October 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Galaxy Unmanned Systems selected for US Army Airship SBIR

Galaxy Unmanned Systems LLC’s proposal for an aerostat/airship hybrid has been competitively selected for a potential Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the U.S. Army.

Russia’s latest attack drone Okhotnik to fire weapons during trials in 2020

Russia’s latest heavy attack drone Okhotnik (Hunter) will fire weapons for the first time during trials at a military aerodrome in southern Russia in 2020, a source in the domestic defense industry told TASS on October 16.

Turkey and USA fly over Russia

A joint Turkish-US mission is staging a monitoring flight over Russia on October 14-18 according to the Open Sky Treaty on a Turkish CN-235 surveillance aircraft from Kubinka airfield, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

India hands over two Mi-35 attack helicopters to Afghanistan

On October 15, Indian government officials at a ceremony in Kabul donated two Mi-35 helicopters to Afghan forces.

USSOCOM increases value of MALET contract for GA-ASI aircraft

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has increased the ceiling on its contract to support modifications and capability enhancements to its Medium-altitude, Long-endurance Tactical (MALET) aircraft.

Lockheed Martin awarded contract to produce Modernized Turrets for US Army's AH-64E Apache helicopters

The U.S. Army recently awarded Lockheed Martin  a $40.6 million contract to produce Modernized Turrets (M-TUR) for the AH-64E Apache helicopter, an upgrade to the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight and Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system with enhanced operational and performance capabilities.

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod marks critical milestone for FA-50 integration

Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) successfully completed its fit check on the FA-50 platform, marking a significant step in the pod’s aircraft integration. The FA-50 is a light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries, LTD., in partnership with Lockheed Martin.

Sikorsky introduces its RAIDER X light-attack reconnaissance helicopter

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company introduced RAIDER X, its concept for an agile, lethal and survivable compound coaxial helicopter, specifically designed for securing vertical lift dominance against evolving peer and near-peer threats on the future battlefield. Through the U.S. Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, RAIDER X is the out-front platform in the Service's revolutionary approach for rapid development and delivery of game changing technology and warfighter capabilities, equipped for the most demanding and contested environments. RAIDER X enables the reach, protection and lethality required to remain victorious in future conflicts.

Hoverfly Technologies gets $10M US Government tethered drone contract

Hoverfly Technologies Inc. (“Hoverfly”), the manufacturer of the LiveSky tethered drone, announced today that it has been awarded a $10 million sole-source contract by a U.S. government agency. LiveSky provides aerial monitoring and communications relay solutions for national defense, intelligence, and homeland security customers.

AeroVironment launches new Puma LE small UAS

AeroVironment, Inc., a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), announced the launch of Puma LE (Long Endurance), the next generation in its Puma All Environment small UAS product line. Puma LE builds on the combat-proven Puma AE legacy with new capabilities, increased range, and expanded payload capacity. With the integrated Mantis i45 gimbaled EO/IR sensor and NVG-visible laser illuminator, Puma LE provides the warfighter with superior imagery for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) during day, night and low-light operations on land and in maritime environments.

Turkish Aerospace Industries Delivers 3 ANKA UAVs to the Turkish Navy

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) delivered 3 ANKA armed drones to the Turkish Navy on October 12.

Raytheon and Korean Air partner on Multiple-Intelligence Aircraft for Republic of Korea Air Force

Raytheon Company and Korean Air signed an exclusive collaboration agreement at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition to pursue the Republic of Korea's Air Force's Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance program.

Pakistan's indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft completes initial conceptual design phase

Pakistan’s “Project Azm” whose centrepiece involves development of its own fifth generation fighter has accelerated, with first of the four “conceptual design phase” cycles being concluded.

TsAGI completes full cycle of Yak-152 static durability trials

Yak-152 training aircraft underwent a whole cycle of static durability trials at the Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI).

South Korea to get 20 more F-35s

South Korea plans to purchase 20 more F-35 fighter planes from the United States, its arms procurement agency announced.

China unveils the Super Great White Shark, a UFO-like helicopter

A mock-up of a strange, flying saucer-like armed helicopter was displayed at the China Helicopter Exposition in Tianjin on October 10.

First UK fighter jets land onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

Pictures released by the MOD show UK F-35 Lightning jets landing, taking off and hovering onboard Britain’s next generation aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time.

Tunisia has requested the purchase of U.S. T-6C Texan trainer aircraft

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia for twelve (12) T-6C Texan trainer aircraft and related equipment and support for an estimated cost of $234 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on October 10, 2019.

Sikorsky Lockheed Martin showcases next generation Combat Rescue Helicopter HH-60W

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), showcased the next generation Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) during a ceremony at its Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, this week. During the event, United States Air Force General James M. Holmes, Commander, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia (91) described the HH-60W helicopter as critical took for the warfighter.

Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie successfully completes flight 3

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.,  a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that the Kratos / AFRL team has successfully completed Valkyrie Flight 3

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