Raytheon Secures $1.1 Billion Contract to Increase AMRAAM Production for Allied Nations
13 Sep, 2024 - 8:46
Raytheon, a division of RTX, received a $1.1 billion contract modification from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on September 11, 2024, aimed at boosting the production of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) under Lot 38.
The Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) – Global Defense Cor
This contract supports Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to a group of allied nations, including Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Approximately $603 million of this amount will be funded by these partner nations.
The proven effectiveness and adaptability of the AMRAAM ensure its continued use in the air forces of various nations, whether on F-16s, F-35s, or European fighters like the Gripen and Tornado (Picture source: US DoD)
The AMRAAM, designated AIM-120, is an all-weather missile that has been in service for more than 30 years and is currently used by the air forces of 36 countries.
- Known for its versatility, this missile can be integrated with various combat aircraft, such as the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35, among others. It is also compatible with the Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS), further expanding its deployment capabilities.
Production of this additional Lot 38 will take place in Tucson, Arizona, with a completion date set for December 31, 2028. - The previous Lot 37, awarded in 2023, is still under production and is expected to be completed by January 2027.
- This contract modification aims to deliver additional quantities of AMRAAM missiles, telemetry systems, spare parts, and production support equipment to meet growing global demand.
The AMRAAM missile, measuring 3.6 meters in length and weighing 150.7 kilograms at launch, carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead of 18.1 kg. It can strike targets up to 30 nautical miles away using an onboard active radar and inertial navigation system, allowing it to operate independently from the aircraft's fire control radar after launch. This "fire-and-forget" capability enables pilots to engage multiple targets simultaneously, making it a crucial tool in modern air combat.
The proven effectiveness and adaptability of the AMRAAM ensure its continued use in the air forces of various nations, whether on F-16s, F-35s, or European fighters like the Gripen and Tornado.
- It is noteworthy that the Bulgarian Air Force, while still operating Russian-made MiG aircraft, is transitioning toward Western platforms such as the Gripen, with 13 currently in service.
This latest contract award highlights the importance of maintaining a strong production line for the AMRAAM, addressing the needs of both U.S. military forces and their international allies.
On September 10, 2024, L3Harris Technologies announced the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the US Air Force's Global ...
Sep
14
The cooperation between the U.S. Army and Finnish Company Patria Corporation reached a significant milestone this week at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference in Fort Moore, Georgia. On September 10, 2024, soldiers successfully demonstrated various fire missions using U.S.-manufactured mortar ammunition with the Patria NEMO 120 mm Turreted Mortar System.
Sep
13
The U.S. Army is set to replace its aging ICVD Stryker Dragoon 8x8 armored vehicles with the new ICVVA1-30mm, an upgraded version of the original Stryker 8x8 armored vehicle, according to a report shared on the official LinkedIn account of PEO Ground Combat Systems on September 12, 2024. This development is part of a broader push by the U.S. Army to upgrade its mechanized units with advanced technology capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Sep
13
Recent footage released by Chinese state media shows the first test of the electromagnetic catapult launch system on China's most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian. The test represents a major step forward in modernizing China's naval aviation capabilities. Read full Naval News at this link ...
Sep
14
The cooperation between the U.S. Army and Finnish Company Patria Corporation reached a significant milestone this week at the Maneuver Warfighter Conference in Fort Moore, Georgia. On September 10, 2024, soldiers successfully demonstrated various fire missions using U.S.-manufactured mortar ammunition with the Patria NEMO 120 mm Turreted Mortar System.
Sep
13
The U.S. Army is set to replace its aging ICVD Stryker Dragoon 8x8 armored vehicles with the new ICVVA1-30mm, an upgraded version of the original Stryker 8x8 armored vehicle, according to a report shared on the official LinkedIn account of PEO Ground Combat Systems on September 12, 2024. This development is part of a broader push by the U.S. Army to upgrade its mechanized units with advanced technology capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare. Read full Defense News at this link ...
Sep
13
Recent footage released by Chinese state media shows the first test of the electromagnetic catapult launch system on China's most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian. The test represents a major step forward in modernizing China's naval aviation capabilities. Read full Naval News at this link ...
--
Sep
13
As reported by the Russian news website Vestnik-RM on September 12, 2024, the Russian army may deploy the latest generation of the BMPT-72 Terminator fire support vehicle on the battlefield in Ukraine. The BMPT used by Russian forces, commonly known as the BMPT Terminator model 2017, is an updated version of the BMPT-72 Terminator 2. Introduced into Russian service in the late 2010s, this model saw its first significant deployment for the invasion of Ukraine.
