Qatar's naval forces are to receive a coastal defense system from Europe's MBDA that will deploy both Marte extended-range and Exocet MM40 Block 3 missiles.

The missiles will be able to work in autonomous mode with their own radar, or alternatively by data-linking to a higher level within a wider coastal surveillance network.

"I am delighted that Qatar has confirmed the trust placed in MBDA for its defense requirements, just a few months after signing the MOU [memorandum of understanding] ...," said Antoine Bouvier, MBDA's chief executive officer.

"MBDA is now one of the country's leading defense suppliers and will continue to show its long-standing commitment and support for the Qatari Armed Forces."

The European group said a contract for the system was signed Wednesday in Doha, the Qatari capital. The value of the contract and other details were not disclosed. The contract, however, follows the one MBDA signed with the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces last June to supply missiles for new naval vessels recently procured from Fincantieri.

MBDA is owned jointly by Airbus Group, BAE Systems and Leonardo-Finmeccanica.

Raytheon gets $24 million for Tomahawk radio and antenna
Washington (UPI) Sep 2, 2016 -Raytheon Missile Systems has received a $24 million contract for radio and antenna work on the U.S. Navy's Tomahawk missile.

The cost-plus-fixed fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement calls for the design, development and integration of a government furnished integrated single box solution radio and upgraded antennas into the Tactical Tomahawk Block IV All-Up-Round missile.

It also covers integration of the integrated single box solution into the Tactical Tomahawk guidance test set.

The deal will also encompass continued engineering support for navigation system upgrades.

Work will be performed in Arizona and Colorado with an estimated completion date of January 2018.

Naval Air Systems Command is the contracting activity.

The Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile can circle for hours, shift course instantly on command and beam a picture of targets to controllers halfway around the globe before hitting with pinpoint accuracy, Raytheon said.

It can be launched from a ship or submarine and can fly into heavily defended airspace more than 1,000 miles away.