DID - GD Tapped For Trident Support Services | Nigeria Operates Aerosonde Drone | Spain Donates MIM-23 To Ukraine

Americas

General Dynamics won an $18.1 million deal to provide US Trident II Strategic Weapon System Kings Bay Trident Trainer Facility kit and engineering support services. The Trident II Strategic Weapons System is an improved SLBM with greater accuracy, payload, and range than the earlier Trident C-4. It is a key element of the US strategic nuclear triad and strengthens US strategic deterrence.Work will take place in Connecticut, Georgia and Florida.Estimated completion date is December 31, 2025

The last three remaining RQ-4A BAMS-D unmanned air vehicles that belonged to the US Navy have been transferred to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. The ground control equipment and non-payload spares will be transferred as well. The sailing branch had acquired five BAMS-Ds and one was lost in a crash in 2012 while another was shot down by Iran in 2019. NASA will operate the aircraft on behalf of the Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center.

Middle East & Africa

The Nigerian Army has officially started operating Textron Systems’ Aerosonde drone, enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The $9 million foreign military sale of multiple Aerosonde Mk 4.7 Fixed Wing unmanned vehicles, awarded in August, marks the first time the African country acquired US-made drones. “We know the Aerosonde system will make a difference for Nigeria as it provides the most cost-effective real-time ISR capability in its class,” Textron’s Vice President Wayne Prender said.

Europe

Fifteen European countries on Thursday announced that they would jointly procure air defense systems to protect the continent under a newly-created European Sky Shield Initiative. Germany, which spearheaded the project, will coordinate the joint procurements to urgently plug existing gaps with regard to possible air attacks at close range — including drones — as well as medium and long-range, and especially against ballistic missiles and cruise missiles which Russia owns, its defense ministry said.

Spain will be donating four of its MIM-23 air defense missile launchers to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg disclosed on October 13. These weapons are transferred to strengthen the air defense of Ukraine, which is designed to protect the country from Russian missile and air strikes.

Asia-Pacific

For the first time, US Marine Corps MV-22Bs are now allowed to fly at 300ft in Japan. The first such flights took place during Resolute Dragon in Hokkaido on October 7. “The Low Altitude Tactics training at Resolute Dragon greatly benefited the squadron and significantly improved operational readiness. By providing a venue for training that is difficult to obtain, the exercise enabled the unit to requalify over 20 aircrew and conduct instructor qualification flights. We are extremely grateful for the months of coordination among USFJ, III MEF, and GOJ that secured clearance to fly at 300 feet and conduct this valuable training. We look forward to continued cooperation with USFJ and the GOJ in order to accomplish bilateral training objectives and improve readiness,” said Lieutenant Colonel Jason Laird, VMM-265 commanding officer.

Today’s Video

WATCH: A look at Nato’s new spy drones – BBC News

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