Business
UK defense industry seeks ‘bold’ government backing after Brexit vote –
The UK needs to quickly signal it will support the aerospace, defense and other industries and not wait for the completion of negotiations with the European Union to act, according to the chief executive of ADS, Inc., the country’s leading trade body in the sector.
Israel looks to step up Iron Dome production to meet evolving threat –
Israeli air defence units are preparing to deal with unprecedented rocket barrages in future conflicts, while the Ministry of Defense is seeking to increase the rate at which Iron Dome batteries and interceptors are produced, security officials said June 27.
After détente, Israel may seek comeback to Turkish defense market –
The newly announced accord between Israel and Turkey to normalize ties opens up the chance to resume defense-related trade, but real progress to that end may need time to develop, according to analysts and officials.
Raytheon to upgrade Kuwait’s Patriot air and missile defense system to latest version –
Raytheon has received a $523 million contract to modernize six Patriot fire units to configuration 3+ for Kuwait.
Tokyo speaking with industry about futuristic F-3 fighter –
Japan’s Ministry of Defence has requested information from international aerospace firms to explore options for its planned F-3 fighter program, which could see a new type deployed in the 2030s.
BAE, Northrop partner with UK agency for F-35 bid –
Two of the principle companies involved in developing the F-35 Lightning II strike jet have teamed with a British state-owned components repair operation in a bid to secure a significant long-term deal to become the avionics sustainment hub for the aircraft in Europe.
The U.K.’s F-35 contributions –
U.K. companies stand to earn $1.3 billion a year as suppliers to the F-35.
KC-390 confirmed for Farnborough debut –
Embraer is to give its developmental KC-390 tanker/transport an international debut at the Farnborough air show, ahead of a multi-national promotional tour for the jet-powered type.
MBDA signs €1 billion missile deal with Qatar –
European missile producer MBDA has signed a deal worth more than €1 billion to supply Qatar with missiles for new naval vessels it is buying from Italy.
OGMA submits Hercules upgrade bid to Gabon –
Gabon is considering whether to bring an elderly B-model variant of the Lockheed Martin C-130 back to flyable condition, in order to double the size of its air force’s transport fleet.
Latest soldier system technologies boost situational awareness and sustainability –
Harris Communications revealed further developments in its Individual Soldier System which combines video transmission and display in the digital Tactical Mobility Night Vision Goggle with the integration of augmented reality from a C2 system. Eric Garris, production line manager and chief technologist for ISS told IHS Jane’s that there had been an order from an unspecified Asia Pacific country in evaluation quantities, but the intention was to move into production standard over the next year.
India acquires Litening targeting pod –
Rafael will supply 164 examples of its Litening targeting pod to the Indian air force, for use on four types of combat aircraft including New Delhi’s Sukhoi Su-30 fighters.
Defense
Task force pushes for military personnel reforms, if Congress will listen –
Officials from the Bipartisan Policy Center are bringing together a cast of notable defense influencers for a new task force to tackle defense personnel reform, in an effort to prevent morale and benefits issues from cutting into retention.
Hurricane Hunters help inject accuracy into storm predictions –
In mere seconds, the WC-130J springboards past 1,000 feet. It’s the extra push the J-model aircraft — first delivered to the Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunters” — gets on takeoff. It’s that kind of power the aircrew relies on to propel through a storm.
F-35s take off for Atlantic crossing –
Two years after an engine fire at Eglin AFB, Fla., caused the F-35 to miss its planned international debut in the U.K., U.S. Marine Corps and U.K. versions are at last on their way across the Atlantic Ocean for the Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Airshow.
Army testing foreign active protection systems for U.S. combat vehicles –
The U.S. Army is turning to foreign systems for an interim solution for advanced protection for its combat vehicles against rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank guided missiles and other threats.
Japan, U.S., South Korea conduct first joint missile-tracking exercise –
The U.S. Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Korea Navy) concluded their first joint missile-tracking exercise off the coast of Hawaii June 28.
U.S. Navy’s Fire Scout deploys with new radar –
The U.S. Navy’s Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter recently deployed with a new maritime surveillance radar, the Navy announced June 28.
Veterans
VA Crisis Line director resigns, text messages go unanswered –
Four months after Veterans Affairs officials announced leadership changes at the agency’s suicide hotline — and praised employees following a scandal over dropped calls — the line’s director has resigned and some staff members still answer as few as one call a day.
VA opposes bill aimed at helping vets in mustard gas experiments –
The Department of Veterans Affairs pushed back June 29 against a proposal aimed at making it easier for World War II veterans intentionally exposed to mustard gas in U.S. military experiments to get medical benefits.
Vets bill would protect their credit scores –
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is looking to protect veterans from suffering credit score mishaps at the hand of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA privatization debate to hinge on coming report –
The coming week could be a watershed moment in the volatile debate over privatizing more health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs.