Defense`s Feeds

A new F-35A was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base on August 1 for assignment with the 461st Flight Test Squadron (FLTS). It is the first of six F-35As that the squadron and the F-35 Lightning II Integrated Test Force will use to test the Technical Refresh 3 and Block 4 configurations. For all three variants of the F-35, the 461 FLTS is the lead developmental flight test unit for sensors, weapons, and software.

BAE Systems Land & Armaments won an $88 million contract for Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACV). The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,910,796,347. This contract modification procures labor and material for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle Mission Role Variant Medium Caliber Cannon (ACV-30) for post-critical design review design and development, production representative test vehicles, and support for test activities. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity. Work will take place in California, Maryland, Norway, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, California, Minnesota, Michigan, Phoenix, New Mexico, Italy and Mississippi. Estimated completion date is July 2025.

Vertex Aerospace won a $62.8 million deal, which provides for organizational level and authorized intermediate level aircraft maintenance, logistics support, and limited repair of common support equipment for three KC-130J aircraft for the government of Kuwait. Kuwait flies its three KC-130Js on a mix of transport and tanker missions. Work will take place in Kuwait and Mississippi. Expected completion will be in August 2027.

Slovakia’s Minister of Defence has refuted media reports that the country’s MiG-29 fighters have been transferred to Ukraine. “Our MiG-29 fighters are not in Ukraine. This is false information. They are still at Slia?,” Jaroslav Na? was quoted as saying. He added that an official retirement ceremony for the MiG-29s will be held on Aug. 27 at the Slovak International Air Festival.

Philippine officials are considering a US offer to provide heavy-lift helicopters like its widely used Chinooks after Manila scrapped a deal to buy military choppers from Russia due to fears of Western sanctions, the Philippine ambassador to Washington said Monday. Then-President Rodrigo Duterte approved the cancellation of the signed deal to buy 16 Russian Mi-17 helicopters due to concerns over possible Western sanctions, which could hamper fast bank transfers of the income Filipino workers send home from the U.S. and other Western countries, Ambassador Jose Romualdez said.

About 100 aircraft and 2500 military personnel from 17 nations will arrive in Australia’s Northern Territory in mid-August to commence Exercise Pitch Black 2022. The German Air Force is set to travel to Australia to make its debut in the country’s multi-national exercise, marking the first time the German and Australian forces have trained together.

WATCH: Slovak MiG-29 in action, part 12, go around and landing in pair by sunset and at night

Bath Iron Works won a $35.4 million contract modification for lead yard support effort for the DDG-51 Class Guided Missile Destroyer program. Work will take place in Maine. Estimated completion will be in June 2023. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

General Dynamics won a $59.8 million modification for multiple items used in the Abrams Main Battle Tank, Stryker Family of Vehicles, Light Armored Vehicle Family of Vehicles, Cougar, Buffalo and RG-31. The M1 Abrams is a third-generation American main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense and named for General Creighton Abrams. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is July 29, 2029. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio.

The German defense ministry said Friday it had suspended most of its operations in Mali after the local military-led government denied flyover rights to a UN peacekeeping mission. “The Malian government has once again refused to give flyover rights to a flight planned today” for the rotation of personnel on the ground, a ministry spokesman said at a regular press conference. In response, Germany had decided to “suspend until further notice the operations of our reconnaissance forces and CH-53 (helicopter) transport flights.”

In an interview with Finnish daily Iltalehti, Estonia’s Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur says his country will integrate its coastal anti-ship missile system with Finland. This will create a choke point for Russian warships in the Gulf of Finland. The widest point of the gulf is 120km and the narrowest is just 52km. The Blue Spear anti-ship missile has been ordered by Estonia and it has a range of 290km. Finland currently deploys the MTO 85M, which is the Saab RBS 15 anti-ship missile.

The Hellenic Air Force will soon send a letter of request (LOR) to the United States for the upgrade of 38 F-16C/D Block 50 fighters to the V variant. These fighters will be upgraded at Nea Anchialos Air Base while two Greek F-16s have completed their upgrade to the F-16V standard and will soon be used to train pilots. Older F-16 Block 30s that are in Greek inventory will not undergo the upgrade process.

The Australian Department of Defence unveiled the Bushmaster electric protected military vehicle (ePMV) reflecting an effort, it said, to ensure the Australian Army is ‘future ready’. The prototype was showcased on August 10 at the Chief of Army Symposium, a three-day event in Adelaide. The vehicle was developed by the Australian Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation & Coordination Office (RICO), working in collaboration with an Australian company, 3ME Technology, which specialises in lithium-ion battery systems for mining and military vehicles, and the DoD’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

WATCH: Here is The New Generation of High-Tech, Heavily Armed DDG 51 Flight III Destroyers

Lockheed Martin won a $12.9 million deal for AEGIS design agent field engineering services. Aegis is an integrated missile guidance system used on US Navy and allied ships to protect the battle group. Work will take place in Virginia, California, Hawaii, Japan, Washington and California. Estimated completion date is in September 2023.

The US Army is integrating a 20 kW-class laser weapon system into its new Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) to help soldiers down smaller unmanned aerial systems (UASs), according to the director of the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office Lieutenant General Neil Thurgood. The three-star general spoke at the Space and Missile Defense symposium about a host of programmes under his purview including directed energy initiatives. At the event, he announced that senior service leaders recently approved the development of an Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototype that they want completed by the end of September 2023.

