Defense Industry Daily

Americas Northrop Grumman has opened a new facility in Madison, Alabama, to increase the production of crucial Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) components. The facility, named the Enhanced Production and Integration Center (EPIC), will integrate technological and digital advancements in the process to support the US Army’s accelerated modernization plan for air and missile defense. With 175,500 square feet (16,304 square meters) of production space, EPIC can manufacture up to 96 Engagement Operation Centers (EOCs), 96 Integrated Collaborative Environments (ICEs), and 192 Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN) relays annually. The Air Force is still a few years away from getting its hands on its first E-7 aircraft for airborne early warning and control, but the service is already seeking industry input on new systems to either enhance or replace the sensor capabilities of the Wedgetail—or possibly even acquire new capabilities for an entirely different targeting and battle management platform. The plan is to start an engineering and manufacturing effort in fiscal 2027, around the same time as the first E-7 gets delivered. Middle East & Africa The US State Department has approved the foreign military sale of engines for the Israel Defense Forces’ Eitan 8×8 armored personnel carriers. The $180-million deal covers […]

Amercias The US Army is exploring a significant acceleration in the production of 3D-printed drones capable of replicating the capabilities and behaviors of enemy systems. The push comes as the army anticipates the rollout of a program aimed at rapidly developing low-cost target drones for training exercises. According to Gen. James Rainey, head of Army Futures Command, there is a critical need to simulate unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats, particularly for preparing platoons to counter drone swarms. Conti Federal has completed the modernization of an F-35 sustainment facility at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) in Fort Worth, Texas. The Maintenance Hangar Building 1643 project is a milestone for the US Air Force’s 301st Fighter Wing, which covers on-call response duty using their F-16 Fighting Falcons and the newer F-35 Lightning IIs. The deal to renovate this “critical” part of the base was secured by the company in February 2023 and is valued at $8.4 million. Middle East & Africa Maj. Gen. Saddam Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Ground Forces, met with senior Turkish officials on April 4, 2025, which was the anniversary of Libya’s second civil war that began in 2018. Haftar, son of eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, […]

Americas American defense firm CoAspire has test-launched its 3D-printed Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) from a fighter jet. The missile has the same physical dimensions as a 500-pound (227-kilogram) class MK-82 general-purpose or GBU-38 guided bomb. CoAspire explained that the RAACM is designed for compatibility with any aircraft equipped to carry a GBU-38. Company-provided images show the system configured with several platforms, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II. The US Army has put its precision strike capability on full display, successfully launching the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) from an M270A2 artillery launcher during a recent trial. The test, conducted at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, validated the missile’s ability to launch from multiple platforms while maintaining accuracy, range, and rapid responsiveness. According to the US Army, the M270A2-launched PrSM delivered optimal performance across all parameters, meeting all test objectives and expectations. Middle East & Africa Iran’s foreign minister will visit ally Russia this week to discuss nuclear negotiations with the United States, ahead of a new round of talks between the foes planned for Rome. On Saturday, Abbas Araghchi held talks with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in Oman, the highest-level negotiations since […]

Americas The New Zealand Defense Force has finalized the sale of four retired Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules aircraft to American aerial firefighting company Coulson Aviation for $9 million. The deal, announced on April 11, marks a new chapter for the venerable aircraft that were officially retired from military service earlier this year. The aircraft will be prepared for flight and flown to Coulson’s Maintenance Base in Thermal, California by a commercial crew over the next few months, where they will undergo substantial upgrades and conversion to firefighting tankers. Bell Textron, based in Fort Worth, Texas, has received a contract extension worth about $14.6 million to continue supporting H-1 military aircraft. This extension covers the fourth and fifth years of a long-term agreement that originally included five optional one-year periods. The contract is a firm-fixed-price agreement, meaning the price won’t change. It was awarded without competition, following specific government rules that allow for sole-source contracts when only one supplier is considered suitable. The support will continue until April 13, 2027, for the US Marine Corps. The funding for the project will come from the defense budget for the years 2025 through 2027. The contract was issued by the […]

