DECEMBER 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


PLAAF introduces Y-9 air ambulance variant

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force recently introduced a new type of medical care aircraft in what seems to be a variant of the Y-9 medium-sized transport plane that can operate not only as an air ambulance but also a flying hospital.

Myanmar Air Force officially inducts new JF-17 fighter jets

Myanmar Air Force has inaugurated a total of seven new aircrafts and helicopters into the force to mark the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Air Force, according to a release of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Sunday.

Germany weighing new VIP transport jet after G20 breakdown

Germany will buy new government jet after the embarrassing breakdown of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's jet that led to her late arrival for Buenos Aires G20 summit.

Poland exercises option for four additional M-346 jet trainers

Leonardo announces that the Armament Inspectorate of Polish Ministry of National Defense has exercised an option for acquiring four more M-346 Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) as outlined by the contract signed in March 2018.

Hungary signs for 16 H225M multirole helicopters

The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has ordered 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters equipped with the HForce weapon management system. Together with the helicopters, Airbus will also provide an extensive training and support package to ensure the highest level of operational availability.

France places order for a further three A330 MRTT aircraft

Airbus Defence and Space has received a firm order from the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) for a further three A330 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, the European aircraft maker announced today.

Russian pilots testing MiG-35 weapons and on-board equipment

Russian pilots have tested the weapons and on-board equipment of the advanced MiG-35 fighter, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

Seven H145 SAR helicopters for the Bundeswehr

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINWBw) has ordered seven H145 helicopters to replace the German Armed Forces’ (Bundeswehr) obsolete Bell UH-1D search and rescue fleet. The aircraft will be delivered in 2020 and will be stationed at the sites in Niederstetten, Holzdorf and Nörvenich. Airbus Helicopters will also be responsible for logistics support, repair, and maintenance of the helicopters.

Slovakia officially signs for 14 F-16V fighter jets

Slovakia will buy 14 new F-16 Block 70/72 (V) fighter jets. Slovak Defence Minister Peter Gajdos signed the contract on Wednesday with Lockheed Martin vice president Ana Wugofski.

Germany extends Heron 1 operation in Afghanistan and Mali

Germany has extended the successful operation of the Heron 1 drones by Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH, a company of Airbus, until mid of 2020.

NH Industries, NATO Helicopter Management Agency sign NH90 Support Contract

NH Industries is pleased to announce the signature of the NH90 Through Life Support (TLS) contract between NH Industries and the NATO Agency NAHEMA, acting as the Contracting Authority on behalf of nine nations (Australia, Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and New Zealand).

Sukhoi delivers final batch of Su-35S fighter jets for 2018

Sukhoi affiliate in Komsomolsk-on-Amur held a gala ceremony to hand over the final 2018 batch of Su-35S aircraft to the Defense Ministry. It included the hundredth jet, the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) said.

RAF A400M completes first beach landing trials

Members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) 206 Squadron, supported by LXX Squadron Engineers based at RAF Brize Norton have been practicing their skills during beach landing trials in Southern Wales, the RAF press service said  on December 11, 2018.

Russian Air Force gets another upgraded A-50U AEW aircraft

The Beriev Aircraft Plant in Taganrog (TANTK) handed over another upgraded airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft A-50U (onboard number 45 red) to the Russian Aerospace Forces. It flew from Taganrog to the permanent deployment base, TANTK said.

USAF kicks of TES kicked off F-35 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation

The US Air Force 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron kicked off the US Defense Department’s F-35 Lightning II Initial Operational Test and Evaluation with a large force employment sortie from Edwards AFB, California, Dec. 5, the Service said yesterday.

Lithuania renews Dauphin SAR fleet HCare Infinite contract

The Lithuanian Air Force (LAF) has renewed its HCare Infinite material management contract for its fleet of three Dauphin AS365 N3+ search and rescue (SAR) helicopters following achievement of 97% average fleet availability over a three-year period.

Russian Air Force deploys Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela

A group of four Russian military aircraft landed Tuesday in the Maiquetia Simon Bolivar International airport of Venezuela, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

US Air Force B-21 Raider project passes Critical Design Review

The US Air Force successfully held a critical design review of the B-21 weapon system November 28-30, 2018. The event served as a multi-disciplined technical review that ensured the Air Force’s newest bomber has a stable and mature design as the program moves forward into manufacturing and flight test.

Zhuk-AM AESA radar test phase scheduled for early 2019

Russia`s Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29/35 multirole combat aircraft will be fitted with a new active electronic scanned array (AESA) radar that is being developed by Phazotron-NIIR enterprise, a subsidiary of Rostec`s Radio-electronic Technologies (KRET) corporation, a source from the country`s aerospace industry said.

RAF Typhoons scrambled with Meteor missile for the first time

RAF Typhoons launched from RAF Lossiemouth this morning for the first time with the Meteor Air-to-Air missile in defence of UK airspace during a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) mission. This event represents the culmination of many years of research, development and testing to bring this advanced weapon into service on front-line aircraft.

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