PREMIUM: Lockheed Martin confident of meeting $25,000 F-35 flight hour target
New sustainment plans could see Lockheed Martin reduce operating costs of the F-35 to $25,000 per flight hour.
The Erapsco JV between Sparton and Ultra Electronics produces sonobuoys for the USN. (Photo: Sparton)
Elbit Systems announced on 6 April that it is undergoing a ‘significant expansion’ in the US, after its subsidiary Elbit Systems of America completed a $380 million acquisition of Sparton Corporation.
Sparton provides anti-submarine and undersea warfare solutions to the USN as a Tier 1 supplier; for instance, in 2019 its Erapsco JV with Ultra Electronics was awarded a sonobuoy contract worth up to $1.04 billion from the USN.
Sparton also supplies ruggedised flat panel displays to the USN via its Aydin Displays division.
‘Demand for our undersea warfare products is increasing as a result of a heightened threat environment in both the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic,’ noted Sparton president Bill Toti.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
New sustainment plans could see Lockheed Martin reduce operating costs of the F-35 to $25,000 per flight hour.
Some €600 million is being spent in Germany on a range of defence procurement initiatives.
Design research work is underway in Russia on a new ICBM to replace the RS-24 Yars.
DARPA is working with industry on 'unburdening the warfighter' by developing advanced and ultra-lightweight personal protective equipment. Its Personalized Protective Biosystems programme pre-dates COVID-19, but it arguably assumes even greater importance for defence procurement in the context of the pandemic.
Work on latest Aegis FMS contract modification for Lockheed Martin is to be completed by the end of 2022.
Interceptor used in March test was the first series-production Barak ER missile, with the IDF the most likely launch customer. The extended-range Barak variant will slot into the existing Israeli air defence umbrella of systems.