Awarded by the US Defense Information Systems Agency, the agreement covers the continuance of operational and sustainment services for the Pentagon and the National Capital Region’s digital connectivity.

Work for the network, used by over 55,000 users, will be accompanied by the optimization of related IT environments to enhance the “speed, security, and reliability” of the infrastructure.

Associated tasks will be performed for a one-year base period and two six-month options.

“Enhancing the Pentagon’s network infrastructure will further advance technological superiority for our warfighters,” GDIT Defense Senior Vice President Brian Sheridan stated.

“We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with [Defense Information Systems Agency] and reimagining new ways to provide a modern, secure and reliable network.”

GDIT’s Latest DoD Projects

GDIT’s renewal contract followed the firm’s acquisition of a cyber firm based in Florida to improve its ongoing support for the US Special Operations Command and international allies.

In May 2024, the company received a $185-million award to provide digital security services for the US Air Force’s civil engineering division in Texas.

This followed another $922-million project two months earlier to apply a widescale update for the US Central Command’s IT infrastructure.

Alongside technical support, GDIT has also partnered with the Department of Defense to assist in training courses for over 200,000 combatants under the US Army’s III Armored Corps.

The post Pentagon Renews General Dynamics Network Infrastructure Support Contract appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the deal, the company will build eight John Lewis-class ships in addition to the nine already ordered in 2016, 2022, and 2023.

The so-called auxiliary vessels will provide fuel to other ships, allowing them to remain at sea and combat-ready for extended periods.

Each oiler has a full load displacement of 49,850 tons and the capacity to carry 162,000 barrels of oil.

Most of the work for the contract will be performed in California, with an estimated completion date of January 2035.

The navy is expected to award a contract for three more replenishment ships to complete a fleet of 20.

General Dynamics NASSCO delivered the first ship in the class in July 2022 and is currently constructing two more.

‘Block Buy’ Method

According to a Pentagon announcement, the multibillion-dollar deal follows the “block buy” method, which is intended to save costs and streamline the procurement process.

The US Navy anticipates saving up to $491 million with the bulk order compared to awarding annual contracts.

The contract also includes a shipbuilding capability preservation agreement, which encourages shipbuilders to seek commercial work and helps reduce the navy’s expenses.

“We are pleased to continue building these ships, with seventeen of the Navy’s twenty-ship program of record now on contract,” General Dynamics NASSCO President Dave Carver said.

“The NASSCO team is honored to continue working with our Navy customer and thankful for their unwavering support.”

The post General Dynamics to Build More US Navy Replenishment Ships in $6.7B Deal appeared first on The Defense Post.

Founded in 2017, Iron EagleX offers solutions in cyber, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and cloud services.

The firm is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and employs “hundreds” of personnel at 18 locations, all to join GDIT’s 28,000 existing workforce.

“This acquisition demonstrates GDIT’s continued commitment to accelerate innovation for our customers,” GDIT President Amy Gilliland stated.

“Iron EagleX joining GDIT will provide our Special Operations Forces and Intelligence customers with broader capabilities, skills, and expertise from both businesses while offering employees greater opportunities for growth and mobility.”

Aiming for ‘Generational Impact’

GDIT highlighted that the integration of Iron EagleX expands its portfolio and capability to manage defense and intelligence missions in all warfighting domains.

It aligns with General Dynamics’ strategy launched in 2023 to invest in primary accelerator solutions, research and development laboratories, as well as collaborations with leading information technology enterprises to modernize its services for its military, logistics, healthcare, supply chain, and education customers.

“The combination of Iron EagleX and GDIT represents a new chapter in our company’s stated goal of having a ‘generational impact on national security,” Iron EagleX CEO Michael Grochol. 

“Our team has always focused on delivering positive disruptive change in national security, and as part of GDIT, Iron EagleX will gain access to a tremendous amount of new customers and opportunities to expand on that mission and help make our nation a safer place.”

Recent US Defense Projects

GDIT accepted a $185-million contract in May 2024 to deliver cybersecurity services for the US Air Force’s civil engineering arm base in Texas.

Two months earlier, the company secured a $922-million deal to conduct a major information technology infrastructure upgrade for the US Central Command.

In February, the US Army ordered services from GDIT to aid mission training centers in preparing more than 200,000 personnel under the III Armored Corps.

GDIT signed another contract worth almost $1 billion to provide network services for the US Air Force in Europe and Africa.

The post General Dynamics Adds Florida Segment to Enhance US Special Ops Services appeared first on The Defense Post.

Nine Amfbro 400s will be delivered under the approximately 470 million Swedish kronor ($45.3 million) contract, including spare parts.

It follows the order of an identical batch of Amfbro 400 in March.

Sweden signed a contract in 2022 to procure 25 Amfbro 400 systems, with delivery from 2025 to 2027.

The first system is expected to arrive by the end of this year, according to Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration.

Amfbro 400 

The order further enhances Sweden’s wet gap crossing capabilities.

