Defense Industry Daily

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $39 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price incentive contract. This modification increases the contract ceiling to procure material and sustainment services to support depot stand-up and repair capabilities for the electrical power management system, electro hydrostatic actuation system, aircraft memory system, electro optical distributed aperture system, fuselage remote interface unit, missile remote interface units, suspension and release and landing to support the F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in June 2027. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Canada has introduced a program to develop 12 conventionally powered submarines to bolster its security in the Arctic Ocean. The fleet will take over the role of the nation’s aging Victoria-class submarines in service since the early 1990s. Although no specifications have been declassified, the Canadian defense agency revealed that the systems will incorporate an “under-ice” capability to match conditions across the Arctic and other oceans surrounding the country. Middle East & Africa Airbus has secured a contract to supply four A330 […]

Americas The US Navy has accepted the 72nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer from Bath Iron Works as part of a deal awarded in 2013. The USS John Basilone is a Flight IIA guided missile destroyer incorporating an advanced mine countermeasure solution, helicopter hangars, blast-hardened bulkheads, and additional electronic and networked systems. A keel-laying ceremony for the ship was held in 2020, followed by its christening two years later. In June 2024, during a joint training exercise at RAAF Base Tindal, Australia, two United States Marine Corps (USMC) F-35B pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214 successfully flew Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A aircraft. This accomplishment signifies a significant step towards interchangeable operations between the two forces. Lt. Col. Robert Guyette, VMFA-214’s commanding officer, emphasizes the distinction between interoperability, where forces can work together, and interchangeability, where resources like pilots and aircraft can be freely shared. This pilot exchange program represents a key step towards achieving the latter. Middle East & Africa Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that 60 percent of Hamas fighters had been “eliminated or wounded” in the Gaza war since the militant group’s October 7 attacks. Gallant reaffirmed in a statement to parliament on the first nine months of […]

Americas AAR Supply Chain Inc.won a $46 million contract for V-22 Osprey Black Hawk aircraft repair and replacement parts. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 3204 (a)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a three-year base contract with three three-year option periods. The performance completion date is June 29, 2027. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia. Sierra Nevada won a $11 million for a firm-fixed-price, spares delivery order under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement for the purchase of four communication interface units used in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in Sparks, Nevada, and work is expected to be completed by July 2026. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa A Pentagon watchdog announced on Thursday it would investigate the effectiveness of the Gaza pier mission in delivering humanitarian aid. The Pentagon’s Office of the Inspector General will coordinate with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s watchdog on two independent investigations, according to a statement from the Office of the Inspector General. Europe According to Defense […]

Americas The US Marine Corps has equipped its MQ-9 Reaper drone with an electronic warfare pod that makes the aircraft nearly invisible to enemy eyes. Called the T-SOAR (Scalable Open Architecture Reconnaissance), the pod mimics an enemy’s radar and communication emissions and sends them back to the source. “What they bring with them is a sensing and making sense capability,” Seapower quoted Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric M. Smith as saying at a Brookings Institution event last week. Mistral Inc. has started the production of the Thor vertical takeoff and landing mini drone at its Nottingham, Maryland, facility. The Thor unmanned aerial system is part of the US Department of Defense’s Medium Range Reconnaissance effort, which seeks Group 2 drones weighing between 21 to 55 pounds (9.5 to 25 kilograms) for the army. Middle East & Africa US troops have completed a withdrawal from their base in Niger’s capital of Niamey and will fully depart from Agadez in the north before a September 15 deadline set by the country’s military rulers, both countries said Sunday. Niger’s military leaders scrapped a military cooperation deal with Washington in March after seizing power in a July 2023 coup. Europe The Danish Armed Forces tested the PULS rocket launcher […]

