BOEING

The Boeing Company, Washington, has been awarded a $416,438,385 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the manufacture and delivery of three Lot-9 full-rate production P-8A multi-mission maritime aircraft for the Navy. Work is expected to be completed in October 2020.

Boeing has been awarded a $862 million modification to a previously awarded, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract that provides for the procurement of 15 F/A-18E and three F/A-18F Super Hornets. These aircraft are flown by the US Navy, replacing the service’s retired F-14 Tomcat Fighters. The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets have been enlarged in all dimensions and fitted with two extra weapons pylons.

GA-ASI

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc has announced the official launch of Team SkyGuardian Canada, consisting of Canadian teammates CAE Canada, MDA and L3 WESCAM. The team is combining the best of Canadian industry with the world’s most advanced Medium-altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) RPAS, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, to fulfill Canada’s RPAS project requirements. The MQ-9B is a 5,700kg Gross Takeoff Weight aircraft with over 40 hours of un-refueled mission endurance.

INDIAN MISSILE TEST

The technology demonstrator flight test of India’s ‘Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)’ propulsion-based missile has been carried out successfully from the Launch Centre-III of ITR, Chandipur, Orissa on May 31. The flight test met all the mission objectives. The technology of nozzle less booster has been successfully demonstrated in the mission for the first time in the country.

ISRAELI

Israel is the first nation to ever use the F-35 joint strike fighter in combat mission over the Middle East. On May 22, 2018, the head of the Israel Air Force, Major General Amikam Norkin, announced that the aircraft had already participated in two airstrikes. Operating over Syrian airspace, a country equipped with the S-400 Russian airdefence systems, requires careful targeting and maximum survivability, the F-35’s two strongest attributes.

JAPAN COAST GUARD

Japan Coast Guard has acquired another Falcon 2000 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) to reinforce its maritime patrol capability. The Coast Guard had previously ordered four MSA aircraft that are based on the 4,000nm Falcon 2000LXS. The first aircraft will be delivered in 2019.

LOCKHEED MARTIN

Lockheed Martin is contracting BAE Systems to support the maintenance and replacement of electronic warfare systems on the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. The $100 million deal is essential for critical aircraft readiness.

The five-year contract from Lockheed Martin enables BAE Systems to manage the supply chain and establish infrastructure to ensure critical electronic warfare technology is available for the next generation fighter aircraft.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, Military Aircraft Systems, Florida, has been awarded a $153,240,394 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive (firm-target) contract for the procurement of one Japan configuration E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft for the government of Japan under FMS. It is expected to be delivered in March 2020.

ORBITAL ATK

Orbital ATK Inc, Defence Electronic Systems, California, has been awarded $171,215,447 for modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract. This modification exercises an option for the procurement of full-rate Production Lot-7 for the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) for the Navy and the government of Australia. Work is expected to be completed in March 2020.

PRATT & WHITNEY

Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, Connecticut, has been awarded $2,016,115,217 for modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm target, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract in support of the F-35 Lightning II Low-Rate Initial Production Lot 11 aircraft.

RAYTHEON

The US Air Force has contracted Raytheon Missile Company for 18 AMRAAMs AIM-120D missiles at a cost of $14,1 million. AIM-120 Advanced, Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile has become the world market leader for medium range air-to-air missiles and is also beginning to make inroads within land-based defence systems.

ROLLS-ROYCE

Roll-Royce Corporation has been contracted for the provision of engines in support of the V-22 Osprey platform, valued at $28.25 million which provides for the procurement of 15 engines in total. The US Marine Corps will receive seven engines, six will be delivered to the USNavy and the remaining two are reserved for the US Air Force.

ROSTEC

The Russian defence manufacturer Rostec has announced that it will supply China with ten Su-35 fighter jets this year. The $2.5 billion contract for the delivery of a total of 24 long-range 4+ generation, super-maneuverable aircraft, was signed between Rostec and the Chinese government in November 2015.

RUSSIA

Russia has unveiled its new rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle called Katran which is designed for fire support and reconnaissance missions to support operations by special forces. The platform can be equipped with different sets of cameras or a thermal imager. It further features a co-axial rotor scheme which provides for high maneuverability and allows it to operate from small, unprepared sites and in any weather. It is able to lift a 265-pound payload and can also make kinetic strikes using unguided and guided munitions.

RUSSIA

Russia’s new airplane tanker IL-78M-90A was developed from Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft. The upgraded version is equipped with four PS-90A new generation engines, has upgraded navigation system and a new cockpit with reduced workload for the crew and enhanced flight safety. The IL-78M-90A will allow simultaneous refuelling of two short-range aircraft. It is also possible to refuel long-range and special aircraft from the tail assembly. I It is also possible to simultaneously fuel up to four tactical aircraft.

SAUDI ARABIA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to receive eight CH-47F heavy lift helicopters from Boeing. The contract modification is valued at over $25.7 million. The contract is funded through the Fiscal 2017 FMS fund. The CH-47F Chinook’s load capacity has made it the world’s most popular heavylift helicopter.

UK MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

UK’s Defence Minister Guto Bebb has on May 24, 2018, announced the delivery of the first of a fleet of 25 new helicopters designed for Royal Marine aircraft carrier operations. The helicopter known as the Commando Merlin Mk4, has been upgraded to a faster and more powerful platform than its predecessor. It now sports a maritime grey coat, has a folding main rotor and tail, upgraded flight controls and a tactical computer.

UMS SKELDAR

The Swiss-Swedish joint venture UMS Skeldar has acquired the German engine manufacturer Hirth. The group is now looking to enter the market of naval rotary-wing drones. The two companies have previously partnered on the V-200 drone, which runs on a heavy-fuel engine. Heavy fuel is the standard fuel for many military applications.

US NAVY

The US Naval Seas Systems Command has contracted Raytheon Missile Systems in support of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) system. The firm-fixed-price contract is valued at $77 million and provides for the engineering, test equipment, material and management necessary to transition the ESSM Block 2 engineering. Work is expected to be completed by December 2020. ESSM is used to protect ships from attacking missiles and aircraft.