NorthStar Maritime Tapped For CVN-65 Disposal | Turkey Might Replace KC-135 With Pegasus |

Published 1 day ago• 2 minute read

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Americas

The Navy awarded a $536 million contract to NorthStar Maritime Dismantlement Service to dismantle, recycle and dispose of the former aircraft carrier Enterprise (CVN-65), a four-year undertaking that will set precedents for future nuclear-powered ship disposals. “Under this contract CVN-65 will be dismantled in its entirety, and all resulting materials will be properly recycled or disposed of. Specifically, hazardous materials, including low-level radioactive waste, will be packaged and safely transported for disposal at authorized licensed sites,” according to a May 30 contract announcement.

Hermeus has flight-tested its Quarterhorse Mk 1 remotely piloted drone designed to support the development of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft. The test, which took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California, focused on high-speed takeoff and landing, particularly demanding maneuvers due to the aircraft’s configuration optimized for high-speed flight.

Middle East & Africa

Turkey is deciding between Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus and the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) to replace its retiring KC-135 tanker aircraft, a Turkish official with knowledge of the matter told Breaking Defense. The choice “to buy the new tanker [is between] MRTT and KC-46,” the official said, adding the negotiations are ongoing with both sides. However, the official didn’t specify the number of tankers in demand or the timeline of any prospective deal.

Europe

Patria and GDELS-Santa Barbara Sistemas have announced a collaboration to assemble and maintain ASCOD infantry fighting vehicles at Patria’s Latvian facility. The collaboration marks the fifth anniversary of Patria’s operations in Latvia and the first anniversary of the Defence Partnership Latvia (DPL) armored vehicle production facility in Valmiera. DPL is a joint venture between Patria and Latvian firm Unitruck.

Asia-Pacific

China deployed two aircraft carrier groups and dozens of ships in waters north and south of Taiwan last month, a Taiwanese security official said Monday, as Beijing keeps up military pressure on the self-ruled island. Up to 70 Chinese ships, including navy vessels, were monitored from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea from May 1-27, a security official said on the condition of anonymity.