The system is capable of bridging a gap as wide as 400 meters (1,312 feet), allowing continuous mobility of ground vehicles between water bodies such as lakes and rivers.

According to General Dynamics, the M3 is the world’s fastest in deploying amphibious bridge and ferry systems in loading capacity, assembly time, and cross-country and in-water maneuverability.

A crew of two can operate the system and it can carry even the heaviest of main battle tanks.

Furthermore, the Swedish Armed Forces operate the “IRB (Improved Ribbon Bridge) pontoon system and coupling adapters for the combined operation of both bridge types,” according to General Dynamics.

“This also enables multinational missions with partners such as the USA, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Latvia, which use the same systems.”

The post Sweden Orders Additional General Dynamics M3 Bridging Systems appeared first on The Defense Post.

Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Deputy Director Kevin Mills said the service is eyeing an unmanned vehicle larger than the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET) but smaller than the Palletized Load System (PLS).

The SMET is an eight-wheeled robotic vehicle that can carry up to 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms) of cargo, while the PLS is a truck-based logistics system for heavier loads.

Mills noted that “there is really a gap between the two” existing platforms, which has led to the creation of the Medium Multipurpose Equipment Transport (MMET) program.

“The hope would be to do some experimentation to help refine that requirement but that’s very early stages,” he told Breaking Defense.

The complete MMET requirements are expected to be released soon by the Combined Arms Support Command’s Sustainment Center of Excellence.

SMET Not Enough?

In November 2022, General Dynamics received a contract to produce 16 SMET vehicles for the US Army.

The robotic mule features a hybrid-electric powertrain and can be operated with a single-hand remote control.

It is designed to reduce physical strain on dismounted troops and support various missions, including combat and reconnaissance.

Despite its impressive features, the service is still searching for a larger platform that can carry more equipment while maintaining stealth.

If the MMET program proceeds, it will complement other US Army robotic development programs, such as the Robotic Combat Vehicle and the Ground Expeditionary Autonomy Retrofit Systems.

The post US Army Seeks New Robotic Infantry Support Vehicle to Fill Logistics Gaps appeared first on The Defense Post.

A representative from Northrop told Breaking Defense that the company aims to offer its AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) for the fourth-generation aircraft.

This “ultra-wideband suite” can detect, identify, and counter advanced radio-frequency threats, enhancing aircraft survivability in congested electromagnetic spectrum environments.

The IVEWS includes a cutting-edge radar warning receiver, advanced processor, and high-powered transmitters tailored to the size and power requirements of the F-16.

Northrop recently conducted an anechoic chamber test of the AN/ALQ-257, marking the first time it was installed on the warplane.

L3Harris’ Pitch

L3Harris is pitching its all-digital AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield as the EW solution for Polish F-16s.

The company stated that its EW suite is designed to maximize the aircraft’s survivability and mission success.

It integrates commercial-off-the-shelf technologies to enhance overall performance and facilitate seamless future upgrades.

“This advanced EW system will provide a virtual electronic shield around the aircraft, enabling warfighters to complete missions safely in increasingly complex battlespace scenarios,” L3Harris stated on its website.

Company official Anna Gragossian said late last year that the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield will undergo further evaluation to determine its effectiveness in jamming adversary signals and providing increased protection to aircrews.

Ambitious Upgrade

In 2023, Washington approved Poland’s request for a mid-life upgrade of its fleet of 48 F-16 multi-role fighters.

Though not specified, the $389-million deal could transform the Polish aircraft from Block 50 to the latest Block 70/72 configuration.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the modernization will bolster Warsaw’s ability to address current and future threats by increasing the reliability of its F-16 fleet.

The post Northrop, L3Harris Vie to Supply Electronic Warfare Suite for Polish F-16s appeared first on The Defense Post.

The event saw the attachment of the ship’s modular components followed by the welding of the vessel sponsors’ initials into the keel plate.

The future USS William Charette (DDG 130) was named after a master chief hospital corpsman who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the Korean War.

At the ceremony, the keel was authenticated by US Navy Surgeon General and Bureau of Medicine Surgery Chief Rear Adm. Darin Via on behalf of his children.

“All of us in Navy Medicine are immensely proud to have a warship named after one of our own,” Via remarked.

“The future USS William Charette will not only be a symbol of American strength but also a testament to the courage and dedication of Navy corpsmen.”

“To have a ship named after a Navy corpsman is to hold to the maxim of ‘Corpsman Up!’ and embodies the ethos of courage, fidelity, and service before self.”

Arleigh Burke Program Manager Capt. Seth Miller highlighted that the DDG 130 hull “will be a welcome addition to the fleet and another player on the field to provide the Navy with the most advanced warfighting capability.”

“This ship honors the legacy of the late William Charette and his heroism during the Korean War,” he added. “We are honored to have his daughters as sponsors and for the entire family to celebrate this significant milestone.”

The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke Warship

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer is designed to sail independently or as part of large strike groups.

