A new lightweight wideband manpack radio with enhanced data rates has been launched by the Harris Corporation. The system is designated the Falcon III RF-300H and Harris says it dramatically improves high-frequency tactical communications by transmitting high-level security images, maps and other large data files from beyond-line-of-sight environments in a compact, lightweight package. “The new…
GE Aviation Reveals $4B Investment in U.S. operations
GE Aviation invested $4.3 billion in its expanding U.S. operations during the 2011 to 2016 period and another $1.1 billion internationally. The U.S. investments include $214 million to establish five new plants in Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, Indiana and Alabama, the company said. GE Aviation also has upgraded current U.S. operations. Facilities in North Carolina…
Orbital ATK to Complete Development of New Tank Ammo
Orbital ATK is to complete development of the next-generation 120mm multipurpose round for Abrams tanks. The 30-month development and qualification deliverable award from the U.S. Army is worth $45 million. It includes three options for initial and full-rate production that could bring the total contract value to $119 million. “Our development of advanced ammunition types…
New Destroyer Delivered to the U.S. Navy
The future USS Rafael Peralta, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, has been delivered to the U.S. Navy by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. The 505-foot long vessel is the first constructed by the company and the 65th destroyer of the class for the Navy. “Arleigh Burke-class destroyers continue to provide the most critical warfighting technologies to our…
Fast Transport Ship USNS Yuma Passes Acceptance Trials
The U.S. Navy reports that the future USNS Yuma, an Expeditionary Fast Transport, has successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. The ship, constructed by Austal USA, demonstrated the readiness of its equipment and its systems operations in the trials for the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey. “The EPF program continues to…
Raytheon, USAF Developing New Signal Processor for AMRAAM
A new signal processor is being developed by Raytheon and the U.S. Air Force for the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. The new signal processor, being developed under the Form Fit Function Refresh program, or F3R, will help ensure AMRAAM production well into the next decade, Raytheon said. “AMRAAM is and always has been the…
State Dept. Approves $119 Million Missile Sale for Kuwait
A possible $119 million sales deal is in the works between the United States and Kuwait for 60 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles. The deal, which has received State Department approval, was reported to Congress on Monday by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The agency, which manages the Foreign Military Sales program, said the…
Army Demos Quadcopter Resupply Vehicle Prototype
A quadcopter that could be used to supply troops on the battlefield has been demonstrated by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and industry partners. The vehicle is called the joint tactical aerial resupply vehicle, or JTARV. It is also known as the Hoverbike, manufactured for the ARL by Malloy Aeronautics and systems integrator, SURVICE, an…
Unidentified Country Orders Patriot System Upgrade
Raytheon is to modernize the Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense System of an unidentified country under a $600 million commercial sales contract. The upgrade will advance the country’s Patriot system to the most advanced configuration available, the Configuration 3+ with Post Deployment Build 8 software and hardware. The configuration enables the Patriot to use…
NCI to Support U.S. Army Intelligence
Information technology provider NCI Inc. is to provide engineering and integration support services for the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. The 18-month task order from the U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command, National Capital Region Engineering Directorate, is worth $10 million. Covered under the order is engineering and installing secure and test INSCOM command,…
U.S. Sales to Foreign Military Hit $33.6 Billion in 2016
U.S. Foreign military sales in fiscal 2016 reached a total of $33.6 billion, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. DSCA, which manages the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, announced that the total includes $2.9 billion of Foreign Military Financing-funded cases; $5.0 billion in Building Partner Capacity-funded cases; and $25.7 billion funded by partner…
NATO Contracts for Satellite Services
GovSat, an affiliate of European satellite operator SES, is to support the operational phase of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance program. Work under the NATO end-to-end service contract includes the delivery of satellite capacity in commercial Ku-band — largely coming from the SES fleet – and associated capacity management services to support command-and-control and sensor…
DARPA Extends EW Contract Work by BAE Systems
BAE Systems’ work on a U.S. military project for adaptive radar countermeasures for airborne electronic warfare systems has been extended. The extension for Phase 3 of the Adaptive Radar Countermeasures project was issued by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and is worth $13.3 million. “The Phase 3 award from DARPA recognizes the progress…
SAIC Wins Navy Torpedo Work
Components for afterbody/tailcone sections of MK 48 Mod 7 torpedoes are to be manufactured for the U.S. Navy by SAIC. The work, commissioned by Naval Sea Systems Command, will be conducted in partnership with Lockheed Martin, who will procure various afterbody/tailcone assemblies and provide engineering services. “SAIC is proud to grow our support to NAVSEA…
SAIC to Supply U.S. Military with Petroleum Products
SAIC is to supply chemicals, packaged petroleum and other products to the U.S. military under a contract from the Defense Logistics Agency. The single award, indefinite-quantity contract for chemicals, packaged petroleum, oils, and lubricants has a five-year base period with one three-year option and one two-year option. The base contract value is $700 million, Science…
Terma, BAE Continue Noise-Reduction Effort for Pilot Helmets
Terma A/S and BAE Systems are to continue and intensify development of noise-reduction technology for military pilot helmets. The decision comes after a design review of Terma’s 3D-Audio/Active Noise Reduction technology with BAE Systems’ Striker II Helmet Mounted Display. “Airborne or acoustically transmitted noise is always present in aircraft, but measures can be taken to…
Croatian Navy Receives Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Croatia’s Ministry of Defense reports the country’s navy has received an undisclosed number of autonomous underwater vehicles from the United States. The Remus 100 vehicles were manufactured this year, the ministry said, and were received as a donation. “The donated vehicles are of very recent date … and are intended for various underwater operations, and…
USS Nimitz Completes Sea Trials
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz has successfully completed sea trails following 20 months of maintenance, repairs and upgrades, the U.S. Navy reports. CVN 68 pulled into San Diego, Calif., Oct. 10, after completing a successful 6-day sea trial and officially marking the completion of a 20-month extended planned incremental availability. Nimitz got underway for the first time…
L-3 Unit Begins KC-10 Tanker Support
L-3 Communications’ Vertex Aerospace division has started contractor logistics support for the U.S. Air Force KC-10 tanker fleet. The support, awarded in a contract in June, was delayed by a competitor protest, which has now been denied by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The estimated value of the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is expected to reach…