Defense Industry Daily

The Brazilian Air Force achieved a major milestone in the effort to modernize its air combat capability with the beginning of the delivery phase of Saab F-39E Gripen multimission fighters.  The first six series-produced Gripen E aircraft have left the factory to begin the delivery phase. The aircraft were unveiled on Wednesday, November 24 at Saab’s facilities. The aircraft for the Brazilian Air Force will arrive in Brazil by sea at the port of Navegantes in the middle of December.

Boeing won a $212.6 million contract modification for six MH47-G renew rotary wing aircraft and eight spare shipsets in support of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The Boeing MH-47G belongs to the family of CH-47 Chinook multi-role heavy lift helicopters. The FY2022 budget request for USSOCOM sees the procurement of an extra MH-47G for $135.48 million, bringing its total aircraft inventory to 68. Work will take place in Ridley Park.

Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani claimed that Russia and China have indicated their readiness to hold joint naval maneuvers with Iran. “We have invited different countries to take part in the drills, and Russia and China have so far voiced their readiness to do so,” Irani said. The three countries staged a four-day joint maritime exercise dubbed ‘Marine Security Belt’ in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman area in December 2019.

Naval Group announced the creation of the Mine CounterMeasures R&D center within its subsidiary, Naval Group Belgium last week. According to the company, the center will work jointly with Belgian partners in a collaborative laboratory called the MCM Lab. Coordinated by Naval Group Belgium, the MCM Lab was launched on November 25 with a first official meeting and the exchange of the signed convention

The French armament procurement agency took delivery of first two new generation landing craft known as EDA-S last week. The craft, Arbalette and Arquebuse, were ordered back in 2019 from the company CNIM for the benefit of the French Navy and the Army. Deliveries of the next twelve EDA-S will run until 2025, the French defense ministry announced. The EDA-S program is part of the renewal of the military’s capabilities included in the 2019-2025 Military Programming Law (LPM) carried by the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

China’s Yunzhou Tech has developed an unmanned high-speed vessel that has achieved a breakthrough in its dynamic cooperative confrontation technology, which could quickly intercept, encircle and expel invasive targets. Compared with manned vessels, ship drones have the advantages of low cost, multiple functions, strong scalability, high mobility and long duration.

Watch: Brazil Receives Series-production F-39 Gripen Fighters…

According to Bloomberg News, a Pentagon testing report dated September 28 for the VH-92A Marine One helicopter says the helicopter is not effective for “contingency operation mission,” which means the rotor craft cannot be used during an emergency. For administrative missions, the helicopter is still operational effective, the internal memo said.

The Canadian government informed Boeing that its Super Hornet does not meet the country’s requirements for the fighter competition to replace the F/A-18 legacy Hornet. Three anonymous sources said that the American aerospace company was informed of the decision on November 24.

NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian current task group arrived at the port city of Haifa in northern Israel under a Greek-led flagship for a joint exercise with the Israeli navy. Navyrecognition reported that Hellenic Navy frigate HS Spetsai and Bulgarian Navy frigate Drazki paid a visit to Haifa during their focused patrols in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. For the fourth consecutive year, NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) held exercises with the Israeli Navy to develop interoperability and to reinforce its cooperation around maritime security.

Russia has been testing a fly-by-wire flight control system on the MiG-31, it was disclosed during Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko visit to the Sokol aviation plant. The interceptor will also be getting a new canopy that will allow it to reach higher speeds. The current canopy will start melting at high Mach numbers. The plant will also replace all wiring and rubber parts during the modernization of the fighter.

Croatian Republic placed an order for a dozen Rafale fighters previously operated by the French Air Force to replace its aging MiG-21s. The selection of the Rafale by Croatia was first announced on May 28. Two contracts for the acquisition of Rafales and associated logistics support were signed at a ceremony held on November 25 in Zagreb. The ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the Croatian Republic Andrej Plenkovi?, French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly and CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier.

Turkish Aerospace Industries will hand over the first batch of T-129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK) to the Philippines next month. Manila has six T-129s on order. These rotorcraft were purchased for a total contract price of $270 million from TAI through a government-to-government mode of procurement under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the contract for the acquisition of the Turkish attack helicopters in July last year.

Watch: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 “Fishbed” | SOVIET LEGACY FIGHTER

Huntington Ingalls won an $18 million contract modification for the advance planning requirements to support the refueling complex overhaul of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is the eighth Nimitz class aircraft carrier in service with the United States Navy. She was launched on September 7, 1996 by Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia, and commissioned on July 25, 1998. Work will take place in Virginia. Estimated completion is in November 2022.

Sikorsky won a $31.2 million modification, which exercises an option to provide non-recurring engineering to include, investigation, systems engineering support, risk analysis and integration development in support of the Data Transfer Unit and Defensive Electronic Countermeasure System replacement within the CH-53K Super Stallion production aircraft. The Super Stallion can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. The aircraft can be operated from austere and remote forward operating bases. Work will take place in Connecticut, Maryland, Iowa, Texas, Florida and Vermont. Estimated completion will be in March 2025.