Following its debut in the 1980s, the ship has been offered in multiple configurations with each having anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface capabilities.

The vessel’s latest iteration measures 155 meters (510 feet) and is powered by 105,000-horsepower engines for a top speed of 30 knots (56 kilometers/35 miles per hour) and a range of 4,400 nautical miles (5,063 miles/8,100 kilometers).

It is armed with lightweight guns, machine guns, torpedoes, laser weapons, and multi-domain missiles, and can carry over 350 personnel, rigid-hull inflatable boats, and up to two tactical helicopters.

The post US Navy Lays Keel of 80th Arleigh Burke Destroyer appeared first on The Defense Post.

The announcement marks the first reported destruction of an F-16 in Ukraine, just weeks after Kyiv began taking delivery of the supersonic aircraft.

“F-16 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were used to repel a missile attack on the territory of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, along with units of anti-aircraft missile troops,” the Ukrainian army said.

“During the approach to the next target, communication with one of the planes was lost. As it turned out later, the aircraft crashed, killing the pilot,” it added.

Official Statement: F-16s in Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/llTh7QQoy5

— Ukrainian Air Force (@KpsZSU) August 4, 2024

It did not identify the pilot, but a unit of Ukraine’s air force said one of its pilots, Oleksiy Mes, had died in a crash on Monday while repelling a Russian air attack.

“On 26 August, while repelling a Russian massive combined missile and air strike, Oleksiy destroyed three cruise missiles and one attack drone,” Ukraine’s Western air command unit said.

“Oleksiy saved Ukrainians from deadly Russian missiles. Unfortunately, at the cost of his own life,” it said.

The announcements come as a blow to Ukraine, which had long relied on a fleet of aging Soviet-era MIG-29 and Sukhoi jets and had asked for the F-16s to defend against intense Russian aerial bombardment.

Moscow fired a wave of attack drones and missiles at Ukraine on Monday this week in what President Volodymyr Zelensky called one of the “largest” attacks of Russia’s two-and-a-half year invasion.

The post Ukraine Says US-Made F-16 Fighter Jet Crashed, Killing Pilot appeared first on The Defense Post.

It increases Lockheed’s supplier options of rocket motors to three, along with Northrop Grumman and L3Harris Technologies.

“Maintaining a robust and diverse supply chain for solid rocket motors is critical to advancing our 21st Century Security vision for a stronger, more resilient defense industrial base that keeps our customers around the globe ahead of emerging threats,” Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control President Tim Cahill said.

“This agreement enables Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics to ramp production of in-demand solutions more quickly going forward.” 

Hunt for Motor Supplier

Lockheed hunted for an additional supplier for the rocket motors in the wake of the Ukraine war, which increased GMLRS demand.

The GMLRS is one of two munitions of the HIMARS and MLRS M270 rocket artillery systems extensively deployed in Ukraine.

The munition will be the partnership’s initial focus with work taking place at General Dynamics’ facility in Camden, Arkansas, starting in 2025.

It will be followed by a planned phased transition to other products.

“We are proud to apply our expertise in missile subsystems to deliver new capabilities that will add resiliency to the domestic supply chain,” General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) president Firat Gezen said.

“The collaboration between GD-OTS and Lockheed Martin underscores our shared commitment to strengthening the defense industrial base and providing critical capability to the warfighter.”

The post Lockheed, General Dynamics Partner on GMLRS Rocket Motor Supply  appeared first on The Defense Post.

This is according to a recent analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) following confirmation that the first batch of the fourth-generation aircraft has finally arrived in Kyiv.

The Washington, DC-based think tank acknowledges that the F-16s will be an attractive target for Moscow, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov already saying rewards are up for grabs for anyone who can neutralize the American aircraft.

Because of that, the ISW is urging Ukraine to use its long-range weapons to destroy Russian air defense assets before it flies its F-16s.

Moscow’s air defenses have been posing serious problems for Kyiv, enabling the invading forces to thwart Ukrainian drone strikes and neutralize multiple fighter jets.

‘Need a Substantial Number’

In a statement on X, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the country has received the F-16s, though he did not provide specific figures.

Two were immediately recognizable in a video he posted, but several reports indicate that Kyiv actually received 10 of the promised 79 jets.

Zelensky admitted that the numbers are not enough to fend off Russia and more training is needed to operate more of the American aircraft.

We are now in a new phase of development for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We have done a lot to transition the Ukrainian Air Force to a new aviation standard – Western combat aviation. From the beginning of this war, we have been talking with our partners about… pic.twitter.com/z21yTU0Hjo

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 4, 2024

The ISW echoed his statement, saying Kyiv “will need a substantial number of F-16s” to field them “at the scale necessary for Ukraine to succeed in integrating fixed-wing aircraft into its wider air defense umbrella.”

The war-torn nation is expected to receive 20 F-16 fighter jets by the end of the year.

The post Ukraine Needs to Destroy Russian Air Defenses to Use F-16s: Think Tank appeared first on The Defense Post.