Military Purchasing News for Defense Procurement Managers and Contractors
Updated: 1 week 19 hours ago
Fri, 09/05/2025 - 06:00
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 […]
Wed, 07/05/2025 - 06:00
Americas Northrop Grumman has inked a $244-million deal with the US Space Force (USSF) to build advanced relay ground stations in the US and UK to expand the coverage of critical missile warning and tracking satellites. The ground stations will support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program, which seeks to establish satellite constellations that detect and track missile launches and potential attacks. The US Army has taken delivery of its fourth CH-47F Chinook Block II heavy-lift helicopter from Boeing as part of a contract signed in 2021. The deal, which ordered nine aircraft, is part of the army’s goal to modernize its airborne transport capabilities for evolving mission requirements. Middle East & Africa A senior Hamas official said Tuesday the group was no longer interested in truce talks with Israel and urged the international community to halt Israel’s “hunger war” against Gaza. “There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip,” Basem Naim told AFP. Europe The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic is moving forward with plans to acquire a package of NATO-standard communications equipment from American defense contractor L3Harris Technologies. The potential […]
Tue, 06/05/2025 - 06:00
Americas Huntington Ingalls Industries – Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, has received an $81.2 million contract modification from the USNavy. This funding continues previous work to support and maintain several types of Navy ships, including amphibious transport docks (LPD 17), amphibious assault ships (LHD 1 and LHA 6), dock landing ships (LSD 41 and 49), and an amphibious command ship (LCC 19). Most of the work (75%) will take place in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Additional technical support will be provided in Norfolk, Virginia (24%), with very small portions in San Diego, California, and Sasebo, Japan. The project is expected to be completed by May 2026. No money is being paid upfront, and the contract was awarded through a competitive process by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC. Bollinger Shipyards has received approval to begin full production of the US Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter (PSC). This initiative replaces the force’s aging icebreaker ships operational since the 70s with new vessels, all of which are to cover maritime security and logistics support across the Arctic, Antarctic, and similar domains. Middle East & Africa The US Army has deployed its Avenger air defense system to the African continent for the first time, joining […]
Mon, 05/05/2025 - 06:00
Americas The US Air Force has begun ground testing for two unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) developed under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The air force revealed that the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A test vehicles are currently undergoing tests for their propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfaces to prepare the systems for flight testing later this year. All tests are currently taking place at the Beale Air Force Base in California, hosted by the CCA Aircraft Readiness Unit. The aircraft will be flown minimally and maintained at a flight-ready status. Textron Systems has hit a major milestone with its XM204 top attack munition, successfully completing first article testing with the US Army. The evaluation took place at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where the munition underwent a series of trials to assess its target engagement and self-destruct capabilities. Middle East & Africa Iraq has received two H225M Caracal medium-lift helicopters from Airbus as part of a 14-helicopter deal signed last year. The helicopters were delivered to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense in Baghdad and are scheduled to be handed over to the Iraqi Air Force within the month. Both aircraft are set to enter service in June. The next […]
Fri, 02/05/2025 - 06:00
Americas Aerospace giants Bell and Boeing have announced that the final CV-22 Osprey military transport and cargo aircraft has entered production, with the project’s Program of Record (POR) completion coming in the next few months. The final CV-22 will be completed at Bell’s assembly center in Amarillo, Texas, where it will roll out for future special operations missions that require advanced speed and range capabilities deemed too complex for other military aircraft. Following the completion of the POR, the companies’ Team Osprey is scheduled to continue support for the army by implementing sustainment and upgrades for the variant. The US Air Force’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) has completed its Operational Assessment flight testing, according to Northrop Grumman. Flight tests for the IVEWS took place in Florida and Nevada, where two F-16 Block 50s installed with the suite demonstrated stable performance over more than 70 sorties. Simulations included in the test covered a wide range of environmental conditions and mission scenarios, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and mixed threat engagements. Middle East & Africa The Maldives has unveiled its new Ajban 4×4 light armored vehicles to the public for the first time. The presentation, held during the military’s 133rd anniversary parade in Malé, involved […]
Thu, 01/05/2025 - 06:00
Americas Bell Boeing Joint Project Office in Amarillo, Texas, has received an $18.3 million contract change to support additional repairs and upgrades for the Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey aircraft. The work is part of a program to modernize and maintain the aircraft’s readiness. Repairs will be carried out in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and are expected to finish by July 2026. The funding includes money from both the Navy’s 2024 and 2025 aircraft procurement and operations budgets. A total of $226,800 from this year’s budget will expire if not used by the end of the fiscal year. The contract was awarded without competition by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland. The US Army will deploy 3D-printed drones in a military exercise in Poland next month to test their ability to detect potential threats beyond soldiers’ capabilities. Troops from the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion based in Germany plan to use up to two 3D-printed small drones to look for cell phones, routers, WiFi, radars, and other electromagnetic signatures that cannot be detected with a camera alone. The drones are equipped with sophisticated sensors to scan the electromagnetic spectrum, mapping out invisible signals and identifying possible sources of hostile activity. […]
