Defense industry news March 4: The United States tested the "extended arm" of the F-35 stealth fighter with the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile.
Iran receives upgraded Suleiman-402 tanks; US tests “extended arm” of F-35 fighter jet… are the contents of defense industry news on March 4.
US tests “extended arm” of F-35 fighter jet
The US Marine Corps is testing the European Meteor air-to-air missile on the F-35B fifth-generation fighter.
According to the Army Recognition portal, at the end of February 2025, the F-35B fighter jet made its first flight carrying the Meteor long-range air-to-air missile. This event marked an important step in integrating the European long-range missile into the F-35 aircraft arsenal. During the test, a missile without a warhead was launched, which helped collect data on the aircraft's behavior with the new ammunition.
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| Meteor long-range air-to-air missile. Photo: Defense News. |
“ Integrating the Meteor missile into the F-35B fighter could provide a significant advantage in air combat. The missile’s advanced propulsion system allows it to maintain high speeds throughout its flight, extending its range ,” Army Recognition said.
The test missile is housed in internal bays of the F-35B aircraft, so the new ammunition does not affect the aircraft's stealth capabilities.
The Meteor long-range missile is equipped with an active seeker and a ramjet engine, allowing the missile to maintain high flight speed throughout its trajectory. At the same time, it maintains the aircraft's ability to "hide" without needing to transmit a missile guidance radar signal. The maximum flight range of the Meteor can exceed 200km.
In July 2024, a US Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter bomber operates from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson with the new AIM-174B missile. The new air-to-air missile is based on the SM-6 air defense missile, considered the longest-range air-to-air missile in US Navy history.
Iran receives upgraded Suleiman-402 tanks
The Iranian army has begun receiving Suleiman-402 tanks, an improved version of the US M-60A1 tank.
Military Watch magazine reported that the upgraded version of the tank has increased firepower and protection.
The upgraded Suleiman-402 tank is equipped with a remotely controlled combat module with a machine gun and a 120 or 125 mm smoothbore gun. The vehicle's protection is improved thanks to the use of composite armor and explosive reactive armor. The Suleiman-402 is also equipped with a new fire control system with modern sights and a more powerful engine.
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| Suleiman-402 tank. Photo: Tasmin |
“ Modernizing the M-60 to the Suleiman-402 standard will not allow these vehicles to seriously compete with modern foreign-made main battle tanks, but can significantly increase their infantry support capabilities,” writes the Military Watch publication.
Iran's decision to modernize the M-60 is related to the country's desire to become self-sufficient in maintenance capabilities and not depend on foreign spare parts.
In February 2025, Breaking Defense of the US reported that the T-90MS tank and other military equipment introduced by Russia at the IDEX 2025 international exhibition in Abu Dhabi (UAE) created a media phenomenon.
Australia receives first two AS9 155mm self-propelled guns
Hanwha Defence Australia, the Australian arm of the Hanwha Aerospace Division of South Korea’s Hanwha Group, has officially delivered the first two AS9 Huntsman 155mm/52 self-propelled howitzers and an AS10 Armoured Ammunition Supply Vehicle (AARV) to the Australian Army under a 2021 contract on 27 February 2025 at the Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence (H-ACE) facility in Geelong, near Avalon Airport near Melbourne, Victoria.
The first two AS9 (K9) self-propelled howitzers and an AS10 (K10) armoured ammunition transporter were produced at Hanwha Aerospace Division’s Changwon facility in South Korea and delivered to Australia in early December 2024. Now, after further development at H-ACE’s Geelong facility, they have been formally handed over to the Australian Army.
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| AS9 Huntsman 155mm/52 self-propelled gun. Photo: Getty |
The remaining 42 AS9 self-propelled howitzers and 14 AS10 armoured ammunition carriers will be manufactured in Australia at the dedicated H-ACE facility in 2022-24. The facility is being built and operated by Hanwha Defence Australia in partnership with Kongsberg Defence Australia, the Australian arm of Norway’s Kongsberg Group. The gun and vehicle hulls will be manufactured by Australian company Elphinstone in Elphinstone, northern Tasmania.
The AS9 self-propelled gun and AS10 vehicle will enter service with the Australian Army's 4th Artillery Regiment. The AS9 self-propelled gun is identical to the South Korean K9A1 in terms of artillery, but has significant differences in systems and improved protection, including top protection (making the AS9 the second self-propelled gun in the world to be capable of turret roof protection after the German PzH 2000).
The AS9 advanced structural protection system is developed and supplied by the Israeli company Plasan and also includes mine protection and anti-splinter lining. The AS9 will be equipped with the Integrated Combat Solution (ICS) automated fire control system and the ODIN field artillery fire control system supplied by Kongsberg, as well as the MINEO Direct Fire Support Systems (DFSS) panoramic sight supplied by Safran, which provides direct fire capability among other features (this sight is also used on the K9 self-propelled gun in the Norwegian and Indian versions).
The turret roof is equipped with a remote-controlled R400 combat module from Australian company EOS with a 12.7mm machine gun. The AS9 is also equipped with a HUMS status and utilization monitoring system and a SAS situational awareness system, which are supplied exclusively by Hanwha Systems. The self-propelled guns are also equipped with an air conditioning system and an NBC protection system from German company AirSense Analytics.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/hoa-ky-thu-nghiem-canh-tay-noi-dai-cua-may-bay-f-35-376719.html
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