Defense Industry Daily

Lockheed Martin won a $32 million for Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) M-Code test and integration. Contractor will provide support for JASSM, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, JASSM?ER, and any JASSM variant in the areas of M-Code test and integration. Contractor will provide support for JASSM, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, JASSM?ER, and any JASSM variant in the areas of M-Code test and integration. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is July 21, 2025.

Schutt Industries won a $49.8 million deal to procure M870A4 semitrailers, spare parts, and a government-formatted technical data package. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is July 19, 2025.

Embraer of Brazil has revealed plans to partner with BAE Systems to offer the C-390 transport aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Two memorandums of understanding were signed at the Farnborough Airshow on July 19. One for the C-390 partnership while the other confirms an intent to create a joint venture to develop a defense variant of Eve’s electrical vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.

The Czech government has decided to launch negotiations with the United States to buy 24 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets for the country’s Air Force. The aircraft are to replace the 14 Saab JAS 39 Gripens currently operated by the Czech military, making the country the second Eastern European ally after Poland to order Lockheed Martin’s fighters.

The US and Dutch militaries signed an agreement Wednesday in the Netherlands to work together on future vertical lift programs, according to a statement from the US Army. FVL is a plan to design and manufacture a generation of helicopters ? and other low-tier aviation ? with the latest in technology and capabilities. Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, said this agreement keeps the U.S. and its allies ahead of its adversaries.

South Korea’s Black Eagles aerobatic team has won the King Hussein Memorial Sword as well as The As The Crow Flies Trophy for bestoverall flying demonstration for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

WATCH: AGM-158 JASSM – The deadliest stealth missile worth $1.359 million / unit

The US Marine Corps will acquire eight MQ-9A Extended Range (ER) unmanned air vehicles (UAV) for VMU-3 as part of the ARES Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. The fleet is expected to standup in late summer 2023 at MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. VMU-3 will operate these MQ-9A ERs to support training for the Marine Littoral Regiment.

Insitu won a $160 million deal, which provides training, test and engineering, development of engineering change proposals, operations support, organizational level maintenance, field service representatives, land and ship surveys, hardware site activations, hardware installs, repairs, and development of noncommercial software and data in support of RQ-21A Blackjack and ScanEagle unmanned aircraft platforms. Estimated completion will be in June 2026 Work will take place in Washington.

Morocco has ordered an unspecific number of H135 helicopters from Airbus for primary flight training. Airbus says the contract comes with an extensive support package including the delivery of Flight Training Devices and the training of instructor pilots and maintenance pilots.

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of C-17 Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $980.4 million. The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy follow-on sustainment and support of C-17 fleet to include aircraft hardware and software modifications and support; Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) software; classified software support for Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection; aircraft and engine support equipment, components, consumables, spare parts and repair/return; publications and technical documentation; heavy maintenance support; participation in the C-17 Virtual Fleet for Total System Sustainment (TSS) contractor logistics support and Material Improvement Program (MIP); other U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services; and other related elements of program support.

The US State Department okayed a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Belgium of F-16 Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $127 million. The Government of Belgium has requested to buy additional F-16 sustainment support that will be added to a previously implemented case. The original FMS case, valued at $98.4 million, included F-16 sustainment, consisting of AN/ARC-210 radios; classified software, Computer Program Identification Numbers (CPINs), and software integration support; Electronic Warfare (EW) database support; test support and equipment; aircraft and munitions support and support equipment; flight simulator support; additional hardware and software delivery and support; spare and repair parts, consumables and accessories; maintenance and maintenance support; mission planning system sustainment; facilities, utilities, and information technology support at US Air Force bases; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; and US Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, studies and surveys; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

Crane Electronics won a $9 million deal for the upgrade of ALQ-218 Weapons Replaceable Assembly 9 power supply Navy assets. This contract covers purchases for the Navy (96%) and the government of Australia (4%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion will be by July 2027.

WATCH:Why The $340 Million C-17 Globemaster III Became The Center Of Evacuation Efforts | Boot Camp

KC-46A, #17-46034, was recently painted with a tail flash to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the city of Portsmouth and the 75th anniversary of the United States Air Force. It was flown to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to be painted at the 36,000-square-foot paint facility there in June.

An AIM-120D3 air-to-air missile with production hardware was test-fired for the first time on June 30 from a F-15E. It was the first of five combined Air Force and Navy live-fires scheduled for the AMRAAM F3R program, which replaces 15 Circuit Card Assemblies on the missile. Raytheon says in a press release that an additional live fire for the Foreign Military Sales AIM-120C8 variant will occur in the near future.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has received the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate for its B737-800SF passenger-to-freighter conversions. With the EASA STC approval, IAI will open its B737-800BDSF cargo conversions to European companies and operators, providing a solution to the rising demand for aircraft conversions worldwide. The first two converted aircraft for which this approval will apply have already been delivered to a customer in Spain, with an additional aircraft undergoing conversion and joining the European fleet shortly.

Lockheed Martin won a $224.9 million contract modification, which increases the ceiling to procure long lead-time materials, parts, components, and effort for the production of three Lot 15 F-35A aircraft and nine Lot 16 F-35 aircraft for the government of the Netherlands. Work will take place in Texas, California, the UK, Italy, Florida, New Hampshire, Maryland and Japan. Estimated completion will be by May 2026.

