Latest Defence and Industry News
Rheinmetall presents the HX3, a new generation of tactical trucks
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- Written by Press Release
- Category: Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall has just unveiled the HX3, the latest generation of its globally tried-and-tested HX family of heavy-duty trucks. Completely redesigned, this future-proof military truck addresses contemporary military and automotive megatrends by drawing on innovative new technologies. Among other things, users can expect better protection, improved mobility, enhanced driving comfort as well as a digital interface architecture for greater operational flexibility and future performance upgrades.
MELBOURNE FIRM WINS SENSOR CONTRACT FOR ARMY’S DRONES
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- Written by Adam Thorn
- Category: Department of Defence
Defence has awarded a contract to a Melbourne-based firm to equip the Army’s drones with next-generation surveillance sensors. Ascent Vision Technologies’ ‘CM234 Spitfire camera gimbal’ uses infrared cameras to provide a more stable image during the day or night. Director General Army Aviation Systems, Brigadier James Allen, said, ..
Thales Australia conducts rocket motor test
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- Written by ADM
- Category: Thales
Thales Australia have this week conducted a safe test firing of a sovereign rocket motor. The testing of locally designed and manufactured Jones rocket motors “continues the expansion of Australia’s sovereign defence industrial and manufacturing capabilities” by evaluating local rocket motor nozzle design and materials.
Australian Defence Sales Catalogue sees big gains
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- Written by APDR
- Category: Department of Defence
The number of Australian small businesses in this year’s Australian Defence Sales Catalogue has surged, underlining the increasing strength of Australia’s world-class defence industry. The fifth edition of the Australian Defence Sales Catalogue showcases some of Australia’s leading-edge products, technologies and services available for export, with small businesses represented from every state and territory.
Central Queensland to reap benefits of Shoalwater Bay Training Area works
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- Written by Defence Media
- Category: Minister
Central Queensland is benefiting from more than $53 million in additional contracts awarded as part of construction works for the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. The additional contracts, including two businesses from Rockhampton, have been awarded for major construction works to be completed under the Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative (ASMTI) Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) Facilities Project.
Australian military to stop using Elbit’s battle management system
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- Written by ANNA AHRONHEIM
- Category: Department of Defence
The Australian Defense Forces will stop using Israeli defense company Elbit’s Battle Management System (BMS) starting in mid-June, Australian Defense Magazine reported last week. The ADF informed Elbit Australia about the decision without giving any explanation, the report said. Tensions had been simmering between Elbit and the Australian Defense Department, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported last week.
The Air Force’s first Skyborg autonomous drone prototype made its first flight
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- Written by Valerie Insinna
- Category: Unmanned Vehicle
WASHINGTON — The Air Force carried out the first flight test of a “Skyborg” drone last month with an Kratos UTAP-22 Mako equipped with a bespoke autonomy system, moving the service one step closer to fielding an uncrewed “loyal wingman” for human pilots. During a two-hour and 10 minute flight test held April 29 at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida,..
John Cockerill Defense and Thales present new system combining cannon and rockets integrated into Cockerill 3030 turret
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- Written by Army Recognition
- Category: Thales
John Cockerill Defense and Thales are combining their skills and product portfolio for the first firing tests of a mixed cannon and 70mm rocket system integrated on a Cockerill 3030 turret. Drawing on their respective expertise in turrets and guns for John Cockerill Defense and airborne weapons systems for Thales, the integration of the two systems was completed in less than 6 months
BAE Systems awarded $76 million contract for additional Vertical Launch System canisters
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- Written by Aerotech News
- Category: BAE Systems
BAE Systems has been awarded a $76 million contract modification to produce additional Vertical Launch System canisters for the U.S. Navy. The canisters play a critical role for storing, transporting, and firing a range of offensive and defensive missiles from the deck of the Navy’s guided-missile cruisers and destroyers.
Defence spending highest since Cold War
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- Written by John Kehoe and Andrew Tillett
- Category: Defence Industry
Australia’s defence spending has hit a post-Cold War high, as the government bolsters the nation’s security in response to China’s growing military power in the region. New analysis shows spending on defence was worth 2.45 per cent of the economy by late last year, the highest since the early 1990s at the end of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.
archTIS to provide support for expanded NC Protect deployment
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- Written by ADM
- Category: Defence Industry
archTIS has announced that the company has entered a contract with the Defence for the expanded deployment of NC Protect. The contract, valued at $296,000, isa software support engagement for archTIS for architecture and implementation services for the migration of NC Protect. The contract is effective immediately for a fixed term ending 30 June 2021.
