JuLY 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


US approves sale of 7 MH-60R helicopters to Greece

The US State Department has cleared Greece to buy MH-60R multi-mission helicopters with support equipment under a deal estimated to be worth $600 million.

UK: Aeralis signs MoU with Thales training and simulation

AERALIS Ltd, the British firm developing the UK’s first home-grown fast jet training aircraft since the Hawk, signs an MoU with THALES to develop concepts for a ground-based training and simulation system aimed at complementing the UK’s Tempest future fighter programme, bolster the UK aerospace & defence sector and strengthen prospects for UK defence exports.

First Boeing P-8A Poseidon for United Kingdom takes flight

The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon for the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) took off from Renton on July 12, marking the first flight of this inaugural UK P-8A. During the 90 minute flight key testing took place before the aircraft touched down and moved to the next phase of preparation before customer delivery, installation of military systems.

French special forces may get CH-47 Chinook helicopters

In a paragraph devoted to the presence of two heavy British CH-47 Chinook helicopters in the July 14 parade, the Special Operations Command (COS) press kit says that "the Air Force is currently studying its acquisition for the French special forces". The device, says the press kit, "would usefully complement the range of current helicopters" such as Caracal or NH-90.

Russian Helicopters to start additive manufacturing of parts in 2020

In 2019, Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec) is planning to re-engineer approximately 30 different helicopter parts to be manufactured using 3D printing technology and integrate them to serial production starting from 2020.

Israel Air Force receives 2 new F-35 Adir fighter jets

The Israel Defense Forces announced that on 14 July the Israeli Air Force has received two new F-35 “Adir” fighter jets, bringing the number of fifth-generation stealth aircraft that the military says it has in its arsenal up to 16.

Skyworks to offer US Army new combat gyrodyne aircraft

US high-performance gyroplanes maker Skyworks in collaboration with Scaled Composites to build a high-speed rotorcraft demonstrator of future combat gyrodyne aircraft.

Il-112V aircraft will become two tons lighter

A new Il-112V military transport aircraft will become at least two tons lighter, a Russian defense industry source told TASS.

German and Romanian inspectors fly over Russian territory

German and Romanian inspectors are making a joint observation flight over the Russian territory on board of a Romanian surveillance aircraft An-30 from Kubinka airfield, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Raytheon selected for B-52 AESA radar upgrade

Raytheon was selected by the Boeing Company as radar supplier for the B-52 bomber radar modernization program. Under the contract, Raytheon will design, develop, produce and sustain active electronically scanned array radar systems for the entire U.S. Air Force B-52 fleet. The advanced radar upgrade will ensure the aircraft remains mission ready through 2050 and beyond. Low rate initial production is scheduled to begin in 2024.

Portugal announces firm order for the multi-mission airlift KC-390

The Portuguese Government announced today a firm order of five multi-mission airlifters Embraer KC-390 as part of the process to modernize Portuguese Air Force capacities to support national Armed Forces operations and increase readiness in missions of public interest. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2023.

L3Harris to develop airborne HF replacement radio for AN/ARC-190

L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) has been awarded a development prototype contract from the U.S. Air Force for the L3Harris Falcon Wideband Airborne HF Radio and will now be part of a down-select competition to replace the service’s AN/ARC-190 airborne HF radio.

Raytheon awarded for 114 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile command launch computers for US Navy

The Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $17,777,245 firm-fixed-price contract to procure 114 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile command launch computers to include two pre-production units, one first article test unit and 111 production units in support of the Navy.

USA donates 6 Huey helicopters to Panama

The United States State Dept. donated six Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopters to Panama’s security forces for search-and-rescue, medical evacuation, and surveillance missions.

India will buy 18 Su-30MKI fighter jets

India’s Air Force will buy 18 new Su-30MKI fighter jets, Vladimir Drozhzhov, the deputy head of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, has said.

AAR awarded contract with Royal Netherlands Air Force to service CH-47 Chinook APU

AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial airlines and governments worldwide, has been awarded a four-year contract by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to perform maintenance, repair and overhaul of the Chinook APU for Logistics Centre Woensdrecht (LCW).

UK to develop cutting-edge laser and radio frequency weapons

The Ministry of Defence is developing cutting-edge laser and radio frequency weapons which have the potential to revolutionise the battlefield.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace finalized contract with Lockheed Martin adding up to 2 Billion NOK for the F-35 Program

ongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS (KONGSBERG) has finalized a contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics adding up to 2 Billion NOK for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program, where 700 MNOK has been incrementally ordered in previous quarters.

Kalashnikov creates new anti-drone gun

ZALA AERO Company of Kalashnikov Concern created REX-1 electronic gun against light drones. The new REX-2 option was presented at Army-2019 forum. It is the smallest in the world gun to fight drones, Rostec said.

US Navy declared initial operational capability for the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter

The US Navy (USN) declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter on 28 June.

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