Adding Arleigh Burkes: H.I.I. Steps Forward for DDG-51 Restart 9 May 7:58 PM (21 hours ago)
DDG-110 Construction (click to view full) In April 2009 Bath and Ingalls agreed to the Navy’s surface combatant plans, thus heralding a significant restructuring within the American naval shipbuilding community. Under the agreements, the USA would end production at 3 Graf Spee sized DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class “destroyers,” but shift all production from the Congressionally-mandated joint arrangements to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine, which had already made program-related investments in advanced shipbuilding technologies. Northrop Grumman (now Huntington Ingalls Industries) would retain its DDG-1000 deckhouse work, but their main exchange was additional orders for DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class destroyers. Their Ingalls yard in Pascagoula, Mississippi would continue building the DDG-51 destroyers, beginning with 2 ordered in FY 2010-2011. The US Navy’s Revised DDG-51 Plan DDG-1000 (click to view full) With the DDG-1000 Zumwalt Class ended at 3 ships, the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke Class ships will become more important to the future navy. The Navy’s FY 2011 budget also terminated the planned CG (X) cruiser program as unaffordable. Instead, the US Navy would field an updated DDG-51 Flight III version, starting in FY 2016. That date has been pushed back, owing to technical issues with the Flight III ships. Under the […]
%22%20style%3D%22display:%20block;%20margin:%20auto;%20margin-bottom:%205px;max-width:%20100%25;%22%20link_thumbnail%3D%22%22%20decoding%3D%22async%22%20fetchpriority%3D%22high%22%20srcset%3D%22https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USS_Arleigh_Burke_DDG_51_steams_through_the_Mediterranean_Sea.jpg%201920w,%20https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USS_Arleigh_Burke_DDG_51_steams_through_the_Mediterranean_Sea-1280x853.jpg%201280w,%20https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USS_Arleigh_Burke_DDG_51_steams_through_the_Mediterranean_Sea-980x653.jpg%20980w,%20https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/USS_Arleigh_Burke_DDG_51_steams_through_the_Mediterranean_Sea-480x320.jpg%20480w%22%20sizes%3D%22(min-width:%200px)%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20and%20(max-width:%20980px)%20980px,%20(min-width:%20981px)%20and%20(max-width:%201280px)%201280px,%20(min-width:%201281px)%201920px,%20100vw%22%20/%3EDDG-110%20Construction%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20In%20April%202009%20Bath%20and%20Ingalls%20agreed%20to%20the%20Navy%26%238217;s%20surface%20combatant%20plans,%20thus%20heralding%20a%20significant%20restructuring%20within%20the%20American%20naval%20shipbuilding%20community.%20Under%20the%20agreements,%20the%20USA%20would%20end%20production%20at%203%20Graf%20Spee%20sized%20DDG-1000%20Zumwalt%20Class%20%26%238220;destroyers,%26%238221;%20but%20shift%20all%20production%20from%20the%20Congressionally-mandated%20joint%20arrangements%20to%20General%20Dynamics%20Bath%20Iron%20Works%20in%20Maine,%20which%20had%20already%20made%20program-related%20investments%20in%20advanced%20shipbuilding%20technologies.%20Northrop%20Grumman%20(now%20Huntington%20Ingalls%20Industries)%20would%20retain%20its%20DDG-1000%20deckhouse%20work,%20but%20their%20main%20exchange%20was%20additional%20orders%20for%20DDG-51%20Arleigh%20Burke%20Class%20destroyers.%20Their%20Ingalls%20yard%20in%20Pascagoula,%20Mississippi%20would%20continue%20building%20the%20DDG-51%20destroyers,%20beginning%20with%202%20ordered%20in%20FY%202010-2011.%20The%20US%20Navy%26%238217;s%20Revised%20DDG-51%20Plan%20DDG-1000%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20With%20the%20DDG-1000%20Zumwalt%20Class%20ended%20at%203%20ships,%20the%20DDG-51%20Arleigh%20Burke%20Class%20ships%20will%20become%20more%20important%20to%20the%20future%20navy.%20The%20Navy%26%238217;s%20FY%202011%20budget%20also%20terminated%20the%20planned%20CG%20(X)%20cruiser%20program%20as%20unaffordable.%20Instead,%20the%20US%20Navy%20would%20field%20an%20updated%20DDG-51%20Flight%20III%20version,%20starting%20in%20FY%202016.%20That%20date%20has%20been%20pushed%20back,%20owing%20to%20technical%20issues%20with%20the%20Flight%20III%20ships.%20Under%20the%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Rolls-Royce Tapped For DDG-51 Control System | Sudan Severed Ties With UAE | Japan Received F-35 From US 8 May 8:00 PM (yesterday, 8:00 pm)
