The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $53.86 billion firm-fixed-price contract modification for the PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Production program, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on July 30, 2026. The modification converts the current one-year undefinitized contract action into a seven-year multiyear procurement covering the hardware, equipment, and manufacturing efforts required to produce PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles. Read full Defense News at this link … Launch of a PATRIOT Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor during a stockpile reliability test, validating missile performance and readiness to support the U.S. Army's integrated air and missile defense mission. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War/Defense) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/gt1wbpM via IFTTT
Japan successfully fired a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile from the Aegis-equipped destroyer JS Chokai on July 29, marking the country's first live operational launch of the weapon from a surface combatant. The milestone advances Tokyo's effort to build a credible long-range maritime strike capability and strengthens allied deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The live firing confirmed the successful integration of the Tomahawk weapon system aboard the Kongo-class destroyer after months of ship modifications, software integration, and operational training conducted in the United States. The launch demonstrates that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has reached a key operational milestone in fielding stand-off precision strike capability, expanding its ability to engage high-value targets at extended ranges in support of Japan's evolving defense strategy. Read more. The firing validates both the successful integration of the missile and the crew's ability to conduct l...