PARIS — France’s Safran and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines created a joint venture to develop a new power unit for Europe’s next-generation military helicopter project. The 50/50 venture will work on a “100% European engine” to power a military helicopter set to enter service by 2040, and will provide the core for a partnership with…
Category: Military
Why the US Air Force should keep Next Generation Air Dominance alive
As a former secretary of the Air Force, I’ve “been there and done that” when it comes to budget trade-offs, making hard choices and doing my best to work collaboratively within the halls of the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill to reach the best decisions possible for our military’s current and future readiness. So I…
NATO appoints outgoing Dutch PM Mark Rutte as its next secretary
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next secretary-general on Wednesday, putting the outgoing Dutch prime minister in charge of the world’s biggest security organization at a critical time for European security as war rages in Ukraine. Rutte’s appointment was sealed by NATO ambassadors during a meeting at the 32-nation alliance’s headquarters in Brussels….
Pentagon head speaks with Russian counterpart for first time in a year
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Russia’s defense minister — the first such conversation in 15 months. Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced the call in a briefing Tuesday, saying Austin initiated the discussion. “The secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine,” Ryder said….
Boeing’s aircraft woes drive drone focus at Leonardo facility
ROME — Work on fixed-wing and tiltrotor drones are taking up the slack at an Italian facility run by Leonardo, which has been hit by a slowdown caused by sluggish civil contracts from Boeing, the firm has said. Leonardo had told unions in Rome that the plant at Grottaglie would need to shut down for…
Three workshops receive upgrades at Russian bomber manufacturer
MOSCOW — The sole Russian company that produces Tu-160M bombers has completed upgrades to three workshops, it announced June 24. United Aircraft Corp., which owns Tupolev and the Kazan Aircraft Plant, said upgrades were done for preproduction, mechanical assembly and flight test centers. The Kazan Aircraft Plant is the sole organization in Russia that produces…
US Army’s new precision missile hit moving target in Pacific exercise
The U.S. Army said it fired its newly fielded Precision Strike Missile from the Pacific island of Palau and engaged a moving target at sea, marking the first time the weapon has been used outside of American-based testing sites. The first set of Precision Strike Missiles, or PrSM, were delivered to the Army in December…
What’s the spending plan for sixth-gen fighters around the world?
The latest Future Years Defense Program, for fiscal 2025, shows continued support within the Pentagon for dramatic growth in spending on so-called sixth-generation aircraft, most prominently including the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance and the Navy’s F/A-XX programs. At the same time, enthusiasm continues in Europe and Asia for another competing pair of sixth-gen…
Armed with quantum sensors, France eyes leaps in electronic warfare
PARIS — The French Navy took delivery of its first serial-produced, quantum-technology sensor this year, a quantum gravimeter used for mapping the seabed, the head of the country’s defense innovation agency AID said. Future uses of such sensors could be for navigation or detecting enemy submarines. The agency is also working with Thales on quantum…
When will Argentina receive its modernized tanks?
SANTIAGO, Chile — The Argentine Army will begin receiving its first modernized 2CA2 medium tanks in September, with a dozen to be delivered by year’s end, military sources in Buenos Aires told Defense News. The more detailed confirmation follows a hint from the president during a June 20 event in the capital. In front of…
US to vacate first air base within weeks as it withdraws from Niger
The U.S. will have fully cleared out of one air base in Niger as it continues to move personnel and equipment from the African country ahead of a September deadline to complete its withdrawal, according to the head of U.S. Africa Command. Niger and the U.S. announced their decision in a joint statement last month…
When will China have a sixth-gen fighter jet?