Boeing won a $16.3 million modification for GOLDesp enterprise resource planning, Delta support equipment sustainment and survival radios sustainment in support of the 36 F-15QA aircraft. Work will be performed in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and is expected to be completed by November 30, 2024. Qatar signed a deal to buy 36 F-15QAs in June 2017, and in April 2020 the first jet took its maiden flight.

PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company will build components and assemblies for the latest generation F-16 Block 70/72 starting next year. This will sustain around 200 jobs, with approximately 60 new jobs being created. This development marks a significant new milestone for PZL Mielec, which was last involved in the production of fighter aircraft in the 1960s, Lockheed Martin said in a release today.

MBDA Germany signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to cooperate in the field of ground-based air defense system. Under the agreement, which was announced on November 24 at the Berlin Security Conference 2021, both companies will explore offering joint solutions in accordance with the needs of the German armed forces.

The Philippine Air Force will have six T129 attack helicopters in the country next month. This was disclosed by Philippine Air Force (PAF) commander Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes. The T129 is a twin-engine, tandem seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter based on the Agusta A129 Mangusta platform and is designed for advanced attack and reconnaissance missions in hot and high environments and rough geography in both day and night conditions.

Watch: The Philippines to deploy T129 ATAK Helicopter at Trojans

Rolls-Royce won a $23.3 million deal, which provides for the depot repair of T56-A-427A engines installed on E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the Navy. The Allison T56 is a single shaft, modular design military turboprop with a 14-stage axial flow compressor driven by a four-stage turbine. The E-2D is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Work will take place in Texas, Canada and Indiana. Estimated completion date is in November 2022.

The MQ-25 has been undergoing ground testing at Naval Station Norfolk as the unmanned aircraft prepares to embark on board an aircraft carrier next month. The MQ-25 Stingray introduces unmanned aerial refueling and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to the air wing that will extend the range, operational capacity and lethality of the Carrier Air Wing and Carrier Strike Group.

Turkey could become the first country to develop an aircraft carrier specifically designed for drones. “We see that the concept of an aircraft carrier is starting to change as Turkey also brought about a new concept of an ‘unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) aircraft carrier’– that has attracted global attention,” Ismail Demir, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries,  told media.

Italy’s Air Force Chief of Staff told members of parliamentary defense committees that Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and Tempest fighter programs will have to merge into one project eventually. “But it is natural that these two realities will merge into one because investing huge financial resources in two equivalent programs is unthinkable,” Gen. Luca Goretti was quoted as saying. He also explained that Italy joined the Tempest program as it offers a larger share of work compared to the FCAS.

Science Applications International Corp. won a $123.7 million contract for the production of MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight afterbody/tailcones and warshot fuel tank torpedo equipment and support. The MK 48 heavyweight torpedo is equipped with advanced commercial-off-the-shelf technologies to provide superior reliability and performance against challenging threats in both littoral and blue water environments, and can support multi-band operation. Work will take place in Indiana and Rhode Island. Expected completion date is in July 2025.

South Korea’s National Defense Committee has cut back next year’s defense budget by $375 million. The budget of $12 million for the program to buy new attack helicopters was crossed out. It was reported in April that the defense project promotion committee has approved the purchase of around 36 attack helicopters. The committee also cut $279 million from the budget to buy more airborne early warning aircraft. The project to upgrade the F-35A lost $16.9 million in funding.

Watch: Turkey could become the first country to develop an aircraft carrier specifically designed for drone

Lockheed Martin won a $114.6 million modification to exercise an option for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent efforts for the design, development, integration, test and delivery of Advanced Capability Build 20. The Aegis Combat System is the Navy’s most modern surface combat system. It was designed as a complete system: the missile launching element, the computer programs, the radar and the displays are fully integrated to work together. This makes the Aegis system the first fully integrated combat system built to defend against advanced air and surface threats. The word “aegis” comes to use from classical mythology.  Aegis is the name of the shield of the sky god and war goddess of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Work will take place in New Jersey. Expected completion will be by December 2022.

Jo-Kell won a maximum $11.1 million deal for UH-60A helicopter special purpose electrical cable assembly spare parts. The UH-60 is a twin-engined medium-lift utility helicopter. It is  the US Army’s primary medium-lift utility transport and air assault aircraft. The UH-60A was designed to carry 11 combat troops in addition to a crew of three.Work will take place in Virginia. Estimated completion date is November 29, 2026.

The Moroccan military has acquired the Skylock Dome System from Israel to bolster its defense capabilities against enemy drones. Developed by Skylock Systems, the weapon can detect, verify, and neutralize unauthorized drones. It will reportedly be used to protect the country’s critical civilian and military facilities.

The French Navy has commissioned the first FREMM-DA multi-mission frigate with enhanced air defense capability, Alsace. Alsace was handed over to the Navy by French shipbuilder Naval Group in April. It is the first of the two air defense frigates with enhanced air defense capability and the seventh FREMM multi-missions frigate ordered by OCCAr for the French defense procurement agency.

Russia will finish state trials of T-14 Armata tank next year. “The annual Army arms show features the T-14 tank, the T-15 infantry fighting vehicle and the T-16 armored repair and evacuation vehicle being developed under the Armata project. This year, it has entered its final stage. The tank’s state trials are due to be completed in 2022,” acting Chief of the Defense Ministry’s Main Automotive and Armor Department Major-General Alexander Shestakov was quoted by the Defense Ministry’s newspaper on November 22.

