08 April 2024
by Michael Fabey
Raytheon is seeking to improve operations in RF-cluttered environments for ESSM Block 2 missiles, shown here being tested by Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Fredericton in November 2022. (Royal Canadian Navy)
As the first Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 units start to make their way to areas like the Red Sea, Raytheon Technologies is working on further improvements to missile operations in areas challenged by radio frequency (RF) interference, according to Chris Driscoll, the company's ESSM director.
With its X-band active seeker and improved capability for raid annihilation and local area defence, ESSM Block 2 has “proved pedigree” and is expected to do very well in its “engagement space”, Driscoll told Janes during a 28 March interview in advance of the Navy League Sea-Air-Space 2024 global maritime exposition, starting on 8 April in National Harbor, Maryland.
“ESSM Block 2 leverages Standard Missile 6 technology to reduce reliance on illuminator support and mitigate challenges in missile sequencing that are inherent in high-density stream raids,” the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), noted about the missile in a report released in 2023.
02 May 2024
by Michael Fabey
US lawmakers are criticising the US Navy's decision to cut a Virginia-class submarine, similar to the one shown here, from the recent budget request. (Janes/Michael Fabey)
US lawmakers are continuing to question the US Navy (USN) fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget request that cuts a Virginia-class attack submarine (SSN) from its funding proposal.
Initially, the USN had planned for two Virginias for the fiscal year, but now the service is asking for only a single submarine in the FY 2025 request submitted earlier in 2024.
In recent hearings on the budget US lawmakers have criticised the Virginia submarine cut.
Washington State Congressman Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), continued the criticism on 1 May during a HASC hearing on the USN FY 2025 budget request.
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.
As the first Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 units start to make their way to areas like t...
Ritu Gill, Intelligence Analyst, joins Harry and Sean to discuss the practical use of OSINT to support law enforcement. Ritu discusses it’s use in supporting risk assessments and classified or closed sources of intelligence. She also discusses t...
Listen now