BAE SYSTEMS

The Defence Logistics Agency has executed a $316 million contract option for BAE Systems’ advanced M-Code GPS modules, raising the contract funding to $641 million. The modules provide dependable positioning, navigation and timing for ground troops, vehicles, aircraft and precision munitions. Under the contract option executed in November, BAE Systems will manufacture CGMs for future ground, airborne, and weapon GPS receivers for the US Department of Defence and its allies.

BOEING

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) on November 18, 2021, accepted the first of five Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that will be operated by the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Norway is responsible for large maritime areas in a strategically important part of the world and the new P-8A Poseidon will represent a tremendous improvement in their surveillance capability.

Bangladesh’s Us-Bangla airlines has added two more Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its fleet, taking its total to 16. The Us-Bangla Airlines, the country’s largest private air carrier, is also going to start flights from Dhaka to Colombo, Sharjah and Delhi with these two newly inducted Boeing 737-800 aircraft that have 189 economy class seats.

Boeing and Akasa Air, a brand of SNV Aviation, announced on November 16, 2021 that the new Indian carrier has ordered 72 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes to build its fleet. Valued at nearly $9 billion at list prices, the order is a key endorsement of the 737 family’s capability to serve the rapidly growing Indian market. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube said, “We are delighted to partner with Boeing for our first airplane order and thank them for their trust and confidence in Akasa Air’s business plan and leadership team.”

Boeing won a $212.6 million contract for modification of six MH47-G renew rotary wing aircraft and eight spare shipsets in support of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The Boeing MH-47G belongs to the family of CH-47 Chinook multi-role heavy lift helicopters.

LOCKHEED MARTIN

Lockheed Martin reported on November 17, 2021 that in 2020, US Government requested them to accelerate efforts to produce more of the world’s most advanced air defence missile than ever before and it has recently completed production of its 1000th PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor. Lockheed Martin has steadily increased production of PAC-3 MSE since achieving a full rate production decision in 2018 and is expecting to increase to annual production of 500 PAC-3 MSEs by 2024.

Lockheed Martin reported on November 15, 2021 that it has demonstrated significant milestones for the PAC-3 programme, including the first integration of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) with the US Army Integrated Air and Missile Defence Battle Command System (IBCS) during flight tests. During the flight test series, two PAC-3 MSE missiles successfully engaged from IBCS and intercepted tactical ballistic missile threats.

Lockheed Martin and Keysight Technologies Inc a leading provider of 5G solutions, has announced a collaboration to advance 5G in support of mission-critical communications for aerospace and defence applications. The companies are actively collaborating on a 5G.MIL™ testbed that Lockheed Martin teams will use to advance 5G capabilities for multiple applications.

IAI

It was announced on November 15, 2021 that Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement to convert four B777-300ER passenger aircraft to cargo configuration for Emirates. The aircraft will be converted at the new site established in Etihad Engineering’s MRO centre in Abu Dhabi and the first conversion of the Emirates plane is expected to begin in early 2023.

It was announced on November 18, 2021 that EDGE, middle East’s leading technology company for defence and IAI have signed an MoU to establish a maintenance centre for IAI’s systems in the UAE. The agreement covers electro-optics advanced systems including IAI’s systems for surveillance payloads for land, naval and air applications.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN

Northrop Grumman Corporation reported on November 22 that it has been awarded a contract by the US Air Force to provide dynamic in-flight rerouting for RQ-4B Global Hawk. The software update, known as Dynamic Mission Operations (DYNAMO), will enhance Global Hawk’s ability to provide critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data to geographic combatant commanders. The DYNAMO flexible mission planning capability enables in-flight rerouting of Global Hawk, allowing operators to respond to changing real world conditions and will be fielded in 2023.

NASA awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a booster production and operations contract valued at $3.19 billion to support the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket through 2031. The award includes follow-on production and flight sets for Artemis IV through Artemis VIII, as well as production of the Booster Obsolescence and Life Extension (BOLE) boosters for Artemis IX.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has received a $153 million contract award on November 30, 2021 from the US Navy for full rate production of lots 10 and 11 of the AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile. The contract includes production of missiles for the U.S. Navy and German Air Force.

Nanoracks, in collaboration with Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, has been awarded a $160 million contract on December 2, 2021 by NASA to design its Starlab commercial space station as part of the agency’s Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development programme. Starlab will enable NASA’s initiative to stimulate the commercial space economy and provide science and crew capabilities prior to the retirement of the International Space Station.