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Americas Lockheed Martin won a modification, which adds scope to provide engineering and program management support as well as test assets, testing, and solution development in support of the F-35 reliability and maintainability improvement program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2028. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Honeywell International won $10,965,150 for a firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously for the repair of 42 aircraft power units used on the P-8 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, and work is expected to be completed by May 2027. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the full amount of $10,965,150 will be obligated at time of award and the funds do not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Typhoon 30 remote weapon station (RWS) has successfully completed […]

F-35B: off probation (click to view full) The $382 billion F-35 Joint Strike fighter program may well be the largest single global defense program in history. This major multinational program is intended to produce an “affordably stealthy” multi-role fighter that will have 3 variants: the F-35A conventional version for the US Air Force et. al.; the F-35B Short Take-Off, Vertical Landing for the US Marines, British Royal Navy, et. al.; and the F-35C conventional carrier-launched version for the US Navy. The aircraft is named after Lockheed’s famous WW2 P-38 Lightning, and the Mach 2, stacked-engine English Electric (now BAE) Lightning jet. Lightning II system development partners included The USA & Britain (Tier 1), Italy and the Netherlands (Tier 2), and Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (Tier 3), with Singapore and Israel as “Security Cooperation Partners,” and Japan as the 1st export customer. The big question for Lockheed Martin is whether, and when, many of these partner countries will begin placing purchase orders. This updated article has expanded to feature more detail regarding the F-35 program, including contracts, sub-contracts, and notable events and reports during 2012-2013. The F-35 Lightning II Fighter Family F-35 Family Variants: Door A, B, or C? […]

Asia-Pacific The US Navy has awarded Boeing Co., based in St. Louis, Missouri, a $12,943,999 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00383-25-F-YY1F) for the repair of the leading edge flap antenna used on F/A-18 aircraft. This sole-source contract was issued under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), with Boeing as the only offeror. Work will be conducted at three locations: Mesa, Arizona (60%); Lansdale, Pennsylvania (31%); and St. Louis, Missouri (9%). The project is expected to be completed by March 2030. Funding from Navy working capital funds was fully obligated at the time of award and will remain available beyond the current fiscal year. The Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is managing this contract. Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $4.9 billion contract by the USArmy for the production of its long-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) under Increment One. The contract follows a competitive solicitation process, with only one bid submitted. The award builds on successful tests, including a live-fire exercise in mid-2024 where the PrSM engaged a moving maritime target, and a production qualification flight test in 2023. Work will be completed by March 2030 at an undisclosed location. Middle East & Africa A senior Hamas official on Monday […]

Americas The US Marine Corps has created the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) to enhance combat effectiveness by integrating advanced drone technology into its operations. This team will focus on training Marines to use first-person view (FPV) drones, which are increasingly important in modern conflicts. MCADT will also act as a hub for expertise in drone tactics, helping the Marine Corps develop new capabilities and refine requirements for unmanned systems. Based at Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Virginia, the team will collaborate with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to ensure Marines remain agile and effective in evolving battlefields. The initiative reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, where FPV drones have proven their value in disrupting enemy formations and providing precise battlefield intelligence. MCADT’s mission includes integrating combat lessons, competing in national and international drone competitions, and refining drone capabilities through hands-on training. Its first public appearance will be at a military drone championship this summer, where it will compete against elite units like the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. This effort marks a significant step in modernizing Marine Corps capabilities by leveraging cost-effective and scalable drone solutions for future conflicts According to Defense News, the […]

Americas General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc., based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $31.3 million contract modification to provide design and maintenance services for the US Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships. The work will include engineering, lifecycle sustainment, and system upgrades for these ships, with operations taking place in San Diego, California. The project is expected to be completed by March 2027. Funding for the contract comes from various Navy budgets. The fiscal 2025 procurement funds amount to $8,513,491, which is 78% of the total. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance funds contribute $1,537,260, or 14%. Additionally, there are $470,000 from fiscal 2023 procurement funds (4%), $367,970 from fiscal 2024 procurement funds (3%), and $48,448 from fiscal 2025 research and development funds (1%). A total of $2,007,260 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division in California is overseeing the contract. Raytheon Co., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been awarded a $13.5 million modification to an existing contract to provide engineering, management, and technical sustainment for V-22 Avionics Systems software. This work supports the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Special Operations Command by maintaining and updating software at on-site […]