Australia formally started a programme to equip its navy with nuclear-powered submarines in a new defense alliance with the UK and the US. It is the first agreement on the technology to be publicly signed since the three countries announced in September the formation of a defense alliance, AUKUS, to confront strategic tensions in the Pacific where China-US rivalry is growing.

Watch: Onboard the FREMM DA Alsace, first multimissions frigate with enhanced air defence capability

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $21.2 million contract modification, which increases scope and provides aircraft maintenance in support of the CH-53K data transfer unit and defensive electronic countermeasure system replacement phase three flight test. The CH-53K will replace the CH-53E, and its job with the Marines will include moving heavy equipment and supplies from ship-to-shore in support of amphibious assault and subsequent operations ashore, as well as lifting troops. Work will take place in Maryland, Florida and Virginia. Estimated completion is in June 2022.

Lockheed Martin won a $584.8, which adds scope to provide system integration engineering for the development of new ASQ-239 electronic warfare/counter measure hardware in support of the F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-US Department of Defense participants. The ASQ-239 system can provide fully integrated radar warning, targeting support, and self-protection capabilities that will enable pilots to engage, counter, jam, or evade threats to improve survivability and mission effectiveness. Work will take place in New Hampshire, Texas, Maryland and the UK. Estimated completion is in April 2026.

During an exercise in Qatar, Qatari Rafale jets have conducted air-to-air refuelling sorties with a British Voyager tanker. It is the first time for the British Air Force to conduct AAR with the Qatar Emiri Air Force. The Voyager Tanker that refuelled the Rafale fighter jets of QEAF during the exercise is from the RAF’s 83 Expeditionary Air Group (EAG).

Navantia Shipyard started the diesel engine of S-81 Isaac Peral submarine being built for the Spanish Navy. Isaac Peral is the first S-80 submarine. It successfully passed the safety milestone of starting its diesel engines, which is part of its port testing process, Navantia said in a statement. The S-80 program follows a regulated Systems Engineering process, by means of which it is necessary to pass a series of technical reviews or quality doors in which it must be demonstrated that the submarine is ripe to move on to the next phase.

Japan will proceed with a plan to launch three small satellites into space by this decade for the detection of hypersonic glide vehicle. The government is expected to spend $525 million to send these satellites into space. They are expected to orbit around 400 km above the ground and each satellite weighs between 100 to 500 kg.

The Indian Navy commissioned the first Project 15B stealth guided-missile destroyer, INS Vishakhapatnam, on November 21. In 2011, the government sanctioned four 15B ships at the cost of $4.4 billion. Visakhapatnam has been constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest destroyers constructed in India with an overall length of 163m and displacement of over 7400 tons.

Watch: Electronic warfare for the F-35

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $103.2 million deal for the production of Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft systems, satellite airborne data terminals, and government furnished equipment maintenance. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is an extended range / multipurpose (ER/MP) unmanned aircraft system developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the US Army. It has an endurance of 25 hours, speeds up to167 KTAS, can operate up to 29,000 feet, and carries 1,075 lb (488 kg) of internal and external payload.

Raytheon won a $63.1 million modification, which exercises options to procure 19 AN/APG-79(V)4 radar systems and associated software in support of radar retrofit and integration into the F/A-18C/D aircraft on behalf of the Marine Corps. The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather jet aircraft that is used by the US Navy and Marine Corps as both a fighter and attack platform. The AN/APG-79(V)4 is a scaled version of the AN/APG-79 AESA radar. It provides aircrew situational awareness, near-instantaneous track updates, and multi-target tracking capability. Work will take place California, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Texas. Expected completion date is in March 2023.

The US military and Jordan have started work on unmanned systems and artificial intelligence integration as part of their efforts to establish a new unmanned task force. On November 18, US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) briefed the head of Jordan’s navy on US 5th Fleet efforts to integrate new unmanned systems during a visit to US Naval Support Activity Bahrain, the service announced.

Sweden officially inducted the PAC-3 air defense missile system into service on November 18. The PAC-3 is designated as air defense system 103 in Swedish service. The ceremony took place at the Air Defense Regiment in Halmstad.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $31.7 million contract action for the Belgium MQ-9B SkyGuardian procurement. This contract provides for one MQ-9B simulator, training, spares and support equipment. In August 2020, General Atomics inked a Foreign Military Sales contract with the US Air Force to deliver the MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System system.

A AH-1S attack helicopter that Jordan donated to the Philippines has arrived home at Major Danilo Atienza Air Base (MDAAB), Sangley Point on November 18. It was flown over from Clark airbase by Maj. Reese James A Obeso, CO of 20th Attack Squadron, and Capt. Wilmore Kristus A Tañamor.

Watch: Boeing Extends Production of PAC-3 Missiles, How Missile Systems Work

Lockheed Martin won a $19 million contract modification, that adds scope to provide delivery and installation of a multispectral database and delivery of crypto ignition keys in support of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter in support of the Air Force and the government of the Republic of Korea. Work will take place in Wisconsin and. Texas. Estimated completion will be in September 2023.

