March 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


T129ATAK is flying over Brazil for the first time in Latin America

Turkish Aerospace announces the launch of its “T129 ATAK Brazil Roadshow” before LAAD, the biggest and most important defence industry exhibition in Latin America, which will be held dates between April 2nd and 5th of 2019 in Rio de Janeiro.

Russia to supply 24 Su-35 fighter jets to Egypt

Russia has signed an estimated $2 billion contract for the supply of about 24 Su-35 multi-role fighter jets to Egypt.

Pakistan may deliver JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to Azerbaijan

In an interview to Vzglyad.Az, Lt General Tariq Khan said that the JF-17 Thunder fighter jets will undoubtedly display high efficiency during military operations and ensure the superiority of Azerbaijan over its enemies.

Czech Republic to buy US helicopters

The Czech Republic will buy 12 military helicopters from a US company, narrowing the field of possible suppliers, Deputy Defence Minister Jakub Landovsky said.

Qatar received first AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter

Qatar has received the first of 24 AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, during a ceremony at the manufacturer’s production facility in Mesa.

Australia: possible sale of AIM-120C-7 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $240.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 12, 2019.

Iran tests armed drones and UAVs in unprecedented exercise

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on March 14 launched a massive military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz aimed at testing and showcasing the capabilities of dozens of locally-made UAVs, including armed drones. According to a report by the Iranian ISNA news agency, the exercise was the largest of its kind to ever take place in the country.

UK: final flypast of RAF Tornado before retirement

The RAF Tornado has completed its final flight in a flypast over the disbandment parade for the jet's last two squadrons. The Tornado will retire at the end of March after almost 40 years in service.

USA: Boeing to integrate new air-launched cruise missile system on B-52 Stratofortress

The US aerospace manufacturer Boeing received a contract to help the US Air Force integrate an air-launched cruise missile system, which will replace the AGM 86 nuclear cruise missile, on a B-52H Stratofortress bomber aircraft, according to the US Department of Defense.

JetPack Aviation to launch flying motorcycle for military use

JetPack Aviation, a US company, says it’s taking orders for a real-life flying motorcycle powered by five modified jet engines on the base of the aircraft. The $380,000 vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft, called the “Speeder,” will be able to reach at least 150 mph, have a 45-mile range and fly as high as 15,000 feet when it debuts next year, according to David Mayman, chief executive of JetPack Aviation, a company that creates and sells personal jet packs.

Brazil strengthens airspace surveillance with Thales local subsidiary Omnisys

The Commission for the Implementation of the Airspace Control System (CISCEA) in Brazil has awarded a contract to Thales’s Brazilian subsidiary Omnisys to supply primary and secondary airspace surveillance radar stations. Deployed in the mid-west border area, the surveillance radars will further extend air coverage in this region.

China developing variants of Y-20 large transport aircraft

China is developing several types of variants of Y-20 large transport aircraft, including an aerial tanker and early warning aircraft.

Kaman announces the development of next generation K-Max

Kaman Aerospace Group (USA) has announced that the new version of its K-Max system would soon be developed. This helicopter drone will be designed to be hosted or operated remotely. The production of the device should be started in 2020.

IM Norway and Lockheed Martin to establish F-16 sustainment hub in Norway

AIM Norway and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) signed a historic agreement to jointly establish the world’s first Lockheed Martin-licensed F-16 ‘Falcon Depot’ center for the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) and other regional F-16 customers. The facility will be located in Kjeller, Norway, at an existing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility used by the RNoAF.

USA: AFSOC gets latest AC-130J gunship

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has received an upgraded version of its Ghostrider gunship.

Russian Naval Aviation to get first upgraded Be-12 ASW aircraft in 2019

The Naval Aviation (Morskaya Aviatsiya) will receive the first upgraded Beriev Be-12 (NATO reporting name: Mail) anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft this year, the Commander of the service Major General Igor Kozhin told the official newspaper of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Red Star (Krasnaya Zvezda). "We are bringing the Be-12 to the modern standard. The first updated aircraft will be issued to the Black Sea Fleet [Chernomorskiy Flot] this year," said Kozhin.

Observation flight over Benelux by Russian AN-30B

A Russian Antonov An-30B surveillance aircraft is monitoring Benelux airspace in the framework of the Open Skies Treaty, the Defense Ministry said. "The monitoring flight over Benelux is carried out on March 11-15, 2019 from Kecskemet Open Skies airfield. The maximum range is 945 kilometers," it said.

Russia: TsAGI developing arctic transport single-rotor high-speed helicopter

Russian Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) is studying flying conditions in Arctic to develop a single-rotor perspective high-speed helicopter with jet system for transport.

Russia: Medium-range attack drones in 2019

The Russian Armed Forces will commission medium-range attack drones for the first time in 2019, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated on Monday during a session of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Defense Committee.

40-ton class heavy helicopter jointly developed by China and Russia

The 40-ton class heavy helicopter, jointly developed by China and Russia, is expected to be delivered by 2032, said Wu Ximing, a Chinese political advisor and chief designer of helicopters for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China.

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