Americas The Thor unmanned aerial system is part of the US Department of Defense’s Medium Range Reconnaissance effort, which seeks Group 2 drones weighing between 9.5 to 24.9 kilograms for the army. Thor is designed with targeting, dropping, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for multi-domain operations. It is capable of lifting 22 pounds (10 kilograms) of cargo, can be folded, transported via backpack storage, and deployed in under two minutes. Thor can fly autonomously for up to 70 minutes with its integrated electro-optical infrared sensor enabled. Mitsubishi Electric has signed a pilot contract with Raytheon to repair transmitters used in APG-63 (V)1 F-15 fighter radars operated by the US Air Force and allied forces. Raytheon will verify Mitsubishi Electric’s repair capabilities under the pilot contract, deciding whether to contract it for such services in the future. The contract has been signed on the basis of Mitsubishi Electric’s experience producing and repairing the APG-63 (V)1s operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). Middle East & Africa According to Defense News, the US will have fully cleared out of one air base in Niger as it continues to move personnel and equipment from the African country ahead of a September […]

Americas Kratos Defense & Security Solutions demonstrated a trolley-based launch system for the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial system recently. A Kratos Trolley Launch System (KTLS)-assisted XQ-58A can take off from runways or traditional roads without reducing its payload or the fuel required for conventional retractable launching gear. Bell Textron has completed the first flight of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s modified CH-146 Griffon multirole utility helicopter as part of a 2022 modernization contract. The Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project is a continuing effort to deliver upgrades for the aircraft, which has been in service since the early 1990s. This effort includes revamps of avionics, sensors, engines, and cockpit displays, enabling the vehicles’ operability through the 2030s. Middle East & Africa The US has transferred a C-130H Hercules military transport aircraft to Botswana as part of a $30-million gift to the African nation. The aircraft arrived in Gaborone on May 24 but was only officially handed over to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) last week. According to the US Embassy, the Lockheed Martin-manufactured plane is expected to bolster Botswana’s ability to conduct defense, humanitarian, and emergency response missions. Europe German arms maker Rheinmetall and Italian defense group Leonardo said Wednesday they planned […]

Americas The 8th Fighter Squadron (FS) at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, recently unveiled a striking new addition to their fleet – an F-16 Viper flagship painted in a sleek matte black color scheme, reminiscent of the legendary F-117 Nighthawk. This unique paint job serves as a powerful tribute to the squadron’s history and the groundbreaking capabilities of the retired stealth aircraft. The “Black Sheep” nickname reflects the squadron’s proud history, and this new paint scheme specifically honors their time flying the F-117. “We were one of the Holloman fighter units to fly the F-117 Nighthawk,” explained Major Daniel Thompson, an instructor pilot with the 8th FS. “This decision highlights a unique chapter in our history that aligns perfectly with the Black Sheep identity.” Italy has seized Chinese military drones disguised as wind turbines that were heading to Libya in violation of a U.N. embargo, Italian authorities said. Components making up the two drones were concealed in six containers sent on two container ships from China to the Port of Gioia Tauro in Italy, where they were impounded before they could be loaded onto vessels heading for Libya, according to officials. Middle East & Africa Boeing has delivered the […]

Americas Sierra Nevada Co. won a $400 million contract for the Airborne Mission Networking System. The contract provides for Airborne Mission Networking system kits for the MC-130 aircraft, as well as engineering services, contractor logistics support, program management, field service representative support, and over and above. The locations of performance are Centennial, Colorado; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Englewood, Colorado; Hagerstown, Maryland; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; Eglin AFB, Florida, and Hurlburt Field, Florida. The work is expected to be completed by June 27, 2029. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia, is the contracting activity. The US Army has received two T901 engines from General Electric (GE) Aerospace for integration and testing aboard the force’s UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The engines were delivered to Sikorsky’s facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, as part of the country’s Improved Turbine Engine Program, an initiative to develop a more durable, fuel-efficient engine for the army’s Black Hawk and Apache aircraft. Middle East & Africa Naval Group has handed over the second Gowind-class multi-mission corvette to the UAE Navy in Lorient, western France. The ship, Al Emarat, will house its crew in France in July as Naval Group provides training to ensure […]

