https://www.janes.com/Janes news RSS feed.aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73ddf69c46-33da-4af5-9237-5a14b5e9080d6039e3d5-07cd-49f9-a90a-fb8fdb3fae5d7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2d5362760d-afa2-4075-a915-2e0dfff2efa1e6e540b3-9252-4df7-8a34-dadf35b814dba30e25c2-4d7c-47fc-96c6-4bec3e63c537 urn:uuid:38c7b707-87e3-4028-bba9-366570c987cchttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/italy-to-enhance-ssa-with-new-ground-based-sensors aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73The Italian National Armaments Directorate (NAD) is procuring three ground-based sensors to enhance the country's space situational awareness (SSA), Janes learnt at the...Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:35:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]a22fe4d0-e1f8-4d70-b07b-22dc4483e2cf?sfvrsn=61d7a96f_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73919-jdw-26172.jpeg?sfvrsn=61d7a96f_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">Flyeye is a multiple-optics telescope with a very wide field of view that will be capable of classifying objects in space as small as 15 cm in LEO and 35 cm in MEO. The 6.5 m high and 4 m wide telescope will be used by the Italian Space Agency and military for SSA. (OHB Italia)</p> <p> The Italian National Armaments Directorate (NAD) is procuring three ground-based sensors to enhance the country's space situational awareness (SSA), <em>Janes </em> learnt at the Military Space Situational Awareness <strong></strong> Conference 2024, held in London from 22 to 24 April. </p> <p>In total, two optical telescopes and one high-performance radar are being procured as part of its national SSA plans, Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinando Dolce, the head of SSA at NAD, said at the conference.</p> <p>The first sensor being procured is a high-performance optical surveillance telescope from OHB Italia called Flyeye, Lt Col Dolce said. </p> <p> Flyeye will have the capacity to monitor objects in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO), Commander of the Space Situational Awareness Centre at the Italian Air Force Colonel Dario Tarantino told <em>Janes</em> . The system will achieve initial operating capability (IOC) in 2027 and full operating capability (FOC) by 2029, he added. </p> <p>The second optical sensor being procured is a small telescope that will improve Italy's ability to monitor and protect its SICRAL (Italian System for Secure Communications and Alerts) GEO satellites. The procurement process is under way, with a contract being finalised, Lt Col Dolce said. He was unable to comment on which company had been selected. Italy already has two telescopes which monitor SICRAL, although, a third capability is required to augment and improve performance, he added. </p> <p><strong></strong></p>urn:uuid:b5926d98-51fb-4e1c-8117-8223f3f6cae6https://www.janes.com/defence-news/update-bae-systems-outlines-type-26-frigate-progress-amid-steelworker-shortage ddf69c46-33da-4af5-9237-5a14b5e9080dBAE Systems Naval Ships in Glasgow is outsourcing steel work and introducing a new automated panel line as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of a steelworker...Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:05:15 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]20782118-7658-4d9b-8e6f-61c93fd0c02f?sfvrsn=37206cac_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73683-jni-26163.jpeg?sfvrsn=37206cac_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small"> HMS Cardiff will be the last Type 26 to be consolidated in the open. (Richard Scott/NAVYPIX)</p> <p> BAE Systems Naval Ships in Glasgow is outsourcing steel work and introducing a new automated panel line as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of a steelworker deficit on the UK Royal Navy's <strong></strong> (RN's) Type 26 City-class anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigate programme. </p> <p> Sir Simon Lister, managing director of the Naval Ships business, said these measures – allied to the construction of a new ship assembly hall being built at the company's Govan yard – are intended to offset shortages in steel trades while at the same time improving efficiency and productivity. However, he acknowledged during a 9 April media briefing that current labour force shortages mean that BAE Systems is unlikely to hit its scheduled delivery milestones until fourth ship HMS <em>Birmingham</em> . </p> <p> BAE Systems Naval Ships is under contract to build eight Type 26 frigates for the RN, with construction running through to the mid-2030s. The first three – the subject of a GBP3.7 billion (USD4.6 billion) contract awarded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in mid-2017 – are in various stages of construction and outfit. First-of-class HMS <em>Glasgow</em> is fitting out in dry dock at Scotstoun (the focal point for final outfit, commissioning, test, and trials); second ship HMS <em>Cardiff</em> is progressing towards structural completion on the hardstanding at Govan, with work ongoing to install and align the vessel's shaft lines; and major modules for third ship, HMS <em>Belfast</em> , are being built up in Govan's ship block and outfit hall. </p> <p><strong></strong></p>urn:uuid:062c6b1b-3898-437f-8aa9-95686f257af1https://www.janes.com/defence-news/airbus-flies-racer-high-speed-helicopter aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73Airbus Helicopters has flown its Rapid and Cost-Efficient Rotorcraft (RACER) concept for the first time, the company announced on 25 April.Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:50:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]5f299d05-525c-4388-b2e0-6b9d2b729ec3?sfvrsn=6675de4e_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73934-jdw-26162.jpeg?sfvrsn=6675de4e_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">The RACER high-speed helicopter departed Marignane on its maiden flight on 25 April. (Airbus)</p> <p>Airbus Helicopters has flown its Rapid and Cost-Efficient Rotorcraft (RACER) concept for the first time, the company announced on 25 April.</p> <p>The milestone took place at Airbus Helicopters' Marignane production facility in southern France, with the maiden flight lasting for approximately 30 minutes during which the aircraft's flight characteristics were assessed.</p> <p>“This important milestone launches the flight campaign, which will take two years and will aim to progressively open the aircraft's flight envelope and demonstrate its high-speed capabilities,” Airbus said.</p> <p>First revealed at the Paris Air Show in 2017, the RACER is geared towards providing the best trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency, sustainability, and mission performance. The concept has a stated goal of a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h (250 mph).</p> <p>To achieve this performance, the helicopter builds on the company's X3 demonstrator, which features an EC 365 Dauphin airframe fitted with two stub-wing mounted propellers for forward propulsion in high-speed flight. The tail rotor of the X3 has been replaced by a fixed stabiliser assembly and, while the X3's propellers were in the conventional ‘pull' configuration, the RACER's propellers have been reversed into the ‘push' configuration instead.