DECEMBER 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry

Northrop Grumman Litening constant evolution continues to meet the changing needs of warfighters

: Posted On Thursday, 19 December 2019 10:55

When Northrop Grumman delivered its first LITENING advanced targeting pod two decades ago, it brought unprecedented precision and situational awareness to strike, surveillance and humanitarian missions. With LITENING, pilots had a clearer picture than ever before, both day and night, and the ability to work more closely with forces on the ground to carry out precision strikes. Since that time, the pod has evolved to adapt to a changing world.

NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic research aircraft cleared for final assembly

: Posted On Wednesday, 18 December 2019 16:07

NASA’s first large scale, piloted X-plane in more than three decades is cleared for final assembly and integration of its systems following a major project review by senior managers held Thursday at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

F-35A formally enters South Korean service

: Posted On Wednesday, 18 December 2019 14:44

The Lockheed Martin F-35A has entered operational service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) following a ceremony in the central city of Cheongju, where the nation’s 17th fighter wing is based.

Bell receives $815 Million contract to support US Marine Corps UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopter fleet

: Posted On Wednesday, 18 December 2019 11:32

The US Navy has awarded Bell Textron a contract worth $815 million involving repair, upgrade and replacement of components under its H-1 Upgrade Program.

Raytheon awarded contract for Command and Control Switching Systems

: Posted On Wednesday, 18 December 2019 10:32

Raytheon Co., Largo, Florida, has been awarded a ceiling of $611,500,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus, fixed-fee, cost reimbursable no fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Command and Control Switching Systems (CCSS).

Turkey to get Asisguard Songar UAVs armed with machine gun

: Posted On Tuesday, 17 December 2019 13:56

The Turkish army is about to be equipped with a drone armed with a 5.56mm machine gun, possibly coupled to a 40mm grenade launcher. This will make this army the first in the world to use such a system.

Airbus Helicopters delivers AS365N3 Dauphin to Bulgarian Navy

: Posted On Tuesday, 17 December 2019 11:13

The Bulgarian Navy received its second Airbus Helicopter AS365N3 + Dauphin II (tail number 905) naval helicopter on December 6, 2019, at the Chaika airfield in Varna. This helicopter was procured as a replacement of the AS565MB Panther that crashed in 2017.

Atos and RAFAEL win the German Army Glass Battlefield study tender

: Posted On Tuesday, 17 December 2019 10:55

Atos GmbH, as prime, has teamed up with RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems and various partners, to demonstrate use of UAS in conjunction with combat vehicles, to achieve a real-time, three-dimensional, dynamic situation picture for mobile operations

Russia to export 17 Mi-8/171-family rotorcraft to Kazakhstan

: Posted On Tuesday, 17 December 2019 10:23

Russia’s holding Russian Helicopters (a subsidiary of state corporation Rostec) and Kazakhstan’s companies Kazakhstan Engineering and No.405 Aviation Repair Plant (No.405 ARZ) have signed an agreement for the delivery of 17 stripped-down Mil Mi-8/17 (NATO reporting name: Hip) utility rotorcraft to be assembled in Kazakhstan, according to the press department of the Russian Helicopters.

Rheinmetall’s Asterion simulator lets crews train even before delivery of the first NH90 NTH Sea Lion helicopter

: Posted On Tuesday, 17 December 2019 09:35

Thanks to advanced simulation technology from Rheinmetall, ground personnel of the German Navy’s new NH90 NTH Sea Lion helicopter are already able to start training. Back in mid-June of this year, Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH handed over the Functional Cockpit, an integral part of the Maintenance and Repair Trainer for the NH90 Naval Transport Helicopter (NTH). Rheinmetall developed the Functional Cockpit based on the Group’s in-house Asterion product line.

GA-ASI awards Gray Eagle ER modernization contracts

: Posted On Tuesday, 17 December 2019 09:11

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has teamed with the U.S. Army to enhance the capabilities and survivability of the MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).

Dinamika creates dynamic Ansat-U simulator

: Posted On Monday, 16 December 2019 16:32

The Dinamika Company for the first time in Russia created a simulator of Ansat-U helicopter on a dynamic platform. The company completed acceptance trials of the simulator of the multirole light Ansat-U, the company said.

First two JF-17B Thunder fighter trainer aircraft handed over to Myanmar

: Posted On Monday, 16 December 2019 14:21

On 15 December 2019, the first two JF-17B Thunder fighter trainer aircraft were officially handed over to the Myanmar Defence Force at Mandalay-Meiktila airport during the celebration of the 72nd Defence Force Day.

Czech Air Force orders two additional Airbus C295 aircraft

: Posted On Monday, 16 December 2019 13:33

The Czech Air Force has signed a contract for the acquisition of two additional Airbus C295 medium airlifters. The aircraft, equipped with winglets and ordered in transport configuration, are due to be delivered in the first half of 2021.

Israeli drone Orbiter 4 breaks mission endurance record

: Posted On Monday, 16 December 2019 12:00

Aeronautics Group’s Orbiter 4 unmanned aerial system has completed a record-breaking 25 hour flight, setting a new endurance record for the company’s flagship platform.

Irish Department of Defence orders two Airbus C295 aircraft

: Posted On Monday, 16 December 2019 11:05

Ireland’s Department of Defence has announced the acquisition of two Airbus C295 medium airlifters in a maritime surveillance configuration.

Dinamika creates dynamic simulator for Ka-226.80

: Posted On Monday, 16 December 2019 10:33

The Dinamika Company for the first time in Russia created a simulator of Ka-226.80 helicopter on a dynamic platform. The company completed acceptance trials of the simulator of the multirole double-engine Ka-226.80 which can operate as a transportation vehicle and a training craft, the company said.

U.S. Air Force completes initial flight test of Ultra Long Endurance Aircraft Platform

: Posted On Sunday, 15 December 2019 18:57

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation has successfully completed initial flight tests for a revolutionary Unmanned Aerial System with a customizable suite of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools that supports extended missions.

Australia welcomes next seven F-35A Joint Strike Fighter aircraft

: Posted On Friday, 13 December 2019 13:22

The Liberal National Government’s multi-billion dollar Joint Strike Fighter program has reached a new milestone with seven F-35A Lightning II aircraft arriving at RAAF Base Williamtown.

U.S. and Czech Republic Agree to Sale of Helicopters

: Posted On Friday, 13 December 2019 12:23

Defense Secretary Dr Mark T. Esper and Czech Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar met at the Pentagon to finalize the sale of eight UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters and four AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.

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