Sep
13
As part of its military support to Ukraine, Latvia plans to deliver a batch of Patria armored vehicles in 2025. This decision is in line with European countries' ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defense against the Russian invasion. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa recently confirmed this assistance during her visit to Kyiv in September 2024. This delivery is part of a military aid package valued at 40 million euros.
Read full news at this link...
Read more...
Sep
13
From September 8 to 11, 2024, the U.S. and Italian navies, alongside the Royal Australian Air Force, conducted joint military exercises in the South China Sea. This four-day operation aimed to strengthen cooperation between the nations and promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific," as outlined in an official statement released on Thursday.
Sep
13
On September 11, 2024, SkyNews published satellite images revealing the presence of a Russian cargo ship suspected of transporting ballistic missiles from Iran. This transfer marks a strengthening of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. The development was confirmed by the United States and several European allies, representing a new phase of Iran’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.
Sep
13
According to The Nziv Report on September 12, 2024, Yoav Turgeman, CEO of Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, announced that its Iron Beam High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) will become operational with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) next year. This 100kW system is intended to be a new component of Israel's air defense system, serving as the "final line of defense" against drones, rockets, and mortars. It is expected to enter active service by late 2025. Read full defense news at this link...
Sep
13
As Australia prepares to receive its first Apache helicopters in just over a year, five Australian Army pilots are getting a head start by familiarizing themselves with the platform. These pilots, who previously flew the ARH Tiger, are embedded with the US Army, gaining valuable flight experience on the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter.
Sep
13
At the Army-2024 exhibition, the Russian Army presented the "Impulse-KPTM," a new unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) designed for mine-laying operations. This UGV is fitted with 30 launch barrels, each capable of housing various mine dispensers, allowing it to deploy up to 120 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines simultaneously to create different types of minefields. Additionally, the vehicle can tow various types of vehicles and trailers, enhancing its operational flexibility.
Sep
13
The German armed forces, known as the Bundeswehr, recently tested both variants of their new G95 assault rifle at a Panamanian center frequently used by the U.S. Army's Tropical Regions Test Center (TRTC). These tests are part of the Bundeswehr's ongoing efforts to evaluate its equipment in various extreme environments.
Read full news at this link...
Read more...
Sep
13
SIG Sauer has launched the MCX-SPEAR 6.8X51 rifle on the civilian market, marking the beginning of a new era in weaponry and ending the 30-year dominance of the M4. Developed by SIG Sauer as part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, this rifle is designed to meet the demands of modern combat, offering increased range, superior firepower, and unmatched modularity.
Read full news at this link...
Read more...
Sep
13
On September 6, 2024, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) marked a turning point in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology with the successful first flight of its tilt-duct Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV). Conducted in Essington, Pennsylvania, this test represents a major advance for autonomous missions such as casualty evacuation and cargo resupply.
Sep
13
Oshkosh Defense, LLC, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, announced it has received a direct commercial sale (DCS) order to supply Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) A1 tractors and 635NL trailers to Optimum Vehicle Logistics, LLC, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These systems will be deployed by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, supporting their ongoing modernization efforts. Read more.
Read full Defense news.
Sep
13
On September 12, 2024, the US company Anduril Industries presented the Barracuda family of air-breathing, software-defined expendable Autonomous Air Vehicles (AAVs). The Barracuda series includes three variants: Barracuda-100, Barracuda-250, and Barracuda-500, each compatible with various payloads and employment mechanisms to support a broad range of missions.
Sep
13
The Argentine Army once again finds itself at a crossroads of unresolved decisions regarding the modernization of its Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicles (VCBR) fleet. The reequipment program, meant to incorporate new 8x8 vehicles, is stalled without concrete progress, while technical and strategic choices remain pending.
Sep
13
The development of domestic aircraft engines has long been considered a weakness of China's aerospace industry. For decades, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) fighter jets were primarily powered by engines derived from Soviet or Russian designs or produced under license. However, China's economic, industrial, and military rise has enabled its aerospace industry to advance and develop its own engines. These engines now equip the main fourth and fifth-generation combat aircraft.
Sep
13
India and the Philippines continue to strengthen their bilateral defense relations with the recent announcement of a strategic partnership aimed at co-developing military equipment. This initiative was presented during the fifth meeting of the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in Manila, where India's Defense Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, invited the Philippines to collaborate with India's defense industry for joint armament production.
Read full news at this link...
Read more...
Sep
12
In August 2024, General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, visited Soldiers of Echo Battery, Task Force Talon, 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, stationed in Guam, conducting a re-enlistment ceremony and evaluating key Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems critical to the island's security. Read full Defense News at this link ...
No comments:
Post a Comment