</p> <p>Further to proving high-speed flight, the RACER is also looking to increase the helicopter's fuel efficiency. The lateral rotors and the main rotor will be driven by two RTM322 engines, with an ‘eco mode' for an electrically powered start and stop of one engine in flight for fuel savings and increased range.</p> <p> As previously reported by <em>Janes</em></p>urn:uuid:af150803-f7be-4727-b926-d359f3c0f111https://www.janes.com/defence-news/qinetiq-demonstrates-jet-to-jet-mum-t-for-first-time-in-the-uk aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73QinetiQ has for the first time in the UK demonstrated manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) between jet aircraft.Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:05:26 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]df5838f4-c35f-43db-bf42-9cdd643434d1?sfvrsn=80077bfe_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73940-jdw-26161.jpeg?sfvrsn=80077bfe_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">An artist's impression of a demonstration announced on 25 April, in which QinetiQ for the first time in the UK demonstrated MUM-T between jet aircraft. (QinetiQ)</p> <p>QinetiQ has for the first time in the UK demonstrated manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) between jet aircraft.</p> <p>Announced by the company on 25 April, the demonstration at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Boscombe Down site in southern England saw a manned BAe 146 testbed aircraft provide inflight tasking to a modified unmanned Banshee Jet 80 target drone.</p> <p>“The success of this trial demonstrates that the combination of [MUM-T] between current front-line combat aircraft and next-generation drones can be potentially achieved successfully with the existing combat air fleet, while offering the potential to increase combat capability in an affordable manner,” QinetiQ said, adding that the mission was completed not only by the live Banshee but also a number of digital Banshees within a live-virtual swarm.</p> <p>For the demonstration, the Banshee was equipped with QinetiQ's Airborne Command and Control for Swarm Interoperable Missions (ACCSIOM) technology, which, the company said, enabled the drone to communicate with the manned aircraft using the same messaging format as the standard NATO Link 16 datalink.</p> <p>“Instrumental to the deployment of autonomous air platforms, the technology provides an airborne gateway, which can receive and translate both long-range and short-range communications between drones while in-built safety systems can override the autonomy to ensure the drone stays at all times within a safe operating area,” QinetiQ said.</p> urn:uuid:0ec59845-1c79-4f83-b73d-125367bd9a3fhttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/netherlands-poland-approved-for-aargm-er-seaddead-missiles 6039e3d5-07cd-49f9-a90a-fb8fdb3fae5dThe US government has approved the sale of the Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) to the Netherlands and Poland.Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:05:26 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]78bc1876-affb-4f06-98d5-0bd13b9d082b?sfvrsn=dc47575b_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73922-jdw-26160.jpeg?sfvrsn=dc47575b_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">An AARGM-ER seen being test fitted into the internal weapons bay of an F-35 combat aircraft. The US has approved the sale of the missile to both the Netherlands and Poland. (Northrop Grumman)</p> <p>The US government has approved the sale of the Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) to the Netherlands and Poland.</p> <p>Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 24 April, the approvals cover 265 of the suppression of enemy air defences/destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD) missiles for the Netherlands for approximately USD700 million, and 360 missiles for Poland for approximately USD1.275 billion. Both approvals cover related equipment, training, and support.</p> <p>“The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands'/Poland's capability to meet current and future threats by strengthening its self-defence capabilities to suppress and destroy land- or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defences. This capability denies the adversary the use of its air-defence systems, thereby improving the survivability of the Netherlands'/Poland's tactical aircraft,” the DSCA said of both approvals.</p> <p>Though not named in the notification, the host aircraft for the AARGM-ER for both countries will be the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Australia and Finland have both previously been approved for the AARGM-ER to equip their respective F-35A fleets also.</p> urn:uuid:0f99a3ff-9bbc-49fd-8ae0-5aadd117f265https://www.janes.com/defence-news/initial-flight-trials-demonstrate-excalibur-fta-fit-for-purpose-says-leonardo 7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2dInitial flight trials of the 757 airframe that is to be converted to the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft (FTA) project to de-risk the Tempest future fighter have shown it...Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:50:11 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]58f80483-d3ae-4f4e-a4cb-e36e1da6caee?sfvrsn=68564b23_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73915-jdw-26159.jpeg?sfvrsn=68564b23_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">Seen after being delivered to 2Excel's facility in Lasham, Hampshire, in 2023, the 757 airframe that is to be converted into the Excalibur FTA made its first flight from MoD Boscombe Down. (Leonardo)</p> <p> Initial flight trials of the 757 airframe that is to be converted to the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft (FTA) project to de-risk the Tempest future fighter have shown it to be “fit for purpose”, an official from Leonardo told <em>Janes</em> . </p> <p>Speaking at a UK industry showcase event for the future combat air power, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) of which the Tempest demonstrator is a part, Dave Morris, head of campaigns Future Combat Air – GCAP at Leonardo, said the first round of flight trials out of Ministry of Defence (MoD) Boscombe Down in southern England had gone well and that there should be no issues ahead of fitting aircraft with its Tempest mission equipment.</p> <p>“The first flight happened at Boscombe Down a couple of months ago. It is still in its initial flight tests, but it has shown us that it is up to the job and fit for purpose – everything has gone fine with it,” Morris said at the event being held at the home of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London on 24 April. “2Excel [which conducted an engineering study into the 757 airframe to understand its construction in-depth] has done a great job!”</p> urn:uuid:a3f8d00e-74d3-4408-a9a4-0f5151b48dd4https://www.janes.com/defence-news/uae-inaugurates-globaleye-early-warning-aircraft 5362760d-afa2-4075-a915-2e0dfff2efa1The Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on 24 April that a reception ceremony for an early warning aircraft had been held at Al-Dhafra...Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:50:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]26840726-2902-4ed4-80c5-009f893d9a8d?sfvrsn=f86497f_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73935-jdw-26158.jpeg?sfvrsn=f86497f_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">The UAE's fourth Saab GlobalEye was delivered on 18 April. (Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates)</p> <p>The Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on 24 April that a reception ceremony for an early warning aircraft had been held at Al-Dhafra Air Base.</p> <p>It cited Major General Ibrahim Nasser al-Alawi, the commander of the Air Force and Air Defence (AFAD), as saying the aircraft was a “qualitative addition” that will help protect the country's strategic interests.</p> <p>The MoD released a video showing a Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&amp;C) aircraft without AFAD markings being escorted by F-16 and Mirage 2000-9 fighters before landing at Al-Dhafra, as well as personnel with 8th Aviation Wing badges working at a ground station.</p> <p>Saab confirmed on the following day that it delivered the fourth of five GlobalEyes ordered by the UAE on 18 April.</p> <p>The AFAD became the launch customer for the GlobalEye when an order for two was announced during the Dubai Air Show in November 2015. An order for a third was announced in 2017, with Saab reporting that it delivered that aircraft in February 2021. The Swedish company announced earlier that year that the UAE had signed a follow-on contract worth USD1 billion for two more GlobalEyes in December 2020.</p> <p>Also operated by the Swedish Air Force, the GlobalEye uses the Bombardier Global 6000 long-range business jet as a platform for Saab's Erieye Extended Range radar fitted on top of the aircraft's fuselage. While the company describes the GlobalEye as an AEW&amp;C, it also has a Leonardo Seaspray 7500E radar and FLIR Systems Safire electro-optical system mounted in pods under the fuselage, enabling it to carry out ground and maritime surveillance.</p> urn:uuid:3ab96f5e-55db-4ccf-ba7c-ce242344edf2https://www.janes.com/defence-news/indias-galaxeye-developing-satellite-with-multiple-sensors-for-earth-observation aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73Bangalore-based GalaxEye Space is developing a satellite that can carry multiple sensors for Earth observation to support the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:35:13 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]3860f1be-dbbd-4513-b6af-694300c03673?sfvrsn=8addb4de_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73901-jdw-26157.jpeg?sfvrsn=8addb4de_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A computer-aided design model of the satellite that GalaxEye Space is developing to conduct Earth observation for defence forces. The satellite will be equipped with SAR and EO sensor for enhanced surveillance. (GalaxEye Space)</p> <p>Bangalore-based GalaxEye Space is developing a satellite that can carry multiple sensors for Earth observation to support the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>Janes </em>at the Indian DefSpace Symposium 2024 held in Delhi from 18 to 20 April, Deb Jyoti Pal, senior vice-president of business development at GalaxEye said the company is planning to launch the satellite into space in early 2025 for evaluation.</p> <p>This low Earth observation (LEO) satellite will host an electro-optic (EO) sensor, and a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) with both sensors capturing data simultaneously to provide a more holistic view of strategic areas of interest, Pal added.</p> <p>“The SAR sensor can capture data in day and night, and in any weather condition including in foggy or cloudy environment. EO sensors are not able to do this. On the other hand, SAR data can be difficult to interpret. This is where EO data can benefit a user,” Pal said.</p> <p>“We will capture SAR and EO data, and fuse them to provide the best of both these data to defence forces,” Pal added.</p> urn:uuid:fda8c513-d9c2-48a3-9e07-27ed05b393bdhttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/special-report-australia-to-accentuate-maritime-capabilities-amid-chinas-coercion ddf69c46-33da-4af5-9237-5a14b5e9080dThe Australian government has released two more policy documents that outline its defence development intentions over the next few years. The two documents – National...Thu, 25 Apr 2024 10:50:14 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]dcc105ed-1b91-4285-a7d1-98667877bb5b?sfvrsn=5f504733_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73675-jdw-26152.jpeg?sfvrsn=5f504733_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class guided-missile destroyer fires a Harpoon surface-to-surface missile during Exercise ‘Pacific Vanguard' 2022. The class will be equipped with the Naval Strike Missile in the future. (Commonwealth of Australia)</p> <p>The Australian government has released two more policy documents that outline its defence development intentions over the next few years. The two documents – National Defence Strategy (NDS) 2024 and Integrated Investment Program (IIP) 2024 – were unveiled by Australia's Minister of Defence Richard Marles on 17 April. </p> <p>The new policies follow Australia's Defence Strategic Review (DSR) – issued in April 2023 – and its evaluation of surface combatant capabilities, which was released earlier in 2024.</p> <p>As outlined in the IIP 2024, the Australian government is projected to spend AUD765 billion (USD496 billion) in the decade between 2024 and 2034 on defence programmes. This amount includes an additional AUD56 billion above the previous trajectory that was forecast for this period.</p> <p>A notable feature of this projected spending for 2024–34 is the proportion that will be allocated towards the maritime domain, which is by far the most when compared with others. The maritime domain represents 38% of this projected spending while the land and air domains will represent about 16% and 14% respectively. The remainder will be allocated towards the enterprise and infrastructures (22%), cyber (7%), and space (3%) domains.</p> <p>A clue that may explain this relatively large allocation can be found in the NDS, which highlighted China's employment of “coercive tactics” in pursuing its national objectives including “forceful handling of territorial disputes and unsafe intercepts of vessels and aircraft operating in international waters and airspace”.