Thales Alenia Space has awarded aerospace company Airbus a contract to deliver key systems for the European Space Agency’s ExoMars lander. The Thales-Leonardo joint venture is the prime contractor for the ExoMars project, with the UK Space Agency funding the new deal as part of an initiative to replace Russian components in the mission. The...
Category: National Security
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South Korea Counts AI, Autonomous Systems as Top Defense Technology Priorities, Official Says
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has developed a master plan for defense science and technology innovation with 10 focus areas, National Defense reported. According to Seong Tae Jeong, chief technology officer at the Agency for Defense Development’s Advanced Defense Science and Technology Research Institute, the plan’s priority technologies include artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned...
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Northrop Grumman Secures Modified RAAF Radio Frequency Countermeasure System
Northrop Grumman has received a $175.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the U.S. Air Force to deliver a modified AN/ALQ-251 radio frequency countermeasure system for the Royal Australian Air Force under a Foreign Military Sales transaction with Australia. Under the sole-source award, Northrop will take over several initiatives for RAAF’s C-130J-30 program, including design, production and...
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AeroVironment Subsidiary to Supply Uncrewed Ground Vehicles to German Armed Forces
AeroVironment subsidiary Telerob has secured a major contract to supply the German Federal Armed Forces with 41 large telemax HT300 uncrewed ground vehicles. The telemax HT300 was chosen after a competitive procurement process to meet Berlin’s needs for explosive ordnance disposal and counter-improvised explosive device missions. Florian Gruener, managing director of Telerob, highlighted the significance...
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Lockheed Eyes European, Middle East Production of Missile Propellants
Lockheed Martin plans to expand the manufacturing of solid rocket motors and other missile energetics in Europe and the Middle East, a venture that the company is currently pursuing in Australia, Breaking Defense reported. Tim Cahill, executive vice president for missiles and fire control, disclosed the plan in a media briefing at the Avalon Air...
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Sweden Eyes Defense Spending Boost to Match Anticipated NATO 3.5% of GDP Target
Stockholm has announced plans to increase its defense budget from 2.4 percent of Sweden’s gross domestic product to 3.5 percent. The plan aims to boost the country’s defense spending to $30 billion by 2030. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expects that the upcoming NATO summit in the Netherlands in June will raise the alliance’s current target...
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Babcock Secures $1.3B Contract Extension for British Army Operational Readiness
British defense contractor Babcock International said it has secured a five-year contract extension from the U.K. Ministry of Defence worth about $1.3 billion to support the British Army’s operational readiness. The contract extension will directly support London’s Defence Industrial Strategy and contribute significantly to the U.K.’s economic growth, the company said Wednesday. The Defence Support...
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US Approves Potential $2B Sale of MQ-9B Drones to Qatar
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential foreign military sale of MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and related equipment to Qatar for an estimated $1.96 billion. Qatar requested eight MQ-9B drones, along with a comprehensive package of munitions, including Joint Direct Attack Munition tail kits, general-purpose bombs, Paveway II guidance kits, Hellfire missiles and training...
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BAE Systems, Repkon USA Sign Pact on Ammunition Manufacturing
British multinational BAE Systems has signed a memorandum of understanding with turnkey complete production plant provider Repkon USA to develop and manufacture advanced munitions. The two companies will also explore ways to enhance the range, precision and performance of ammunition. To achieve the agreement’s objective, BAE and Repkon will bring their expertise and experience to...
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Lockheed Martin Unit to Modify Israeli CH-53K Helicopters
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin business, has secured a contract from Israel’s Ministry of Defense to modify 12 CH-53K Pere helicopters, integrating systems used by the Israeli Air Force. Once completed and delivered, the aircraft will replace the nation’s Yas’ur heavy transport fleet. According to the ministry, the CH-53Ks are already at Sikorsky’s Stratford, Connecticut, facility....