Since its unveiling in December 2022, the company reports that the stealth bomber now undergoes up to two test flights per week, demonstrating its commitment to making the warplane operational as soon as possible.

Northrop also currently possesses three Raiders in various configurations, of which two are for ground testing and one for flight trials.

Recently, the B-21 assigned for ground testing completed a static test, verifying its structural design.

The one designated for flight trials also conducted fatigue testing that simulated real, long-term flight conditions.

“We’re really starting to strike up quite a cadence,” Northrop President of Aeronautics Systems Tom Jones said. “I think we’re well on the way to delivering a kind of asset that can be that daily flier for US warfighters out there.”

From flight test to production, our continued progress on the B-21 Raider is backed by its digital ecosystem and high-fidelity models. Learn more: https://t.co/zDE7sBzYRt pic.twitter.com/6jvICwNeBQ

— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) September 18, 2024

Preparing for Tomorrow

The B-21 is the world’s first sixth-generation aircraft, featuring a significant leap in capability beyond fifth-generation fighter jets such as the F-35 and China’s J-31.

It is designed to defeat the most sophisticated threats in modern warfare.

The plane incorporates stealth technology to minimize its signature, making it harder for adversaries to detect and counter.

It is also capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.

The US Air Force said it plans to procure at least 100 B-21s to replace its older B-1 and B-2 bombers.

“The progress we’ve made on B-21 in the last 12 months is remarkable,” Jones stated, adding that this development “gives us additional confidence as we look ahead to delivering on B-21.”

The post Northrop Stepping Up B-21 Stealth Bomber Testing, Production appeared first on The Defense Post.

Under the partnership, Anduril will integrate its Lattice open software platform into the revolutionary goggles to enable operators to see threats faster across the battlespace.

The software utilizes sensor fusion, computer vision, edge computing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect, track, and classify every object of interest in the operator’s surroundings.

Once activated, Lattice is expected to augment IVAS’ capabilities, enhancing soldier survivability in complex and contested environments.

“It’s one of the Army’s most critical programs being fielded in the near future,” Anduril founder Palmer Luckey said, referring to the IVAS. He added that the goal of the partnership is to ensure the device “gets the right data to the right people at the right time.”

‘Bringing a Full Picture’

According to Anduril, Lattice works by fusing multiple sensors, data, and assets into a single, AI-enabled software interface to automatically detect and monitor threats.

It employs advanced data processing techniques to filter high-value information, enabling operators to react to the most immediate threats first.

The software can also be used to further investigate threats by coordinating with other available platforms, such as drones and aircraft.

The company noted that its Lattice platform is also suited for monitoring land and maritime borders, as it can alert human operators to objects of interest through their desktop or mobile phones.

“IVAS brings a full picture of the battlefield to every soldier, enabling safer and more effective operations,” Microsoft VP of Mixed Reality Robin Seiler stated.

“Our collaboration with Anduril to integrate their suite of critical sensors … demonstrates the transformative capability of this fighting goggle and will allow us to further expand the impact IVAS will have for every US soldier.”

Struggling Program

Launched in 2018, the IVAS program aims to produce augmented reality goggles that are said to revolutionize how soldiers train and operate on the battlefield.

However, the initiative has faced challenges, with soldiers reporting disorientation, dizziness, eyestrain, and headaches after trying the equipment.

User feedback also revealed that fewer targets were hit when they used the early versions of the device.

The US Congress has already withheld nearly $350 million in funding for the goggles, with a Pentagon official claiming that the US Army might just waste billions of dollars on the program.

US Army Futures Command head Gen. James Rainey also stated that the upcoming operational tests of the IVAS goggles may determine the fate of the troubled initiative.

The post Anduril to Revive US Army’s Troubled IVAS Program, Partners With Microsoft appeared first on The Defense Post.

US officials are asking the war-torn nation to clearly outline its combat objectives for requesting expanded use of US-supplied long-range missiles.

Ukraine has stated that it plans to use the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), which has a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), to strike Russian airfields, command centers, and weapons depots deep in enemy territory.

President Joe Biden’s administration currently allows Kyiv to use the weapon only for strikes within Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.

US officials remain skeptical that lifting the restrictions would have a significant impact on the war, noting that it may also come with greater risks.

Growing Pressure

The US has been facing increasing pressure from NATO allies to allow Kyiv greater freedom to hit targets inside Russia to level the battlefield.

Moscow’s forces have been using long-range aircraft, missiles, and drones to attack Ukraine, quickly gaining the upper hand in the ongoing war.

