Laser weapons and future tanks: European Defense Fund to spend $1.3B on 54 projects

Laser weapons and future tanks: European Defense Fund to spend $1.3B on 54 projects
Laser weapons and future tanks: European Defense Fund to spend $1.3B on 54 projects

Development of more novel weapon systems includes the second phase launch of the Tactical Advanced Laser Optical Systems (TALOS) project (TALOS-TWO), designed to support a long term target of developing 100 kilowatt-class laser weapons by 2030.

Fincantieri acquires Leonardo’s undersea armaments business worth up to $447 million

Fincantieri acquires Leonardo’s undersea armaments business worth up to $447 million
Fincantieri acquires Leonardo’s undersea armaments business worth up to $447 million

Terms of the acquisition include the shipbuilder paying a fixed fee of €300 million ($323 million), and “based on certain growth assumptions,” an additional €115 ($124 million) directly relating to performance of the underwater armaments business this year.

Sikorsky prepares X2 offer for NATO’s next generation rotorcraft competition

Sikorsky prepares X2 offer for NATO’s next generation rotorcraft competition
Sikorsky prepares X2 offer for NATO’s next generation rotorcraft competition

The manufacturer is shifting attention to alliance requirements in the aftermath of the US Army cancelling its next-generation Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) effort.

Textron, Leonardo bank on M-346 global experience in looming race for Navy trainer

Textron, Leonardo bank on M-346 global experience in looming race for Navy trainer
Textron, Leonardo bank on M-346 global experience in looming race for Navy trainer

“The strength we think we bring is that [the Navy is] going to go from contract to actually starting to turn out students much quicker than any other competitors,” a Textron executive told Breaking Defense.

Fincantieri CEO looks to tap growing undersea market

Fincantieri CEO looks to tap growing undersea market
Fincantieri CEO looks to tap growing undersea market

“Underwater will be what was space 40 years ago,” company CEO Pierroberto Folgiero told Breaking Defense during a recent visit to Washington.

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans
Leonardo CEO criticizes UK for lack of transparency on GCAP industrial plans

Roberto Cingolani appeared to question UK secrecy, suggesting London has been unwilling to share how it will contribute to developing GCAP system of systems-type aircraft and technology.

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request
Air Force halves MH-139A Grey Wolf helo buy in FY25 budget request

“It’s just about the overall budget of the Air Force and what we’re able to afford and what we’re not able to afford,” explained Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter of the decision to cut the birds.

Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award

Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award
Bell and Leonardo eye NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability concept award

NGRC requirements mainly cover a future medium lift helicopter that costs no more than €35 million ($38.2 million) per aircraft and provisionally planned to enter service between 2035 and 2040.

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date
UK invites industry bids for New Medium Helicopter, sets 2025 contract date

The ITN phase is expected to deliver, for the first time, a full breakdown of requirements and costs for industry for the estimated $1.3 billion program.

Leonardo offers first look at Proteus Rotary Wing UAS concept design

Leonardo offers first look at Proteus Rotary Wing UAS concept design
Leonardo offers first look at Proteus Rotary Wing UAS concept design

Once a final design architecture has been finalised, Leonardo plans on flying a two- to three- ton RWUAS demonstrator for the first time “in the middle of this decade” in hopes of supporting the UK Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF) agenda.

With new agreement, industry coalition describes ‘significant’ progress on GCAP fighter’s systems

With new agreement, industry coalition describes ‘significant’ progress on GCAP fighter’s systems
With new agreement, industry coalition describes ‘significant’ progress on GCAP fighter’s systems

“The [collaboration] agreement reflects positive momentum and strong trilateral cooperation, and will involve the industry partners maturing integration, collaboration and sharing of information towards the next phase of GCAP,” the companies said.

UK’s Excalibur test bed hits phase 2, flight target set for 2026

UK’s Excalibur test bed hits phase 2, flight target set for 2026
UK’s Excalibur test bed hits phase 2, flight target set for 2026

Leonardo UK and 2Excel recently won a $150 million contract for the converted 757 aircraft to be packed with tech.

UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec

UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec
UK reducing New Medium Helicopter buy to 25-35 aircraft: Airbus exec

“We haven’t seen training requirements and there’s a whole plethora of different chapters that are yet to come, but the MoD has been as good as they can be in drip feeding us information,” said Lenny Brown, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters UK

Thales providing Eurodrone with secure communications platform (Exclusive)

Thales providing Eurodrone with secure communications platform (Exclusive)
Thales providing Eurodrone with secure communications platform (Exclusive)

Eurodrone is a four-nation European consortium, involving Germany, France, Spain and Italy, which aims to develop an unmanned aerial system for operation in a non-segregated airspace.