Defense Industry Daily

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

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

General Electric won a $1.6 billion deal including all options for the F-15EX Lots 2+ propulsion system procurement. This contract provides for 29 F110-GE-129 engines (installs and spares) for the F-15EX fleet. The contract also provides seven option lots for a most probable quantity of 329 total engines if all options are exercised. The F-15EX is a ready-now replacement for the F-15C that includes best-in-class payload, range and speed. Work will take place in Ohio and Texas. Estimated completion date is June 30, 2031.

Lockheed Martin won a $30.5 million modification, which exercises options to provide operation and maintenance support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter development labs in support of testing developed configurations across the F-35 platform for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will take place in Texas and is expected to be finished in March 2022.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement of cooperation with Romanian defense company IAR-Brasov on UAVs to offer advanced UAVs solutions, based on IAI’s Tactical Heron, in Romania. Based on the agreement the UAV systems will be manufactured in Brasov, Romania. Furthermore, IAI will establish in Romania an academy to train the system operators and technicians for the UAV systems, IAI said in a statement recently.

The first F-15QA Ababil combat aircraft for Qatar have departed Boeing’s Missouri production facility for the Gulf emirate. Five Qatari-variant Advanced Eagles left St Louis Lambert International Airport on October 27 on the first leg of their nearly 12,000 km journey to their future home operation station of Al Udeid Air Base.

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) signed two contracts worth $170 million for the delivery of a new batch of Naval Strike Missiles (NSMs) and maintenance of existing inventory of these missiles. The new NSMs will be armed on the Navy’s frigates and corvettes. The existing inventory of missiles will go through a series of maintenance actions to extend their operational timeline and continue providing state of the art defence capabilities for the Navy, Kongsberg announced in a statement.

Boeing said it delivered the first KC-46A tanker to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) marking the program’s first delivery to a customer outside the United States. The KC-46A has already completed more than 5,000 sorties and transferred more than 50 million pounds of fuel to other aircraft through its boom and drogue systems.

Watch: F-15QA Ababil Flights

Three US Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bombers returned to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri after a deployment to Keflavik Air Base, Iceland, that included a dozen multinational missions over the past month. The bombers, from the 509th Bomb Wing, left Iceland on Saturday, the Air Force announced.

The Marines are moving forward with developing a ship-killing missile that’s central to a long-range restructuring of the military, the Marine Corps said. The Marine Corps Systems Command’s Long Range Fires program has acquired Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, or NMESIS, an anti-ship missile that meets military requirements and is being tested.

A Turkish KC-135R aerial refueling tanker has returned home after completing the modifications to its flight deck. The Block 45 upgrade replaces old displays, radio altimeter, computer module, autopilot and flight director with new ones. Around 63 of these parts are of high-maintenance or obsolete.

The Royal Navy currently has two aircraft carriers at sea, both flying F-35 jets. This is something that only one other navy in the world is capable of. Separated by 7,000 miles, HMS Prince of Wales in the North Sea and HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Pacific have been launching and recovering the stealth strike fighter on round-the-clock sorties.

Hours after North Korea tested two surface-to-surface missiles which landed in the East Sea, its arch-enemy Seoul proceeded with a submarine launched ballistic missile test in what appears to be a show of technological superiority. Seoul tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) near its Agency for Defence Development (ADD) in South Chungcheong Province. Delivered to the Navy on August 13, the missile was launched from a 3,000-ton-class Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine on Wednesday.

Raytheon won a $13 million fixed-price incentive, sole-source contract modification under a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case with the Japan Ministry of Defense. The contract is to evaluate hardware, inspect all material, repair minor discrepancies, and re-assemble and deliver a Standard Missile-3 Block IB Inert Operating Missile. Work will take place in Arizona. Performance period ist from September 15, 2021 through March 31, 2023.

Watch: The Unbelievable Power of The B-2 Bomber

Alliant Techsystems won a $41.2 million deal, which procures low rate initial production Lot One of the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER). This contract provides for the production and delivery of 16 AGM-88G AARGM-ER All Up Rounds, six AGM-88G AARGM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles, four Common Munitions BIT Reprogramming Equipment Plus interface devices, initial spares, and required supplies and support. Work will take place in California and West Virginia. Estimated completion will be in March 2024.

