March 2013 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

Bangladesh is planning to buy 24 Russian-made Yak-130 trainer aircraft 2803131

Bangladesh is planning to buy 24 Russian-made Yak-130 trainer aircraft
 
Bangladesh is planning to buy 24 Yak-130 Mitten jet trainers on $1 billion credit from Russia, Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
Bangladesh is planning to buy 24 Yak-130 Mitten jet trainers on $1 billion credit from Russia, Russia’s state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
 

New Chinese large military transport aircraft Yun-20 could enter in service for 2018 2103131

New Chinese large military transport aircraft Yun-20 could enter in service for 2018
 
The country's first jumbo airfreighter is set for take-off into official service, its chief designer said weeks after its successful maiden test flight. When fitted with Chinese-designed and manufactured engines, the Yun-20, or Transport-20, will have a greater take-off weight, longer fuselage and carry more cargo, said Tang Changhong, who has led the design team of the jumbo aircraft since 2007.
The Chinese-made first jumbo airfreighter is set for take-off into official service, its chief designer said weeks after its successful maiden test flight. When fitted with Chinese-designed and manufactured engines, the Yun-20, or Transport-20, will have a greater take-off weight, longer fuselage and carry more cargo, said Tang Changhong, who has led the design team of the jumbo aircraft since 2007.
 

Tranche 3 of BAE Systems Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft goes on test 1603131

Tranche 3 of BAE Systems Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft goes on test
 
Assembly of the first Tranche 3 Typhoon, destined for delivery to the Royal Air Force, has now been completed together with initial testing. The aircraft, British single seat no 116, has now entered electromagnetic testing.
Assembly of the first Tranche 3 Typhoon, destined for delivery to the Royal Air Force, has now been completed together with initial testing. The aircraft, British single seat no 116, has now entered electromagnetic testing.
 

An Iranian fighter aircraft F-4 Phantom II tried to intercept U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone 1503131

An Iranian fighter aircraft F-4 Phantom II tried to intercept U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone
 
An Iranian warplane F-4 Phantom II tried earlier this week to intercept a U.S. drone but failed, the U.S. Defense Department said on Thursday, March 14, 2013. . In a written statement, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said that the Iranian jet tried to intercept an unarmed MQ-1 Predator remotely-piloted aircraft over "international waters" on March 12, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
An Iranian warplane F-4 Phantom II tried earlier this week to intercept a U.S. drone but failed, the U.S. Defense Department said on Thursday, March 14, 2013. . In a written statement, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said that the Iranian jet tried to intercept an unarmed MQ-1 Predator remotely-piloted aircraft over "international waters" on March 12, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
 

The final operation-ready Rooivalk helicopter to be handed to South African Air Force by Denel 1403134

The final operation-ready Rooivalk helicopter to be handed to South African Air Force by Denel
 
The final operation-ready Rooivalk helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force by Denel Aviation. Mike Kgobe, the CEO of Denel Aviation says the acceptance of the locally developed combat support helicopter marks the culmination of a 26 year partnership between the SAAF and Denel. “We took this proudly South African aircraft through all its stages – from design to manufacturing, upgrading and retrofitting – to the point where it will soon be deployed.
The final operation-ready Rooivalk helicopter has been handed over to the South African Air Force by Denel Aviation. Mike Kgobe, the CEO of Denel Aviation says the acceptance of the locally developed combat support helicopter marks the culmination of a 26 year partnership between the SAAF and Denel. “We took this proudly South African aircraft through all its stages – from design to manufacturing, upgrading and retrofitting – to the point where it will soon be deployed.
 

