BIRD Foundation to Invest $6.3M in Seven New Projects

During its meeting on June 12, 2018, held in Washington, DC, the Board of Governors of the Israel-US Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation approved $6.3 million in funding for seven new projects between US and Israeli companies. In addition to the grants from BIRD, the projects will access private sector funding, boosting the total value of all projects to approximately $15 million.

US Confirms F-16 Block 70 Sale to Bahrain

Lockheed Martin received a $1.2 billion contract from the US government to produce 16 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Royal Bahraini Air Force.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is the first customer to procure the F-16 Block 70, the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration.

Watch: French Army’s Special Forces in Combat Demonstration

 

Fobus International Introduces New MOLLE Attachment, Belt Holder

Fobus International, an Israeli holster manufacturer, presents two new carry options for its variety of holsters. The first is MND – a MOLLE attachment for carrying firearms on vests. MND connects to all Fobus rotating holsters and is easily attached to the vest by sliding it into the vest loops. Fobus MND allows 360 degrees cant adjustment and enables all adjustments to be made without any tools.

IWI to Bid for Philippine Assault Rifle Tender

Israeli company IWI intends to participate in an assault rifle tender for the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), according to a report by Max Defense.

The PNP and BJMP released an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for the supply and delivery of 22,216 units of 5.56mm basic assault rifles, with an approved budget of contract (ABC) worth approximately $38 million. The Submission and Opening of Bid Envelopes (SOBE) will be on 13 July 2018.

Boeing Invests in On-Demand Urban Aerial Delivery Startup Matternet

Boeing has announced its investment in Matternet, a US-based startup company pioneering safe, on-demand unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery operations in urban environments. According to a Boeing release, Matternet's advanced logistics platform, combined with Boeing's expertise in complex logistics, integration and manufacturing capabilities, will further enable reliable, efficient cargo air transportation.

IDAN Computers Presents ObliMapper – Transforms Drone Imagery into Actionable VISINT

Israeli company IDAN Computers has developed the ObliMapper aerial drone image capturing, handling, and analysis tool, designed to efficiently combine the benefits of orthophotos with the rich detail of oblique imagery. ObliMapper automatically transforms aerial photos or video of an area of interest into a 360-degree view of the area – an orthophoto, 3D model, and DSM (digital surface model), to rapidly provide accurate and actionable visual intelligence.

Cyberbit Hosted Joint Cybersecurity Exercise for German, Israeli Banks

Cyberbit, an Israel-based provider of cybersecurity simulation and IT/OT detection and response platforms, and Finanz Informatik (FI), the central IT service provider of the German Savings Banks Finance Group, held their first joint cybersecurity training exercise at Cyberbit headquarters in Raanana, Israel. Cybersecurity professionals of all levels and professions, from leading German and Israeli banks held a five-day joint exercise where they practiced defending against a wide variety of cyberattacks threatening financial organizations.

Orbit, ST Engineering Partner to Enhance Satellite Connectivity

ST Engineering Electronics has been selected by Orbit Communications Systems, a leading provider of precision tracking-based communications solutions and airborne communications management systems, to supply its Agilis Multi-Band Block Up Converters (BUCs) to strengthen Orbit’s maritime Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) system.

The US Builds $1B Radar to Detect Hypersonic Missiles

The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is planning to build a $1 billion radar system on the far western or northern point of Oahu, Hawaii.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that the radar, named Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii (HDR-H), is expected to track complex ballistic and hypersonic missile threats across the western Pacific from either Kaena Point or the Kahuku Training Area.