Raw Intel

For you fans of, "The Cruel Sea" ... it has been about six years since I last reposted this and it is about time to bring back history and record of this scrappy class of warship. Even if you've read this FbF in the past - give it another read. What happens when a Navy finds itself short and has to play catch-up until the yards can design and build a more capable fleet? Sink all its funds into a few big ships and then hold its breath? Perhaps build good enough until you get yourself straightened out? Go smart? Yep, you knew they were going to make it to FbF - The Flower Class Corvette from one of the books on Phibian's professional reading list (hey, there is an idea I…

So, how was your war? A little more than 15-years ago after 93-years on our little planet, one of the greatest US Navy tactical leaders passed away. He and his crew had an incredible record during WWII that I would encourage you to review in full here ... but after the Navy decided that they were running out of Navy Crosses to reward the man then all of 31-yrs old, he earned the Medal of Honor for events in his 11th Patrol. Attention to citation: “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of USS BARB during her Eleventh War Patrol” along the east coast of China from 19 December 1945, to 15 Fe…

BAE Systems has announced the delivery of its 1,000th infrared seeker for the U.S. Army’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program. The delivery was made to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for THAAD, for integration onto the interceptor missile. The seeker provides advanced sensing and guidance that allows the missile to detect, track, and […] The post BAE Systems delivers 1,000th THAAD seeker first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas Mercury Mission Systems won a $16.8 million modification, which exercises an option to procure 48 data transfer units and 121 high-definition video recorders for retrofit on F/A-18C-F Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircrafts in support of Small Business Innovation Research Phase III topic N102-0129 titled, “Automatic Real-Time, Reconfigurable Interface Generalization Hardware Multiprotocol Data Recorder”. Work […]View the full article

M3A3 Bradley CFV: Charge! (click to view full) In the 1970s, middle eastern wars demonstrated that tanks without infantry screens were vulnerable to infantry with anti-tank missiles. Unfortunately, armored personnel carriers were easy prey for enemy tanks, and sometimes had trouble just keeping up with friendly tanks like America’s 60+ ton, 50+ mph M1 Abrams. […]View the full article

Americas The US Army recently launched a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) system. The live-fire test follows the Lockheed Martin system launching an SM-6 missile earlier this year, confirming its full operational capability, the US Army revealed. Lockheed delivered the first of four MRCs, also called the Typhoon Weapon System, in December […]View the full article

Americas Austal USA has teamed with Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. and Pearlson Shiplift to design and construct a new part of its manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama. The “major expansion” will see the development of a hub at the southern portion of Austal’s existing waterfront yard. Three branches of the US military have joined forces for […]View the full article

The United States military has awarded Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. a new indefinite-delivery contract to supply combat knives under a Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) procurement issued on November 10. The award, listed under contract, authorizes up to $350,000 in total deliveries for knives classified under the weapons category, with an estimated quantity listed as 489 […]View the full article

As Russia continues to expand its family of loitering munitions, defense firm Roboavia has introduced a new one-way attack drone known as KLIN. Smaller than the Shahed series and designed for short-range missions, the KLIN is engineered for specific tactical-level tasks and resembles existing systems such as the Lancet and KUB in both role and […] The post Russia unveils new kamikaze drone for tactical strikes first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has unveiled an upgraded generation of its unmanned maritime strike platforms known as “Sea Baby,” which have already played a role in high-profile operations in the Black Sea. The drones were shown publicly for the first time in footage released by the SBU, which emphasized their combat-tested effectiveness and […] The post Ukraine unveils new Sea Baby naval drones first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Americas All Clear Repair Services won a $15 million firm-fixed-price contract for UH-60 Black Hawk maintenance and overhaul. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 30, 2029. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting […]View the full article

Americas BAE Systems has inked a $92-million deal with the US Navy to continue providing logistical services for its air traffic control and landing systems. The five-year indefinite-delivery-and -quantity contract covers fleet services, technical support, and operational software development with maintenance for capabilities in the US Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and […]View the full article

Americas Raytheon won a $72.8 million order, which provides non-recurring engineering in support of early identification, development, and qualification of corrections to potential and actual F135 propulsion system operational issues, to include safety and reliability/maintainability problems identified through fleet usage. Additionally, this order provides for continued engine maturation, evaluates component life limits based on operational […]View the full article

Americas Boeing won a $14.2 million order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement. This order provides manufacturing, assembly and delivery of various peculiar support equipment in support of the F/A-18E/F program. Work will be performed in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed in December 2026. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems […]View the full article

Americas BAE Systems has been awarded a $466-million contract to supply its M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers to the US Army. According to a US Department of Defense announcement, the agreement includes the delivery of M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicles. The precise number of howitzers and carriers under order remains to be disclosed. The precise […]View the full article

What is this jewel? The future is often just an updated past. Drop on by USNIBlog and see some of the smart things going on in WESTPAC. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/blogspot/FAFV?d=yIl2AUoC8zA http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/blogspot/FAFV?d=qj6IDK7rITs http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/blogspot/FAFV?i=L57jkdTmt18:yIIMLqwzEw0:gIN9vFwOqvQ http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/blogspot/FAFV?i=L57jkdTmt18:yIIMLqwzEw0:-BTjWOF_DHI http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/blogspot/FAFV?i=L57jkdTmt18:yIIMLqwzEw0:V_sGLiPBpWU http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/blogspot/FAFV?i=L57jkdTmt18:yIIMLqwzEw0:F7zBnMyn0Lo View the full article

AM General LLC of South Bend, Indiana, has secured a contract modification worth $50,974,838 for the production of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs), the U.S. Department of War announced. According to the Pentagon, the modification covers the procurement of an additional 112 M1152A1B2 and M1165A1B3 Humvee variants. This action brings the total cumulative face […] The post U.S. Army buys 112 more Humvees from AM General first appeared on Defence Blog.View the full article

Civil wars are nasty and unpredictable things. The longer they go, the more the thin veneer of civilization starts to strip away for even the most advanced nations and their people. Less advanced nations devolve to Madmaxistan rather quickly. All governmental efforts, money, and attention goes towards weapons, food, and fuel. Industries, infrastructure, and parts of civil society that do not support that get left as if frozen in aspic. If you don't live in a nation suffering that civil war, it is easy not to pay attention to that which does not effect you. There is one aspect of the Yemen civil war that no one should ignore - and it is at sea. This isn't a disaster that a…

Americas Triumph Gear won a $18.5 million deal for the repair of one item that is part of the V-22 pylon conversion actuator system. All work will be performed in Park City, Utah. Work is expected to be completed by April 2025. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity. […]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