Defense Industry Daily

Americas The US Coast Guard has received a stand-in icebreaker ship to support the service’s polar cutter fleet modernization program. Handed over by Offshore Service Vessels, the MV Aiviq’s primary role is to retain the force’s presence in the Arctic until the arrival of the service’s new Polar Security Cutters by the 2030s. The $125-million deal to procure the commercially-available system was awarded to the Louisiana-based maritime company in November. After its induction, the MV Aiviq will be renamed USCGC Storis, which makes the system the second to bear the name. The US Army has chosen BAE Systems to prototype a new artillery cannon, envisioned to defend bases against a variety of threats including unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and other advanced air threats. The system has been dubbed the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC) and Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP) prototype. Middle East & Africa The United States has officially greenlit a potential arms deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, marking another significant step in the Gulf nation’s efforts to modernize its naval capabilities. The deal, approved by the State Department and reported to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency [DSCA], involves selling twenty MK 54 MOD 0 Lightweight Torpedoes [LWT], […]

Americas According to Defense Post, L3Harris has failed to overturn the US Army’s decision to award Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) a $991-million contract to produce the HADES next-generation spy plane. This after the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) ruled in favor of SNC to proceed with production despite a protest filed in October. The GAO’s decision confirms that the winning vendor met all operational and regulatory requirements and that the contract award was made in full compliance with the law. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) demonstrated the first at-sea refueling of the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program. A pair of unmanned surface vessels (USV) — the Ranger and the Mariner — demonstrated the task originally designed for the program’s Defiant USV. Middle East & Africa Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the IDF inaugurated a new Directorate for AI and Autonomy this week, aimed at spearheading research, development, and force-building in the fields of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems across all branches of the IDF. During a ceremony attended by the Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, Major General (Res.) Eyal Zamir, and other senior officials, the directorate was presented as a foundation for an operational and technological […]

Americas The United States on Monday unveiled almost $6 billion in military and budget aid for Ukraine, as Washington races to provide assistance before Donald Trump takes office next month. The imminent return of Trump, who has repeatedly criticized aid for Ukraine, has cast doubt on American support continuing at similar levels as under outgoing President Joe Biden. With Trump’s swearing in just three weeks away, only a limited time window remained for billions of dollars in already authorized assistance to be disbursed. Raytheon won a $31 million modification, which increases the contract ceiling to procure long lead hardware for recertification and modernization of 257 Tomahawk Block IV All-Up-Round Missiles, to include 218 for the Navy and 39 for Foreign Military Sales customers in support of enabling the missiles to be operational for up to an additional 15 years of service. Additionally, this modification procures 24 Maritime Strike Tomahawk (MST) missile vertical launch systems and 11 MST missile capsule launch systems for the Navy, as well as provides non-recurring engineering in support of the MST missile transition to production. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (43%); Tucson, Arizona (31.9%); Pontiac, Michigan (19.5%); Los Alamitos, California (3.2%); and Chandler, Arizona (2.4%), […]

Americas Performance Drone Works (PDW) has received more than $15.3 million in contracts to deliver its proprietary C100 small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) to the US Army. The drones will support the force’s posture across high-profile theaters, according to the Alabama-based company, with most to be distributed across the Indo-Pacific, European, and Central Command areas of responsibility. The “game-changing” capabilities are expected to provide medium-range reconnaissance and tactical air support. Raytheon has been awarded a $401.2 million full-rate production contract by the US Navy for 131 Block V Tomahawk missiles. As part of the contract, 26 missiles will be delivered to the US Army, 16 to the US Marine Corps, 11 to Australia, and 78 to Japan. Work will be performed in various locations across the US, with expected completion by March 2028. Middle East & Africa Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has purchased Italy’s Piaggio Aerospace, reflecting Baykar’s growing global ambitions while marking a timely rescue for the troubled Italian aircraft producer. The deal, which was announced on Friday by Italy’s industry ministry, follows six years of Italian state management at Piaggio after it went into receivership in 2018. Europe Austria is to purchase 12 Italian Leonardo M-346FA jets to serve in both […]

Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $108 million contract for Canada MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft systems hardware. This contract provides the necessary Foreign Military Sales (FMS) hardware and components to support Canada’s MQ-9B Direct Commercial Sale program. This contract involves FMS to Canada. This contract was a sole source acquisition. FMS funds in the amount of $12,890,775 will be obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. BAE Systems has received a $68 million in contracts to manufacture 44 additional Beowulf Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles (CATVs) for the US Army. The deal is part of a seven-year program assigned to the firm in 2022 to produce a modern ground-based fleet that can maneuver in the Arctic region and other environments with similar conditions. “The CATV provides a dynamic combination of mobility and flexibility to the US Army enabling rapid response in all terrains,” BAE Systems Sustainment & International VP Dean Medland stated. Middle East & Africa The American THAAD system, deployed in Israel last October, participated on Thursday in its first operational interception since entering service 18 years ago. The system intercepted a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) […]

Americas The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) demonstrated the first at-sea refueling of the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) program. A pair of unmanned surface vessels (USV) — the Ranger and the Mariner — demonstrated the task originally designed for the program’s Defiant USV. A long-endurance NOMARS USV is intended to be designed from the ground up without the necessity for humans on board. Bollinger Shipyards has started the construction of the US Coast Guard’s initial vessel planned under the Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. The PSC effort will replace the service’s aging ships deployed for national, maritime, commercial, and economic security support across the Arctic and Antarctic regions by the 2030s. The assembly is now taking place at the company’s facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi, marking the first local heavy polar icebreaker development in the US in over 50 years. Middle East & Afria Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) has secured its first export order for the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter. The deal, valued at approximately $93.4million, involves the sale of the domestically developed helicopter to the Iraqi government. This contract not only represents a major win for KAI but also signals the growing international interest in South Korean […]

Americas Lockheed Martin Corp won a $3 billion modification to provide continued logistics support to include ground maintenance activities, action request solution, depot activities, automatic logistics information system operations and maintenance, reliability and maintainability, supply chain management, pilot training, maintainer training, and training system sustainment in support of delivered F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Air Systems for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and non-Department of Defense (DOD) program partners . The contract being modified was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Honeywell International won a $92 million for a firm-fixed-price, five-year, spares requirements contract with no options for procurement of 15 inboard wheel segments, 15 outboard wheel segments, 905 landing gear wheels, 630 of another type of landing gear wheels, 610 rotor assemblies, 192 multiple disk brakes, 68 of another type of multiple disk brakes, 137 of another type of landing gear wheels, 1,286 disk brake stators, 337 hydraulic piston assemblies, 1,393 of another type of hydraulic piston assemblies, and 508 of another type of landing gear wheels, for a total of 6,096 weapon repairable assemblies, in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. Naval Supply Systems Command […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $198 million deal, which provides maintenance, program management, and logistics services to support through life support (TLS) services for 36 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) MH-60R aircraft. The TLS services enable the RAN to provide the necessary operational capability and all-inclusive sustainment to include organizational, intermediate, depot, operational and deeper level maintenance, training, and support activities on RAN MH-60R aircraft, aircraft systems, support systems, and support and test equipment for the RAN AIR 9000 Phase 8 Future Naval Aviation Combat System MH-60R Foreign Military Sales FMS program. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin won a $60 million modification for in-service AEGIS Sustainment, Baseline 10 system and fielding, product documentation. Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey, and is expected to be completed by December 2025. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved new weapons sales to Morocco worth over $174 million, showing U.S. strong support to a major ally and strategic partner, described as an important force for political stability and economic progress in North Africa. The announcement was made Friday by US Defense Security […]

Americas General Dynamics Land Systems won an $18.9 million modification for Abrams system technical support. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, Michigan, with an estimated completion date of February 27, 2025. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. Two US Navy pilots were shot down over the Red Sea early Sunday in “an apparent case of friendly fire,” the American military said. Both pilots were recovered alive but “initial assessments indicate that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries,” the United States Central Command said late Saturday local Florida time – where CENTCOM is headquartered. Middle East & Africa The United States State Department has approved the potential sale of more than $5 billion in arms for Egypt. The State Department informed Congress on Friday that it had approved the sale of $4.69 billion worth of equipment for 555 US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks operated by Egypt, along with $630 million in Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and $30 million in precision-guided munitions. Europe Germany will buy four more submarines from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to increase the number of boats to six, part of a joint purchase with Norway that may also see the Nordic country increase its […]

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 […]

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 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 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]