Americas Raytheon won a $27 million modification, which adds scope and increases ceiling to procure 24 mid-body range safety subsystem kits and flight test kits in support of Tactical Tomahawk missiles for the Navy, Army, and Marine Corps. Work is expected to be completed in May 2027. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin has landed a $5.2-billion contract to supply the US Army with Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles. The US Department of Defense (DoD) did not say how many missiles will be delivered as part of the contract. However, it said the work for the deal will be performed at Lockheed facilities in Alabama, Florida, New York, and nine other states. Deliveries will run through 2027. Middle East & Africa The pier built by the US military to bring aid to Gaza has been removed due to weather to protect it, and the US is considering not reinstalling it unless the aid begins flowing out into the population again, US officials said Friday. While the military has helped deliver desperately needed food through the pier, the vast majority of it is still sitting in the adjacent storage yard and that area is almost full. […]

Americas RIX Industries won a $31 million for a firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract action for the procurement of 25 Virginia-class high pressure air compressors. All work will be performed in Benicia, California, and is expected to be completed by July 2030. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. L3Harris has accepted two contracts to provide management and control systems for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Surface Combatant (CSC) fleet. The CSC program was conceptualized in 2011 to replace the service’s existing Iroquois-class guided missile destroyers and Halifax-class frigates. Nova Scotia-based Irving Shipbuilding won the deal to construct up to 15 CSC ships starting in 2024. Middle East & Africa Nigeria has announced plans to further boost its counter-terrorism capabilities by procuring 50 new military aircraft. Speaking at the opening of two new aircraft hangars in northwestern Nigeria, Chief of the Air Staff Hassan Bala Abubakar said the country will acquire 12 AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters and a dozen more AW109 multi-purpose helicopters. Europe Saab, a leading Swedish defense and aerospace company, has signed a new contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the delivery of a third GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C). This agreement, valued at approximately $270 […]

Americas Raytheon won a $10 million order, which provides for sustainment of delivered block fleet releases, as well as ongoing development of flight test and fleet releases and analysis in support of implementation of future sustainment block fleet releases for the V-22 avionics systems for the Navy, Marines, and Air Force. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is expected to be completed in March 2026. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Raytheon won a $26 million modification to exercise options for engineering and technical support for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile and NATO SeaSparrow Missile Systems programs. Work is expected to be completed by December 2025. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Syria plans the phased demobilization of tens of thousands of reservists from next month, a defense ministry official said, as fighting in the civil war has wound down in recent years. “Tens of thousands will be demobilised by the end of the current year, and the same next year, while maintaining combat readiness and acting in the interests of the people,” Major General Ahmed Sleiman told Syrian state television late Wednesday. Syria’s conflict has killed more than […]

Americas Australia has sent its first team to Pearl Harbor to train in sustainment for the government’s upcoming AUKUS submarines. The AUKUS program is a trilateral cooperation between Australia, the UK, and the US to protect allies and interests across the Pacific with a dedicated underwater fleet. For the maintenance training, Canberra sourced around 30 skilled workers from Western and South Australia affiliated with local shipbuilder ASC Pty Ltd. This group includes electricians, mechanical fitters, safety engineers, and battery crew specialists, most of which have “decades of combined experience” with the Royal Australian Navy’s existing Collins-class submarines. Oshkosh Defense has received a $27.3-million contract to deliver 57 medium equipment trailers (METs) for the US Army. The MET is a six-axle drop deck trailer measuring 21.3 meters specifically designed to deploy with the company’s M1300 enhanced heavy equipment transporter system tractor. It can transport tactical vehicles up to 60 tons and is certified under European Highway Network Accessibility for 45-ton payloads. The vehicle can navigate under overpasses with a 13-foot (4-meter) clearance and is equipped with hydraulically adjustable suspension to address varying requirements across obstacles and water crossings. Middle East & Africa India has reportedly been exporting weapons and military equipment to Israel […]