Northrop Grumman won a $12.9 million contract modification, which provides for the retrofit of Airborne Electronic Attack Weapons Replacement Assembly with 100 production kits required for the modification of ALQ-218 avionics in support of EA-18G upgrades, to include 64 kits for the Navy, and 36 kits for the government of Australia. Work will take place in Connecticut and New York. Estimated completion will be in November 2023.

The Greek defense ministry held a send off ceremony for the soldiers who are heading to Saudi Arabia to operate a Patriot air defense missile system. The ceremony was held at Tanagra air base.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is integrating Barak MX interceptors on the Navy’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes. IAI’s Barak MX interceptors along with IAI’s complete naval combat suite will provide advanced defense systems to the Sa’ar 6 corvettes. The systems will be used to protect Israel’s exclusive economic zone and strategic facilities that face diversified threats in the marine arena. The Barak MX system was chosen after it was demonstrated to meet the operational requirements and future challenges faced by the Israeli Navy.

The UK Ministry of Defense awarded BAE Systems contracts valued at more than $305 million to deliver advanced synthetic training for pilots training to fly the Typhoon jet. Under the Typhoon Future Synthetic Training (TFST) contracts, BAE Systems is leading work to deliver ten simulators, together with training facilities at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire and RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. The new training environments will be linked together providing an integrated environment for pilots to train and carry out complex combined training exercises using real world mission software and tactics.

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce for Make-in-India Adour engine parts to support the latter’s international defence customer base. India’s Jaguar aircraft are powered by two Adour MK 804 / MK 811 Engines. MK 811 Engines are manufactured from 1981 under license from RR/TM [Rolls Royce Turbomeca].

Watch: Naval BARAK MX System

Lockheed Martin won a $2 billion contract, which provides logistics support, to include ground maintenance activities, action request resolution, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operations and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, supply chain management, pilot training, maintainer training, and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter air systems for the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Foreign Military Sales customers and non-US Department of Defense participants. Work will take place in Texas, Florida, South Carolina and the UK. Estimated completion will be in December 2021.

Crowley Government Services won a $192.4 million deal for services and related contractor-owned, contractor-operated fuel storage facilities with capabilities to receive, store, protect and ship aviation grade JP-5 turbine fuel and commercial grade Jet A-1 fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with five responses received. Work will take place in Florida and Australia. Estimated completion date is September 12, 2025.

Contrack Watts won a $26.9 million deal for design and construction of a non-permanent modular billeting facility at Prince Sultan Air Base. Work will take place in Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is September 11, 2023. Bids were solicited via the internet with six received.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled a multi-mission unmanned land vehicle REX MK II to aid and protect ground forces in the field of battle. The multi-mission REX MK II is a hybrid electric platform with all wheel drive and has the ability to carry a load of 1.3 tons. It is intended to support infantry ground forces in various stages of fighting. This includes providing logistical assistance to troops by carrying munition supplies, critical medical equipment, water, and food, as well as evacuating injured personnel on stretchers.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko revealed that plans are being formulated to purchase more than $1 billion worth of weapons from Russia. He added that potential supplies of S-400 missile systems to the country are being discussed.

Elbit Systems has won contracts valued $56 million to supply Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities to the Navy of a country in Asia-Pacific. The contracts will be performed over a 12-month period. Elbit Systems will provide the Seagull USVs (Unmanned Surface Vessels) configured to perform ASW missions and the Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar (TRAPS) systems.

Watch: IAI Unveils REX MK II Multi-Mission Unmanned Land Vehicle…

The US Marine Corps has acquired its first MQ-9 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) and assigned it to VMU-1. The transfer took place at MCAS Yuma, Arizona on August 30 and the aircraft is currently operated by the contractor.

The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $26 million contract for Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) spares for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide Beamforming Networks (BFNs), an integral part of antenna control for the AN/APX-122A IFF Interrogator system, onboard the carrier-capable tactical aircraft.

During the last few weeks, the US has removed its most advanced air defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system, as well as Patriot missile batteries from Saudi Arabia. Spokesmen for the Pentagon and the Saudi Defense Ministry confirmed the removal of the air defense systems. According to AP, images taken on Friday by satellite imagery company Planet Labs showed that the area of the air base where the systems were previously located is now empty, and there is no activity of any kind.

