Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $7 billion deal for B-2 modernization and sustainment. This contract provides for B-2 enhancements, sustainment, logistics elements including sustaining engineering, software maintenance, and support equipment. Also included is programmed depot maintenance of the fleet and other interim contractor support. Work will be performed at Palmdale, California; with performance at other locations, namely Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri; Tinker AFB, Oklahoma; Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio; Edwards AFB, California; and Hill AFB, Utah, and is expected to be completed by May 3, 2029. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, B-2 Division Contracting, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

The US Army has revealed a new variant of the Bradley tracked armored fighting vehicle in Saco, Maine. The M2A4E1 is touted as the vehicle’s “most modern and survivable version.” It is integrated with an Iron Fist active protection system to detect and intercept incoming missiles and rockets using radar and infrared trackers and explosive projectiles. The newest Bradley is also equipped with an improved High-Definition Forward-Looking Infrared Gunner’s Sight and an Environmental Control Unit to prevent heat stress.

Middle East & Africa

Lockheed Martin Corp won a $15.6 million contract for Iraq integrated air defense system contractor logistics support. This contract provides for follow on contractor logistics support to include subject matter expert support, engineering support, return and repair, and in country on-site support. Work will be performed in Iraq; and Syracuse, New York, and is expected to be completed by May 2, 2027. This contract involves 100 percent Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Iraq. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity.

Europe

Germany has handed over a Skynex air defense system to Ukraine in its latest tranche of military aid to bolster the country’s air defense. The platform is the latest of an $192 million deal in 2022 between Germany and Rheinmetall to equip Ukraine with the anti-missile capability. The integrated tracking unit will be used to counter air targets from Russian forces, performing short-range searches, classification, and identification of threatening aircraft and missiles in Kyiv’s airspace.

Asia-Pacific

The South Korean military shot down an unidentified balloon over the Yellow Sea in March 2024. The balloon, measuring approximately two meters in diameter, was detected by the Marine Corps stationed on Baengnyeong Island near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) – the de facto inter-Korean maritime border. Sources familiar with the situation reported that the balloon lacked any visible means of propulsion and drifted erratically across the NLL, prompting a response. A KA-1 light attack aircraft was scrambled from a nearby front line base and successfully engaged the balloon, bringing it down. Recovery efforts at sea were reportedly unsuccessful.

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