Americas Boeing won a $210 million ceiling-priced delivery order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-22-G-YY01) for procurement of nine various configurations of flight control surface spares used on the F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircrafts. The delivery order does not include an option period. Work will be performed in Hazelwood, Missouri (85%); and St. Louis, Missouri (15%), and work is expected to be completed by July 2032 with no options. The announcement contains purchases under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Boeing has revealed the construction of a new engineering center in Daytona Beach, Florida, to boost support for military aircraft programs. The center will be built within the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology area of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It will encompass 65,000 square feet (6,038 square meters) of space at the campus, including a 40,000-square-foot (3,716-square-meter) zone for a hangar. Middle East & Africa According to Defense News, the US will have fully cleared out of one air base in Niger as it continues to move personnel and equipment from the African country ahead of a September deadline to complete its withdrawal, according to the […]

Americas Austal USA, Mobile won a $47 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, and cost-only modification for Littoral Combat Ships class design support, and integrated data and product model environment support. Work will be performed in Mobile, Alabama  and Pittsfield, Massachusetts and is expected to be completed by June 2025. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of will be obligated at time of award. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks will deliver over 1,500 Zetros logistics trucks to the Canadian Armed Forces. The delivery includes 1,000 light Zetros (two-axle vehicles with all-wheel drive, 4×4) and approximately 500 heavy Zetros (four-axle vehicles with all-wheel drive, 8×8). The vehicles will be used for off-road transportation of goods and personnel.  “This contract reflects the level of confidence one of the largest NATO countries has in our partner network – in our experience, reliability and technical competence,” Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks Franziska Cusumano said. Middle East & Africa According to Defense News, Virginia-based defense contractor Artis is forming a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates’ company Bin Hilal Enterprises to offer its system overseas. Artis and BHE signed a memorandum of understanding the Eurosatory international […]

Americas The US Coast Guard has taken delivery of its 57th Sentinel-class fast response cutter from Bollinger Shipyards in Key West, Florida. The USCGC Florence Finch (WPC-1157) is part of a US Department of Defense effort begun in 2008 to replace the service’s Island class commissioned in the 1980s. WPC-1157 will sail as the second of three Sentinel ships to be homeported in Sector Columbia River, a coast guard division responsible for security, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and rescue along the Oregon Coast.   Top Aces Inc., a leading provider of advanced adversary air (ADAIR) training, has successfully completed its first training mission in Canada utilizing the newly introduced A-4 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF). This milestone marks the official commencement of AAF service delivery under an amendment to Top Aces’ Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) contract with the Canadian government, announced in December 2023. Middle East & Africa Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday the country needs ammunition from the United States in “the war for its existence,” directly addressing the White House after it criticized him for complaining about arms deliveries related to the Gaza war. “I am prepared to suffer personal attacks provided that Israel receives the […]

Americas Lockheed Martin has achieved a significant milestone in tactical airlift with the delivery of the 2,700th C-130 Hercules aircraft. This landmark aircraft, a KC-130J Super Hercules tanker variant, joins the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 (VMGR-252) stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Notably, this delivery coincides with the C-130’s 70th anniversary of first flight this year, further highlighting the enduring legacy of this versatile military transport aircraft. The C-130 Hercules, first introduced in 1954, has become a ubiquitous workhorse in military aviation circles. Renowned for its unmatched versatility and rugged performance, the C-130 operates in over 70 countries, supporting a diverse array of missions ranging from troop transport and cargo delivery to aerial assault and medical evacuation. The US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is asking industry partners to provide a kinetic defeat solution for medium-sized hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).  According to a solicitation published earlier this week, the expected counter-UAS solution should integrate with various naval platforms to support expeditious deployment. It should also be compatible with existing sensors and combat systems onboard US Navy vessels. Middle East & Africa The White House has convinced two key Democrats on Capitol Hill to […]

