August 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Batch deliveries of Okhotnik drones expected to begin in 2025

Batch deliveries of the Okhotnik heavy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to the troops are expected to begin in 2025, a source at the staff of Russian Vice-Premier Yuri Borisov told TASS on the sidelines of the MAKS-2019 air show.

Boeing to integrate improved turbine engine into AH-64E Apache attack helicopter

Boeing was awarded a $33,581,477 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for non-recurring engineering design activities for integrating the Improved Turbine Engine into the AH-64E Apache helicopter.

Hungary to purchase American AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Hungary of one hundred and eighty (180) AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM ) with support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 27, 2019.

Boeing has delivered the 11th C17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to Indian Air Force

American Company Boeing on Monday, August 26, 2019, delivered the 11th C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The plane is also the last C-17 produced by the company.

Iranian Air Force will receive more new Kosar fighter jets

Commander of the Iranian Air Force Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh said on Sunday, August 25, 2019, that Iranian air forces are equipped with an increasing number of newly-manufactured supersonic Kosar fighter jets, and informed massive wargames in the near future.

Flight demontration showing new capabilities of MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAV

On August 16th, 2019, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) gave a flight demonstration with the MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to Royal Air Force (RAF) senior leadership and RAF Reaper operators, as well as guests from the U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Turkish Aerospace and Royal Netherlands Aerospace Center sign deal

Turkish Aerospace has signed a framework agreement on future projects with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Center (NLR). In the scope of the protocol signed between Turkish Aerospace President and CEO Prof Temel Kotil and NLR CEO Mr. Michel Peters, cooperation will be realized in the fields of aerospace research projects, trainings, modeling, simulation, testing and new manufacturing techniques.

South Korean Light Armed Helicopter completes its first flight

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on August 19 that it has completed successfully the first flight of the initial Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) prototype. The test with two flight pilots on board was conducted in KAI's headquarters for about 20 minutes.

Portugal signs for five multi-mission airlifters Embraer KC-390

The Portuguese Government and Embraer signed on August 22, at a ceremony held at Embraer's facility in Évora, a contract for the acquisition of five multi-mission airlifters Embraer KC-390. Additionally, services and support and a flight simulator are included in the contract as part of the process to modernize Portuguese Air Force capabilities to support national Armed Forces operations and increase readiness in missions of public interest. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2023.

Czech Republic to buy Bell AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters

The Czech Republic will buy 12 military helicopters from US maker Bell a deal priced at 14.5 billion crowns ($622 million), Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar said on August 22.

US Air Force selects Boeing for A-10 Thunderbolt II re-winging contract

Boeing has been awarded a $999,000,000 (ceiling) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for A-10 Thunderbolt II re-winging.

US Army awards Boeing $155M for Apache AH-64E helicopters

The US army has awarded Boeing a $155 million modification contract for new-build Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, Pentagon announced August 20.

USA approves sale of 66 F-16 fighters to Taiwan

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to TECRO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States) for the 66 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft and related equipment and support for an estimated cost of $8 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 20.

Sweden took delivery of final series-production NH90 helicopter

Sweden's armed forces have taken delivery of the final series-production NH90 helicopter. The Swedish Defense Material Agency (FMV), the national defense procurement agency, handed over the 18th and final unit to the armed forces in July.

UK: Protector Remotely Piloted Aircaft achieves milestone on visit to RAF Squadron

Protector, the Royal Air Force’s future Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, has flown to Creech Air Force Base affording members of the RAF Reaper Force the opportunity to see the aircraft for the first time. In so doing the aircraft, which flew to the Nevada base from Arizona, used its automatic take-off, landing and taxiing capability for the first time at another base within the US.

China and Thailand to start Falcon Strike exercise 2019

Multiple fighter jets of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) have recently arrived at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (Udorn RTAFB) to participate in the joint exercise codenamed "Falcon Strike 2019". This is the fourth of such exercise between China’s PLA Air Force and the Royal Thai Air Force.

Russian reconnaissance drone Altius-U performed its first flight

Russia’s latest reconnaissance drone Altius-U weighing 6 tonnes has performed its debut flight, the Defense Ministry of Russia said on August 20.

Turkey and Ukraine to develop Akinci UCAV

The Ukrainian and Turkish defense industries are pooling their efforts to develop the new Akinci heavy strike drone, Ukraine’s state military manufacturer UkrOboronProm said on August 20.

Upgraded MiG-31BMs drill air fight in stratosphere in Kamchatka

Upgraded MiG-31BM high-altitude fighters-interceptors have been engaged in an air fight in the stratosphere at an altitude of more than 20 kilometers for the first time. The crews trained to intercept potential violators of the Russian airspace in Kamchatka region, the Pacific Fleet said.

BAE Systems to supply electronic warfare services for Saudi Arabia

BAE Systems has been awarded $19.2 million for sustainment services associated with digital electronics warfare systems and missile warning systems for aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabia.

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