U.S. Air Force shares impressive photo of joint flight of F-22, E-7A aircraft
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- Written by Dylan Malyasov
- Category: RAAF
The U.S. Air Force has released an impressive photo of a joint flight of Hawaii Air National Guard F-22 Raptor fighter jet and Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail aircraft during the Pacific Edge 21 exercise. According to a recent service news release, total Force Airmen from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam completed a multi-faceted, air-combat exercise April 22, flying more than one hundred sorties alongside partners from the Royal Australian Air Force and other U.S.-based units.
$30 million contract for south-east Queensland business
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- Written by Defence Media
- Category: Rheinmetall
A Queensland-based bulk liquid storage manufacturer has signed a $30 million contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles to deliver fuel and water modules that will be fitted to Defence’s fleet of logistics trucks. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract with Loganholme-based company Holmwood Highgate would support ongoing jobs for the company’s 150 Queensland employees.
U.S. Army awards contract to FLIR for more nano drones
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- Written by Dylan Malyasov
- Category: Defence Industry
FLIR Systems announced on Tuesday that it has won an additional $15.4 million contract to deliver its Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to the U.S. Army. The award, announced by the FLIR on 04 May, covers delivery of FLIR Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS), a hand-held surveillance device that can be used to provide small-unit recon in the Central Command area of responsibility as part of the Immediate Response Force mission.
T&T Government approves purchase of 2 AUSTAL Cape class patrol boats to increase border security
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- Written by RHONDOR DOWLAT-ROSTANT
- Category: AUSTAL
The T&T, Trinidad and Tobago, Government has approved the purchase of two Austal Cape-class patrol boats to increase border security and safeguard the country's maritime domain. This was revealed on Monday by Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds MP, during his address at the T&T Defence Force (TTDF) passing out ceremony of new recruits, which took place at the Tetron Barracks in Chaguaramas.
‘He can tear us to bits’: Dutton not leaving until the mission is accomplished
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- Written by Anthony Galloway
- Category: Minister
"Peter Dutton met soldiers in Townsville last month." />When Peter Dutton visited his first military base as Defence Minister last month, he had a remarkable message for senior military officers: leave the room. He was at Lavarack Barracks in the garrison city of Townsville and he was on a mission. The objective was two-fold: begin lifting morale following the Brereton war crimes inquiry and find out what troops on the ground want from the government.
U.S. Agrees $1.94B in Military Sales to Australia for Tanks, Helicopters
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- Written by SIMON KENT
- Category: Department of Defence
The U.S. State Department has approved two potential arms deals for Australia totaling $1.94 billion which are destined to provide the key Indo-Pacific ally with new Abram main battle tanks and more helicopters. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency agreed the first deal on Friday. It is valued at $1.685 billion and sees the United States selling 160 M1A1 tank structures to build M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles and other vehicles, according to the DSCA’s press release.
US Army’s next-gen protection system for helos cleared for full-rate production
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- Written by Jen Judson
- Category: Northrop Grumman
The U.S. Army’s Northrop Grumman-manufactured next-generation protection system for its fleet of helicopters has been cleared for full-rate production, according to an April 30 Pentagon announcement. The Army awarded Northrop a nearly $1 billion contract to produce the Common Infrared Countermeasures program, known as CIRCM, with an estimated completion date of April 29, 2026.
France to sell Egypt 30 fighter jets in $4.5 bln deal -Egyptian defense ministry, report
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- Written by ReutersJohn Irish
- Category: General
Egypt has signed a contract with France to buy 30 Rafale fighter jets, its defence ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday, in a deal that investigative website Disclose said on Monday was worth 3.75 billion euro ($4.5 billion). President Emmanuel Macron said in December he would not make the sale of weapons to Egypt conditional on human rights because he did not want to weaken Cairo's ability to counter terrorism in the region, a comment that drew the ire of critics.
Sweden signs $200 million contract with BAE Systems to buy 127 BvS10 armored vehicles
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- Written by Colton Jones
- Category: BAE Systems
Swedish military procurement agency has signed a $200 million contract with BAE Systems for 127 BvS10 Viking (local name Bandvagn 410) tracked armored amphibious vehicles. Deliveries of the 127 vehicles are planned to begin in 2022 and complete in 2024. The vehicle can traverse rocks, mountains, snow, swamps, and Arctic environments, and its amphibious capability allows it to seamlessly transition to swimming.
RAN’s guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney fires first ESSM missile
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- Written by Naval Technology
- Category: Navy
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hobart-class guided missile destroyer (DDG) HMAS Sydney has conducted a successful evolved sea sparrow missile (ESSM) firing. Conducted off the coast of Southern Californian Exercise Area, the first-time firing was carried out as part of its combat systems sea qualification trials. The missile launch was announced on Twitter by Australian Fleet commander rear admiral Mark Hammond.