Americas Rolls-Royce Marine North America won a $23.5 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for highly specialized design agent engineering and technical services for the LCS, Freedom variant, machinery plant control and monitoring system, and control area network and monitoring ships control system, DDG-51 class machinery control system, and LSD 41/49 propulsion logic management units. Work will be performed in Walpole, Massachusetts (80%); Mayport, Florida (6%); Norfolk, Virginia (4%); San Diego, California (4%); and various locations outside and across the continental US, each less than 1% (6%). Work will be completed by May 2030. Fiscal 2024 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $149,183 will be obligated for the minimum guarantee. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. A US Army infantry officer has criticized the service’s new XM7 assault rifle, claiming the Sig Sauer-made weapon falls short as a modern frontline firearm. Chosen alongside the XM250 light machine gun as the army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), the XM7 is intended to replace the aging M4 automatic rifle. However, Capt. Braden Trent, citing his independent research, argued that the new rifle is inferior to the M4. Middle East & Africa Sudan’s army-aligned government severed diplomatic ties […]
F-35 Lightning: The Joint Strike Fighter Program 8 May 7:56 PM (yesterday, 7:56 pm)
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? […]
%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20and%20(max-width:%20980px)%20980px,%20(min-width:%20981px)%20and%20(max-width:%201280px)%201280px,%20(min-width:%201281px)%201772px,%20100vw%22%20/%3EF-35B:%20off%20probation%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20The%20$382%20billion%20F-35%20Joint%20Strike%20fighter%20program%20may%20well%20be%20the%20largest%20single%20global%20defense%20program%20in%20history.%20This%20major%20multinational%20program%20is%20intended%20to%20produce%20an%20%26%238220;affordably%20stealthy%26%238221;%20multi-role%20fighter%20that%20will%20have%203%20variants:%20the%20F-35A%20conventional%20version%20for%20the%20US%20Air%20Force%20et.%20al.;%20the%20F-35B%20Short%20Take-Off,%20Vertical%20Landing%20for%20the%20US%20Marines,%20British%20Royal%20Navy,%20et.%20al.;%20and%20the%20F-35C%20conventional%20carrier-launched%20version%20for%20the%20US%20Navy.%20The%20aircraft%20is%20named%20after%20Lockheed%26%238217;s%20famous%20WW2%20P-38%20Lightning,%20and%20the%20Mach%202,%20stacked-engine%20English%20Electric%20(now%20BAE)%20Lightning%20jet.%20Lightning%20II%20system%20development%20partners%20included%20The%20USA%20%26%2338;%20Britain%20(Tier%201),%20Italy%20and%20the%20Netherlands%20(Tier%202),%20and%20Australia,%20Canada,%20Denmark,%20Norway%20and%20Turkey%20(Tier%203),%20with%20Singapore%20and%20Israel%20as%20%26%238220;Security%20Cooperation%20Partners,%26%238221;%20and%20Japan%20as%20the%201st%20export%20customer.%20The%20big%20question%20for%20Lockheed%20Martin%20is%20whether,%20and%20when,%20many%20of%20these%20partner%20countries%20will%20begin%20placing%20purchase%20orders.%20This%20updated%20article%20has%20expanded%20to%20feature%20more%20detail%20regarding%20the%20F-35%20program,%20including%20contracts,%20sub-contracts,%20and%20notable%20events%20and%20reports%20during%202012-2013.%20The%20F-35%20Lightning%20II%20Fighter%20Family%20F-35%20Family%20Variants:%20Door%20A,%20B,%20or%20C?%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
US Army Gets New Chinooks | DoS Approves FMS To Czech Republic | Hyundai To Help Develop Peru Sub 6 May 8:00 PM (3 days ago)
Americas Northrop Grumman has inked a $244-million deal with the US Space Force (USSF) to build advanced relay ground stations in the US and UK to expand the coverage of critical missile warning and tracking satellites. The ground stations will support the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) program, which seeks to establish satellite constellations that detect and track missile launches and potential attacks. The US Army has taken delivery of its fourth CH-47F Chinook Block II heavy-lift helicopter from Boeing as part of a contract signed in 2021. The deal, which ordered nine aircraft, is part of the army’s goal to modernize its airborne transport capabilities for evolving mission requirements. Middle East & Africa A senior Hamas official said Tuesday the group was no longer interested in truce talks with Israel and urged the international community to halt Israel’s “hunger war” against Gaza. “There is no sense in engaging in talks or considering new ceasefire proposals as long as the hunger war and extermination war continue in the Gaza Strip,” Basem Naim told AFP. Europe The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic is moving forward with plans to acquire a package of NATO-standard communications equipment from American defense contractor L3Harris Technologies. The potential […]
The New Chinooks: Boeing’s Modern H-47 Heavy-Lift Helicopters 6 May 7:58 PM (3 days ago)
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 […]
