Boeing secures $9.8B Air Force contract for F-15 support

Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) Defense, Space & Security division has been awarded a $9.8B IDIQ contract for F-15 support for Saudi Arabia. This contract provides for modernization and sustainment of the F-15 Saudi fleet; and installation of future modifications and enhancements to the F-15 Saudi weapon system as well as product support. Work will be performed in St. Louis and as separately specified in individual task and delivery orders and is expected to be completed by November 2025.This contract involves Foreign Military Sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is the result of a sole-source acquisition.

Source: Boeing secures $9.8B Air Force contract for F-15 support (NYSE:BA) | Seeking Alpha

Space Radiation Poses Challenge for Electronics 

For chipmakers, this means special attention needs to be paid to the design, layout, manufacturing processes, and testing of these ICs. The demand for higher integration, smaller size, and better power efficiency also is contributing to new challenges in rad-hard IC development.The most recent space program to test these mission-critical components is the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover. “Deep space is a challenging environment for spaceflight and Mars rover systems, particularly due to the intense radiation environment encountered in nearly all mission profiles,” said Josh Broline, director of marketing applications at Renesas Electronics Corp. “For product development, the biggest challenge is not necessarily the general performance of the IC but, rather, meeting that performance in a radiation environment.”

Source: Space Radiation Poses Challenge for Electronics – EE Times Asia

Raytheon to shrink office space in push for ‘huge savings’ 

Raytheon Technologies Corp. is planning to shrink its office space even more than originally planned.The Waltham-based aerospace and defense company (NYSE: RTX), one of the largest employers in Massachusetts, reported earnings on Tuesday. CEO Gregory Hayes gave analysts an update on the previously announced plan to reduce $2 billion in costs this year and save $4 billion in cash as the pandemic crushes airline travel, which resulted in thousands of job cuts.

Source: Raytheon to shrink office space in push for ‘huge savings’ – Boston Business Journal

US Army Selects L3Harris Technologies’ Enhanced Night Vision Goggle Technology

LONDONDERRY, N.H.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The U.S. Army has selected L3Harris Technologies’ (NYSE:LHX) Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) to enhance situational awareness and increase soldier mobility and protection.

Source: US Army Selects L3Harris Technologies’ Enhanced Night Vision Goggle Technology | Business Wire

Lockheed Martin to Acquire i3 Hypersonics Portfolio

Huntsville, Ala. – Oct. 9, 2020 – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire a portion of Integration Innovation Inc. (i3), a software and systems engineering company based in Huntsville, Alabama. The portfolio alignment between i3 and Lockheed Martin provides the opportunity to design and deliver hypersonic-specific technology solutions that benefit the warfighter.

Source: Lockheed Martin to Acquire i3 Hypersonics Portfolio

Changing the Future Fight: Hypersonics, Directed Energy and More

REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL — Much like the first tank, the first helicopter, and the first radar undeniably changed warfare, the first hypersonic and laser weapons stand to do the same.Starting next year, combat units will begin to see these battlefield firsts, which are being executed by the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). Established to spearhead rapid prototyping efforts and deliver residual combat capabilities to Soldiers, the RCCTO is on pace to deliver strategic outcomes, and other emerging technologies, to ensure the Army and its Joint partners, can engage across all domains to deter and defeat near-peer threats.

Source: Changing the (Not So Distant) Future Fight: Hypersonics, Directed Energy and More

DoD Focuses on “Reshoring” Electronics to the US 

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) launched its Electronic Resurgence Initiative (ERI) in 2017 with the intention of reshoring a domestic chip industry that has been moving steadily offshore for decades. Microelectronics are a foundational building block of most of our defense systems.

Source: IFTLE 463: DoD Focuses on “Reshoring” Electronics to the US – 3D InCites

AMERGINT eyes acquisition of space-based optics business from Raytheon Technologies following merger

WASHINGTON – AMERGINT Technologies, Inc. in Colorado Springs, Colo., has completed the purchase of the Collins Aerospace space-based optics business from Raytheon Technologies Corp. C4ISRnet reports. Continue reading original article

Source: Raytheon Technologies acquisition optics | Military & Aerospace Electronics

Air Force Awards $13.3 Billion Contract for Nuclear Missiles 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force on Tuesday awarded a $13.3 billion contract for engineering and development work on a replacement for the Minuteman 3 missile, which has operated continuously for half a century as a key part of the nuclear force.

Source: Air Force Awards $13.3 Billion Contract for Nuclear Missiles | Political News | US News

Lockheed Martin: Behind The Huge $62 Billion F-16 Win 

Lockheed Martin (LMT) has been one of the names I have been bullish on for some years. Admittedly, the stock price performance since I wrote my first report on Lockheed Martin has only outperformed the broader market by a few percent, but its total return has been strong and that’s realized by strong growth in the dividends. In turn, that ability to grow dividends is driven by a strong product complementary product portfolio and ongoing wins in the field.

Source: Lockheed Martin: Behind The Huge $62 Billion Win (NYSE:LMT) | Seeking Alpha

Japan Cleared to Buy 32 Amraam Missiles in $63M Deal

WASHINGTON — The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of thirty-two (32) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $63 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Source: Japan – AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles

Korean Military to Buy 40 More Fighter Jets from U.S.

SEOUL — Korea will double the number of F-35 stealth fighter jets it will buy from the United States, including variants that will operate on the country’s first aircraft carrier, according to military sources.

Source: Korean Military to Buy 40 More Fighter Jets from U.S. (excerpt)