UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
Lockheed Martin has announced a new $57 million contract to upgrade Block 2 of the US Navy’s Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP).
Under the new agreement, Lockheed Martin will equip the ubiquitous AN/SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Support Measures system with key enhancements to detect hostile electronic targeting.
The company previously won a competitive tender for the SEWIP Block 2 contract in November 2009 to upgrade the passive detection capabilities of the US fleet’s AN/SLQ-32 systems, known by operators as ‘Slick-32’. It was also required to establish a framework to facilitate future upgrades.
Joe Ottaviano, SEWIP programme director for Lockheed Martin Mission
Already have an account? Log in
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.