Missiles & Missile Systems
BlueBird Aero Systems Logo

BlueBird Aero Systems Logo

Source: Bluebird Aero Systems


MOROCCO TO HOST ISRAELI DRONE PRODUCTION FACILITY DESPITE ANTI-NORMALIZATION UPROAR
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
BlueBird Aero Systems Logo

BlueBird Aero Systems Logo

Source: Bluebird Aero Systems


RABAT - Morocco is set to host an Israeli drone production facility by BlueBird Aero Systems, despite protests against normalization with Israel. BlueBird's CEO, Ronen Nadir, confirmed the establishment of the facility, which is expected to be operational soon.

Israel Aerospace Industries, a major Israeli defense firm owning 50% of BlueBird, has previously collaborated with Morocco, including a $500 million deal in 2022 for an Israeli missile defense system. Recent developments also include a memorandum of understanding in aeronautics between the two nations, indicating deeper strategic and economic cooperation.

Despite domestic opposition and ongoing regional tensions, particularly concerning Western Sahara, Morocco continues to strengthen its military ties with Israel, evidenced by its plans to enhance its drone capabilities and other military assets. This move is part of Morocco's broader strategy to maintain strong defense capabilities amid its conflict with Algeria and the Polisario Front.

 
Israeli F-16 fighter jet firing a Rampage missile

Israeli F-16 fighter jet firing a Rampage missile

Source: IMI Systems


REPORT: ISRAEL USED AIR-TO-SURFACE MISSILE CALLED 'THE RAMPAGE' IN IRAN ATTACK
Sunday, April 21, 2024
Israeli F-16 fighter jet firing a Rampage missile

Israeli F-16 fighter jet firing a Rampage missile

Source: IMI Systems


JERUSALEM - A Hebrew media report alleges that Israel used a locally-developed air-to-surface missile, dubbed The Rampage, in an overnight attack on a military base near Isfahan, Iran. According to the Kan broadcaster, The Rampage, identifiable from photos, matches the damage observed at the site. This 15-foot missile, capable of supersonic speeds, challenges detection and interception by systems like the Iron Dome.

Israel has not officially commented, while Iran contends the attack involved only three small drones. Unveiled in 2018, The Rampage is designed to penetrate protected areas such as bunkers. The New York Times reported that a similar high-tech missile was used in a separate alleged Israeli strike on Iranian air defenses near the Natanz nuclear site, suggesting a strategic move to deter Iran from further attacks.

 
F-35 program is focusing on TR-3 update

F-35 program is focusing on TR-3 update

Source: U.S. Air Force


LOCKHEED MARTIN REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
F-35 program is focusing on TR-3 update

F-35 program is focusing on TR-3 update

Source: U.S. Air Force


BETHESDA, Md. -- For the first quarter of 2024, Lockheed Martin Corporation reported net sales of $17.2 billion, up 14 percent compared to $15.1 billion in the first quarter of 2023. Net earnings in the first quarter of 2024 were $1.5 billion compared to $1.7 in the first quarter of 2023.

"Our strong start to 2024 demonstrates our continued success designing, developing and delivering 21st Century Security solutions in support of integrated deterrence for customers around the world. These first quarter results reinforce our confidence in our ability to achieve the full year financial expectations we set in January," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet. "First quarter sales increased significantly year-over-year and we generated robust free cash flow of nearly $1.3 billion, while taking assertive actions to further strengthen production capacity. In addition, we continued our disciplined and dynamic capital deployment by investing over $700 million into R&D and capital projects and returned significant capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases as we remain committed to delivering meaningful free cash flow per share growth over the long-term.

"Our $159 billion backlog includes several large National Security Space awards in the quarter and attests to the breadth of our portfolio, depth of our technical expertise, and understanding of our customers' needs. These capabilities uniquely position us to lead the realization of joint all domain operations, including reliable battle management and command and control systems integrated across multiple domains, military services, and allied forces. We remain exceptionally focused on the execution of the F-35 program, working with our customers and suppliers to implement TR-3 capabilities, and are encouraged by the progress towards delivery of the first TR-3 configured aircraft."

INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

Aeronautics

Aeronautics' net sales in the first quarter of 2024 increased to $6.8 billion, or 9%, compared to $6.3 billion the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of $305 million on the F-35 program due to higher volume on production, development and sustainment contracts; $155 million on classified programs driven by higher volume; and $60 million on the F-16 program due to the ramp up on production.

Aeronautics' operating profit in the first quarter of 2024 was $679 million comparable to $675 million in the same period in 2023 . Operating profit increased $50 million on the F-16 program as operating profit for the first quarter of 2023 reflects the impact of unfavorable profit adjustments on a production contract and sustainment contracts as a result of schedule delays related to software and technical specification risks that did not recur in the first quarter of 2024. This increase was partially offset by lower operating profit of $30 million on the F-35 program primarily due to lower net profit adjustments on production contracts as a result of higher than anticipated material costs, partially offset by higher volume described above. Total net profit booking rate adjustments were $40 million lower in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Missiles and Fire Control

MFC's net sales in the first quarter of 2024 increased to $3.0 billion, or 25% compared to $2.4 billion in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of $460 million for tactical and strike missile programs due to production ramp up on Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) programs; and $100 million for integrated air and missile defense programs primarily due to higher volume on PAC-3 and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD).

MFC's operating profit in the first quarter of 2024 decreased to $311 million, or 18%, compared to $377 million in the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower operating profit for tactical and strike missile programs due to a $100 million reach-forward loss recognized for an option on a classified program and an unfavorable profit adjustment on HELLFIRE as a result of additional costs expected to be incurred associated with a contract claim, partially offset by the production ramp up described above. Total net profit booking rate adjustments, inclusive of the $100 million loss described above, were $120 million lower in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Rotary and Mission Systems

RMS' net sales in the first quarter of 2024 increased to $4.1 billion, or 16% compared to $3.5 billion in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of $295 million on integrated warfare systems and sensors (IWSS) programs due to new program ramp up within the laser systems portfolio and higher volume on the Aegis and radar programs; $150 million for various C6ISR (command, control, communications, computers, cyber, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) programs due to higher volume; and $100 million for Sikorsky helicopter programs due to higher volume on Seahawk and CH-53K programs.

RMS' operating profit in the first quarter of 2024 increased to $430 million, or 23%, compared to $350 million in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher operating profit of $40 million on IWSS programs due to higher volume described above and a favorable profit rate adjustment as a result of the delivery of a ground-based radar which retired the technical risk; and $25 million on Sikorsky helicopter programs due to higher volume described above and higher margins due to contract mix, partially offset by unfavorable profit adjustments on Seahawk programs. Total net profit booking rate adjustments were $30 million lower in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Space

Space's net sales in the first quarter of 2024 increased to $3.3 billion, or 10%, compared to $3.0 billion in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to higher net sales of $140 million for strategic and missile defense programs due to higher volume on Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) and ramp up in the hypersonic and Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) development programs; and higher net sales of $115 million for national security space programs due to higher volume on Transport Layer and GPS III programs and ramp up on the Tracking Layer program.

Space's operating profit in the first quarter of 2024 increased to $325 million, or 16%, compared to $280 million in the same period in 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to $30 million of higher equity earnings from the company's investment in United Launch Alliance (ULA) due to higher launch volume, and higher operating profit of $20 million on strategic and missile defense programs due to the higher volume described above. These increases were partially offset by lower operating profit of $25 million for national security space programs due to the impact of lower net favorable profit adjustments on Next Gen OPIR as a result of the timing of the award and incentive fee assessments. Total net profit booking rate adjustments were $30 million lower in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Total equity earnings/(losses) (primarily ULA) represented approximately $15 million or 5% in the first quarter of 2024, compared to approximately $(15) million or (5)% for the same period in 2023.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/
 

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