22 décembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial
By: Sam LaGrone
Lockheed Martin has made a $4.4 billion offer to acquire rocket engine maker Aerojet Rocketdyne, the companies announced on Sunday.
Speaking with investors on Monday, Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said the move to acquire the engine maker was rooted in the future growth of hypersonic weapons and missile defense systems the Pentagon is developing, as well as the growing space business.
In the call, Taiclet and Lockheed CFO Ken Possenriede said the merger had the potential to improve the development of new missile and space systems by allowing engineers across both companies to work closer together.
In naval programs, Aerojet supplies engines for the Navy's Trident II D-5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, Raytheon's Standard Missile-2, SM-3 and SM-6, and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile. Aerojet is also developing a new propulsion system for the MK 54 lightweight torpedo.
The company also supplies engines for Lockheed and Boeing's joint venture United Launch Alliance. Lockheed's space division is its third-largest business, accounting for 18 percent of the company's 2019 earnings, reported the Los Angeles Times.
The merger, expected to close in the middle of next year, will have to clear regulators in the incoming Biden administration and is viewed by analysts as an early test of how the next White House will handle defense industry consolidation.
https://news.usni.org/2020/12/21/lockheed-makes-4-4b-bid-to-buy-aerojet-rocketdyne
30 mars 2022 | International, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
U.S. Air Force is approaching sustainability as a mission requirement, with reduced fuel use translating to more mission capability.
28 août 2020 | International, Aérospatial
By Garrett Reim Japan's ministry of defence is inviting foreign suppliers to help develop the country's next-generation fighter aircraft, known as the Future Fighter programme, or F-X. The solicitation was made via a public notice and a press briefing by Japanese defence minister Taro Kono on 25 August, according to reports. The Japanese ministry of defence wants components that are at high-technology readiness levels, in areas such as stealth unmanned air vehicles, airborne missile systems, radar, sensors, electronic warfare and communications equipment, according to media outlet Janes. The notice reportedly adds that this next phase will continue discussions related to development of F-X with the USA and UK. “We are inviting companies to [support] the integration of the fighter aircraft,” Kono says. “We are currently exchanging information with the US and UK to deepen our consideration of international co-operation in this development project.” In July, the ministry of defence said it would choose a single Japanese company to serve as prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the jet, according to Janes. That company is thought likely be Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which builds the Mitsubishi F-15J and runs a final assembly and check-out facility for the F-35 Lightning II in Nagoya, Japan. The Future Fighter is to replace Tokyo's Mitsubishi F-2 fleet in the 2030s. The F-2 is a fighter derived from Lockheed Martin's F-16. Mass production of the F-X is reportedly planned to start in 2031. The next-generation aircraft would be deployed in 2035. https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/japan-requests-foreign-help-with-f-x-as-programme-moves-into-next-phase-reports/139927.article?referrer=RSS
9 décembre 2020 | International, Aérospatial
December 8, 2020 - BAE Systems received a $60 million contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture and deliver additional advanced missile seekers for the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). The seeker comprises long-range sensors and targeting technology that help the stealthy missile find and engage protected maritime targets in challenging electromagnetic environments. “Our warfighters need resilient, long-range precision strike capabilities to compete with modern adversaries,” said Bruce Konigsberg, Radio Frequency Sensors product area director at BAE Systems. “We're proud to partner with Lockheed Martin in delivering this distinct competitive advantage to U.S. warfighters.” LRASM combines extended range with increased survivability and lethality to deliver long-range precision strike capabilities. LRASM is designed to detect and destroy specific targets within groups of ships by employing advanced technologies that reduce dependence on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, network links, and GPS navigation in contested environments. This LRASM seeker contract continues the transition of the program from Accelerated Acquisition to Low Rate Production. BAE Systems has delivered more than 50 systems to date that have demonstrated excellent technical performance over multiple test events. The company also is working to make the seeker system smaller, more capable, and more efficient to produce. BAE Systems' LRASM seeker technology builds on the company's decades of experience designing and producing state-of-the-art electronic warfare technology, and its expertise in small form factor design, signal processing, target detection, and identification. Work on the LRASM sensor will be conducted at BAE Systems' facilities in Wayne, New Jersey; Greenlawn, New York; and Nashua, New Hampshire. For additional information, visit: www.baesystems.com/lrasm Contact Nicole GableNicole Gable Media Relations Electronic Systems View source version on BAE Systems: https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/advanced-seeker-production-for-next-generation-precision-guided-missile