June 28, 2018 | International, Naval
By: Aaron Mehta
WASHINGTON – The U.S. State Department has cleared Spain to purchase five Aegis weapon systems, potentially worth $860.4 million.
The systems would be placed aboard Spanish frigates, which are interoperable with NATO allies such as the U.S. Spain currently operates five existing Aegis-equipped frigates.
Adding the systems to Spain's fleet will “afford more flexibility and capability to counter regional threats and continue to enhance stability in the region,” according to an announcement posted by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
In addition to the five systems, the package includes six shipsets Digital Signal Processing, five shipsets AWS Computing Infrastructure MARK 1 MOD 0, five shipsets Operational Readiness Test Systems (ORTS), five shipsets MK 99 MOD 14 Fire Control System, five shipsets MK 41 Baseline VII Vertical Launching Systems (VLS), two All-Up-Round MK 54 Mod 0 lightweight torpedoes, twenty SM-2 Block IIIB missiles and MK 13 canisters with AN/DKT-71 warhead compatible telemeter, as well as other equipment.
Being cleared by the State Department does not guarantee a sale will be completed. Congress can still intervene, and final price and quantity are often altered during negotiations. The proposed sale is being handled under a Foreign Military Sales vehicle.
Should the sale clear, it primary work would be done by Lockheed Martin in Moorestown, NJ, and Manassas, VA; Raytheon in Waltham, MA; and General Dynamics in Williston, VT.
There are also a “significant number of companies under contract with the U.S. Navy that will provide components and systems as well as engineering services” to support the sale, the DSCA notes.
https://www.defensenews.com/smr/nato-priorities/2018/06/26/spain-cleared-to-buy-five-aegis-systems
April 2, 2024 | International, Naval
L3Harris is taking early steps to create a maritime version of its Vampire counter-drone system that could deploy on a small unmanned surface vessel.
May 20, 2022 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
DÉFENSE L'Europe se dote d'un hub d'innovation de Défense Les ministres de la Défense des pays membres de l'Agence européenne de Défense (AED) ont approuvé la création d'un pôle d'innovation de Défense de l'UE, « Hub for EU Defence Innovation » (HEDI), en son sein, mardi 17 mai 2022, lors du comité directeur de l'agence. Approuvée par le Conseil européen, la « Boussole stratégique » préconisait, parmi 12 priorités, la création d'un tel pôle en 2022, dont les travaux préparatoires ont commencé en mai 2021. À la fois « catalyseur et amplificateur », HEDI opérera à la croisée des initiatives déjà lancées par l'AED et en cohérence avec le fond pour l'innovation de l'OTAN (DIANA). Ce hub se concentrera sur les priorités établies par l'Europe en matière de développement capacitaires, de recherche et développement et de compétences, de technologies et de production. Ce hub d'innovation de Défense est supposé monter en puissance afin de mettre en place un « HEDI 2.0 ». Une des premières étapes consiste à faire partager les bonnes pratiques en termes d'innovation et à organiser un 1er « European Defence Innovation Day » le 31 mai prochain. La mise en place d'ateliers, de groupes d'études et de rencontres annuelles ou semestrielles entre chercheurs et organisations doit contribuer à établir une image commune de l'innovation de défense européenne. A terme, HEDI pourrait piloter plusieurs actions comme une version améliorée de l'actuel Prix de l'innovation de défense de l'AED, le financement de preuves de concept et de démonstrateurs, ou encore l'organisation de conférences et de salons thématiques. Agence Europe et Forces Operations Blog du 18 mai
January 15, 2021 | International, Aerospace
by Gareth Jennings The United Kingdom is growing the level of organic sustainment and support it is able to provide for its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft, with the GBP76 million (USD101 million) Lightning Air System National Availability Enterprise (LANCE) contract. Announced on 14 January, the Project LANCE award signed by Lockheed Martin and the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) will, according to the Royal Air Force (RAF), provide additional expertise on aircraft maintenance, bespoke UK training courses for pilots, groundcrew and engineers, and logistical and technical support for the fleet over the next two years. “Based at RAF Marham, home of the UK Lightning Force, the investment reflects the increasing size of the UK's F-35 fleet and will create and secure 172 jobs mainly at the Norfolk base,” the RAF said. “The contract will provide support for 25 months, with an option for a further three months. The majority of the work will be carried out by subcontractor BAE Systems.” As noted in the announcement, the contract will deliver additional personnel expertise at the existing Maintenance & Finishing Facility, where the aircraft are maintained; the Integrated Training Centre, where pilots, ground crew and engineers are trained with bespoke UK courses; and the Lightning Operations Centre, a key logistics and support hub for the Lightning Force. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/uk-grows-national-f-35-support-with-lance-contract