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EDA project on hybrid drive trains for military vehicles concludes second phase

EDA News - Wed, 12/11/2024 - 08:04
If you think hybrid technology is just for saving fuel on your morning commute, think again. Europe’s armed forces are making significant strikes in this field, and it’s not just about fuel efficiency.  

Imagine infantry vehicles gliding across the terrain, whisper-quiet, with meanwhile reduced fuel consumption. That is the promise of hybrid military tech. 

Over the past 15 months, the second phase of the Hybrid Drive Train Demonstrator (HybriDT II) project has been seeking to turn this vision into reality. On 26 November, the project successfully concluded with a final meeting at the Dutch Army base in Oirschot. The research focused on both wheeled vehicles, specifically 8×8 and 6×6 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), and tracked vehicles. 

Launched under the CapTech Ground Systems framework of the EDA’s Research and Innovation Directorate, HybriDT II, aims to enhance maneuverability, improve energy efficiency, cut fuel consumption, and lower emissions.  
EDA as Hub for EU Defence Cooperation  HybriDT II brought together several Member States, with Germany leading the initiative. Austria, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia also participated. The project was carried out by a consortium of 13 industrial and research entities, including AVL List as the project leader and General Dynamics European Land Systems – Steyr from Austria. Other contributors included Germany’s AVL Schrick, AVL Software and Functions, and the Institute for Chemical Technology Fraunhofer; the Dutch firms DNV, TNO, and VDL; Poland’s Military University of Technology and Huta Stalowa Wola Ironworks; and Slovenia’s AVL Slovenia, Elaphe Propulsion Technology, and the University of Ljubljana. 
What’s next?  HybriDT II’s journey is far from over. The next phase, HybriDT III, will tackle the remaining challenges and further advance hybrid technology for military applications. 
A glimpse into the future  At the final meeting, attendees had a chance to witness the future firsthand. Dutch defence companies showed important advancements in hydrogen-based propulsion systems for heavy-duty vehicles and mobility technologies. 

Pentagon Grounded V-22 | GA Tapped For Italian Reaper Sustainment | Australia Test-Fires Tomahawk

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 12/11/2024 - 05:00
Americas The Pentagon has once again grounded its entire fleet of V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. This comes after a worrying incident at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on November 20, where a CV-22 Osprey experienced a near-crash shortly after takeoff. Initial investigations suggest that weakened metal components in a critical part may have been a contributing factor. The decision to pause all Osprey flights came as a recommendation from Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, the head of Naval Air Systems Command, which oversees the Osprey program for the military. This incident bears a striking resemblance to a fatal crash off the coast of Japan in November of the previous year. In that crash, eight Air Force Special Operations Command personnel lost their lives when similar weakened metal components caused the Osprey’s transmission to fail catastrophically in mid-flight. Saab has snagged a noteworthy contract, worth $48 million, to supply its cutting-edge Giraffe 4A radar systems to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Deliveries of these mobile, multi-function radar systems are expected to commence in 2027 with BAE Systems Technical Solutions & Services Inc. serving as the prime contractor for this award. The Giraffe 4A is set to play a crucial […]
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NG Modernizes US Litening Secure Data Links | DoS Approved FMS To Tunisia | JMSDF Chose SeaGuardian

Defense Industry Daily - Tue, 12/10/2024 - 05:00
Americas The US Department of Defense has introduced a new strategy aimed at enhancing the protection of military facilities and personnel from the growing threat of drones. While the strategy itself is classified, an unclassified fact sheet details its broader scope, including expanding the Pentagon’s knowledge of emerging drone threat patterns. The strategy also emphasizes stronger collaboration with allies and industry partners to ensure the rapid, large-scale deployment of counter-drone solutions. Northrop Grumman has been tapped to provide a significant upgrade to the US Marine Corps’ F/A-18 fleet, enhancing the aircraft’s targeting capabilities with its Advanced Tactical Data Links (ATDL) technology integrated into the LITENING targeting pods. This move marks a major leap forward in data transfer speeds, equipping Marine aviators with the ability to make decisions more swiftly and effectively in the heat of battle. The LITENING pod, a mainstay in various militaries worldwide, is an advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system designed for precision targeting and surveillance. The incorporation of ATDL elevates the pod’s capabilities by providing a secure, two-way, multi-band link for transmitting critical data, encompassing live video feeds, still imagery, and essential metadata. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale […]
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Canada Boosts Military Presence In Arctic | Raytheon To Continue Work In NGJ-MB | 1st Belgian F-35 Arrives In Arizona