%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20600px,%20100vw%22%20/%3ECH-47Fs%20take%20off%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20DII%20FOCUS%20articles%20offer%20in-depth,%20updated%20looks%20at%20significant%20military%20programs%20of%20record;%20this%20FOCUS%20Article%20covers%20the%20CH-47F/MH-47G%20Chinook%20helicopter%20programs,%20in%20the%20USA%20and%20abroad.%20These%20helicopters%26%238217;%20distinctive%20%26%238220;flying%20banana%26%238221;%20twin-rotor%20design%20stems%20from%20the%20brilliant%20work%20of%20aviation%20pioneer%20Frank%20Piasecki.%20It%20gives%20Chinooks%20the%20ability%20to%20adjust%20their%20positioning%20very%20precisely,%20while%20carrying%20a%20large%20airframe%20whose%20load%20capacity%20has%20made%20it%20the%20world%26%238217;s%20most%20popular%20heavy-lift%20helicopter.%20The%20USA%20expects%20to%20be%20operating%20Chinooks%20in%20their%20heavy-lift%20role%20past%202030.%20The%20CH-47F%20looks%20similar%20to%20earlier%20models,%20but%20offers%20a%20wide%20range%20of%20improvements%20in%20almost%20every%20aspect%20of%20design%20and%20performance.%20While%20the%20related%20HH-47%26%238217;s%20$10-15%20billion%20CSAR-X%20program%20win%20was%20terminated,%20delivery%20orders%20continue%20for%20CH-47Fs%20and%20for%20MH-47G%20Special%20Forces%20configuration%20helicopters.%20International%20orders%20or%20formal%20requests%20have%20also%20come%20in%20from%20Australia,%20Britain,%20Canada,%20Italy,%20the%20Netherlands,%20Turkey,%20and%20the%20UAE,%20with%20India%20and%20other%20countries%20expected%20to%20follow.%20The%20New%20Chinooks:%20CH-47F,%20MH-47G,%20HH-47%20CH-47F%20Family:%20Initial%20Improvements%20CH-47D%20Chinooks%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20These%20new%20aircraft%20are%20part%20of%20the%20U.S.%20Army%20Cargo%20Helicopter%20Modernization%20Program,%20but%20they%20are%20based%20on%20a%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Navy Awards $81.2 M Deal to Ingalls for Ship Support | US Deploys Avenger In Africa | Hanwha To Develop LAMD 5 May 8:00 PM (4 days ago)
Americas Huntington Ingalls Industries – Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, has received an $81.2 million contract modification from the USNavy. This funding continues previous work to support and maintain several types of Navy ships, including amphibious transport docks (LPD 17), amphibious assault ships (LHD 1 and LHA 6), dock landing ships (LSD 41 and 49), and an amphibious command ship (LCC 19). Most of the work (75%) will take place in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Additional technical support will be provided in Norfolk, Virginia (24%), with very small portions in San Diego, California, and Sasebo, Japan. The project is expected to be completed by May 2026. No money is being paid upfront, and the contract was awarded through a competitive process by the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, DC. Bollinger Shipyards has received approval to begin full production of the US Coast Guard’s Polar Security Cutter (PSC). This initiative replaces the force’s aging icebreaker ships operational since the 70s with new vessels, all of which are to cover maritime security and logistics support across the Arctic, Antarctic, and similar domains. Middle East & Africa The US Army has deployed its Avenger air defense system to the African continent for the first time, joining […]
USAF Started Testing UCAVs | Iraq Received H225Ms | Lockheed Continues Support for Navy’s AEGIS System 4 May 8:00 PM (5 days ago)
Americas The US Air Force has begun ground testing for two unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) developed under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The air force revealed that the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A test vehicles are currently undergoing tests for their propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfaces to prepare the systems for flight testing later this year. All tests are currently taking place at the Beale Air Force Base in California, hosted by the CCA Aircraft Readiness Unit. The aircraft will be flown minimally and maintained at a flight-ready status. Textron Systems has hit a major milestone with its XM204 top attack munition, successfully completing first article testing with the US Army. The evaluation took place at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where the munition underwent a series of trials to assess its target engagement and self-destruct capabilities. Middle East & Africa Iraq has received two H225M Caracal medium-lift helicopters from Airbus as part of a 14-helicopter deal signed last year. The helicopters were delivered to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense in Baghdad and are scheduled to be handed over to the Iraqi Air Force within the month. Both aircraft are set to enter service in June. The next […]
Serious Dollars for AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) 4 May 7:58 PM (5 days ago)
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 […]
