The United States is providing Ukraine with $800 million to enhance domestic long-range drone production, empowering Kyiv to counter Russian aggression with its own weaponry. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted Ukraine’s capability to mass-produce effective, long-range drones, supporting deep strikes against Russian targets. This assistance not only bolsters Ukraine’s military capacity but also relieves pressure on Western arms production amid increased global demand. Unlike restricted missile use, there are no limitations on Ukraine’s deployment of drones, which are economical and can achieve strategic disruption against Russian assets. Additionally, allies like Denmark, Canada, and the Netherlands are contributing to […]
Category: USA
Finland Approves AARGM-ER Acquisition For F-35
Finnish Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen authorized the procurement of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missiles for the Finnish Defence Forces. These AGM-88G AARGM-ER missiles will equip the F-35A multi-role fighters, enhancing survivability against adversarial long-range ground-based air defenses. This acquisition, managed by the Finnish Defence Forces Logistics Command, includes missiles, software, spare parts, training, and support services from 2024 to 2031. The AARGM-ER system is a new capability for Finland, initially requested as part of the HX Programme, with U.S. Congressional approval granted in 2023. Finland joins a select group of countries authorized to procure the AARGM-ER missiles, […]
US government clears big upgrade package for Polish F-16s
The U.S. State Department has approved a foreign military sale to Poland worth up to $7.3 billion for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper Midlife Upgrade (MLU), according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The MLU package includes 58 Improved Programmable Display Generators, test missiles, and 58 Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 AESA Scalable Agile Beam Radars (SABR). Poland will also receive 58 Embedded GPS Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) with anti-spoofing capabilities and precise positioning features. Additionally, the sale includes 73 Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suites or 73 AN/ALQ-254V(1) L3Harris Viper Shield electronic warfare systems. This upgrade will significantly enhance […]
Pentagon inks supply chain agreement with Germany
The Pentagon has signed a new agreement with the German military to strengthen defense industrial supply chains, a priority since the start of the Ukraine war. The arrangement aims to help both nations quickly access the resources needed to meet defense demands and address unexpected supply chain disruptions. Under the agreement, the U.S. will offer Germany some level of assurance through the U.S. Defense Priorities and Allocations System, with decisions made by the Department of Defense and the Commerce Department. In return, Germany will implement a “Code of Conduct” for its defense industry, encouraging companies to prioritize support for U.S. […]
New Data Shows a Rapidly Expanding Space Workforce
#analysis The global space industry is expanding rapidly, adding over 26,000 jobs between 2022 and 2023, particularly in countries like the US, Japan, India, and across Europe. This growth is nearly four times larger than the previous year, reflecting a thriving global space economy that has doubled in size over the last decade. In the US, the commercial space workforce increased by 4.8%, marking its seventh consecutive year of growth. Europe saw even faster growth, with countries like the UK growing its space workforce by 19%, and France, Germany, and Italy following closely behind. India and Japan are shifting from […]
Experts Discuss Ukraine’s Use of Western Military Equipment
#analysis The ongoing war in Ukraine is consuming Western-supplied tanks and fighter jets as Ukrainian forces employ them in high-risk, high-reward strategies, according to military experts. They argue that the West should expect losses if Ukraine uses these assets effectively. Michael Bohnert from RAND Corporation suggests that if weapons like F-16s or Abrams tanks survive the war, they likely weren’t used to their full potential. William Alberque from the Stimson Center adds that using these weapons, even if destroyed, is justified if they help inflict significant losses on Russia. Despite sending older models, Western allies must embrace the risks involved […]
DOD Initiative Aims To Recruit Silicon Valley’s Top Minds As Tech Reservists
The Defense Department aims to integrate Silicon Valley’s top talent into the military by offering part-time officer positions to technology executives. The initiative would involve inviting chief technology officers and other senior tech professionals to serve in high-ranking roles within the military reserves. These “tech reservists” would be called upon periodically to assist with short-term projects in areas like cybersecurity and data analytics. This program marks the first effort by the armed forces to enlist private-sector technology experts as paid, uniformed reservists to capitalize on their expertise. Original news
Estonia Considers Additional HIMARS Order Amid Competitor Talks
Estonia is considering a second order of Lockheed Martin’s M142 HIMARS and has begun talks with other competitors, including South Korea, Turkey, and Israel, to explore alternative options. Estonia’s national armaments director, Magnus Saar, stated that any new HIMARS deal depends on delivery times and pricing from the U.S. government. The country initially signed a $200 million deal for six HIMARS in 2020, with deliveries delayed until next year. Estonia’s growing defense budget, spurred by concerns over Russia, includes significant investments in artillery, air defense, and loitering munitions. Tallinn is also collaborating with Latvia and Lithuania on joint HIMARS use […]
