June 2015 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

IAI demonstrates upgraded HAROP Loitering Munition system for foreign customer

IAI demonstrates upgraded HAROP Loitering Munition system for foreign customer
 
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently completed a series of flight demonstrations of its HAROP Loitering Munitions in Israel for a foreign customer. These demonstrations follow various other successful operational exercises performed in the last few months for different customers, the Israel-based company announced on June 7, 2015.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently completed a series of flight demonstrations of its HAROP Loitering Munitions in Israel for a foreign customer. These demonstrations follow various other successful operational exercises performed in the last few months for different customers, the Israel-based company announced on June 7, 2015.
 

US Air Force deploys B-52 Stratofortress, B-2 Spirit strategic bombers in Europe for military drills

US Air Force deploys B-52 Stratofortress, B-2 Spirit strategic bombers in Europe for military drills
 
Three B-52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and two B-2 Spirit strategic bombers were recently deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford, UK. The deployment demonstrates the United States' ability to project its flexible, long-range global strike capability and provides opportunities to synchronize strategic activities and capabilities with allies and partners in the U.S. European Command area of operations during the month of June, announced the US Air Force.
Three B-52 Stratofortresses assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, and two B-2 Spirit strategic bombers were recently deployed to Royal Air Force Fairford, UK. The deployment demonstrates the United States' ability to project its flexible, long-range global strike capability and provides opportunities to synchronize strategic activities and capabilities with allies and partners in the U.S. European Command area of operations during the month of June, announced the US Air Force.
 

Kuwait and Italy reportedly in talks for the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft

Kuwait and Italy reportedly in talks for the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft
 
According to The Wall Street Journal, Kuwait and the Italian Ministry of Defense started discussions about the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft, citing a person familiar with the matter. Talks started May 31 and representatives of the Italian Defense Ministry, Air Force and Alenia Aermacchi are in Kuwait participating, the source said.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Kuwait and the Italian Ministry of Defense started discussions about the purchase of up to 28 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft, citing a person familiar with the matter. Talks started May 31 and representatives of the Italian Defense Ministry, Air Force and Alenia Aermacchi are in Kuwait participating, the source said.
 

CAE USA to provide comprehensive training to US Army and US Air Force fixed-wings pilots

CAE USA to provide comprehensive training to US Army and US Air Force fixed-wings pilots
 
CAE announced yesterday, June 4th, that CAE USA has been awarded a United States Army contract to provide comprehensive initial and recurrent training for more than 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force fixed-wing pilots annually.
CAE announced yesterday, June 4th, that CAE USA has been awarded a United States Army contract to provide comprehensive initial and recurrent training for more than 600 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force fixed-wing pilots annually.
 

Lockheed Martin wins $920 mn contract for production of 94 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft

Lockheed Martin wins $920 mn contract for production of 94 F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft
 
The US Department of Defense announced yesterday, June 4th, it has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth more than $920 million to manufacture 94 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets for production testing by the US military and several foreign countries. “Lockheed Martin Corp… is being awarded a $920,350,132 advance acquisition contract for long lead time, materials, parts, components, and effort for the manufacture and delivery of 94 F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production aircraft,” the release said.
The US DoD announced on June 4th it has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth more than $920 million to manufacture 94 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets for production testing by the US military and several foreign countries. “Lockheed Martin Corp… is being awarded a $920,350,132 advance acquisition contract for long lead time, materials, parts, components, and effort for the manufacture and delivery of 94 F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production aircraft,” the release said.
 

Boeing's KC-46A tanker aircraft performed first flight with refuelling boom and wing pods

Boeing's KC-46A tanker aircraft performed first flight with refuelling boom and wing pods
 
The US Air Force's first Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) aircraft completed its first airworthiness flight equipped with an aerial refuelling boom and refuelling wing pods on 2 June, the US-based company Boeing announced. The aircraft performed a 4.3h flight from Boeing Field to Paine Field in Washington state.
The US Air Force's first Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) aircraft completed its first airworthiness flight equipped with an aerial refuelling boom and refuelling wing pods on 2 June, the US-based company Boeing announced. The aircraft performed a 4.3h flight from Boeing Field to Paine Field in Washington state.
 

U.S. approves possible FMS to Lebanon for 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II laser guided missiles

U.S. approves possible FMS to Lebanon for 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II laser guided missiles
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $146 million. The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, Texas.
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $146 million. The prime contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control in Dallas, Texas.
 

Northrop Grumman unveils NATO's first Alliance Ground Surveillance aircraft

Northrop Grumman unveils NATO's first Alliance Ground Surveillance aircraft
 
Expanding NATO's joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, Northrop Grumman Corporation and its industry partners together with NATO leaders unveiled the first NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft to an audience of customers, distinguished guests, employees and community leadersn the US-based company announced yesterday June 5th.
Expanding NATO's joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, Northrop Grumman Corporation and its industry partners together with NATO leaders unveiled the first NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft to an audience of customers, distinguished guests, employees and community leadersn the US-based company announced yesterday June 5th.
 