%26bodytext%3D%3Cimg%20width%3D%221920%22%20height%3D%221288%22%20src%3D%22https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aegis.jpeg%22%20class%3D%22webfeedsFeaturedVisual%20wp-post-image%22%20alt%3D%22USS%20Lake%20Champlain%20(CG-57),%20a%20Ticonderoga-class%20Aegis-equipped%20guided%20missile%20cruiser,%22%20style%3D%22display:%20block;%20margin:%20auto;%20margin-bottom:%205px;max-width:%20100%25;%22%20link_thumbnail%3D%22%22%20decoding%3D%22async%22%20srcset%3D%22https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aegis.jpeg%201920w,%20https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aegis-1280x859.jpeg%201280w,%20https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aegis-980x657.jpeg%20980w,%20https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/aegis-480x322.jpeg%20480w%22%20sizes%3D%22(min-width:%200px)%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20and%20(max-width:%20980px)%20980px,%20(min-width:%20981px)%20and%20(max-width:%201280px)%201280px,%20(min-width:%201281px)%201920px,%20100vw%22%20/%3EAEGIS-BMD:%20CG-70%20launches%20SM-3%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20The%20AEGIS%20Ballistic%20Missile%20Defense%20System%20seamlessly%20integrates%20the%20SPY-1%20radar,%20the%20MK%2041%20Vertical%20Launching%20System%20for%20missiles,%20the%20SM-3%20Standard%20missile,%20and%20the%20ship%26%238217;s%20command%20and%20control%20system,%20in%20order%20to%20give%20ships%20the%20ability%20to%20defend%20against%20enemy%20ballistic%20missiles.%20Like%20its%20less-capable%20AEGIS%20counterpart,%20AEGIS%20BMD%20can%20also%20work%20with%20other%20radars%20on%20land%20and%20sea%20via%20Cooperative%20Engagement%20Capability%20(CEC).%20That%20lets%20it%20receive%20cues%20from%20other%20platforms%20and%20provide%20information%20to%20them,%20in%20order%20to%20create%20a%20more%20detailed%20battle%20picture%20than%20any%20one%20radar%20could%20produce%20alone.%20AEGIS%20has%20become%20a%20widely-deployed%20top-tier%20air%20defense%20system,%20with%20customers%20in%20the%20USA,%20Australia,%20Japan,%20South%20Korea,%20Norway,%20and%20Spain.%20In%20a%20dawning%20age%20of%20rogue%20states%20and%20proliferation%20of%20mass-destruction%20weapons,%20the%20US%20Navy%20is%20being%20pushed%20toward%20a%20%26%238220;shield%20of%20the%20nation%26%238221;%20role%20as%20the%20USA%26%238217;s%20most%20flexible%20and%20most%20numerous%20option%20for%20missile%20defense.%20AEGIS%20BMD%20modifications%20are%20the%20keystone%20of%20that%20effort%20%26%238211;%20in%20the%20USA,%20and%20beyond.%20The%20AEGIS%20Naval%20Ballistic%20Missile%20Defense%20System%20What%20Is%20AEGIS?%20AEGIS%20Combat%20Control%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20Aegis,%20named%20after%20the%20legendary%20protective%20shield%20of%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Bell, Boeing to Deliver Final CV-22 To USAF | Maldives Unveils Ajban Vehicle | New Delhi Closed Airspace To Pakistani Airplanes 1 May 8:00 PM (8 days ago)
Americas Aerospace giants Bell and Boeing have announced that the final CV-22 Osprey military transport and cargo aircraft has entered production, with the project’s Program of Record (POR) completion coming in the next few months. The final CV-22 will be completed at Bell’s assembly center in Amarillo, Texas, where it will roll out for future special operations missions that require advanced speed and range capabilities deemed too complex for other military aircraft. Following the completion of the POR, the companies’ Team Osprey is scheduled to continue support for the army by implementing sustainment and upgrades for the variant. The US Air Force’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) has completed its Operational Assessment flight testing, according to Northrop Grumman. Flight tests for the IVEWS took place in Florida and Nevada, where two F-16 Block 50s installed with the suite demonstrated stable performance over more than 70 sorties. Simulations included in the test covered a wide range of environmental conditions and mission scenarios, including air-to-air, air-to-ground, and mixed threat engagements. Middle East & Africa The Maldives has unveiled its new Ajban 4×4 light armored vehicles to the public for the first time. The presentation, held during the military’s 133rd anniversary parade in Malé, involved […]
V-22 Osprey 1 May 7:58 PM (8 days ago)
(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 […]
%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20and%20(max-width:%20980px)%20980px,%20(min-width:%20981px)%20and%20(max-width:%201280px)%201280px,%20(min-width:%201281px)%201920px,%20100vw%22%20/%3E(click%20to%20view%20full)%20In%20March%202008,%20the%20Bell%20Boeing%20Joint%20Project%20Office%20in%20Amarillo,%20TX%20received%20a%20$10.4%20billion%20modification%20that%20converted%20the%20previous%20N00019-07-C-0001%20advance%20acquisition%20contract%20to%20a%20fixed-price-incentive-fee,%20multi-year%20contract.%20The%20new%20contract%20rose%20to%20$10.92%20billion,%20and%20was%20used%20to%20buy%20143%20MV-22%20(for%20USMC)%20and%2031%20CV-22%20(Air%20Force%20Special%20Operations)%20Osprey%20aircraft,%20plus%20associated%20manufacturing%20tooling%20to%20move%20the%20aircraft%20into%20full%20production.