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 12/09/2024 - 05:00
Americas Canada will boost its military and diplomatic presence in the Arctic to counter what it calls threats from Russia and others seeking a foothold in the far north, as part of a new doctrine unveiled Friday. The government envisions the deployment of new patrol ships and navy destroyers, ice breakers and submarines capable of operating beneath ice sheets, as well as more aircraft and drones. The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a $590-million contract for continued work on the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system. This is part of a follow-on production effort to enhance the electronic warfare capabilities of the EA-18G Growler aircraft used by the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Raytheon will provide shipsets, support equipment, spares and non-recurring engineering support. Middle East & Africa The Israeli military said Sunday it had deployed forces to a demilitarized buffer zone in southwest Syria abutting the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights after Damascus fell to rebel forces. Israel had already said the day before, as the Islamist-led rebels swiftly advanced across Syria, that its soldiers had entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone to assist peacekeepers in repelling an attack. On Sunday, the army announced a troop deployment there, citing “the possible entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone.” Europe […]
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US Army Modernizes Chinooks | Spanish Eurofighter With ECRS Flew For 1st Time | Missiles launched From Bushmasters Could Be Operated By Australian Army

Defense Industry Daily - Fri, 12/06/2024 - 05:00
Americas The US Army is pressing ahead with modernising its fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters, with recent contract awards to Boeing for the production of new Block II Chinooks. This latest order underscores the Army’s commitment to upgrading its heavy-lift capabilities for future multi-domain operations. This month, the US Army placed an order for three more CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing, a deal valued at $135 million. This order, designated as Lot 3, follows a previous contract awarded last year for long-lead parts acquisition. These contracts are part of a broader strategy to upgrade up to 465 Chinooks to the advanced Block II configuration. QinetiQ US has been awarded a $42 million task order to develop and enhance embedded intelligent sensor processing and advanced imaging technologies for the US Army. The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center’s Research & Technology Integration Directorate awarded the four-year contract to meet its critical research and development requirements. Middle East & Africa Fincantieri has delivered the “Al Fulk” amphibious vessel Landing Platform Dock (LPD) to the Ministry of Defense of Qatar. The craft can perform various missions, including defense operations, support for ground forces, and humanitarian support. The delivery ceremony was attended […]
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Argon To Repair Communications Interface Of Triton | Raytheon Gets $1.3B F-35 Engine Support Deal | JMSDF Selects Sea Guardian

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 12/04/2024 - 15:00
Americas Argon St Inc. won a $18 million deal for the repair of the communications interface unit for the support of operations of the MQ-4C Triton aircraft. All work will be performed in Fairfax, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by November 2026. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Technologies Corp’s Pratt and Whitney Military Engines has secured a substantial contract modification valued at up to $1.3 billion to support the F-35 Lightning II aircraft’s propulsion systems. The contract amends a prior agreement, extending services such as depot level maintenance, repair, and various forms of management support for the F135 engines that power the advanced fighter jets. This contract option covers a range of activities, including program and financial management, propulsion integration, spare parts procurement, engineering, material and product management, software maintenance, security, and technical data updates. It also includes support equipment management and training for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-US Department of Defense participants. Middle East & Africa Elbit Systems will supply the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with advanced drones and autonomous systems as part of multiple signed deals amounting to around $40 million. […]
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EU defence spending hits new records in 2023, 2024

EDA News - Wed, 12/04/2024 - 08:02

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has today published its annual Defence Data report for 2023, detailing defence spending from all 27 EU Member States. At a record €279 billion [1], 2023 European defence spending increased by 10% on the previous year, marking the ninth year of consecutive growth. Twenty-two of the Member States increased defence expenditure, with 11 increasing spending by over 10%.

2024 Forecast

Separately, the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report, which provides an overview and analysis of the EU defence landscape for Member States, forecasts the following spending for 2024:

  • EU defence spending is projected to reach €326 billion in 2024
  • Defence investments are expected to hit a record 31% of total defence expenditure, with research and technology (R&T) spending increasing to €5 billion in 2024
  • Procurement spending is seeing sustained growth and could increase beyond €90 billion in 2024
2023 European Defence spending - Key findings

The return of full-scale war to Europe and efforts by Member States to strengthen their military capabilities led to a noticeable jump in defence spending in 2023.      