Greece has ordered six more Rafale fighters, bring the total number ordered to 24. The announcement was made by French Defense Minister Florence Parly. It is said that the fighters ordered are the F3R variant.

Ukrainian Zorya-Mashproekt Gas Turbine Research and Development Complex, a state-owned enterprise inked a contract with India’s Goa Shipyard Limited for supply of two latest generation M7H2 engines to power warships of the country’s Navy. The turbo-power units are to be installed in new multi-purpose frigates, which will soon be built at the Indian shipyard.

North Korea’s state-run media disclosed that the country has tested a new type of long-range cruise missile on September 11 and 12. Information from North Korea says the new weapon can fly for more than two hours and a range of over 1,500 km.

Watch: How Do Tomahawk Cruise Missile Work?

Sikorsky won a $48 million deal, which procures eight spare part and management and delivery of parts in support of the CH-53K low rate initial production configuration aircraft. The CH-53K can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. Work will take place in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington, UK, Canada, California and North Carolina. Estimated completion will be in December, 2026.

Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solution won a $17.6 million modification, which procures initial spare parts and aircraft common equipment to support the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training Systems flight, tactics, and maintenance devices.The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability. Work will take place in Virginia, Japan and California. Work is expected to be finished by March 2024.

Nigeria has inducted its A-29 attack aircraft into service at Kainji Air Base on August 31. The induction ceremony was hosted by Nigerian Minister of Defence Bashir Salihi Magashi.Gen. Jeff Harrigian, US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander, represented the US Department of Defense.

Saab announced that it will be demonstrating a new generation of the Combat Boat 90 (CB90) fast assault craft for the first time outside of Sweden. It will be shown from 14-17 September at the DSEI exhibition in London, where visitors will have the opportunity to go aboard to learn more about its new capabilities.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry has submitted its budget request for next year and one of the items on the shopping list is a Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) system. The military is also requesting $9 million for the development of micro-satellites. $392 million out of the $42.4 billion is for the KF-X fighter program.

Japan’s Defense Ministry is seeking a record $50 billion for its budget next year, this represents a 2.6 percent increase from the previous year. Nearly $78 million will be spent on research into high-powered microwave weapons to defeat unmanned aircraft. $35 million will goes into research for hypersonic weapons. Expenses for research and development will add up to nearly $3 billion.

Watch: E2D Advanced Hawkeye

EaglePicher Technologies won a $12 million deal for the BBU-63/B Impulse Cartridge for the B-2 bomber. The B-2 is a low-observable, strategic, long-range, heavy bomber capable of penetrating sophisticated and dense air-defense shields. Work will take place in Missouri. Estimated completion date is September 30, 2026.

The US Navy has sent its third and final ship Zumwalt Class destroyer off to sea trials, its maker, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, announced. The USS Lyndon B. Johnson, christened in April 2019, left the Bath Iron Works shipyard on Friday and is expected to be commissioned by the Navy in 2023, after its combat systems are fully installed and activated.

Iraq’s Defense Minister Jumma Inad Sadoon has indicated that his country intends to buy 12 T129 attack helicopters from Turkey. Sadoon also revealed that a consensus has been reached with Turkey with regards to the purchase of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned air vehicle (UAV). He held discussions with Turkish defense officials during the visit to International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2021) last week.

Italian shipyard Fincantieri is holding early talks with Italy’s Leonardo to acquire its naval gun manufacturing operation, formerly known as Oto Melara. The deal, if concluded, would see Fincantieri take charge of the production of the Leonardo-built 76mm and 127mm naval cannons which it mounts on its warships and which have also been widely exported around the world.

BAE Systems recently unveiled its ultra-small MicroGRAM-M GPS receiver compatible with M-Code signals that are resistant to jamming and spoofing. About the size of a postage stamp, MicroGRAM-M is the world’s smallest, lightest, and most power-efficient M-Code embedded GPS receiver – delivering assured positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) for size-constrained and other micro-applications.

Future joint military exercises led by the US Space Force could include South Korea’s air force in order to help reinforce the latter’s space defense capabilities. Gen. Park In-ho of the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF), and U.S. Space Force Gen. John W. Raymond reached an agreement on Aug. 27 when Park visited Peterson Air Force Base. A joint consultative body on space policy will be set up and both sides will also share information on space surveillance.