</p> <p><strong></strong></p>urn:uuid:c63f9306-0d40-4350-9c80-063469389014https://www.janes.com/defence-news/vietnam-issues-diplomatic-note-to-malaysia-after-south-china-sea-collision ddf69c46-33da-4af5-9237-5a14b5e9080dHanoi has issued a diplomatic note to Putrajaya after a Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) vessel collided into a Vietnamese fishing boat in disputed waters of...Thu, 25 Apr 2024 07:35:10 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]a670e389-269a-4552-a349-d9a28976b247?sfvrsn=59eaa69c_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73900-jdw-26147.jpeg?sfvrsn=59eaa69c_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small"> A file image of KM Arau , which collided into a Vietnamese fishing vessel on 22 April. (MMEA)</p> <p> Hanoi has issued a diplomatic note to Putrajaya after a Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) vessel collided into a Vietnamese fishing boat in disputed waters of the South China Sea, multiple sources close to the matter confirmed to <em>Janes</em> . </p> <p> Vessels involved in the collision are the MMEA's sole Arau (Nojima)-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) KM <em>Arau</em> and an unnamed fishing boat with pennant number 90729. </p> <p>The collision took place on 22 April at about 15 n miles southeast of Investigator Shoal, which lies within the Spratly Islands cluster. The feature is occupied by Malaysia, but also claimed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan as part of their respective maritime territories.</p> <p>As a result of the collision, 22 fishermen from 90729 fell overboard and a search-and-rescue operation (SAR) was established by both the Vietnamese and Malaysian authorities.</p> <p> The MMEA, also referred to in-country as the Malaysia Coast Guard, deployed a Bombardier CL-415MP aircraft to assist in the SAR. Also deployed for the operation was the Royal Malaysian Navy's first-of-class Jerong-class fast attack craft, KD <em>Jerong</em> . </p> <p> Among those that fell overboard, 17 fishermen were rescued by other Vietnamese fishing vessels in the area. Five others were rescued by <em>Arau</em> and brought to Kota Kinabalu, East Malaysia, for medical attention, <em>Janes</em> was informed. </p> <p><em>Janes</em> also understands that <em>Jerong</em> remains on-station near Investigator Shoal at the time of publication. Vietnamese government vessels, including at least one navy vessel, are also on site where the collision occurred but the identities of these ships cannot be immediately confirmed. </p> urn:uuid:9be16981-fd25-429d-b37c-4d56c1f3ceb8https://www.janes.com/defence-news/brazilian-army-seeks-12-uh-60m-black-hawk-helicopters 7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2dThe Brazilian Army is to acquire 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters to replace its eight HM-3 Cougar and four HM-2 Black Hawk helicopters, said Army...Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:05:49 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]41e17b64-6c67-4b91-a8db-15d1b75d763a?sfvrsn=388630cf_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73888-jdw-26146.jpeg?sfvrsn=388630cf_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A Brazilian Air Force UH-60L Black Hawk. The Brazilian Army is set to replace its HM-2 Black Hawk fleet with newer examples. (Leandro Maldonado)</p> <p>The Brazilian Army is to acquire 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters to replace its eight HM-3 Cougar and four HM-2 Black Hawk helicopters, said Army Commander General Tomás Miguel Miné Ribeiro Paiva during a 17 April presentation to the Brazilian Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense.</p> <p>Gen Tomás noted that the fleet is to be purchased through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme and entails purchasing surplus helicopters, which will be refurbished before transfer to the Brazilian Army Aviation Command (CAvEx).</p> <p>The acquisition is being carried out as part of the Army Strategic Program Army Aviation (Prg EE Av Ex). The phasing out of the Cougar and Black Hawk helicopters was approved in December 2023.</p> <p>The HM-3 is fielded by the 2nd Army Aviation Battalion and the 3rd Army Aviation Battalion, and the HM-2 is deployed by the 4th Army Aviation Battalion.</p> <p>The US Department of State approved a possible sale to the Brazilian Army for three UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and 12 Dillon Aero M134D 7.62×51 mm machine guns in 2014; however, this sale had never materialised.</p> urn:uuid:f93200ac-c1df-4a1e-96ff-4cefa82d3383https://www.janes.com/defence-news/brazil-to-update-a-29-super-tucano-aircraft-fleet aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73Embraer Defense and Security is to carry out the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 68 of the EMB 314 (locally designated A-29) Super Tucano training and light attack aircraft of...Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:05:47 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]2966415b-05d9-4e06-bdd1-24c95ec62885?sfvrsn=8bf0fd8_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73890-jdw-26145.jpeg?sfvrsn=8bf0fd8_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A Brazilian Air Force Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano light attack/counter-insurgency aircraft. The details of Brazil's fleet upgrade are as yet undisclosed. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)</p> <p>Embraer Defense and Security is to carry out the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of 68 of the EMB 314 (locally designated A-29) Super Tucano training and light attack aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force, the service's commander Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno said on 17 April during a presentation to the Brazilian Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense.</p> <p>The MLU is intended to extend the lifespan of the aircraft by up to 25 years, Lt Brig Damasceno said, and follows a June 2023 agreement between Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force to study a technological refresh of the Super Tucanos, although details were not disclosed.</p> <p>Brazil purchased 25 A-29A and 51 A-29B aircraft in 2001, adding eight A-29As and 15 A-29Bs in 2005. The fleet was received between 2003 and 2012.</p> <p><em>For more information, please see</em>Embraer sees market for 490 Super Tucanos .</p> urn:uuid:d432432d-3d41-4c9e-a405-19185c8d35bdhttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/brazil-to-buy-additional-vbmt-lsr-guaicurus-44-vehicles e6e540b3-9252-4df7-8a34-dadf35b814dbThe Manufacturing Directorate of the Brazilian Army plans to acquire up to 420 new Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) Light Multirole Vehicles (LMVs).Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:50:13 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]d4be9b41-ba4a-4169-9ed7-518619329117?sfvrsn=3ff4da3f_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73879-jdw-26142.jpeg?sfvrsn=3ff4da3f_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">The new VBMT-LSR Guaicurus vehicles will include configurations with the new Ares REMAX 4 remotely controlled weapon station. (Victor Barreira)</p> <p>The Manufacturing Directorate of the Brazilian Army plans to acquire up to 420 new Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) Light Multirole Vehicles (LMVs).</p> <p>The IDV and the Army High Staff signed a protocol of intent on 17 April to pave the way for this acquisition. Designated Viatura Blindada Multitarefa Leve Sobre Rodas (VBMT-LSR) Guaicurus in Brazil, the 4×4 vehicle project is part of the army's Strategic Program Armoured Forces (Programa Estratégico do Exército Forças Blindadas: Prg EE F Bld).</p> <p>The contract for the acquisition is currently being drafted, according to the army's projects office.