress on October 6 of a potential Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of the National Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System (NASAMS), Medium Range Air Defense System (MRADS). Under the $3 billion package, Kuwait will be getting seven AN/MPQ-64FI Sentinel radars along with AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X missiles, each missile type getting 63 orders. The main contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense and the company will send six employees to Kuwait for approximately three years to support the sale.

Europe

Embraer has release images showing Hungary’s first KC-390 in an advanced stage of assembly. The aerospace manufacturer says the transport aircraft will be ready to fly in the second half of 2023. Hungary place an order for two KC-390s in November 2020, the first aircraft will be delivered by Embraer in the second quarter of 2024.

It has been disclosed b that Romania had to ground its MiG-21 fleet because the jets were supplied with low-quality jet fuel. According to Gandul, local businessman Cristian Berendel was given a contract to supply fuel from 2018 to 2022. While the initial batches of fuel were of acceptable quality, Berendel quietly began supplying low-quality fuel from Greece and Turkey.

Asia-Pacific

Lockheed Martin has inked a collaborative agreement with French group Thales to establish a new missile factory in Australia. The facility is expected to provide “highly advanced” defense manufacturing capabilities to Canberra, bolstering its ability to produce military weapons and equipment at home. The company said it had tapped the services of Australian firm Conscia to identify potential future manufacturing locations.

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Americas

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) departed Naval Station Norfolk October 5 for its first deployment. Accompanying the first-in-class aircraft carrier are fighter squadrons VFA-213, VFA-31, VFA-37, and VFA-87. USS Normandy (CG 60), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188), USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5), and USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) are the rest of the ships that will form the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG).

The last F-16 that was assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing has departed Truax Field and the wing will now transition to the F-35. The sendoff ceremony for the aircraft also marks 30 years of F-16 service at the 115th Fighter Wing.

Middle East & Africa

Clayton International won a $7 million deal to provide depot level maintenance services for one VH-3A Helicopter for the Government of Egypt. Work will take place in Georgia. Estimated completion will be in June 2024.

Europe

According to Defense News, Britain and Poland are investigating possible cooperation in the development of a surface-launched, long-range missile in the latest step towards strengthening their ties in the defense sector. The two nations announced their intention to take a look at forming a partnership at the end of a visit October 5 to Poland by British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for talks with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz B?aszczak.

Ukraine said Thursday it had recaptured over 400 square kilometres (155 square miles) in Kherson in less than a week, after Moscow claimed to have annexed the southern region. “The Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated more than 400 square kilometres of the Kherson region since the beginning of October,” Ukrainian southern army command spokeswoman Natalia Gumeniuk said in a briefing online. The Russian army meanwhile said “the enemy had been pushed back along the Russian defence line” on this southern front.

Asia-Pacific

The Bangladesh Army Aviation Group has received its second C295W tactical military transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space. The new medium utility military aircraft officially joined the Bangladeshi Fleet on September 25 after a six-day journey from the company’s factory in Spain.

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Americas

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $27 million contract modification, which adds scope for the initial and final technical directive to install the data transfer unit and Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System Replacement Phase III ARC-210 components into the CH-53K aircraft, support flight planning and testing of the components and supportability products for the US Navy. Work will take place in Connecticut, Maryland and New York. Estimated completion will be in April 2025.

F/A-18F BuNo 166460 is the first Super Hornet to undergo the Service Life Modification (SLM) at the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW), the US Navy has announced. The aircraft’s service life will be extended from 6,000 to 7,5000 hours. Currently, 166460 has already clocked 6,200 hours when it arrived at FRCSW. Eventually, FRCSW will carry out Block III upgrades for the Super Hornet program. Improvements under Block III include a new cockpit display and enhanced networking for the avionics.

Middle East & Africa

South African company Paramount Group has sold nine short-takeoff-and-landing Mwari aircraft to multiple air forces, the company announced Wednesday during the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo. “Mwari addresses a key global security requirement from air forces around the world, of any size, for advanced ISR and precision strike capabilities,” the company said in a news release. “It integrates design concepts from helicopters, surveillance platforms and reconnaissance aircraft with the ability to carry multiple systems, such as surveillance radar and electro optic sensor systems.”

Europe

The US has committed another four advanced rocket systems from its own inventory to Ukraine in a $625 million arms package announced Tuesday. This is the first commitment of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) from current US stock since July. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris informed Ukrainian President Zelensky of the aid in a phone call, according to a readout provided by the White House.

Asia-Pacific

The United States and South Korea launched four missiles off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday morning local time, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. The test was the allies’ second exercise in under 24 hours, following a provocative test-launch Tuesday morning by neighboring North Korea, which fired a ballistic missile without warning over Japan in a significant escalation of its weapons testing program.

The US Space Force and the Australian Department of Defense have announced the initial operational capability of the Space Surveillance Telescope. The achievement follows extensive tests and assessments since 2020 when the telescope was relocated from New Mexico to Australia. When fully operational, the US and Australia will obtain improved space domain awareness by providing “ground-based, broad-area search, detection and tracking of faint objects in deep space.”

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The only dedicated European exercise for the C-27 Spartan military aircraft launches today for two weeks of intensive joint training. Now in its sixth edition, the ‘European Spartan Exercise’ will take place at Bezmer airbase, Bulgaria with four participating nations: Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Romania. The aim of the exercise is to increase interoperability among European countries operating the C-27J Spartan military aircraft.

This edition of the European Spartan Exercise will run from 3-14 October and marks the fifth time Bulgaria has hosted the exercise. Four C-27J’s will participate and around 150 personnel will be involved. The core planning team composed of personnel of participating nations and the EDA already began work on 28 September for final preparations of the exercise. All planning cells include a representative of participating nations, while medical personnel will plan dedicated missions for medical evacuation.

Tactical training

The C-27J Spartan transport aircraft is designed to perform tactical missions in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, providing direct air transport to the theatre, day and night. The Spartan Exercise is also focused on peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, training C-27J crews to fly low level, tactical navigation in different scenarios. Several airfields in Bulgaria have been chosen for training: at Cheshnegirovo airfield, crews will perform tactical approaches, personnel airdrops and short airfield take-off and landing. Dolna Mitropolia Air Base was chosen to simulate engine running operations, known as EROs for medical evacuations. Some simulated drop zones will challenge crews when planning the missions. Operators from the Bulgarian Joint Special Operation Command will also take part in the exercise.

 

European C-27J community

European Spartan is one of the concrete outcomes of the European Air Transport Fleet (EATF) partnership signed in 2011 by 20 EDA Member States. This annual flying exercise, which is part of the EDA’s dedicated C-27J project that gathers five participating Member States that are C-27J users (the four afore-mentioned countries plus Slovakia), works to identify and develop common projects in the domains of operations, training, logistics, procurement, airworthiness and Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR) to achieve a high level of interoperability and cost-efficient operating and maintenance models.