%20A%20follow-on%20MYP-II%20contract%20covered%20another%2099%20Ospreys%20(92%20MV-22,%207%20CV-22)%20for%20$6.524%20billion.%20Totals:%20$17.444%20billion%20for%20235%20MV-22s%20and%2038%20CV-22s,%20an%20average%20of%20$63.9%20million%20each.%20The%20V-22%20tilt-rotor%20program%20has%20been%20beset%20by%20controversy%20throughout%20its%2020-year%20development%20period.%20Despite%20these%20issues,%20and%20the%20emergence%20of%20competitive%20but%20more%20conventional%20compound%20helicopter%20technologies%20like%20Piasecki%26%238217;s%20X-49%20Speedhawk%20and%20Sikorsky%26%238217;s%20X2,%20the%20V-22%20program%20continues%20to%20move%20forward.%20This%20DID%20Spotlight%20article%20looks%20at%20the%20V-22%26%238217;s%20multi-year%20purchase%20contract%20from%202008-12%20and%202013-2017,%20plus%20associated%20contracts%20for%20key%20V-22%20systems,%20program%20developments,%20and%20research%20sources.%20The%20V-22%20Program%20%5Byoutube:v%3DmGebyL7P5HA%5D%20Documentary%20V-22%20Initial%20Operational%20Capability%20didn%26%238217;t%20begin%20until%202007,%20about%2024%20years%20after%20the%20initial%20design%20contract.%20A%20long%20series%20of%20design%20issues%20and%20mass-fatality%20crashes%20almost%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Navy Awards $18.3 Million Deal For MV-22 Repairs and Upgrades | NATO Launched Anti Sub Exercise | Hanwha Dropped K9A3 Visuals 30 Apr 8:00 PM (9 days ago)
Americas Bell Boeing Joint Project Office in Amarillo, Texas, has received an $18.3 million contract change to support additional repairs and upgrades for the Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey aircraft. The work is part of a program to modernize and maintain the aircraft’s readiness. Repairs will be carried out in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and are expected to finish by July 2026. The funding includes money from both the Navy’s 2024 and 2025 aircraft procurement and operations budgets. A total of $226,800 from this year’s budget will expire if not used by the end of the fiscal year. The contract was awarded without competition by the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland. The US Army will deploy 3D-printed drones in a military exercise in Poland next month to test their ability to detect potential threats beyond soldiers’ capabilities. Troops from the 2nd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion based in Germany plan to use up to two 3D-printed small drones to look for cell phones, routers, WiFi, radars, and other electromagnetic signatures that cannot be detected with a camera alone. The drones are equipped with sophisticated sensors to scan the electromagnetic spectrum, mapping out invisible signals and identifying possible sources of hostile activity. […]
Lockheed Tapped For F-35 Support | US Lost Millions Worth Of Reapers In Yemen | India To Purchase 26 Rafales 29 Apr 8:00 PM (10 days ago)
Americas Lockheed Martin won a $22 million modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. This modification adds scope to provide continued maintenance and sustainment operations of the US Reprogramming Laboratory facilities and partner support complex facilities and systems, to include consumables and field service representative support for the F-35 Lighting II programs for the Department of Defense (DOD), non-DOD partners and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Work is expected to be completed in April 2026. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. The US Air Force has awarded Indra Air Traffic Inc. a contract worth up to $198.36 million to replace its military air navigation systems used in harsh environments. Under the deal, the US-based branch of Spanish defense firm Indra will provide the design, engineering, commissioning, technical maintenance, and potential future upgrades of the man-portable (MP) Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN) through 2032. Able to be carried by two soldiers, the MP TACAN enables advanced military technology to continue its navigation on missions where Global Positioning System or satellite signals are unavailable. Middle East & Africa The United States has lost seven multi-million-dollar MQ-9 Reaper drones in the Yemen […]
Global Military Spending Hits Record Surge | UAE Transferred FK-2000s To Chad | DoS Approved Tomahawk Sale To Netherlands 28 Apr 8:00 PM (11 days ago)
