The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $78 million contract modification to produce canisters for Mk 41 and Mk 57 Vertical Launching Systems on cruisers and destroyer battleships.

On 23 August, the US Army announced it had awarded fixed price contracts under the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle EMD phase to AM General, Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh Corp.

Lockheed Martin has received a $64 million contract from the US Army to extend the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile Technology Development program.

The US Navy is revisiting a plan from the 1990s to make ship bows more hydrodynamic, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

The full version of Defence Week Premium no.219 of 23 August 2012 can be downloaded here as a PDF. A separate PDF of the latest Defence tenders can also be downloaded here.

The UK Ministry of Defence has unveiled its new multi-mission warship - the Type 26 Global Combat Ship (T26 GCS).

The Government last week announced the appointment of Ken Peacock AM and Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky to conduct further consultations on the Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011, including with the University and research sector.

A former member of Perth's elite SAS Regiment will take a commanding role in a force comprising more than 60,000 US troops in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia's commitment to reducing the humanitarian impact of armed conflict was recently strengthened with the passage of a bill banning the use of cluster munitions.

The US Army is evaluating how it could include the other services in its next demonstration of a capability to integrate drones and manned aircraft, according to Army officials leading the effort.

Kongsberg has been awarded a new framework agreement from the US Army for production, system support and technical engineering support of the M153 CROWS Remote Weapon Stations which the company says was won in a full and open competition.

Next best thing to RWS would appear to be the Gunner Protective Kits and Shield Kits for which US-based BAE Systems has won a contract valued at US$11.4 million to provide 3,602 protective kits and 799 shield kits for the US Army's M1151 and M1114 military vehicles.

Indonesia is seeking to procure additional Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and F-16C/D fighters.

BAE Systems Australia has celebrated the opening of its new facility in Canberra. Officially opened by Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare the facility will consolidate its Canberra staff into a single building.

Former Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry and his team are finalising the Australia in the Asian Century White Paper, which is planned for release in a few weeks. In a Policy Analysis Peter Jennings explores some hard questions relating to this.

Many commentators have expressed dismay at the recent cuts to defence spending. In an ASPI Policy Analysis, Mark Thomson argues that Australia can get by with less.