SpaceX secures new contracts worth $733.5 million for national security space missions
SpaceX has been awarded $733.5 million in contracts for nine launches under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program. These launches include seven missions for the Space Development Agency (SDA) and two for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program, with a total value of $5.6 billion, is structured as an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to support U.S. defense and intelligence agencies. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will be used to deploy small satellites into low-Earth orbit for SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer, enhancing military communications. […]
US imposes sanctions on Chinese companies accused of helping make Russian attack drones
The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on two Chinese companies for helping Russia build long-range attack drones used in Ukraine. This marks the first U.S. penalties targeting Chinese firms for collaborating with Russian defense companies to produce complete weapons systems. The sanctions aim to disrupt direct ties between Beijing and Moscow, as China’s Garpiya drones have been used by Russia to target Ukrainian infrastructure, resulting in casualties. The Chinese Embassy denied the accusations, calling them false and criticizing U.S. unilateral sanctions. The sanctions also target Russian companies and individuals involved in facilitating the production and shipment of these drones. Original […]
RTX Reaches $1B In Settlements Over Raytheon Bribery Allegations
RTX Corp., formerly Raytheon, has agreed to pay over $950 million to settle allegations of government fraud and bribery to secure business with Qatar. The company entered into deferred prosecution agreements in federal courts in Brooklyn and Massachusetts, agreeing to hire independent monitors for compliance with anti-corruption laws. The settlement includes criminal penalties, civil fines, restitution, and the return of profits from inflated defense contracts and bribes paid to a Qatari military official. Additionally, RTX resolved a $428-million civil settlement for inflating labor and material costs on no-bid contracts, driving up profits. The company acknowledged its misconduct and committed to […]
Danish counter-drone technology firm MyDefence announced a new R&D facility in US
Danish counter-drone tech firm MyDefence is opening a second US location in Oklahoma, announced during AUSA 2024. The new R&D facility, part of a USD 1.2 million investment, will be built near downtown Oklahoma City and create 48 new jobs. According to MyDefence CTO Jan Johansson, the facility will allow closer collaboration with US partners. Oklahoma, a hub for C-UAS technology, was chosen due to its proximity to the Army’s C-UAS Center of Excellence at Fort Sill. This expansion reflects MyDefence’s commitment to enhancing US defense partnerships. Original news
In ‘war of industrial capacity,’ West shouldn’t go 1-to-1 on ammo with Russia: Nammo CEO
A leading European ammunition manufacturer, Nammo, suggests that competing with Russian artillery production by quantity is futile, emphasizing the importance of quality through advanced technology such as precision and longer-range capabilities. Nammo CEO Morten Brandtzaeg highlighted that Europe and the US produce 1.2 million shells annually, far below Russia’s three million, but stressed Europe’s focus on increasing production capacity with government support. Countries like Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Germany have taken significant steps in bolstering local industry through subsidies. The European Union’s Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), pledging €500 million, aims to help Europe meet a production target […]
MDA Investigating Low-Cost Interceptor Concepts, Envisions Two-Year Sprints
The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) recently issued a notice seeking innovative missile defense system technologies, architectures, and concepts aimed at developing low-cost interceptors or systems. The October 10 request for information (RFI) specifically calls for exploring technologies and prototypes to significantly reduce the cost per kill, excluding directed energy systems like high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves. The MDA expressed interest in using spiral development processes in two- to three-year sprints, beginning as early as 2025, to incrementally introduce new technologies and system builds for more affordable solutions. Final briefing papers for the RFI are due by November 15. Original […]
Sikorsky to install Matrix on US Army’s MX Black Hawk aircraft
Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky has been awarded a $6 million contract by DARPA to equip the US Army’s experimental UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with the Matrix flight autonomy system. The Matrix system aims to improve flight safety, reliability, and efficiency for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft under DARPA’s Aircrew Labour In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program. The upgraded UH-60M, designated as MX, will feature autonomy capabilities that allow for single-pilot or fully autonomous operation. Sikorsky’s integration of the system, scheduled for next year, will help the US Army assess autonomy features, including obstacle detection and sensor integration. These advancements align with […]