Washington has expressed concerns that doing so would further escalate the war and allow Russia to reverse-engineer some of America’s most sophisticated weapons.

It has also argued that the Ukrainian military is already using long-range drones to strike deep into Russia, which is a cheaper and more strategic method than firing costly missiles.

Additionally, the White House downplayed the capabilities of its ATACMS, stating they would be ineffective now because Moscow has likely moved its most immediate threats to facilities beyond the missile’s range.

“I don’t believe one capability is going to be decisive, and I stand by that comment,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed.

Russian Warning

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that any strikes using Western weapons deep inside its territory will lead to a significant change in the nature of the conflict.

He said such a move would be viewed as an escalation of the war, making the US and its NATO allies directly involved.

“And if this is so, then, bearing in mind the change in the very essence of this conflict, we will make appropriate decisions based on the threats that will be created for us,” Putin told reporters.

The post US Seeks Clarity From Ukraine on Expanded Use of Long-Range Weapons 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.

The PDA enables Washington to rapidly transfer equipment from its current stockpiles to allied forces in crisis situations. The White House authorized its implementation in mid-2023 to deliver $345 million worth of supplies to the island nation.

In a comprehensive report about the PDA equipment provided to Taiwan, the OIG claimed the Pentagon failed to effectively implement accountability and quality controls.

For example, it reported that 340 out of 504 pallets of cargo bound for Taipei sustained water damage after being stored for just over three months at an inadequately protected aerial port.

Upon arrival in Taiwan, 120 of the damaged pallets were found to contain wet and moldy body armor, rendering them nearly unusable.

According to the OIG, the problem was due to the failure to request a special airlift mission, which would have expedited the transfer and mitigated the damage.

The DoD provided unserviceable and poorly packaged equipment and munitions to Taiwan. More than 340 pallets of items sustained water damage while they remained at the aerial port of embarkation for 3 months pending a flight to Taiwan. Read our report now: https://t.co/pbWEVzN3Oj pic.twitter.com/bSTfQLsI5D

— DoD Office of Inspector General (@DoD_IG) September 12, 2024

Additional Costs Incurred

In addition to the body armor, Taiwan said it received 2.7 million rounds of ammunition from the US in 2023, but some of them had expired.

It also complained about non-compliance with shipping standards because of the incorrect packaging.

According to the OIG, the problems led to significant additional costs, with the island nation spending $618,000 on labor and materials to address the moldy equipment and another $113,000 to replace the damaged body armor.

“The delivery of non‑mission-capable items inhibits the DoD’s ability to achieve established security cooperation goals and may lead to loss of partner confidence in the United States,” the OIG report noted.

Recommendations

To address the issues, the OIG recommended updating the guidelines for PDA equipment deliveries, including implementing stricter quality and quantity checks before the items leave the US.

It also wants the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to develop a comprehensive plan to ensure that operating procedures related to the PDA are effectively executed.

“The intent of these recommendations is for the DSCA to provide military services with PD-related responsibilities and the timelines for conducting activities to supply PD items to the ports of embarkation and deliver the items to ports of debarkation,” the report stated.

The post US Sent ‘Unserviceable’ Equipment, Ammo to Taiwan: Inspector General appeared first on The Defense Post.

The firm-fixed-price incentive modification contract covers the production of additional AMRAAM missiles, AMRAAM telemetry systems, initial and field spares, and other production engineering support hardware and activities. 

It builds on the previous $1.15-billion contract from 2023 to supply AMRAAM Production Lot 37 to the US Air Force, US Navy, and partner countries.  

Through foreign military sales, this 2024 contract specifies that Bahrain, Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the UK will also receive said equipment.

The production work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2028.

The post US Awards Raytheon $1.19B AMRAAM Missile Contract Modification appeared first on The Defense Post.

Last year, the United States had made the release of part of this annual aid conditional on progress being made on respecting human rights in Egypt, a country where ruler Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has been accused of suppressing dissent.

This year, however, the State Department said Egypt had made “progress” in certain areas of human rights. It also explicitly mentioned Cairo’s help in mediating between Israel and Palestinian armed group Hamas on the war in Gaza.

“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza,” a State Department spokesman said.

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar are parties to the negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas since its attack on Israel on October 7, and on the cessation of a subsequent Israeli military operation in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands.

The State Department spokesperson also spoke of Egypt’s role “in promoting a ceasefire in Sudan,” where a civil war has been raging for more than 16 months.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the budget allocation in a memo to Congress, as required by US law.

Washington regularly criticizes Egypt’s human rights record and has conditioned part of its annual military aid. Last year, Washington suspended around $95 million in aid on the grounds of human rights concerns.

