New GPS simulator will support US Air Force swarming munitions testing

On the same subject

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  September 16, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Land

  Israel Seeks $8B Arms Deal At White House: F-35s, V-22s, KC-46s

  ARIE EGOZI TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Donald Trump today for 12 Boeing V-22s, another squadron of F-35s to bring the total to 75, and the very early delivery of two Boeing KC-46As at the White House today. The request was made during a day of extraordinary meetings as President Trump, the Prime Minister of Israel and the Foreign Ministers of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were to sign what are being called the Abraham Accords, meant to normalize relations between the Arab states and Israel. The new weapons are meant to keep Israel's qualitative edge after the U.S agreed to sell the F-35 to the UAE and Teheran rattles its homemade swords, furious about the new era between Israel and some Gulf states. Hours before hosting the signing of historic peace agreements between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain, President Trump doubled down on the idea of selling F-35s to the UAE. “I personally would have no problem with it,” the president told Fox and Friends this morning, “I would have no problem in selling them the F-35.” The Israelis, who understand the US political system well, are likely to press Trump to put the new sales in motion before the November elections to minimize the chances they might fall victim to a change in power in Washington. “The Israeli request will be based on an accelerated process aimed at getting all the approvals before the November presidential elections” one Israeli source told BD. The request is also likely to include a replacement for Israeli Apache AH-64A combat helicopters that are planned to go out of service in 2025. Israel, one source says, will also ask for “increased numbers” of bunker buster bombs, usually thought to be designed to strike Iranian nuclear sites. On top of all that, the Israelis may seek an advanced communication satellite, a source told Breaking D. The request for a new weapons package would be in addition to the existing Foreign Military Financing agreement with the US. The current agreement, signed in 2016, increased US assistance from $ 34 billion in the decade to $38 billion between 2019 and 2028. Why is Israeli seeking so much new gear? It's not, Israeli sources explain, because of the prospective sale of F-35s to the UAE, but because they believe this deal will open a new arms race in the region and they want to stay head of it. Israel is also concerned about the possibility of leadership changes in some Gulf countries The assessments for what's needed were drawn up when the IDF formed a special team headed by Maj. General Tomer Bar, the IDF's head of its planning and force building department. This team is reviewing the operational demands of some of the IDF ground forces units. https://breakingdefense.com/2020/09/israel-seeks-8b-arms-deal-at-white-house-f-35s-v-22s-kc-46s/

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  January 16, 2020 | International, Land

  Sig Sauer nabs $10M Army contract for sniper rifle ammo

  Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has awarded Sig Sauer a $10 million contract to manufacture ammunition for use in the branch's bolt-action sniper rifle. "This award by the U.S. Army is validation of our state-of-the-art manufacturing that has resulted in the highest quality, and most precise, ammunition delivering on-target accuracy for snipers in the field," said Ron Cohen, Sig Sauer president and CEO. The contractor will manufacture MOD 0 .300 Win Mag ammunition at its facility in Jacksonville, Ark. The contract also funds production of MK 248 MOD 1 ammunition for the military. In 2011, the Army transitioned from the 7.62mm to the .300 Win Mag round, providing the new round to sniper teams in Afghanistan. The new round allows snipers to engage targets from 1,200 meters as opposed to the 800-meter range of the older M24 sniper system. https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2020/01/15/Sig-Sauer-nabs-10M-Army-contract-for-sniper-rifle-ammo/7371579124524/

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  July 24, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  NATO Airlift Management Program Expands C-17 Training Capability with Boeing Services Contract

  Long Beach, California, July 23, 2020 - Boeing [NYSA: BA] will provide aircrew training support for the Strategic Airlift Capability's multinational fleet of C-17 aircraft under a new U.S. Air Force Foreign Military Sale contract for a C-17 Weapon System Trainer (WST) that will be stationed at Pápa Air Base, Hungary. “The NATO Airlift Management Programme provides Strategic Airlift Capability nations with full life cycle management for aircraft and facilities, embodying of collective ownership and Smart Defence,” said Gregory Clark, programme manager, NATO Airlift Management Programme. “The aircrew training partnership with Boeing will ensure ongoing readiness of C-17 aircrews to our member Nations.” Through partnership with Boeing, NATO and the Strategic Airlift Capability can rely on nearly 30 years of experience providing quality training systems and support for the global C-17 fleet. This is the first C-17 training device for Pápa Air Base. It will allow for agile aircrew and engine maintenance training and reduce the time and costs associated with travel, while ensuring aircrew readiness. “We are excited to continue our partnership with NATO and expand its C-17 aircrew training capability,” said Mark Hayes, Pápa, Hungary base manager for Boeing Global Services. “This regional training location will enable the Strategic Airlift Capability to add velocity to aircrew training and proficiency, maintain training readiness, and provide the flexibility to deliver European airlift for decades to come.” Boeing's C-17 WST includes an air vehicle station and loadmaster station, both with instructor operator stations; a core integrated processor task trainer; and computer-based training and courseware. Two years of initial spares to support the training device are also included. This C-17 training device includes innovative technology with upgrades to the visual system and glass mirror display system expanding the total field of view. Boeing is also incorporating technology enhancements to address obsolescence and concurrency with latest aircraft block configuration. NATO C-17 training at Pápa Air Base is expected to begin in 2022. About NSPA The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) brings together, in a single organization, acquisition, logistic, medical and infrastructural capabilities including the related procurement function. As NATO's primary enabler, the Agency's mission is to provide effective and cost efficient multinational solutions to the Alliance, its thirty Nations and Partners. The NATO Airlift Management Programme (NAMP) Office located in Pápa (Hungary) is an integral part of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). It manages the full life cycle management of the C-17 aircraft stationed at Pápa Airbase, including acquisition and sustainment on behalf of the member Nations of the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC). NSPA is headquartered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with main operational centres in France, Hungary and Italy. The Agency employs around 1,500 staff and overseeing over 2,500 contractors in NATO's missions across the world. More info: www.nspa.nato.int About Boeing Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth. # # # Contact Ekaterina Perdaris Boeing Communications +1 703-465-3532 +1 314-810-9592 ekaterina.g.perdaris@boeing.com Roger Gilles Boeing, EU & NATO Communications +32 476 860 954 roger.gilles@boeing.com Francesca De Florio NSPA Communications +352 3063 6309 +352 661 864 300 francesca.deflorio@nspa.nato.int View source version on Boeing Newsroom: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/NATO-Airlift-Management-Program-Expands-C-17-Training-Capability-with-Boeing-Services-Contract