UAE to Buy AMRAAM from Raytheon

Raytheon announced that they had signed a contract with the UAE to provide advanced AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles for the nation’s F-16 fleet. Reuters reports that the contract is for over two hundred of the missiles. No contract value was given but it is substantial as the AMRAAM is a fairly expensive system. Deliveries are expected to begin in the 2011 time frame. Over the last five years the UAE has invested heavily in upgrading the capabilities of their armed forces. Most recently they have invested over three billion dollars into missile and air defense capability with the purchase of PATRIOT and THAAD systems from the U.S.

Connecticut politicians lobby for Sikorsky for VH-71 contract

A group of 11 Congressman, mainly from Connecticut, wrote a letter to DoD asking for the Lockheed contract be canceled and put out for re-bid. See Hartford Courant for more. The hope is that Sikorsky will win the recompete. Read more

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