Americas Global military spending reached $2.718 trillion in 2024, marking a 9.4 percent increase over 2023, the largest annual rise since the end of the Cold War, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported. This marks the 10th consecutive year of rising spending worldwide, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. The top five spenders last year were the US, China, Russia, Germany, and India. “As governments increasingly prioritize military security, often at the expense of other budget areas, the economic and social trade-offs could have significant effects on societies for years to come,” said Xiao Liang, Researcher with the SIPRI Military Expenditure and Arms Production Program. The US Army wants to produce 19,000 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rounds annually, with initial delivery in 2030. Responses are sought for the production of all GMLRS variants: unitary, alternative warhead, and extended range. The potential contract includes efficient and cost-effective production techniques, tooling, engineering change proposals, and supporting activities. Middle East & Africa The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has transferred a pair of Chinese-made FK-2000 short-range air defense systems to Chad. The delivery is part of the UAE’s ongoing military support for the African country. It includes 64 missiles and 6,000 […]
Tomahawk’s Chops: xGM-109 Block IV Cruise Missiles 28 Apr 7:58 PM (11 days ago)
Block IV Cutaway (click to view full) Block IV Tomahawk is the current generation of the Tomahawk family of cruise missiles. The BGM-109 Tomahawk family began life in the 1980s as sub-sonic, low-flying nuclear strike weapons, before being developed into long-range RGM/UGM-109 conventional attack missiles. They’re most frequently launched from submarines and surface ships, and have been the US Navy’s preferred option for initial air strikes in Iraq, Libya, et. al. Britain has also bought Tomahawk missiles, and launches them exclusively from submarines. Block IV is the latest variant. It adds innovative technologies that improve combat flexibility, while dramatically reducing the costs to buy, operate, and support these missiles. That’s why the Block IV program, under US Navy PMA-280, has been one of the USA’s defense acquisition success stories over the last decade. xGM-109: Missile & Launcher Types [youtube:v=8sa7ZX58Kk4] TLAM operation (click for video) Tomahawk missiles have become the US Navy’s major land strike missile. The USA has bought more than 4,000 over the years, and March 2011 saw the 2,000th GM-109 Tomahawk fired in combat, from USS Barry [DDG 52]. The missile typically flies at 50 – 100 feet above ground using terrain-following radar, and navigates to its targets […]
%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20600px,%20100vw%22%20/%3EBlock%20IV%20Cutaway%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20Block%20IV%20Tomahawk%20is%20the%20current%20generation%20of%20the%20Tomahawk%20family%20of%20cruise%20missiles.%20The%20BGM-109%20Tomahawk%20family%20began%20life%20in%20the%201980s%20as%20sub-sonic,%20low-flying%20nuclear%20strike%20weapons,%20before%20being%20developed%20into%20long-range%20RGM/UGM-109%20conventional%20attack%20missiles.%20They%26%238217;re%20most%20frequently%20launched%20from%20submarines%20and%20surface%20ships,%20and%20have%20been%20the%20US%20Navy%26%238217;s%20preferred%20option%20for%20initial%20air%20strikes%20in%20Iraq,%20Libya,%20et.%20al.%20Britain%20has%20also%20bought%20Tomahawk%20missiles,%20and%20launches%20them%20exclusively%20from%20submarines.%20Block%20IV%20is%20the%20latest%20variant.%20It%20adds%20innovative%20technologies%20that%20improve%20combat%20flexibility,%20while%20dramatically%20reducing%20the%20costs%20to%20buy,%20operate,%20and%20support%20these%20missiles.%20That%26%238217;s%20why%20the%20Block%20IV%20program,%20under%20US%20Navy%20PMA-280,%20has%20been%20one%20of%20the%20USA%26%238217;s%20defense%20acquisition%20success%20stories%20over%20the%20last%20decade.%20xGM-109:%20Missile%20%26%2338;%20Launcher%20Types%20%5Byoutube:v%3D8sa7ZX58Kk4%5D%20TLAM%20operation%20(click%20for%20video)%20Tomahawk%20missiles%20have%20become%20the%20US%20Navy%26%238217;s%20major%20land%20strike%20missile.%20The%20USA%20has%20bought%20more%20than%204,000%20over%20the%20years,%20and%20March%202011%20saw%20the%202,000th%20GM-109%20Tomahawk%20fired%20in%20combat,%20from%20USS%20Barry%20%5BDDG%2052%5D.%20The%20missile%20typically%20flies%20at%2050%20%26%238211;%20100%20feet%20above%20ground%20using%20terrain-following%20radar,%20and%20navigates%20to%20its%20targets%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Saft Wins $7.5 Million Contract for Helicopter Batteries | Oshkosh To Produce Dutch DXPVs | North Korea Unveiled New Warship 27 Apr 8:00 PM (12 days ago)
Americas The US Army and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems have opened a new load, assemble, and pack facility in Camden, Arkansas, to produce 155mm high-explosive artillery projectiles. The facility will manage the final stage of ammunition production, where two active lines will produce about 50,000 units per month. Advanced automation, digital quality tracking, and more new manufacturing technologies will be incorporated into the new site. Saft America Inc., based in Valdosta, Georgia, has won a contract worth up to $7. 5 million to provide storage batteries for H1, Seahawk, and CH-53 helicopters. The contract is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity agreement, meaning the price is set but the number of batteries needed can vary. This deal was open to competition, and two companies submitted offers. The agreement covers three years, with the option to extend for two more years if needed. Work must be finished by April 24, 2028. The batteries will be used by the Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Funding will come from defense working capital funds for fiscal years 2025 through 2028. The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio, is managing the contract. Middle East & Africa Gaza mediator Qatar said […]