A Norwegian missile developed by Kongsberg to be used on F-35 stealth figher aircraft 1403133

A Norwegian missile developed by Kongsberg to be used on F-35 stealth figher aircraft
 
A missile specifically designed for use on F-35 fighters for Norway has for the first time been fitted onto an aircraft, Lockheed Martin said. The Joint Strike Missile, which is under development by Kongsberg, was attached last month to a fighter destined for Norway at Lockheed's facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
A missile specifically designed for use on F-35 fighters for Norway has for the first time been fitted onto an aircraft, Lockheed Martin said. The Joint Strike Missile, which is under development by Kongsberg, was attached last month to a fighter destined for Norway at Lockheed's facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
 

Russian Defence Ministry in talks to buy the new Ilyushin IL-78 aerial refueling tanker aircraft 1403132

Russian Defence Ministry in talks to buy the new Ilyushin IL-78 aerial refueling tanker aircraft
 
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the Defense Ministry are in talks over a deal for new Ilyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tankers for the Russian Air Force, UAC said on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The aerospace holding declined to say when a deal might be signed or on what terms.
Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and the Defense Ministry are in talks over a deal for new Ilyushin Il-78 Midas aerial refueling tankers for the Russian Air Force, UAC said on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. The aerospace holding declined to say when a deal might be signed or on what terms.
 

Tranche 1 of Typhoon fighter aircraft fleet is upgraded with a wide range of avionic system 1403131

Tranche 1 of Typhoon fighter aircraft fleet is upgraded with a wide range of avionic system
 
The installation of the update to the whole Tranche 1 Typhoon fleet has been agreed following the successful delivery and assessment of Drop 2. The enhancement package, developed by our Capability Sustainment Team, provides capability upgrades to a wide range of Typhoon avionic systems covering the displays and controls, attack and identification, defensive aids and communication sub systems.
The installation of the update to the whole Tranche 1 Typhoon fleet has been agreed following the successful delivery and assessment of Drop 2. The enhancement package, developed by our Capability Sustainment Team, provides capability upgrades to a wide range of Typhoon avionic systems covering the displays and controls, attack and identification, defensive aids and communication sub systems.
 

Second Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter aircraft for the Netherlands rolled out of the production facility 0803131

Second Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter aircraft for the Netherlands rolled out of the production facility
 
The second Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II for the Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on March 2. This is the latest step in the production process leading to its eventual assignment to Eglin AFB, Fla., later this summer.
The second Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35 Lightning II for the Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on March 2. This is the latest step in the production process leading to its eventual assignment to Eglin AFB, Fla., later this summer.
 

Sikorsky and Boeing propose X2 helicopter for Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program 0203131

Sikorsky and Boeing propose X2 helicopter for Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program
 
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX], and Boeing [NYSE: BA] will submit a joint proposal to build a demonstrator aircraft -- based on Sikorsky’s X2™ Technology rotorcraft design -- for the U.S. Army's Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) Phase 1 program.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX], and Boeing [NYSE: BA] will submit a joint proposal to build a demonstrator aircraft -- based on Sikorsky’s X2™ Technology rotorcraft design -- for the U.S. Army's Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) Phase 1 program.
 

South Korea and Indonesia cooperate to build a joint fighter aircraft named KFX/IFX 0103132

South Korea and Indonesia cooperate to build a joint fighter aircraft named KFX/IFX
 
Indonesia and South Korea are cooperating in building a joint fighter but politics are delaying progress. The project will produce the KFX/IFX fighter, which is called a "4.5-generation" combatant aircraft, as opposed to the U.S. Lockheed Martin fifth-generation stealth Lightning-II F-35 fighter.
Indonesia and South Korea are cooperating in building a joint fighter but politics are delaying progress. The project will produce the KFX/IFX fighter, which is called a "4.5-generation" combatant aircraft, as opposed to the U.S. Lockheed Martin fifth-generation stealth Lightning-II F-35 fighter.
 

Japanese government allows domestic companies to produce parts of F-35 stealth fighter aircraft 0103131

Japanese government allows domestic companies to produce parts of F-35 stealth fighter aircraft
 
The Japanese government on Friday, Mach 1, 2013, allowed domestic companies to manufacture and export parts of F-35 stealth fighter jet, raising concerns that such exports would go against Japan's policy of avoiding aggravation in international conflicts.
The Japanese government on Friday, Mach 1, 2013, allowed domestic companies to manufacture and export parts of F-35 stealth fighter jet, raising concerns that such exports would go against Japan's policy of avoiding aggravation in international conflicts.
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