MBDA announced that the Dragonfire laser weapon has started trials at low power to confirm the system’s accuracy in tracking air and sea targets.That phase of testing was successful and the next set of trials will be static testing of the high-power laser while maintaining the same accuracy achieved during low-power tests. Once those two steps are cleared, the system will then begin engaging targets in operationally representative scenarios.

European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday another $504 million of EU funding to supply arms to Ukraine, taking the bloc’s security support to 2.5 billion euros since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. The money should help the EU continue to jointly buy equipment and supplies for the Ukrainian military, including lethal weaponry, which the bloc has said should be used for defensive purposes.

Airbus is seeking to renegotiate with Indonesia for the two A400Ms that the latter has ordered due to tight supply of Titanium. Airbus imports fifty percent of its titanium from Russia but the war in Ukraine has disrupted prices and supply. The aerospace company finds it difficult to execute the contract with the price of $685 million.

WATCH: E-2 Hawkeye: The Hummer You Don’t Mess With

DARPA’s Operational Fires (OpFires) ground-launched hypersonic missile system has successfully executed its first flight test at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Lockheed Martin built the system, which includes a Northrop Grumman rocket motor, and conducted the test.

Lockheed Martin won a $23.4 million contract modification to exercise options for the engineering, design, and technical services in support of the MK 41 Vertical Launching System electronic systems and computer programs. The deal combines purchases by the US and the governments of Japan, Spain, Canada, and Chile under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will take place in Maryland, New Jersey, Washington and California. Estimated completion will be by July 2023.

US President Joe Biden wants a Middle East Air Defense. This has been discussed in the recent weeks, leading up to US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Biden administration is urging Arab nations to team up with Israel to counter Iranian missiles. The “MEAD,” as Israels Defense Minister Benny Gantz calls it, has already been operational and has successfully intercepted aerial threats. The alliance has reportedly brought together Israel and Arab states in the Middle East around a shared table in order to defend their countries from Iran and its proxies, which have increased their attacks, some of them deadly, in recent years.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) to Norway. The estimated $950m FMS has been approved by the US State Department and includes associated equipment and support. As part of this deal, the Norwegian Government has requested up to 205 AIM-120 D-series AMRAAMs, 60 AIM-120C-8 or D-series AMRAAMs, and four AIM-120D AMRAAM guidance sections.

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of Blanket Order Contractor Technical Assistance Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $108 million. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) has requested to buy Blanket Order Contractor Technical Assistance support consisting of unclassified spare and repair parts and assembly for tanks and combat vehicles; logistical technical assistance; US Government and contractor representative technical and logistical support; and other related elements of logistical and program support.

The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes to South Korea. The FMS has an estimated value of $130m, which includes delivery of related equipment. Approved by the US State Department, the proposed sale includes 31 MK 54 all up round lightweight torpedoes along with recoverable exercise torpedo, storage and issue facility, torpedo containers, air launch accessories for rotary wing along with classified and unclassified torpedo spare parts.

WATCH: AIM-120 AMRAAM Air-To-Air Missile Live Launch

Boeing won an $18.6 million delivery order to procure the long lead components and parts in support of MH-47G rotary wing aircraft. The MH-47G aircraft provides US Special Operations Forces (SOF) heavy assault, rotary wing aircraft support. This contract action supports a requirement for replacement of the aging fleet of remanufactured MH-47G aircraft that has airframe components dating back more than 45 years and maximize commonality with the US Army’s CH-47F Block II aircraft. The Boeing MH-47G is a special operations variant of the CH-47 Chinook multi-role, heavy-lift helicopter. It is in service with the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command. The majority of the work will be performed in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. US Special Operations Command headquarters, Tampa, Florida, is the contracting activity.

Canada has awarded a contract to International AirFinance Corporation for the conversion of two A330-200 airliners into Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. The value of the deal is $102 million and the planes will be delivered in winter of 2023. “The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need at the best value for money. We look forward to accepting these two aircraft as they represent an important first step in eventually replacing the capability currently provided by the CC150 Polaris fleet,” Defense Minister Anita Anand said.

General Dynamics Information Technology won a $908 million deal for the US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa information technology and enterprise network services. Work will take place at various locations in Germany, Italy, Turkey, the United Kingdom and other locations throughout Europe, and is expected to be completed by July 13, 2027, with an optional three-year ordering period ending July 13, 2030, and the ability for performance at the order level through July 13, 2032.

Airbus is proposing the H175M helicopter for Britain’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement and has announced the first UK-based members of H175M Task Force. The team members are: Babcock International, Martin-Baker, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) and Spirit AeroSystems.

The State Department of the United States has approved to sell Estonia the M142 high mobility artillery rocket system – known as HIMARS – and related equipment for an estimated cost of up to $500 million. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the Estonian government had requested to purchase up to six M142 HIMARS launchers and equipment related to them. The total estimated cost is USD500 million. The M142 HIMARS is a light multiple rocket launcher developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army.

North Star Scientific Corp. won a $14.4 million order, which provides for the production and delivery of 41 high power amplifier (HPA) units: six HPA units for System Configuration Set-11 E-2C aircraft; nine HPA units for E-2D crypto modernization and frequency remapping aircraft retrofits; 11 spare HPA units; and 15 HPA units for the government of Australia.  Additionally, this order provides for the production and delivery of 19 HPA units and vibration isolating tray assemblies with integral air plenums: 14 that are Multi-functional Information Distribution System – Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS-JTRS) compatible, and five that are MIDS-JTRS Link-16 compatible. As well, as provides engineering and engineering data support for HPA units kitting, installation, and testing. Work will take place in Hawaii and California. Expected completion will be in July 2024.