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Despite China’s notorious secrecy surrounding all things defense, there are indications it is making progress on a sixth-generation fighter. Perhaps the clearest admission came from a WeChat social media post by Aviation Industry Corporation of China in January 2019. In an interview discussing sixth-gen fighters, Wang Haifeng, the chief designer at…
European gun makers trial small arms as drone stoppers
PARIS — Western gun makers are exploring the potential of small arms to counter small drones, turning cheap and widely available weapons into last-resort defenses against an emerging threat. The shift is playing out on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, where invading Russian forces and defending Ukrainian soldiers have employed tactics to that effect. Now,…
Top State Department official to become Austin’s new chief of staff
Derek Chollet, a senior State Department official nominated last year for the Pentagon’s top policy role, will become Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s new chief of staff. Austin announced the decision in a statement Monday morning, calling Chollet “one of the most distinguished, far-sighted, and skillful national-security practitioners of his generation.” The decision comes nearly…
Safran in talks to buy French AI startup Preligens for €220 million
PARIS — Aerospace firm Safran is in exclusive talks to buy French defense artificial-intelligence startup Preligens, whose algorithms are used to analyze satellite data for the French and U.S. militaries, for an enterprise value of €220 million, or $236 million. Safran said the potential deal is a “unique opportunity” to add cutting-edge AI to its…
Army to buy more than 1,000 Switchblade drones through Replicator
The U.S. Army will field more than 1,000 Switchblade 600 drones over the next year as part of Replicator — the Pentagon’s push to field thousands of uncrewed systems. Gen. James Mingus, the Army’s vice chief of staff, revealed the quantity for the first time during a June 21 House Appropriations defense subcommittee hearing, hosted…
Lockheed ties digital C2 into Joint Fires Network at Valiant Shield
Lockheed Martin said it demonstrated it can integrate digital command and control capabilities into the Pentagon’s Joint Fires Network during Valiant Shield, an exercise in Hawaii this month. The Joint Fires Network is a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command initiative to improve coordination between commanders and network any sensor from any platform to feed targeting guidance to…
India advances light attack helicopter program with large tender
Thanks to its high-altitude performance, the Light Combat Helicopter – or LCH for short – is an important aviation platform for India’s military. Now, a major acquisition of this helicopter type has moved forward after India’s Ministry of Defence issued a request for proposals. The RfP was issued to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the designer…
The EU’s fresh designs for funding a defense resurgence, explained
BERLIN — The European Union is gearing up to boost defense spending across the continent amid the threat from Russia and fears of a wavering U.S. commitment, creating or expanding avenues for funding defense projects through EU-level institutions. The collection of small moves aimed at steering the Brussels bureaucracy towards defense outcomes effectively erodes a…
Pentagon tech hub to launch dozens of new projects with FY24 funding
The Defense Innovation Unit plans to spend most of its nearly $1 billion fiscal 2024 budget to accelerate existing projects and add new ones in technology areas like counter uncrewed aerial systems and space transport. Congress approved a nearly 10-fold funding increase in FY24for the Pentagon’s commercial technology hub to support its expanding mission to…
White House redirects air defense interceptors to embattled Ukraine
The U.S. moved Ukraine to the front of the line for its sales of air defense interceptors — one of the most critical weapons in Ukraine’s self-defense. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announced the reshuffle in a briefing today, calling it “difficult but necessary.” In the short-term, he said, Patriot and NASAM interceptors that…
European ammo firms tell EU to ‘hurry up’ with 155mm shell aid top-up
PARIS — European policymakers should urgently provide more funding to increase production of the propellant and explosive materials required to manufacture 155mm artillery shells, ammunition makers Nammo and KNDS said at the Eurosatory defense show in Paris. “The response from the industry: hurry up,” said Morten Brandtzaeg, the CEO of Nammo, in response to a…
Romania to buy 54 howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace
WARSAW, Poland — The Romanian Ministry of National Defence has chosen the K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer for the nation’s armed forces. The country’s military is to receive a total of 54 howitzers with related gear, the ministry said in a statement. The decision to buy the weapon, which is manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace,…
Lawmakers urge Defense Innovation Unit to partner with Israel, Taiwan
House lawmakers want the Pentagon’s commercial technology hub to expand its partnerships with Israel and Taiwan to bolster the countries’ defense-industrial bases. The proposals came in two separate amendments to the House’s version of fiscal 2025 defense policy legislation, which the panel adopted June 14. Both were put forward by Iowa Republican Rep. Zach Nunn….
