 MBDA contracted for Spear 3 missile development London (UPI) May 19, 2016 -Missile-maker MBDA has been contracted by Britain's Ministry of Defense to develop a new air-to-ground missile for the country's future F-35 fleet. The four-year award for design and development work on the Spear 3, to be carried in the aircraft's internal weapons bay, is worth more than $595.9 million. "This contract will give UK pilots a state-of-the-art British-designed weapon to be used on board our next-generation F-35B jets, with the precision and punch that we need to give decisive operational advantage over our adversaries and keep Britain safe," said Minister for Defense Procurement Philip Dunne. The Spear 3, from the same family of missiles as MBDA's Brimstone, uses a turbojet engine rather than a rocket motor, giving it a range of more than 60 miles. It was successfully test-fired from an MOD Typhoon in March at a range in West Wales. The new contract follows an initial $217.5 million assessment phase award. "Delivering the solution for the UK's SPEAR 3 requirement is an important program for MBDA, and for the future operators of the F-35 in both the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm," said MBDA's Executive Group technical director and U.K. managing director Dave Armstrong. "The contract confirms SPEAR as the only weapon to meet the UK's operational requirements. "It delivers a UK sovereign capability on the F-35 that will bring the kind of precision against moving targets previously seen with Brimstone, but at stand-off ranges that give the aircrew numerous advantages in terms of operational flexibility and survivability." The missile is expected to be deployed by Britain in the mid-2020s. MBDA is a joint venture of the Airbus Group, BAE Systems and Leonardo-Finmeccanica.
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Russia has a new, long-range missile for its S-300V4 anti-ballistic missile system that is capable of striking targets up to 250 miles away, officials said Thursday.
"That means that Airborne early warning and control aircraft, including AWACS [Airborne Warning and Control System], will noew be unable to enter the 400-kilometer zone without repercussions," Pavel Sozinov, chief designer for the state-run Almaz-Antey defense company, told the TASS news service.
The missile's debut lessens the capabilities of an enemy attack using fighters or other attack aircraft, he said.
Russia's ground forces were first outfitted with the S-300V4 in 2014.
Rheinmetall upgrading Swiss air defense system
Dusseldorf, Germany (UPI) May 19, 2016 -
Switzerland's 35mm Oerlikon Skyguard air defense system is to receive an upgrade from Rheinmetall Air Defence AG of Zurich.
The upgrade is to be conducted through 2019 and involve modernization of the fire control system and guns and an overhaul of associated command and control systems.
The work by Rheinmetall Air Defense, a subsidiary of the Rheinmetall Group of Germany, will extend the life of the system to at least 2025, Rheinmetall said.
The specific value of the contract from the Swiss federal procurement agency was not given but is said to be seven figures.
Some work on the project has been assigned to Switzerland's RUAG Aviation at the request of Swiss authorities.
Earlier this year the government had deferred plans to procure a new air-defense system pending a comprehensive review of the requirements.
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