WEAPONS

US Army selects Dynetics to produce mobile ground-based weapon system.

//Credit: Dynetics Inc.

The US Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space has awarded Leidos subsidiary Dynetics 2.5 year, $237m contract to manufacture its mobile ground-based weapon system, Enduring Shield, designed to counter cruise missile and uncrewed aircraft system threats.


Dynetics will develop and deliver 16 field-able launcher prototypes, 60 interceptors and related all-up round magazines for the Indirect Fires Protection Capability weapon system programme.


The contract includes an option for follow-on production of 400 launchers with related interceptors.


Dynetics Weapons Technology and Manufacturing senior vice-president Ronnie Chronister said: “Dynetics looks forward to delivering this next-generation solution to meet the army’s needs now and in the future.


“We’re ready to tackle this urgent schedule, supporting the safety of our soldiers with this integrated air and missile defence capability.”


Dynetics offered its platform along with the Raytheon Missiles & Defense AIM-9X Sidewinder interceptor and environmentally sealed all-up round magazines.

POLICY

UK, US and Australia launch defence and security partnership


The UK, US and Australia have formed a defence and security partnership to further improve joint development capabilities and technology sharing. Known as AUKUS, the collaboration will encourage deeper security and defence-related science, technology, industrial base and supply chain integration.


AUKUS will enhance joint capabilities and technology sharing development between the three countries. It is intended to help better protect and defend the three countries’ shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen the UK’s Integrated Review commitment.


UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The UK, Australia and US are natural allies. While we may be separated geographically, our interests and values are shared. The AUKUS alliance will bring us closer than ever, creating a new defence partnership and driving jobs and prosperity.”


According to the UK Government, the initial scoping phase for the new partnership is expected to take at least 18 months. Following the announcement of the new security partnership, several naval projects have been confirmed for South Australia.

BUSINESS & REGULATION

India and Australia to conduct navy-to-navy talks


The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed the terms of reference with Australia to conduct navy-to-navy talks.


It follows the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) signing the ‘Joint Guidance for the India – Australia Navy-to-Navy Relationship’ agreement last month. The document is the first of its kind that the Indian Navy has signed with any other country.


The Indian MoD noted that the inaugural navy-to-navy talk with Australia was held in 2005. Since then, the navies of the two nations have continued to maintain a close relationship at all levels.

WEAPONS

Rohde & Schwarz to deliver KORA systems for German frigates


Rohde & Schwarz has won a contract from Thales to provide its R&S KORA systems for integration onto the German Navy’s new F126 frigates. Financial details of the mutual gain approach contract were not disclosed by the companies. The intercept and analysis system will support communications and radar electronic support measures (ESM).


R&S KORA is designed to detect, recognise and track complicated and broadband radar emissions and communications transmissions. According to the company, it provides a complete picture of the scenario by integrating detection results gathered from various signals.

WEAPONS

US Navy flight tests Trident II D5LE missiles from USS Wyoming


US Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN-742) has launched an unarmed Trident II life-extension (D5LE) missile off the coast of Cape Canaveral in Florida. The planned, two-missile test flight was conducted as part of the Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO-31) on 17 September.


DASO aims to assess and show the readiness of SSBN submarines’ Strategic Weapon System before operational deployment after the completion of the submarine’s engineered refuelling overhaul.


According to the US Navy, the latest launch marks 184 successful missile test flights of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE) strategic weapon system. The Lockheed Martin Space Systems Trident II (D5) missile recently underwent a life extension programme to overcome ageing and obsolescence.

INVESTIGATION

US to conduct fresh review of Kabul drone strike investigation


The US Department of Defense (DoD) has ordered a review of a previous investigation regarding the drone airstrike in Kabul, Afghanistan, last month.


The move comes days after the previous investigation by the US Central Command (Centcom) concluded that the strike killed ten Afghan civilians instead of eliminating ISIS-K planners.


In a statement, DoD said that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin III has asked Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to appoint a three-stars or higher ranked military officer to review the Centcom investigation.


The review will be completed in 45 days and the reviewing officer is expected to provide necessary recommendations. 

EXERCISE

Swedish Army hosts multinational Joint Protector 21 exercise


The Swedish Armed Forces are hosting the multinational Joint Protector 21 command post exercise in Älvdalen. The UK-led ten-day exercise is scheduled to end on 26 September. Joint Protector 21 aims to enhance multilateral operational command-post cooperation between Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) countries.


JEF is a coalition of ten countries, namely Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. The multinational command post exercise involves fictitious events.

EXERCISE

US Air Combat Command conducts Strategic Validation Exercise 4


The US Air Force’s Air Combat Command has completed the Strategic Validation Exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton, Virginia. This, the fourth iteration of the exercise, included active-duty wing commanders and their designated representatives from 28 wings within the command.


It focused on stress testing and enhancing key concepts of the new Air Force Generation (AFFORGEN) model, force presentation, and Agile Combat Employment at the wing level of operations. AFFORGEN is the new force-generation model that replaces the Air Expeditionary Force construct to ensure sustainable and high-end airpower readiness for the joint force. It restructures force generation into four six-month readiness phases that span a 24-month cycle.

CONTRACTS

Viasat secures US DoD research contracts to explore 5G potentiality


Viasat has secured two research contracts from the US Department of Defense (DoD) to assess the use of 5G networks on the battlespace.


