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Americas Raytheon won a $24.5 million modification for the procurement of components for Megatron obsolescence in support of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) production requirements. Work is expected to be completed by February 2027. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. American defense firm Kratos has reportedly completed the first flight of its “Thanatos” combat drone. Thanatos is expected to integrate advanced artificial intelligence tools designed for high-risk missions traditionally undertaken by crewed aircraft. These capabilities aim to reduce risks for human pilots in combat situations. Middle East & Africa Bahrain has purchased nine H145 Airbus helicopters to support law enforcement missions and emergency medical operations. The aircraft will be operated by the kingdom’s Police Aviation Command, with Airbus Helicopters’ EVP for Global Business Olivier Michalon predicting that the chopper will quickly become a valuable new asset for the service. More than 60 H145s are already in service across the Middle East, with growing demand for their use in various missions. Europe Estonia’s National Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) has laid the cornerstone of a future marine rescue headquarters and training center at the Old City Harbour in Port of Tallinn. The construction supports the government’s objective to combine […]

SM-2 Launch, DDG-77 (click to view larger) Variants of the SM-2 Standard missile are the USA’s primary fleet defense anti-air weapon, and serve with 13 navies worldwide. The most common variant is the RIM-66K-L/ SM-2 Standard Block IIIB, which entered service in 1998. The Standard family extends far beyond the SM-2 missile, however; several nations still use the SM-1, the SM-3 is rising to international prominence as a missile defense weapon, and the SM-6 program is on track to supplement the SM-2. These missiles are designed to be paired with the AEGIS radar and combat system, but can be employed independently by ships with older or newer radar systems. This article covers each variant in the Standard missile family, plus several years worth of American and Foreign Military Sales requests and contracts and key events; and offers the budgetary, technical, and geopolitical background that can help put all that in context. The Standard Missile Naval Defense Family: Missiles and Plans [youtube:v=F2fXChvE6WQ] 60 years of SM-x click for video Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is the technical direction agent for Standard missile. They work with the US navy, other naval customers, and Raytheon to manage ongoing technical improvements. Within […]

Americas Sikorsky Aircraft won three contracts by the US Navy in support of the CH-53K. The first deal is worth $175.7 million for the procurement of 22 main modules in support of the CH-53K aircraft. The second contract is worth $132.9 million for the procurement of 128 main rotor blade assemblies, the third one involved $11.6 million for the procurement of eight helicopter rotor hub assemblies. Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots have begun intensive training with the Royal Air Force (RAF) on the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. This collaboration marks a crucial phase in the RCAF’s transition to the advanced platform, replacing the aging CP-140 Aurora fleet. The training is taking place at RAF Lossiemouth, a key hub for Britain’s Poseidon operations. The decision to acquire the P-8A Poseidon came in November 2023 when the Canadian government finalized a deal with the United States for up to 16 of the multi-mission aircraft. This procurement addresses the growing challenges of supporting the 40-year-old CP-140 Aurora fleet which is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and less relevant against modern threats. The Canadian government, after thorough analysis, deemed the P-8A as the only currently available aircraft capable of meeting all operational […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $33.8 million contract modification for the procurement of four test controller processors and ten infrared receivers in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. All work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and work will be completed by November 2025.  Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. The US Air Force’s Tyndall Air Force Base is equipping aircrew with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) gear for enhanced combat readiness. All current and new pilots of the 325th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment Flight (AFE) will be fitted and trained to wear the newly-developed specialized equipment by February 2025. The squadron supports F-35 pilots and is part of the 325th Operations Group, the Florida base’s operating unit and host wing. Middle East & Africa MVL Saudi Builders won a $29.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for design and construction of shore-to-ship utilities. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Lebanon, with an estimated completion date of December 29, 2029. Fiscal 2025 Foreign Military Sales (Lebanon) funds in the amount of $29,363,739 were obligated at the time of the award. US Army Corps of Engineers, Winchester, […]

Americas Systems Planning and Analysis won a $7 million modification to exercise fiscal 2025 options to provide support services for the Trident II Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile Strategic Weapons System. Tasks to be performed include technical services, program support, assessments, and special studies and systems engineering. Work is expected to be completed September 30, 2025. This contract was awarded as a sole source acquisition with the authority of 10 US. Code 3204(a)(1). SSP, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $48 million modification to exercise an option for continued sustainment of the French Air Force MQ-9 unmanned aerial system program fleet. Work will be performed in Poway, California; and France, and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2025. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to France. FMS funds in the amount of $48,482,812 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has contracted three more Avante 2200 corvettes from Spanish firm Navantia to serve with the royal navy, according to the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense. The three new […]

Americas The US Department of Defense has contracted BAE Systems Land & Armaments to produce more Bradley armored fighting vehicles for the army. The $656.2-million award stipulates the vehicles in their M7A4 and M2A4 variants, which have been supporting American land forces since the 1980s. Location and funding for the manufacturing will be determined on each order, according to the Pentagon’s notice, with BAE to continue the project until November 2027. The US Department of Defense has announced the creation of a new office dedicated to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military systems. Named the Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell (AI RCC), the office is expected to play a key role in advancing the nation’s defense capabilities, particularly in preparation for potential conflicts in the Pacific. A primary focus of the AI RCC will be exploring the applications of generative AI in enhancing autonomous weapons and improving command-and-control systems. Middle East & Africa Kurdish-led forces in Syria, allied with the United States, shot down an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone on Monday after mistakenly identifying it as a threat. Troops from the Syrian Democratic Forces, a key ally for the United States in its fight against the Islamic State, were conducting operations in […]

(click to view full) Northrop Grumman’s E-2C Hawkeye is a carrier-capable “mini-AWACS” aircraft, designed to give long-range warning of incoming aerial threats. Secondary roles include strike command and control, land and maritime surveillance, search and rescue, communications relay, and even civil air traffic control during emergencies. E-2C Hawkeyes began replacing previous Hawkeye versions in 1973. They fly from USN and French carriers, from land bases in the militaries of Egypt, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan; and in a drug interdiction role for the US Naval Reserve. Over 200 Hawkeyes have been produced. The $17.5 billion E-2D Advanced Hawkeye program aims to build 75 new aircraft with significant radar, engine, and electronics upgrades in order to deal with a world of stealthier cruise missiles, saturation attacks, and a growing need for ground surveillance as well as aerial scans. It looks a lot like the last generation E-2C Hawkeye 2000 upgrade on the outside – but inside, and even outside to some extent, it’s a whole new aircraft. From E-2A Hawkeyes to the E-2D [youtube:v=DveoRhilv1A] NGC on E-2D The Hawkeye is based on the same airframe as the USA’s C-2 Greyhound cargo aircraft, with the obvious addition of the 24 foot diameter, frisbee-shaped, […]

Americas Sikorsky won a $375.9 million modification to provide full funding for UH-60M and HH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2027. Fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement, Army funds in the amount of $375,937,755 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin has announced that its new Tactical Satellite, dubbed “TacSat,” will be launched in 2025 aboard a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket. The company plans to test TacSat in several exercises scheduled for next year, evaluating its performance for rapid deployment in tactical space missions. The TacSat spacecraft is designed to serve as an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platform, providing advanced sensing and communication capabilities in orbit. Middle East & Africs The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Maintenance Repair Sustainment Capability and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale. The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy equipment and services required to refurbish existing maintenance facilities in Kuwait, including sustainment maintenance; special […]

Americas The Pentagon has once again grounded its entire fleet of V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. This comes after a worrying incident at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on November 20, where a CV-22 Osprey experienced a near-crash shortly after takeoff. Initial investigations suggest that weakened metal components in a critical part may have been a contributing factor. The decision to pause all Osprey flights came as a recommendation from Vice Adm. Carl Chebi, the head of Naval Air Systems Command, which oversees the Osprey program for the military. This incident bears a striking resemblance to a fatal crash off the coast of Japan in November of the previous year. In that crash, eight Air Force Special Operations Command personnel lost their lives when similar weakened metal components caused the Osprey’s transmission to fail catastrophically in mid-flight. Saab has snagged a noteworthy contract, worth $48 million, to supply its cutting-edge Giraffe 4A radar systems to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Deliveries of these mobile, multi-function radar systems are expected to commence in 2027 with BAE Systems Technical Solutions & Services Inc. serving as the prime contractor for this award. The Giraffe 4A is set to play a crucial […]

