February 2021 News Global Defence & Security Industry - Military

 
 
 
 
 

In an effort to counter the increasing threat posed by enemy drones and other airborne threats, the U.S. Army is making an investment in directed energy prototype technology, with the Tactical High Power Operational Responder, or THOR, system, developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, playing a key role.

AeroVironment, Inc., a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), announced it has acquired Progeny Systems Corporation’s Intelligent Systems Group (ISG), a leader in the development of artificial intelligence-enabled computer vision, machine learning and perceptive autonomy technologies and provider of related services to United States government customers. The acquisition will significantly accelerate AeroVironment’s development of advanced autonomy capabilities for the company’s growing portfolio of intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, increase customer-funded research and development revenue and broaden its advanced engineering services offering to defense and commercial customers. Under the terms of the transaction, AeroVironment acquired ISG for $30 million in cash and an earnout for Progeny Systems Corporation of up to $6 million over three years, based on the achievement of specific performance targets.

The withdrawal of a second contender to supply both Armoured and Tactical Bridging Systems for the British Army's TYRO project, means that UK military bridge designer and manufacturer WFEL is now the sole bidder. Project TYRO aims to provide UK Heavy Forces with Close Support Bridge (CSB) and General Support Bridge (GSB) capabilities for the British Army's Royal Engineers (RE) to cross wet and dry gaps, both on the battlefield and in emergency and disaster relief situations.

In response to gaps in the short-range air defense radar market, Numerica announces the development of a new U.S.-made, 3D radar solution for Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and other short-range defense missions – introducing Spyglass Short Range Surveillance Radar. Designed to fill the need for exceptional C-UAS detection and tracking performance, Spyglass from Numerica will be available soon for a broad set of applications including facility security, border surveillance, convoy and vehicle protection, air space monitoring and more.

BAE Systems has received an order from the Norwegian Army for 20 additional CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to increase the combat power of its existing fleet. The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency awarded the more than $50 million contract that will increase the Army's fleet to 164 vehicles as part of its effort to grow and modernize in the face of evolving threats.

The Indonesian Marine Corps gets a budget allocation for the purchase of self-propelled howitzers, according to reliable sources echoed by Defense Studies. The selected model of howitzer will have a caliber of 155mm, which is bigger than the current 105mm LG1 towed howitzer and M1938 (M-30) 122mm howitzer.

On February 16th, the Italian Army Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Salvatore Farina, was welcomed by Claudio Catalano, CEO of IVECO Defence Vehicles, at the Bolzano plant where the new Centauro 2 are currently in production. These vehicles are going to be part of the cavalry units of the Italian Army. The Director of Land Armaments, Lt. Gen. Paolo Giovannini, was also present.

The U.S. State Department announced on February 17 tht it has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Finland of Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $91.2 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

M-Code receiver and next-gen ASIC will enable secure and reliable military GPS capabilities BAE Systems received a $247 million contract from the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center to design and manufacture an advanced military GPS receiver and next-generation semiconductor. The technology will provide positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities to warfighters so they can execute missions in challenging electromagnetic environments.

The Iranian Army Ground Force’s missile unit is testing a smart missile with a range of 300 km, Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force Brigadier General Kiomars Heidari said on February 14 to Fars news agency. This mid-range missile is being tested to assess its precision-striking power, he added.

During the Army-2020 defense forum, the Military Industrial Company showcased the K-17 infantry fighting vehicle variant. Russia’s latest Bumerang armored platform, designed by the Military Industrial Company, can be equipped with foreign-made combat modules, the company’s Director General Alexander Krasovitsky told TASS. "We see the possibility of equipping Bumerang chassis with foreign-made combat modules, we see no problem about this. Naturally, a foreign module should be adjusted with the participation of our specialists," he said in the run-up to an international defense exhibition, IDEX 2021, to be held in UAE’s Abu Dhabi on February 21-25.

NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, General Tod Wolters, has declared the NATO AGS RQ-4D remotely piloted aircraft initially operationally ready to conduct missions. This is a major milestone for the programme, which will substantially increase the Alliance’s awareness, indications and warnings of what is happening around its borders.

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