DID - Sikorsky To Provide CH-53K Maintenance | Iron Beam Successfully Completes Tests | Romania Suspends MiG-21 Flight Operations

Americas

Toyon Research won a $11.7 million contract modification, which procures the following AN/ALQ-231(V) Intrepid Tiger (IT II) Family of Systems production hardware: 24 (V) 4 maintenance stands; 18 (V) 4 radio frequency (RF) coupler sets (aft); 18 (V) 4 RF coupler sets (forward); seven IT II V3 direction finding array RF coupler sets; and seven IT II V3 RF couplers. Additionally, this contract provides engineering support to include life cycle and incidental engineering support as well as analyses, development, integration, test, documentation, repair/maintenance, and engineering test support for the Electronic Warfare Center and Electronic Attack communications jamming airborne (fixed wing, rotary wing, and unmanned air systems), ground based systems, and laboratories. Work will take place in California, Arizona. Expected completion date is in March 2027.

Sikorsky won a $40.4 million modification, which increases maintenance of the CH-53K low rate initial production configuration aircraft. The Sikorsky CH-53K Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter is being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft to replace the CH-53E helicopter of the US Marine Corps (USMC). Work will take place in California, Connecticut and various locations within the continental US. Estimated completion is in December 2026.

Middle East & Africa

Rafael and the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development have successfully completed a series of ground-breaking tests with a high-power laser interception system against steep-track threats. The demonstrator successfully intercepted UAVs, mortars, rockets, and anti-tank missiles in various scenarios. Rafael’s Iron Beam provides Israel with a capability unlike one seen elsewhere in the world by successfully developing a high-power laser technology at an operational standard with operational interception capabilities.

Europe

The Romanian Ministry of Defense has decided to suspend all flight operations of its MiG-21 fighters after a series of fatal accidents. Last month, a MiG-21 crashed killing its pilot. An IAR 330 that was scrambled to search for the fighter also crashed, killing seven on board. Romania says it will now speed up the process to acquire 32 F-16s that are offered for sale by Norway. The country will also rely on its current F-16s to protect its airspace.

AeroVironment won a $19.7 million deal for RQ-20 Puma AE systems, reconnaissance surveillance and target acquisition kits, initial spares package, contractor logistics support and new equipment training for the country of Ukraine. Work will take place in Simi Valley, California. The US Army Contracting Command will be overseeing the implementation of the contract and AeroVironment has to complete deliveries by May 30.

Asia-Pacific

Japan scrambled its second-highest number of fighters on record in FY 2021, the Defense Ministry disclosed on April 15. The highest on record was in 2016 with 1168 scrambles. Last fiscal year was 1004 scrambles. 772 of these scrambles were against Chinese aircraft, 266 were against Russian aircraft.

Today’s Video

WATCH: ‘Iron Beam’ laser defense system succeeds in first test

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