14 March 2023
by Marc Selinger
The US Department of Defense wants to make multiyear procurements of several kinds of missiles, including the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). (Lockheed Martin)
The US Department of Defense's (DoD's) newly unveiled fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request includes USD315 billion for procurement and research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) – its largest sum ever for equipment modernisation.
According to budget documents released on 13 March, procurement would receive USD170 billion, up 3.8% from the FY 2023 enacted level. It would include USD61.1 billion for various aircraft, including 83 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs and 24 Boeing F-15E/Xs; USD48.1 billion for sea systems, including new construction of nine ships; and USD13.9 billion for land systems.
RDT&E would get USD145 billion, up 4% from the FY 2023 enacted level. It would include USD17.8 billion for science and technology; USD1.8 billion for artificial intelligence; USD1.4 billion for joint all-domain command and control (JADC2); USD687 million for the rapid defence experimentation reserve; and USD115 million for the new Office of Strategic Capital (OSC), which would offer loans and loan guarantees to encourage private capital providers to back technology start-ups.
29 April 2024
by Nicholas Fiorenza
The AA signed a second executive contract with Hanwha on 25 April for 72 K239 Chunmoo MRLs (pictured), several thousands of missiles, and technology transfer. (Hanwha Aerospace)
The Polish Armaments Agency (AA) signed a second executive contract with Hanwha Aerospace for 72 K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on 25 April, the Polish Ministry of National Defence (MND) and the South Korean company announced the same day. The USD1.6 billion contract also covers the delivery of several thousands of missiles with ranges of 80–290 km, including the 600 mm CTM290, and technology transfer.
The Polish MND said on its website that it expected the contract to have a significant impact on the development of the Polish defence industry, with the technologies acquired allowing the establishment of a capability to carry out repairs and modernisation, as well as produce spare parts for the MRLs and launch pods for 122 mm rockets produced by MESKO, part of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ).
24 April 2024
by Jeremiah Cushman
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)
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.
24 April 2024
by Giles Ebbutt
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)
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 Janes that it was “in the high seven-figure area”.
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.
The US Department of Defense's (DoD's) newly unveiled fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget request includes ...
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