Watch: All Types of Warships Explained

Raytheon Missiles and Defense won a $77.1 million contract modification for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) Production Lot 35 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) and CATM guidance sections. This Captive Air Training Missile is an inert store that is captive carried on the aircraft and simulates the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile for training purposes. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2024.

According to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division, the US Navy’s guided missile destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) completed builder’s trials. The Arleigh Burke Class destroyer spent three days in the Gulf of Mexico testing the ship’s combat system, which included firing a missile.

Israel Shipyards announced the signing of an agreement for the detailed design phase for the construction of the Reshef Class Vessel for the Israeli Navy. The agreement was signed with the Ministry of Defense as a final step before the ship’s production phase. During this phase, Israel Shipyards will present an engineering plan, adapted to the needs of the Navy.

Bryan 77 Construction JV won a $9.2 million task order for repair of the Scorpion Gate at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The task order also contains one unexercised option, which if exercised, would increase cumulative task order value to $9.3 million. The work to be performed provides for the repair and replacement of the Scorpion Gate at Camp Lemonnier to meet current anti-terrorism force protection requirements. The project consists of demolition of six existing structures, construction of a new pedestrian screening building, five prefabricated guardhouses, and re-configuration of the gate access. The contractor is to provide all labor, supervision, engineering, materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. The option, if exercised, provides for the relocation of an existing guard tower. Work will take place in Djibouti, Africa. Estimated completion will be by February 2023.

Norway plans to deploy the P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft in the Arctic in 2022. According to Defense News, this represents a major advance in the country’s long-term efforts to enhance defense capabilities and readiness in the region. The Department of Defense unveiled the schedule on August 13, after it had already approved Ivins Air Station as the home base for its future Boeing-built fleet. The Royal Norwegian Air Force has ordered five P-8A Poseidons to replace its in-service fleet of six Lockheed Martin P-3C/N Orion maritime patrol aircraft and two Dassault Falcon 20 special mission aircraft. The P-3 Orions service operates from Andoya Air Force Station, which is located 190 miles inside the Arctic Circle.

According to Reuters, Taiwan will allocate $1.4 billion to purchase new warplanes next year to bolster the island’s defense capabilities amid increasing pressure from China. The money is part of the $16.8 billion defense budget for 2022 approved by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s cabinet on Thursday. It is the country’s greatest defense expenditure to date.

Watch: Nothing Can Kill the Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer

The US Navy announced, that it has finished a test of its first littoral combat ship-based unmanned mine detection system. The Unmanned Influence Sweep System designed for the LCS has a mine countermeasures unmanned surface vehicle, or MCM USV, and a towed minesweeping payload to sweep magnetic or acoustic mines, the Program Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants.

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford has departed from Norfolk Naval Station to Newport News Shipyard for planned maintenance. According to a statement, the six-month maintenance period, called a Planned Incremental Availability, which includes modernization, maintenance and repairs, was slated to serve as the final maintenance phase prior to the warship’s anticipated inaugural deployment next year.

Russian claims of Turkey being in the ‘final stages’ of a deal to buy a second batch of S-400 air defense system is false, a Turkish official has said. Russian state arms supplier Rosoboronexport General Director Alexander Mikheev reportedly told Russian state media on Monday that the consultations between Turkey and Russia on a new supply of the S-400s were at the “final stage.”

The German Bundeswehr ordered a tethered balloon-based area reconnaissance system worth $24.7 million for protecting a forward operating base in Niger. The Ka-52M is considered a competitor to the US-made Apache. First of these helicopters will be handed over to the Russian military in 2022. Deliveries of the upgraded helicopters will begin after passing state joint tests, which started in August, the company said in a statement.

The Russian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for Kamoc Ka-52M Alligator combat helicopters with Russian Helicopters Holding today during the Army 2021 Forum. The Ka-52M is considered a competitor to the U.S.-made Apache. First of these helicopters will be handed over to the Russian military in 2022. Deliveries of the upgraded helicopters will begin after passing state joint tests, which started in August, the company said in a statement.

