The Directorate’s Direct Attack Division published a broad agency announcement on Oct. 19 calling for a study of a next generation Global Precision Attack Weapon. 

The package of deals, worth an estimated $1.8 billion, follows the sale of 66 Lockheed F-16C/D Block 70 fighters to Taiwan, which was finalized in August. 

If National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien’s statement about the Arleigh Burke-class upgrade applies to the Conventional Prompt Strike program, it would imply a significant retrofit program.

“The SPEAR flight demonstrator will provide the F/A-18 Super Hornet and carrier strike group with significant improvements in range and survivability against advanced threat defensive systems,” said Steve Mercer, Boeing’s SPEAR program manager. 

A National Academy of Sciences committee has been formed to study the technical feasibility of the U.S. Army's Strategic Long-Range Cannon.

European missile manufacturer MBDA is developing a ground-launched variant of its MICA NG air-to-air missile. 

A video of a missile test from the Black Sea report of Sinop on Oct. 16 drew a response from the U.S. Defense Department condemning its NATO ally, if the reports of an S-400 missile firing are accurate.

The new suppliers fill-out the OpFires industry team for OpFires program following DARPA’s selection of Aerojet Rocketdyne to deliver the critical upper-stage last summer.