Defense Industry Daily

Americas The US Army has chosen Picogrid’s Legion software to address a persistent challenge on the battlefield: connecting military systems that struggle to communicate effectively with one another. The platform ingests data from a range of sources, including legacy equipment, modern sensors, and weapon systems, and integrates it into tools like the Tactical Awareness Kit (TAK), the army’s primary coordination app. This results in a more complete, real-time view of the battlefield that supports both faster decision-making and tighter coordination among dispersed units. In a bid to fast-track the deployment of battlefield-ready AI, Lockheed Martin has launched a virtual proving ground to assess how artificial intelligence systems would perform in air, land, sea, and space domains. Called the “AI Fight Club,” the program invites teams from across industry to compete in simulated military scenarios, putting their AI models through complex, mission-driven challenges that mirror real-world operations. Middle East & Africa United Arab Emirates (UAE) defense company EDGE Group has inked a $2.45-billion contract to supply Kuwait with eight Falaj-3 naval patrol vessels. The contract covers the vessel design and construction, sea trials, delivery, logistics, and in-service support, with EDGE calling it “hugely significant both in scale and strategic importance.“ “It deepens […]

Americas The US Navy has introduced a tethered capability to accelerate experiments for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Called the Tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Experimentation Payload System (TULEPS), the solution supports the evaluation of drone software and mission equipment under real-world conditions. Users can attach the machine’s cord directly to a generic UAV airframe without requiring flight authorizations, under all weather conditions, and with various power payloads for endurance trials. The Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has contracted six small businesses to expedite the construction of Virginia-class submarines. The $5-billion Maritime Acquisition Advancement Contract is intended to accelerate the procurement of integrated weapon systems equipment and services for the US Navy platforms. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has five one-year options, each valued at $1 billion and possibly reaching $10 billion. Middle East & Africa The US has begun reducing its military presence in Syria with a view to eventually closing all but one of its bases there, the US envoy for the country has said in an interview. Six months after the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, the United States is steadily drawing down its presence as part of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), a military task force launched in 2014 […]

Americas The Navy awarded a $536 million contract to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Service to dismantle, recycle and dispose of the former aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN-65), a four-year undertaking that will set precedents for future nuclear-powered ship disposals. “Under this contract CVN-65 will be dismantled in its entirety, and all resulting materials will be properly recycled or disposed of. Specifically, hazardous materials, including low-level radioactive waste, will be packaged and safely transported for disposal at authorized licensed sites,” according to a May 30 contract announcement. Hermeus has flight-tested its Quarterhorse Mk 1 remotely piloted drone designed to support the development of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft. The test, which took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California, focused on high-speed takeoff and landing, particularly demanding maneuvers due to the aircraft’s configuration optimized for high-speed flight. Middle East & Africa Turkey is deciding between Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus and the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) to replace its retiring KC-135 tanker aircraft, a Turkish official with knowledge of the matter told Breaking Defense. The choice “to buy the new tanker [is between] MRTT and KC-46,” the official said, adding the negotiations are ongoing with both sides. However, the official didn’t specify the number […]

Americas Smartshooter has secured a $13-million contract to deliver its SMASH 2000L advanced fire control solutions for the US Army. The devices, also called the SMASH 3000s, are the company’s lightest handheld fire control product and use artificial intelligence, computer vision, and advanced tracking algorithms to assist users, particularly rifle units, in assault operations. It measures 164 millimeters (6 inches) long, weighs 740 grams (1.6 pounds), and is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery pack for up to 72 hours of assisted shots. Saab has signed a contract to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the Carl-Gustaf M4 man-portable, multi-role weapon system. The $5.6-million deal includes an unspecified number of M4 units, as well as the Swedish firm’s Fire Control Device 558. Delivery is set to be completed by March 2027. Middle East & Africa The Israeli military last week said it had intercepted about 40 unmanned aerial vehicles by high-power laser systems in the wider Gaza war, a first in a combat engagement. The majority of interceptions were of Hezbollah UAVs from Israel’s Northern border, along with other unspecified battle arenas, the government said. The systems were operated by the Israeli Air Force’s new tactical air defense battalion, which was attached to […]

Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $34.8 million deal, which procures Air Vehicle and Ground Control Station spares in support of the successful operational capability of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Unmanned Aircraft System Expeditionary Medium Altitude Long Endurance MQ-9 Reaper air vehicles. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed in May 2028. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Bell Boeing won a $21.9 million deal, which provides for non-recurring efforts for the engineering, component production, supportability, and management necessary to facilitate the incorporation of tailored wiring and structural improvements on the nacelle via forced retrofit at the depot level of maintenance for previously delivered MV-22 Osprey aircraft for the Marine Corps. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (98.5%); and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (1.5%), and is expected to be completed in May 2027. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Iran has further stepped up its production of highly enriched uranium, according to a confidential UN nuclear watchdog report, as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran deems nuclear weapons “unacceptable.” According to the latest report by the International […]