Austal Team Trimaran LCS Design (click to enlarge) Exploit simplicity, numbers, the pace of technology development in electronics and robotics, and fast reconfiguration. That was the US Navy’s idea for the low-end backbone of its future surface combatant fleet. Inspired by successful experiments like Denmark’s Standard Flex ships, the US Navy’s $35+ billion “Littoral Combat Ship” program was intended to create a new generation of affordable surface combatants that could operate in dangerous shallow and near-shore environments, while remaining affordable and capable throughout their lifetimes. It hasn’t worked that way. In practice, the Navy hasn’t been able to reconcile what they wanted with the capabilities needed to perform primary naval missions, or with what could be delivered for the sums available. The LCS program has changed its fundamental acquisition plan 4 times since 2005, and canceled contracts with both competing teams during this period, without escaping any of its fundamental issues. Now, the program looks set to end early. This public-access FOCUS article offer a wealth of research material, alongside looks at the LCS program’s designs, industry teams procurement plans, military controversies, budgets and contracts. LCS: Concept & Needs LCS-I missions (click to view full) Ultimately, the US Navy is […]

Americas Leonardo DRS has received a contract to create a new version of the weapons control system for the US Army’s M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. The goal is to use modern electrical technology to make the system more precise, responsive, and reliable. The company must ensure that the new system does not reduce any of the Paladin’s current capabilities. This is important because the Paladin is a critical combat system used by the military. Leonardo DRS is excited to provide this advanced technology to the Army. The company believes its innovative solutions will support the military’s long-term needs. Lockheed Martin has demonstrated the hypersonic defense capabilities of its Aegis Combat System in a US Navy test conducted aboard the USS Pinckney destroyer. The live exercise, dubbed Flight Test Other-40 (FTX-40) or “Stellar Banshee,” simulated a real-world engagement with a hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile target. Supported by the Missile Defense Agency and industry partners, the demonstration involved using the Aegis system with a simulated SM-6 Block IAU interceptor to detect, track, and engage the hypersonic threat. The Aegis multi-mission combat system combines various sensors and weapons to provide integrated air and missile defense with both sea-based and land-based configurations. Middle East & Africa The […]

AEGIS-BMD: CG-70 launches SM-3 (click to view full) The AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense System seamlessly integrates the SPY-1 radar, the MK 41 Vertical Launching System for missiles, the SM-3 Standard missile, and the ship’s command and control system, in order to give ships the ability to defend against enemy ballistic missiles. Like its less-capable AEGIS counterpart, AEGIS BMD can also work with other radars on land and sea via Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC). That lets it receive cues from other platforms and provide information to them, in order to create a more detailed battle picture than any one radar could produce alone. AEGIS has become a widely-deployed top-tier air defense system, with customers in the USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Norway, and Spain. In a dawning age of rogue states and proliferation of mass-destruction weapons, the US Navy is being pushed toward a “shield of the nation” role as the USA’s most flexible and most numerous option for missile defense. AEGIS BMD modifications are the keystone of that effort – in the USA, and beyond. The AEGIS Naval Ballistic Missile Defense System What Is AEGIS? AEGIS Combat Control (click to view full) Aegis, named after the legendary protective shield of […]

Americas HII, a big shipbuilding company, has sold more than 700 underwater robots called REMUS. These robots work without people inside them and can go deep into the ocean. Many countries have bought these robots. Over 30 countries use them, and 14 of these countries are part of NATO, a group of countries that work together. What’s really impressive is that most of these robots still work well, even after many years. More than 90 out of 100 robots sold in the last 23 years are still doing their job. These underwater robots help navies in many ways. They can gather information, watch what’s happening underwater, find and remove sea mines, help fight against enemy submarines, and do electronic spying. The REMUS robots have special tools like advanced sonar and sensors. These help them “see” things underwater, even when it’s hard to do so. Lockheed Martin has successfully integrated its AN/TPQ-53 multi-mission radar (MMR) with the US Joint Task Force-Southern Border’s command and control systems. This integration supports US Northern Command’s (USNORTHCOM) operational requirements by enhancing situational awareness and response capabilities against various aerial and ground-based threats. The AN/TPQ-53, also known as the Q-53, is a field-proven, solid-state phased array […]

