Business
Northrop Grumman Hellhound continues to draw crowd at AUSA –
The Hellhounds of folklore were supernatural dogs that wielded fire and served as harbingers of the afterlife.
Kongsberg buy-in at Patria creates Nordic industry force –
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s 49.9 percent strategic acquisition in Finnish state-controlled Patria Oy will create a major Nordic industrial defense group that would be second in revenue only to Sweden’s Saab Corp., which posted sales of $3 billion in 2015.
Possible delays loom for Danish fighter buy –
Unresolved issues over the funding of the Danish fighter replacement program, and uncertainty concerning the stability of Denmark’s minority backed government, are raising fresh fears about further delays in the decision-making process.
ULA exec resigns after controversial statements on McCain –
A top United Launch Alliance executive resigned March 16 after reports emerged that he had accused Sen. John McCain of working with their competition to ban the use of a Russian rocket engine for military space launches.
Rolls-Royce engines to power Italian LHD –
British engine-maker Rolls-Royce has made a breakthrough sale in Italy with the company’s MT30 gas turbine being selected to power a landing helicopter dock set to be built for the Navy. Two of the MT30 engines will power the 20,000-ton warship due to be built by Fincantieri as part of a major program to upgrade the Italian fleet.
MBDA: France, U.K. agree on ‘cross-procurement’ policy –
Britain and France intend to acquire, respectively, the planned Aster Block 1 New Technology missile and Brimstone guided missile as part of a cooperation policy of “cross procurement,” Antoine Bouvier, chairman of missile builder MBDA, said March 17.
UK backs MBDA on mini-cruise missile requirement –
Britain’s Defence Ministry is expected to extend MBDA’s assessment phase contract on the SPEAR Capability 3 missile program, leaving no room for the moment for Raytheon Systems to secure a foothold in the requirement for its Small Diameter Bomb II, according to a source familiar with the program.
Spain’s Indra wins military satellite terminal contract –
Spanish defense firm Indra has been awarded a Spanish military contract for satellite terminals.
DARPA awards security contract to System High Corporation –
System High Corp. has been awarded a $21 million modification to a DARPA security contract.
Maersk claims first drone delivery at sea –
Shipping line Maersk claims it has made the first UAV delivery at sea.
Boeing unveils new unmanned underwater vehicle –
Boeing has unveiled a new unmanned underwater vehicle.
Canadian Coast Guard receives final Bell 429 helicopter –
The Canadian Coast Guard has taken delivery of the 15th and final Bell 429 light-lift helicopter ordered in 2014 from Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Ltd.
Lockheed Martin, making money the old-fashioned way –
Lockheed Martin held its annual media day this week, and CEO Marillyn Hewson assured those attending that the company was financially sound and poised to lead the industry in developing the next generation of military technology, from military lasers to hypersonic weapons.
Defense
The military railgun that fires ‘bullets’ at six times the speed of sound –
The Blitzer railgun, designed by San Diego-based General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, uses electromagnets to fire projectiles at thousands of miles per hour.
Force assistant vice chief fired over unprofessional relationship –
The Air Force assistant vice-chief of staff has been removed after an Inspector General investigation found he exchanged inappropriate emails with a female lieutenant colonel.
U.S. Army seeks faster innovation, capabilities for future –
The U.S. Army is looking beyond tanks and attack helicopters as it builds and prepares for the future.
Air Force clarifies A-10 retirement plans –
Amid some confusion over when the Air Force will retire the A-10 attack plane, top service officials this week clarified the plan to start drawing down Warthog squadrons in fiscal 2018.