(click to view full) In March 2008, the Bell Boeing Joint Project Office in Amarillo, TX received a $10.4 billion modification that converted the previous N00019-07-C-0001 advance acquisition contract to a fixed-price-incentive-fee, multi-year contract. The new contract rose to $10.92 billion, and was used to buy 143 MV-22 (for USMC) and 31 CV-22 (Air Force Special Operations) Osprey aircraft, plus associated manufacturing tooling to move the aircraft into full production. A follow-on MYP-II contract covered another 99 Ospreys (92 MV-22, 7 CV-22) for $6.524 billion. Totals: $17.444 billion for 235 MV-22s and 38 CV-22s, an average of $63.9 million each. The V-22 tilt-rotor program has been beset by controversy throughout its 20-year development period. Despite these issues, and the emergence of competitive but more conventional compound helicopter technologies like Piasecki’s X-49 Speedhawk and Sikorsky’s X2, the V-22 program continues to move forward. This DID Spotlight article looks at the V-22’s multi-year purchase contract from 2008-12 and 2013-2017, plus associated contracts for key V-22 systems, program developments, and research sources. The V-22 Program [youtube:v=mGebyL7P5HA] Documentary V-22 Initial Operational Capability didn’t begin until 2007, about 24 years after the initial design contract. A long series of design issues and mass-fatality crashes almost […]

0 Reaper, ready… (click to view full) The MQ-9 Reaper UAV, once called “Predator B,” is somewhat similar to the famous Predator. Until you look at the tail. Or its size. Or its weapons. It’s called “Reaper” for a reason: while it packs the same surveillance gear, it’s much more of a hunter-killer design. Some have called it the first fielded Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). The Reaper UCAV will play a significant role in the future USAF, even though its capability set makes the MQ-9 considerably more expensive than MQ-1 Predators. Given these high-end capabilities and expenses, one may not have expected the MQ-9 to enjoy better export success than its famous cousin. Nevertheless, that’s what appears to be happening. MQ-9 operators currently include the USA and Britain, who use it in hunter-killer mode, and Italy. Several other countries are expressing interest, and the steady addition of new payloads are expanding the Reaper’s advantage over competitors… The MQ-9 Reaper, and its Little Brothers MQ-1 landing – 1 Hellfire fired? (click to view full) The MQ-9 Reaper was once called “Predator B,” but it is only loosely based on the famous MQ-1 Predator drone. The Reaper is 36 feet long, […]

Americas In an effort to attract US customers, Anduril Industries recently showcased the capabilities of its Dive Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV) off the coast of California. The autonomous submarine reportedly completed a 100-hour single voyage — the “longest for a vehicle of this class.” While the company views it as a significant milestone, it emphasized that this achievement is just a precursor to an upcoming demonstration, where the Dive-XL will attempt to complete a 1,000-nautical-mile (1,852-kilometer) mission in a single trip. Northrop Grumman has secured a contract to integrate advanced tactical data links into the US Marine Corps’ F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft. The data links will be incorporated into the fighter jet’s LITENING electro-optical/infrared targeting pods, significantly enhancing its ability to communicate and share information with other military platforms. Middle East & Africa Tehran received its first two Russian SU-35 SE fighter jets this week, part of an order for 50 aircraft intended to replace its aging fleet of F-14s and Phantoms. According to reports from FLUGREVUE, the initial jets were officially delivered to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The jets were dismantled and transported to Iran aboard a Russian Antonov AN-124 transport plane, where they were reassembled at Mehrabad Airport. Initially, Tehran […]

