Following the widely reported selection last year of L-3 for the supply of medium-size WGS capable satellite terminals under JP 2008 Phase 3H, it has been announced that Defence has finally signed two multi-million dollar contracts with L-3 Oceania.

In announcing Rod Drury's recent space systems appointment, Lockheed Martin Australia's CEO Raydon Gates noted that LMCO has an established portfolio of military satellite platforms and services including the AEHF and MUOS satellite-based communications systems.

While we suspect that the JLTV option under Land 121 Phase 4 for 1300 Protected Mobility Vehicles Light is wearing somewhat thin under pressure from the locally-developed Thales Hawkei PMV-L, it may be worth reporting that automatic spending cuts triggered by US DOD sequestration are poised to delay testing of the US Army-Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle by three to four months.

By the end of 2013, BAE Systems Australia will reduce their workforce by 100 positions, primarily in South Australia.

Thales CEO Chris Jenkins was joined by Queensland state Treasurer and Minister for Trade Tim Nicholls in opening the new Thales workshop and overhaul facility at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.

Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly has concluded a two-day summit with senior Defence officials and CEOs of defence industry companies that have projects on the Projects of Concern list.

Northrop Grumman Corporation's largest F-35 Australian supplier - Quickstep Technologies - has demonstrated that its new production facility is equipped and qualified to manufacture and deliver quality composite parts for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter centre fuselage produced by Northrop Grumman.

Ian Croser of CEA Technologies has been presented with the prestigious ATSE Clunies Ross Awards.

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InsideDefense reports that the debate over the cost and feasibility of converting a commercial off-the-shelf helicopter into a combat-ready aircraft has been renewed as industry pitches offerings to replace the US Army's OH-58 Kiowa Warrior.

Naval aviation history was made today, as an autonomous unmanned aircraft took off from a US Navy nuclear aircraft carrier in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia.

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a US$35 million contract extension for repair and overhaul of T56 engines on US Navy aircraft.

Sagem has signed a contract with the Defence Science and Technology Agency of Singapore to develop and produce a new Gun Fire-Control System for eight Littoral Mission Vessels ordered by the Republic of Singapore Navy.

Germany has cancelled a planned 'Euro Hawk' drone program fearing European authorities will not certify them, a defence ministry source said Tuesday after reported European safety concerns.

The full version of Defence Week Premium no.252 of 9 May 2013 can be downloaded here as a PDF. A separate PDF of the latest Defence tenders can also be downloaded here.

For all that has been written about the new 2013 Defence White Paper since its release last week, there are some highlights to keep in mind on the capability front.