The US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $15.9 million contract modification, which exercises an option to procure seven retrofit advanced radar processor systems for the E-2D aircraft. The E-2D Hawkeye features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in New York and Massachusetts. Estimated completion will be in February 2026.

According to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the country is in the final stage of negotiations with South Korea to buy the M-SAM air defense missile system. Tariq Abdul Rahim Al Hosani, CEO of the Tawazun Economic Council, confirmed to Gulf Today that the both sides are “close to concluding a final agreement.”

The Somali National Army (SNA) received a donation of military vehicles including trucks and ambulances from Turkey. Senior military officials received the donation after a ceremony at the Turkish Embassy in the capital of Mogadishu. Officials from Turkey’s military mission, Turk-Som, also attended the ceremony, Turkey’s government-owned Anadolu Agency reported.

Rheinmetall completed demonstration trials of the Soucy Composite Rubber Track (CRT) system on the Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). Rheinmetall Managing Director Gary Stewart said the CRT demonstration confirmed the Lynx IFV was capable of utilising both steel and composite rubber tracks.

Thales Australia announced a $6 million investment in advanced manufacturing equipment at the Commonwealth owned Mulwala facility in regional New South Wales1, to accelerate sovereign guided weapons manufacturing capability. Thales’s investment in new large-scale preparation and mixing equipment will enable a 500% increase in the size of rocket motors able to be manufactured at Mulwala, supporting production of advanced guided weapons and hypersonic weapons.

Watch: Rheinmetall – The making of Lynx Combat Support Vehicle

Bell Boeing won a $72 million contract modification, which exercises options to procure 15 Nacelle improvements kits, rotatable pool components and interim spares. The modification also provides for the installation of eight kits in conjunction with conversion area harness, electrical wiring interconnect system assessments, sustaining engineering, and over and above requirements for the CV-22 fleet aircraft. Work will take place in Texas and Pennsylvania. Estimated completion is in June 2025.

A successful Rapid Dragon test flight was concluded on November 6, according the US Air Force Research Laboratory. Conducted at White Sands Missile Range, a MC-130J airdropped a four-cell Rapid Dragon deployment system containing a AGM-158B separation test vehicle (STV) and three mass simulants. The STV was able to deploy its wings and tail, achieved aerodynamic control, and began a pull-up maneuver as it glided toward its new target.

The United States has handed over six MD-530F+ attack helicopters to Lebanon. The rotorcraft were handed over to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Air Force at Hamat Airbase. According to the US Embassy in Lebanon the helicopter is the first light attack helicopter of its kind to integrate APKWS missiles and live downlink of targeting data.  Most importantly, this technology showcases the LAF’s increasing levels of combat capabilities.

Elbit Systems and Roboteam together launched ROOK, a multi-payload military 6X6 Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), on Tuesday. The ROOK UGV was developed based on the operational experience accumulated through fielding of the 4×4 PROBOT UGV systems in several countries including the US, France, Israel and the UK.

Airbus and Thales launched the CERES space system (Capacité de Renseignement Electromagnétique Spatiale or Space-based Signal Intelligence Capability) satellites built for the French Armament General Directorate (DGA). The CERES satellites were successfully launched from the European spaceport in French Guiana, on-board a Vega launcher.

Indonesia is now obliged to pay South Korea $1.35 billion, down by nearly $85 million for their joint KF-X fighter jet development project. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration concluded years of negotiations with Indonesia last week on a cost-sharing deal.

Watch: What It’s Like to Fly a CV-22 Osprey — Ask a Pilot

Sikorsky won an $8 million deal, which exercises an option to provide for the production and delivery of CH-53K tooling and supplier rate tooling, as well as management through final acceptance, ensuring the program can meet aircraft production rate, based on lead-time and production ramp rates. The CH-53K Super Stallion is a heavy-lift helicopter that can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. The aircraft can be operated from austere and remote forward operating bases.

The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) units worked with the US Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) for the first time to intercept ballistic missiles during flight tests conducted earlier this month, Lockheed Martin announced. During the flight test series, two PAC-3 MSE missiles successfully engaged from IBCS and intercepted tactical ballistic missile (TBM) threats over White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

United Arab Emirates-based Calidus unveiled a new light attack turboprop at the Dubai Airshow 2021. The turboprop is designated the B-350. The Calidus B-350 aircraft was developed mostly under the radar but information about the project and some of its characteristics was made public in late 2020 by the Czech company CHARVÁT AXL, which received a contract to design and build the landing gear for the B-350.

The Italian Coast Guard signed a contract with Fincantieri for the design and construction of a multi-role offshore unit (UAM). The deal was signed in Rome at the headquarters of the General Command of the Harbour Authorities – Coast Guard. The order, finalizing the tender procedure, is worth approximately €80 million and it envisages the construction of one multi-role offshore unit, the related 5-year temporary support service, as well as the possibility of exercising the option right for the construction of 2 additional units.