Americas Roshel has introduced a new counter-drone version of its Senator vehicle, pairing armored mobility with advanced aerial threat detection to stay ahead of evolving threats. The system, built entirely in Canada, is based on the company’s field-tested Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle and now comes fitted with Leonardo’s Falcon Shield, a sophisticated counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS). Able Aerospace Service won a $10,553,162 firm-fixed-price, requirements contract for UH-1N helicopter maintenance. This contract provides repair and overhaul services for the UH-1N helicopter’s main rotor hub assembly. Work will be performed in Mesa, Arizona, and is expected to be complete by May 27, 2028. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and two responsive offers were received. No funds will be obligated at the time of award as funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Germany will keep supplying weapons to Israel despite its intensified offensive in Gaza that has sparked international outcry, the foreign minister said on Monday, snubbing Spanish calls for an embargo. “As a country that understands Israel’s security and existence as a core principle, Germany is always […]

Americas Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $214-million contract for the continued upgrade of M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) into the latest A2 configuration. Work will take place in Texas and Arkansas, with an estimated completion date of December 30, 2030. Apart from the US Army, the upgrade has been funded by the UK, Finland, and Italy. The US Army wants to upgrade 225 existing M270A1 and 160 decommissioned M270A0 launchers to the A2 standard, extending their service life for another 30 years. Dragoon Technology has selected Teledyne FLIR OEM’s Prism Supervisor and Prism SKR software for its long-range unmanned platform prototypes. The software will support artificial intelligence (AI)-based object detection, tracking, real-time autonomous flight control, and mission planning. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved the possible sale of Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Estonia, with an estimated cost of $296 million, the Pentagon announced Thursday. The primary partner in the deal on the U.S. side is the Javelin Joint Venture, a consortium comprising RTX Corp and Lockheed Martin. The Javelin is a portable anti-tank missile system developed in the United States, primarily designed to destroy armored vehicles and tanks. Its effective range is between two and […]

Americas Raytheon won a $18 million deal that provides non-recurring engineering in support of providing a comprehensive and cost-effective redesign of the Tomahawk Fin Controller Electronics Unit Circuit Card Assemblies, as well as addressing parts obsolescence for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. Work is expected to be completed in August 2028. This order was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman won an $8.3 million deal for the procurement of 50 rudders in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in El Segundo, California, and work is expected to be completed by December 2027. NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Iran has pulled the curtain back on three new combat drones: Homa, Dideban, and Shahin-1, each designed to bolster its growing fleet of domestically built unmanned systems. Revealed at a drone base in southeastern Iran, the trio adds new capabilities ranging from vertical take-off to kamikaze strikes and electronic warfare. Homa is a VTOL drone that can climb to 12,000 feet (3,657 meters) and is fitted with night vision gear. […]

Americas Mass Virtual Inc. has launched an extended reality (XR) solution at Fort Bliss to optimize the training of US Army aerial intelligence units. The project covers the installation of the Florida-based company’s proprietary MassXR simulator, which provides “high-fidelity” and “repeatable” virtual lessons on the operation and sustainment of critical sensors and surveillance aboard an aircraft. It’s now part of the Virtual Aerial Systems Trainer (VAST) program, which trains future aircrews for ATHENA and HADES surveillance aircraft. The US Air Force is bringing cutting-edge helmet display technology to its veteran fighter fleet, announcing a contract with Thales for Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display systems for active duty F-16s. This latest procurement through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) completes a multi-year effort to standardize advanced helmet displays across all service branches, having previously introduced the technology to Air National Guard and Reserve units. Middle East & Africa Thales has inked a strategic cooperation agreement with the Tawazun Council to produce its Ground Master air surveillance radars in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Signed during the “Make it in the Emirates 2025” event, the deal supports the UAE’s initiative to boost domestic defense manufacturing and international exports while reinforcing national defense capabilities. The future production facility, […]

Americas The US has completed assembly of its first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb, almost a year ahead of its scheduled production and about two years after the program was launched. Its production timeline was accelerated by more than 25 percent, “while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security, and without disrupting our other six modernization programs,” said Acting Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs David Hoagland. General Dynamics NASSCO won a $199 million firm-fixed-price contract action for maintenance, modernization, and repair of USS America (LHA 6) Fiscal 2026 Docking Selected Restricted Availability. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $209,233,949. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by July 2027. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Turkish defense firm STM unveiled a model for its Multi-Role Support Ship (MRSS) for the first time in Malaysia. In a statement, STM said the vessel is designed to “support amphibious operations” through armored unit transportation, to deliver logistical support and can be used for search and rescue operations. Europe Austria and Italy have finalized the Government-to-Government agreement for the […]

