The European Space Agency has selected Airbus to lead an operational mission under the Space Situational Awareness Space Safety Programme involving the creation of Europe’s first 24/7 space weather satellite. The spacecraft, called Vigil, is expected to operate for seven and a half years providing space weather forecasters with data to predict harmful solar weather...
Category: FOCI
Bombardier Defense Expands Asia-Pacific Business With New Australia Office; Steve Patrick Quoted
Bombardier Defense has opened a new office in Adelaide, Australia, a move that is expected to further expand the company’s footprint in the Asia Pacific. The new workspace at Lot Fourteen, an innovation hub in the South Australia region, will provide additional client support, allowing customers to explore and experience the company’s portfolio of aircraft,...
UK Selects CGI as Emergency Services Mobile Communications Program’s Technology Delivery Partner
The United Kingdom has partnered with CGI to strengthen emergency communications across England, Scotland and Wales. The U.K. government’s Home Office awarded the global IT and business consulting firm with a five-year contract valued at $59.6 million. The acquisition is part of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Program, which aims to modernize the nation’s Emergency...
UK Completes Flight Tests for Secure Quantum Navigation Technology
The United Kingdom demonstrated the security of advanced quantum-based navigation systems during recent commercial flight trials. Quantum technology firm Infleqtion, in partnership with BAE Systems and QinetiQ, completed the trials at the Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site in England. The companies used the Tiqker optical atomic clock and an ultracold-atom-based quantum system on a...
Airbus, Babcock to Provide Sustainment Support for France’s EC145 Helicopters
The French government has selected Airbus Helicopters and Babcock to support the Interior Ministry’s EC145 light utility aircraft fleet. Under the 12-year deal, the two companies will provide technical support, spare parts, logistics solutions, technical data management and software support to sustain the aircraft’s missions, mostly involving rescue operations, air medical transport and law enforcement....
Elbit Systems Seals $53M Deal to Supply European Customer With Turreted Mortar System
Elbit Systems said it will deliver mortar systems to an unnamed European customer under a $53 million contract award. The deal requires the Israeli firm to deliver the Crossbow unmanned turreted 120 mm soft recoil mortar systems to General Dynamics European Land Systems for installation on the client’s Pandur 6×6 APC wheeled armored vehicle. Work...
Brunei Selects Airbus H145M Helicopters to Replace Retired Bolkow Fleet; Bruno Even Quoted
Brunei’s Ministry of Defence has ordered six Airbus H145 M helicopters to replace the deactivated Bolkow Bo 105. The Southeast Asian nation intends to deploy the aircraft mainly for close air support and aerial observation operations. Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said the H145M boasts high performance and versatility, a well-regarded helicopter that will improve...
ST Engineering Names Jeffrey Lam as Group COO
ST Engineering has appointed Jeffrey Lam as group chief operating officer. As group COO, Lam will enhance operational and cost efficiencies, ensure workplace safety and promote synergistic collaboration in the company. Lam will perform the responsibilities associated with his new role in addition to the existing work he has been doing as president of the...
Elbit Systems Books $50M Deal to Provide International Customer With Red Sky Air Defense System; Yehuda Vered Quoted
Elbit Systems has secured a $50 million contract to equip an unnamed international customer with its Red Sky air defense system. Under the two-year agreement, the Israeli company will deliver two Red Sky batteries to enhance the client’s soft- and hard-kill defense capabilities. Elbit said the system offers protection against low-altitude aerial threats at an...
QinetiQ Test Pairs Crewed Aircraft with Autonomous Jet Drone in First UK Demo; Alan Hart Quoted
Defense technology company QinetiQ said it has completed the first demonstration in the United Kingdom of a team-up between a manned jet plane and an autonomous jet drone. The test involved a QinetiQ jet aircraft, which flew from the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site in Salisbury, and a modified Banshee Jet 80 drone...