Americas Collins Aerospace, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been awarded a $33.5 million order under a previously issued basic ordering agreement. The contract supports the replacement of the obsolete Control Display Navigation Unit (CDNU) 900 with the updated CDNU-7000 series for the US Navy’s C/KC-130T aircraft. Work will be carried out in Cedar Rapids and is scheduled for completion by December 2027. The full contract amount will be funded by Fiscal Year 2025 Navy aircraft procurement funds, which will be obligated at the time of the award. These funds will not expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was not competitively awarded. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, located in Patuxent River, Maryland, is managing the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin in Moorestown, New Jersey, received a $23.8 million contract modification to provide cooling systems and AEGIS combat system support equipment for U.S. Navy and allied ships under the Foreign Military Sales program. If all options are used, the total contract could reach $36.1 million. The work will be done mostly in New Jersey and partly in Florida, and is expected to finish by May 2030. The contract is funded by the U.S. Navy, Canada, and […]

Americas Austal USA has christened the US Navy’s sixth Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue vessel, the USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), in Mobile, Alabama. The ceremony is part of a 10-ship development program to replace the force’s Powhatan-class ocean tugs and Safeguard-class rescue vessels, which have been operational since the 1980s. The new system was named after a Nisqually tribal member and Korean War veteran awarded the Albert Schweitzer Prize for humanitarianism, Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom for more than three decades of service to the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. Fairbanks Morse Defense and South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore potential collaboration on future international naval programs, the companies announced today. The agreement, signed during the Sea Air Space conference, marks the latest example of growing cooperation between the US maritime sector and major shipbuilders from South Korea and Japan. These partnerships align with the US Navy’s ongoing effort to bolster the domestic shipbuilding industrial base by encouraging international investment and strategic collaboration. Middle East & Africa General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Israeli defense contractor Rafael to manufacture a new […]

Americas Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $22.5 million contract change to continue its support for international partners in the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet program. The funding will go toward operating and maintaining special labs used by Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom to reprogram their F-35 systems. This includes providing supplies and on-site technical support. Most of the work (80%) will be done in Eglin, Florida, with the rest (20%) in Fort Worth, Texas. The project is expected to finish by April 2026. The full amount is being funded by the participating countries, not the US Department of Defense. The contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process by the Naval Air Systems Command in Maryland. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, located in Moorestown, New Jersey, has received a $62.6 million contract modification to continue work on modernizing the AEGIS system, building new DDG-51 Navy destroyers, and producing systems for allied navies. This is part of an existing contract, and if all options are used, the total contract value could reach $80.5 million. The work is being done for both the US Navy, which covers 46% of the cost, and the Australian […]

Americas Raytheon won a $117 million modification to exercise an option and provide funding for manufacturing, assembly, test and delivery of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Tactical All-Up Rounds in support of full rate production requirements. Work is expected to be completed by April 2029. Fiscal 2025 weapons procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $117,066,704 was obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity. The US Space Force announced more than $13.5 billion in launch contracts Friday to SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for missions that will fly between fiscal years 2027 and 2032. The awards are part of the service’s National Security Space Launch program, or NSSL, which it uses to acquire nearly all military launch missions. Under the deal, SpaceX will receive $5.9 billion to fly 28 missions, ULA $5.3 billion to launch 19 and Blue Origin $2.3 billion to conduct seven. Middle East & Africa Israeli forces have launched a ground offensive in Gaza City, the military said Friday, expanding their operations as rescuers reported at least 30 killed across the Palestinian territory since dawn. Since renewed military […]

