JUNE 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


Raytheon contracted for SDB II integration on F/A-18E/F platform

Raytheon has been awarded a US$93 million contract for Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II) integration on F/A-18E/F fighter jets, the US Department of Defense announced on June 28, 2018.

Hungary signs for 20 H145M multirole choppers

The Hungarian Ministry of Defence has ordered 20 H145M military helicopters equipped with the innovative HForce weapon management in the frame of the military modernisation programme Zrinyi 2026. Together with the helicopters, Airbus will provide an extensive training and support package, the rotorcraft manufacturer said on June 29, 2018.

South Korea further details KF-X development timetable

South Korea plans to complete a design process for its own fighter aircraft by September next year and produce the first prototype in 2021, the nation's arms agency said Friday, June 29, 2018.

Russian Su-30SMs to be fitted with SAP-518 jamming pods following Syrian experience

Russian Su-30SM fighter jets will be equipped with the latest electronic jamming SAP-518 stations. The decision was made by the Aerospace Forces according to the Syrian experience. The stations can protect the aircraft from air defense and air missiles. They jam targeting systems and deviate missiles from the assigned trajectory. Military experts believe the stations will considerably enhance the survivability of Russian jets, the Izvestia daily writes.

STS completes 5th Generation Aerial Target Critical Design Review

Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (STS) is pleased to announce the completion on 20 June 2018 of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the 5th Generation Aerial Target (5GAT). On 24 March 2017, STS was awarded the prime contract to complete the Design, Development, Fabrication and Testing of the 5GAT demonstrator.

USSOCOM places order for four new build MH-47G rotorcraft

Boeing was awarded an US$80 million order for four new build MH-47G Chinook special operations helicopters, the US Department of Defense announced on June 28, 2018.

Royal Thai Air Force procures further IRIS-T missiles

Diehl Defence signed another contract on 14th of June 2018 for the supply of short range air-air missiles IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System – Tail/Thrust Vector Controlled) to Thailand and thereby continues the successful cooperation of recent years.

Mi-26T2V technical design approved by Russian Defense Ministry

Russian Defense Ministry has approved the technical design of upgraded Mi-26T2V troop-carrier helicopter, said the annual report of the Moscow-based Mil Helicopter Plant.

Boeing lands new contract for Kuwait Super Hornet fighter jets production

Boeing yesterday landed a further US$1.5 billion contract that provides for the production and delivery of 22 F/A-18E and six F/A-18F Super Hornets in support of the government of Kuwait.

Boeing first CH-47F Block II prototype moves to final assembly phase

Boeing and the U.S. Army celebrated a major CH-47F Block II program milestone with the loading of the first engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) helicopter into final assembly on June 27, the aircraft manufacturer said.

Lockheed Martin's JAGM missile approved for LRIP phase

Lockheed Martin's Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) system has successfully passed its Defense Acquisition Board review and achieved milestone C. The signed Acquisition Decision Memorandum approves the JAGM system to enter into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

ACCaP program: UK reaffirms benefits of Eurofighter offer to Belgium

During a visit to Sabena Aerospace, Guto Bebb MP, the UK's Minister for Defence Procurement, reaffirmed the economic and industrial benefits of Eurofighter Typhoon offer to Belgium. Following a tour of Sabena’s assembly facilities at Zaventem, Mr Bebb said the Eurofighter Typhoon is the true European successor to Belgium’s F-16 fleet, with the full political, military and industrial support of European partner governments in Germany, Italy and Spain.

Lockheed wins $86M contract for Iraqi C-130J fleet support

Lockheed Martin has been awarded an US$86 million five-year contract for support of the Iraqi Air Force C-130J Super Hercules fleet, the US Department of Defense said on June 26, 2018.

Overhauled Mi-17-1V choppers handed over to Indian Border Security Force

Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation) delivered six Mi-17-1V helicopters to the Border Security Force of the Republic of India. The helicopters were overhauled at Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant (NARP).

UAC denies plans to replace An-124 heavy airlifter

The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) does not currently plan to design a super heavy airlifter to replace An-124 Ruslan, the corporation said. Media reports previously said the corporation plans to produce a rough design of the super heavy military-transport aircraft (STVTS) to replace Ruslan whose production stopped close to ten years ago.

AVIC Y-8F200WA airlifter ready for delivery to Kazakhstan

According to video reports released by Chinese medias, an Y-8F200WA aircraft made for export to Kazakhstan has completed its first test flight at an airport in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

KTRV advances Grom air-to-surface missile acceptance trials

Russia's Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) plans to complete acceptance trials of a guided modular missile by September 2018. Batch production is likely to begin in November 2018, IHS Jane’s Missiles & Rockets reported quoting a KTRV presentation.

Lockheed Martin lands US$1.12 bn order for Barhain F-16 Block 70 production

Lockheed Martin received a $1.12 billion contract from the U.S. government to produce 16 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Royal Bahraini Air Force. The Undefinitized Contract Action award represents the first F-16 Block 70 sale and the first F-16 production program to be performed in Greenville, South Carolina. The Kingdom of Bahrain is the first customer to procure the F-16 Block 70, the newest and most advanced F-16 production configuration.

USMC KC-130J completes test campaign with enhanced Airborne Weapons Kit

The US Marine Corps/US Navy Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) Integrated Warfighting Capability (IWC) Weapons team celebrated a successful five-week developmental and integrated test (DT/IT) live fire event utilizing a newly configured KC-130J with the Harvest Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit (HAWK) Plus (HH+) installed. The HH+ flawlessly completed multiple sorties, demonstrating successful strikes on both fixed and moving targets.

Australia officially announces MQ-4C Triton RPAS purchase

The security of Australia’s maritime borders will be significantly strengthened with another major military investment. The Turnbull Government will invest AUD$1.4 billion and acquire the first of six MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft through a cooperative program with the United States Navy, Australia's Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne announced today.

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