A submarine rescue diving and recompression system has been installed on a Military Sealift Command-chartered merchant vessel by the U.S. Navy. The SRDRS was installed aboard the HOS Dominator by the Navy’s Undersea Rescue Command and contractor Phoenix Holdings International. The HOS Dominator is normally used for training by the Navy. Its new rescue system…
Rockwell Collins Gets Contract for Improved Cyber Security
Rockwell Collins has been contracted by the U.S. military to use mathematics-based development methods to secure platforms against cyber attack. The Mathematics-based techniques were developed by Rockwell Collins and its partners in the High Assurance Cyber Military Systems, or HACMS, program of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA. The DARPA program’s goal…
Canadian Army to Modernize Training Simulation System
Canada has tapped Cubic Global Defense to upgrade the Department of National Defense’s Data Communications Network and Exercise Control Center. Under the $4.5 million contract, the software used by the DCN and EXCON center for the Canadian Weapons Effect Simulation system, or CWES, at the Canadian Maneuver Training Center in Wainwright, Alberta, will be upgraded.…
Field Trials Underway for Russia’s Next-Generation Battle Tank
Russia’s next-generation main battle tank, the Armata, is undergoing field trials on schedule, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said. “[The field trials] are proceeding according to plan,” he told the Tass news agency . “Various technologies are being tested and the issue of automatizing all of the tank’s systems is being considered.” The T-14 Armata was first…
SES Introduces Satellite Communications Vehicle
Luxembourg’s SES is marketing a SATCOM vehicle that provides rapid collaborative communications technologies over multiple orbits and frequencies. Those orbits and frequencies include Ku-, Ka- and Military X- and Ka-bands, across the company’s GEO fleet and fiber-like Ka-band delivered over its MEO constellation. “The Rapid Response Vehicle can provide multi-band, multi-orbit connectivity to support virtually…
BAE Systems to Build Sixth Astute-Class Submarine for Britain
BAE Systems in Britain has received a $1.77 billion Ministry of Defense contract to build a sixth Astute-class nuclear-powered submarine for the Royal Navy. The Agamemnon will be about 318 feet long, have a submerged speed of 30 knots and an endurance of 90 days. It can carry Tomahawk missiles as well as torpedoes. Securing…
Navy Lifting Ban on T-45 Pilot Trainer Flights
The U.S. Navy ban on T-45 pilot training flights is being lifted Monday but with a new altitude restriction in place, the Navy announced. The pilot trainer will now fly below 10,000 feet to avoid the use of the aircraft’s On Board Oxygen Generator System as authorities continue to investigate the causes of physiological episodes…
U. S. Navy Extends Grounding of T-45 Trainer Aircraft
U.S. Navy T-45 trainer jets are grounded for at least another week as investigations continue into physiological episodes experienced by aircraft crew. The three-day grounding was initially called on Wednesday on the orders of Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Commander, Naval Air Forces as instructor-pilot concerns led to the cancellation of about 40 percent of training flights from three…
Navy Grounds T-45C Trainer Aircraft Over Safety Concerns
The U.S. Navy has temporarily grounded its T-45C trainer aircraft fleet amid oxygen supply problems that could incapacitate its crew. The three-day pause in flight operations took effect Wednesday on orders from Naval Air Forces Commander Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker. “The pause is in response to concerns raised by T-45C pilots over the potential for physiological…
EPP Building Acoustic Array for U.S. Navy Submarines
Aerostructures Engineered Polymer Products has started the manufacture of the first hull-mounted acoustic array for Virginia-class U.S. Navy submarines. The Large Vertical Array, or LVA, together with other systems and sonar processing capabilities provides a tactical picture that shows other submarines and surface ships nearby. “Our proven ability to provide advanced acoustic products that maximize…
Saab to Deliver Major Upgrade for Swedish Anti-Ship Missile System
Saab has been contracted by the Swedish Defense Material Administration to develop and produce a new generation anti-ship missile system, the company announced on Friday. The new system, a major upgrade of the RBS-15 system, will be for both air-launched and ship-launched missiles and will be integrated on the new Gripen E fighters and in…
Construction of New Chinese Carrier Progressing
China’s first domestically built aircraft carrier is currently being outfitted with equipment at a shipyard in Liaoning province and will be launched soon, according to Ministry of Defense spokesman Wu Qian. China Daily reports that Wu said “we won’t keep the public waiting for too long” on Thursday while answering questions on whether the new carrier…
Simulator for F-35 Naval Test Pilots Ready to Use
An F-35 flight simulator from BAE Systems is ready for use by pilots in preparation for flight trials on Britain’s new Queen Elizabeth-Class aircraft carrier. BAE Systems said the refurbished simulator comprises a cockpit moved by an electronic motion platform and a full representation of the ship’s flying control tower, where a Landing Signal Officer on…