Americas The US State Department has approved the sale of M4A1 carbine assault rifles to Ecuador in a deal valued at up to $64 million. The sale is expected to strengthen Ecuador’s ground defense capabilities by providing modern, versatile weaponry to enhance the operational effectiveness of its armed forces. Along with the rifles, the deal includes Magpul PMAG M4 magazines, technical manuals, training, and program and logistics support. American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Co. LLC, based in Magnolia, Arkansas, has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract valued at $17,144,712 for the supply of KC-135 fuel cells. This competitive acquisition process yielded two responses. The contract spans three years with an additional six-month option period, set to conclude by April 2, 2028. The U.S. Air Force will utilize these services, funded by fiscal 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting authority for this project is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Middle East & Africa The US Department of State has approved a potential $400 million sale to Kuwait for the upgrade and recertification of its Patriot missile systems. The planned foreign military sale will include equipment, maintenance services, training, and logistical support. According to the Defense […]

Americas Polaris Government and Defense has introduced two military snowmobile models built with enhanced capabilities for sub-zero conditions. Powered by the 850 Patriot engine, the 2026 Military 850 TITAN 155 arctic workhorse vehicle features 25 percent more torque and power than its predecessor, the 2025 Military 650 TITAN 155.  Meanwhile, the lightweight 2026 Military 850 RMK 155 is optimized for deep snow and off-trail patrol and reconnaissance operations. GE Aerospace has secured a subcontract from Bell Textron to design, develop, and deliver avionics systems for the US Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program. The award follows Bell’s Milestone B approval in August 2024, advancing the program into the engineering and manufacturing development phase. Under the subcontract, GE Aerospace will develop a digital backbone for the future attack helicopter, incorporating Time-Sensitive Networking for high-speed, reliable data exchange. Middle East & Africa Yemen’s Houthis said a strike they blamed on the US killed a guard at a communications tower on Thursday, as rebel media reported more than 20 strikes before dawn. There was no immediate statement from Washington, which has carried out a wave of strikes against Houthi targets in recent weeks after President Donald Trump vowed to pummel the rebels […]

Americas Lockheed Martin won a modification, which adds scope to provide engineering and program management support as well as test assets, testing, and solution development in support of the F-35 reliability and maintainability improvement program for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Foreign Military Sales (FMS), and non-US Department of Defense (DOD) participants. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2028. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Honeywell International won $10,965,150 for a firm-fixed-price delivery order under previously for the repair of 42 aircraft power units used on the P-8 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All work will be performed in Phoenix, Arizona, and work is expected to be completed by May 2027. Annual working capital funds (Navy) in the full amount of $10,965,150 will be obligated at time of award and the funds do not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. Middle East & Africa Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Typhoon 30 remote weapon station (RWS) has successfully completed […]

Americas The US Marine Corps has created the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) to enhance combat effectiveness by integrating advanced drone technology into its operations. This team will focus on training Marines to use first-person view (FPV) drones, which are increasingly important in modern conflicts. MCADT will also act as a hub for expertise in drone tactics, helping the Marine Corps develop new capabilities and refine requirements for unmanned systems. Based at Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Virginia, the team will collaborate with the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory to ensure Marines remain agile and effective in evolving battlefields. The initiative reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, where FPV drones have proven their value in disrupting enemy formations and providing precise battlefield intelligence. MCADT’s mission includes integrating combat lessons, competing in national and international drone competitions, and refining drone capabilities through hands-on training. Its first public appearance will be at a military drone championship this summer, where it will compete against elite units like the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment. This effort marks a significant step in modernizing Marine Corps capabilities by leveraging cost-effective and scalable drone solutions for future conflicts According to Defense News, the […]