Americas The US Space Force is upgrading its ability to track satellites and space junk with a $90 million contract awarded to L3Harris. This project will make the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) faster and more accurate. The upgraded system will better monitor satellites and debris in space, helping the Space Force to detect and respond to anything that could harm US satellites. These improvements will also give the Space Force more control over its operations in space. Essentially, L3Harris will provide the Space Force with new tools to keep a closer eye on space, protect our satellites, and stay ahead of any potential threats. Raytheon has secured a $100 million contract to perform crucial maintenance on the AN/AAS-54 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system for the US Air Force’s HC-130J Combat King II aircraft. This contract involves retrofitting and repairing the AN/AAS-54 system and its subsystems, which are essential for the aircraft’s mission capabilities. The AN/AAS-54 EO/IR system is a critical component of the HC-130J Combat King II, enabling it to effectively locate and track targets, downed aircraft, or personnel in distress, even in challenging environments. This capability is vital for the HC-130J’s primary mission of personnel recovery and combat […]

Americas General Dynamics has made a new version of its Pandur 6×6 combat vehicle that can now fight against things in the air. This new version is called the Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD). It has some new features: a special turret called RIwP that can be controlled from inside the vehicle, a radar that can spot things in the sky and follow them, a big gun that can fire 30mm bullets, and eight spots to launch Stinger missiles that can shoot down aircraft. This new Pandur can now protect soldiers from threats both on the ground and in the air. Booz Allen Hamilton and Shield AI have announced a partnership aimed at enhancing US military uncrewed systems capabilities through advanced autonomy solutions. This collaboration will combine Shield AI’s Hivemind platform with Booz Allen’s mission engineering expertise, marking the beginning of a new era of AI-enabled, software-defined autonomous systems. The partnership is designed to accelerate the development and integration of advanced AI control systems and autonomy into a wide variety of uncrewed systems, allowing for their rapid deployment in threat scenarios. Shield AI’s Hivemind software plays a crucial role in this initiative, as it is capable of autonomously piloting […]

Americas The US Navy has approved a $590 million contract modification with Bell Boeing to produce and deliver five CMV-22B Osprey aircraft. These tiltrotor planes, designed for delivering personnel, mail, and cargo to aircraft carriers, will replace the older C-2A Greyhound. Work will take place at various locations in the US and is expected to finish by January 2028. An initial $132.1 million from the Navy’s 2024 budget has been allocated for this project. Raytheon Co. has been awarded a $141 million contract modification to supply Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) production spares to several U.S. allies through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Japan will cover 57% of the funds, followed by Australia at 19%, the Netherlands at 13%, Spain at 6%, and Germany at 5%. Work will be performed primarily in East Camden, Arkansas (72%), and Tucson, Arizona (28%), with an expected completion date of June 2030. The SM-2 is a key component of naval air defense systems, used for intercepting aircraft and missiles. This contract highlights strong defense ties between the US and its allies. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved what would be the first sale of advanced precision kill weapon systems to Saudi […]

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 Sierra Nevada Corp. has been awarded a $13 million contract to keep the A-29C aircraft fleet running smoothly. The company will provide support for the planes, training equipment, mission planning systems, and various other related gear. They’ll also supply spare parts and technical documents. The work will take place at Edwards Air Force Base in California and should be finished by February 28, 2026. This deal was made directly with Sierra Nevada Corp. without considering other companies. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio is managing this contract. KBR has been awarded a $229-million contract to identify and develop potential improvements for the CH-47 Chinook cargo helicopter. Under the agreement, the Houston-based firm will research, analyze, assess, and develop recommendations aimed at increasing the helicopter’s availability and reliability, as well as reducing support costs. To do these, KBR will conduct maintainability, quality, supportability, and interoperability analyses on the Chinook. It will also provide logistics management, testing program management, independent verification and validation, as well as lifecycle and cost analyses over a five-year period. Middle East & Africa French firm Exail will develop next-generation autonomous Mine Countermeasure (MCM) solutions in the UAE, partnering with EDGE […]

Americas The US Air Force is integrating the Angry Kitten electronic warfare (EW) pod into larger aircraft, including the A-10 Thunderbolt II and C-130 Hercules. Developed by the Georgia Tech Research Institute, the pod has already been tested on the F-16 and is currently being tested on the MQ-9 Reaper. Initial tests on the C-130 combat search and rescue aircraft have shown promising results, particularly for aircraft with larger radar cross-sections lacking robust EW capabilities. Future testing is planned for the KC-46 and KC-135 tankers, further expanding the Air Force’s electronic warfare capabilities. GE Aerospace has been awarded a $5 billion contract by the US Air Force to supply F110-GE-129 engines for foreign military sales. These engines power aircraft like the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon used by international allies. The F110 engine family has accumulated over 11 million flight hours since its introduction. The contract aims to maintain operational readiness of these fighter jets globally by providing engines, spares, and services to meet evolving needs. Middle East & Africa Italian defense company Leonardo and Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a joint venture focused on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies. The partnership […]

