OCTOBER 2020 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

India has carried out successful firing test of air-launched BrahMos supersonic cruise missile

According to information published by Indian media newspapers on October 30, 2020, the Indian air force has carried out a successful firing test of air-launched BrahMos-A supersonic cruise missile from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft. The missile reaches a ship target in the Bay of Bengal around 4,000 km away.

Japan selects Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as main contractor to develop new stealth fighter

According to information published by the "The Japan Times" website on October 31, 2020, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has selected the company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as the main contractor to develop the country’s own next-generation stealth fighter for launch in the 2030s, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said Friday, October 30, 2020.

Northrop Grumman to upgrade US Army and Navy Radar Warning Receiver Capability

Northrop Grumman has received a $91 million contract for the additional production of AN/APR-39D(V)2 digital radar warning receivers (RWR). Small and lightweight, the system protects rotary and fixed wing aircraft from modern radio frequency (RF) threats such as radar-guided missiles and anti-aircraft artillery.

Japan to receive two more Boeing KC-46A Pegasus

Boeing has been awarded a $342,120,528 firm-fixed-price modification to contract FA8609-18-F-0006 for KC-46A Aircraft 3 and 4 for Japan. This modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of two KC-46A Japan aircraft being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Everett, Washington, and is expected to be completed June 30, 2023.

Algeria receives first batch of Russian-made MiG-29M/M2 twin-engine fighter aircraft

According to information published by the MENA defense website on October 26, 2020, Algeria has received the first batch of MiG-29M/M2 twin-engine fighter aircraft from Russia.

General Atomics wants to build industrial collaboration in South Korea

According to a press release published on October 27, 2020, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), the world leader in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), wants to build on its industrial collaboration efforts in the Republic of Korea (ROK). GA-ASI has been active in exploring supply chain and research opportunities in ROK since 2017, with collaborative Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Huneed Technologies Co. Ltd. (Huneed) and Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). 

Greece to take over F-35As initially intended for Turkey

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on 27 Oct. that Greece will take different measures regarding the defense of its national territory, air space and territorial waters. The purchase of 20 F-35A stealth fighters initially intended for the Turkish Air Force is part of the program.

U.S. Air Force adopts Fox Training Management System to streamline training operations

On Oct. 28, Britannica Knowledge Systems, a leading provider of integrated training and readiness management solutions, announced that their Fox training management system (TMS) has been acquired by the 4th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force. Fox enables the fighter squadrons to centralize and simplify training operations management and improve learning for enhanced readiness.

First Australian-made MQ-4C Triton UAV will enhance maritime security in the Pacific

Northrop Grumman has initiated the build process for Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton, a game-changing unmanned maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft. In a ceremony broadcast to a virtual audience, speakers from the Australian Government, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), U.S. Congress, U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman emphasized the significance of this event.

Greece to get MH-60 Seahawk helicopters and sonars

Lockheed Martin is awarded a $193,980,348 contract modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-19-C-0013. This modification adds a $180,000,000 for the production and delivery of four MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, and exercises a $13,980,348 option to procure three airborne low frequency sonars in support of the government of Greece.

Sikorsky to deliver six CH-53K King Stallion helicopters to U.S. Marine Corps

Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin company, is awarded a $550,372,323 modification to previously awarded fixed-price-incentive (firm target), firm-fixed-price contract N00019-16-C-0048. This modification is for Lot IV low rate initial production and delivery of six CH-53K King Stalion helicopters and associated aircraft, programmatic and logistics support, rate tooling and physical configuration audits.

Serbian 98th Air Brigade provided with most modern equipment

On Oct. 26, Serbian Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin, together with the Commander of the Air Force and Air Defence, Major General Duško Žarković, visited members of the 98th Air Brigade at Lađevci airport near Kraljevo.

Singapore Air Force CH-47 Chinook crews qualify for deck landing on Australian vessels

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) CH-47 Chinook helicoptercrews have qualifyied for take off and land on Australia’s largest vessels landing helicopter dock (LHD) HMAS Adelaide (L01) and HMAS Canberra (L02).

Italian Air Force receives last Eurofighter Typhoon

Taking off from Leonardo’s plant in Caselle (Turin), the final and most advanced Eurofighter Typhoon of the Italian Air Force was handed over during a ceremony on Oct.23. The ceremony was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, Gen. Alberto Rosso, the CEO of Leonardo, Alessandro Profumo and the Aircraft Division Managing Director, Marco Zoff.

Second F-35B squadron officially established in Indo-Pacific region with redesignation of VMFA-242

On October 16, Marine Aircraft Group 12 re-designated Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242 as part of the Marine Corps’ ongoing transition process from legacy F/A-18 Hornet aircraft to the newer 5th generation F-35B Lightning II. This transition is in accordance with mutual agreements between the U.S. and the Government of Japan, and occurred on schedule per the annual Marine Corps aviation plan.

U.S. sells 135 AGM-84H SLAM-ER missiles and related equipment to Taiwan

On October 21, the U.S. State Department announced it had made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) of 135 AGM-84H Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1.008 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

Russian Su-34 bomber pilot training to be expanded

The standard training program of Sukhoi Su-34 bomber pilots will be expanded. They will be trained to fight at major altitudes and supersonic speed. The bomber will engage both medium and long-range missiles. It will be able to defend itself at major distances where fighter jets cannot protect it, the Izvestia daily writes.

Kongsberg Defence to purchase electronic components from Australia for Joint Strike Missile

According to a press release published on October 22, 2020, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KONGSBERG) has placed a Purchase Order with BAE Systems Australia for an initial batch of Passive Radio Frequency Sensors for the Joint Strike Missile (JSM). The JSM is based on the well-proven and modern technology of NSM (Naval Strike Missile).

Boeing Australian Loyal Wingman Unmanned Aircraft completes first taxi

The Boeing Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft being developed with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) recently moved under its own power for the first time, a key milestone for the aircraft that’s expected to make its first flight this year.

General Atomics selects Hexagon Geospatial division and ScioTeq following Blue Magic Belgium presentations

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced the selection of two Belgian companies – Hexagon’s Geospatial division and ScioTeq – from its “Blue Magic Belgium” (BMB) industry solicitation event that took place the week of 21 September, DefPost reports.

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