Mali on Tuesday received military jets and a combat helicopter from Russia. During a ceremony, L-39 and Sukhoi-25 jets as well as Mi-24P helicopter gunships were displayed. No information was disclosed about the conditions for acquiring the gunships. Previous Russian arms deliveries made public this year, were helicopters and surveillance radars as well as mobile radar systems.

Babcock International has signed it’s second deal in a fortnight to aimed at offering Israeli technologies for British defense programs. The British company’s latest agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries and its subsidiary Elta Systems is aimed at proposing a radar for the Defence Ministry’s Serpens program.

The Spanish military took delivery of a THeMIS robotic vehicle, made by Estonia’s Milrem Robotics, to gauge how unmanned ground technology can improve operations of its ground forces, the company announced August 9. The evaluation comes as some European armies are in the market to equip their soldiers with robots for anything from cargo carrying to surveillance and attack missions.

Taiwan’s army held another live-fire drill Thursday after Beijing ended its largest-ever military exercises around the island and repeated threats to bring the self-ruled democracy under its control. China announced carrying out fresh military drills around Taiwan Monday, days after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island escalated tensions between the two powers.

WATCH: Mi-24P In War Thunder : A Basic Review

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems won a $13.5 million order, which provides for the ALR-56M radar warning receiver, C-130J Block Cycle F, Operational Flight Program and Mission Data File Generation updates and system services. Work will be performed in Totowa, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed August 9, 2024.

Boeing won a $278 million ordering agreement for the procurement of F/A-18 aircraft consumable parts. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. The performance completion date is August 8, 2027. Using military service is the Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2027 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Boeing has provided over 430 F/A-18E/Fs to the Navy since the early 2000s. The aircraft serves as the frontline strike fighter of the service branch, supporting air combat operations from aircraft carriers.

Several types of previously unseen armoured vehicle and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) were displayed during a parade held by the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI) on August 7. TV coverage of the parade in Yamoussoukro to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of the country’s independence showed it included 20 of the FACI’s new Otokar Cobra II light armoured vehicles (LAVs), including an ambulance and a recovery vehicle.

Lockheed Martin won a $524 million modification, which increases the ceiling to procure long-lead time materials, parts, components, and effort for the production of seven Lot 15 F-35A aircraft, two Lot 15 F-35B aircraft, seven Lot 16 F-35A, and two Lot 16 F-35B aircraft for the government of Italy. Work will take place on Texas, California, the UK, Italy, Florida, New Hampshire, Maryland and Japan. Estimated completion will be in June 2025.

South Korea’s government stressed Wednesday it will make its own decisions in strengthening its defenses against North Korean threats, rejecting Chinese calls that it continue the polices of Seoul’s previous government that refrained from adding more US anti-missile batteries that are strongly opposed by Beijing. The differences between South Korea and China underscored a reemerging rift between the countries just a day after their top diplomats met in eastern China and expressed hope that the issue wouldn’t become a “stumbling stone” in relations. Bilateral ties went downhill in 2017 when South Korea installed a missile battery employing the THAAD, in response to nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.

The Philippines has scrapped an order for 16 Russian military helicopters, an official confirmed Wednesday, following reports former president Rodrigo Duterte decided to cancel it due to US sanctions on Moscow. Manila agreed in November to pay $228 million for the Mi-17 helicopters, as it seeks to modernize its military hardware.

WATCH: Philippines cancels Russian helicopter deal due to US sanctions

General Dynamics Land Systems won a $99.8 million deal for M1 Abrams tank sight units with containers. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. The M1A1/2 Abrams main battle tank is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems. Work will take place in Alabama. Estimated completion date is December 31, 2029.

The US Navy has carried out a demonstration of the MQ-8C Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept during Exercise Resolute Hunter. The exercise took place at San Clemente Island from June 21 to July 1. HSC-23 flew the unmanned rotorcraft for 23 hours during this period. It had taken off from Point Mugu and flown to San Clemente before control was handed over to a Portable Mission Control Station (MCS-P) deployed there. “Fire Scout is the Navy’s only unmanned helicopter with the ability to deploy from a ship or land with ISR&T at the extended range required for future warfighting,” said Capt. Dennis Monagle, Fire Scout program manager.

The US Army awarded Textron Systems a $9 million modification  for an Aerosonde MK4.7 aircraft. Work will be performed in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with an estimated completion date of September 27, 2023. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales to Nigeria in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

The Czech Republic starts negotiations with Israel to purchase three Heron drones including ground control stations, data terminals, and shipping containers. The acquisition comes as part of the Czech Army’s “Capability Building Concept,” an initiative to build up the service’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) capabilities for aerial reconnaissance, combat support, and ground unit protection.

An air combat training programme for Australia’s Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler aircrews has been upgraded and extended. The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) inked a new five-year, $76.4 million contract to enhance the ground-based training of pilots and personnel.

Austal has delivered its second of eight Evolved Cape Class patrol boats to the Royal Australian Navy after completion in Henderson, Western Australia. The ship was commissioned as the ADV Cape Peron under the Commonwealth of Australia. The first of its class, the ADV Cape Otway, was delivered to the navy in March after 18 months of construction. The six remaining units are still under production at the shipyard, with a scheduled completion in 2024.