Americas Canada will boost its military and diplomatic presence in the Arctic to counter what it calls threats from Russia and others seeking a foothold in the far north, as part of a new doctrine unveiled Friday. The government envisions the deployment of new patrol ships and navy destroyers, ice breakers and submarines capable of operating beneath ice sheets, as well as more aircraft and drones. The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a $590-million contract for continued work on the Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) system. This is part of a follow-on production effort to enhance the electronic warfare capabilities of the EA-18G Growler aircraft used by the US Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Raytheon will provide shipsets, support equipment, spares and non-recurring engineering support. Middle East & Africa The Israeli military said Sunday it had deployed forces to a demilitarized buffer zone in southwest Syria abutting the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights after Damascus fell to rebel forces. Israel had already said the day before, as the Islamist-led rebels swiftly advanced across Syria, that its soldiers had entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone to assist peacekeepers in repelling an attack. On Sunday, the army announced a troop deployment there, citing “the possible entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone.” Europe […]

Americas The US Department of Defense has introduced a new strategy aimed at enhancing the protection of military facilities and personnel from the growing threat of drones. While the strategy itself is classified, an unclassified fact sheet details its broader scope, including expanding the Pentagon’s knowledge of emerging drone threat patterns. The strategy also emphasizes stronger collaboration with allies and industry partners to ensure the rapid, large-scale deployment of counter-drone solutions. Northrop Grumman has been tapped to provide a significant upgrade to the US Marine Corps’ F/A-18 fleet, enhancing the aircraft’s targeting capabilities with its Advanced Tactical Data Links (ATDL) technology integrated into the LITENING targeting pods. This move marks a major leap forward in data transfer speeds, equipping Marine aviators with the ability to make decisions more swiftly and effectively in the heat of battle. The LITENING pod, a mainstay in various militaries worldwide, is an advanced electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system designed for precision targeting and surveillance. The incorporation of ATDL elevates the pod’s capabilities by providing a secure, two-way, multi-band link for transmitting critical data, encompassing live video feeds, still imagery, and essential metadata. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale […]

AIM-120C from F-22A (click for test missile zoom) Raytheon’s AIM-120 Advanced, Medium-Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) has become the world market leader for medium range air-to-air missiles, and is also beginning to make inroads within land-based defense systems. It was designed with the lessons of Vietnam in mind, and of local air combat exercises like ACEVAL and Red Flag. This DID FOCUS article covers successive generations of AMRAAM missiles, international contracts and key events from 2006 onward, and even some of its emerging competitors. One of the key lessons learned from Vietnam was that a fighter would be likely to encounter multiple enemies, and would need to launch and guide several missiles at once in order to ensure its survival. This had not been possible with the AIM-7 Sparrow, a “semi-active radar homing” missile that required a constant radar lock on one target. To make matters worse, enemy fighters were capable of launching missiles of their own. Pilots who weren’t free to maneuver after launch would often be forced to “break lock,” or be killed – sometimes even by a short-range missile fired during the last phases of their enemy’s approach. Since fighters that could carry radar-guided missiles like […]

CH-47Fs take off (click to view full) DII FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record; this FOCUS Article covers the CH-47F/MH-47G Chinook helicopter programs, in the USA and abroad. These helicopters’ distinctive “flying banana” twin-rotor design stems from the brilliant work of aviation pioneer Frank Piasecki. It gives Chinooks the ability to adjust their positioning very precisely, while carrying a large airframe whose load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavy-lift helicopter. The USA expects to be operating Chinooks in their heavy-lift role past 2030. The CH-47F looks similar to earlier models, but offers a wide range of improvements in almost every aspect of design and performance. While the related HH-47’s $10-15 billion CSAR-X program win was terminated, delivery orders continue for CH-47Fs and for MH-47G Special Forces configuration helicopters. International orders or formal requests have also come in from Australia, Britain, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the UAE, with India and other countries expected to follow. The New Chinooks: CH-47F, MH-47G, HH-47 CH-47F Family: Initial Improvements CH-47D Chinooks (click to view full) These new aircraft are part of the U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter Modernization Program, but they are based on a […]

