SEPTEMBER 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Russia to carry out observation flight over Hungary

Russian pilots will perform an observation flight over Hungary from September 30 until October 4, the Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper reported on Monday citing head of the National Center for Reducing Nuclear Threats Sergey Ryzhkov.

US Army awards Lockheed Martin contract to develop Sentinel A4 radar

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $281 million contract by the United States Army to develop the Sentinel A4 radar system. 

US Army testing modernized UH-60V Black Hawk digital cockpit

Combat aviators are conducting operational tests of Army modernization efforts using three UH-60V Black Hawk helicopters.

Russia’s latest attack drone Okhotnik performs 1st joint flight with Su-57 fifth-generation plane

Russia’s latest Okhotnik (Hunter) heavy attack drone has performed its first flight with the most advanced Su-57 fighter jet, the Defense Ministry announced on September 27.

Iranian IRGC force equipped with home-made helicopters

During a ceremony  held the Central province of Isfahan on September 23, General Taqizadeh said that 3 Shahed 278 and one Shahed 285 helicopters were delivered to the IRGC Ground Force.

UAE and Dutch Apache gunships to be equipped with Modern Target Acquisition Units

Lockheed Martin Corp., Orlando, Florida, was awarded an $18,433,152 Foreign Military Sales (Netherlands and United Arab Emirates) firm-fixed-price contract for Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight Pilot Night Vision Sensor Systems, subcomponent production, and technical services for the Apache attack helicopter.

Switzerland selects Thales for national airspace surveillance and protection

SkyView has been selected by the Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement (armasuisse) to upgrade the country’s FLORAKO air surveillance system, which provides 24/7 surveillance and protection of national airspace, territory and populations.

Boeing Australia collaborates on AI research for unmanned systems

Boeing is partnering with Australia’s Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre (DCRC) to develop advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create smarter unmanned systems for global forces. Embedding machine learning techniques on-board will help unmanned systems better understand and react to threat environments.

Il-78-2 air tanker makes first test flight

Upgraded Il-78-2 air tanker made the first test flight, the Ilyushin Company said.

First flight for Korea Aerospace Industries' VTOL UAV

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that the company succeeded in flying an unmanned helicopter, NI-600VT (Night Intruder-600 Vertical Take- off & Landing) in its first flight, which is being developed under its own R&D fund.

Raytheon providing next batch of radar warning receivers for Air Force tankers

Raytheon Company is providing 111 ALR-69A systems, including spares, to outfit the U.S. Air Force's newest tanker, the KC-46 Pegasus. Raytheon will complete radar warning receiver deliveries by 2025 under the contract with Boeing.

Naval aviation achieves SECDEF readiness target, shifts focus to readiness sustainment

Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) announced Sept. 24 that Naval Aviation has achieved its Secretary of Defense-mandated readiness target of an 80 percent mission-capable (MC) rate for both its operational F/A-18 E/F “Super Hornet” and EA-18G “Growler” fleets.

US Navy awards Lockheed Martin with $352M contract for F-35 helmet

Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $352,6 million contract modification for the procurement of Generation III helmet mounted display systems (HMDS) in support of the F-35 Lightning II program, according to a recent U.S. Department of Defense news release.

Romania, US, Ukraine to conduct Open Skies observation flight over Russia

The US, Romanian and Ukrainian military will conduct an Open Skies observation mission over Russia on September 23-27, while Russia will carry out an observation flight over Slovenia.

USA approves sales for AH-6i light attack reconnaissance helicopters to Thailand

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Thailand of eight (8) AH-6i light attack reconnaissance helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $400 million.

Sikorsky Combat Rescue Helicopter approved to enter production

Lockheed Martin announced the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) program achieved a Milestone C decision from the U.S. Air Force, which moves the program into low rate initial production. The Combat Rescue Helicopter will perform critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services

Raytheon developing advanced high-power microwave system for US Air Force deployment

Raytheon Company will deliver a prototype high-power microwave system to be deployed to troops overseas under a U.S. Air Force contract. Troops will use the HPM system to destroy hostile drones.

USA approves sales for LAIRCM System to Qatar

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Qatar of two AN/AAQ-24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $86 million.

Elbit Systems selected by Boeing to supply structural components for the F-15

Elbit Systems announced on September 24 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Elbit Systems – Cyclone Ltd. (Elbit – Cyclone), was selected by Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) to supply structural components for the F-15 aircraft.

Azerbaijan tests SkyStriker loitering munition UAV

The Azeri military has tested the SkyStriker unmanned aerial vehicle, indicating that it has entered service with the Army.

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