October 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Russia sets up radar in Arctic to detect hypersonic and stealth targets

A third Rezonans-N radar capable of spotting stealth targets, cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles will assume combat duty on Russia’s Novaya Zemlya Arctic Archipelago in November 2019, Rezonans Research Center CEO Ivan Nazarenko told TASS on October 24.

Boeing Defense, Security & Space establishes international consortium for advance safety and security applications in the Arctic

A new consortium of international companies, called IRSA Development Group (IDG), was announced October 1, 2019,at DEFSEC Atlantic in Halifax, Canada. IDG consists of international companies withexpertise in selected technology domains to bring the world an advanced remote sensing network.

Lockheed Martin awarded US Air Force ICBM Contract

The US Air Force has awarded Lockheed Martin a $108 million contract for the Mark21A Reentry Vehicle (Mk21A) Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) contract.

Russian Helicopters present Mi-35P and Ansat helicopters at Russia-Africa Economic Forum

Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) takes part in the Russia-Africa Economic Forum held in Sochi on October 23-24, 2019. In the 'Industry' zone the holding company showcases a modernized Mi-35P attack helicopter, a corporate version of the civilian multipurpose Ansat helicopter and a mobile service center for overhaul of Mi-8/17 helicopters.

Russia and Egypt in talks on Ka-52 deliveries for Mistral helicopter carriers

Russia is holding consultations with Egypt on the deliveries of armament and Ka-52 combat helicopters for Mistral amphibious assault ships, Head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said in the run-up to the Russia-Africa Summit opening in Sochi on October 23.

Russia completes deliveries of upgraded Su-30K fighters to Angola

Angola has received upgraded Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30K fighter jets, Head of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said on Wednesday on the eve of the Russia-Africa summit.

Raytheon delivers first laser counter-UAS System to US Air Force

Raytheon Company delivered the first high-energy laser counter-unmanned aerial system to the U.S. Air Force earlier this month. The system will be deployed overseas as part of a year-long Air Force experiment to train operators and test the system's effectiveness in real-world conditions.

Nigeria to procure additional fighter helicopters from Russia

The Nigerian government will hold discussions with the Russian government over the procurement of additional attack helicopters, against insurgency, banditry and violence crimes.

DARPA picks teams for virtual air combat competition

DARPA has selected eight teams to compete in the AlphaDogfight Trials, a virtual competition designed to demonstrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that can perform simulated within-visual-range air combat maneuvering, colloquially known as a dogfight.

Iran displays new twin-engine drone

Iran displayed a new home-made double-engine drone during the Exhibition of Knowledge-based Enterprises and Advanced Technologies.

Lithuania to procure new UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters

Leadership of the National Defence System has taken a decision to dispose of the soviet-made Mi-8 helicopters and start negotiations on procurement of new helicopters. The new utility helicopters are planned to be used for search and rescue operations and for the tasks of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania.

MUOS secure communications satellite system by Lockheed Martin ready for full operational use

A new global, military, satellite-based cellular network designed to revolutionize secure communications for mobile forces is now ready for full operational use in warfighting environments.

US Air Force awards $6.4 Billion of adversary contracts

On October 18 the U.S. Department of Defense announced the award of contracts to a total of seven civilian contractors to provide contracted air support services to the Combat Air Force.

Honeywell’s T55 engine upgrade to provide more power and better fuel efficiency for US Army’s CH-47 Chinook

Honeywell is finalizing a new and improved T55 engine to power the U.S. Army’s Chinook helicopters. The newest upgrade for the legendary T55 will offer over 20% more power at sea level, a nearly 10% power increase at high and hot altitudes, and use 9% less fuel than before. This new variant of the T55 will also greatly reduce ownership costs, improving the overall value of what is already one of the most battle-tested engines in the history of warfare.

Flight testing begins for the first H225Ms for Kuwait

The first H225Ms to be delivered to Kuwait later this year have started flight testing

USA approves sale to South Korea of 120 AMRAAM air-to-air-missiles

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Korea of (120) AIM-120C-7/C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) with support for an estimated cost of $253 million.

Korea Aerospace Industries unveils a full-sized mock-up of KF-X fighter

Iranian jet trainer Yasin made its first flight

The Iranian Air Force has conducted a test-flight of the Yasin jet trainer, a locally-produced aircraft.

Karem Aircraft unveils its design for US Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA)

Karem Aircraft unveiled its vision for the U.S. Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program:  a rigid main rotor helicopter with a rotating wing and a rotating tail rotor, named  AR40.

Altius and Okhotnik drones to enter state aviation register

Heavy Altius and Okhotnik drones will be included into the state aviation register to get their unique numbers and onboard identification marks. The operators will be equaled to aircraft captains. After the registration, drones will become fully-fledged air traffic participants and will be able to fly along general and international air routes, the Izvestia daily writes.

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