WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden's administration has imposed new sanctions on Iran following its missile and drone attack on Israel, escalating Middle East tensions. These sanctions target individuals and entities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran's Defense Ministry, and its missile and drone programs.

The sanctions response, coordinated with G7 leaders and allies, aims to curb Iran's military capabilities following the attack, which was a retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. The ongoing conflict has also intensified calls for Biden to restrain Israeli military actions amid escalating regional violence. Additionally, the U.K. imposed sanctions on key Iranian military figures and organizations, emphasizing a joint condemnation with the U.S. of Iran's actions.

The new sanctions can be found at the Department of Treasury website: https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20240418

Source: Al Jazeera
Associated URL: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/18/us-imposes-new-sanctions-on-iran-after-attack-on-israel

SANDY HOOK, Conn. - California-based defense startup Anduril has unveiled the prototype Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The initiative is a collaborative effort that includes the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).

The partners, participating under a development contract worth A$140 million ($90.1 million), achieved a rare defense industry achievement, with prototype delivery coming only three years after initial negotiations and within budget.

Ghost Shark’s progress contrasts with the Boeing/U.S. Navy Orca XLUUV program, which the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported as three years behind schedule and $242 million over budget in late 2022.

The initial May 2022 agreement between Anduril and the RAN called for the indigenous building and delivery of three XL-AUVs within three years.

The Ghost Shark effort is part of the Australian government’s prioritization of naval systems to counter China in the region. Australia plans to spend some $50 billion over the next ten years to strengthen its naval footprint. According to Defense Minister Richard Marles, Ghost Shark’s modular payload capabilities will allow the RAN to conduct “persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike” missions.

Anduril reports that 42 Australian companies are at work on the project. The company is working quickly to produce the system “at scale” for the RAN. Plans are underway to market Ghost Shark as a global export platform.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2024/04/18/andurils-ghost-shark-xl-auv-makes-its-australian-debut/
Author: Jon Hemler 

ARLINGTON, VA. - AeroVironment (AV) has entered into an exclusive teaming agreement with Parry Labs, a leader in Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), to architect, develop, deliver and integrate digital engineering, software, and mission system hardware into AV's upcoming P550 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), purpose built for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program.

Parry Labs' team of MOSA leaders and digital systems experts have created a foundational platform using an open and intelligent software stack, SWaP-C optimized hardware, and a digital engineering environment for collaborative build, test and integration. Designed with MOSA principals from inception, AV's P550 UAS is perfectly aligned to adopt solutions from trusted partners such as Parry Labs to maximize warfighter capability and mission flexibility.

"Our customers rely on AV's market-leading UAS to perform critical missions in challenging and hostile environments, while offering a verified and validated MOSA architecture from both software and hardware standpoints in order to eliminate vendor lock," said AV's Vice President of Engineering, Cris Sapera. "By teaming with Parry Labs, our valued P550 customers can expect a truly open system architecture that will have predefined Major System Components with validated open interfaces for quick, seamless replacement as needed."

"We are excited to partner with AV to bring the benefits of MOSA to the enterprise," said Parry Labs Chief Technology Officer, Dave Walsh. "Using an open systems approach on P550 provides the U.S. Army's Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and Aviation offices reusable and portable infrastructure and capabilities, giving them the opportunity for fast and secure upgrades across programs and platforms."

AV's MOSA-enabled P550 UAS is purpose built for long range reconnaissance missions and features advanced AI and autonomy, maximum payload versatility, and rapid employment capabilities.

Source: AeroVironment
Associated URL: https://www.avinc.com/resources/press-releases/view/av-enters-teaming-agreement-with-parry-labs-to-develop-modular-next-generation-long-range-reconnaissance-uas