Since 2022, Egyptian President Sisi has relaunched a “national dialogue” and released hundreds of political prisoners, but human rights activists say at least three times as many people have been arrested in the same period.

A key US ally, Egypt still holds tens of thousands of political prisoners, many of whom live in extremely harsh conditions, according to NGOs.

“In certifying that Egypt has fulfilled the conditions, the United States is acknowledging steps the Egyptians have already taken” on human rights, the State Department spokesperson said.

They cited draft legislation on judicial reforms and the release of more than 950 political prisoners since September 2023, among other steps.

The post US Releases $1.3 Billion in Military Aid to Egypt appeared first on The Defense Post.

Valued at $133 million, the potential foreign military sale covers 54 AMRAAM missiles, two guidance sections, control section spares, and missile containers.

It also includes weapon system support, training support, and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the sale will help Singapore maintain its operational readiness amid increasing threats in the Indo-Pacific.

It will also increase the country’s effectiveness in both training and combat operations.

RTX will serve as the principal contractor should Singapore proceed with the order.

‘Air Dominance Weapon’

The AMRAAM is a new generation weapon capable of hitting beyond-visual-range targets at a reported range of 160 kilometers (99 miles).

It is described as one of the most sophisticated air dominance weapons, registering multiple air-to-air combat victories, according to RTX.

The missile utilizes a combination of inertial guidance and an on-board active radar to reach its intended target and perform an intercept.

It has been integrated into various combat aircraft, including F-15 Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and F/A-18 Super Hornets.

The DSCA said allowing Singapore to procure the AMRAAM will enable the US to improve the security of a strategic partner, which is considered an “important force” for stability in Asia.

The post US Approves Sale of 54 AMRAAM Missiles to Singapore for $133M appeared first on The Defense Post.

This was revealed by the American Security Project after conducting a comprehensive study on the broader impacts of obesity in the military system.

According to the DC-based think tank, two-thirds of active-duty servicemembers are considered overweight or obese.

This poses a serious concern about troop readiness as the problem “impacts manpower, health, and combat effectiveness,” said lead researcher Courtney Manning.

Additionally, obesity is costing billions in taxpayers’ money, with approximately $1.25 billion spent last year in treating obesity-related diseases and an additional $99 million in lost productivity while these patients are hospitalized.

“America can no longer afford to ignore this crisis,” the researchers wrote. “The US armed forces face an unprecedented challenge as obesity prevalence among service members continues to rise.”

Impact on Recruitment, Retention

The study found that obesity is also a leading driver of the persistent recruitment crisis in the military.

In 2023, about 52,000 applicants were reportedly disqualified because of their weight.

According to the researchers, the problem is “keeping people out of the service, forcing troops to leave the service, and raising the risks to those still in service.”

They also pointed out that none of the 22 military weight loss programs have proven effective, with only about three percent of troops managing to lose five percent of their body weight and keep it off longer than 12 months.

Recommendations

The American Security Project is urging the US military to take a more proactive approach to preventing obesity among its servicemembers.

This includes providing young soldiers with adequate health and nutrition education and access to quality food.

The researchers also want the military to officially classify obesity as a disease so proper treatment can be given.

“Without this written classification and its associated protections, service members face bias and discrimination for ‘exceeding weight standards,’ becoming ineligible for promotion, educational privileges, deployment, or disability compensation,” they wrote.

The post US Military Losing $1.35B Annually Due to Soldier Obesity: Study appeared first on The Defense Post.

With an estimated cost of $390 million, the potential sale includes 24 M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)-Alternative Warhead Pods and 24 GMLRS-Unitary High Explosive Pods.

It also includes 10 M1152 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles and 36 GPS receivers.

According to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the proposed sale will help improve Croatia’s capability to deter current and future security threats.

It will also “support the foreign policy and national security of the US by improving the security of a NATO ally that continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

The DSCA has confirmed that the sale will not adversely affect US defense readiness if it proceeds.

Strategic Importance

The M142 HIMARS is a truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher system capable of carrying a six-pack of GMLRS rockets or two Precision Strike Missiles.

It has a reported range of 300 kilometers (186 miles), which can be extended to 500 kilometers (310 miles) using advanced munitions.

With its long-range capability, the weapon could be of strategic importance to Croatia, given the geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Balkans.

Currently, Zagreb relies on the M-92 Vulkan Multiple Launch Rocket System as its primary artillery rocket system, despite only having a strike range of 20 kilometers (12 miles).

The post US Clears $390M HIMARS Sale to Croatia appeared first on The Defense Post.