Asia-Pacific The US Navy has awarded Boeing Co., based in St. Louis, Missouri, a $12,943,999 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00383-25-F-YY1F) for the repair of the leading edge flap antenna used on F/A-18 aircraft. This sole-source contract was issued under 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1), with Boeing as the only offeror. Work will be conducted at three locations: Mesa, Arizona (60%); Lansdale, Pennsylvania (31%); and St. Louis, Missouri (9%). The project is expected to be completed by March 2030. Funding from Navy working capital funds was fully obligated at the time of award and will remain available beyond the current fiscal year. The Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is managing this contract. Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $4.9 billion contract by the USArmy for the production of its long-range Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) under Increment One. The contract follows a competitive solicitation process, with only one bid submitted. The award builds on successful tests, including a live-fire exercise in mid-2024 where the PrSM engaged a moving maritime target, and a production qualification flight test in 2023. Work will be completed by March 2030 at an undisclosed location. Middle East & Africa A senior Hamas official on Monday […]

Americas Anduril has clinched a $642-million contract to supply counter-drone technology for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Under the 10-year deal, the defense tech company will install, deliver, and sustain installation-counter small unmanned aircraft systems and related services to USMC bases worldwide starting this year through 2035. The California-based firm bested nine other unnamed competitors in the solicitation issued in February last year. It is expected to provide a network of defenses to detect, track, identify, and defeat small drones and other threats against USMC installations and personnel. The US Air Force 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 3 recently conducted an operational taxi test at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, successfully integrating a US Navy AGM-84 Harpoon missile system onto an F-16 fighter. The AGM-84 Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-shipping missile system capable of being launched from aircraft, surface ships, submarines, and shore batteries. The Harpoon/F-16 combination is already in use as an anti-shipping platform by a limited number of international F-16 customers such as Greece and Taiwan. Middle East & Africa Turkish firm Aselsan has tested successfully a mobile laser weapon system, dubbed GÖKBERK, against first-person-view (FPV) drones, the company said today in a statement. GÖKBERK detected, […]

Americas Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions won a $15 million modification, which exercises options for the Delta Software System Configuration-5 retrofit effort of Weapons Systems Trainer (WST)-1 and WST-2, to include associated training, technical data, computer software, and computer software documentation for each WST in support of the E-2D Hawkeye Integrated Training Systems for the Navy. Work will be performed in Point Mugu, California and is expected to be completed in September 2027. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity. The Canadian military has announced plans to acquire new helicopters to respond to potential crashes involving the F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets in the Arctic. The decision comes amid concerns that the aircraft’s single-engine feature might be a drawback for operations in the country’s far north, where harsh weather conditions and vast, remote terrain heighten the risks associated with engine failure. According to a senior Royal Canadian Air Force officer, the new helicopters could replace the service’s current Griffon fleet in carrying out specialized missions, including emergency response. These choppers would also support joint operations with the US military and participate in Canada’s overseas missions in Latvia. Middle East & Africa A US Army AH-64 […]

Americas The US Army has begun modernizing its ground combat fleet with the delivery of new Stryker armored vehicles and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) to Pennsylvania’s 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, also known as the Independence Brigade. This marks a significant upgrade for the brigade, which is part of the Pennsylvania National Guard and the first reserve component Stryker unit. The upgraded Strykers feature “double-V” hulls designed to deflect explosive forces, improving protection and reducing casualties compared to older flat-bottom models. Meanwhile, the JLTVs will replace outdated Humvees, offering better protection, mobility, and payload capacity for modern combat needs. The first 25 vehicles will be used for training at Fort Indiantown Gap before deployment to units. In total, 324 upgraded Strykers and 300 JLTVs will be delivered to enhance the brigade’s readiness for future missions. Epirus has obtained $250 million in additional funding for its Leonidas high-power microwave weapon program, marking a significant boost for the directed-energy defense sector. This investment comes at a time when the global directed energy weapons market is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating an increase from $8.76 billion in 2025 to $20.07 billion by 2029. The new funding will allow Epirus to scale […]

