Rheinmetall, IMI Team to Propose M109 SPG Upgrades for the IDF

Rheinmetall, IMI Team to Propose M109 SPG Upgrades for the IDF

IMI has teamed with the German company Rheinmetall Defence to offer an upgrade package for the Israel Defense Forces M-109A5 self propelled howitzers. The modular package will enable the IDF to introduce a list of long awaited upgrades, required to maintain the M109 in service for 40 years.

May 23, 2012 20:51

KMW Takes Over British Bridgemaker WFEL

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG has taken over the UK company WFEL Ltd. based in Stockport, Cheshire. WFEL is regarded as the world-market leader for mobile bridging systems in both military and civil applications.

May 23, 2012 12:17

Elbit Systems Introduces the SPEAR – a Mortar for the HMMWV

Elbit Systems Introduces the SPEAR – a Mortar for the HMMWV

Elbit Systems unveiled today the Soltam SPEAR 120mm autonomous, soft recoil mortar system, designed for light wheeled platforms. The patent pending recoil system reduces the barrel firing load from 120 tons to less than 10 tons.

May 22, 2012 21:10

U.S. Air Force Welcomes Wasp AE for the BATMAV Program with a $2.5 Million Order

U.S. Air Force Welcomes Wasp AE for the BATMAV Program with a $2.5 Million Order

The U.S. Air Force has included AeroVironment’s new WASP AE to its Battlefield Air Targeting Micro Air Vehicle (BATMAV) program. This inclusion enabled the Air Force to place a $2.5 million order for this enhanced configuration of the WASP Micro Air vehicle (MAV), which has already been adopted by the [...]

May 22, 2012 20:23

Philippines Looking to Buy Non-USA Combat Aircraft

Philippines Looking to Buy Non-USA Combat Aircraft

The Philippines is looking to non-USA sources for combat aircraft to strengthen the nation’s warfighting capabilities. France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and South Korea were all prime candidates being considered.

May 20, 2012 06:03

Japan Jumps Into Global Satellite-Launch Competition

Japan Jumps Into Global Satellite-Launch Competition

A successful first launch of a foreign satellite is a major step forward for Japan, but the future of the program is fraught with uncertainty and burdened by a national economy that is far from healthy. The whole effort may be too little too late.

May 20, 2012 05:09

Raytheon Awarded $85 Million for Griffin Missiles

Raytheon Awarded $85 Million for Griffin Missiles

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon the largest order yet for the Griffin missile,amounting over $85 million. The first delivery order will buy 22 all-up rounds and 43 telemetry rounds, to be delivered by July 2013.

May 18, 2012 23:12

Seoul is Shopping for Naval ASW Helicopter to Augment its Surface Combatants

Seoul is Shopping for Naval ASW Helicopter to Augment its Surface Combatants

South Korea has requested buying eight MH-60R SEAHAWK Multi-Mission Helicopters through the U.S. Foreign Military Sale (FMS), the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified U.S. Congress Tuesday, May 16.

May 18, 2012 12:40

Six Satellites Launched on Three Rockets in Same Day

Six Satellites Launched on Three Rockets in Same Day

Friday May 18th was a busy day in the rapidly growing space-launch industry with three rockets, launched from three separate locations, placing six satellites into Earth orbit. In contrast to the global fanfare that followed the failed South Korean launch attempt, these flawless launches from Russia and Kazakhstan were hardly noticed by the world media.

May 18, 2012 06:46

Eurosatory 2012 – a Compass for the 
Global AFV Market

Eurosatory 2012 – a Compass for the 
Global AFV Market

Defense Update provides an insight into the armored fighting vehicle market trends expected to highlight the upcoming Eurosatory 2012 defense expo. Is there a future for main battle tanks? what are the growth areas? Can platforms become lighter?

