Leonardo will receive a contract worth $51 million to upgrade the Defensive Aids Sub System electronic countermeasures and missile warning system on Britain's Typhoon fighter jets.
British Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon announced the contract at the Airpower Conference in London on Thursday. The upgrade program will run over a two-year period as part of Britain's efforts to modernize the fighter plane.
"Our armed forces face ever-evolving threats so we must invest in cutting-edge technology to ensure they can operate in hostile theaters," Fallon said in a press release.
"Our growing defense budget and [$230 billion] equipment plan makes this possible; giving UK forces the defenses they need to protect them, their kit and the people of Britain."
The DASS provides warning against enemy ground and air-launched radar-guided missiles. It automatically deploys jamming and radar decoys at extended ranges to confuse the incoming missile's guidance system.
The Eurofighter Typhoon is Britain's primary Quick Reaction Alert fighter for defending its domestic airspace in the mainland and Falkland islands. It is a multi-role fighter capable of air superiority and ground attack missions with partial stealth capabilities.
It is built by a consortium of European defense companies and has been adopted by several European nations. Britain currently has more then 70 Typhoons in active service.
Northrop Grumman to handle logistical support for E-11A
Washington (UPI) Jul 13, 2017 –
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a $41.2 million contract for logistical support of the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node aircraft.
The contract is for maintenance and product support for four E-11A communications relay aircraft engaged in Overseas Contingency Operations, the Department of Defense announced on Wednesday .
Work will be conducted in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and Maryland, with an expected completion date of Jan. 23, 2019. Fiscal 2017 OCO operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3.6 million have already been obligated.
The E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node is designed to be able to integrate all supported military communications systems from disparate sources including tactical and command level networks. It is specially suited for communications relays in mountainous terrain, where line-of-sight communications are unreliable. The same equipment is mounted on the Global Hawk EQ-4B unmanned aerial vehicle for similar missions.
The E-11A is a modified version of the Bombadier BD-700 business jet with a maximum range of 9,000 miles and a top speed of Mach 0.9. It first saw operational use in 2008 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Four are in service alongside three Global Hawk EQ-4Bs
Honeywell, Pratt and Whitney contracted by Air Force for power system support
Honeywell International and Pratt and Whitney have received requirements contracts totaling $27 million for engineering and research and development on secondary power systems for multiple platforms of the U.S. Air Force.
The twin contracts, announced Wednesday by the Department of Defense, will cover much of the U.S. Air Force's existing air fleet.
The companies have been tasked … read more