Ultra APV demonstrator (click to view full) In an age of non-linear warfare, where front lines are nebulous at best and non-existent at worst, one of the biggest casualties is… the concept of unprotected rear echelon vehicles, designed with the idea that they’d never see serious combat. That imperative is being driven home on 2 fronts. One front is operational. The other front is buying trends. These trends, and their design imperatives, found their way into the USA’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program, which aims to replace many of the US military’s 120,000 or so Humvees. The US military’s goal is a 7-10 ton vehicle that’s lighter than its MRAPs and easier to transport aboard ship, while offering substantially better protection ad durability than existing up-armored Humvees. They’d also like a vehicle that can address front-line issues like power generation, in order to recharge all of the batteries troops require for electronic gadgets like night sights, GPS devices, etc. DID’s FOCUS articles offer in-depth, updated looks at significant military programs of record. JLTV certainly qualifies, and recent budget planning endorsements have solidifed a future that was looking shaky. Now, can the Army’s program deliver? JLTV: Program & Risks ONR’s […]

Americas Top Aces has introduced an innovative AI-driven “constructive wingman” designed to enhance adversarial air combat training. Developed in collaboration with EpiSci, Coherent Technical Services Inc. (CTSi), and Seger Aviation LLC, this technology mimics the flight patterns and maneuvers of advanced enemy aircraft for realistic pilot training. The AI-powered wingman is integrated into Top Aces’ F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighters (AAF) via the Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS). Using a Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) interface, pilots can control formations and tactics in real-time, simulating complex Beyond Visual Range (BVR) scenarios. The system also increases the number of adversary units in training while reducing operational costs. This cutting-edge solution provides 5th-generation fighter pilots with more dynamic and challenging training environments, ensuring improved readiness for modern combat situations. Irving Shipbuilding, based in Nova Scotia, has secured an $8 billion contract to develop the first three of 15 River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy. This six-year program will construct the ships named HMCS Fraser, HMCS Saint-Laurent, and HMCS Mackenzie. The advanced River-class destroyers will replace Canada’s aging fleet and are designed for various missions, including anti-submarine warfare and humanitarian assistance. The contract also includes spare parts, maintenance services, and training to ensure […]

Americas Collins Aerospace, a company based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has won a contract worth about $80 million to create a new avionics system for the Army’s H-60M helicopters. The new system will use a Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), which means it will be easier to upgrade and modify in the future. The contract was awarded by the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. Only one company submitted a bid for this project, which was advertised online. The work is expected to be completed by March 7, 2029. The H-60M is a newer version of the Black Hawk helicopter, used by the Army for various missions. This upgrade will improve the helicopter’s electronic systems, potentially enhancing its capabilities and making it easier to maintain. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently showcased the advanced autonomy capabilities of its MQ-20 Avenger drone during a flight test. The demonstration involved sequential use of two autonomy software systems, highlighting significant advancements in unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) technology. The initial phase of the flight was controlled by the U.S. government’s reference autonomy stack, focusing on air-to-air combat scenarios. A government-provided Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) enabled seamless control and monitoring of the system. Mid-flight, […]

Americas Donald Trump has vowed to construct a ‘Golden Dome’ – similar to Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ missile defense – as he build :”the most powerful military of the future”. The first step, he told a joint sitting of the United States Congress is to fund a “state-of-the-art missile shield to protect our homeland”. The initiative aims to shield US from a rapidly evolving array of aerial threats, including a range of ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. Trump’s latest announcement to the Congress is being seen as the official renaming of the US’ flagship security initiative, initially launched as the “Iron Dome for America”. Researchers at the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI) are developing 3D-printed dark ceramics for hypersonic missiles and aircraft. These materials are ideal for withstanding extreme conditions due to their durability and resistance to degradation. Using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printers, the team can create complex shapes with high precision, allowing for intricate designs with smooth surfaces. This technology is crucial for producing components like sharp cones and hemispheres, which are essential for hypersonic vehicle construction. The 3D-printed dark ceramics can withstand extremely high temperatures and intense pressures, making them a significant advancement in hypersonic technology. This breakthrough could […]