Americas The US has selected a design for the futuristic “Golden Dome” missile defense system, says President Donald Trump, adding that it will be operational by the end of his time in office. Just days after returning to the White House in January, Trump unveiled his intentions for the system, aimed at countering “next-generation” aerial threats to the US, including ballistic and cruise missiles. An initial sum of $25billion has been earmarked in a new budget bill – although the government has estimated it could end up costing 20 times that over decades. The Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) plans to ramp up production of 3D-printed drones for the US Army. This is part of the Army’s Transforming in Contact initiative, introducing new technologies directly into operational environments for field testing and evaluation. The program’s goal is to gather direct feedback from soldiers and assess the drones’ technical and operational capabilities under real operational conditions. Middle East & Africa Sweden’s foreign minister on Monday condemned Israel’s plans to “take control” of the Gaza Strip, saying the move would violate international law. Israel earlier this month approved plans for the expanded offensive currently under way and said it was aimed […]

Americas BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services won a $138.5 million deal, which provides engineering services, installation engineering, equipment integration, overhauls, design engineering for airborne capabilities, test and evaluation, user and maintainer training, and on-demand operational support in support of various airborne capabilities for a variety of manned and unmanned airborne platforms for the Navy. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Maryland, and is expected to be completed October 2030. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was competed; one offer was received. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Anduril just gave the world a closer look at “Fury,” its next-generation uncrewed fighter jet built to team up with human pilots in the skies. An episode of CBS’s 60 Minutes aired Sunday featured Anduril founder Palmer Luckey walking viewers through the aircraft’s development, offering a rare look inside the hangar where the drone is being pieced together. Middle East & Africa The UK, France and Canada have warned Israel they will take “concrete actions” if it continues an “egregious” expansion of military operations in Gaza. Sir Keir Starmer joined the French […]

Americas Northrop Grumman won a $188.5 million modification, which exercises options to provide continued logistics and test support, and continued field service representatives technical support, as well as supports reach-back engineering support to ensure that the MQ-4C Triton air vehicle are mission-capable for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions in support of the Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Work is expected to be completed in May 2026. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The US Army has teamed with Uber and Lyft for a ride-sharing program to boost transportation access for soldiers and their families living on base. The initiative covers six in-country installations and is expected to promote additional transport options for over 600,000 service members, veterans, and civilians. Among the bases included are Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Bliss, Fort Bragg, Schofield Barracks, Fort Shafter, and Tripler Army Medical Center. Middle East & Africa Raytheon has inked a $1-billion agreement with Qatar to deliver the Fixed Site – Low, Slow, Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), making Doha the system’s first international customer. The agreement includes production work in the US, contributing to engineering and advanced manufacturing. The technology is designed to detect, track, and neutralize […]

Americas Raytheon won a $1 billion deal to procure and deliver a quantity up to 55 SM-3 Block IB All-Up Rounds that are manufactured, assembled, and tested in accordance with the SM-3 Block IB specifications. The work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona and Huntsville, Alabama with an expected completion date of March 31, 2031. The period of performance is from May 16, 2025, through March 31, 2031. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Atlantic Diving Supply,  ASRC Federal Facilities Logistics LLC, Culmen International LLC, Fairwinds Technologies LLC, S&K Aerospace LLC and SupplyCore LLC won a $5 billion firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract under solicitation SPRMM1-25-R-T001 for various integrated weapons systems equipment and services in support of Virginia-class submarines and active surface ships. This contract vehicle will expedite the procurement process for high-priority requirements, ensuring the timely delivery of essential resources to Virginia-class submarines and active Surface ships. This is a competitive acquisition with nine responses received. These are five-year base contracts with five one-year option periods. Locations of performance are inside and outside the continental US, with a March 30, 2029, performance completion date. Using customers are Navy, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Department, and federal civilian agencies. […]

Americas Northrop Grumman  won a $60.2 million modification, which is to procure the non-recurring engineering, material, tooling, and labor required to complete the Integrated Functional Capability 4 change requests and engineering change proposals in support of the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System air vehicle B11 for the Navy. Work is expected to be completed February 2029. Fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $60,249,668 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The US Army is rethinking how it uses tanks on the battlefield, adapting to the growing threat posed by loitering munitions and low-cost drones in modern warfare. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, speaking on the War on the Rocks podcast, said the surge of inexpensive drones capable of striking tanks’ most vulnerable points demands a major change in how armored units are deployed. Pointing to the M1 Abrams as an example, Driscoll explained that tanks can no longer rely on traditional frontal assault tactics and must instead operate from more protected, defended positions. Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia has produced the first locally made parts […]