WATCH: Never Underestimate the F/A-18 Block III Although It’s Not a Stealth Fighter Jet

Lockheed Martin won a $10.4 million contract modification to convert six AGM-158B missiles to test assets and nine weapon systems simulators. Work will be performed in Orlando and is expected to be completed October 31, 2024. The AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) is an autonomous, long-range missile developed and produced by the Lockheed Martin.

Raytheon Missiles & Defense won a $57 million modification to exercise options for the Over-the-Horizon Weapon System (OTH-WS) Encanistered Missiles. OTH-WS was announced in May 2018 with a total value of $847.61 million. It is intended to provide a long range anti-ship, over-the-horizon offensive anti-surface warfare capability to USN. The system comprises an operator interface console, Naval Strike Missile and the missile launcher, the DoD announced on August 5. Work will take place in Norway, Arizona, Germany, Kentucky, Texas and Arkansas. Estimated completion will be by September 2025.

A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip appears to be holding. The truce followed three days of violence with Israel targeting the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and militants firing rockets into Israel. At least 44 Palestinians died in the most serious flare-up since an 11-day conflict in May 2021. On Monday, Israel began lifting its blockade of the Strip, allowing the first fuel tanks to enter.

English maritime technology firm Kraken Technology Group has  inked a memorandum of understanding with Thales for the ongoing development and systems provision for Kraken’s K50 maritime precision engagement platform. The collaboration includes the development of “advanced composite high-performance craft and hybrid powertrain solutions,” which will be built at a new engineering center. Thales will also potentially integrate a range of sensors and weapons equipment into the K50.

China announced more military drills in the seas and airspace around Taiwan, a day after the scheduled end of exercises launched in protest against US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to the island. China’s Eastern Theatre Command said on Monday that it would conduct joint drills focusing on anti-submarine and sea assault operations – confirming the fears of some security analysts and diplomats that Beijing would continue to maintain pressure on Taiwan’s defences.

Taiwan will hold live-fire military drills this week simulating a defense of the island against a Chinese invasion, officials said Monday, as Chines carries our new exercises around its neighbor. The island’s forces will hold anti-landing exercises in the southernmost county of Pingtung on Tuesday and Thursday, the Taiwanese army said.

WATCH: AGM-158 JASSM Air-Launched Cruise Missile

Triumph Gear System won a $24.3 million contract action for the repair of the pylon conversion actuator used on the V-22 aircraft. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft developed by Boeing and Bell Helicopters. Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. All work will be performed in Park City, Utah, and is expected to be completed by August 2023. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

Data from the F-15 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System was analyzed by the US Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6 team and the analysis was that the system is effective in contested airspace. “EPAWSS proves that the jet can also get into the middle of a fight and cause massive issues for our adversaries,” said Capt. Max Denbin, the team’s lead test engineer. “Whether in a more passive jamming role, or as a follow-on strike package, an F-15E or EX with EPAWSS causes detrimental impacts to opposing forces decision space,” said 1st Lt. Hagan Strader, lead analyst.

The US Navy awarded Boeing a $9.2 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure 36 Stand-off Land Attack Missile – Expanded Response (SLAMER) data link pod assemblies for the government of Saudi Arabia. Work will take place in Indiana and Missouri. Estimated completion will be in December 2026.

The Canadian government announced on Thursday that it will send troops to train Ukrainian soldiers on how to effectively counter Russian aggression. Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand said that up to 225 Canadian Army personnel will be deployed in the UK to provide combat training to Kyiv’s forces. The training will see Canadian troops collaborate with their counterparts from the UK, New Zealand, and the Netherlands in teaching Ukrainian soldiers over four months.

China and Thailand will hold a joint air exercise next week and the JH-7A fighter-bomber will make its first appearance in the Falcon Strike exercise. According to Bangkok Post, the exercise will take place in Udon Thani at Wing23. It will run from August 14-24. Besides the JH-7A, there will be J-10 and KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft participating.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be participating in Exercise Raven Kahu from August 8-19 in New Zealand. This is a combined training exercise involving RAAF and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). The objectives of the exercise is to enhance New Zealand’s Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC) and Forward Air Control (Airborne) capabilities. No. 4 Squadron will send four RAAF PC-21s and two JTAC instructors for this exercise.

WATCH: Chinese fighter with British heart ! JH-7 with Rolls Royce turbofan engine, a unique fighter bomber

Raytheon won a $96.2 million contract modification for maintenance & recertifications in support of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile and NATO SeaSparrow Missile Systems programs. The SEASPARROW Missile is a radar-guided, surface-to-air missile based on the Navy and Marine Corps AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile. The SEASPARROW has a cylindrical body with four mid-body wings and four tail fins. Work will take place in Arizona, Canada and Germany. Estimated completion will be by December 2022. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Unionized workers at three Boeing military aircraft factories in and near St Louis, Missouri, have approved a new three-year contract, averting a looming labour strike, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced. The IAM said that Boeing’s latest contract offer contained better retirement benefits compared with the one its members rejected on 24 July.

Israeli military researchers are developing a voice command system for unmanned platforms, Defense News reports. The Directorate of Defense Research and Development has been designing the Casper for use with various unmanned systems for two years. It will take “several years” before the system achieves operational readiness, the outlet wrote.

