April 2020 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


 

Leonardo has been awarded a contract by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd to provide airborne communications systems, cockpit control panels and associated electronics for installation on-board PC-21 single-engine turboprop trainers being supplied to the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire). The aircraft were ordered by the Spanish Ministry of Defense through its Armament and Material Directorate (DGAM) to replace the Spanish Air Force’s Casa C-101 jet trainers, which have been in-use since 1980.

On April 8, Leonardo announced the closing of the acquisition of Kopter Group AG (Kopter) from Lynwood (Schweiz). The purchase price, on a cash and debt free basis, consists of a $185 million fixed component plus an earn-out mechanism linked to certain milestones over the life of the program, starting from 2022.

As part of a larger weather test campaign, Saab flew Gripen E to northern Sweden this winter and conducted several tests. It all went fine and it proves that harsh weather is no match for Gripen E.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has formally declared an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) of its brand-new Poseidon MRA Mk1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The UK’s Poseidon fleet, currently comprising of two aircraft with seven more to be delivered, strengthens our maritime security, helping to protect our people and our interests, at home and overseas.

Su-35S multirole fighter jets will be able to fire R-37M air-to-air guided missiles. They will destroy targets in a radius of 200 km and provide an edge over the latest foreign analogues. R-37M will be able to down AEW aircraft and intercept cruise missile carriers before the launch, the Izvestia daily writes.

On April 3rd, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) flew its SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the skies above Southern California as part of a joint flight demonstration with NASA. GA-ASI was selected to participate in NASA’s Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) activity, which includes multiple flight demonstrations focusing on different types of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and their respective flight environments. GA-ASI and NASA have worked collaboratively since 2014 to prove the safety of flying large UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS).

Japan’s largest Super Puma operator, Japan Coast Guard (JCG), has placed a new order of two H225 helicopters. This follow-on order brings JCG’s Super Puma fleet to 15, comprising two AS332s and 13 H225s. The new helicopters will be utilised for territorial coastal activities, security enforcement, as well as disaster relief missions in Japan

Lockheed Martin delivered the U.S. Air Force Reserve’s first HC-130J Combat King II today to a crew from the 920th Rescue Wing (RQW) from Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. This HC-130J will be operated by the 39th Rescue Squadron (RQS), which is part of the 920th RQW.

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