</p> <p> The Brazilian LMV will be acquired in different configurations, the army's Manufacturing Directorate told <em>Janes</em> in 2023. </p> <p> The original VBMT-LSR project called for acquiring an initial batch of 32 LMVs and placing subsequent orders for two tranches of 77 vehicles each. The plan has since evolved to procuring 420 vehicles, thanks to ordering fewer new IDV VBTP-MSR Guarani 6×6 armoured vehicles than originally planned, a defence sector source told <em>Janes</em> . </p> <p><em>To read more on Brazil's armour upgrade, please see</em>IAV 2024: Brazil upgrades armour.</p> urn:uuid:4fe4145a-cd24-4ad6-8099-7fe90721002chttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/spain-upgrades-and-acquires-more-nasams-systems e6e540b3-9252-4df7-8a34-dadf35b814dbThe Spanish government has announced the EUR410 million (USD438 million) modernisation and acquisition of additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:50:12 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]2fa7a55f-ff5a-44cf-86f1-b707b6450a68?sfvrsn=67fde1f8_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73880-jdw-26141.jpeg?sfvrsn=67fde1f8_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A Spanish NASAMS anti-air defence unit (UDAA) has been deployed in Estonia since April 2023. (GBAD Task Force Estonia)</p> <p>The Spanish government has announced the EUR410 million (USD438 million) modernisation and acquisition of additional National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMSs), Kongsberg announced in a press release on 19 April.</p> <p>The Dirección General de Armamento y Material (DGAM), the Spanish Armaments Directorate, approved a contract for the modernisation of Spain's NASAMS on 19 April. Kongsberg expected the contract to be signed in May 2024.</p> <p>The NASAMS modernisation includes upgrading the system's Sentinel radar, Spain's Council of Ministers announced on 9 April. The EUR45.9 million contract includes additional equipment, technical support, and auxiliary tools and equipment necessary for integration into the system, as well as related training and maintenance.</p> <p>The 655 AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) that the US Congress announced would be provided to Spain in early December 2023 include NASAMS missiles.</p> <p>Spain was the first export customer for NASAMS, which it has operated for over 20 years.</p> <p>A Spanish NASAMS anti-air defence unit (UDAA) has been deployed in Estonia since April 2023 under the command of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), currently US Army General Christopher Cavoli. Spain has also had a 100-strong NASAMS UDAA deployed in Latvia since 2022.</p> <p><em>For more information on NASAMS,</em> please see NASAMS.</p> urn:uuid:c2372923-9ab7-46ff-9c37-f7e10ee8d078https://www.janes.com/defence-news/iraqi-army-aviation-command-identifies-itself-as-ch-5-uav-operator aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73Iraqi Army Aviation Command (IAAC) has confirmed it has ordered, if not already received, Chinese-made CH-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:35:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]c42b247b-ebae-408b-a337-80c577ddc17f?sfvrsn=af85648f_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73865-jdw-26140.jpeg?sfvrsn=af85648f_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A still from a video released on 21 April shows the Iraqi Army Aviation Command stand at IQDEX in Baghdad. (Iraqi Ministry of Defence)</p> <p>Iraqi Army Aviation Command (IAAC) has confirmed it has ordered, if not already received, Chinese-made CH-5 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).</p> <p>The command's stand at the International Defense Exhibition in Iraq (IQDEX) held in Baghdad from 20 to 23 April was decorated with posters that showed all the aircraft it has in service, which included the CH-5 next to the CH-4 UAV operated by its 100 Squadron.</p> <p>Earlier reports that Iraq had acquired CH-5s were based on a photograph that circulated on social media in September 2023 showing a man holding a certificate in front of a projected image that identified the event as the “closing ceremony for CH-5 training” above Iraqi and Chinese flags.</p> <p>A second photograph purportedly of the certificate showed it was for the successful completion of the CH-5 theoretical, practical, and flight training courses. While the graduate's name was obscured, it had stamps from the Iraqi military attaché office in China as well as the Chinese companies Poly Technologies and CH UAV Science and Technology Company.</p> <p>The CH-5 is usually promoted by ALIT at defence exhibitions, but the CH series was displayed on the Poly Technologies stand at this year's IQDEX, including a model labelled as the CH-5W (CH-9). The CH-5 and the CH-9 have been previously presented as different models.</p> urn:uuid:d9a008ea-2f62-4efc-8813-8c739cce9c13https://www.janes.com/defence-news/general-atomics-tests-podded-guns-on-mojave-uav aa688b9b-b3ca-43b2-9f15-bf248d3a4c73General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) has tested a podded gun on its Mojave short take-off and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the company...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:50:10 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]bb3be7d8-1bff-4435-8504-d351fc589533?sfvrsn=73c4a3de_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73828-jdw-26139.jpeg?sfvrsn=73c4a3de_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">A GA-ASI Mojave UAV performs a gun-run with a Dillon DAP-6 podded minigun. (GA-ASI)</p> <p>General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) has tested a podded gun on its Mojave short take-off and landing (STOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the company said in a 23 April release.</p> <p>GA-ASI mounted two Dillon DAP-6 podded miniguns to the Mojave and tested the combination at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona on 13 April. The Mojave performed seven gun-runs during two flights, expending around 10,000 rounds of ammunition against “a variety of targets”, according to GA-ASI. A video accompanying the release showed the UAV destroying a pickup truck.</p> <p> “For this live-fire demonstration, our goal was to validate the [Mojave's] battlefield relevance,” GA-ASI told <em>Janes</em> on 23 April. “As such, the effort was done completely using GA-ASI's [internal research and development funding], but we believe that successfully demonstrating this capability is of considerable interest to potential customers.” </p> <p>Integrating the gun pods took “about 70 business days” to complete, added the company.