  • A record €72 billion was allocated to defence investments accounting for 26% of total defence expenditure, the largest share recorded by EDA since data collection began in 2005.  This allocation was overwhelmingly directed towards the procurement of new equipment, which increased by 19% on the previous year.
  • In 2023, total funding for collaborative research and technology (R&T) projects initiated under the European Defence Fund (EDF), in calls 2021 and 2022, reached approximately €100 million for projects, marking the first year that the EDF had such a significant financial impact on the European defence landscape.

Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency Jiří Šedivý said: “The European Union is making strides in defence investments, spurred by the urgency of the threats we face. Still, a large proportion is spent on off-the-shelf equipment from outside the EU, highlighting the need to fortify the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. Buying together saves money, while developing assets together makes us more independent.

I welcome rising research spending. But Europe lags behind the United States and China in defence research and technology investment. To secure Europe’s future, we must prioritise innovation and unity."

Commitment to investment 

The allocation of €72 billion of total defence expenditure to defence investment by Member States marks robust growth of 17%.

The agreed benchmark of 20% total expenditure in this area is surpassed for the fifth year running, reaching 26% across the EU. Twenty Member States reached this collectively agreed benchmark, with Luxembourg (59%), Estonia (49%), Finland (45%) and Poland (45%) having the highest allocation of their overall defence expenditure to investment.

Research spending slips 

Despite increased spending dedicated to defence research and technology, Member States are still failing to reach the 2% benchmark of defence expenditure dedicated to R&T activities with two countries accounting for more than 80% of R&T spending at EU level. EU collaborative endeavours such as EDA’s ad hoc frameworks and funding via the EDF can collectively bring the EU closer to achieving the benchmark for defence spending allocated to R&T activities.

European Collaborative Defence R&T by funding source 

Figure 12, page 17 of the report

  BACKGROUND

EDA collects defence data on an annual basis, and has done so since 2006, in line with the Agency’s Ministerial Steering Board Decision of November 2005. The Ministries of Defence of the Agency’s 27 Member States provide the data. EDA acts as its custodian and publishes the aggregated figures in its “Defence data” booklets and on its website. Datasets of MS are available since 2006 on the Defence Data Portal on EDA’s website.

 

[1] Figures are expressed in 2023 constant prices.

Electra Tested EL2 STOL Prototype | US Approved HGMS Sale To UK | RAAF Sent Poseidons To Malaysia

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 15:00
Americas Electra has tested its EL2 ultra-short takeoff and landing (STOL) prototype aircraft for a Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering event focusing on expeditionary capabilities. The three-day, invitation-only field activity saw the system perform live overflights with low acoustic signatures across multiple intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) simulations. The US 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) has received the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) in a ceremony at Dewey Square on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. NMESIS is a mountable, ground-based anti-ship missile launcher that will be operated by the Medium-Range Missile Battery under the 3rd Littoral Combat Team (LCT). Both are components of the 3rd MLR specializing in amphibious and littoral warfare operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Middle East & Africa According to a new report by Technavio, a global technology research and advisory company, the market is estimated to grow at an annual rate of 12.21% during the forecast period. Key market players listed in the report include AeroVironment, BAE Systems, Boeing General Atomics, Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, and others – and also Israel’s three leading defense companies: Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Europe The US State Department has authorized a potential $125 million foreign […]
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Elbit America To Replace USAF F-16 HUDs | France To Receive Rafale Upgrade | US Approves $385M Arms Sales To Taiwan