A joint fighter exercise between the Indian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) will proceed this year, the Sankei reports. The exercise was supposed to take place at Komatsu base with JASDF F-15s in June last year but postponed due to the pandemic. It was rescheduled to July this year and India’s Su-30MKIs were supposed to train with F-2s Hyakuri. That event was canceled due to the spread of the Delta variant.

Watch: The Russian Ministry of Defense Orders Ka-52M Helicopters at Army 2021

Boeing won a $49.7 million deal for the inspection and overhaul of the CH-47 Chinook mechanical transmission. The CH-47D Chinook helicopter transports troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield with other applications ranging from medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue to disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction. Work is estimated to be completed by August 23, 2025.

The US Army, together with the Israeli Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) announced the successful first life fire of its Iron Dome air defense system engaging eight cruise missile targets. Soldiers from the Army’s 3-43 Air Defense Artillery (ADA) successfully engaged eight cruise missile surrogate targets as part of a coordinated performance test and live fire event. The 3-43 Battalion (BN) is the first unit to undergo New Equipment Training, and execute live fire tests with the newly acquired interim cruise missile defense system.

Negotiations for the sale of an additional battery of Russian S-400 Air Defense System (ADS) to Turkey are in the final stages. Discussions between Russia’s arms export agency, Rosoboronexport and Turkey on the S-400 were held during the recent IDEF exhibition where the negotiations were brought to fruition, the head of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev told reporters during the ARMY-2021 event.

Japan is dispatching one C-2 and two C-130s to Afghanistan for the evacuation of its citizens there. The first aircraft, the C-2, will depart Japan tonight. The C-130s will follow the next day.

AERALIS, a British modular military jet developer, will be showcasing its modular jet design at the DSEI 2021 defence industry show. DSEI is taking place from September 14 to September 17 at the ExCel exhibition centre in London, and AERALIS will be exhibiting at its Stand H7-440 in the Aerospace Zone.

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said it inked a contract with Pakistan’s National Engineering and Science Commission (NESCOM) to produce components for TAI’s medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) combat drone, Anka. TAI opened its first office in Pakistan in December 2019 at the country’s National Science & Technology Park.

Watch: Gray Eagle VS Anka Drone | America’s MQ-1C Gray Eagle VS Turkish TAI Anka Combat Drone

Elbit Systems and L3 Technologies will compete for each order of the $92 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System III. The Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System III has Independent eye span adjustment and 25-mm relief eye piece accommodate eyeglasses and unique user requirements. Low-profile battery pack improves head mobility. Objective lens coatings filter glare from cockpit instrument lighting. Work is estimated to be completed by August 22, 2025.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) released a request for information (RFI) on August 18 to industry seeking technologies that would support its development of new ground-effect vehicles (GEVs). Also called wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) vehicle, ground-effect craft, wingship, flarecraft or ekranoplan, it can move over the surface by gaining support from the reactions of the air against the surface of the earth or water.

A US Air Force F-15E fighter shot down an Iranian unmanned air vehicle over Syria on August 21. The drone was deemed a threat to Mission Support Site Green Village, which has hundreds of American troops stationed there.

A US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 conducted a first-of-its-kind operation which saw F-35B aircraft launched from British HMS Queen Elizabeth land on the amphibious assault ship USS America to load ordnance, refuel, and strike follow-on objectives on August 20th, 2021.

The Indian Navy (IN) and the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) have once again demonstrated their ability to interoperate in the South China Sea with a series of naval drills near the disputed waters. The drills took place on 18 August, and it involved the IN’s Rajput-(Kashin II) class (Project 61ME) guided-missile destroyer INS Ranvijay , and the Kora (Project 25A)-class corvette, INS Kora.

The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has commissioned its first locally built submarine capable of firing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), Jane’s reports. The 3,000-ton-class submarine, named Dosan An Chang-ho, is the first of three 3,000-ton-class Changbogo-III Batch-I submarines that South Korea plans to build by 2023.

Watch: THIS IS HOW IT’S MADE | THE SECOND DOSAN AHN CHANGHO CLASS SUBMARINE

Raytheon won a $7 million modification in support of the evolved Seasparrow Missile Block II life of type buy of parts for the NATO Seasparrow Consortium. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) (RIM-162) is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. It offers naval combatants reliable self-defense and high fire-power. Work will take place in California and Arizona. Estimated completion date is in October 2021.