Dutch Defense has officially put the Roll-on Roll-off ship into service. The New Amsterdam is now being loaded and departed from Eemshaven to the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania. There are Dutch soldiers of the enhanced Forward Presence. On board are containers full of goods and rolling stock for the next rotation of the eFP. Commander of the Armed Forces General Onno Eichelsheim pointed out the importance of the ship on departure. Defense will lease it for the next 10 years from TransProCon, part of Swedish Orient line . In this way, guaranteed strategic sea transport is always possible. Previously, ships were occasionally rented, but this is becoming more expensive and more difficult due to increasing scarcity on the market.

Local media reports that Tokyo intends to accelerate the development of the improved Type 12 anti-ship and deploy it earlier than planned. The new missile, which its range is increased from 200 to 900 km, will enter limited production while it undergoes testing. The previous plan was to start limited production from FY 2006, this has now been pushed up to as early as FY 2023.

China began large-scale military exercises on Thursday intended to punish Taiwan for hosting US house speaker Nancy Pelosi, raising cross-strait tensions to their highest level in decades. Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said Thursday that military maneuvers had begun in the Taiwan Strait, with the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army carrying out long-range, live-fire exercises and “precision strikes” on the eastern parts of the waterway.

WATCH: RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missile – Missile Review

Working together with the US Marine Corps, the 163rd Attack Wing has proven that the MQ-9 can be refueled on the ground while connected to an MV-22. The ground-breaking test was carried out in partnership with VMM-764 during Integrated Training Exercise 4-22 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twenty-nine Palms last month. The refueling exercise was to help the Marines acquire tactics, techniques, and procedures to operate the MQ-9 in the future. The USMC has placed orders for the MQ-9.

The US Navy contracted Schuyler Line Navigation with a $10.5 million deal with reimbursable elements to support Military Sealift Command’s Sealift Program for operation and crewing for the transportation and/or prepositioning of cargo by the shallow draft tanker MT SLNC Pax. This option is the third of the current contract. The current contract includes a one-year firm period of the performance; one one-year option period; and one 11-month option period. Work will take place in the Western Pacific Ocean. Estimated completion date is June 30.

The US State Department has approved the sale of 300 Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia in a deal worth $3.05 billion. In a statement released by the Pentagon, the US said Riyadh requested Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical Ballistic missiles (GEM-T). The sale will include other tools and test equipment.

The State Department approved a potential sale worth $2.25 billion to the UAE for 96 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile rounds.The Pentagon said that the UAE requested to buy THAAD missile rounds, two THAAD Launch Control Stations (LCS), and two THAAD Tactical Operations Stations (TOS). Also included are repair and return, system integration and checkout, and spare and repair parts.

The State Department has approved a $300 million Foreign Military Sale of launcher technology and support services for an anti-tank missile system, manufactured by a partnership between Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, to the British government. The UK asked to procure 513 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units for use in that country’s homeland defense and regional deterrence efforts, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday. The Javelin Joint Venture equipped its system with the LWCLU to help a gunner to recognize targets and send signals to the missile.

According to Jane’s, the Philippines has scrapped a multimillion-dollar deal with Russia to acquire Mil Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopters. A source in the Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed the cancellation and added that the Technical Working Group of the project is now considering other platforms with similar capabilities for acquisition.

WATCH: Mi-171 Medium Helicopter with 37 Troops Capacity | Philippine Air Force

Lockheed Martin Space won a $25.7 million contract modification for Trident II (D5) missile production and deployed systems support. Work will be performed in Utah,Colorado, California, Florida and various places below one percent (0.2%). Work is expected to be completed July 1, 2025. The Trident II Strategic Weapon System (SWS) is deployed aboard Ohio-class (Trident) submarines and consists of: the Trident II (D5) Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM); Reentry System; and supporting Shipboard Systems.

The Pentagon announced on August 1 that the L3Harris and Air Tractor team has won the Armed Overwatch program. Armed Overwatch will provide Special Operations Forces deployable, affordable, and sustainable crewed aircraft systems fulfilling close air support, precision strike, and armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, requirements in austere and permissive environments for use in irregular warfare operations in support of the National Defense Strategy. The contract will be a mixture of firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, time and materials, and cost reimbursement no-fee for the procurement of up to 75 aircraft, training systems, mission planning systems, support equipment, spares, and logistics support, with a period of performance from July 2022 to July 2029, including all options.

Rolls-Royce won an $854.3 million deal provides depot-level engine repair services for the AE2100 D3 engine on the C/KC-130 aircraft in support of the Marine Corps and the government of Kuwait. Work will take place in Canada, Portugal, Texas and Indiana. Expected completion will be in July 2027.

The Black Eagles have arrived in Egypt and the team is expected to give a flight demonstration. The South Korean aerobatic team arrived Monday at an Egyptian air base to take part in the Pyramids Air Show 2022. The 53rd Air Demonstration Group, nicknamed the Black Eagles, is the flight display team of the Republic of Korea Air Force based at Wonju, Gangwon Province.

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Greece of follow-on support and sustainment of S-70 helicopters for an estimated cost of $162.07 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. The requested S-70 follow-on support and sustainment includes aircraft spares, repair parts, consumables, components and accessories to support S-70B/S-70B6 aircraft, existing radar and gun mount procurement.

