January’s top news stories

BAE to create new UK combat vehicles JV with Rheinmetall

UK defence contractor BAE Systems agreed to sell a 55% majority stake in its UK combat vehicles business to German tank manufacturer Rheinmetall.

The £28.6m deal is part of plans to establish a joint venture (JV) with Rheinmetall to design and manufacture military vehicles in the UK.

BAE Systems Land UK business managing director Jennifer Osbaldestin said: “We are committed to evolving our combat vehicles business so that we better serve our customers’ future interests.”

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US Supreme Court allows DoD to implement transgender policy changes

The US Supreme Court lifted three of four injunctions that blocked the Department of Defense (DoD) from implementing changes to the military transgender policy.

However, it noted that a stay on the rules will still remain in place until a decision is made from a Maryland circuit court.

Pentagon spokesperson and US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Carla Gleason said: “As always, we treat all transgender persons with respect and dignity.”

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CACI International to buy LGS Innovations for $750m

CACI International agreed to acquire LGS Innovations from Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP) and CoVant Management in a $750m deal.

The parties involved have signed a definitive agreement for the transaction.

LGS Innovations provides command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and cyber products and solutions to the US Intelligence Community and US Department of Defense.

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Boeing to upgrade Spanish Army’s Chinook helicopter fleet

Boeing was awarded a contract to modernise the Spanish Army’s entire fleet of CH-47D Chinook helicopters.

Under the contract, the company will remanufacture 17 CH-47D Chinooks to the CH-47F model configuration.

Boeing Cargo and Utility Helicopters vice-president and H-47 programme manager Chuck Dabundo said: “The Chinook is a versatile aircraft flown by eight Nato nations, including Spain.”

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US Army fields first JLTVs to unit at Fort Stewart, Georgia

The US Army started fielding the first joint light tactical vehicles (JLTVs) to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

The unit is the first in the army to be equipped with the vehicle and around 500 new JLTVs will be deployed by the end of March.

Joint Program Office, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles project manager colonel Shane Fullmer said: “This programme has been working towards fielding trucks to soldiers for ten years.”

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Javelin Joint Venture receives contract to produce F-model missiles

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin’s Javelin Joint Venture (JJV) received a contract for the manufacture of F-model (FGM-148F) missiles.

The contract marks the start of an initial full-rate production agreement and will see the company produce 2,100 F-model missiles.

This award follows an extensive system qualification test programme and the missile delivered 21 successful flight tests.

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SAIC acquires government services contractor Engility

Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) closed its merger with US Government services contractor Engility Holdings in a $2.5bn all-stock transaction.

The completion of the merger agreement follows approval from stockholders of both companies on 11 January.

Engility stockholders have received a fixed exchange ratio of 0.450 shares of SAIC common stock for each share of Engility stock.

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Indonesian Army orders nine Bell 412EPI helicopters

The Indonesian Army and state-owned aerospace company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) signed an agreement for the delivery of Bell 412EPI assault helicopters.

Under the purchase agreement, PTDI will receive nine units of the 412EPI helicopters from Bell. The Indonesian company will then carry out customisation work on the aircraft prior to handing them over to the Indonesian Army.

The units will be delivered to the service along with weapons and ammunition, spare parts, technical publications and training.