US approves loitering munitions sale for Taiwan’s ‘porcupine strategy’
Taiwan won approval from main benefactor the U.S. to buy hundreds of loitering munitions, as part of a “porcupine strategy” to use such attritable weapons to help defend the country from a potential Chinese military invasion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s June 18 approvals included 291 Altius 600M-V loitering munitions from Anduril, plus 720 Switchblade…
Navy slows procurement of key vessel for Marine littoral maneuvers
The Navy has delivered nine vessels so far to replace its aging fleet of landing craft, but those watercraft’s operational status was delayed by a year due to testing delays. The ship-to-shore amphibious connector, set to replace the existing landing craft, air cushion platform, is now expected to hit initial operational capability in September and…
Small drones will soon lose combat advantage, French Army chief says
PARIS — The advantage now enjoyed by small aerial drones on battlefields including in Ukraine is but “a moment in history,” French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill said at the Eurosatory defense show in Paris. While anti-drone systems are lagging and “leave the sky open to things that are cobbled together but which…
Chinese military’s rifle-toting robot dogs raise concerns in Congress
Congress is worried that robot dogs with machine guns will be bounding onto the battlefield in the near future. During last week’s debate over the annual defense authorization bill, House lawmakers inserted language in the massive military policy measure to require a new assessment from the Defense Department on “the threat of rifle-toting robot dogs…
US Army moves out on digital engineering strategy
The Army is embarking on a strategy to implement a digital engineering environment meant to speed the pace, lower the cost and reduce risk in weapons systems development, according to Jennifer Swanson, the service’s deputy assistant secretary for data, engineering and software within its acquisition branch. Gabe Camarillo, the Army under secretary, who previewed the…
US Army to launch AI pilot project for acquisition workforce
The U.S. Army wants to better understand how its acquisition and contracting workforce could use generative AI to improve efficiency and is launching a pilot next month to explore those questions. Jennifer Swanson, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for data, engineering and software, said the effort will shed light on how the service’s acquisition…
Ground robots hauling drones into battle is a trend at Paris arms fair
PARIS — The next-generation of robot warfare is unfolding with the teaming of ground and air robots propelling each other forward. At the Eurosatory trade show here, the U.S.-based company Teledyne Flir debuted a new unmanned ground vehicle, or UGV, mounted with its nano aerial drone, the Black Hornet 4, on top. Dubbed the SUGV…
Elusive hypersonic arms need Western teamwork, NATO researcher says
PARIS — Hypersonic weapons are likely still decades away from fielding, and the requisite research is best carried out collaboratively among Western nations, according to Kerstin Huber, executive officer for applied vehicle technology at NATO’s Science and Technology Organization. “I would think it needs another 20 years,” Huber told Defense News on the sidelines of…
Marines Corps’ landing ship taking longer, costing more than planned
A key vessel Marines need to move around in a potential island shootout with China is two years behind schedule, could cost nearly triple its original estimate and the short-term fix isn’t cheap. The Navy’s landing ship medium program expects to award its design and construction contract in fiscal year 2025, two years later than…
Congress OKs Israel F-15 sale as Biden takes heat on heavy bomb pause
The White House has convinced two key Democrats on Capitol Hill to lift their hold on a roughly $18 billion F-15 sale to Israel, even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adds to pressure on the Biden administration to release its own pause on a shipment of thousands of heavy bombs to the country. Rep….
Congress wants to restore nukes on conventional B-52 bombers
Congress is laying the groundwork to restore nuclear weapon capabilities on roughly 30 B-52H Stratofortress bombers that had been converted to drop only conventional munitions as part of the New START arms control treaty with Russia. Both the Senate and House defense policy bills for fiscal 2025 would require the Air Force to once again…
Artis forms Sentinel vehicle protection venture with UAE’s Bin Hilal
Virginia-based defense contractor Artis, with an active protection system it says is capable of defending vehicles from attacks from above, is forming a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates’ company Bin Hilal Enterprises to offer its system overseas. Artis and BHE signed a memorandum of understanding the Eurosatory international defense conference in Paris on…
Europe’s armor industry must merge, Arquus boss says
PARIS — The European market for light and medium armored vehicles has too many players and needs to consolidate, as some companies currently lack the size necessary to push research and development, according to Emmanuel Levacher, the CEO of French armored-vehicle maker Arquus. Joint European purchasing of armored vehicles is also needed to bring the…
Four lessons on sea denial from the Black and Red seas
In the early morning hours of Feb. 1, 2024, six Ukrainian sea drones destroyed the Russian missile ship Ivanovets in the Black Sea. The day prior, 2,000 miles away in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy destroyer Carney successfully shot down three Iranian drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Houthi forces. Two events,…