CH-53K: The U.S. Marines’ HLR Helicopter Program 27 Apr 7:58 PM (12 days ago)
CH-53K concept (click to view full) The U.S. Marines have a problem. They rely on their CH-53E Super Stallion medium-heavy lift helicopters to move troops, vehicles, and supplies off of their ships. But the helicopters are wearing out. Fast. The pace demanded by the Global War on Terror is relentless, and usage rates are 3 times normal. Attrition is taking its toll. Over the past few years, CH-53s have been recalled from “boneyard” storage at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ, in order to maintain fleet numbers in the face of recent losses and forced retirements. Now, there are no flyable spares left. Enter the Heavy Lift Replacement (HLR) program, now known as the CH-53K. It aims to offer notable performance improvements over the CH-53E, in a similar airframe. The question is whether its service entry delay to 2018-2019 will come too late to offset a serious decline in Marine aviation. The HLR Program Lifts Off [youtube:v=k_pAe8Gvua8] Sikorksy on HLR, 2011 The $25.5 billion, 200-helicopter CH-53K program will define the long-term future of the US Marine Corps’ medium-heavy lift capabilities – and may be needed to save Marine aviation in the medium term. On average, existing CH-53E aircraft are more than […]
%20and%20(max-width:%20480px)%20480px,%20(min-width:%20481px)%20600px,%20100vw%22%20/%3ECH-53K%20concept%20(click%20to%20view%20full)%20The%20U.S.%20Marines%20have%20a%20problem.%20They%20rely%20on%20their%20CH-53E%20Super%20Stallion%20medium-heavy%20lift%20helicopters%20to%20move%20troops,%20vehicles,%20and%20supplies%20off%20of%20their%20ships.%20But%20the%20helicopters%20are%20wearing%20out.%20Fast.%20The%20pace%20demanded%20by%20the%20Global%20War%20on%20Terror%20is%20relentless,%20and%20usage%20rates%20are%203%20times%20normal.%20Attrition%20is%20taking%20its%20toll.%20Over%20the%20past%20few%20years,%20CH-53s%20have%20been%20recalled%20from%20%26%238220;boneyard%26%238221;%20storage%20at%20Davis-Monthan%20AFB%20in%20Tucson,%20AZ,%20in%20order%20to%20maintain%20fleet%20numbers%20in%20the%20face%20of%20recent%20losses%20and%20forced%20retirements.%20Now,%20there%20are%20no%20flyable%20spares%20left.%20Enter%20the%20Heavy%20Lift%20Replacement%20(HLR)%20program,%20now%20known%20as%20the%20CH-53K.%20It%20aims%20to%20offer%20notable%20performance%20improvements%20over%20the%20CH-53E,%20in%20a%20similar%20airframe.%20The%20question%20is%20whether%20its%20service%20entry%20delay%20to%202018-2019%20will%20come%20too%20late%20to%20offset%20a%20serious%20decline%20in%20Marine%20aviation.%20The%20HLR%20Program%20Lifts%20Off%20%5Byoutube:v%3Dk_pAe8Gvua8%5D%20Sikorksy%20on%20HLR,%202011%20The%20$25.5%20billion,%20200-helicopter%20CH-53K%20program%20will%20define%20the%20long-term%20future%20of%20the%20US%20Marine%20Corps%26%238217;%20medium-heavy%20lift%20capabilities%20%26%238211;%20and%20may%20be%20needed%20to%20save%20Marine%20aviation%20in%20the%20medium%20term.%20On%20average,%20existing%20CH-53E%20aircraft%20are%20more%20than%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Autonomous Tech Added to Army Transport Vehicle | New Army Radar System Moves Into Production | Lithuania Presented Evacuation Plan In Case Of Russia Attack 24 Apr 8:00 PM (15 days ago)
Americas Overland AI has added its autonomous technology to the US Army’s SMET (Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport) vehicle, made by General Dynamics. The vehicle was upgraded with Overland AI’s OverDrive software, SPARK hardware, and OverWatch control system, allowing it to drive itself. The upgraded vehicle was tested over two weeks during Project Convergence Capstone 5, an important Army event for trying out new technologies. RTX has been approved to start limited production of the US Army’s new radar system, called the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS). This new radar will replace the old Patriot radar, which has been in use since the 1980s. LTAMDS can scan in all directions (360 degrees) and passed eight flight tests. It also reached “Milestone C,” meaning it’s ready for production and deployment. RTX has been working on this project since 2019. Normally, projects like this take over 10 years to reach production. But the Army used a special fast-track process from Congress to speed things up and get this modern radar out sooner to deal with new threats. Middle East & Africa The Israeli Army has rolled out a new remote-controlled engineering vehicle said to transform the “paradigm of war” in […]