Wed, 30/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Lockheed Martin won a $22 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This modification adds scope to provide continued maintenance and sustainment operations of the US Reprogramming Laboratory facilities and partner support complex facilities and systems, to include consumables and field service representative support for the F-35 Lighting II programs for the Department of Defense (DOD), non-DOD partners and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work is expected to be completed in April 2026. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The US Air Force has awarded Indra Air Traffic Inc. a contract worth up to $198.36 million to replace its military air navigation systems used in harsh environments. Under the deal, the US-based branch of Spanish defense firm Indra will provide the design, engineering, commissioning, technical maintenance, and potential future upgrades of the man-portable (MP) Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) through 2032. Able to be carried by two soldiers, the MP TACAN enables advanced military technology to continue its navigation on missions where Global Positioning System or satellite signals are unavailable. Middle East & Africa The United States has lost seven multi-million-dollar MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Yemen […]
Tue, 29/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Global military spending reached $2.718 trillion in 2024, marking a 9.4 percent increase over 2023, the largest annual rise since the end of the Cold War, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported. This marks the 10th consecutive year of rising spending worldwide, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. The top five spenders last year were the US, China, Russia, Germany, and India. “As governments increasingly prioritize military security, often at the expense of other budget areas, the economic and social trade-offs could have significant effects on societies for years to come,” said Xiao Liang, Researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program. The US Army wants to produce 19,000 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rounds annually, with initial delivery in 2030. Responses are sought for the production of all GMLRS variants: unitary, alternative warhead, and extended range. The potential contract includes efficient and cost-effective production techniques, tooling, engineering change proposals, and supporting activities. Middle East & Africa The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has transferred a pair of Chinese-made FK-2000 short-range air defense systems to Chad. The delivery is part of the UAE’s ongoing military support for the African country. It includes 64 missiles and 6,000 […]
Mon, 28/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas The US Army and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems have opened a new load, assemble, and pack facility in Camden, Arkansas, to produce 155mm high-explosive artillery projectiles. The facility will manage the final stage of ammunition production, where two active lines will produce about 50,000 units per month. Advanced automation, digital quality tracking, and more new manufacturing technologies will be incorporated into the new site. Saft America Inc., based in Valdosta, Georgia, has won a contract worth up to $7. 5 million to provide storage batteries for H1, Seahawk, and CH-53 helicopters. The contract is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity agreement, meaning the price is set but the number of batteries needed can vary. This deal was open to competition, and two companies submitted offers. The agreement covers three years, with the option to extend for two more years if needed. Work must be finished by April 24, 2028. The batteries will be used by the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Funding will come from defense working capital funds for fiscal years 2025 through 2028. The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio, is managing the contract. Middle East & Africa Gaza mediator Qatar said […]
Fri, 25/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Overland AI has added its autonomous technology to the US Army’s SMET (Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport) vehicle, made by General Dynamics. The vehicle was upgraded with Overland AI’s OverDrive software, SPARK hardware, and OverWatch control system, allowing it to drive itself. The upgraded vehicle was tested over two weeks during Project Convergence Capstone 5, an important Army event for trying out new technologies. RTX has been approved to start limited production of the US Army’s new radar system, called the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS). This new radar will replace the old Patriot radar, which has been in use since the 1980s. LTAMDS can scan in all directions (360 degrees) and passed eight flight tests. It also reached “Milestone C,” meaning it’s ready for production and deployment. RTX has been working on this project since 2019. Normally, projects like this take over 10 years to reach production. But the Army used a special fast-track process from Congress to speed things up and get this modern radar out sooner to deal with new threats. Middle East & Africa The Israeli Army has rolled out a new remote-controlled engineering vehicle said to transform the “paradigm of war” in […]
Fri, 25/04/2025 - 05:58
