Americas
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems won $ 12.6 million orderwhich provides non-recurring engineering for the development of preliminary software design, software coding, maturation, test, and integration for Link 16 Advanced Capabilities with the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System into the MH-60R / S aircraft for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. The MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It is considered to be the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter. Work will take place in New York. Completion date is in February 2024.
The United States Marine Corps has administratively activated the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion on February 11. This is the Corps first Littoral Anti-Air Battalion. The unit traces its lineage back to the 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battalion, which stood up on December 19, 1938. While the unit is not expected to be fully operational immediately, it will eventually be able to provide air defense, air surveillance and early warning, air control, and forward arming and refueling services to the Marine Corps.
Middle East & Africa
Sikorsky won a $ 372 million contract modificationwhich exercises an option for the production and delivery of four low-rate initial production, Lot 6, CH-53K Heavy Lift aircraft, as well as associated aircraft programmatic and logistical support for the government of Israel. In July 2021, the US State Department approved the sale of 18 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters worth $ 3.4 billion to Israel. Israel announced last February that it would purchase one squadron of CH-53K over Boeing’s CH-47 to replace its fleet of Yasur helicopters at Tel Nof Air Base. Work will take place in Connecticut, Kansas, Utah, Missouri, West Virginia, Washington, Canada, Wisconsin, the UK, Florida, New York, France and Florida. Estimated completion will be in November 2025.
Europe
The technical launch of the fourth Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ship (PPA – Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) “Giovanni delle Bande Nere” built for the Italian Navy took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genoa) recently. This PPA, to be delivered in 2024, is the first in “full” version, which means equipped for a complete defense ability, and the first to be supplied with generator sets by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a Fincantieri subsidiary specialized in the production of diesel engines. The vessels are being developed and built under a contract awarded by the Organization Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms (OCCAR).
Asia-Pacific
Rafael’s BNET SDR ground communication was chosen for installation on vehicular platforms of an Asian army. The deal was inked on January 29th, following a thorough and intensive tender process. Various international communication companies completed the tender, at the end of which BNET was chosen as the optimal solution for the program. Delivery will commence this year.
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) awarded Boeing three performance based logistics (PBL) contracts to manage sustainment of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15K fighter jets and Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW & C) aircraft, and Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The five-year contracts will improve aircraft availability by using performance data to inform logistics and supply chain management activities.
Today’s Video
WATCH: RAFAEL Unveils BNET NANO SDR – A powerful radio that fits in the palm of your hand!