</p> <p> The Mojave, based on the MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Grey Eagle UAVs, is optimised for STOL operations. The turboprop-powered UAV can lift up to 1,542 kg (3,400 lb) and take off in as little as 122 m (400 ft), according to <em>Janes All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned</em> . The aircraft has a range of 2,500 n miles (4,630 km; 2,877 miles) with up to an endurance of 25 hours. </p> <p> The UAV was unveiled in 2021, the same year it conducted its first flight. Although the Mojave has yet to land any orders, the UK Royal Navy trialled it aboard aircraft carrier <em>HMS Prince of Wales</em> in 2023. </p> urn:uuid:96cf89eb-717e-4455-9c67-e3eef4cc0c14https://www.janes.com/defence-news/lockheed-martin-secures-contract-to-deliver-jabms-to-australia 7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2dLockheed Martin has secured a contract worth AUD500 million (USD323 million) from the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) to build a Joint Air Battle Management...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:05:10 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]569e580b-8070-4424-b396-7af8243ec481?sfvrsn=acee1cae_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73855-jdw-26138.jpeg?sfvrsn=acee1cae_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">Lockheed Martin has secured a AUD500 million contract to provide a Joint Air Battle Management System to the Australian Defence Force. (Lockheed Martin Australia)</p> <p>Lockheed Martin has secured a contract worth AUD500 million (USD323 million) from the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) to build a Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).</p> <p>The JABMS will be built under the second tranche of the DoD's Project Air 6500 Phase 1, Lockheed Martin announced on 24 April.</p> <p>According to the DoD, Project Air 6500 Phase 1 will deliver the core architecture for the ADF's future Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability through the delivery of a command-and-control (C2) system that will enable forces to co-ordinate and synchronise air and missile defence capabilities.</p> <p>Lockheed Martin said the JABMS will use “next-generation” technologies to combat high-speed threats. The company added that it has recently developed an Operator Evaluation System for the JABMS.</p> <p>“This [Operator Evaluation System] was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget. Using this system, [the DoD's] air battle managers can access a secure test environment to provide feedback on [Project Air 6500 Phase 1's] design and functionality. This feedback will inform future development activities,” Lockheed Martin said.</p> <p>Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said at a press conference on 24 April that the JABMS will be the “brains” of the ADF's IAMD system. “[The JABMS] will co-ordinate [the ADF's] air defence, whether it's Joint Strike Fighters or Super Hornets or the like,” Conroy said.</p> urn:uuid:b76a8418-b087-4c7a-9e3c-b2cb1aa6181ahttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/new-aerial-vehicle-seen-on-chinese-h-6-bomber 7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2dA Chinese Xi'an Aircraft Company (XAC) H-6MW bomber has been photographed in flight while carrying a new type of air-launched vehicle.Wed, 24 Apr 2024 12:50:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]1053790c-7ee7-4cb5-8913-826777a6e088?sfvrsn=ecb43531_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73835-jdw-26137.jpeg?sfvrsn=ecb43531_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">This conceptualised graphic of a new air-launched vehicle recently carried by a Xi'an H-6MW bomber is based on a low-quality photograph. The new air vehicle is possibly based on the design and development of other Chinese air vehicles such as the WZ-8 and MD-22, and a new HSV. (Janes)</p> <p>A Chinese Xi'an Aircraft Company (XAC) H-6MW bomber has been photographed in flight while carrying a new type of air-launched vehicle.</p> <p>The H-6MW is a specialised, cruise missile-carrying variant of the People's Liberation Army Air Force's (PLAAF's) strategic bomber. <em>Janes </em>has previously assessed that the aircraft is the airborne launch platform for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) WZ-8 supersonic, high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).</p> <p>However, the new aerial vehicle seen carried by the bomber differs in design from the WZ-8, suggesting it could be part of a new programme to develop a supersonic or hypersonic air vehicle. A photograph of the H-6MW carrying the new aerial vehicle first appeared on Chinese social media from the third week of April. The programme is likely inspired by the WZ-8 programme.</p> <p>Powered by two liquid-fuelled (possibly hydrazine-based) rocket engines, the WZ-8 has two outward canted fins on the wingtips as well as what appears to be a conformal synthetic aperture radar under its wings and dorsal satellite communication or navigation antennas. The WZ-8 is operational with the PLAAF's 30th Air Regiment, operating from Luhe-Ma'an Air Base near Nanjing.</p> <p>The WZ-8 is estimated to have a length of between 11.5 and 13 m and a wingspan of between 4.5 and 6.7 m.</p> <p>The new air vehicle seen on the H-6MW is assessed by <em>Janes</em></p><p><strong></strong></p>urn:uuid:9cdc5bfd-cfc1-406d-8cfd-a6b7ce8f9a2bhttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/vietnam-outlines-intent-to-procure-k9-howitzer 7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2dVietnam's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has indicated that it is planning to procure the K9 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) – developed and produced by South Korea's Hanwha...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:35:10 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]baf05032-88c2-4e44-822f-437059ceda55?sfvrsn=71321e23_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73845-jdw-26136.jpeg?sfvrsn=71321e23_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">The K9 SPH has a combat weight of 46.3 tonnes, a top road speed of 67 km/h, and an operational range of 360 km. (Hanwha Defense)</p> <p>Vietnam's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has indicated that it is planning to procure the K9 self-propelled howitzer (SPH) – developed and produced by South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace – for the People's Army of Vietnam.</p> <p>Vietnamese Vice-Minister of National Defence Hoang Xuan Chien expressed an intention to procure the K9 at the ‘11th Korea-Vietnam Defense Strategy Dialogue' held in Hanoi on 23 April, according to a press release issued by the South Korea's Ministry of National Defense (MND) one day later.</p> <p>“Chien evaluated Korea's weapons systems and expressed his intention to expand defence industry co-operation, including the introduction of Korean weapon systems such as the K9 SPH [into the People's Army of Vietnam] and requested co-operation from the Korean government for this purpose,” the MND said.</p> <p>In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen co-operation in areas such as maritime security, cyber security, and logistics, the MND added.</p> <p>To expand defence and defence industry co-operation, both countries agreed that the newly discussed areas of co-operation will be added to a bilateral defence co-operation agreement signed in 2010, according to the MND.</p> <p> In April 2023 a Hanwha Aerospace spokesperson confirmed to <em>Janes </em> that Vietnamese officials visited the Hanwha facility to review the K9 SPH. </p> <p>Vietnam requires new artillery to replace its decades-old inventories including 155 mm M114 and 105 mm M101 howitzers. Reportedly, the People's Army of Vietnam seeks to procure 108 units of 155 mm howitzers.