The two contracts are awarded through the Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP). They are part of a $600m initiative announced last year by the DoD to explore 5G technology to strengthen combat capabilities. The contracts will focus on two areas: improving command and control (C2) applications and services, and 5G enhanced network deployment for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operations in contested environments.


In the first case, Viasat will offer C2 hardware packages to support command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR), networking and cybersecurity software. Subsequently, 5G technology will be used to integrate these capabilities into tactical networks to enhance visibility across the battlespace.

Northrop Grumman wins DARPA contract for PNT payload Phase II effort


Northrop Grumman has received a contract from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Blackjack programme for the Phase II development of an advanced, software-defined positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) payload. It includes options to build units destined for space flight.


The Phase II effort is worth $13.3m if all options are exercised. Northrop Grumman’s Future PNT Systems Operating Unit in Woodland Hills is leading the PNT payload work. This team supports DARPA Tactical Technology Office’s aim of achieving ‘resilient and affordable national security space capabilities’ from low-Earth orbit. The payload has been developed to keep troops on target even in confined environments against advanced threats.


The Blackjack project aims to build a constellation of cost-effective, small, secure, and resilient military satellites leveraging commercial satellite technologies.

Avon Protection wins US DLA’s ESAPI body armour contract


Avon Protection has secured a contract from the US Defense Logistics Agency to supply enhanced small arms protective insert (ESAPI) body armour plates. This contract is the first of two one-year extension options exercised by the DLA under the original ESAPI contract awarded to the company in March last year.


The framework contract has a maximum value of $333m over 3.5 years. The exercise of this initial option extends the contract until September next year. It also allows a minimum order value of $19m for the option year.


ESAPI is a product from 3M’s Ceradyne ballistic-protection business, which was purchased by Avon earlier last year.


According to the company, the exercise of the option also allows an additional $3m in contingency payments to 3M under the acquisition terms of the Ceradyne ballistic protection business, bringing the total contingent consideration payable so far to $7m.

Boeing selects Queensland’s Toowoomba site for Loyal Wingman facility


Boeing has selected the Toowoomba site in Queensland, Australia, to establish its final assemble facility for its Airpower Teaming System (ATS), also known as Loyal Wingman military combat aircraft. The announcement follows a deal involving the company, the Queensland Government and Toowoomba’s Wagner Corporation.


The facility will be built at Wagner’s Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct to produce and assemble the Boeing ATS, dependent on defence orders. The establishment of the new facility is expected to generate new opportunities for Toowoomba.


Last October, the company said that it would build its Loyal Wingman aircraft in the Australian state. The Toowoomba facility will be the company’s first-ever aircraft assembly facility outside North America.

Projects

US Navy plans to use UAS for cargo transport

The US Navy is assessing the feasibility of using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for cargo transport between vessels or from ship to shore. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division has acquired a logistics UAS prototype to demonstrate the transfer of cargo over long ranges. The vehicle will be tested and upgraded for military sealift requirements.

Naval Group delivers first Suffren-class submarine to French Navy 

French shipbuilder Naval Group has delivered the first of six Suffren-class nuclear attack submarines for the French Navy. This delivery marks an important milestone in the Barracuda programme, which upgrades the submarine component of France's nuclear deterrent.

Iran unveils domestic ballistic missile launcher

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has reportedly unveiled a domestically built ballistic missile launching system. Tasnim news agency reported that the air force manufactured thdine automated system, which is used for launching long-range ballistic missiles.

Exercises

Australian Navy tests robots for counter-disaster operation

The Royal Australian Navy has tested robots in a simulated counter-disaster operation. As part of exercise Autonomous Warrior Genesis, the navy tested uncrewed land, air and sea vehicles in response to a simulated humanitarian relief scenario.

US and Japan complete exercise Keen Sword 21 

US Indo-Pacific Command units and the Japan Self-Defense Force have completed exercise Keen Sword 21, a joint-bilateral field training exercise in Japan. It involved maritime and air operations, amphibious landings, missile defence exercises, resupply, cyber and space operations.

Royal Air Force concludes Exercise Crimson Warrior 

The Royal Air Force has concluded Exercise Crimson Warrior, a three-week training operation involving fast jets, helicopters and unmanned air systems with involvement from the British Army, US Air Force and US Marines. Exercise Crimson Warrior has been adapted from Cobra Warrior with missiodinns being added to support the F-35B and helicopters that form part of the Carrier Strike Group Air Wing.

In brief

Fabri-Kal launches Recycleware Containers to expand sustainability

Food packaging solutions provider Fabri-Kal has expanded its sustainable product offerings with the launch of its new Recycleware Containers. Manufactured in the US, the products contain a minimum of 20-50% post-consumer recycled PET material and are recyclable.

Burger King and TerraCycle’s Loop to pilot new reusable packaging 

Fast-food chain Burger King has partnered with TerraCycle’s circular packaging service, Loop, to pilot new reusable packaging. The partnership is part of the brand’s Restaurant Brands for Good framework to help reduce packaging waste.

Stora Enso launches take-away bowls for food service packaging 

Pulp and paper manufacturer Stora Enso has partnered with wholesale company Tingstad to market its new food service take-away bowls, PureFiber. The packaging is designed to replace plastic on-the-go food packaging. It is free from plastic and PFAS.

H&M presents new Looop garment-to-garment recycling system

Swedish clothing-retail company H&M is introducing a garment-to-garment recycling system that helps transform old textiles into new ones. Known as Looop, the container-sized machine promotes circularity in fashion and keeps unwanted garments from turning into waste.