May 14, 2012 10:18

Poland Embarks on Helicopter Acquisition Program Worth up to US$1 Billion

Poland Embarks on Helicopter Acquisition Program Worth up to US$1 Billion

The Polish Ministry of National Defense is embarking on the acquisition of a new transport helicopter for the Polish military, at an estimated budget of US$1 billion. The first phase will cover 26 aircraft: 16 new medium transport helicopters for the Army; four ASW and three for Search and Rescue SAR for the Navy and three Combat SAR for the air force.

May 13, 2012 20:46

Russia Testing Italian Centauro Wheeled Tanks

Russia Testing Italian Centauro Wheeled Tanks

Russia is testing Italy’s Centauro ‘wheeled tank’ and considering building it under license. The company has already delivered two Centauro vehicles, the original design with the 105mm gun and another fitted with a Russian 125mm cannon.

May 12, 2012 22:07

UK Makes It Official – Back To The F-35B STOVL

UK Makes It Official – Back To The F-35B STOVL

In a much awaited announcement, the United Kingdom has decided to reverse its previous selection and will now focus its efforts on acquiring the Lockheed Martin F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft instead of the conventional F-35C naval model of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

May 11, 2012 19:40

India to purchase US M777 Howitzers from BAE Systems

India to purchase US M777 Howitzers from BAE Systems

Nearly 27 years after the controversy over the purchase of howitzers from Swedish-based AB Bofors the Government of India approved today the purchase of 145 M77 155/39-caliber howitzers at a total cost of $650 million from BAE Systems.

May 11, 2012 15:42

Improved AEGIS Conducts Successful Intercept

Improved AEGIS Conducts Successful Intercept

The U.S. Missile defense Agency (MDA) conducted a successful missile intercept test on Thursday May 10, 2012 using an advanced Standard Missile – 3 (SM-3) Block 1B missile and second generation battle management system (AEGIS BMD 4.0.1).

May 11, 2012 06:55

Washington Allocates a Billion US$ to Support Israel’s Active Rocket & Missile Defenses

Washington Allocates a Billion US$ to Support Israel’s Active Rocket & Missile Defenses

The US House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee included multiple allocations with a total amount of $947 million in the next year budget (FY 2013) to support Israel’s multi-level active rocket and missile defense programs. This is the highest single-year Appropriation ever for Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. “President Obama, Chairman [...]

May 7, 2012 16:45

Raptor Pilots Talk in Public about Hypoxia Effects

Raptor Pilots Talk in Public about Hypoxia Effects

Hypoxia (oxygen depravation) conditions often affecting pilots during and after flying in F-22s remain unsolved even after comprehensive investigation launched after the 2011 loss of an Alaska based pilot. While the F-22 returned to operational flying, at least 11 new cases were reported since the Raptors resumed their flights, CBS 60 Minutes reported.

May 7, 2012 14:05

India is Shopping for Nine Bizjets for Special-Missions

India is Shopping for Nine Bizjets for Special-Missions

The Indian Air Force has floated a brand new requirement to support the acquisition of nine special mission aircraft for airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Communications Jamming (COMJAM), ground survey and target towing.

May 7, 2012 12:02

Distrust, the Main Theme at the Moscow Missile Defense Conference

Distrust, the Main Theme at the Moscow Missile Defense Conference

Between Russian Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov who dosn’t rule out a preemptive strike against NATO missile defenses and Madelyn Creedon, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs claiming the US will not agree to any limitations on those systems, Russia’s Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev reiterated Moscow’s offer to run the missile shield together with NATO.

May 7, 2012 09:17

Kazakhstan to Jointly Produce Ukrainian BTR-4 APCs

Kazakhstan to Jointly Produce Ukrainian BTR-4 APCs

An unexpected agreement was signed at Kadex 2012 Show by the representatives of Kiev and Astana about a local production of the Ukrainian 8×8 BTR-4 wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) of which Kazakhstan is meant to receive 100. The contract’s value is being estimated around US$150 million. The BTR-4 was [...]