</p> <p> According to <em> Janes Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery &amp; Air Defence</em></p>urn:uuid:f3afdd7a-c973-4785-b21c-afe481ebd8fahttps://www.janes.com/defence-news/austal-completes-sea-trials-for-australias-autonomous-patrol-boat-project ddf69c46-33da-4af5-9237-5a14b5e9080dAustralian shipbuilder Austal has completed the sea acceptance trials phase for the country's Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), the company announced on 23 April.Wed, 24 Apr 2024 10:50:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]fc40d821-25a9-4acc-8aa9-2c853219cb52?sfvrsn=f5e992bf_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73842-jdw-26135.jpeg?sfvrsn=f5e992bf_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">Sentinel , the testbed for Australia's Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial project. (Austal)</p> <p>Australian shipbuilder Austal has completed the sea acceptance trials phase for the country's Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT), the company announced on 23 April.</p> <p>The milestone, which included an endurance trial, was achieved by the project's testbed – a decommissioned Armidale-class patrol boat now known as <em>Sentinel</em>. The vessel was formerly in service with the Royal Australian Navy as HMAS <em>Maitland</em> and retired in 2022.</p> <p>The PBAT is an Australian government-funded project. Besides Austal Australia, other stakeholders in the project include Fremantle-based engineering company Greenroom Robotics, research centre Trusted Autonomous Systems, and the Royal Australian Navy Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) Branch.</p> <p>It seeks to provide a proof-of-concept demonstrator for optionally crewed or autonomous operations.</p> <p>As part of the trials, <em>Sentinel</em> carried out a series of remote and autonomous navigation events conducted off the Western Australian coastline between March and April, Austal said.</p> <p>These events were carried out with a software known as Greenroom's Advanced Maritime Autonomy (GAMA) from a Western Australia-based company Greenroom Robotics.</p> <p>Austral Australia took possession of the decommissioned <em>Maitland</em> in 2022. The vessel was modified to enable remote operations, the company said. These include modifications to the vessel's navigation, communications, bilges, CCTV, and electrical systems.</p> <p>Sensors and computer units were also added by Greenroom Robotics to inform and host the autonomous control system, GAMA.</p> <p>Austal Limited CEO Paddy Gregg described the milestone as one that demonstrates the capability of locally developed autonomous systems on a full-size, Australian-made naval vessel.</p> urn:uuid:f5a1bd02-8d0b-4ebc-a54a-1e856f417562https://www.janes.com/defence-news/lockheed-martin-to-ramp-up-uk-sniper-production 5362760d-afa2-4075-a915-2e0dfff2efa1Lockheed Martin is building a new production line for AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) components at its Ampthill, Bedfordshire site in the UK, seeking to...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:35:14 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]637da67c-175a-495c-9d5d-9a2d3ea766be?sfvrsn=ee27ef9e_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73839-jdw-26134.jpeg?sfvrsn=ee27ef9e_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">Seen being carried by a US Air Force F-16, the Sniper ATP is built in Florida in the US and Bedfordshire in the UK. Lockheed Martin is now ramping up UK component production to meet increased customer demand. (Lockheed Martin)</p> <p> Lockheed Martin is building a new production line for AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) components at its Ampthill, Bedfordshire site in the UK, seeking to meet anticipated demand from NATO allies and other customers for the system, the company has told <em>Janes</em> . </p> <p> The UK-based work on Sniper supports the manufacturing activities at Ocala, Florida. This work has been expanded <strong></strong> with a new production line at Ampthill that will focus on producing cabling to integrate the system into aircraft. </p> <p>Stacy Kubicek, Lockheed Martin's vice-president and general manager – sensors and global sustainment, said the fresh investment is part of a wider strategy at Lockheed Martin. She placed it into the context of a shifting outlook among customers.</p> <p>The Sniper ATP has a broader range of roles than targeting alone, Kubicek said, functioning as a communications and data-gathering and transmission system; the company expects increased demand for such functions as allied nations boost their focus on multidomain operations and joint all-domain command and control.</p> <p> “We have equipped it with advanced radio and datalink technologies that are connecting fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft,” she told <em>Janes</em> in mid-April. “That means we're able to drive connectivity and transport data in a different way than we have been able to in the past.” </p> urn:uuid:419e2488-c454-439f-ba01-ab4aea159d40https://www.janes.com/defence-news/saabs-skapa-initiative-aims-to-speed-technology-into-customers-hands a30e25c2-4d7c-47fc-96c6-4bec3e63c537Saab has established a new business function to revamp how it develops and delivers products to meet changing customer requirements. Skapa, a Swedish word that means “to...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:05:09 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]7929b9dd-0eaa-4aad-9d98-4d57c6209656?sfvrsn=3a83f326_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73830-jdw-26130.jpeg?sfvrsn=3a83f326_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">Saab has developed an autonomy package for its CB 90 fast boat and demonstrated its ability to navigate the Swedish coast. Pictured above is a CB 90 that was delivered to Malaysia. (Dockstavarvet)</p> <p>Saab has established a new business function to revamp how it develops and delivers products to meet changing customer requirements. Skapa, a Swedish word that means “to create, to make, or to shape”, will focus on solving customer and stakeholder problems at speed, Erik Smith, president and CEO of Saab in the United States, told reporters on 23 April. “Skapa will accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge solutions to our warfighters” at pace, he said.</p> <p>In the US, Saab has pursued a strategy of selecting areas in the defence market where it believes it has useful products and focusing on them. Skapa is intended to take this strategy to the next level, Smith said. Saab is building an experienced team that can work closely with customers to understand their problems and bring Saab and partner capabilities to bear to solve them, he said. As part of the concept, Skapa will work with government, academia, and industry partners to enhance product offerings and integrate capabilities.