Qatar signs deal with Leonardo for first ever Navy Operations Center

Qatar signs deal with Leonardo for first ever Navy Operations Center
Qatar signs deal with Leonardo for first ever Navy Operations Center

The center, which will control radars and sea-based tracking in real time, will include electronic warfare systems.

UK, French officials gather to decide future of missile technologies

UK, French officials gather to decide future of missile technologies
UK, French officials gather to decide future of missile technologies

Officials and executives want to focus on mission systems and algorithms; seekers; lethal packages; propulsion; and materials, structures and electronics.

T-X: The Sequel? New Tactical Trainer Solicitation Could Reignite Rivalries

T-X: The Sequel? New Tactical Trainer Solicitation Could Reignite Rivalries
T-X: The Sequel? New Tactical Trainer Solicitation Could Reignite Rivalries

“Every day, [the T-38]  becomes just another step more disconnected from the advanced avionics, advanced sensing, the advanced processing that our modern fighters have. And so we can’t fill that void fast enough,” said Air Combat Command head Gen. Mark Kelly.

Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying ‘Excalibur’ Lab For Digital Dominance

Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying ‘Excalibur’ Lab For Digital Dominance
Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying ‘Excalibur’ Lab For Digital Dominance

“Our focus is to get the sensors and information architecture correct. We might have to change other capabilities out for that if necessary,” said Jez Holmes, Head of the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office.

Leonardo’s New UAV Targets Pay-As-You-Go ISR Market

Leonardo’s New UAV Targets Pay-As-You-Go ISR Market
Leonardo’s New UAV Targets Pay-As-You-Go ISR Market

Fabrizio Boggiani, senior vice president of airborne marketing, says he sees “significant opportunities” for expanding Leonardo’s market share by selling mission packages to international institutions and countries who don’t “want to buy and own the asset, but want us to fly where they ask us to fly.”

12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019

12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019
12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019

WASHINGTON: At least a dozen major Army weapons programs face big decisions in 2019. The service will launch a competition for new armored vehicles; award development contracts for scout aircraft and helicopter engines; conduct key tests of long-range missiles, anti-aircraft defenses, rifles, targeting goggles, and multiple battlefield networks; and field new electronics for command posts.

UK F-35s Clear IOC For Land-Based Ops; UK Spending Big on Defense

UK F-35s Clear IOC For Land-Based Ops; UK Spending Big on Defense
UK F-35s Clear IOC For Land-Based Ops; UK Spending Big on Defense

WASHINGTON: The UK is ready to start deploying the first batch of its new F-35 fighter overseas, the country’s top defense official said Thursday, while introducing a slew of new cruise and attack missiles for its Typhoon jets.   The announcement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for nine F-35Bs comes weeks after the Royal Navy…

300 Shots: Rafael Readies Trophy Lite For US Stryker

300 Shots: Rafael Readies Trophy Lite For US Stryker
300 Shots: Rafael Readies Trophy Lite For US Stryker

The latest version of Israel’s Trophy defense system stopped more than 95 percent of roughly 300 missiles and rockets shot at it in Israeli tests this summer, laying the groundwork for US Army testing this fall on the 8×8 Stryker armored vehicle.

Boeing-Leonardo Team Scoops Up $2.38B UH-1N Replacement Deal

Boeing-Leonardo Team Scoops Up $2.38B UH-1N Replacement Deal
Boeing-Leonardo Team Scoops Up $2.38B UH-1N Replacement Deal

The head of Strategic Command must be very happy this evening, having learned that the Air Force is finally buying a new helicopter to guard America’s ICBM fields. The Boeing-Leonardo team won the contract to supply 84 helicopters.

Few Fighters Fly At Farnborough; F-35B Zips By

Few Fighters Fly At Farnborough; F-35B Zips By
Few Fighters Fly At Farnborough; F-35B Zips By

FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW: Are the biggest air shows becoming no-fly zones for military aircraft? Dominated today by the seemingly unending competition between Airbus and Boeing to see who announces the most commercial aircraft orders, this year’s show offers a very thin gruel of military aircraft flights or military aircraft on display. A UK F-35B flew…

Army Anti-Aircraft Stryker Can Kill Tanks Too

Army Anti-Aircraft Stryker Can Kill Tanks Too
Army Anti-Aircraft Stryker Can Kill Tanks Too

With its eyes firmly on Russia, the US Army is racing to field 8×8 Strykers with an array of weapons that can down enemy aircraft — from drones to helicopters to jets — and incidentally make enemy tanks think twice. The first prototypes will be delivered next year, with up to 144 (four battalions) by…

Trophy APS For Everyone? A Streamlined Version For M2 Bradley

Trophy APS For Everyone? A Streamlined Version For M2 Bradley
Trophy APS For Everyone? A Streamlined Version For M2 Bradley

Even as the US Army races to install Trophy Active Protection Systems on its M1 Abrams heavy tanks, Trophy’s manufacturers are testing slimmed-down versions they want to sell the US for lighter vehicles, especially the aging M2 Bradley troop carrier. While other technologies look promising, Trophy is still the only non-Russian system that’s combat-proven to…

Congress Divided On $75M For Army Scout Aircraft: Fly The Deadly Skies

Congress Divided On $75M For Army Scout Aircraft: Fly The Deadly Skies
Congress Divided On $75M For Army Scout Aircraft: Fly The Deadly Skies

WASHINGTON: Senate appropriators want to give the Army $75.4 million to kick-start its new scout aircraft, but key authorizers told us they are skeptical. (House appropriators are so far silent). The crucial questions: Can a manned, low-altitude, lightweight aircraft survive against the Russian threat? And can the Army afford the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)…

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Defense Contract On Cost And Early!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Defense Contract On Cost And Early!
Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Defense Contract On Cost And Early!

AFA: Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky is on track to deliver nine new HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters to the Air Force for the price the company promised and six months early — a “man bites dog” story, the very definition of news. Delivering early and for the promised price is far from the norm in defense acquisition,…