BAMS Operation Concept (click to view full) The world’s P-3 Orion fleets have served for a long time, and many are reaching the end of their lifespans. In the USA, and possibly beyond, the new P-8 Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft will take up the P-3’s role. While the P-8’s base 737-based airframe offers strong service & maintenance arguments in its favor, the airframe is expensive enough that the P-3s cannot be replaced on a 1:1 basis. In order to extend the P-8 fleet’s reach, and provide additional capabilities, the Poseidon was expected to work with at least one companion UAV platform. This DID FOCUS Article explains the winning BAMS (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance) concept, the program’s key requirements, and its international angle. We’ll also cover ongoing contracts and key events related to the program, which chose Northrop Grumman’s navalized MQ-4C Triton Global Hawk variant. Next-Gen Maritime Patrol Systems: Issues and Options USN ERJ-145 ACS concept The P-3 fleet’s heavy use in both maritime surveillance and overland roles points up a potential problem with its successor the P-8A Poseidon. The 737-based aircraft will be bought in fewer numbers than the aircraft it replaces, but its high end Littoral Surveillance Radar System […]
Thu, 24/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Rockwell Collins, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $13.7 million contract to help maintain and improve the communication systems on KC-135 aircraft. The project includes adding a second radio to the planes for better communication. The work will take place in Cedar Rapids and at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and is expected to be finished by March 22, 2027. The Air Force is providing $7.35 million from its 2023 research and development budget to start the project. The contract is managed by the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center’s Legacy Tanker Branch at Tinker Air Force Base. The US Navy’s USS Toledo (SSN 769) has returned to service after its eleven-month engineering overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia. Refurbishment and modernization efforts such as mast and periscope installation, as well as engine room tests, were conducted to extend its operational life. Maintenance for the nuclear-powered attack submarine was carried out by 50 employees across shipyard production shops. Middle East & Africa South Korea and the UAE have inked a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on the development and operation of Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighters. The agreement was signed by the Republic of […]
Wed, 23/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Lockheed Martin has received the first shipment of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) launch tubes manufactured by Polish firm WZL-1. Launch tubes serve as the main structural housing for PAC-3 MSE missiles, forming the connection between the missile and the launcher system. The delivery is part of Lockheed Martin’s partnerships program with key Polish government defense companies to develop and manufacture components of the PAC-3 missile. The launch tubes will be used in PAC-3 MSE deliveries worldwide. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and Spanish firm Arquimea have just dropped a major upgrade in tactical ISR — an AI-driven anomaly detection system designed to elevate visual intel to a whole new level. Built to enhance electro-optical/infrared sensors, the tech lets ISR platforms spot subtle changes in a threat’s physical features and flag any anomalies that might slip past the human eye. Middle East & Africa The United States will roughly halve the number of troops it has deployed in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months, the Pentagon said Friday. Washington has had troops in Syria for years as part of international efforts against the Islamic State (IS) group, which rose out of the chaos of the country’s civil war to […]
Fri, 18/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Northrop Grumman has opened a new facility in Madison, Alabama, to increase the production of crucial Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) components. The facility, named the Enhanced Production and Integration Center (EPIC), will integrate technological and digital advancements in the process to support the US Army’s accelerated modernization plan for air and missile defense. With 175,500 square feet (16,304 square meters) of production space, EPIC can manufacture up to 96 Engagement Operation Centers (EOCs), 96 Integrated Collaborative Environments (ICEs), and 192 Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN) relays annually. The Air Force is still a few years away from getting its hands on its first E-7 aircraft for airborne early warning and control, but the service is already seeking industry input on new systems to either enhance or replace the sensor capabilities of the Wedgetail—or possibly even acquire new capabilities for an entirely different targeting and battle management platform. The plan is to start an engineering and manufacturing effort in fiscal 2027, around the same time as the first E-7 gets delivered. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved the foreign military sale of engines for the Israel Defense Forces’ Eitan 8×8 armored personnel carriers. The $180-million deal covers […]
Wed, 16/04/2025 - 06:00
Amercias The US Army is exploring a significant acceleration in the production of 3D-printed drones capable of replicating the capabilities and behaviors of enemy systems. The push comes as the army anticipates the rollout of a program aimed at rapidly developing low-cost target drones for training exercises. According to Gen. James Rainey, head of Army Futures Command, there is a critical need to simulate unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats, particularly for preparing platoons to counter drone swarms. Conti Federal has completed the modernization of an F-35 sustainment facility at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) in Fort Worth, Texas. The Maintenance Hangar Building 1643 project is a milestone for the US Air Force’s 301st Fighter Wing, which covers on-call response duty using their F-16 Fighting Falcons and the newer F-35 Lightning IIs. The deal to renovate this “critical” part of the base was secured by the company in February 2023 and is valued at $8.4 million. Middle East & Africa Maj. Gen. Saddam Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Ground Forces, met with senior Turkish officials on April 4, 2025, which was the anniversary of Libya’s second civil war that began in 2018. Haftar, son of eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, […]
