DID - L3 Technologies To Prototype Weapon Data Link For JASSM | Belgium’s C-130s Flew One Last Time | Aussie Triton Completes Production Milestone

Americas

L3 Technologies won a $9.5 million deal to develop a Weapon Data Link prototype for the Joint Air Force to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). JASSM is a cruise missile built by Lockheed Martin and designed to counter both fixed and relocatable targets from long ranges. Work will take place in Utah. Estimate completion date is July 1, 2022.

The Pentagon awarded AgustaWestland USA a $159,4 million deal for the production and delivery of 36 TH-73A helicopters Lot III and initial spares in support of the Advanced Helicopter Training System program. The TH-73A is the aircraft portion of the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS). AHTS improves pilot training and skills by using current cockpit technologies and modernized training curriculum that reflect the capabilities in the current Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard inventory. Work will take place in Pennsylvania and Texas. Estimated completion will be in December 2023.

Middle East & Africa

Boeing won a $398 million deal for the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Modernization Program, Phase 2. The deal provides for production, training and installation and checkout, in order to keep the RSAF E-3 AWACS fleet interoperable with the US Air Force and functionally viable through its expected end of life in 2040. Work will take place in Oklahoma and Saudi Arabia. Estimated completion date is February 21, 2026.

Europe

The final flight of Belgium’s C-130 fleet took place on December 17. Three aircraft were supposed to fly on a three-hour trip across the country but bad weather prevented that from happening. Instead, the three planes went on separate directions with the press on onboard.

Asia-Pacific

The South Korean army has introduced a new 7.62 mm-calibre machine guns, the K-16 to replace K-3 and M60 gun used by its troops earlier.  The K-16 gun’s operational range is 30-percent more than that of the K-3 gun and its destructive power is about double that of the K-3, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a release. The military plans to deploy the new rifles to all armed services by 2024.

Northrop Grumman Corporation recently completed a significant milestone in the production of Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft when the aircraft fuselage was mounted onto Triton’s unique one-piece wing. Once completed and delivered, Triton’s powerful payload and endurance will provide the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with the ability to detect and analyze threats that were previously undetectable.

Today’s Video

Watch: Australia’s First MQ-4C Triton Fuselage Joins its Wing

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