May 7, 2012 08:57

China is Interested in the Russian S400 Triumf

China is Interested in the Russian S400 Triumf

According to some sources Beijing expressed interest to acquire Russian S-400 counter-missile system. To date the Chinese use the components of the S-300 system but are said to be willing to enter closer co-operation on military and technological levels which would eventually lead to implementation of the S-400′s in a [...]

May 7, 2012 08:26

DigitalGlobe Rejects GeoEye Proposed Acquisition

DigitalGlobe Rejects GeoEye Proposed Acquisition

Satellite imagery company GeoEye Inc offered to buy rival DigitalGlobe Inc today for $792 million in cash and stock as it tries to make up for a possible revenue loss from U.S. defense spending cuts.

May 7, 2012 07:57

Brits Testing 2012 London Olympic Security on a Week-Long Exercise

Brits Testing 2012 London Olympic Security on a Week-Long Exercise

Preparation for the Olympic Games is at full swing in the UK. On the security side, preparations for the event are underway as the Royal Navy, Marines, Army and Air Force are embarking on a full-scale exercise testing their pals, readiness and integration in an eight-day military exercise called Olympic Guardian.

May 5, 2012 18:15

Japan and US Agree To US Marine Realignment In Pacific

Japan and US Agree To US Marine Realignment In Pacific

After sixteen long years of debate and aggravating delays, the United States and Japan have reached an agreement to reduce the presence of US Marines on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa. Okinawa, some 400 miles south of the Japanese main islands has been a key strategic forward base for [...]

May 5, 2012 08:34

US Congress Formally Notified of Japan’s F-35 Purchase

US Congress Formally Notified of Japan’s F-35 Purchase

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) formally notified the United States Congress on 30 April of a potential Foreign Military Sale of Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) to Japan.  The sale includes an initial order for four F-35A Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) stealth fighters with an option for the purchase of an additional 38 F-35A CTOL aircraft.  The cost of the purchase is estimated to be $10 billion.

May 5, 2012 08:11

Australia’s New Shadow 200 Enhance ISR Support in Afghanistan

Australia’s New Shadow 200 Enhance ISR Support in Afghanistan

The RQ-7B Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) has officially commenced operations with Australian forces in Afghanistan, providing an enhanced capability to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

May 4, 2012 09:37

Philippines Seeks US Assistance in Strengthening its Military

Philippines Seeks US Assistance in Strengthening its Military

The Philippines is asking the United States to assist in upgrading the Filipino military in light of the South China Sea standoff with China at Scarborough Shoal. Specifically, the Philippines needed naval patrol vessels, aircraft, advanced radar systems, and coastal surveillance facilities.

May 4, 2012 09:02

Australia Delays in F-35 Procurement

Australia Delays in F-35 Procurement

In an unexpected statement 3 May, Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith announced Australia’s decision to delay its purchase of 12 Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters (JSF) for at least two years.

May 4, 2012 08:40

9th Virginia Class Nuclear Sub Delivered to the US Navy One Year Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

9th Virginia Class Nuclear Sub Delivered to the US Navy One Year Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget

The U.S. Navy took delivery of PCU Mississippi (SSN 782) from General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) yesterday May 2, 2012 one year early to the submarine’s contract delivery date of April 30, 2013. PCU Mississippi took just more than 62 months to build, which set the record for the Virginia Class Submarine Program’s fastest delivery

May 3, 2012 23:16

HDW Delivers the Fourth Dolphin Class Submarine to the Israel Navy

HDW Delivers the Fourth Dolphin Class Submarine to the Israel Navy

Following successful builders sea trials the Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) shipyard in Kiel delivered today the forth Dolphin class submarine to the Israel Navy. This 68 meter long ‘Super Dolphin’ submarine is believed to be the largest produced in Germany since World War II.