Lithuania takes delivery of its first AS365N3+ Dauphin search-and-rescue helicopter

Lithuania takes delivery of its first AS365N3+ Dauphin search-and-rescue helicopter
 
On June 2 the Airbus Helicopters AS365N3+ Dauphin, the new helicopter of the Lithuanian Air Force landed at Šiauliai Airbase. This is the first of the 3 search and rescue helicopters contracted for by the Lithuanian Armed Forces together with the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment from EU funds. Airbus Helicopters is planned to deliver and hand over the second and the third helicopters to the Lithuanian Armed Forces by the end of the year.
On June 2 the Airbus Helicopters AS365N3+ Dauphin, the new helicopter of the Lithuanian Air Force landed at Šiauliai Airbase. This is the first of the 3 search and rescue helicopters contracted for by the Lithuanian Armed Forces together with the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment from EU funds. Airbus Helicopters is planned to deliver and hand over the second and the third helicopters to the Lithuanian Armed Forces by the end of the year.
 

Mexico to purchase two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to reinforce country's transport capabilities

Mexico to purchase two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to reinforce country's transport capabilities
 
The Mexican Defense Secretariat (Sedena) will reinforce its existing heavy-haulage, fixed-wing fleet of aircraft with the purchase of two Boeing 737-800 airplanes, costing nearly US $250 mn. Both aircraft will strengthen Mexican Air Force (FAM)'s Air Squadron 502, which lost three planes, Boeing 727-200s, to recurring mechanical failures after being heavily used during rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Odile in September 2014.
The Mexican Defense Secretariat (Sedena) will reinforce its existing heavy-haulage, fixed-wing fleet of aircraft with the purchase of two Boeing 737-800 airplanes, costing nearly US $250 mn. Both aircraft will strengthen Mexican Air Force (FAM)'s Air Squadron 502, which lost three planes, Boeing 727-200s, to recurring mechanical failures after being heavily used during rescue and relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Odile in September 2014.
 

Czech Republic to send five JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft to patrol Iceland's airspace

Czech Republic to send five JAS-39 Gripen fighter aircraft to patrol Iceland's airspace
 
The Czech government on Wednesday approved the decision to send five JAS-39 Gripen fighters to patrol Iceland's airspace for six weeks in July and August, said Czech Defence Ministry spokesman Petr Medek. The Czech Republic will send 70 ground personnel to Iceland along with the five fighters.
The Czech government on Wednesday approved the decision to send five JAS-39 Gripen fighters to patrol Iceland's airspace for six weeks in July and August, said Czech Defence Ministry spokesman Petr Medek. The Czech Republic will send 70 ground personnel to Iceland along with the five fighters.
 

Boeing wins a $466 mn contract to repair US Air Force's Minuteman III ICBM guidance set

Boeing wins a $466 mn contract to repair US Air Force's Minuteman III ICBM guidance set
 
The Us company Boeing has been awarded a $466,500,000 contract for missile guidance repair, the US Department of Defense announced on June 3rd. Boeing will repair US Air Force's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile guidance set. Work will be performed at Newark, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by June 2, 2021.
The Us company Boeing has been awarded a $466,500,000 contract for missile guidance repair, the US Department of Defense announced on June 3rd. Boeing will repair US Air Force's Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile guidance set. Work will be performed at Newark, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by June 2, 2021.
 

Northrop Grumman unveils innovative OpenPod sensor system

Northrop Grumman unveils innovative OpenPod sensor system
 
Changing, integrating or upgrading sensors on a military aircraft can be an expensive, time-consuming and complex endeavor. US-based company Northrop Grumman Corporation's new OpenPod(TM) sensor system, unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., overcomes these challenges by making it possible for maintainers to swap sensors in theater.
Changing, integrating or upgrading sensors on a military aircraft can be an expensive, time-consuming and complex endeavor. US-based company Northrop Grumman Corporation's new OpenPod(TM) sensor system, unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., overcomes these challenges by making it possible for maintainers to swap sensors in theater.
 

French Air Force takes delivery of its third MQ-9 Reaper UAV 0106152

French Air Force takes delivery of its third MQ-9 Reaper UAV
 
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, announced on May 29 that it has delivered a third Predator® B/MQ-9 Reaper® RPA to the French Ministry of Defense. Delivered less than two months after contract award, the aircraft joins two other French Reapers in service, which together have accumulated over 4,000 flight hours since operations began in January 2014.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, announced on May 29 that it has delivered a third Predator® B/MQ-9 Reaper® RPA to the French Ministry of Defense. Delivered less than two months after contract award, the aircraft joins two other French Reapers in service, which together have accumulated over 4,000 flight hours since operations began in January 2014.
 

India finally opts only for 36 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft 0106151

India officially opts only for 36 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft, for now
 
India is unlikely to buy more than 36 French Rafale fighters as of now, less than one-third of the 126 jets that were envisaged under the now-scrapped $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project. But another 20 Rafale jets might be procured at a later stage to make a total of three squadrons, much like what was done in the acquisition of Mirage-2000s from France in the mid-1980s, said the Times of India.
India is unlikely to buy more than 36 French Rafale fighters as of now, less than one-third of the 126 jets that were envisaged under the now-scrapped $20 billion MMRCA (medium multi-role combat aircraft) project. But another 20 Rafale jets might be procured at a later stage to make a total of three squadrons, much like what was done in the acquisition of Mirage-2000s from France in the mid-1980s, said the Times of India.
 

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