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 05:00
Americas Elbit Systems of America has scored a major win with the US Air Force, securing an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a ceiling of $89 million for replacing outdated Head-Up Displays (HUDs) in the service’s F-16 Block 40/42 fleet. The contract, announced on November 21, calls for the installation of Elbit’s Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WACHUD) in place of the existing Diffractive Optic HUDs currently in use. The first delivery order, worth over $57.5 million, was placed in September 2024, with work scheduled to be carried out at Elbit America’s Talladega, Alabama facility and systems expected to be delivered by September 2027. CAE and KF Aerospace’s Ontario-based joint venture SkyAlyne has contracted Grob and Pilatus to deliver 32 training aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Under the project, the service will receive 23 G 120TP systems from Grob and 19 PC-21s from Pilatus, with deliveries to start in 2025 and 2026, respectively. The incoming fleet will be stationed at the Moose Jaw RCAF Base in Saskatchewan, where they will be operated by SkyAlyne as part of Canada’s 25-year Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program to bolster its tactical aerial capabilities in response to emerging threats. Middle East & Africa According […]
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France’s Rafale

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 12/02/2024 - 04:58
Dassault Rafale (click for cutaway view) Will Dassault’s fighter become a fashionably late fighter platform that builds on its parent company’s past successes – or just “the late Rafale”? It all began as a 1985 break-away from the multinational consortium that went on to create EADS’ Eurofighter. The French needed a lighter aircraft that was suitable for carrier use, and were reportedly unwilling to cede design authority over the project. As is so often true of French defense procurement policy, the choice came down to paying additional costs for full independence and exact needs, or losing key industrial capabilities by partnering or buying abroad. France has generally opted for expensive but independent defense choices, and the Rafale was no exception. Those costs, and associated delays triggered by the end of the Cold War and reduced funding, proved to be very costly indeed. Unlike previous French fighters, which relied on exports to lower their costs and keep production lines humming, the Rafale has yet to secure a single export contract – in part because initial versions were hampered by impaired capabilities in key roles. The Rafale may, at last, be ready to be what its vendors say: a true omnirole aircraft, […]
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Dynetics To Build C-HGB For US Army | EU To Assist Jordanian Armed Forces | US Tests New Drone In Ukraine

Defense Industry Daily - Sun, 12/01/2024 - 15:00
Americas Dynetics has received a $670.5-million contract to build the common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB) and thermal protection system for the US Army. A total of $65.8 million has already been allocated from the overall amount to the Leidos subsidiary for fiscal 2024 research, development, testing, and evaluation. Work will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, with an estimated completion date of October 2029. Teledyne FLIR has been selected by Red Cat Holdings to provide advanced thermal imaging cameras for the US Army’s new short-range reconnaissance (SRR) drone. Under the agreement, Teledyne will integrate its Hadron 640R+ longwave infrared camera module into the Black Widow unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the army’s newly-chosen SRR platform. The Hadron camera will enhance the Black Widow’s night-time capabilities with its 640×512 resolution and industry-leading thermal sensitivity. Middle East & Africa The European Council has approved a $13.9 million assistance package for the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) under the European Peace Facility. The funding aims to boost detection and countermeasure systems, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, and mobility and engineering equipment. Amid rising regional tensions in the Middle East, the initiative “will contribute to strengthening the capacities of JAF, to increase their ability to ensure Jordan’s stability and national security, […]
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Lockheed Tapped For F-35 Support | Investigation Launched After Drones Spotted Over English Bases | New Zealand C-130J Lands In Antarctica

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 11/28/2024 - 15:00
Americas Mercury Mission won a $14 million modification, which exercises an option for the production and delivery of 121 high-definition video recorders (109 for the Navy and 12 for Australia), in support of F/A-18C-F and EA-18G aircraft retrofit efforts. Work will be performed in Torrance, California, and is expected to be completed in July 2027. The contract being modified was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin won a $16 million modification, which increases the contract ceiling to provide overrun funding for diminishing manufacturing sources non-recurring engineering and associated materials in support of a redesigned panoramic cockpit display electronic unit video mixer in support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter production aircraft for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in January 2029. Middle East & Africa A Syria war monitor on Thursday said clashes between the army and jihadists killed more than 130 combatants in the worst fighting in the country’s northwest in years, as the government also reported fierce battles. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said jihadist group Hayat Tahrir […]
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L3Harris Gets Nearly $1B for US, Allied Tactical Radio Supply | Israeli Army Gets New Corvettes | 3 US Carriers To Be In Asia