The United States is set to deploy eight MQ-9 unmanned air vehicles to Kanoya Air Base, Japan this month after the mayor of Kanoya reluctantly accept the deployment. Mayor Nakanishi Shigeru told the city assembly that he had little choice after the Japanese Defense Ministry presented measures to deal with possible accidents that may arise.

WATCH: H175M in action

Lockheed Martin won a $70.9 million contract modification, which increases scope to provide Reliability and Maintainability Improvement Program implementation and the Anomaly Failure Resolution System backlog in support of establishing improvements to the reliability, availability, and maintainability to the F-35 and continued improvements to the F-35 total ownership costs for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Foreign Cooperative Program partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion will be in July 2025.

General Dynamics-OTS won a $7.8 million contract action for the 40mm MK47 MOD0 Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher (ALGL) Weapon System sustainment parts, spares, and associated sub-assemblies for US Special Operations Command, Special Operations Forces, and other warfighting commands. The MK47 is a portable 40mm grenade launcher suited for light infantry vehicles and tripod applications. Work will take place in Saco, Maine. Expected completion will be by December 2023.

Nigerian automotive manufacturer Proforce Limited has unveiled a lightweight combat vehicle for Nigeria’s infantry and special operations forces. Named the PF Fury, the new vehicle was introduced to the public during the Nigerian Army Research and Development exhibition earlier this month.

A former UK Royal Navy Hunt-class mine-countermeasures vessel is to undergo a regeneration and upgrade at the Harland & Wolff-owned Appledore shipyard in southwest England ahead of a new career with the Lithuanian Navy. The UK Ministry of Defense revealed on July t13 hat Harland & Wolff (Appledore) had been awarded a $65.4 million contract to return ex-HMS Quorn to service under the M55 Regeneration Project.

Britain’s Royal Air Force Typhoons have been conducting combat air training with Rafale fighter jets from the French Air and Space Force, flying from their base locations around the Eastern Mediterranean. Carrying out bilateral air-to-air combat training over the Eastern Mediterranean, the fighters were supported by air-to-air refuelling from an RAF Voyager.

Local media has reported that the country’s H-20 long-range stealth bomber will soon conduct its first test flight. The test flight has been linked to comments by a senior official about the maiden flight of an aircraft of “historic and strategic significance”.

WATCH: JThe Xian H-20 Bomber | Approaching the first test flight

The US Navy and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) are wrapping up a five-year joint effort to develop high-power microwave technology capable of knocking out adversary electronics. The High-Powered Joint Electromagnetic Non-Kinetic Strike (HiJENKS) weapon is undergoing a two-month test at Naval Air Station China Lake, California.

The Royal Canadian Navy will have to continue relying on allies and a private firm to refuel its ships at seas after a project to build a new fleet of supply vessels was hit with more delays. The service was supposed to receive its first joint support ship next year, but that delivery is delayed because of pandemic-related work issues and technical challenges.

KBR Wyle Services LLC won a $9.6 million contract modification, which exercises an option to provide F/A-18 program management, engineering, financial and logistics support for the governments of Finland and Kuwait. Work will take place in Kuwait and Maryland. Expected completion will be in August 2023.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has announced plans to unveil this month a new air-launched missile that can operate at a standoff range of up to 186 miles. The Ice Breaker, which the Israeli company said will make its public debut at the July 18-22 farnborough Airshow, is part of a missile family that includes the Sea Breaker.

Germany has received its first batch of anti-spoofing, anti-jamming military-code GPS equipment, in the first non-US sale of this equipment, manufacturer BAE Systems announced. The advanced M-code GPS receivers will be used for ground-based missions, BAE said in a statement

BAE Systems won a $40.5 million deal for M88 recovery vehicles. The M88A2 Hercules (heavy equipment recovery combat utility lift and evacuation system) is a self-supportive armoured recovery vehicle used in battlefield rescue and recovery missions. Work will take place in Pennsylvania. Estimated completion date is April 30, 2024. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

WATCH: Just Unveiled: RAFAEL’s ICE BREAKER – 5th Generation, Air-Launched Long-Range Attack Weapon System

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace won a $23.5 million modification, which extends services and adds hours for continued depot level maintenance, logistics, and sustaining engineering services in support of the C-12 Navy aircraft and the C-12 Marine Corps Reserve aircraft. The Beechcraft C-12 Huron is based on the Super King and 1900 series platforms and serves with the United States military as a utility transport among other roles. Work will take place in Louisiana, Japan, Bahrain, Cuba, North Carolina and Maryland. Estimated completion will be in January 2023.

Boeing won an $18.7 million modification, which exercises options to procure the following aircraft armament equipment for F/A-18E/F production aircraft: SUU-79C/A wing pylons for 10 aircraft, SUU-80A/A low drag pylons for 4 aircraft, and ADU-773A/A adapters for 22 aircraft, as well as provide sustaining engineering. Work will take place in Arizona and Missouri. Estimated completion will be in August 2028.

The Biden administration is reportedly discussing the possible lifting of its ban on US sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia, but any final decision is expected to hinge on whether Riyadh makes progress toward ending the war in neighboring Yemen, according to four people familiar with the matter.

