DID - Lockheed To Provide Hellfire And JAGM Engineering Services | Alpagu Hits Target In Test | India’s MiG-21 To be Phased Out

Americas

Lockheed Martin won a $9.4 million contract modification for HELLFIRE and Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile engineering services. The AGM-114 Hellfire II is an air-to-ground missile developed primarily for the anti-armor role.  It is a combat-proven tactical missile system using multiple launch platforms based on air, sea and ground. Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) is an Army led program managed by PEO Missiles and Space, Joint Attack Munitions Systems (JAMS) Project Office. JAGM is a multi-sensor air-to-ground missile that is the successor to the combat proven HELLFIRE Romeo and HELLFIRE Longbow missiles. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date is June 16, 2023.

Insitu won a $12.5 million modification, which increases the ceiling to provide additional air vehicles, support equipment and spares in support of the RQ-21A Blackjack Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) and ScanEagle UAS for the Navy and Foreign Military Sales customers. The Blackjack can be deployed in persistent maritime and land-based tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, data collection, target acquisition and dissemination missions. ScanEagle has a range of 1,500km and an endurance of more than 28 hours. The air vehicle can operate at speeds between 80km/h and 126km/h and the cruise speed is 90km/h in level flight.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey’s tactical fixed-wing loitering munition, ‘Alpagu’ hit a target with pinpoint accuracy in a test fire by the military. Weighing less than two kilograms, Alpagu can be operated by a single soldier. Its small size makes it nearly immune to radar and the target’s defensive systems are unaware of the killer drone’s presence until the last moment.

Europe

The UK Royal Navy’s newest Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey has been commissioned into the Royal Navy during a ceremony alongside the Ross-shire town of Invergordon. HMS Spey has been undergoing a programme of operational sea training to ready her for action.

Asia-Pacific

Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, said the MiG-21 will be phased out of service within three years. Bhadauria was speaking at the combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. He said once the Rafale is fully operational, the service can turn its attention to inducting the LCA. The indigenous jet will replace the MiG-21. Separately, Times of India also reported that the Indian Air Force has stand up 101 Squadron as the second Rafale Squadron. The unit is now at Ambala and will officially induct at Hasimara air base within a month.

Sea trials of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant has been delayed due to travel and quarantine issues caused by COVID-19. As per news report, Indian navy personnel and equipment suppliers are unable to travel or are being quarantined. New Indian Express says the trials are rescheduled for September after the monsoon period is over.

Today’s Video

Watch: America’s AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Destroyed Armored Vehicle in ONE Seconds

View the full article