Boeing has conducted the first flight of the AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopter for delivery to the Royal Thai Army. The company will supply eight AH-6s to Thailand under a $103.7 million Foreign Military Sales contract that the U.S. Department of Defense awarded in February 2022. The contract includes Thai pilot training at Boeing's facilities in Mesa, Arizona, where the helicopters are under production. Thailand is the second international customer for the Little Bird helicopter. According to the defense contractor, the aircraft is integrated with advanced data processing technology, offering enhanced safety and situational awareness for faster decision-making.
Category: General News
Redwire’s Onboard Computer to Power ESA’s Hera Asteroid Mission
Redwire has built an onboard computer system for the European Space Agency's Hera mission, Europe's first planetary defense initiative. Redwire's third-generation Advanced Data and Power Management System will control all vital spacecraft operations, including deploying and monitoring two companion cubesats for detailed surveys of NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission. Redwire's Belgian subsidiary developed the system under a contract with OHB Germany, the prime contractor for the Hera project.The Potomac Officers Club's 2024 GovCon International Summit on Thursday will convene key public and private sector leaders to discuss emerging technologies, the shifting landscape in space and the role of industry. Take part and register now.
NATO DIANA Sets Up Regional Office in Canada
The NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic has opened its North American headquarters in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The inauguration ceremony was held on Tuesday and attended by Canadian government officials, including Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of public services and procurement. The office will house up to 25 international staff and be supported by Ottawa's initial investment of $26.6 million over six years. "As home to several major universities and research centers, hundreds of science and technology startups, and Canada's Atlantic naval fleet, Halifax is well-positioned to support DIANA, as well as innovators and industry across the country," Duclos said.
Saab, Korea Aerospace Industries to Collaborate on Seoul’s Airborne Early Warning Program
Saab has signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace Industries to signify its commitment to advancing South Korea's Airborne Early Warning & Control 2 program. The Stockholm-based defense company is among the vendors vying for a contract under the program and, if selected, will work with KAI on GlobalEye, an AEW&C solution offering real-time information to warfighters, improving situational awareness and enabling early detection of threats. "[The MOU] will increase critical radar technology competence and create domestic capability and self-sustainability to secure strategic independence for the Republic of Korea in the airborne surveillance segment," said Markus Borgljung, Saab Business Area Surveillance deputy head.
SkyAlyne Taps CAE for Canadian Air Force Training Under $1.2B Contract
Global defense and security firm CAE has secured a 25-year subcontract worth $1.2 billion from SkyAlyne to support the Royal Canadian Air Force's Future Air Crew Training program. The contract's tasks include delivering training devices and services for the program involving live flights, simulation and ground school instructions. CAE also expects a follow-on order for maintenance support services apart from the initial subcontract. CAE President and CEO Marc Parent said the company's participation in FAcT will help support the mission readiness of the Canadian forces.
Xage Security Boosts Global Expansion Goal in Two New Executive Appointments
Zero trust cybersecurity company Xage Security has named Russell McGuire its global chief revenue officer and Ashraf Daqqa its vice president for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa. The new appointments affirm the Palo Alto, California-based technology company’s goal of broadening its market abroad, Xage said in a statement Monday. Commenting on the new appointments,...
Mark Rutte Takes Over as NATO Secretary General
Mark Rutte has officially taken office as NATO's new secretary general, seeking to strengthen the transatlantic alliance at a crucial juncture. The handover took place on Tuesday at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, where Rutte and his predecessor, Jens Stoltenberg, laid a wreath at the NATO Memorial to the Fallen and performed a ceremonial passing of the gavel. At a special session of the North Atlantic Council, Rutte outlined his three priorities for NATO: maintaining the 32-member coalition's strength and credibility, bolstering support for Ukraine, and strengthening partnerships.
Northrop Grumman, Terma Collaborate to Advance EW, Unmanned Systems, Other Key Capabilities
Northrop Grumman and Danish aerospace company Terma have entered a memorandum of understanding to advance several key capabilities, including electronic warfare, unmanned aerial systems and the F-35 Lightning II jet. The new MOU, which follows a collaboration to produce, modernize and sustain the F-35 jets, also includes an initiative to support small to medium businesses in Denmark looking to participate in the global supply chain of U.S. government contractors. Terma Executive Vice President Steen Lynenskjold said the new agreement follows a longstanding and strong relationship between the two businesses, bringing the partnership into new areas.
Oracle to Invest Over $6.5B in Malaysian Cloud Region
Oracle will invest over $6.5 billion to set up a public cloud region in Malaysia to support the growing demand for artificial intelligence and cloud services in the country and the region.The Texas-based tech firm said the new cloud infrastructure will help Malaysian organizations modernize their applications, transition workloads to the cloud, and encourage innovation...
Asa Malmen Appointed VP, Head of Public & Defense at CGI
CGI has appointed Asa Malmen as vice president and head of Public & Defense. Malmen shared the announcement on her LinkedIn account.According to her LinkedIn bio, Malmen brings over 30 years of experience in senior positions within the information technology sector, including expertise in business development, customer relations, security and digitization.She held multiple leadership roles...