BIRD Aerosystems has announced that the company has completed an installation of its AMPS-MV Airborne Missile Protection System, which includes the MACS sensor, on UN Air Operations Mi-17 helicopters. The AMPS-MV systems is to protect the UN Air Operations VIPs when flying in Africa. This follow-on order comes after several previous installations of Bird’s products on UN Air Operations aircraft in recent years.

F-15Es and F-35As from Royal Air Force Lakenheath are now in Souda Air Base, Greece for Exercise Poseidon’s Rage. The exercise will take place from July 11-22 and Hellenic Air Force’s 115 Combat Wing will be the exercise’s host. This exercise is the first concurrent deployment of F-15Es and F-35As from USAFE to the same forward operating location. It is also the first time the F-35A from Lakenheath is deployed to Souda.

The Taiwanese Air Force has demonstrated its new T-5 Brave Eagle advanced jet trainer at Chihhang air base in Taitung. The aircraft is a product of the country’s push to prioritize indigenous development of advanced military equipment amid increasing pressure from China. Developed by the state-owned Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation, the T-5 Brave Eagle is suitable for air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training missions.

WATCH: Taiwan bolsters defense as China increases military presence | DW News

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $32.6 million order, which procures one CH-53K containerized flight training device based on low-rate initial production Lot 4 configuration in support of CH-53K phase II training system efforts. The CH-53K  King Stallion is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet’s ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies. There are four System Development Test Article CH-53K with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1). The squadron completed Initial Operational Test and Evaluation of the aircraft in 2022. There are 46 aircraft on contract, including four heavy lift helicopters for the government of Israel. Designed to lift nearly 14 tons (27,000 lbs/12,247 kg) at a mission radius of 110 nautical miles (203 km), in Navy high/hot environments, the CH-53K is capable of lifting almost triple the baseline CH-53E lift capability. Work will take place in Virginia, Connecticut and Florida. Estimated completion will be in December 2024.

A B-2 stealth bomber recently tested dropping a production unit of the B61-12 Joint Test Assembly using the Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS). The capstone test was carried out at the Tonopah Test Range on June 14. The 72d Test and Evaluation Squadron also took the opportunity to test the RATS Application Tool. The software allows pilots in the cockpit to verify that the RATS is operating correctly prior to weapon release.

Elbit Systems announced the launch of a new range of vision systems for military helicopters, integrating sensor array, an artificial intelligence (AI) powered mission computer, and a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) system. The technology is designed to enable helicopter pilots to see through the body of the aircraft, offering real-time, clear, coloured wide field of view during day and night operations.

According to Defense News, the Turkish government has officially launched a competition for the local development of a turbofan engine that will power the country’s national fighter jet in the making, the TF-X. Reportedly,  two Turkish engine makers, Tusas Engine Industries and TRMotor, have replied to the RFP.

The Norwegian Defense Material Agency has awarded a $15.2 million contract to German firm Hensoldt for upgraded Identification Friend-or-Foe (IFF) technology. Under the contract, the company will deliver Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radars and LTR400 DNG transponders to the Norwegian military.

France and India have agreed to co-develop a new engine for the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) project. The 13–16 tonne IMRH is being conceived as a replacement for Mil Mi-17 utility helicopters, which form the mainstay of the Indian military’s heavy-utility rotorcraft fleet. IMRH will be capable of carrying out a wide variety of missions, including transporting troops, conducting assault operations, air maintenance and anti-submarine warfare.

South Korea will establish a strategic command by 2024 to oversee the country’s preemptive strike strategy and the assets to execute it, the Defense Ministry said. During a July 6 seminar led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, the ministry discussed key defense policies meant to counter the threat of North Korean nuclear missiles, including the Kill Chain strategy and well as more efficient efforts to develop defense capabilities.

WATCH: Indian AMCA VS Turkish TF-X Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter

The US Navy’s MQ-8C has tested the Single System Multi-Mission Airborne Mine Detection (SMAMD) system for the first time. Testing took place at Eglin Air Force Base in May, according to Naval Air System Command. “The team successfully demonstrated that the prototype SMAMD System effectively operates as designed aboard the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter in relevant real world environments,” said Capt. Thomas Lansley, Fire Scout program director. “This cutting-edge technology could really enhance Fire Scout’s capability going forward.” Carrying out the tests in day and night, the team gathered data on drifting, tethered, and moored mines throughout beach zone to deep waters.

The F-16 Block 30 employed by 7 US Air Force guard units and 2 reserve units are now capable of firing the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). This was made possible by a team from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC).

The Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF) received a landing ship and three landing craft in a ceremony held at Anadolu Shipyard’s Tuzla facility, the Qatari Ministry of Defense and the Turkish company announced. The vessels were identified as the 80 m landing ship tank (LST) Fuwairit (QL 80), the two 40 m landing craft mechanised (LCMs) Ishat (QL 40) and Broog (QL 41), and the 15.7 m landing craft vehicle and personnel (LCVP) Al-Aaliya (QL 15).

The United States is sending to Ukraine up to $400 million in additional military equipment and supplies, including four more medium-range rocket systems and ammunition, as the embattled nation tries to repel Russia’s advances in the Donbas region. Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity on Friday, the official said the new US arms package would include four additional HIMARS and more ammunition, bringing the total number of these systems to 12.

Ukraine purchased 2,900 RGW 90 Matador portable anti-tank weapons manufactured by the German company DND, a subsidiary of Israeli Rafael Systems, according to German media). The RGW 90 Matador (also called Panzerfaust 3 in the German army) is a man-portable anti-tank rocket launcher weapon developed between 1978 and 1985 and first entered into service with the German army in 1987.