Elbit Systems has demonstrated its Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) capabilities for ISR missions utilizing heterogeneous autonomous swarms to the RAS Concept Development & Experimentation Program of the Royal Netherlands Army. During the capability demonstration, different robotic pairings operated as swarms autonomously performing three types of operational missions. The missions included planning, navigating to predefined points, allocating sectors and the performance of various ISR tasks.

JS Shimokita delivered a new shipment of missiles to Miyakojima Island on November 14. Around 20 local residents gathered at the port to prevent the vehicles from departing. At the Ground Self-Defense Force ammunition depot, the vehicles were met by another group of protesters.

Watch: DCS: AH-64D | Introduction

According to Breaking Defense, General Atomics flew a new drone that is heavily based on the MQ-1C this summer. The new unmanned air vehicle or UAV can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles and requires less than 800 ft of runway to operate. An anonymous source told Breaking Defense that the company is eyeing the Army’s Future Command and Special Operations Command as potential customers. However, General Atomics spokesman C. Mark Brinkley declined to comment on this story to Breaking Defense.

Huntington Ingalls won a $20 million cost modification for shipbuilding supplier industrial base efforts in support of the DDG 51 class destroyer program. The multimission warship features the AEGIS combat system, the Vertical Launching System, two embarked SH-60 helicopters along with advanced anti-aircraft missiles and land-attack missiles. Work will take place in Mississippi and is expected to be finished by April 2029.

ST Engineering inked a contract with Abu Dhabi Ship Building PJSC (ADSB) for the supply of design, platform equipment and technical assistance for the construction of four Falaj 3-class Offshore Patrol Vessels. These vessels will be constructed in ADSB for the United Arab Emirates Navy. The Falaj-3 class patrol vessel is suitable to carry out a wide range of missions including maritime security and search and rescue operations.

Dassault Aviation announced that the Rafale contract with Egypt entered into force. In May, it was announced that Egypt signed a contract with France to buy 30 Rafale fighter jets in a deal that investigative website Disclose said was worth $4.5 billion. Egypt’s defense ministry said the deal would be financed through a loan to be repaid over at least 10 years but did not give details about the value of the deal or any other information.

Saab has agreed to sell 10 of its new electric work remotely operated vehicles (eWROV), including further options, to marine robotics company, Ocean Infinity. The eWROV is the latest addition to Saab Seaeye’s underwater portfolio used across a variety of offshore energy sectors, ocean science and defence. It is the culmination of four years of research and development, resulting in the largest and most powerful ROV compared to those designed for light work and observation tasks.

Thailand has reportedly become the international launch customer for Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has placed an order for six AT-6TH that will be based at 41st Wing in Chiang Mai Air Base. Training of maintenance personnel will start in Thailand in 2023 and pilot training will commence in Wichita in 2024. Delivery of aircraft will start in 2024.

Watch: Top 10 Iconic RAAF Aircraft – 6: E-7A Wedgetail

The Brazilian Air Force wants to move forward with its plan to cut its order for the Embraer KC-390 tactical transport from 28 to 15 airframes. According to Embraer, the move was done unilaterally and the aerospace firm is considering taking legal actions. The company’s shares fell by more than 8 percent on November 12.

Raytheon won an $8.8 million delivery order for the repair of the turret and sensor-sight in support of the H-60 aircraft. Just recently the H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters Program Office met its mission capable goal entirely within its own organic lifelines. The H-60 Black Hawk is a light transport helicopter used for air assault, air cavalry, and aeromedical evacuation units. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion is in December 2021.

Israel Aerospace Industries unveiled the Scorpius family of Electronic Warfare systems. According to the company, Scorpius is the first electronic warfare system in the world capable of simultaneously targeting multiple threats, across frequencies and in different directions. It is based on the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, which provides a breakthrough in EW performance and enables a new generation of electronic warfare capabilities. The Scorpius family consists of five systems: the Scorpius G (ground), N (naval), SP (air – self-protection), SJ (air – standoff jammer) and the Scorpius T (training).

Spain inked a deal with Airbus to convert three A330 airliners that will be acquired from Iberia airline into hose & drogue-equipped Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft (MRTT). The aircraft will also get a specific Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) kit during the conversion at Airbus’ Spanish headquarters in Getafe, Spain. The Spanish Air Force’s 45 Wing will operate those the type when the first MRTT is delivered in 2023.

Hungary and Embraer representatives attended a ceremony at Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility to mark the start of production of the first KC-390 Millennium for Hungary. Structural panels and frames will be assembled to make the main components of the fuselage and semi-wings.

India wants to accept, deploy and start operation of the S-400 Air Defense System. The system will be supplied by Almaz-Antey of Russia, according to Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, the company’s deputy General director. According to an interview with Interfax, one batch of Indian technicians completed training in July this year while another was in the process of wrapping up its training.

Watch: AH-1Z Viper in Action: Intense Close Air Support Exercise! Day & Night Live Fire

Kampi Components won a maximum $9.7 million deal for hose assemblies supporting the Army AH-64 D & E Longbow helicopter. The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter. The AH-64D Longbow is fitted with the Longbow millimetre wave fire control radar and the Longbow Hellfire missile.  Work will take place in Pennsylvania. Estimated completion date is November 9, 2024.