Boeing won a $487 million deal for Apache AH-64 engineering services and technical support. The AH-64E Apache is designed and equipped with an open systems architecture including the latest communications, navigation, sensor and weapon systems. It has an improved Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System that provides day, night and all-weather target information, as well as night vision navigation capability. Estimated completion date is February 6, 2026.

The Russian-made air defense systems operated by the Syrian military reportedly destroyed 22 missiles fired by Israeli fighters at targets in Damascus and Homs provinces on Friday night. “At about 23:00 on August 19, six Israeli Air Force tactical fighters from Lebanese airspace struck 24 guided missiles on targets in the Syrian Arab Republic in the provinces of Damascus and Homs. Syria’s Buk -M2E and Pantsir-S destroyed 22 missiles,” Deputy Head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of Warring Parties in Syria Rear Admiral Vadim Kulit said at a briefing.

Lockheed Martin has painted Germany’s first C-130J in Luftwaffe livery. Germany is getting three C-130Js and three KC-130Js.These aircraft will join the French-German allied squadron based in Evreux, France.

Ukraine’s Ukrspetsexport will soon set up a facility to repair Mi-17 helicopters in Turkey. An agreement pertaining to setting up the unit was inked with Turkey’s THK Teknik A.? during IDEF-2021 exhibition in Istanbul. The contract calls for the creation of a service and repair center for Turkish customers, as well as fulfillment of various orders for third countries, Ukroboronprom said in a statement August 18.

Local media revealed that Japan’s defense ministry is unlikely to seek funding in the fiscal 2022 budget to build the alternative for the abandoned Aegis Ashore missile defense system. A government official was quoted as saying that “such budget requests will likely be impossible over the next few years.” Japan’s goal was to install those land-based systems on warships instead. But questions remain over the cost of designing and operating those ships.

Watch: Watch The Navy Fire Its New Evolved Sea Sparrow Block II Missile For The First Time

The US Marine Corps has used its Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) to attack a target ship more than 100 nautical miles away during a test in Hawaii. The actual firing of the Naval Strike Missile was carried out by engineers from Marine Corps Systems Command as the NMESIS is not an operational system yet. Two missiles were launched during the test on August 15.

Raytheon won an $11.5 million order, which provides for the upgrade of 10 AN/APG-79 radars from Configuration A to Configuration B and continuing required efforts to repair Weapons Replaceable Assemblies identified as nonfunctioning following baseline testing. AN/APG-79 provides situational awareness, near-instantaneous track updates, and multi-target tracking capability for Marine Corps combat aircraft. Work will take place in Texas, Mississippi and California. Estimated completion will be in July 2023.

Turkish company Meteksan unveiled its NAZAR System, which provides laser soft-kill capability against Electro-optic (EO) and Infrared (IR) guided missiles. EO/IR guided missiles are increasingly becoming threats to military bases, ammunition depots and civilian strategic facilities due to advancing technologies. The NAZAR system has been developed with the ability to detect EO and IR guided missiles and to apply laser dazzling and soft-kill techniques directed against missiles to neutralize them from long distances.

France has suspended its military co-operation with Ethiopia due to concerns about the conflict in the northern region of Tigray, news agency AFP cited two official sources with knowledge of the issue as saying. They said that a deal agreed by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in March 2019 was suspended at the beginning of July. Under the agreement, France would loan EUR85 million to help Ethiopia set up a navy even though it has been landlocked since Eritrea gained its independence in 1993, AFP reported.

Babcock International won a contract to deliver the installation of a variable speed drive system for the central cooling system on board the Irish Navy’s Samuel Beckett Class ships. The company said in a news release that the variable speed drive system was first installed on the central cooling system of the fourth Offshore Patrol Vessel, LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64), at time of build, enabling the  vessel to use a variety of power outputs depending on the conditions and requirements.

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) secured a licensing agreement to assemble and test the ASRAAM at its facility in India. The missile manufactures at the Bhanur unit in Telangana will be for both the domestic and foreign markets. The facility might be expanded to include the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of air-to-air missiles in the future.

Watch: Top 10 Most Powerful Fighter Jet Radars (2021)