Israel’s Elbit Systems announced on July 5 that it has been awarded a contract to provide direct infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) and airborne electronic warfare (EW) systems worth up to US$80 million for a country in Asia-Pacific. It will supply its C-Music DIRCM systems, as well as Infrared-based Passive Airborne Warning Systems (IR-PAWS) for different types of aircraft.

WATCH: U.S. Navy MQ-8C Fire Scout Takes Off and Flight

General Dynamics Land Systems won a maximum $145.5 million deal for multiple spare parts in the Abrams Main Battle Tank, Stryker Family of Vehicles, Light Armored Vehicle Family of Vehicles, Cougar, Buffalo and RG-31. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 US Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. The M1 Abrams entered service in 1980 and currently serves as the main battle tank of the United States Army and formerly the Marine Corps.  Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is July 29, 2029.

Booz Allen Hamilton won a $15.5 million contract modification to exercise Option Year Four for analysis support services for III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC). Work will be performed in Okinawa, Japan, and is expected to be completed July 7, 2023. The MCIPAC Regional Contracting Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan, is the contracting activity.

The Algerian People’s National Army (ANP) unveiled the T-62 tanks that it has converted into fire-support vehicles during the parade marking the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence on July 5. The parade included 10 of the conversions, which involved replacing the tank’s original turrets with the Russian-made Berezhok turret that has been used to upgrade many of the ANP’s BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. This involved fitting an additional armoured collar around the T-62’s turret ring to accommodate the smaller diameter of the Berezhok.

Ultra Electronics Ocean Systems won a $42 million deal supporting the production and delivery of Acoustic Device Countermeasure (ADC) MK 2 and ADC MK 2 training devices used on surface vessels and submarines. This contract has a five-year ordering period from fiscal years 2022 to 2027, and potential deliveries of Foreign Military Sales units and services in support of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Work will take place in Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina. Estimated completion will be in July 2027.

Germany’s federal government approved the draft 2023 federal budget, as well as finance plan 2022?26 and the Bundeswehr special fund announced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Military spending for the next four years reflects the benchmarks decided by the federal cabinet in March, having been revised upwards by only a few million euros. Core defence spending in 2023 will amount to $55.4 billion, a 0.6% nominal decrease from 2022 but a EUR2.76 billion increase compared with the estimate in the finance plan approved in June 2021. The core allocation to defence is set to remain flat in nominal terms until 2026.

Royal Thai Navy spokesman Vice Adm Pokkrong Monthatphalin announced that the service has selected the Israeli Hermes 900 after closing an international bid. The contract is worth around $110 million and the contract is expected to be signed this month. According to the news report, vendors from China, Turkey and United States also bid in the competition.

WATCH: Elbit Systems / HERMES 900 MCA DEMO

Lockheed Martin won a $22.6 million contract modification, which adds scope to procure 22 Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System shipsets for Distributed Aperture System for Technology Refresh-3 developmental and operational testing, Block 4 testing, the Electromagnetic Environmental Effects aircraft, and a spare sensor set provision in support of F-35 Lightning II next generation capabilities. Work will take place in Texas. Estimated completion will be by July 2023.

MH Systems won a $24.7 million deal for the purchase of aircraft painters manpower support. This contract provides for the augmentation of 402d Aircraft Maintenance Group organic forces for depot paint and de-paint operations for current and incoming workload for C-5, C-17, C-130, F-15, Global Hawk and JSTARS weapon systems. Work will take place in Georgia. Expected completion date is July 17, 2027.

Qatar has given Lebanon’s cash-strapped armed forces $60 million, the foreign ministry in Doha announced. “The announcement comes within the framework of the State of Qatar’s firm commitment to support the Republic of Lebanon,” the ministry said in a statement. Lebanon defaulted on its debt in 2020, the local currency has lost around 90 percent of its value on the black market, and the UN now considers four in five Lebanese to be poor.

The Finnish Border Guard has awarded a contract to Meyer Turku for two new liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). The new vessels will be an improved variant of the OPV Turva, which was commissioned into FBG service in 2014 as the world’s first LNG coastguard ship.

The contract will provide post-design services for armoured platforms including Bulldog, Warrior, Challenger 2, Challenger 3 when in service and other vehicles. According to a contract award notice, the Land Equipment Vehicle Support Team, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a single-source contract for up to 5 years plus two option single years (total maximum contract duration including options is 7 years) to Rheinmetall BAE Systems (RBSL) for provision of Post Design Services (PDS) activity for current in-service armoured platforms.

The Indian Army has issued a tender to local defense firms for 30,000 night sights for its US-made rifles. The sights will be installed on the country’s American SiG Sauer assault rifles to support soldiers patrolling its borders with China and Pakistan. The new device must reportedly have an adjustable illuminated Bullet Drop Compensator reticle pattern to enable target detection up to 600 meters.

WATCH: C-5 Galaxy – the story of a flying whale

The Iowa Air National Guard has repainted an F-16A static display in a gold paint scheme. This scheme replicates the F-16C that was painted in gold back in 1996 to commemorate the 185th Fighter Wing’s 50th anniversary back then. The original F-16C #85-1565 is now a QF-16 and will eventually be destroyed during live-fire training exercise.