FNSS Building Amphibious Assault Vehicles for Turkish Navy
Turkey’s FNSS reports it is to produce armored amphibious assault vehicles for the Turkish Naval Forces Command under a new government contract. A total of 27 vehicles — 23 personnel carriers, two command-and-control vehicles and two recovery vehicles – will be produced and will be based on an indigenous development model, FNSS said. The vehicles are to…
RAF Getting New G-force Centrifuge Facility
Thales, in partnership with AMST, has begun work on the construction of a High-G force Training and Test Capability facility for Britain’s Royal Air Force. The centrifuge facility at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire will train RAF and Royal Navy pilots to counter the effects of G-forces on their bodies during combat missions. It is due…
Israel Taps Elbit Systems for Advanced Radios
Elbit Systems Ltd has been awarded a five-year Israeli Ministry of Defense contract for the supply of advanced radio systems. Hundreds of radio systems will be provided under the approximately $100 million contract. Among the systems to be supplied by Elbit are hand-held, vehicle-mounted and airborne third-generation Software Defined Radios for advanced network services at…
USAF Seeks Industry Help for Light Attack Aircraft Experiment
The U.S. Air Force issued an invitation this week to industry to participate in a capability assessment of light attack aircraft. The live-fly experiment, part a broader Air Force effort to explore cost-effective attack platform options, will be held this summer at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The off-the-shelf aircraft from industry participants will…
Orbital ATK Supplying Rocket-Launched Flares for U.S. Military
Orbital ATK is to produce more than 23,000 visible and infrared spectra rocket-launched flares for use by the U.S. military. The order for the M257 and M278 flares for the Hydra-70 family of rockets comes under a follow-on contract modification from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. “Orbital ATK’s illuminating flares give our servicemen and…
MDH Debuts Multi-Mission Concept Helicopter
Arizona-based MD Helicopters has debuted a single-engine concept aircraft for the military, law enforcement, emergency medical services and special operations markets. The MD 6XX, displayed at last week’s HAI Heli-Expo Trade Show & Exhibition in Texas, features a number of newly designed structural elements and technologically advanced systems, the company said. “With the development of…
Leidos to Develop Electro-Magnetic Technology for U.S. Air Force
Leidos was awarded contract to develop electro-magnetic technology for the U.S. Air Force, the company announced this week. The performance period of the cost-plus-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is five years. It carries a value of $38 million, including an initial $11 million task order. Leidos said its work will primarily be performed at Kirtland Air Force…
Leonardo Subsidiary to Buy Laser Technology Company Daylight Solutions
Leonardo is growing its presence in the United States through the acquisition of Daylight Solutions Inc., a quantum cascade laser company. Leonardo DRS, the company’s U.S. subsidiary, signed a definitive acquisition agreement under which it will pay $150 million for Daylight Solutions, a Virginia-based firm. The purchase price includes an earn-out to be released to…
Army Eyes Laser-Guided Mortar System
The U.S. Army plans to issue contracts this year for development of a next-generation laser-guided 120mm mortar system. The new precision high explosive guided mortar, which will replace the current system, eliminates the need to typically fire several rounds to adjust fire for accurate strikes and also incorporate threat counter-measures and enhanced mobility. “We’re going…
Rolls-Royce Supplying Propulsion Components for USCG Vessels
The U.S. Coast Guard’s new fleet of Offshore Patrol Cutters are to be outfitted with a range of Rolls-Royce products, including MTU marine generator sets. Rolls-Royce said the propulsion products will be supplied under a contract from the Eastern Shipbuilding Group, which is building the first nine OPCs. “The Offshore Patrol Cutter is the U.S.…
Jacobs to Provide Support for U.S. Marines Weapons System
Jacobs engineering Group will provide logistics services for facilities of the U.S. Marine Corps Special Operations Command, the company announced on Wednesday. Under a General Services Administration task order, Jacobs will provide weapons system sustainment services, including logistics services in operations, material management, supply administration, warehouse operations and transportation support. The contract, worth more than $39 million…
Milrem Displays THeMIS Modular Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Estonian defense company Milrem plans to market its modular unmanned ground vehicle in the Middle East and North Africa. The THeMIS vehicle, in three different configurations, has been on display at the 2017 IDEX exhibition in the United Arab Emirates. The first configuration features a SARP remote weapon station from IGG Aselsan Systems. The second…