According to a report from Taiwan’s Up Media, the Navy has deployed its Kidd-class destroyers and Perry-class frigates to the island’s northeast corner as the country prepare for the arrival of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her delegation. The warships will provide air defense coverage with their radars and anti-air missiles. The Ministry of National Defense also announced this morning that the military will enter an “intensified combat readiness guidance period.” The order takes effect from 0800 hrs local time on Aug. 2 and will end at 1200 hrs on the 4th. During this period, Taiwan will not increase combat readiness levels or increase its combat forces. Rather, the military will strengthen the monitoring of the Taiwan Straits and be ready to deploy troops in the shortest period of time.

WATCH: USSOCOM Selects AT-802U Sky Warden | Winner of Armed Overwatch Program

Triumph Gear System won a $24.3 million contract action for the procurement of one item used on the V-22 aircraft. All work will be performed in Park City, Utah, and is expected to be completed by July 2024. Fiscal 2022 working capital (Navy) funds will be used and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The V-22 Osprey is a joint service multirole combat aircraft utilizing tiltrotor technology to combine the vertical performance of a helicopter with the speed and range of a fixed-wing aircraft.  Boeing is responsible for the fuselage, landing gear, avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems, performance and flying qualities. Work will take place in Utah. Expected completion will be by July 2024.

The privately owned Brazilian aerospace company Akaer Engenharia has developed the Albatross family of multimission, multipayload, medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (MALE UAVs), Jane’s reports. The UAV is reportedly made of composite materials and with minimum International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-controlled items, and maximum use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems.

Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled the STAR-X 3D multi-mission naval radar, designed for Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and other small vessels. The STAR-X 3D naval radar is based on IAI’s ELTA pioneering AESA (Active Electronic Scanned Array) technology. It performs simultaneous air and surface surveillance, and is designed for performing critical missions in Exclusive Economic Zones (EZZ) and beyond.

General Atomics won a $89.8 million contract action for France contractor logistics support for MQ-9 Block 5 and Block 1 aircraft. This contract provides logistics support activities including depot repair, life cycle sustainment, and software maintenance services for the French Air Force MQ-9 Block 5 and Block 1 aircraft. Work will take place in California. Expected completion date is December 31, 2023.

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has officially unveiled the YU-20 aerial refueling tanker during a press conference to announced the Changchun Air Base open house on August 26. Air Force Spokesperson Senior Colonel Shen Jinke said the tanker recently conducted aerial refueling exercises at sea with the J-16.

The US Army contracted General Dynamics with a $10.5 million contract modification to support the production of M1A2T tanks. The M1A2T is a customized model of the M1A2 SEPv2, specifically for Taiwanese Army requirements. The M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package) version of the Abrams tank features a new-production turret with a series of improvements for enhanced survivability.

WATCH: MQ-9 REAPER: The Most Dangerous Military Drone on Earth

Boeing won a $57.7 million order, which provides for the procurement of various initial spares and repair equipment in support of the MQ-25A Stingray air vehicle for the Navy. Work will take place in Missouri and Indiana. Expected completion is in July 2025.

Four Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) F-16s have flown for the last time in the United States on July 29. The flights took place at Morris Air National Guard (ANG) Base and it also marks the end of Dutch F-16 training in the United States.

Dyncorp International LLC won a $56 million contract modification for maintenance support services for the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command Aviation Program. Work will take place in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is January 31, 2024.

The UAE sent one of its C-17 cargo plane, #1228, to Amarillo, Texas on July 26 to help Bahrain bring two of its new AH-1Z attack helicopters home. The jet landed at Rick Husband International Airport and KVII news station was there to report the event. Bell was awarded a $240 million contract to supply 12 Lot 16 AH-1Z attack helicopters to Bahrain in 2019.

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of over $8 billion worth of F-35 aircraft to Germany, moving closer to providing Berlin with new fighter aircraft for nuclear deterrence missions. The State Department on Thursday announced the approval of a foreign military sale of up to 35 F-35A aircraft, along with munitions and related equipment, for a total estimated cost of $8.4 billion.

Bangladesh is set to be the latest operator of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle. Turkey’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Tufan confirmed that an agreement has been signed. In 2021, Mosud Mannan, the Bangladeshi envoy in Turkey, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that his country was considering purchasing Turkish drones.

Two MH-60R naval helicopters ordered by India have reached home after being ferried to Cochin by a US Air Force C-17 aircraft. A third rotorcraft will be delivered in August and 21 more helicopters are expected to arrive home later.

WATCH: MH-60R Seahawk Best Anti Submarine Helicopter

Westinghouse Government Services LLC won a $56 million hybrid deal for decommissioning and dismantlement of the SM-1A deactivated nuclear power plant. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received.The nuclear power plant at Fort Greely in Alaska last provided power in 1972. Work will take place in Alaska. Estimated completion date is July 27, 2028.

Lockheed Martin won a 23.2 million deal for engineering services in support of Sentinel A4 Radar and other air and missile defense programs. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of July 23, 2027.

Iraqi Defense Minister Juma Inad revealed on Sunday the “imminent” arrival of French and American radar systems to bolster the country’s air defenses. Without specifying the French system, Iraqi News Agency quoted Inad as saying that the Thales system would be linked with the country’s newly launched Air Defense Command Operations Center in Baghdad.