Americas Airbus and Shield AI have signed an agreement to integrate autonomous pilot technology into the MQ-72C Logistics Connector unmanned aerial system. The teaming includes compatibility trials of Shield AI’s flagship artificial intelligence software “Hivemind” with Airbus’ Helionix advanced avionics suite to operate the MQ-72C. The evaluation will focus on levels of autonomy to deploy the aircraft with minimal human intervention, with the tests to include complex unmanned operations in contested logistics settings. The Golden Dome missile-defense vision is turning up the heat on a long-running fight between the Pentagon and the telecommunications industry for control of certain radio frequencies. “That area of the spectrum is golden, and we need to protect it to maintain national security. And I use the word golden specifically, because the only way we can achieve Golden Dome” is by using frequencies around 3 gigahertz, Katie Arrington, who is performing the duties of the Pentagon chief information officer, told lawmakers Thursday at a hearing of the House Armed Services’ panel on cyber, information technologies, and innovation. “It is critical for national security.” Europe The UK Ministry of Defense has revealed it will send five additional Raven air defense systems to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The project, which will […]

Americas AeroVironment has introduced “Titan 4,” a new version of its counter-drone system designed to use radio frequencies (RF) to monitor and disrupt hostile drone activity. The system is 17 percent lighter and 73 percent smaller than its previous dual-chassis version, now built into a single portable unit. Titan 4 can be set up in less than five minutes and is adaptable for mobile operations, establishing a protective dome around personnel and key infrastructure. The US Navy has announced the renovation of a noise-suppressed aircraft cell engine testing facility in Patuxent River, Maryland. The center, which had been closed for more than a decade, houses the Naval Air Systems Command’s Engine Test Instrumentation Replacement System (ETIRS), which is used to optimize propulsion validations for military planes. Middle East & Africa The United States has greenlit a significant arms sale to the United Arab Emirates, approving the delivery of six advanced CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters and sustainment components for the UAE’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency released on Monday. Valued at a combined $1.4 billion, the deal underscores the UAE’s ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities amid a complex security […]

Americas The US has inked a deal with Italy to expand mutual collaboration in the space security sector. The agreement will strengthen interoperability between the US Space Force (USSF) and the Italian Air Force, bolstering its services and improving on its missions and activities through space security updates. USSF Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman and Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Luca Goretti signed the statement in Rome, with the aim to protect and defend the space domain in shared recognition of its relevance to defense and deterrence. Lockheed Martin won a $742.2 million deal for production of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems. 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 May 31, 2027. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the release of a US-Israeli hostage announced by Hamas would not lead to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip or the release of Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations for a possible deal to secure the release of all hostages in Gaza would continue “under fire, during preparations for an intensification of […]

Americas Northrop Grumman Systems won a $25.7 million modification to previously awarded contract to manufacture and provide target systems for Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBM) and Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM), including the necessary execution, analysis, services and support thereof. Under this modification, this period will include the completion and execution of flight tests, planning and analysis for new test object development, and integration of the IRBM/ICBM targets and integrated logistics support. The work will be performed in Chandler, Arizona; and Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The performance period is from Jan. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2026.  Fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluations funds will be used on this effort. A Justification and Approval (J&A) for other than full and open competition was approved by the Head of the Contracting Agency (HCA) on July 21, 2023.  An Amended J&A for this effort was approved by the HCA on Feb. 14, 2025, that authorized this modification to contract HQ0147-11-C-0006.  The Missile Defense Agency, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. The US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has awarded a $30.3-billion pharmaceutical prime vendor (PPV) contract to support medicinal supplies for warfighters. The PPV program, established in the early 1990s, covers approximately $2.6 billion […]

Americas Rolls-Royce Marine North America won a $23.5 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for highly specialized design agent engineering and technical services for the LCS, Freedom variant, machinery plant control and monitoring system, and control area network and monitoring ships control system, DDG-51 class machinery control system, and LSD 41/49 propulsion logic management units. Work will be performed in Walpole, Massachusetts (80%); Mayport, Florida (6%); Norfolk, Virginia (4%); San Diego, California (4%); and various locations outside and across the continental US, each less than 1% (6%). Work will be completed by May 2030. Fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $149,183 will be obligated for the minimum guarantee. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. A US Army infantry officer has criticized the service’s new XM7 assault rifle, claiming the Sig Sauer-made weapon falls short as a modern frontline firearm. Chosen alongside the XM250 light machine gun as the army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), the XM7 is intended to replace the aging M4 automatic rifle. However, Capt. Braden Trent, citing his independent research, argued that the new rifle is inferior to the M4. Middle East & Africa Sudan’s army-aligned government severed diplomatic ties […]