Northrop Grumman won a $337.9 million deal, which provides researching alternatives, investigating and documenting new capabilities and anomalies related to H-1 avionics and weapons; and the development, integration, verification, validation, and testing of H-1 Integrated Avionics Systems, as well as identifies maintenance capabilities, upgrading and/or updating test equipment and other support equipment required to support the systems. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion will be in June 2027.

The Israeli Air Force has wrapped up its investigations into an AS565 naval helicopter crash that killed both pilots on January 3. Investigators found that aluminum parts deep inside the helicopter’s engine had corroded and a turbine blade had broken off while leading to a fire. The manufacturer does the inspection of the components and this component is not part of routine checks stipulated by the helicopter’s manufacturer.

Amentum Services won a $16.9 million modification for maintenance, supply and transportation logistics support services for Army Prepositioned Stocks-5. The Army Prepositioned Stock program is a cornerstone of the Army’s ability to rapidly project power and send a clear signal of U.S. commitment. Sets of equipment, such as all the tanks and wheeled vehicles of an armored brigade combat team, are strategically prepositioned in climate controlled facilities worldwide. Work will take place in Kuwait. Estimated completion date is January 2, 2023.

Jane’s reports that France, Germany, and Sweden have agreed development of a new fixed-wing medium-lift transport aircraft. The French Ministère des Armées reported the agreement, saying that the three countries launched the Future Mid-Size Tactical Cargo (FMTC) programme during the Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (AAE)-hosted French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (PFUE) European Wings event.

A KF-21 fighter prototype was spotted undergoing ground tests at Korea Aerospace Industries’ facility near Sacheon airport, South Korea.  Located south of the country, Sacheon Airport (HIN) houses the headquarters of Korea Aerospace Industries, which develops and manufactures the upcoming 4.5 generation fighter jet. The 3rd Flying Training Wing of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is also based in the vicinity of the airport.

WATCH: KF-21 Boramae undergoing ground test (higher quality)

The US Air Force contracted Boeing with $14.5 million for KC-135 engineering sustainment services. The contract modification provides for recurring engineering services for sustainment of the KC-135 aircraft for one option year. Work will take place in Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Florida. Estimated completion date is March 31, 2022.

Tactical Air Support won a $265.3 million deal, which provides non-recurring engineering, inspection, modification, and block upgrade efforts for 16 F-5E and six F-5F Tiger II aircraft from a Swiss Confederation configuration to a Navy/Marine Corps N+/F+ configuration. Additionally, this contract procures eight block upgrade retrofits to existing fleet aircraft. Estimated completion will be in June 2027.

Turkey’s landmark Bayraktar Akinci attack drone successfully fired a new laser-guided missile in a recent trial. During the test, the drone took off from Corlu airfield in northwestern Turkey and flew at an average altitude of 30,000 feet (9.1 kilometers). It struck a floating target laser-marked by another Bayraktar drone flying below cloud-level.

Slovakia will sign a government-to-government deal to purchase 152 CV90 MkIV tracked infantry fighting vehicles fitted with 35mm cannons by BAE Hägglunds, the country’s ministry of defense has announced. Bratislava plans to acquire the vehicles from Sweden in an “effort to build [a] heavy mechanized brigade, and reinforce its defense and support local industry,” Slovakia’s Defence Minister Jaroslav Na? said in a tweet.

Lockheed Martin won a $192.4 million contract modification for technical engineering and management efforts for the Australia Surface Combatant program. The deal involves Foreign Military Sales to the government of Australia. Work will take place in New Jersey and Australia.

India’s Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) has successfully flown for the first time. In a statement, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that the UCAV was flown by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from its Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, in the southern state of Karnataka, the same day.

WATCH: F5E Tiger II Best of Aviation Documentary

Federal Contracting won a $92.4 million deal for a B-21 Combined Mission Operations Planning Facility and Field Training Detachment Facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. The B-21 is a new high-tech bomber slated to replace or complement the US Air Force’s aging fleet of B-52s, B-1s, and B-2 bombers, and represents the first new US bomber design in 30 years. As with its predecessors, it is designed to be long-range, highly survivable and capable of carrying a mix of conventional and nuclear ordnance and be a key part of the US nuclear triad. Work will take place in South Dakota. Estimated completion date is September 7, 2024.

Edwards Air Force Base will hold its first airshow for the first time in 13 years on October 15 and 16. Besides the US Air Force, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center will be participating as well. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the first supersonic flight, jets from the USAF and NASA will compete to determine which will be first to go supersonic during the airshow.

Israel’s Defense Attaché to Morocco, in addition to two IDF officers, participated as viewers in an international military exercise held in Morocco this past week. The “African Lion 2022” exercise, led by the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR), is the largest annual exercise held by both armies in Africa. Israel’s participation in the exercise is an additional step in strengthening the security relations between the two countries’ Defense Ministries and militaries. In addition, it constitutes a continuation of the FAR’s Counterterrorism Unit’s participation in the multinational exercise, which was held in Israel last year.

Oshkosh Defense won a $216.7 million contract modification to support fielding the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Family of Vehicles for Foreign Military Sales. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2023. Fiscal 2020 Air Force procurement, Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Navy procurement, United States Marine Corps procurement and other procurement, Army funds; fiscal 2021 Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, and operation and maintenance, Army funds; and fiscal 2022 Air Force procurement European Deterrence, Air Force procurement Operation Inherent Resolve, Navy procurement, United States Marine Corps procurement, Foreign Military Sales (Brazil, Lithuania and Montenegro), other procurement, Army, and research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the full amount were obligated at the time of the award.