Jane’s reports that Nigeria has ordered T129 attack helicopters and Chad has ordered Hürku? turboprop aircraft, according to Temel Kotil, general manager of Turkish Aerospace (TUSA?). “We sold two [Hürku?] to Niger and the rest will follow. Currently, pilots from Niger are being trained. We will make deliveries in the coming months. At the same time, it was sold to Chad,” he told CNN Türk during 2022 Farnborough International Airshow on 23 July. He added that T129 helicopters will be exported to Nigeria in the near future.

The first of six new Félix Éboué-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) on order for the French Navy has started its initial sea trials. First-of-class Auguste Bénébig (P 779) was put to sea for the first time from Socarenam’s facility in Saint-Malo, Brittany, the shipbuilder announced. The six OPVs, also known as the Patrouilleur d’Outre-Mer (POM) class, are being built under a contract awarded to a consortium comprising Socarenam and CNN MCO on 3 December 2019. Construction is taking place at Socarenam’s shipyards in Boulogne-sur-Mer in the north of France and Saint-Malo in Brittany.

Lockheed Martin won a $213.3 million deal, which provides engineering, maintenance, logistics, and material support, in support of Phase 2 upgrade of the Australia Canada United Kingdom Reprogramming Laboratory for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Additionally, this contract provides a new mission data production and test line to support sovereign reprogramming capabilities for the government of Australia and the United Kingdom’s F-35 air vehicles. Work will take place in Florida and Texas. Estimated completion will be in July 2027.

Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson, Col. Maynard Mariano told the Philippine News Agency that research within the service is ongoing to find a replacement for the S.211 jet trainer. “We are planning for a replacement, research is ongoing, and there will be a presentation (of the possible aircraft models) to the senior leadership soon,” Mariano was quoted as saying.

WATCH: Lockheed Martin supplies first five Sentinel A4 radars to US Army

Raytheon Technologies won a $14.9 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide for the planning, implementation, management, and reporting of sustainment affordability in support of initiatives that reduce future F-35 propulsion sustainment cost for the F-35 Joint Program Office. Work will take place in Connecticut and Oklahoma. Expected completion will be in September 2024.

Boeing won an $8.5 million modification for Option 3 of the Hunter Phase 2 program. Work will take place in Huntington Beach, California. Estimated completion date will be in March 2023.

Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary ELTA Systems will receive cutting-edge Identification-Friend-or-Foe (IFF) technology from HENSOLDT as part of a $10.2 million deal to develop MSSR 2000 ID and MSR1000I radars. Also known as secondary surveillance radars, the IFF models have the capability to scan and identify aircraft within a certain vicinity and automatically send interrogation signals for confirmation.

Recently, Stormer HVM anti-aircraft missile systems came into service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Six units of the Stormer HVM air defense system came to the Ukraine from the UK. On April 25, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced his intention to provide British means of air defense to Ukraine. Hundreds of Starstreak missiles for these air defense systems have been shipped along with the systems.

General Atomics won a $16.4 million deal for the Spanish Air Force. This contract provides sustainment support of MQ-9A and Mission Ground Control Station (MCGS) to the Spanish Air Force, to include launch and recovery aircrew, field service representatives, transportation and depot repair/return. Work will be performed in an international location, and is expected to be completed March 31, 2025.

The State Department has approved Singapore’s request to purchase F-15 munitions, follow-on training and sustainment support and associated equipment from the US government under a potential $630 million foreign military sales agreement. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Monday that no principal contractor is involved in the possible FMS transaction and the US government could determine a manpower support provider for defense articles via a competition.

WATCH: F-15 Eagle – the American hunter

Rockwell Collins won a $16.3 million contract modification, which adds scope to provide for the adoption and application of updated security classification requirements, as well as to provide a preliminary design analysis and solution trade studies for an updated Very Low Frequency receiver solution in support of the developmental design and obsolescence mitigation engineering efforts for the airborne VLF system modernization in order to meet program capability requirements. The modernization effort is required to provide a compatible and producible VLF system to be integrated into a C-130 aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Iowa. Estimated completion date will be February 2024.

Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission System won an $11.6 million order, which provides non-recurring engineering for implementation of retrofit upgrades into Block 1 MH-60S aircraft to add additional capabilities to reach parity with Block 3 aircraft. These efforts include the design and develop of retrofit kits, preparation and delivery of associated technical directives, and validation/verification (Val/Ver) of the installations and instructions. Additionally, this order procures two Val/Ver kits, installation of the first kit, and support for Navy-led Val/Ver efforts. Work will take place in New York. Expected completion will be by July 2024.

The Israeli Air Force is leading the international Lightning Shield exercise, which began yesterday in Southern Israel, together with the Italian Air Force. IAF’s F-35I “Adir” aircrafts are leading the exercise, alongside four Italian F-35 planes. “This exercise is a major milestone in the continuous collaboration between our militaries, while strengthening the unique bond between our nations,” the IDF tweeted. “This exercise will contribute towards the operational competence of the “Adir” array and will assist in expanding its capabilities.”

Korea Aerospace Industries is expected to clinch a contract from Poland to supply 48 of its FA-50 light fighter. The deal is expected to be worth $2.9 billion. The Block 15 variant with air refueling probe is expected to be ordered by Poland. Of note, a RoKAF C-130 supporting the Black Eagles aerobatic team flew in from the UK to Poland on July 25. The team is expected to make a stopover in Poland after finishing their airshow tour in Britain.