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 11/28/2024 - 05:00
Americas According to Defense Post, L3Harris Technologies has received a $999-million contract to deliver critical radio solutions for the US and allied forces. Under this indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity award, the company will provide Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System Terminals, modern, software-defined communication radio devices compatible with ground, air, and maritime vehicles. The radio applies Link 16 technology, a common tactical data standard found across international militaries, including NATO members, that features a secure and fast exchange of voice, text, and imagery among users. The US Air Force (USAF) has contracted Elbit Systems of America to supply F-16 Block 40/42 Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display (WACHUD) replacements. The up to $89 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract will be executed through  September 2027, with the first delivery order of over $57.5 million having been placed in September. “The Wide-Angle Conventional Head-Up Display replacements provide modernization, but also commonality across the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 fleet,” Elbit America Senior Vice President of Electronic Systems Scott Tumpak said. Middle East & Africa The Israeli Ministry of Defense has approved a major new procurement deal to acquire five new corvettes for the Israeli navy and “hundreds” of new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles for the ground forces. […]
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Boeing Tapped For Harpoon Support | F-35C Used In Combat in Yemen | BAE Demonstrated Herne XLAUV

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 11/27/2024 - 05:00
Americas Boeing won a $9 million modification, which provides follow-on integrated logistics and engineering support in support of the Harpoon/Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response Missile System and Harpoon Launch Systems for the Navy and various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be completed in February 2026. This contract being modified was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. A number of unidentified drones were recently spotted swarming over several Royal Air Force (RAF) bases housing American troops. According to a statement from the US Air Force in Europe on Monday, the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were seen near RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell in eastern England between Wednesday and Saturday last week. Middle East & Africa The US military has announced the first official combat use of its F-35C Lightning II fighter aircraft, targeting Houthi positions in Yemen. The fifth-generation aircraft was deployed by the US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) earlier this month to strike weapons storage facilities, which housed anti-ship missiles used to target military and cargo vessels in the Red Sea Europe BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated “Herne,” an extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV) designed for military purposes. The vessel was designed to […]
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Boeing Tapped For F-15 Japan Super Interceptor Program | Elbit’s Profits Surge | DoS Approved FMS To South Korea

Defense Industry Daily - Mon, 11/25/2024 - 05:00
Americas Boeing won a $129.2 million contract for the F-15 Japan Super Interceptor program. This contract provides for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force to incorporate engineering change proposals. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; El Segundo, California; and Hunt Valley, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2030. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Raytheon won a $185 million delivery order for the repair, upgrade, or replacement of 160 parts in two of the 13 major subsystems of the Aegis Weapon System: the MK99 fire control system, and the Army Navy Joint Electronics Type Designation Systems Water/Surface Ship, Radar, Surveillance and Control Transmitter Group. The contract includes supply response time performance metrics. Work is expected to be completed by December 2026. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Elbit Systems reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2024, accumulating a 5.2% increase in its order backlog, to $2.2 billion, a trend in line with other local defense companies supplying weapons for Israel’s war against Hamas and Hezbollah. The Israeli company […]
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GA-ASI Finalized Qualification Trials Of Gray Eagle | Romania To Buy 32 F-35s | Uk To Decommission Navy Ships

Defense Industry Daily - Sun, 11/24/2024 - 08:00
Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has finalized the qualification trials of its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine (HFE 2.0) for the Gray Eagle 25M unmanned aerial system in El Mirage, California. HFE 2.0 provides a 40 percent increase in the drone’s service life, 50 percent more power to mission payloads,  and longer maintenance-free, low-sustainment capability — all required to meet the user requirements in multi-domain operations. NATO member Romania inked a deal with Washington to buy 32 F-35 jets, an unprecedented expenditure for the country neighboring Ukraine. Romania is the latest to acquire the combat jets, more than two and a half years after Russia invaded Ukraine. With an estimated cost of $6.5 billion approved by Romania’s parliament, it is the most expensive military purchase by the eastern European country. Middle East & Africa Iran said Friday it would launch a series of “new and advanced” centrifuges in response to a resolution adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog that censures Tehran for what the agency called lack of cooperation. The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany, and the US at the 35-nation board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) follows a similar one in June. Europe The […]
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USN Commissioned USS Nantucket | NATO Activates Poland Antimissile Site | Leonardo To Lease Helicopters To Malaysia

