DECEMBER 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Multinational Special Operations Aviation training centre opens in Croatia

Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia jointly opened the Multinational Special Aviation Programme at a ceremony in Zadar, Croatia on Wednesday, December 11, 2019. The training centre is dedicated to training air crews responsible for transporting Special Operations Forces.

Royal Australian Air Forces receives latest P-8A Poseidon aircraft

The 12th and final P-8A Poseidon arrived in Australia on December 12, 2019. Arriving at RAAF Base Edinburgh the aircraft completes the fleet for No. 11 Squadron. The P-8A Poseidon and the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), are replacing the AP-3C Orion aircraft.

Airbus Delivers First Airbus Delivers H145 for the german armed forces SAR Service

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first H145 for the German Armed Forces’ (Bundeswehr) search and rescue service to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), several months before the agreed deadline. A total of seven helicopters of this type were ordered to renew their ageing Bell UH-1D search and rescue fleet.

Bell Boeing Delivers First Modified Osprey for US Marines Corps

Boeing and Bell Textron Inc. have delivered the first modified MV-22 Osprey to the United States Marine Corps for improved readiness and reliability of the tiltrotor fleet.

Elbit Systems presents its new Hermes 900 HFE drone destinated to Switzerland

On Monday, December 9, 2019, media had the opportunity to discover the brand-new Hermes 900 HFE reconnaissance drone on Emmen military airfield. On behalf of Armasuisse, Roland Ledermann, ADS 15 Project Manager, spoke on the topic of acquisition. Lt Col Daniel Böhm, responsible for the service introduction of the ADS 15 drone, spoke on behalf of the Air Force while Army’s Operations Command was represented by Col Christoph Fehr.

Georgia unveils new UAV armed with Ukrainian antitank guided missiles

Georgia has unveiled a new unmanned attack and reconnaissance helicopter armed with four anti-tank guided missiles made by Ukrainian company Luch KB. The UAV helicopter is produced by Delta, a state-owned research and development center.

Sikorsky And United Rotorcraft Deliver Three Helicopters To California Firefighting Agencies

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), and United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, announced today deliveries of three new S-70i™ FIREHAWK® helicopters to California fire agencies: one each to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), and the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

U.S. Congress and Pentagon to decide what to do with F-35s intended for Turkey

U.S. Congress is offering the Defense Department the option to purchase Turkey's F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and giving the Defense Secretary discretion to spend up to $30 million to store these aircraft until a plan for their use is formalized, according to the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2020, Oriana Pawlyk reports on Military.com.

Saab Flies First Production Gripen E For Swedish Air Force

Saab has flown the first series-production Gripen E aircraft for Sweden, the company announced on 3 December. An image of aircraft 6002 flying in a new splinter tri-tone grey camouflage pattern reminiscent of the Swedish Air Force's (SwAF's) green and brown scheme from the Cold War was released by the company.

Antonov Airlines partners with Boeing to transport AH-64E Apache helicopters to India

Antonov Airlines flew four Apache AH-64E attack helicopters on behalf of Boeing, from Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), Arizona, USA, to Hindan Airforce Base (VIDX) in India.

India has request France to arm Rafale fighter aircraft with Meteor missile

India has requested to arm the Rafale fighter aircraft with the Meteor medium-range air-to-air missile. In November 2019, French aircraft maker Dassault Aviation has handed over a total of three Rafale multirole fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Turkey's latest armed drone Akinci completes first flight

Turkey's newest armed drone successfully completed its first test flight, manufacturer Baykar announced Friday. Turkey's latest armed drone Akıncı successfully passes maiden test flight, manufacturer Baykar says. The test was held at an airdrome in Çorlu in northwestern Tekirdağ province. The drone also passed its first engine test back in September.

Kamov Ka-52M helicopter contract to be awarded in 2020

The Russian Ministry of Defense will finalize a contract for an upgraded version of the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator (Hokum-B in NATO code) in 2020. Speaking to TASS Russian News Agency on December 4, 2019, Russian Helicopters CEO Andrei Boginsky stated in regards to the upgraded Ka-52M, "There is a new development work on the further upgrade, and we started performing it from this year. We hope we will achieve contracting the next year. We will endeavor from our side to make it like with Mi-28, so that we reach a long-term contract with upgraded Ka-52."

US Navy and Air Force collaborating on new Manhattan Project

The U.S. Navy and Air Force are teaming up to rapidly develop a battle network that can link together Air Force and Navy assets. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday said the U.S. Navy intends to deploy a distributed network of sensors and weapons in an effort to fortify defences against Chinese threats.

Dinamika designs Mi-26 simulator on dynamic platform

Dinamika Company created the first Russian simulator of Mi-26 helicopter on a dynamic platform and completed acceptance trials, the company said.

Royal Australian Air Force welcomes its final PC-21 aircraft

The final aircraft from the Air Force Pilatus PC-21 fleet has been officially welcomed at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale in Victoria.

Mi-171A2 certified in India, Colombia

Mi-171A2 helicopter has been certified in India and Colombia. The Russian Helicopters Holding can begin supplies of the latest multirole rotorcraft to the countries, the holding said.

Russian Aerospace Force units to receive 27 Pantsyr-S systems by yearend

Russian Aerospace Force units will receive 27 Pantsyr-S (NATO reporting name: SA-22 Greyhound) antiaircraft missile/gun systems by the yearend, the Defense Ministry’s press office said.

Spanish Air Force selects PC-21 trainer aircraft

Spain has selected the Pilatus PC-21 to replace its aged fleet of jet-powered CASA C-101 trainers.

Kongsberg to deliver Counter Unmanned Aerial System to Germany

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has entered into a contract with Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw) to deliver a Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) based on the PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Station.

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