The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a three-year framework agreement with Saab for military training and simulation systems. As part of the agreement, the FMV has placed a preliminary order for simulation equipment from Saab worth $32.6 million, the company announced on July 14.

The Biden administration has cleared the sale of 150 AIM-120C-7/C-8 air-to-air missiles to Japan. The sale is worth up to $293 million and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress on July 25 on the potential Foreign Military Sale.

WATCH: T-50 / FA-50 Golden Eagle | A good trainer and combat jet

AV Inc. won an $11.3 million contract modification for RQ-20B Puma 3 AE systems. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2023. Puma is a third-generation tactical UAS that provides precise intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance utilizing an enhanced digital data link to transmit real-time imagery.

Raytheon won a $17 million contract modification, which adds scope to procure 40 learn to build AIM-9X Systems Improvement Program (SIP) III configured guidance units (GUs), and associated nonrecurring tooling and test equipment to support build and checkout of the SIP III GUs in a production factory environment for the Navy and Air Force. Work will take place in Arizona, Utah, Vermont, Maryland, California, Germany, Michigan, Minnesota and Canada. Expected completion date is in July 2024.

Thales says it will supply Iraq with four GM403 air defense radars under a contract that will include a command and operations center. A company representative made the disclosure during the groundbreaking ceremony for the operations center. The second phase of the contract will involve the supply of 14 GM200 radars.

Sallyport Global Holdings won a $127 million undefinitized contract action to provide base operations support, base life support, and security services in the support of the Iraq F-16 program. Work will be performed at Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be completed by January 30, 2023. This contract was the result of a sole-source acquisition and involves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq.

The US Department of Defense is donating 580 Phoenix Ghost kamikaze drones to Ukraine as part of an additional security assistance package valued at $270 million. The Phoenix Ghost is speculated to have capabilities similar to AeroVironment’s Switschblade drone, but its full potential is still undisclosed, according, to Air Force Magazine.

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) says it carried out the country’s first scramjet flight-test on July 24 using a S-520-RD1 rocket. The experiment focuses on gathering data on the fuel combustion so that the information can be compared with test points that were gathered in the wind tunnel. The S-520-RD1 rocket was equipped with a test device for a scramjet engine, which is planned for use in hypersonic aircraft that travel at five times the speed of sound, or Mach 1 and faster.

WATCH: AeroVironment Puma LE Unmanned Aircraft System

The integration of the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System for the first two F-15Es has begun at Boeing’s San Antonio facility, according to a Boeing press release. A total of 43 F-15Es are slated to receive the EPAWSS enhancement, which is developed by a joint team of Boeing and BAE Systems. EPAWSS is also being developed for F-15EXs, the new generation of F-15 aircraft built by Boeing. The system was initially tested with the delivery of the first two F-15EXs that participated in Northern Edge exercises in 2021, the release says.

The US Air Force has established the P6 combat training system (P6 CTS) as its next-generation air combat training programme of record, Collins Aerospace announced at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022. The system will replace the air combat manoeuvring instrumentation (ACMI) at an estimated 55 USAF training ranges. The USAF’s priority is to integrate P6 CTS on fighter aircraft, followed by trainer, bomber, cargo, and other platforms, according to Collins.

The State Department has cleared a potential $397 million purchase request from the government of Kuwait for missiles, bombs, tail kits and other equipment in support of its Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft fleet. The potential foreign military sales transaction will include 60 AIM-120 C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, several hundred MK-84/84 General Purpose 2000LB bombs, 350 KMU-556 Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits and other munitions, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Thursday.

The US Department of State cleared a possible foreign military sale of 96 Raytheon-made Patriot surface-to-air missiles to the Netherlands in a deal estimated to be worth $1.2 billion. The Netherlands requested to buy the Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical, or GEM-T, missiles, which the State Department said support its goal of improving its defenses and increase its interoperability with the US and fellow NATO forces.

Rolls-Royce won an $8.4 million modification, which adds scope to provide test cell labor and associated materials and test cell commissioning in support authorized military overhaul facilities stand-up for the V-22 AE 1107C engine to include establishment of an indigenous depot-level maintenance and repair capability for the Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engine and integration of an AE 1107C engine test cell into existing facilities in support of the government of Japan. Work will take place in Indiana and Japan. Expected completion will be in February 2025.

BAE Systems won a $92 million deal to modify F-16 Hybrid Flight Control Computer to digital capability. Work will be performed in Endicott, New York, and is expected to be complete by June 20, 2027. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan. Work will take place in New York. Estimated completion will be by June 20, 2027.

WATCH: AGM-158 JASSM – The deadliest stealth missile worth $1.359 million / unit

Lockheed Martin won a $32 million for Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) M-Code test and integration. Contractor will provide support for JASSM, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, JASSM?ER, and any JASSM variant in the areas of M-Code test and integration. Contractor will provide support for JASSM, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, JASSM?ER, and any JASSM variant in the areas of M-Code test and integration. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is July 21, 2025.

Schutt Industries won a $49.8 million deal to procure M870A4 semitrailers, spare parts, and a government-formatted technical data package. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is July 19, 2025.

