Washington, D.C., and London-based venture capital firm C5 Capital has partnered with Brave1, a Ukrainian defense technology accelerator, to support local defense tech startups in Ukraine. Through the partnership, C5 Capital will provide investment and strategic guidance to help the new companies grow and scale, ultimately accelerating the development of technologies critical to building Ukraine’s...
The British armed forces participated in the Operation Chelonia military exercise, improving its collaborative capabilities with NATO allies in the Western Balkans. Soldiers from the United Kingdom’s Strategic Reserve Force joined the exercise held close to Pasha Liman Naval Base in southern Albania. They arrived at the location using amphibious vehicles and proceeded to service...
Boeing has conducted the first flight of the AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopter for delivery to the Royal Thai Army. The company will supply eight AH-6s to Thailand under a $103.7 million Foreign Military Sales contract that the U.S. Department of Defense awarded in February 2022. The contract includes Thai pilot training at Boeing's facilities in Mesa, Arizona, where the helicopters are under production. Thailand is the second international customer for the Little Bird helicopter. According to the defense contractor, the aircraft is integrated with advanced data processing technology, offering enhanced safety and situational awareness for faster decision-making.
Redwire has built an onboard computer system for the European Space Agency's Hera mission, Europe's first planetary defense initiative. Redwire's third-generation Advanced Data and Power Management System will control all vital spacecraft operations, including deploying and monitoring two companion cubesats for detailed surveys of NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission. Redwire's Belgian subsidiary developed the system under a contract with OHB Germany, the prime contractor for the Hera project.The Potomac Officers Club's 2024 GovCon International Summit on Thursday will convene key public and private sector leaders to discuss emerging technologies, the shifting landscape in space and the role of industry. Take part and register now.
The NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic has opened its North American headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The inauguration ceremony was held on Tuesday and attended by Canadian government officials, including Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of public services and procurement. The office will house up to 25 international staff and be supported by Ottawa's initial investment of $26.6 million over six years. "As home to several major universities and research centers, hundreds of science and technology startups, and Canada's Atlantic naval fleet, Halifax is well-positioned to support DIANA, as well as innovators and industry across the country," Duclos said.
The Royal Canadian Navy rearmed the missiles on the HMCS Vancouver warship while the vessel was deployed in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise was performed at the Broome Port Jetty in Western Australia, which was made possible through close coordination with the Australian Defence Force and members of the Australian Defence Industry. The ammunition was transported using a CC-177 Globemaster from the Royal Canadian Air Force. HMCS Vancouver Commanding Officer Cdr. Tyson Bergmann said the dedication and effort of the vessel's sailors will be used as an example for future endeavors.
The U.S. National Science Foundation and its counterparts from India, Japan and Australia have pledged to back research efforts to advance emerging and agricultural technologies that would benefit food security in the Indo-Pacific region. They hope to support multilateral research by launching an initiative called AI-ENGAGE, short for Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen AGriculturE, that will accept proposals that focus on artificial intelligence, communications, robotics and sensing. According to NSF chief Sethuraman Panchanathan, the four nations expect the collaborative research opportunity to introduce new ways to use these emerging technologies to secure the world's farms in the future.
The U.S. government has approved Australia's possible acquisition of air-to-ground tactical missiles from Northrop Grumman in a deal valued at $405 million. Canberra's request is for up to 100 extended range versions of the AGM-88G advanced anti-radiation guided missile plus AGM-88G AARGM-ER guidance and control section spares. Northrop will also deliver several non-major defense equipment items under the deal. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the acquisition will enhance Australia's aircraft survivability with a capability to address existing and future threats from land- or sea-based radar emitters.
Lockheed Martin has secured a $3.2 billion Foreign Military Sales contract from the U.S. Air Force to supply joint air-to-surface standoff missiles and long-range anti-ship missiles to Japan, the Netherlands, Finland and Poland. The company will work on the single-source contract in Orlando, Florida, with completion expected in July 2032. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida is the contracting activity, according to a U.S. Department of Defense announcement on Friday.
Canada has set up a new Canadian Armed Forces command to ensure combat readiness in the cyber domain. The new CAF Cyber Command will be led by Maj. Gen. Dave Yarker. It will be the sole entity authorized for cyber force sustainment, management and development and enable Canada to contribute to its international commitments. "By enhancing our work in the cyber domain and by continuing to collaborate with our partners and allies, we can detect, deter and defend against cyber threats and malicious actors targeting Canada and our interests," said Bill Blair, Canada's minister of national defense.