Greece has signed the Letter of Request (LoR) to buy the F-35 fighter, local media reports. The letter was sent by the Greek defense ministry to Washington on June 29. Athens hopes to buy 20 aircraft with options for another 20.

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $307.1 million deal by the US Army for repair and recertification of Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3 missiles. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Grand Prairie, Texas, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. Fiscal 2022 Foreign Military Sales (Taiwan) funds in the amount of $150,400,000 were obligated at the time of the award.

WATCH: New B-21 Raider: The Most Feared Bomber Ever Ready to Fly

Sikorsky won a $429.2 million deal from the US Army for maintenance and overhaul of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2027.

Raytheon won a $57.9 million contract modification to exercise options and incrementally fund existing contract line items for fiscal 2022 Standard Missile-2 Block IIIC low rate initial production and spares. The SM-2 missile is a surface-to-air missile primarily intended for fleet area air defence and ship self-defense. Work will take place in Alabama and Arizona. Expected completion will be by December 2024.

The Turkish Navy’s landing platform dock (LPD) Anadolu has started its official sea acceptance tests. Following the completion of its SATs, the future flagship of the Turkish Navy and the largest ship to be operated by the service is scheduled for commissioning in December 2022.

The Swedish government has inked a contract with Saab for two GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The contract is worth $714 million and Sweden has the option to purchase another two GlobalEye. The delivery of the aircraft is expected to be in 2027.

The Swedish ambassador to Czech Republic Fredrik Jörgensen said in an interview with Seznam Správy that Czech can keep the Gripens that it leased from Sweden for free. The news comes as Czech is looking into buying 24 fighters as the lease for the Gripens will expire in 2027. According to the news report, the F-35 is the leading contender.

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has successfully sent three satellites from Singapore into space. The main satellite is the 365 kg DS-EO satellite which has an electro-optical digital imaging payload capable of 0.5 m resolution imaging capability.

WATCH: Turkish First Amphibious Assault Ship TCG Anadolu has Begins Sea Tests

Sikorsky Aircraft won a $2.3 billion deal for procurement of 120 H-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related support for fiscal years 2022-2026, including options for an additional 135 aircraft. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. With more than 2,100 H-60 variants in the US Army’s inventory, the Black Hawk remains the workhorse and backbone of US Army aviation. As the US Army continues to develop its Futura Vertical Lift (FVL) programs – in which the company competes with its Raider X and SB-1 Defiant – they will continue to operate the H-60M for decades to come and alongside its future replacements. According to the US Department of Defense publication, the contract is multi-year and firm-fixed-price, and includes the aircraft and the logistics support ecosystem. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027.

Lockheed Martin won a $13.3 million cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5116 for AEGIS Combat System Engineering Agent (CSEA) efforts. Work will take place in New Jersey. Expected completion will be by December 2022. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity.

Baykar, the Turkish manufacturer of the Bayraktar TB2, will donate additional unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Ukraine, refusing to accept crowd-funded payment for the aircraft. Baykar announced the gifting of three UCAVs on June 27, saying that “The People’s Bayraktar” campaign to raise funding for the procurement should instead redirect the monies raised to “the struggling people of Ukraine”.

Djibouti has revealed itself to be an operator of the Baykar Bayraktar TB2, parading the Turkish-built unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at its independence day celebrations on June 27. Two Bayraktar UCAVs were showcased in a military parade to mark the 45th anniversary of independence for the east African country, with each being transported on the back of a flatbed truck.

At the recently concluded ILA Berlin Air Show, MBDA took the opportunity to unveil the Joint Fire Support Missile (JFS-M) that can be fitting inside the ammunition pods of the HIMARS or M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The company decided that a cruise missile solution is more desirable than using ballistic missiles as the latter require larger boosters.

According to Business World, the US has reoffered to co-develop the 110-kilonewton (kn) engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). An earlier US offer in 2019 to jointly develop the fighter engine was shelved after disagreements arose over technology sharing between the two countries. The US was reluctant to share “core or hot engine technology” with India, the outlet wrote.

WATCH: Joint Fire Support Missile – Growth of capability for the artillery

BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services won a $12 billion deal for Integration Support Contract (ISC) 2.0. The main function of ISC 2.0 is to support the government as the lead systems integrator and augment government resources for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system systems engineering and integration and professional services. According to solicitation documents, the Integration Support Contract 2.0 covers support for Minuteman III and the next-generation ground-based strategic deterrent missile or any future ICBM weapon system developed throughout the duration of the contract. Work will take place at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by December 24, 2040.

Five RQ-4 Block 30 unmanned air vehicles assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks Air Force Base have been transferred to Northrop Grumman for the Sky Range program. The US Air Force says a total of 20 Global Hawks are to be transferred and four Block 20 aircraft were transferred last year.

Lockheed Martin won a $22.1 million contract modification to procure modernized day sensor assembly kits and spares for Apache helicopters. The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). It entered service with the US Army in 1984 and has been exported to Egypt, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the UK. Work will take place in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of November 30, 2024. Fiscal 2010 Foreign Military Sales (Egypt) funds; and fiscal 2021 and 2022 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $22,112,989 were obligated at the time of the award.

