Raw Intel

Americas BAE Systems Technology Solutions & Services won a $12 billion deal for Integration Support Contract (ISC) 2.0. The main function of ISC 2.0 is to support the government as the lead systems integrator and augment government resources for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon system systems engineering and integration and professional services. According to solicitation documents, the Integration Support Contract 2.0 covers support for Minuteman III and the next-generation ground-based strategic deterrent missile or any future ICBM weapon system developed throughout the duration of the contract. Work will take place at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and …

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $46.4 million deal for the digital expanded ultra-high frequency multiple input multiple output optimized radar. This contract provides for the development of advanced radar technology solutions applicable to both next generation platforms and current generation platforms (such as the E-2D). To support a rapid pace of development, the contractor will […]View the full article

Americas A Black Hawk helicopter crashed in northern Alabama, killing two crew members who were part of the Tennessee National Guard. The aircraft went down on Highway 53 near the intersection of Burrell Road in Madison County during a routine training mission. The crash sparked a fire that left the helicopter a “total loss,” according […]View the full article

Americas Northrop Grumman unveiled a turbojet-powered precision strike missile last week. The multi-purpose Jackal missile can accommodate both lethal and nonlethal payloads for a range of functions such as electronic warfare and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance). It combines range, speed, endurance, precision, and payload capability, enabling extended duration ISR missions to gather critical information before launching a lethal strike. Defense News reports, that the Brazilian Army announced its decision to buy howitzers from Israel’s Elbit Systems, the project remains suspended over Brazilian President Inazio “Lula” da Silva’s criticism of Israel’s ac…

Want to take a break from the Second Russo-Ukrainian War? Good, so do I. As we (well at least I) impatiently wait for the USS Constellation (FFG 62) and her sisters to start displacing water, it is interesting to see the design decisions other nations have made to meet their frigate requirements. As our new FFG will be the USN version of the French and Italian FREMM, it is natural to compare it to other European designs, but what about our friends in the Pacific? What are the South Koreans building? Let's take a quick side-by-side look at their Daegu-class frigate presently under serial production. Of course, different nations have different requirements, and you can s…

Americas Lockheed Martin on a $172 million modification, which definitizes the order and adds scope to provide special test/tooling equipment for increasing Block 4 manufacturing capacity, as well as procures material modification kits in support of removing life limits, correcting deficiencies, and retrofitting aircraft to incorporate Next Gen Distributed Aperture System hardware and associated Power […]View the full article

There are occasions where even the most rah-rah supporters of all things DOD need to pause and wonder, “Are we really getting our best where they need to be?” At the very top of the list of dysfunctions in the American officer corps is the culture of happy-talk. From FITREPS to Decision Briefings, the layer on top of layer of not telling hard truths bleeds over into areas that are not just irritating, but dangerous. Regulars here are familiar with our almost two-decades long series “The Long Game” but for the new folks lets pull out one of the defining reason the series even exists; for reasons of economic greed, political expediency, historical ignorance, and even nation…

Americas Fidelity Technologies won an $18.7 million deal for the design and procurement of a UH-60M flight simulator. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Slovakia, with an estimated completion date of September 13, 2027. UH-60 Black Hawk is a multi-mission helicopter developed by Sikorsky that has been […]View the full article

Americas The US Navy has selected L3Harris Technologies to develop an F/A-18 next-generation electronic warfare (EW) system. L3Harris is one of two companies selected for the $80 million prototype development contract, with follow-on development and production contracts expected in 2026. The US Space Force has announced 21 new launch missions through 2024 under the National Security […]View the full article

From the NDAA to some rather positive words from the SECNAV on some of our favorite maritime areas of concern, so far December has produced a few positives to think about - if you don't think too much about the Army-Navy game on Saturday... This week's Midrats free for all will start here and then we'll work our way around the national security landscape. As always, open topic, open phones ... so come join us for the conversation Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern. 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 podcast list simply by clicking the iTunes button at the main showpage - or y…

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $180 million modification for the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Interceptors and associated one-shot devices to support the US government. The THAAD Interceptors and associated one-shot devices will be procured under fixed-price incentive (firm target) contract line items. THAAD is a United States Army anti-ballistic missile defense […]View the full article

Americas The US Air Force has contracted Raytheon Technologies to produce new advanced propellers for its C-130 Hercules aircraft. Valued at $135 million, the agreement will require the company to deliver NP2000 propeller systems, including electronic control systems and spare parts. According to Raytheon, the eight composite-bladed propeller system will improve the performance of the […]View the full article

A lesson as old as the human condition was again proved in February of this year; weakness invites aggression. From demographers to strategists, a variety of disciplines see the second half of this decade through the first half of the next as a window of exceptional vulnerability for a war with China in the Western Pacific. We have discussed this emerging threat there for almost two decades and the time is here. Are we ready? No. If you agree with this window, then you also must agree with the following: no magic system or capability is going to fight and win this war for us and our allies. There is nothing that isn’t at least IOC today that will be available to the fleet…

Americas Ecuador’s foreign minister said the country did not plan to send Soviet-era weapons to Ukraine after the president’s vow to do so sparked a spat with Moscow over banana and flower exports. “Ecuador will not send any war material to a country that is involved in an international armed conflict,” Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld told […]View the full article

Beijing has begun fielding a new air defense system designed to counter mass drone attacks, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) adopts measures against the growing threat of low-cost, expendable unmanned aircraft. The FK-3000, first showcased at the 2022 Zhuhai Air Show, was seen during rehearsals for an upcoming military parade. According to Chinese sources, […] The post China fields new FK-3000 anti-drone system first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Northrop Grumman won a $387.5 million definitized contract action for Global Hawk (RQ-4) aircraft sustainment. The contract provides for contractor logistics support services. The locations of performance are Sacheon Air Base, Republic of Korea; Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea; Misawa Air Base, Japan; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy; and San Diego, California; and […]View the full article

Americas Lockheed Martin won a $12.9 million deal for AEGIS design agent field engineering services. Aegis is an integrated missile guidance system used on US Navy and allied ships to protect the battle group. Work will take place in Virginia, California, Hawaii, Japan, Washington and California. Estimated completion date is in September 2023. The US Army is integrating a 20 kW-class laser weapon system into its new Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) to help soldiers down smaller unmanned aerial systems (UASs), according to the director of the service’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office Lieutenant General Neil Thurgood. The three-star general spoke at the Spa…

Americas The US Air Force has returned to Komatsu airbase, Japan for training for the first time in 3 years. According to the NHK, 6 US F-16s are in Komatsu till September 2 for joint exercise with Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Communications and Power Industries LLC won a $36.5 million deal for the F-16 Traveling Wave Tube repair services. Work will be performed in Palo Alto, California, and is expected to be completed by January 30, 2029. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an advanced aerial combat aircraft, which provides 4th generation fighter aircraft capabilities. Work will take place in California. Expected completio…

Americas According to news reports in Israel, the United States had approached Israel to release its stockpile of MIM-23 HAWK air defense missiles and transfer them to Ukraine. But the head of the Israeli Defense Ministry’s political-Military Bureau, Dror Shalom, reportedly told the Pentagon that Israel has not changed its policy of not sending weapons […]View the full article

Americas Boeing won a §200 million modification, which procures critical long lead material and associated efforts in support of maintaining the full rate production timeline for the congressionally added F/A-18E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (68.9%); St Louis, Missouri (20.2%); Goleta, California (2.5%); East Aurora, New York (1.7%); Blossom, Texas (1.3%); […]View the full article