DID - Raytheon To Deliver Patriot Hardware Updates | Turkey Completed New Round Of Alka Tests | Japan Approved New Defense Budget

Americas

Raytheon won a $30 million deal for the procurement of Patriot post deployment build hardware updates and Multifunctional Distribution System Block Upgrade 2. Patriot is a combat-proven air defense system operated by the US and a number of its allies. The Patriot missile is equipped with a track-via-missile (TVM) guidance system. Midcourse correction commands are transmitted to the guidance system from the mobile engagement control centre. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will take place in Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is March 31.

The US Navy demonstrated unmanned cargo delivery to a moving ship for the first time recently. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division demonstration saw multiple unmanned aerial systems (UAS) delivering cargo weighing less than 50 pounds (22.68 kilograms), accounting for 90 percent of navy logistics deliveries.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey recently completed another round of tests on its “Alka” directed energy counter-drone weapon system. The Roketsan-developed system is one of many directed energy weapons Turkish defense firms have been developing, such as the LSS laser defense system by Aselsan. The Alka uses an electromagnetic jamming system and a 50-watt laser to disable and destroy short-range threats like drones. The system can also defuse bomb traps and improvised explosive devices, the manufacturer states.

Europe

Italian defense firm Leonardo has finished the initial phase of flight testing for its latest Falco Xplorer remotely piloted aircraft system. The Italian drone performed complex functional tests to validate platform maturity and performance. Leonardo received air traffic, fire prevention, and flight safety assistance from the Air Force’s 37°Stormo wing during the activity at Trapani Birgi military airport in Sicily, 260 miles (420 kilometers) south of the capital Rome.

Asia-Pacific

Japan on Friday approved a $839 billion budget for the year ahead, including record defense spending after a major security strategy overhaul announced this month. The fiscal 2023 budget approved by the cabinet includes $51 billion for the defense ministry, up approximately 30 percent from last year.

The Japanese Defense Ministry has included the cost of acquiring 180,000 square meters of land necessary for deploying an air defense missile unit to the Yonaguni base of the Ground Self-Defense Force in the budget plan for fiscal 2023. While there is currently a coastal surveillance unit deployed on the island of Yonaguni, this will be the first time that a combat unit will be deployed there. In fiscal 2023, an electronic warfare unit will be newly established, and the number of personnel stationed at the Yonaguni base will increase from around 170 at the end of this fiscal year to around 210.

Today’s Video

WATCH: Turkey’s Domestic Laser Weapon”ROKETSAN ALKA” in inventory !

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