The United Kingdom has cancelled its Mosquito ‘loyal wingman’, deciding instead on a “change of direction” for the Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) programme from which it was being developed. Announced by the Ministry of Defense on June 24, the decision by the Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) not to take the Mosquito beyond its current design phase was decided on the basis that the desired additive capabilities can be better achieved by other means.

A senior military officer from Japan has revealed that the Philippines and Tokyo could soon explore space and surveillance as the countries’ next areas of defense cooperation. The plan comes in response to China’s increasing military activities in the Indo-Pacific region. During his recent visit to Manila, Japan Air Self-Defense Force chief of staff Shunji Izutsu said that the sea and skies are no longer safe for either nation.

IAI says that an Asian Air Force has ordered the ELTA ELL-8222SB Scorpius-SP jammer pod. Scorpius-SP is based on AESA technology with multi-beam operation – the ability to simultaneously detect and suppress multiple threats in different directions around the aircraft. It utilizes Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) and a range of sophisticated ECM techniques, providing protection against all types of Air-to-Air (A/A) and Surface-to-Air (S/A) threats in a dense radar-guided weapons environment.

WATCH: This is the $220 Million US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk Spy Plane

The US Navy awarded Raytheon $78.7 million to exercise options for additional fiscal 2022 guided missile assemblies in support of the fiscal 2021-2023 Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 full rate production requirements. The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile designed and manufactured by Raytheon Missile Systems. Work will take place in Arizona, Australia, California, Canada, New Hampshire, Norway, Germany, New York, Turkey and Denmark. Estimated completion will be by March 2025.

Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture won a $33.4 million contract modification for the low-rate initial production of lightweight command launch units in support of the Javelin Weapon System. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion date is June 30 2025. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has successfully doubled the Venµs satellite’s service life. In addition, IAI changed the Venµs satellite’s altitude in space, which initially decreased from its initial mission of 720km above Earth to 410km. Instead of returning the satellite to Earth and completing its mission, IAI’s engineers returned Venµs to higher altitude to continue carrying out its mission at 560km. This altitude increase allows for an addition of a new and unplanned phase in the satellite’s life.

Spain has ordered another 20 Eurofighter jets to bring its fleet to 90 aircraft. The Halcón contract will see Spain getting 16 single-seat aircraft and 4 twin-seat fighters. These jets will be equipped with e-scan radars and are intended to replace Spain’s Hornets. 48 new EJ200 engines will be bought as well. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) concluded their second Bilateral Training on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) Execution exercise on June 24. In the exercise, both sides practice airdrop and ground load/offload utilizing PAF and JASDF C-130 aircraft. JASDF Chief of Staff, Gen. Izutsu Shunji, also joined a press conference held by PAF chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas on June 23.

The Pentagon has confirmed that a US Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft has flown over the Taiwan Strait on June 24. “A US Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on June 24. The United States will continue to fly, sail and operate anywhere international law allows including within the Taiwan Strait. By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” according to a statement from the Indo-Pacific Command.

WATCH: Javelin Missile | How a Javelin Missile works

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control won a $130.5 million modification for the Advanced Radar Threat System – Variant 2 (ARTS-V2) systems. The contract modification is to provide for the exercise of Options 3 and 4 for an additional quantity of eight ARTS-V2 systems being produced under the basic contract. Work will take place in Texas. Expected completion date is June 16, 2024. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.

Jane’s reports that Boeing sees foreign partners as potential customers for its updated MQ-25A Stingray drones. The MQ-25 UAV is designed to refuel carrier-based aircraft. The UK, France, and Italy are among allies with aircraft carriers. However, the UK’s Queen Elizabeth-class carrier uses a ski-jump capability, which the MQ-25 design does not support.

Israel has confirmed that it is part of a regional military partnership focused on addressing Iranian threats. The move is Jerusalem’s effort to bolster its defense ties with Arab nations and recalibrate Middle Eastern alliances. Beyond the US, the other countries involved in the Middle East Air Defense Alliance (MEADA) have yet to be revealed.

Cyprus will be buying six H145M armed helicopters to replace the 11 Mi-35 attack helicopters that are currently in service with the Cyprus Air Command. Lawmakers approved the down payment of $55 million for the deal in a closed-door session in June 20. Media reports say the deal is worth $147 million and includes weapons for the helicopters. Cyprus has an option to buy six more H145Ms. The eleven Mi-35s will be sold to Serbia, according to news reports.

According to Defense News, the French Army began the process of quickly procuring American-made loitering munitions as part of a longer-term effort to field remotely operated weapon systems, according to officials. The service is looking to add AeroVironment’s Switchblade to its inventory within the next six months, Col. Arnaud Goujon, the Army’s chief of plans, told reporters at the Eurosatory.

The State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AGM-88E2 AARGM E2 Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $94 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to fifteen (15) AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) Guidance Sections; up to fifteen (15) AARGM Control Sections; up to fifteen (15) High Speed Anti Radiation Missiles (HARM) Rocket Motors; up to fifteen (15) HARM Warheads; and up to fifteen (15) HARM Control Sections. Also included are AGM-88E2 AARGM All Up Round (AUR) tactical missiles; AGM-88E2 AARGM Captive Air Training Missile (CATM); HARM G-Code AUR; HARM G-Code CATM; M-Code GPS receivers; containers; support and test equipment; EA-18G Growler test support; spare and repair parts; software (Classified and Unclassified); U.S. Government and contractor engineering support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total value is $94 million.

WATCH: H145M firing campaign: Spike ER2 missile