Embraer of Brazil has revealed plans to partner with BAE Systems to offer the C-390 transport aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Two memorandums of understanding were signed at the Farnborough Airshow on July 19. One for the C-390 partnership while the other confirms an intent to create a joint venture to develop a defense variant of Eve’s electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

The Czech government has decided to launch negotiations with the United States to buy 24 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for the country’s Air Force. The aircraft are to replace the 14 Saab JAS 39 Gripens currently operated by the Czech military, making the country the second Eastern European ally after Poland to order Lockheed Martin’s fighters.

The US and Dutch militaries signed an agreement Wednesday in the Netherlands to work together on future vertical lift programs, according to a statement from the US Army. FVL is a plan to design and manufacture a generation of helicopters ? and other low-tier aviation ? with the latest in technology and capabilities. Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said this agreement keeps the U.S. and its allies ahead of its adversaries.

South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatic team has won the King Hussein Memorial Sword as well as The As The Crow Flies Trophy for bestoverall flying demonstration for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

WATCH: AGM-158 JASSM – The deadliest stealth missile worth $1.359 million / unit

The US Marine Corps will acquire eight MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) unmanned air vehicles (UAV) for VMU-3 as part of the ARES Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. The fleet is expected to standup in late summer 2023 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. VMU-3 will operate these MQ-9A ERs to support training for the Marine Littoral Regiment.

Insitu won a $160 million deal, which provides training, test and engineering, development of engineering change proposals, operations support, organizational level maintenance, field service representatives, land and ship surveys, hardware site activations, hardware installs, repairs, and development of noncommercial software and data in support of RQ-21A Blackjack and ScanEagle unmanned aircraft platforms. Estimated completion will be in June 2026 Work will take place in Washington.

Morocco has ordered an unspecific number of H135 helicopters from Airbus for primary flight training. Airbus says the contract comes with an extensive support package including the delivery of Flight Training Devices and the training of instructor pilots and maintenance pilots.

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of C-17 Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $980.4 million. The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy follow-on sustainment and support of C-17 fleet to include aircraft hardware and software modifications and support; Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) software; classified software support for Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection; aircraft and engine support equipment, components, consumables, spare parts and repair/return; publications and technical documentation; heavy maintenance support; participation in the C-17 Virtual Fleet for Total System Sustainment (TSS) contractor logistics support and Material Improvement Program (MIP); other U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of program support.

The US State Department okayed a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Belgium of F-16 Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $127 million. The Government of Belgium has requested to buy additional F-16 sustainment support that will be added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS case, valued at $98.4 million, included F-16 sustainment, consisting of AN/ARC-210 radios; classified software, Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINs), and software integration support; Electronic Warfare (EW) database support; test support and equipment; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; flight simulator support; additional hardware and software delivery and support; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories; maintenance and maintenance support; mission planning system sustainment; facilities, utilities, and information technology support at US Air Force bases; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; and US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

Crane Electronics won a $9 million deal for the upgrade of ALQ-218 Weapons Replaceable Assembly 9 power supply Navy assets. This contract covers purchases for the Navy (96%) and the government of Australia (4%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion will be by July 2027.

WATCH:Why The $340 Million C-17 Globemaster III Became The Center Of Evacuation Efforts | Boot Camp

KC-46A, #17-46034, was recently painted with a tail flash to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Portsmouth and the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. It was flown to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to be painted at the 36,000-square-foot paint facility there in June.

An AIM-120D3 air-to-air missile with production hardware was test-fired for the first time on June 30 from a F-15E. It was the first of five combined Air Force and Navy live-fires scheduled for the AMRAAM F3R program, which replaces 15 Circuit Card Assemblies on the missile. Raytheon says in a press release that an additional live fire for the Foreign Military Sales AIM-120C8 variant will occur in the near future.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate for its B737-800SF passenger-to-freighter conversions. With the EASA STC approval, IAI will open its B737-800BDSF cargo conversions to European companies and operators, providing a solution to the rising demand for aircraft conversions worldwide. The first two converted aircraft for which this approval will apply have already been delivered to a customer in Spain, with an additional aircraft undergoing conversion and joining the European fleet shortly.

Lockheed Martin won a $224.9 million contract modification, which increases the ceiling to procure long lead-time materials, parts, components, and effort for the production of three Lot 15 F-35A aircraft and nine Lot 16 F-35 aircraft for the government of the Netherlands. Work will take place in Texas, California, the UK, Italy, Florida, New Hampshire, Maryland and Japan. Estimated completion will be by May 2026.

MBDA announced that the Dragonfire laser weapon has started trials at low power to confirm the system’s accuracy in tracking air and sea targets.That phase of testing was successful and the next set of trials will be static testing of the high-power laser while maintaining the same accuracy achieved during low-power tests. Once those two steps are cleared, the system will then begin engaging targets in operationally representative scenarios.

European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday another $504 million of EU funding to supply arms to Ukraine, taking the bloc’s security support to 2.5 billion euros since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The money should help the EU continue to jointly buy equipment and supplies for the Ukrainian military, including lethal weaponry, which the bloc has said should be used for defensive purposes.

Airbus is seeking to renegotiate with Indonesia for the two A400Ms that the latter has ordered due to tight supply of Titanium. Airbus imports fifty percent of its titanium from Russia but the war in Ukraine has disrupted prices and supply. The aerospace company finds it difficult to execute the contract with the price of $685 million.

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