June 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Indian Air Force to receive first Rafale fighter jet in September

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is scheduled to receive its first French-made Dassault Rafale fighter jet by the end of September, according to Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, France's Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

US Air Force cancels Extended Range Weapon development programme

The U.S. Air Force, according to various media, may have cancelled its Extended Range Weapon development programme. This programme, a new start effort in the Fiscal Year 19 budget, was a joint venture between the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency, aimed at developing a new interceptor to take out enemy missile threats.

French Rafale jets and Indian Su-30MKI jointly participate in Garuda VI exercise

On Tuesday, June 25, the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced that four Sukhoi-30MKI (Su-30MKI) fighters departed from India to France in order to participate in the Garuda VI exercise with aircraft of the French Air Force, including the Dassault Rafale.

Italian Air Force solidifies KC-767A tanker readiness with Boeing PBL agreement

Boeing will continue providing Performance-based Logistics (PBL) support to the Italian air force (ItAF) fleet of KC-767A tankers through July 2021 per an extended contract agreement for two additional years announced at last week's Paris Air Show.

UK Royal Air Force F-35 aircraft patrol over Iraq and Syria

UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) officially told that F-35 aircraft had flown alongside Typhoon aircraft over the skies of Syria and Iraq. Nevertheless, those aircraft did not carry out any strikes.

Canadian Special Forces King Air 350ER ISR aircraft to arrive by 2022

The Canadian Special Forces will receive three new Beechcraft King Air 350ER twin-turboprop Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft in 2022.

Meggitt began delivery of Braking Systems for AIDC XAT-5 Blue Magpie AJT for Taiwan

Meggitt PLC has begun the delivery of the main wheels, carbon brakes and brake control systems of Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) XAT-5 Blue Magpie Advanced Jet Trainers (AJTs).

Royal Air Force first P-8A Poseidon painted and undergoing pre-flight preparation

The first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF) has been painted in RAF colours and is now undergoing pre-flight preparations before it can take-off.

China apparently deployed J-10 jets to disputed Woody Island in South China Sea

CNN recently reported, after discovering satellite images supplied by ImageSat International, that China had deployed at least four J-10 fighter jets to the disputed Woody Island in the South China Sea.

Pakistani JF-17 Block III fighter development advances

The Pakistani JF-17 Block III fighter jet will make its first flight by the end of 2019, according to Flight Global.

Leonardo and PWNE extend their Training Service Agreement in Malaysia to include a new AW189 helicopter FFS Simulator

Leonardo and PWN Excellence Sdn Bhd (PWNE) are expanding their established partnership in Malaysia for the provision of advanced training services announcing the extension of the Authorised Synthetic Training Centre (ASTC) agreement, currently for the AW139 helicopter, to include AW189 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) services. 

Russia to upgrade Kondor-FKA satellite

Russia`s MIC NPO Mashinostroyenia (a subsidiary of the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV)) is upgrading its Kondor-FKA space vehicle, a source from the company told TASS.

Raytheon and Northrop Grumman sign teaming agreement on scramjet-powered tactical missile systems

Building on years of collaboration, Raytheon Company and Northrop Grumman Corporation  have signed a teaming agreement to develop, produce and integrate Northrop Grumman’s scramjet combustors to power Raytheon’s air-breathing hypersonic weapons. The teaming agreement uses the combined capabilities of both companies to accelerate development and demonstrate readiness to produce the next generation of tactical missile systems.

Raytheon StormBreaker smart weapon completes operational testing

Raytheon Company's StormBreaker weapon has completed all operational test drops, moving it closer to initial operational capability. The StormBreaker tri-mode seeker uses imaging infrared and millimeter wave radar in its normal mode to give pilots the ability to destroy moving targets, even in adverse weather, from standoff ranges. Additionally, the weapon can use its semi-active laser guidance to hit targets.

Indian Air Force test fired Russian air-to-air missile

The Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test fired a Russian beyond visual range air-to-air missile on June 19, destroying a Banshee target Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Japan National Police Agency places world’s first order for Subaru Bell 412EPX

At a ceremony held this week, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and SUBARU CORPORATION announced that the Japan National Police Agency (JPNA) has placed the first order for a SUBARU BELL 412EPX.

Israel moving closer to order KC-46A tanker aircraft for its Air Force

The Israeli armed forces are moving closer to placing an order for new KC-46 tanker aircraft in order to renew the Air Force's fleet.

BAE Systems joins Boeing MQ-25 UAV industry team

BAE Systems has been awarded contracts by Boeing to supply the Vehicle Management Control System and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) System for the MQ-25.

New antimissiles expand Russian defense capability

Air and missile defense units of the Russian Aerospace Forces have recently launched a new antimissile at Sary-Shagan range in Kazakhstan. The official statement said the missile fully confirmed its capabilities and hit the target with assigned precision. The Defense Ministry aired the footage of the launch of the new close-range antimissile 53T6, the Izvestia daily writes.

French Air Force bolsters its fleet of H225Ms

The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA has signed an order to purchase an additional H225M which will be operated by the French Air Force. The aircraft will be delivered in a configuration that allows it to be interoperable with the existing fleet of 10 H225Ms in the French Air Force and in particular it will be capable of inflight refuelling, an essential operational advantage that this helicopter offers. The aircraft will be based in Cazaux and will be used for Special Forces and Search and Rescue missions.

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