Lockheed Martin and Keysight Technologies announced a collaboration to advance 5G in support of mission-critical communications for aerospace and defense applications. The companies are actively collaborating on a 5G.MIL testbed that Lockheed Martin teams will use to advance 5G capabilities for multiple applications. 5G brings high-speed data rates, connection density, trustworthiness and low latencies to wireless communications networks. The collaboration advances Lockheed Martin’s 5G.MIL vision to support secure and resilient connectivity for defense and national security applications.

F-35Bs from VMFA-211 cross-decked from HMS Queen Elizabeth to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex on November 8 while both ships were in the Gulf of Oman. A Royal Navy Merlin helicopter flew personnel from VMFA-211 to USS Essex initially to help with the recovery and refueling of the F-35Bs before launching the jets back to the British aircraft carrier.

Bell Textron won an $18.6 million contract modification, which provides for the production and delivery of one AH-1Z flight training device as well as in-country installation and three months of interim support for the government of the Czech Republic. The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W SuperCobra, that was developed for the United States Marine Corps. The bell AH-1Z is multi-mission attack helicopter. Work under the contract modification will take place in Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force started using the new electronic warfare (EW)-capable variant of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) J-16 fighter aircraft in combat training. Videos from China Central Television (CCTV) on November 6 show at least two J-16D examples taking off from an undisclosed location in China and conducting flight manoeuvres, with the media outlet noting that the aircraft, which were shown bearing PLAAF insignia, were deployed in “combat-oriented drills”.

The Indian Navy received the fourth of six Scorpène class diesel-electric attack submarines (SSKs) ordered from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. INS Vela , which was built in collaboration with France’s Naval Group, was handed over during a ceremony held on November 9 in Mumbai and is expected to be commissioned ‘soon’ to further enhance the service’s operational capabilities, the Indian government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a statement.

Watch: DCS: AH-64D | THE ULTIMATE WEAPON

The Israeli-made Iron Dome missile interception system has been deployed in Guam. The equipment first arrived on the island by ship on October 19. The deployment has been dubbed Operation Iron Island.

Atlantic Diving Supply won a $25 million contract modification for temporary aircraft maintenance structures (TAMS). The modification provides for the purchase of Phase II of the TAMS project which was separately priced and competed under the basic deal. Work will take place at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Estimated completion date is November 24, 2023.

Turkey is preparing to start the mass production of lightweight, medium class and heavy class Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs). On Tuesday, several related agreements were signed at leading local defense company FNSS’s facility in the capital Ankara.

Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that Affinity Flying Training Services Ltd., its UK joint venture with Kellog, Brown and Root Ltd., won an approximately $88 million contract from the UK Ministry of Defense for the operation of four additional Texan T-6C aircraft for the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) program.

PZL Mielec has completed the delivery of 16 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters ordered by the Philippines with the last five arriving in the country on November 9.

South Korea is sending a KC-330 aerial refueling tanker to Australia today to bring back 27,000 liters of urea solution. The solution is needed by the country’s diesel vehicles to reduce harmful emissions. The plane is expected to depart at 5p.m. Korean time from Gimhae International Airport.

Watch: Philippines gets last batch of 5 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland

The first two of eight C-130Js for the Kentucky Air National Guard arrived at Louisville on November 6. The 123rd Airlift Wing will phase out the C-130H in September to make way for the latest variant of the Hercules. The C-130J Super Hercules is the latest version in the Air Force arsenal. It comes with modern instrumentation, more efficient engines and a stretched fuselage for additional payload capacity.

The Pentagon is in a rush to buy GPS chips from GlobalFoundries. The reason for this is, that the plant that fabricates them will soon stop producing those components, Bloomberg reports. An initial $885 million in orders would be placed by December 15 and the rest by March next year. The Fab 10 facility has been sold to a new owner who will not be making those components anymore. These chips are need by the B-2 bomber and the Small Diameter Bomb II.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said it has secured a contract worth $360 million from the Iraqi government for the logistical support and maintenance of the Iraqi T-50IQ fleet. The deal is for three-years and cover the training of pilots and ground personnel as well.

Britain is to spend $135.3 million for maritime electronic warfare capabilities. This is the first phase of a $676.6 million ‘Maritime Electronics Warfare Programme’ to improve electronic warfare capabilities on Type 45, 26 and 31 warships, as well as the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.

South Korea will launch a new 2,800-ton frigate named after Cheonan, the Pohang class warship torpedoed by the North over a decade ago. The launching ceremony for the seventh Daegu-class Cheonan will take place on Tuesday at the shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in Ulsan, some 410km southeast of Seoul.

Pakistan’s state-owned Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works has laid the keel for the fourth and final Milgem class corvette. In July 2018, Pakistan Navy inked a contract with Turkish firm ASFAT for the acquisition of four MILGEM-class ships. Under the deal, two ships were to be constructed at Istanbul Naval Shipyard and the other two at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works.

