Field Artillery joint exercise in United Arab Emirates

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery, held a 10-day exercise, Sept. 22 through Oct. 1, with the host nation’s 97th Heavy Artillery Regiment, in the United Arab Emirates.

The live-fire exercise tested joint capabilities for the first time between the two units that operate the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS.

The event began with a seven-hour, 280-kilometer convoy to UAE’s live-fire complex in the southern portion of the country where the rockets were fired. Since it was the first time U.S. forces have fired the HIMARS in the UAE, the 1-14th FA “Steel Warriors” used the exercise to demonstrate their tactical and technical skills to their coalition partners.

“The live-fire exercise was a tremendous accomplishment for both 1-14 and the Emiratis,” said Lt. Col. JP Maddaloni, 1-14th FA commander. “We demonstrated great camaraderie and true partnership combining our efforts in the tactical exercise and shooting rockets in support of decisive action training.”

Because of the 115-degree heat, the 578th Forward Support Company worked extra hard to set up air conditioned tents to shelter everyone.

The training exercise not only furthered U.S. relations with the host nation, it resulted in the successful shooting of more than 65 rockets. The Steel Warriors qualified 16 HIMARS crews and four fire direction sections. The 97th HAR trained seven of its crews and fired 18 rockets.

“Working with our host nation allies was truly a rewarding experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said 1st Lt. Christopher Rossi, B Battery platoon leader.

The Steel Warriors and the 97th HAR began planning the exercise in May. The Warriors were excited to be the first U.S. force to fire their rocket systems in the UAE. Previous units traveled back to Kuwait, roughly 500 miles, to certify on their systems.

“I treated it like any other live fire, but looking back on it, I get to say I was the first Soldier to shoot in country, and that’s pretty cool,” said Staff Sgt. Christopher Robinson.

US to sell $10.8 bln in missiles, bombs to Saudis, UAE

The Pentagon said Thursday it plans to sell Washington’s Gulf allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates $10.8 billion worth of missiles and munitions, including “bunker-buster” bombs.

The move follows a series of US weapons deals in recent years that have bolstered the air power and missile arsenals of Gulf states, which view Iran as a menacing rival with nuclear ambitions.

The pending sale comes as the United States and five other major powers pursue high-stakes diplomacy on Iran’s disputed nuclear program, with talks this week portrayed as positive by both sides.

Officials said the Defense Department notified Congress this week of the planned deal that will provide a thousand bunker-buster GBU-39 bombs to the Saudis and 5,000 to the UAE.

The sale will also include sophisticated air-launched cruise missiles that can hit targets from a long distance.

PRODUCTION CONTRACT FOR LOCKHEED MARTIN WORTH $3.9 BILLION

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a production contract totaling $3.9 billion to produce elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapons System for the Missile Defense Agency and the United Arab Emirates.

Production contract for Lockheed Martin worth $3.9 billion

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a production contract totaling $3.9 billion to produce elements of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapons System for the Missile Defense Agency and the United Arab Emirates.

The contract includes the manufacture and delivery of a maximum of 110 interceptors for the U.S. Army, including the fiscal 2014 option. These Lot 4, 5 and 6 interceptors will be fielded to the U.S. Army at Ft. Bliss, Texas. The contract also includes interceptors and other ground hardware for the UAE.

"Lockheed Martin is focused on delivering these key components of the THAAD Weapon System to our customers," said Mathew Joyce, vice president and program manager for THAAD at Lockheed Martin. "We continue to see strong interest from around the globe for the unique capabilities THAAD can provide."

THAAD interceptors are produced at Lockheed Martin's Pike County facility in Troy, Ala. The launchers and fire control units are produced at the company's Camden, Ark., facility.

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract for five THAAD batteries for the U.S. Army. Deliveries on Batteries 3 and 4 are underway, with final completion expected in December 2013. Battery 5 was awarded in late 2012.

Since 2005, the THAAD development program has completed 13 flight tests, with 11 successful intercepts in 11 attempts. THAAD is the only missile defense system with the operational flexibility to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the warfighter.

A THAAD battery was deployed for the first time internationally by the U.S. Army to Guam earlier this year.

A key element of the nation's Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, Ala. The agency is developing the BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, friends and allies against ballistic missiles of all ranges and in all phases of flight.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is a 2012 recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for performance excellence. The Malcolm Baldrige Award represents the highest honor that can be awarded to American companies for achievement in leadership, strategic planning, customer relations, measurement, analysis, workforce excellence, operations and business results.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill interceptor. It also has considerable experience in interceptor design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.