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 11/21/2024 - 05:00
Americas Silent Arrow has clinched a $1.8-million Direct to Phase II SBIR contract from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to build and test six CLS-200 drones. The CLS-200 is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) known as a Contested Logistics System designed to carry 227 kilograms over 230 miles/370 kilometers. The US Navy has commissioned the 14th Freedom-class littoral combat ship, the USS Nantucket (LCS 27), in Boston, Massachusetts. The event followed the vessel’s acceptance trials in 2022 and delivery in July 2024. Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine began construction in 2017 as part of the US Department of Defense’s objective to modernize its warship fleet. Middle East & Africa European powers and the US have submitted a resolution censuring Iran for its poor cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, diplomats told AFP on Wednesday, as Tehran warned of a “proportionate” response if it passes. As a board meeting by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) kicked off in Vienna, diplomats told AFP that Paris, Berlin, London and Washington formally tabled a censure motion critical of Iran. Europe NATO took control of the Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) in Redzikowo, northern Poland, earlier this month. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk used […]
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LCS: The USA’s Littoral Combat Ships

Defense Industry Daily - Thu, 11/21/2024 - 04:58
Austal Team Trimaran LCS Design (click to enlarge) Exploit simplicity, numbers, the pace of technology development in electronics and robotics, and fast reconfiguration. That was the US Navy’s idea for the low-end backbone of its future surface combatant fleet. Inspired by successful experiments like Denmark’s Standard Flex ships, the US Navy’s $35+ billion “Littoral Combat Ship” program was intended to create a new generation of affordable surface combatants that could operate in dangerous shallow and near-shore environments, while remaining affordable and capable throughout their lifetimes. It hasn’t worked that way. In practice, the Navy hasn’t been able to reconcile what they wanted with the capabilities needed to perform primary naval missions, or with what could be delivered for the sums available. The LCS program has changed its fundamental acquisition plan 4 times since 2005, and canceled contracts with both competing teams during this period, without escaping any of its fundamental issues. Now, the program looks set to end early. This public-access FOCUS article offer a wealth of research material, alongside looks at the LCS program’s designs, industry teams procurement plans, military controversies, budgets and contracts. LCS: Concept & Needs LCS-I missions (click to view full) Ultimately, the US Navy is […]
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Top German, French defence officials visit EDA to discuss cooperation

EDA News - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 15:29

On November 19, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius was received at the Agency by Chief Executive Jiří Šedivý and Deputy Chief Executive André Denk. This marked the first bilateral meeting at EDA’s offices between the Agency’s top management and the Minister.  

The Chief Executive briefed Minister Pistorius on EDA’s current work in supporting collaborative defence research and capability development across Europe. He also thanked him for Germany’s strong support and active participation in the Agency’s projects and programmes. The Chief Executive updated the Minister on recent developments within the Agency and the Agency’s involvement in the EU’s military response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This includes joint efforts to address defence investment and capability gaps in Europe.

French high-level visit

On November 20, Chief Executive Šedivý and Deputy Chief Executive Denk welcomed France’s Deputy Defence Minister Jean-Louis Thiériot to EDA. 

Both visits follow the recent approval of the 2024 Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) report on November 19, which identifies actionable collaborative opportunities for Member States to develop critical military capabilities together. 

NG Delivered SiAW Test Missile To USAF | Germany To Join Eurofighter Helmet Effort | Taiwan Minister Leads Mission to Lithuania to Discuss Drone Tech

Defense Industry Daily - Wed, 11/20/2024 - 15:00
Americas The US Department of Defense has signed an agreement with Australia and the UK to collaborate on “offensive and defensive” hypersonic technologies. The partnership aims to accelerate the development, testing, and evaluation of cutting-edge hypersonic vehicles and technologies, including long-range missiles capable of traveling considerably faster than the speed of sound. Northrop Grumman has delivered its Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) test missile to the US Air Force, which is designed to target rapidly relocatable threats. The test missile will be used to verify the safe carriage and separation of the weapon from its launch aircraft. In 2023, the US Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $705-million contract to supply the new SiAW for its F-35 combat jet fleet. Middle East & Africa Last month, representatives of the member states of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) gathered in Washington for the fourth time to strengthen their commitment to collective resilience against attacks, promote operational and strategic cooperation, and develop capabilities. Led by the White House, the initiative has significantly expanded over the past two years, growing from 35 member states and organizations in 2022 to 68 today. During the Washington summit, the heads of the UAE and Israeli cyber agencies called on […]
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