Americas The US Army is pressing ahead with modernising its fleet of CH-47F Chinook helicopters, with recent contract awards to Boeing for the production of new Block II Chinooks. This latest order underscores the Army’s commitment to upgrading its heavy-lift capabilities for future multi-domain operations. This month, the US Army placed an order for three more CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing, a deal valued at $135 million. This order, designated as Lot 3, follows a previous contract awarded last year for long-lead parts acquisition. These contracts are part of a broader strategy to upgrade up to 465 Chinooks to the advanced Block II configuration. QinetiQ US has been awarded a $42 million task order to develop and enhance embedded intelligent sensor processing and advanced imaging technologies for the US Army. The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command C5ISR Center’s Research & Technology Integration Directorate awarded the four-year contract to meet its critical research and development requirements. Middle East & Africa Fincantieri has delivered the “Al Fulk” amphibious vessel Landing Platform Dock (LPD) to the Ministry of Defense of Qatar. The craft can perform various missions, including defense operations, support for ground forces, and humanitarian support. The delivery ceremony was attended […]

Americas Argon St Inc. won a $18 million deal for the repair of the communications interface unit for the support of operations of the MQ-4C Triton aircraft. All work will be performed in Fairfax, Virginia, and is expected to be completed by November 2026. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Raytheon Technologies Corp’s Pratt and Whitney Military Engines has secured a substantial contract modification valued at up to $1.3 billion to support the F-35 Lightning II aircraft’s propulsion systems. The contract amends a prior agreement, extending services such as depot level maintenance, repair, and various forms of management support for the F135 engines that power the advanced fighter jets. This contract option covers a range of activities, including program and financial management, propulsion integration, spare parts procurement, engineering, material and product management, software maintenance, security, and technical data updates. It also includes support equipment management and training for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and non-US Department of Defense participants. Middle East & Africa Elbit Systems will supply the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with advanced drones and autonomous systems as part of multiple signed deals amounting to around $40 million. […]

BAMS Operation Concept (click to view full) The world’s P-3 Orion fleets have served for a long time, and many are reaching the end of their lifespans. In the USA, and possibly beyond, the new P-8 Poseidon Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft will take up the P-3’s role. While the P-8’s base 737-based airframe offers strong service & maintenance arguments in its favor, the airframe is expensive enough that the P-3s cannot be replaced on a 1:1 basis. In order to extend the P-8 fleet’s reach, and provide additional capabilities, the Poseidon was expected to work with at least one companion UAV platform. This DID FOCUS Article explains the winning BAMS (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance) concept, the program’s key requirements, and its international angle. We’ll also cover ongoing contracts and key events related to the program, which chose Northrop Grumman’s navalized MQ-4C Triton Global Hawk variant. Next-Gen Maritime Patrol Systems: Issues and Options USN ERJ-145 ACS concept The P-3 fleet’s heavy use in both maritime surveillance and overland roles points up a potential problem with its successor the P-8A Poseidon. The 737-based aircraft will be bought in fewer numbers than the aircraft it replaces, but its high end Littoral Surveillance Radar System […]

P-8A Poseidon (click to view full) Maritime surveillance and patrol is becoming more and more important, but the USA’s P-3 Orion turboprop fleet is falling apart. The P-7 Long Range Air ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) Capable Aircraft program to create an improved P-3 began in 1988, but cost overruns, slow progress, and interest in opening the competition to commercial designs led to the P-7’s cancellation for default in 1990. The successor MMA program was begun in March 2000, and Boeing beat Lockheed’s “Orion 21” with a P-8 design based on their ubiquitous 737 passenger jet. US Navy squadrons finally began taking P-8A Poseidon deliveries in 2012, but the long delays haven’t done their existing P-3 fleet any favors. Filling the P-3 Orion’s shoes is no easy task. What missions will the new P-8A Poseidon face? What do we know about the platform, the project team, and ongoing developments? Will the P-3’s wide global adoption give its successor a comparable level of export opportunities? Australia and India have already signed on, but has the larger market shifted in the interim? Program Summary [youtube:v=EcgIjsRo3uM] A P-8 primer The Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft program to replace the P-3 fleet began in earnest in 2000, and […]