Aerospace Group:

State Department Approves $582 Million Spy Plane Upgrade For Saudi; Radar for UAE

Defense Daily Staff

Monday, December 4th, 2023

SHARE:

State Department Approves $582 Million Spy Plane Upgrade For Saudi; Radar for UAE

AN-TPQ-50 mobile radar used by the U.S. Army for counterfire. Photo: U.S. Army

The State Department on Monday said it has approved a potential $582 million foreign military sale (FMS) to Saudi Arabia for the modernization of the RE-3A Tactical Airborne Surveillance System aircraft that would include new sensors and communications equipment. L3Harris Technologies [LHX] is the prime contractor for the upgrades. The RE-3 is a modified Boeing [BA] 707 commercial aircraft. The upgrades include seven embedded GPS/inertial navigation system security devices, M-Code capability, five L3Harris BlackRock communications intelligence sensor suites, KY-100M narrowband/wideband…

Unmanned Systems

In Response To Flag Concerns, DoD Looks To Reduce Drone Prices, As Order for 30,000 Looms

The Pentagon is bargain shopping for Group 1 drones, as other countries, including Ukraine and China, have taken advantage of consumer electronics-level prices to bolster their stables. “In last spring’s […]

Pentagon

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

Congress

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]

Congress

Wicker Wants Legislation On DoD’s Equity Investments In Minerals Supply Chain

Legislation regarding equity investments by the Defense Department in critical mineral supply chains is needed to strengthen the larger defense industrial base and demonstrate to the “free market” that the […]