Avarint was awarded a $52.35 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-reimbursement, indefinite-quantity engineering service contract by the USAF Test Centre Specialised Contracting Branch.
Under the agreement, Avarint will develop software that allows the Digital Integrated Air Defence System (DIADS) to link with other systems used by the Benefield Anechoic Facility at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
This would support test missions for B-2, F-22 and F-35 aircraft, as well as Miniature Air Launch Decoy, Miniature Air Launch Decoy Jamming and other red/blue flag training activities.
The system is due to be completed by 31 March 2025.
Funds worth $481,402 are being allocated to the programme from the USAF FY2020 research and development budget.
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
Spain’s Defence Minister told the Senate Defense Commission on 27 June of the decision to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) trainers as the country seeks to replace its Northrop F-5M aircraft.
The company has tested over 15 mission sets for the drone, with the rotorcraft used to demonstrate the viability of armed forces utilising large uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS) for autonomous missions in the future.
The US Navy’s answer to a sixth-generation fighter has experienced a range of setbacks and delays to the programme, with only $47 million in this latest proposed budget set aside for completing the aircraft.
The UAE’s Edge Group has been positioning itself as a key defence and technology partner to Indonesia, where it has been focusing on naval platforms, UAVs and long-term industrial collaboration.
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