Americas Progeny Systems won an $11.9 million modification to exercise options to provide engineering and technical support including modernizing Virginia Class Block I/II submarines to include the common weapon launcher. Work will be performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by July 2026. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall have introduced the product of their year-long collaboration: the Global Mobile Artillery Rocket System (GMARS). Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, the highly-mobile missile artillery system leverages Rheinmetall’s renowned HX 8×8 truck and Lockheed’s two-pod multiple rocket launcher. It can fire a variety of combat-proven weapons, such as the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of munitions, the long-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Middle East & Africa Missiles launched by Hezbollah hit an Israeli defense factory last week, according to the Lebanon-based militant group. The Plasan firm makes vehicle-protection products and components, and it also operates factories in France and the United States. The company reports that a large majority of its wares are exported to the US military. Middle East & Africa The Kingdom of Belgium has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to […]

Americas The US Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $982 million contract to 49 defense and technology firms to develop systems for its current and future unmanned surface vehicles (USV). Saab, Anduril Industries, Bollinger Shipyards, Teledyne FLIR, and General Atomics headline the list of chosen contractors. Marinette Marine Corp., Honeywell International, Leonardo Electronics, and Microsoft Corp. are also contract recipients. California Air National Guard’s 144th Fighter Wing (144 FW) recently hosted Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VMFA-211) for a joint training exercise focused on fighter integration. The F-35B Lightning IIs from Arizona arrived at Fresno Air National Guard Base on Jun. 7th, to train alongside the 144th FW’s F-15C Eagle fighter jets. This joint exercise capitalized on the opportunity presented by the 144th FW’s drill weekend, allowing for a higher participation rate among Air National Guard pilots. The core focus was on integrating the capabilities of the 4th generation F-15C with the advanced features of the 5th generation F-35B. Pilots from both squadrons honed their skills in executing offensive and defensive counter-air maneuvers in a team environment. The joint training maximized efficiency over the weekend, with a total of five mission sets and 40 sorties flown. Taking off from […]

Americas General Dynamics won a $202 million deal for DDG 51 Class Planning Yard. Work will take place in Bath, Maine, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2029. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC is the contracting activity. Ottawa is supplying additional tactical equipment to Ukraine to defend its territories amidst Russia’s illegal invasion, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair announced. The donation will include 29 Nanuk weapon systems from the Canadian military’s stockpile and about 2,300 CRV7 rocket motors previously fitted in the nation’s CF-18 Hornet fighter jets. The government wrote that the Nanuk systems can be mounted on different armored vehicle platforms for multiple mission types. Middle East & Africa Iraq’s foreign minister on Thursday, receiving his Iranian counterpart in Baghdad, warned of the dangers of conflict expanding in southern Lebanon and its repercussions across the Middle East. Near-daily cross-border fire between Lebanese-based militants and Israeli forces have occurred since Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7. Europe The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles – Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) and related equipment, the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on […]

Americas Raytheon won a $293 million deal with a $33,700,000 initial task order for sustainment, support, research, development, and supplemental objectives related to the Silent Knight radar systems in support of US Special Operations Command Program Executive Office-Fixed Wing, Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics-KF. Fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $977,000 are being obligated at time of award to the initial task order. The work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed by June 14, 2030. NATO countries have “comfortably exceeded” a target of placing 300,000 troops on high-readiness as the alliance grapples with the threat from Russia, a senior alliance official said Thursday. NATO leaders agreed in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 to massively ramp up the number of forces that alliance commanders can deploy within 30 days. “The offers on the table from allies comfortably exceed the 300,000 that we set,” the official said on condition of anonymity. Middle East & Africa Iraq’s foreign minister on Thursday, receiving his Iranian counterpart in Baghdad, warned of the dangers of conflict expanding in southern Lebanon and its repercussions across the Middle East. Near-daily cross-border fire between […]