May 3, 2012 22:06

Aeronautics to Supply Finland with 55 Orbiter Mini-UAV Systems

Aeronautics to Supply Finland with 55 Orbiter Mini-UAV Systems

Finland has selected the Israeli Orbiter-2 mini-UAV system for its next generation Unmanned Aerial System to be used in support of the tactical ground forces. The acquisition of 55 systems is expected to be worth about US$30 million.

May 3, 2012 17:43

United Nations Approves Sanctions Against North Korean Companies

United Nations Approves Sanctions Against North Korean Companies

the United Nations’ Security Council approved sanctions against three North Korean state-controlled firms ordering all nations to immediately initiate a freeze on all the assets of the companies. The sanctions are being imposed for the firm’s role in the failed 13 April North Korean satellite launch.

May 3, 2012 09:31

With the Last F-22A Delivered, the Raptor’s Modernization is Only Beginning

With the Last F-22A Delivered, the Raptor’s Modernization is Only Beginning

While the last of 195th F-22 Raptors was delivered to the U.S. Air Force, at its home base in Alaska, other Raptors are being Upgraded to Assume Precision Strike Missions

May 2, 2012 20:43

Switzerland to Pick an Israeli Successor for the Ranger

Switzerland to Pick an Israeli Successor for the Ranger

The Swiss defense forces has shortlisted two Israeli Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for the next generation Swiss reconnaissance drone. The Heron 1 drone from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Hermes 900 proposed by Elbit Systems were the two systems shortlisted by the Swiss evaluation team

May 2, 2012 14:42

Research: Armored Vehicles Market to Shrink by one Billion US$ over the next Decade

Research: Armored Vehicles Market to Shrink by one Billion US$ over the next Decade

Market research company ICD predicts the global market for armored and counter IED vehicles which was valued at US$25.1 billion in 2011 will decline during the next nine years, as global operations in Afghanistan and Iraq drawing down toward the second half of the decade. As a result, the global [...]

May 2, 2012 13:51

Research: With 150 New Submarines to be Built until 2021, the Submarine Market Seems to be on Solid Ground

Research: With 150 New Submarines to be Built until 2021, the Submarine Market Seems to be on Solid Ground

The military submarine market is expected to continue growing in a modest pace through the second decade of the 21st century, as naval forces are inducting modern, more capable submarines, designed for extended operational missions at sea.

May 2, 2012 11:56

Research: Global UAS Market to Grow by 4 Percent Annually until 2021

Research: Global UAS Market to Grow by 4 Percent Annually until 2021

The global UAV market is expected to increase at a Combined Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.08% in the ten-year period between 2011 and 2012. While the demand for advanced technology UAVs is forecast to be on the rise, particularly for MALE UAVs, the global economic pressure and high R&D costs are driving JVs and consolidation in the developed markets, while low reliability and high accident rate limit the use of UAS mainly to combat roles.

May 2, 2012 10:20

Beyond Visual Range – Stealth Fighters in Asia

Beyond Visual Range – Stealth Fighters in Asia

Unlike the US requirements for all-aspect stealth for its future combat aircraft, other countries have other requirements and may opt for different stealth fighters mean different technological approaches for their future fighter planes. The article examines what India could be looking for in its future stealth planes.

May 2, 2012 08:43

Gamma Laser Demonstrates Burning Through an Anti-Ship Missile Skin

Gamma Laser Demonstrates Burning Through an Anti-Ship Missile Skin

Northrop Grumman has test fired a ruggedized and compact high power solid-state laser designed to form the basic module of future, operational laser weapons.

May 2, 2012 06:55

US Army Allocates Half a Billion to Support Mobile Countermine Radar

US Army Allocates Half a Billion to Support Mobile Countermine Radar

The US Army awarded NIITEK, Inc. a sole source contract for the supply of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Husky Mounted Detection System (HMDS). This multi-year contract has a ceiling of US$579 million with an initial order of $161 million. This contract provides the U.S. Army the ability to procure spares [...]