Tue, 15/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas American defense firm CoAspire has test-launched its 3D-printed Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) from a fighter jet. The missile has the same physical dimensions as a 500-pound (227-kilogram) class MK-82 general-purpose or GBU-38 guided bomb. CoAspire explained that the RAACM is designed for compatibility with any aircraft equipped to carry a GBU-38. Company-provided images show the system configured with several platforms, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II. The US Army has put its precision strike capability on full display, successfully launching the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from an M270A2 artillery launcher during a recent trial. The test, conducted at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, validated the missile’s ability to launch from multiple platforms while maintaining accuracy, range, and rapid responsiveness. According to the US Army, the M270A2-launched PrSM delivered optimal performance across all parameters, meeting all test objectives and expectations. Middle East & Africa Iran’s foreign minister will visit ally Russia this week to discuss nuclear negotiations with the United States, ahead of a new round of talks between the foes planned for Rome. On Saturday, Abbas Araghchi held talks with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman, the highest-level negotiations since […]
Mon, 14/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas The New Zealand Defense Force has finalized the sale of four retired Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft to American aerial firefighting company Coulson Aviation for $9 million. The deal, announced on April 11, marks a new chapter for the venerable aircraft that were officially retired from military service earlier this year. The aircraft will be prepared for flight and flown to Coulson’s Maintenance Base in Thermal, California by a commercial crew over the next few months, where they will undergo substantial upgrades and conversion to firefighting tankers. Bell Textron, based in Fort Worth, Texas, has received a contract extension worth about $14.6 million to continue supporting H-1 military aircraft. This extension covers the fourth and fifth years of a long-term agreement that originally included five optional one-year periods. The contract is a firm-fixed-price agreement, meaning the price won’t change. It was awarded without competition, following specific government rules that allow for sole-source contracts when only one supplier is considered suitable. The support will continue until April 13, 2027, for the US Marine Corps. The funding for the project will come from the defense budget for the years 2025 through 2027. The contract was issued by the […]
Fri, 11/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Collins Aerospace, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $33.5 million order under a previously issued basic ordering agreement. The contract supports the replacement of the obsolete Control Display Navigation Unit (CDNU) 900 with the updated CDNU-7000 series for the US Navy’s C/KC-130T aircraft. Work will be carried out in Cedar Rapids and is scheduled for completion by December 2027. The full contract amount will be funded by Fiscal Year 2025 Navy aircraft procurement funds, which will be obligated at the time of the award. These funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively awarded. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, located in Patuxent River, Maryland, is managing the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin in Moorestown, New Jersey, received a $23.8 million contract modification to provide cooling systems and AEGIS combat system support equipment for U.S. Navy and allied ships under the Foreign Military Sales program. If all options are used, the total contract could reach $36.1 million. The work will be done mostly in New Jersey and partly in Florida, and is expected to finish by May 2030. The contract is funded by the U.S. Navy, Canada, and […]
Thu, 10/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Austal USA has christened the US Navy’s sixth Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue vessel, the USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), in Mobile, Alabama. The ceremony is part of a 10-ship development program to replace the force’s Powhatan-class ocean tugs and Safeguard-class rescue vessels, which have been operational since the 1980s. The new system was named after a Nisqually tribal member and Korean War veteran awarded the Albert Schweitzer Prize for humanitarianism, Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom for more than three decades of service to the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. Fairbanks Morse Defense and South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential collaboration on future international naval programs, the companies announced today. The agreement, signed during the Sea Air Space conference, marks the latest example of growing cooperation between the US maritime sector and major shipbuilders from South Korea and Japan. These partnerships align with the US Navy’s ongoing effort to bolster the domestic shipbuilding industrial base by encouraging international investment and strategic collaboration. Middle East & Africa General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Israeli defense contractor Rafael to manufacture a new […]
Wed, 09/04/2025 - 06:00
Americas Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $22.5 million contract change to continue its support for international partners in the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program. The funding will go toward operating and maintaining special labs used by Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom to reprogram their F-35 systems. This includes providing supplies and on-site technical support. Most of the work (80%) will be done in Eglin, Florida, with the rest (20%) in Fort Worth, Texas. The project is expected to finish by April 2026. The full amount is being funded by the participating countries, not the US Department of Defense. The contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process by the Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, located in Moorestown, New Jersey, has received a $62.6 million contract modification to continue work on modernizing the AEGIS system, building new DDG-51 Navy destroyers, and producing systems for allied navies. This is part of an existing contract, and if all options are used, the total contract value could reach $80.5 million. The work is being done for both the US Navy, which covers 46% of the cost, and the Australian […]
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