News

Germany's parliament will on Dec. 14 approve a 1.35-billion-euro purchase of 20,000 encrypted radios for its military, a person familiar with the matter said, with an option to buy another 14,000 radios for 1.5 billion euros.

NATO is creating organizations within the alliance that can harness dual-use technologies in critical areas, such as artificial intelligence.

What's weighing on the service for the new year? Carlos Del Toro discusses what's top of mind.

The Pentagon on Dec. 7 picked Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Oracle for the highly anticipated cloud computing deal.

Boeing expects the Air Force will order its first set of operational T-7A Red Hawk aircraft in 2024.

December 8, 2022 - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces – Ottawa, Ontario Today, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, on behalf of Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, Helena Jaczek, announced the award of two contracts for new equipment designed to improve the safety and security of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ships and crews. The two contracts for the Remote Mine-hunting and Disposal System (RMDS), valued at up to $57.9 million (taxes included), were awarded to Kraken Robotic Systems Inc. of Mount Pearl, N.L. These new systems will enable the Royal Canadian Navy to identify and destroy sea mines and underwater improvised explosive devices, while also ensuring the safety of its crews. The RMDS will be used primarily on Kingston-class vessels and can be used on other RCN ships to support a wide range of operations as required. This capability, once implemented, will protect Canadian warships deployed overseas where the mine threat is assessed as high. The RMDS are expected to be fully operational in 2025. The first contract, with an estimated value of $45.8M (taxes included), is for two newly-designed RMDS for the RCN on Canada’s east and west coasts. The second contract, valued at $12.1M (taxes included), is for continued In-Service Support for the RMDS. As outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is committed to providing the RCN with the modern equipment it needs to maintain critical operational maritime capabilities. Quotes “The very first item in my mandate letter is to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces is a twenty-first century military with the capabilities, equipment and culture needed to keep Canadians safe. Today’s announcement will ensure the delivery of effective, modern equipment to the Royal Canadian Navy and help keep its members protected. Advanced mine detection and disposal tools such as those being acquired through this project will improve the safety of our vessels and our people.” - The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence   “I am pleased for today’s announcement of this contract award to Kraken Robotic Systems Inc.  This contract demonstrates our continued commitment to provide the Royal Canadian Navy and its members with the advanced equipment they need to do their job, at the best value for Canadians.” - The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement “Through these contracts, our government will provide the Royal Canadian Navy with the modern equipment it needs while ensuring economic benefits for Canadians.  Through the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, this investment will support high-value jobs in Canada’s marine sector and will demonstrate Canada’s world-class capabilities and innovation both at home and abroad.” - The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry “The Remote Mine-hunting and Disposal System will bring new and much needed capabilities to our fleets. As the characteristics of naval warfare are changing, integrating this new technology into our current fleet will enable the Navy to quickly detect and neutralize the threat of underwater mines and to increase our underwater awareness, both at home and internationally.” - Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander, Royal Canadian Navy Quick facts The total value of the two contracts is $57.9 million (taxes included). RMDS will enable the RCN to conduct the full spectrum of Naval Mine hunting including disposal of sea mines with autonomous and remote technology decreasing risk to our Fleet and crews. The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy will apply to this contract ensuring that for every dollar the government puts into this contract, a dollar goes back into Canada’s economy. The work under this project is critical for leveraging existing key industrial capabilities in Canada, specifically in the area of Remotely-piloted Systems and Autonomous Technologies, Sonar and Acoustic Systems, and In-service Support. These systems are expected to be delivered in 2024, and fully operational in 2025.  https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/12/minister-anand-announces-remote-mine-hunting-and-disposal-system-contract-award-to-increase-safety-for-royal-canadian-navy-ships-and-crews.html

Every F-35 strike fighter built for U.S. armed forces contains 920 pounds of rare earth materials — the majority of which is imported from China.

For years, Congress has thwarted the Air Force's attempts to retire the iconic A-10 Warthog, but that is about to change.

A subset of digital engineering, MBSE uses models, computer design, analytics and software to create digital twins of prototypes quickly and efficiently.