Watch: The C-130J Super Hercules

Lockheed Martin won a $10.9 million contract for Advanced Raptor Enhancement & Sustainment (ARES) for the F-22 Program Office. This contract vehicle provides support for the necessary supplies and services to sustain and modernize the F-22 Raptor, including modernization hardware kit procurement and services such as upgrades, enhancements and fixes, as well as performance-based logistics services. The F-22A Raptor is an advanced tactical fighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin received a $7 billion five-year contract to maintain the USAF fleet of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters, in December 2019. Work under the new deal will take place in Texas. Estimated completion date is October 31, 2031.

General Dynamics Electric Boat won a $66.6 million contract action modification for lead yard support and development studies and design efforts related to Virginia class submarines. Virginia class subs are a class of nuclear-powered attack submarines. Work will take place in North Carolina, Florida and Maryland. Estimated completion will be by November 2024.

The Nigerian Navy inked a contract with the Turkish shipyard Dearsan on November 3. The deal covers the delivery of two new 76 m offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). The OPV’s, which have been configured in line with the Nigerian Navy requirements, will be designed and built entirely in the shipyard’s facilities and will be equipped with Turkish systems.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has placed an order for three “Sea Falcon” Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) manufactured by ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH for the German Navy’s K130 corvettes. One UAS consists of two Skeldar V-200 unmanned aerial vehicles, a ground control station integrated on the corvette from which the aircraft is controlled, and equipment with tools and spare parts.

Upgraded T-72B3M, ASVK-M Kord sniper rifles, Verba MANPADS are among new military equipment to arrive this month in Russia’s military base in Tajikistan in view of the instability in neighbouring Afghanistan. The base’s motorized rifle battalions were re-equipped with BTR-82A and modernized BMP-2M, and the anti-aircraft units of the base switched from portable Igla anti-aircraft missile systems to more modern and all-weather Verba complexes.

Sankei reports that the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) is considering the setup of a rapid deployment airport group will have help prepare airports in the Ryukyu Islands for military operations. This group will have air traffic controllers to take over the airports and personnel to arm and refuel military aircraft. They can be rapidly deployed using a cargo plane. The number is likely to be around 30 people.

Watch: ESG Delivers Sea Falcon UAVs for German Navy’s K130 Corvettes…

Llamas Plastics won a $14.2 million deal for V-22 windscreens. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, medium-lift, multimission tilt-rotor aircraft. The aircraft operates as a helicopter when taking off and landing vertically. The nacelles rotate 90° forward once airborne, converting the aircraft into a turboprop aircraft. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion date is October 28, 2026.

Raytheon won a $48.2 million contract modification to exercise options for DDG 1000 class engineering support, material and other direct costs in support of the engineering efforts. Developed under the DD(X) destroyer program, the Zumwalt class destroyer (DDG 1000) is the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission surface combatants tailored for land attack and littoral dominance with capabilities that defeat current and projected threats. Work will take place in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Expected completion date is in May 2022.

Saudi Arabia has been cleared by the US Department of State to replenish its stock of Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs). The approval covers up to 280 AIM-120C-7/C-8-variant missiles (the notification did not provide definite numbers for each version), plus spares, support, and training for an estimated $650 million.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed an agreement with Slovakian aircraft repair company LOTN to export the FA-50 light combat aircraft to Europe. The agreement was signed during President Moon Jae-in’s visit to Europe on November 3. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration said Seoul is in talks to sell 10 FA-50 to Slovakia to replace the latter’s L-39 jets. The deal is worth up to $500 million.

South Korea and Indonesia will hold what could be the final round of negotiations over the latter’s payment of dues in the $7.4 billion KF-X project next week. Officials from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will meet with negotiators from Indonesia’s defense ministry, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Airmen from Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron visited Yokota air base on November 4 to examine the possibility of using the runway there for assault training. The runway at Yokota has markings to replicate an austere airfield for pilots to practice for assault take-off and landing. The 401st Tactical Airlift Squadron is not able to do that at their home base at Komaki Air Base.

Watch: KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle Light Combat Aircraft

Mint Turbines won an $11.4 million deal for the T-53 depot-level engine maintenance, which provides for maintenance, repair and overhaul repairs of the T-53 engine. The T53 powered the Bell UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) and AH-1 HueyCobra helicoptersWork will take place in Oklahoma. Expected completion date is November 30, 2031.

The US Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters are testing WC-130J aircraft – designed to provide data vital to tropical cyclone forecasting – equipped with new satellite communications capabilities. Hurricane Hunters are stationed at Keesler Air Force Base. As one of their WC-130J Super Hercules powers through a hurricane, a loadmaster is in the back, preparing and launching dropsondes (weather device dropped from an aircraft at altitude over water to measure and track storm conditions as the device falls to the surface) that collect atmospheric data.

SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate at Israel’s Ministry of Defense (IMOD), has agreed to develop a land surveillance system for Cyprus. The agreement was signed when Director of SIBAT Brigadier General (Res.) Yair Kulas visited Cyprus on Thursday. The two parties discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the field of defense and security.

Israel is deploying a new aerostat for the first time this week, as it moves closer to having a new missile sensor capability. Developed jointly by Israel’s Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) and the American Missile Defense Agency (MDA), the aerostat is known formally as the High Availability Aerostat System (HAAS) and is, essentially, a blimp tethered to the ground with a long-range radar developed almost entirely from annual Foreign Military Financing funds provided to Israel from the US.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced that it and its German counterpart had completed the first series of live firing tests in Germany of the Trophy active defense system integrated into a Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT). The tests, conducted in co-operation with Rafael and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, demonstrated the integration of Trophy into the Leopard 2, with a threat interception success rate of over 90%, according to the Israeli MoD.

