Raw Intel

Russian engineers have begun testing a new battlefield counter-drone system that blends FPV (First Person View) guidance with rocket propulsion, according to descriptions of recent field experiments. Developed by the “Vektor” group, the interceptor combines elements of a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) with first-person view drone controls. The concept centers on a tube-launched drone […] The post Russia develops FPV-guided rocket drone interceptor first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Raytheon won a $33 million spares delivery order under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00383-19-G-UX01 for the procurement of two Active Electronically Scanned Array radar system APG-79 weapon repairable assemblies (WRAs), for a total quantity of 54 WRAs in support of the F/A-18 aircraft. The delivery order does not include an option period. All […]View the full article

Housekeeping Note: As I mentioned earlier this month, as our British friends might say, this "blogspot" hosted part of the blog is "going in ordinary." The archived posts here back to the beginning in 2004 will remain, but all new posts will be going over to CDR Salamander on Substack. The reasons are simply, really. Google owns blogspot and for some reason has decided to turn it in to a very creator-unfriendly environment. As noted in my earlier post, they are going through and marking all sorts of posts going back over a decade and new as "SPAM" or worse, "dangerous" or a variation of the usual etc. Most of it derives, I believe, from some automated system that looks…

Americas General Atomics Aeronautical Systems won a $561 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Gray Eagle technical services. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of March 28, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity. General […]View the full article

There is still a lot of fighting to be done in the Russo-Ukrainian War, but important lessons can already be drawn from the first 10-months of conflict. One of the most hyped "new" domains of war the last three decades has been what is generally referred to as "cyber." Its growth in interest and buzz paralleled the decline and neglect of a more traditional form of modern war, Electronic Warfare. This Sunday we're going to do a deep dive in what we are seeing, what we thought we should have seen but haven't, and how this should inform present support and future policy in the area of cyber. Our guest for the full hour this Sunday from 4-5pm Eastern will be Shashank Joshi, D…

Americas Northrop Grumman won a $60 million modification, which adds scope to procure long lead parts and associated support for two E-2D Advanced Hawkeye plus up aircraft for the Navy. Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York (25.06%); Rolling Meadows, Illinois (9.52%); Woodland Hill, California (5.87%); Menlo park, California (5.08%); Greenlawn, New York (3.33%); […]View the full article

Americas Boeing won a $102.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee modification, which exercises options for the production and delivery of ten P-8A increment three retrofit A-kits and provides for three retrofit kit A-kit installs, in support of anti-submarine warfare capabilities upgrades for the Navy. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida; St. Louis, Missouri; and Mesa, Arizona, and […]View the full article

Americas According to Defense Post, The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is developing a next-generation missile concept with a rapidly pivoting forebody. The missile’s “active morphing” capability increases its range and effectiveness against highly maneuverable targets at a limited cost. The missile’s agility is achieved through the articulation control actuation system (ACAS), a “composite […]View the full article

Four years ago to the day, I posted the below, and did last year. As a matter of fact, I just changed “Three” to “Four” and adjusted the title from 3rd to 4th. Everything else is the same because I am still have not worked this out. There are a lot more subscribers to CDRSalamander now than then, so I want to bring it back in part for them, but on the main because, to use my dear readers as therapy, I’m not over it. As many have asked, where is the accountability? Do the people responsible have no shame? Is there nothing demanded by honor for failure, or has our system of incentives and disincentives promoted to the highest positions of people who have a value system and …

What do you need tp know to make sure you have all the right talking points around the Thanksgiving table? If someone brings up the Navy, China, Ukraine, inflation, or supply chain issues - well, we know Midrats regulars are already up to speed - but now's your opportunity to make sure all your talking points are up to date! No guests, no set agenda, just open phones, open minds, and open chat room for those who are with us live Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern. Don't be stuck talking about twitter or Taylor Swift this Thanksgiving! Join us live if you can, but it not, you can get the show later by subscribing to the podcast. If you use iTunes, you can add Midrats to your podcas…

Americas BAE Systems Land & Armaments won an $18 million deal to exercise options for MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems Mechanical Design Agent. This modification combines purchases for the Navy, the government of Australia; the government of Japan; the government of Germany; the government of the Netherlands; and the government of Korea, under the Foreign […]View the full article

Russia is forming mobile counter-drone units to defend its energy infrastructure amid an escalating wave of Ukrainian drone attacks that have crippled the country’s refining capacity and caused its worst gasoline shortage in three decades. The move comes as strikes on oil refineries continue to degrade Russian fuel production, with some estimates suggesting that 20–25% […] The post Russia deploys mobile anti-drone units amid fuel crisis first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Stormwatch Defense has announced the start of serial production for its jet turbine interceptor, following nearly three years of development and flight testing. The company described the system as a versatile airframe designed to integrate a wide array of weapons and payloads. In a statement, Rory Berger, director of Stormwatch Defense, said: “After nearly three […] The post Stormwatch launches jet interceptor production first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas The US Marine Corps finished the first flight of its XQ-58A Valkyrie military aerial drone at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The test is part of the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio (PAACK-P) initiative, a program seeking an “agile, expeditionary, and lethal” drone to support the marines and the joint force in austere […]View the full article

Americas The US Coast Guard has received a stand-in icebreaker ship to support the service’s polar cutter fleet modernization program. Handed over by Offshore Service Vessels, the MV Aiviq’s primary role is to retain the force’s presence in the Arctic until the arrival of the service’s new Polar Security Cutters by the 2030s. The $125-million deal to procure the commercially-available system was awarded to the Louisiana-based maritime company in November. After its induction, the MV Aiviq will be renamed USCGC Storis, which makes the system the second to bear the name. The US Army has chosen BAE Systems to prototype a new artillery cannon, envisioned to defend bases again…

Americas Northrop Grumman Systems won a $60.3 million cost reimbursable modification to a previously awarded contract. This modification adds scope to procure long lead components, material, parts, and associated support, in support of maintaining the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft systems production schedule for two unmanned air vehicles and one main operating base for the Navy. […]View the full article

Americas Stellant Systemswon a $9.4 million delivery order for the purchase of 22 electron tubes used on the F/A-18 aircraft. All work will be performed in Torrance, California, and work is expected to be completed by December 2026. Working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $4,606,000 will be obligated at time of award, and […]View the full article

Americas The US Army has awarded Elbit Systems a $28-million contract for additional AN/PVS-14 monocular night vision devices. A helmet-mounted device, the AN/PVS-14 reportedly allows soldiers to move rapidly at night without the need for multiple specialized equipment. It incorporates high-magnification lenses and an infrared illuminator for capturing clear images in low-light conditions. The US Department of Defense has awarded Battelle a $53-million contract to develop a nerve agent countermeasure solution for soldiers. For the initiative, the firm will create a Reactivating Nerve Agent Treatment System (RNATS) to “enhance the current standard of care” for troops and i…

Americas Textron Aviation has delivered a Cessna Grand Caravan EX utility aircraft to the Belize Defense Force as part of a $7.84-million US Army foreign military sale. The handover was conducted at the Williamson Hangar Complex in Ladyville. The delivery includes spare parts, training support, and on-site maintenance services. The aircraft will be flown for maritime […]View the full article

China may be exploring its own version of the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, according to footage that recently surfaced on the Chinese social media platform Douyin (TikTok). The video shows a weapons collector examining what appears to be a Chinese experimental 6.8×50mm armor-piercing cartridge with a tungsten carbide core. While there […] The post China explores small arms upgrade with 6.8mm round first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article