</p> <p>One way to think about the initiative is as a cutting-edge laboratory for developing capabilities that can be integrated into existing products or new products, Smith said. These capabilities will not be limited to Saab products. The collaborative model enables Saab to work with academia and industry to bring the best technology to solve specific challenges, he added. The intent is to avoid proprietary methods that limit what can be done with a platform.</p> urn:uuid:d7e9fb85-482a-4b31-8563-4161749bbcf8https://www.janes.com/defence-news/usn-secretary-calls-for-increased-immigration-to-augment-us-shipbuilding-labour ddf69c46-33da-4af5-9237-5a14b5e9080dTo address the shortage of workers needed to build the number of ships needed to meet US Navy (USN) fleet plans, the country should seek to bring in more legal...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:50:10 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]decfca7b-0583-4a9f-937d-08e712b15bd3?sfvrsn=d34c8037_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73831-jni-26129.jpeg?sfvrsn=d34c8037_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said the country needs more blue-collar workers to meet navy shipbuilding needs at yards like Newport News Shipbuilding, shown here. (Janes/Michael Fabey)</p> <p>To address the shortage of workers needed to build the number of ships needed to meet US Navy (USN) fleet plans, the country should seek to bring in more legal immigrants from foreign shores, according to US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.</p> <p>While acknowledging the impact of Covid-related issues on USN shipbuilding schedules on 23 April during an event at the Stimson Center, Del Toro said, “The bigger problem is the lack of blue-collar workers.”</p> <p>Del Toro called on US lawmakers to “increase the amount of legal immigration” and work visas for potential shipbuilding work to come into country, despite the political divisions preventing such bipartisanship.</p> <p>“We need to open up the spigot on legal immigration and allow blue-collar works to come here,” he said.</p> <p>He underscored the need for retraining the new workforce for shipyard trades needed to build USN ships.</p> <p>He also noted the USN's plan to spend USD15 billion for the submarine industrial base (SIB) over the next five years, as well as an additional USD1 billion for surface-fleet ship work.</p> <p><em>For more information on the impact of labour shortages on submarine-building programmes, please see </em>Tall order: Australia's SSN ambitions under scrutiny amid production constraints.</p> <p>The idea, he said, is to “work with industry and bring the production rates up to where they need to be”.</p> urn:uuid:93f95818-f753-4281-814e-8eacbd1d0ce5https://www.janes.com/defence-news/xr-training-led-consortium-wins-usmc-acv-simulator-contract a30e25c2-4d7c-47fc-96c6-4bec3e63c537A consortium led by XR Training has been awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC) under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to produce a driver training...Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:05:34 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]29587a35-ed6b-4d1a-a65e-2f77bb7d96a3?sfvrsn=eb33378c_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73827-jdw-26128.jpeg?sfvrsn=eb33378c_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">The XR Training consortium's USMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle driver simulator in its seat configuration with two DoF motion platform. The Vive HTC Elite headset is on the seat. The Instructor station laptop is on the table behind. (XR Training)</p> <p> A consortium led by XR Training has been awarded a contract by the US Marine Corps (USMC) under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to produce a driver training simulator for the new Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). The value of the contract was not disclosed but Neil Levin, XR Training CEO, told <em>Janes</em> that it was “in the high seven-figure area”. </p> <p>The consortium, which also includes Talon Simulations (hardware), 302 Interactive (software development), and Theory Studios (modelling and visuals), will deliver 81 simulators by the end of 2024, followed by a two-year training and sustainment period. Most simulators will be deployed to Camps Pendleton and Lejeune, with some for use for “schoolhouse” training and some for deploying units.</p> <p>The simulator has been developed in response to a USMC requirement for a portable desktop simulator, which can be used onboard ship as well as in shore bases, Levin said. In addition to desktop mode, it can be integrated with a seat mounted on a two degrees-of-freedom (DoF) motion platform. During travel, it can be transported in two Pelican cases. The simulator consists of a steering wheel, pedals, gear and propulsion mode-change levers, vehicle switches and controls, and a Vive HTC Elite headset operating in virtual reality (VR) mode with hand tracking. The headset has a 1,920×1,920 per eye resolution, six DoF inside-out tracking using four cameras, a field-of-view of 110°, a refresh rate of 90 Hz, and embedded audio. The vehicle controls are supplied by the original equipment manufacturers.</p> urn:uuid:2d1a6c2a-7088-423f-9f41-08a3f2b95518https://www.janes.com/defence-news/iraq-to-equip-f-16s-with-aidews-ew-suite 7e464e5e-7739-43d6-bbba-1701ac514c2dIraq is to equip its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft with the L3Harris AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS)...Tue, 23 Apr 2024 16:05:22 Z<div><img class="invisible" style="display: none" src="[images%7COpenAccessDataProvider]cccacc59-8d1b-45d8-ae86-a2c20214dc37?sfvrsn=e3d189b6_2"></div><div class="w-100 position-relative"> <img src="/ResourcePackages/Janes/assets/dist/images/placeholder-16-9.jpg" class="invisible w-100"> <div style="background-image: url(&quot;https://www.janes.com/images/default-source/news-images/bsp_73814-jdw-26127.jpeg?sfvrsn=e3d189b6_2&quot;)" class="news-hero bg-center bg-cover position-absolute left-0 top-0 h-100 w-100"></div></div> <p class="text-body text-muted small">The IqAF is to equip all 34 of its F-16 combat aircraft with the AIDEWS electronic warfare suite. (Lockheed Martin)</p> <p>Iraq is to equip its Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft with the L3Harris AN/ALQ-211 Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite (AIDEWS) electronic warfare (EW) system, the US Department of Defense (DoD) disclosed on 22 April.</p> <p>The DoD requires the retrofit of the AIDEWS system into 34 Iraqi Air Force (IqAF) F-16C/D Block 52M aircraft located at Martyr Brigadier General Ali Flaih Air Base (Ali Flaih AB [AFAB], previously known as Balad Air Base), a solicitation posted on the SAM.gov US government procurement website said.</p> <p>The DoD solicitation provided no contract value or timeline details.</p> <p>The AIDEWS comes in both an AN/ALQ-211(V)4 integrated and an AN/ALQ-211(V)9 podded configuration, with the newer Block 52 and above aircraft of operators such as the IqAF having the internal space needed for integration, while older block aircraft do not and therefore, require the podded system.</p> <p>The IqAF fields 24 single-seat F-16C and 10 twin-seat F-16D aircraft, deliveries of which commenced in 2014.</p> <p><em>For more information on the IqAF, please see</em>Iraq – Air Force . </p>