Boeing Australia said one of the two Loyal Wingman aircraft (Airpower Teaming System) taking part in separate flight missions at the Woomera Range Complex recently engaged its landing gear for the first time. The flight tests of aircraft one included the first time the landing gear was raised and engaged, Boeing announced today. RUAG Australia supplied the landing gear systems to the aircraft, and BAE Systems Australia was integral in the design, supply and support of the flight control and navigation systems tested as part of the flights.

Watch: Hurricane Hunters 2020: ‘World’s Most Powerful Meteorologist’, The WC-130J Collects Critical Dat

The USAF Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded General Atomics $18 million to design and develop an unmanned Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) aircraft. AFRL is developing an open architecture concept Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) to achieve its goals of rapid time-to-market and low acquisition cost, while extending and enhancing the sensing volume of manned platforms.

Sentry View Systems won a $63 million deal for the Minuteman III Remote Visual Assessment Contractor Logistical Support 2.0. The LGM-30 Minuteman III, built by Boeing, is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It is a long-range, solid-fuel, three-stage ICBM with the capability to carry single or multiple nuclear warheads. Work will take place in Utah, Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. Estimated completion date is November 3, 2026.

The Nigerian Army revealed that it has received 60 tracked armoured personnel carriers from China when it invited television journalists to a commissioning ceremony at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) in Jaji on October 28. Speaking during the commissioning of the new armoured tanks at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji Kaduna State, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya said the deployment of new platforms to the battlefield underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that a state of normalcy is achieved across the country.

Both Estonian and Finnish air forces are investigating an Estonian L-39’s intrusion into Finnish airspace on November 1. The following day, the Estonian Defense Forces issued a statement saying that: “Due to human error, two Estonian Air Force L-39 jet trainers turned towards Finnish airspace south of Utö Island yesterday at 14.02 local time. The incident occurred over international waters, when planes were taking part in a training exercise with an allied warship. The violation of the airspace lasted for less than a minute.”

The UK Shadow surveillance aircraft fleet fleet will be expanded from 6 to 8 aircraft and upgraded to include new defensive systems. As part of a £150.3 million contract with Raytheon UK, the latest Defensive Aids Systems will also be installed across the fleet of 8 aircraft, increasing its ability to defend itself and operate in unfriendly airspace.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration will soon sign a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI) to convert four Dassault Falcon 2000LXS business jets into Baekdu-class intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms. The contract is worth around $747 million and KAI will be the lead system integrator while LIG Nex1 will supply the mission equipment.

Watch: Learn How To Fly The L-39 Tactical Jet Trainer

Boeing won a $13.6 million contract modification, which exercises an option to perform 24 modifications in support of the Increment Three Block One retrofit as well as the procurement, manufacture and assembly of 25 additional retrofit kits supporting engineering change five for existing P8-A Poseidon aircraft. The P-8A Poseidon is the US Navy’s maritime patrol aircraft. It is capable of broad-area, maritime and littoral operations, and is also successful at search and rescue. Work will take place in Washington. Expected completion date is in December 2023.

An annual air exercise between South Korea and the United States kicked off secretly on November 1. The exercise will be held over five days. “We cannot comment on the exercise as it is one that is not disclosed to the media,” an Air Force official told Yonhap News Agency when asked.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a state-owned Israeli company and Rafael will for the first time exhibit at the Dubai Airshow taking place from November 14-16. Israel-UAE ties have expanded in technologically-sensitive fields in the year since the signing of Abraham Accords, a deal brokered by the United States of America. For instance, the two countries signed a historic space exploration cooperation agreement at the 2020 Expo Dubai in October and will collaborate on the “Beresheet II” mission destined for the Moon.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin revealed on November 1 that the military will receive around 200 aircraft, 26 S-350 and S-400 air defense systems besides a number of new S500s in the coming years to counter NATO. “This is required by the general military and political situation, including the growing intensity of NATO aviation flights near Russia, and the appearance of alliance ships with guided-missile weapons in the waters of the Baltic and Black Seas,” Putin told a meeting of the country’s military chiefs in the coastal city of Sochi.

Space Dynamics won a $29 million contract for the support and sustainment of the tasking, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination of data for the Republic of Korea Global Hawk. Seoul ordered four RQ-4 Global Hawks from US company Northrop Grumman for 965.9 billion won ($812 million) in 2014. First aircraft delivered to the South Korean military in December 2019, and the last one in October 2020. Work will take place at Osan Air Base, Republic of Kore. Estimate completion date is November 30, 2024.

Thales Australia announced that it will invest $6.5 million in the first phase of an industrial plan to transform its Lithgow Arms facility in regional New South Wales. Phase 1 of the plan will establish a modern manufacturing and integration hub for the design, development and precision manufacture of next generation weapons systems.

Watch: South Korea Awarded Defective RQ4 Global Hawk Maintenance Contract