The MQ-4C Triton: Poseidon’s Unmanned Herald 24 Apr 7:58 PM (15 days ago)
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 […]
%20The%20world%26%238217;s%20P-3%20Orion%20fleets%20have%20served%20for%20a%20long%20time,%20and%20many%20are%20reaching%20the%20end%20of%20their%20lifespans.%20In%20the%20USA,%20and%20possibly%20beyond,%20the%20new%20P-8%20Poseidon%20Multi-mission%20Maritime%20Aircraft%20will%20take%20up%20the%20P-3%26%238217;s%20role.%20While%20the%20P-8%26%238217;s%20base%20737-based%20airframe%20offers%20strong%20service%20%26%2338;%20maintenance%20arguments%20in%20its%20favor,%20the%20airframe%20is%20expensive%20enough%20that%20the%20P-3s%20cannot%20be%20replaced%20on%20a%201:1%20basis.%20In%20order%20to%20extend%20the%20P-8%20fleet%26%238217;s%20reach,%20and%20provide%20additional%20capabilities,%20the%20Poseidon%20was%20expected%20to%20work%20with%20at%20least%20one%20companion%20UAV%20platform.%20This%20DID%20FOCUS%20Article%20explains%20the%20winning%20BAMS%20(Broad%20Area%20Maritime%20Surveillance)%20concept,%20the%20program%26%238217;s%20key%20requirements,%20and%20its%20international%20angle.%20We%26%238217;ll%20also%20cover%20ongoing%20contracts%20and%20key%20events%20related%20to%20the%20program,%20which%20chose%20Northrop%20Grumman%26%238217;s%20navalized%20MQ-4C%20Triton%20Global%20Hawk%20variant.%20Next-Gen%20Maritime%20Patrol%20Systems:%20Issues%20and%20Options%20USN%20ERJ-145%20ACS%20concept%20The%20P-3%20fleet%26%238217;s%20heavy%20use%20in%20both%20maritime%20surveillance%20and%20overland%20roles%20points%20up%20a%20potential%20problem%20with%20its%20successor%20the%20P-8A%20Poseidon.%20The%20737-based%20aircraft%20will%20be%20bought%20in%20fewer%20numbers%20than%20the%20aircraft%20it%20replaces,%20but%20its%20high%20end%20Littoral%20Surveillance%20Radar%20System%20%5B%26%238230;%5D)
Rockwell Collins Wins Deal For KC-135 Aircraft Comm Upgrades | UAE Signs LOI With Korea For KF-21 | Spain has Plan To Meet NATO’s Defense Spending Target 23 Apr 8:00 PM (16 days ago)
Americas Rockwell Collins, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $13.7 million contract to help maintain and improve the communication systems on KC-135 aircraft. The project includes adding a second radio to the planes for better communication. The work will take place in Cedar Rapids and at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, and is expected to be finished by March 22, 2027. The Air Force is providing $7.35 million from its 2023 research and development budget to start the project. The contract is managed by the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center’s Legacy Tanker Branch at Tinker Air Force Base. The US Navy’s USS Toledo (SSN 769) has returned to service after its eleven-month engineering overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia. Refurbishment and modernization efforts such as mast and periscope installation, as well as engine room tests, were conducted to extend its operational life. Maintenance for the nuclear-powered attack submarine was carried out by 50 employees across shipyard production shops. Middle East & Africa South Korea and the UAE have inked a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on the development and operation of Seoul’s KF-21 Boramae fighters. The agreement was signed by the Republic of […]
Lockheed Received PAC-3 MSE Launch Tube | US Will Halve Troops in Syria | DoS Approved TH-73A Training Helicopters Sale To Philippines 22 Apr 8:00 PM (17 days ago)
Americas Lockheed Martin has received the first shipment of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) launch tubes manufactured by Polish firm WZL-1. Launch tubes serve as the main structural housing for PAC-3 MSE missiles, forming the connection between the missile and the launcher system. The delivery is part of Lockheed Martin’s partnerships program with key Polish government defense companies to develop and manufacture components of the PAC-3 missile. The launch tubes will be used in PAC-3 MSE deliveries worldwide. Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works and Spanish firm Arquimea have just dropped a major upgrade in tactical ISR — an AI-driven anomaly detection system designed to elevate visual intel to a whole new level. Built to enhance electro-optical/infrared sensors, the tech lets ISR platforms spot subtle changes in a threat’s physical features and flag any anomalies that might slip past the human eye. Middle East & Africa The United States will roughly halve the number of troops it has deployed in Syria to less than 1,000 in the coming months, the Pentagon said Friday. Washington has had troops in Syria for years as part of international efforts against the Islamic State (IS) group, which rose out of the chaos of the country’s civil war to […]