Americas Saab Inc. won an $8 million firm-fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract to exercise options for fiscal 2025 MK 9 production efforts. Work is expected to be completed by March 2027. Fiscal 2025 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,097,844 were obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. General Atomics has tested the Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) drone using the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite network for aircraft communications under a US Army contract. The company has completed two GE-ER flights and multiple ground tests focusing on aircraft control, sensors, and communication systems. Future tests are being planned to cover extended flight operations. Middle East & Africa French firm Exail will develop next-generation autonomous Mine Countermeasure (MCM) solutions in the UAE, partnering with EDGE Group entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). “This strategic partnership reinforces Exail’s commitment to delivering modular, interoperable and autonomous systems that enhance naval forces’ MCM capabilities in the UAE,” stated Exail. As part of the initiative, ADSB has unveiled the 170M Detector, a 17-meter (56-feet) […]

ER/MP, armed (click to view full) Its initial battles were fought within the Pentagon, but the US Army’s high-end UAV has made its transition to the battlefield. The ER/MP program was part of the US Army’s reinvestment of dollars from the canceled RAH-66 Comanche helicopter program, and directly supports the Army’s Aviation Modernization Plan. The US Air Force saw this Predator derivative as a threat and tried to destroy it, but the program survived the first big “Key West” battle of the 21st century. Now, the MQ-1C “Gray Eagle” is in production as the US Army’s high-end UAV. As CENTCOM’s wars end, however, the Gray Eagle may find that staying in the fleet is as hard as getting there. This FOCUS article offers a program history, key statistics and budget figures, and ongoing coverage of the program’s contracts and milestones. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and its Band of Brothers Predator landing (click to view full) With General Atomics MQ-1A/B Predators, MQ-1C Gray Eagles, and MQ-9 Reaper UAVs all headed for the skies above the conflict zone, our readers have asked us to help them tell the difference. It’s clear that all 3 share a design philosophy, but their capabilities diverge […]

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 […]

Americas BAE Systems Controls Inc., based in Endicott, New York, has received a contract modification to repair the KC-135 Stratotanker’s fuel management panel and integrated fuel management computer. This fixed-price modification increases the total contract value from $5.2 million to $7.6 million and extends the contract term. The work will continue in Endicott, New York, with completion expected by March 14, 2026. Currently, no additional funds are being allocated for this extension. Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma oversees the contracting activities. Raytheon Co. has been awarded an $18.5 million contract modification for the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) and NATO SeaSparrow Missile Systems programs. This cost-plus-fixed-fee modification extends Raytheon’s involvement in providing engineering and technical services for these advanced missile systems. The total value of the modification is $18,468,273. Work will be performed primarily in Tucson, Arizona, accounting for 73% of the effort, with 26% conducted in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and the remaining 1% at various other locations. The project is expected to be completed by December 2025. Funding for this contract comes from multiple sources, including fiscal 2025 other customer funds amounting to $9,336,314, which accounts for 48% of the total. Fiscal 2024 other customer funds contribute $5,275,344, or […]

Americas Canada is set to embark on a significant military modernization effort, with plans to spend $18 billion on a new fleet of helicopters, according to reporting by David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen. A primary impetus behind this substantial investment is the need to respond to potential F-35 fighter jet crashes in the Arctic. Concerns regarding the F-35’s suitability for operations in the far north first emerged in 2010 when critics pointed out that the aircraft is equipped with only one engine, a potential drawback for reliability in the harsh Arctic environment. Northrop Grumman has secured a $267-million contract to produce two additional MQ-4C Triton drones for the US Navy. The deal is part of the service’s plan to have a fleet of 27 MQ-4Cs to bolster its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. In addition to the high-altitude drones, Northrop will provide the navy with a main operating base as well as associated support services as part of the contract. Most work will be carried out in California, with the project expected to be completed by October 2028. Middle East & Africa On March 12, 2025, the Turkish Navy successfully tested the submarine-launched version of the Atmaca anti-ship missile. […]