May 1, 2012 22:22

HardwareWall to Secure Predator and Reaper Ground Control Systems

HardwareWall to Secure Predator and Reaper Ground Control Systems

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has received the first delivery of the Boeing tactical cross-domain technology, also known as eXMeritus HardwareWall, designed to improve the ability of intelligence analysts and warfighters to securely access videos and imagery from the MQ-1Predator and MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). GA-ASI contracted Boeing to [...]

May 1, 2012 21:22

Lockheed Martin Develops a Lightweight Precision Weapon for Tactical UAVs

Lockheed Martin Develops a Lightweight Precision Weapon for Tactical UAVs

Lockheed Martin successfully tested a new, lightweight precision guided weapon called ‘Shadow Hawk’ designed specifically for deployment from tactical unmanned aerial systems such as the MQ-7B Shadow 200 used by the US Marine Corps and Army.

May 1, 2012 17:25

US and the Philippines Reaffirm Defense Alliance

US and the Philippines Reaffirm Defense Alliance

Against a backdrop of a Filipino-Chinese standoff in a small corner of the South China Sea, senior US and Filipino representatives concluded defense discussions 30 April with a firm commitment to fully honor their respective mutual defense treaty obligations.

April 30, 2012 09:17

Remington Defense to Supply M4A1 Carbines to the US Army

Remington Defense to Supply M4A1 Carbines to the US Army

Remington Arms Company was award an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to supply up to 120,000 M4/M4A1 carbines, for a maximum amount of US$180 million. The Army has initially ordered 24,000 M4A1 carbines from Remington; deliveries will start in September, 2013.

April 27, 2012 17:21

India Launches a SAR Satellite Risat-1

India Launches a SAR Satellite Risat-1

The Indian Space Research Organization launched yesterday the second radar imagery satellite, and the first indiginously built by the country’s space research organization (ISRO). The satellite named Risat-1 successfully deployed into a polar orbit at an altitude of 480 km and orbital inclination 97.552 degrees. Risat-1 has an expected life [...]

April 27, 2012 13:21

Following the Trophy Success, RAFAEL Develops Hard Kill Countermeasures for Helicopters

Following the Trophy Success, RAFAEL Develops Hard Kill Countermeasures for Helicopters

RAFAEL has demonstrated key elements for an active defense system for helicopters, designed to protect from unguided weapons such as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG). The ‘Fliker’ interceptor is designed to minimize debris and thereby reduce the risk that shrapnel will hit and damage the aircraft.

April 27, 2012 09:11

Patriot PAC-3 Assisted by JLENS, Successfully Intercept a Cruise Missile Target

Patriot PAC-3 Assisted by JLENS, Successfully Intercept a Cruise Missile Target

Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 Missile successfully intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile target yesterday at the Utah Test and Training Range, in an unprecedented interoperability demonstration utilizing the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) and the PATRIOT system.

April 26, 2012 21:05

US Wants a Stake in Israel’s Iron Dome Technology

US Wants a Stake in Israel’s Iron Dome Technology

Defense lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives are demanding ‘rights to Israel’s the Iron Dome Technology’ before releasing the requested $680 million to follow-on production of the Iron Dome anti-rocket weapon systems for Israel The Washington news blog The Hill reports. “The United States has invested nearly $900 million into Iron Dome work, yet it has no rights to the technology involved.”

April 26, 2012 09:58

Does the US Need Two Military Clandestine Services?

Does the US Need Two Military Clandestine Services?

The Pentagon is launching a new intelligence organization called ‘Defense Clandestine Service’ (DCS), focusing on interests of ‘national intelligence’ rather than battlefield intelligence and tactical support for the warfighter.

April 25, 2012 17:10

The U.S. Navy Orders Longer Endurance Fire Scouts

The U.S. Navy Orders Longer Endurance Fire Scouts

The U.S. Navy is ordering eight enhanced unmanned helicopters to be delivered by Northrop Grumman under the designation MQ-8C Fire Scout Endurance program. The Navy plans to deploy 28 such helicopters.

April 25, 2012 08:47