Citing missile mismatch, Lockheed snarls at HIMARS challenge in Europe
PARIS — Tensions are running high in the race to decide Europe’s artillery rocket system of choice, with Germany emerging as a decisive player in a race between teams Rheinmetall-Lockheed Martin and Elbit-KNDS. On the opening day of the Eurosatory trade show here, all eyes were on the German-American duo, which have paired up to…
France preps Europe’s fastest classified supercomputer for defense AI
PARIS — France plans to build Europe’s most powerful classified supercomputer to take the lead in artificial intelligence for defense purposes, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced at the Eurosatory defense show here. The Armed Forces Ministry will make computing time available to the Higher Education Ministry and other government departments, and also allow French…
France rethinks military light-drone acquisition as Army falls behind
PARIS — France is changing its acquisition process for light military unmanned aerial vehicles to become more nimble and signed a pact with local drone makers as the country’s Army threatens to fall behind in a technology that military leaders say is remaking warfare. French Armed Forces Minister Sebastian Lecornu signed a “defense UAV pact”…
Leonardo seeks global firms to build, tweak its new attack helicopter
ROME — Italy’s Leonardo is seeking industrial partners around the world to get on board its new AW249 attack helicopter as it flies two prototypes, readies two more and brings the platform to the Eurosatory trade show in Paris. Bigger and faster than the aging Italian army AW129 Mangusta it is set to replace, and…
Pentagon’s contracting speed lane sometimes no faster, says watchdog
The Pentagon’s fast-track pathway for buying equipment often doesn’t move any faster than the normal process, according to a new report from the government’s watchdog agency. The Government Accountability Office unveiled its annual report on the Defense Department’s buying practices, covering many of the largest items in the military’s shopping cart, from aircraft carriers to…
How many F-35s to buy? Draft defense bills disagree
The Senate’s proposed National Defense Authorization Act would leave the military’s planned purchases of 68 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in fiscal 2025 unchanged. The chamber’s draft NDAA, which members of the Senate Armed Services Committee unveiled Friday, represents the latest of three different approaches lawmakers are taking to F-35 purchases for next year, which must…
Defense Innovation Unit seeks systems to counter Red Sea drone attacks
As Iran-backed Houthi rebel groups continue to use attack drones to target ships in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy and the Defense Innovation Unit are partnering to prototype a counter uncrewed aircraft system that can disable or shoot them down. The Navy is looking for a system it can easily integrate with a range…
MBDA unveils AI-based Ground Warden tool for finding hidden targets
PARIS — The missile manufacturer MBDA has unveiled an artificial intelligence-based capability to allow military forces to see hidden targets in challenging combat environments. The multinational firm presented its Ground Warden beyond line-of-sight technology here during the Eurosatory defense and security conference. In one scenario presented by MBDA, a firing post is located above a…
Hezbollah-launched missiles hit Israeli military vehicle factory
JERUSALEM — Missiles launched by Hezbollah hit an Israeli defense factory last week, according to the Lebanon-based militant group. The Plasan firm makes vehicle-protection products and components, and it also operates factories in France and the United States. The company reports that a large majority of its wares are exported to the U.S. military. Hezbollah…
Hanwha eyes Norway, Sweden for rocket artillery sales
PARIS – Hanwha Aerospace sees opportunities to sell its K239 Chunmoo rocket artillery system to Norway and Sweden, with short delivery time and price giving it an edge over competitors, the company said at the Eurosatory defense show in Paris on Monday. The South Korean defense firm is displaying its multiple rocket launch system in…
Latvia-led drone coalition for Ukraine gains more funding, members
PARIS — The international coalition to supply drones to Ukraine has received almost $600 million in commitments from Western allies, with Italy and France being the latest countries to join the alliance, the Latvian minister of defense said. The four-month old initiative, which was born in mid-February and now counts 14 participating nations, outlined an…
Israel revives trebuchet, a catapult variant forces are using at border
JERUSALEM — An Israeli military mission to uncover Hezbollah combat positions and hidden cross-border routes has brought an ancient technology back to life, according to an expert and footage from the country’s northern border. Photos and video uploaded to social media show reservists with the Israel Defense Forces operating a trebuchet, a catapult-type tool used…
Battle tank concepts mushroom at Paris arms show
PARIS — If Europeans fail to pull off a common next-generation battle tank design, it will not have been for a lack of ideas. Industry members KNDS and Rheinmetall each presented new concepts here touting major improvements to existing tank fleets, keenly aware that the fluid schedule of the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System could…