SEPTEMBER 2020 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

U.S. to dismantle hundreds of AH-64D helicopters

According to the U.S. State Department, hundreds of aging AH-64D Apache attack helicopters will be withdrawn from U.S. Army’s arsenal, thus freeing up space for new developments in this area, or new helicopters, Boyko Nikolov reports on Bulgarian Military.

Indian indigenous light utility helicopter completes hot and high altitude trials in Himalayas

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) completed the hot and high-altitude trials in the Himalayas, said reports on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

Chinese new KJ-500 AWACS with probe to operate in South China Sea missions

A latest variant of China's Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation KJ-500 airborne early warning and control system (AWACS), equipped with a probe that can allow the plane to receive aerial refueling and greatly extend its range and endurance, was recently spotted at a naval aviation regiment base under the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, Liu Xuanzun reports on Global Times.

Bell Textron to deliver eight UH-1Y and four AH-1Z helicopters to Czech Republic

Bell Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $272,161,641 fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract for the production and delivery of eight UH-1Y and four AH-1Z helicopters for the government of the Czech Republic.

Two more P8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for RAF nearing completion

The next two Boeing P8A (MRA1) Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft are in the final phases of production in Seattle. Once missions systems are installed they will be handed over to the Royal Air Force and then flown to the UK.

Russian army Southern district receives Mi-28UB helicopter

The 4th air force and defense army of the Southern Military District received Mil Mi-28UB training helicopter. The rotorcraft is deployed in the air regiment in Krasnodar region, the Defense Ministry said. “In 2020, the Southern district received over 20 aircraft, including helicopters and tactical and assault airplanes,” it said.

Austria will enter negotiations with Indonesia for the sale of 15 Eurofighters

Indonesia has expressed interest in acquiring Austria’s fleet of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, in yet another surprise defense procurement plan from the Southeast Asian country.

U.S. and Australian armies demonstrate rapid long-distance airstrike capabilities

The U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force and Australian Defence Force took a major step toward multinational interoperability as a combined task force during a major training scenario throughout August. Gunnery Sgt. Scott Schmidt,Marine Rotational Force, reports.

Korea Aerospace Industries launch final assembly of KF-X fighter prototype

According to a press release published on September 3, 2020, Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd.(KAI) announced that the final assembly of the KF-X advanced multirole fighter prototype is now launched from 1st September. Final assembly means to put forward/middle/rear fuselage and main wing/empennage together into one whole final aircraft.

US approves the sale of components for C-130 military transport aircraft of France

According to a contract released by the U.S. DoD (Department of Defense on September 2, 2020, the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of France of four (4) AE-2100D Turbo Prop engines and two (2) Multifunctional, Information Distribution System-Low Volume Terminal Block Upgrade Two (MIDS-LVT BU2) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $350 million.

Canadian CF-18 jets start enhanced Air Policing mission in Romania

The Canadian Armed Forces Air Task Force – Romania formally received their readiness certification from NATO during a certification ceremony held at the Romanian Air Force Base Mihail Kogalniceanu. This certification allows the Task Force to officially begin their enhanced Air Policing mission on Saturday, 5 September.

Collective simulations for European improved air training

A new European Defense Agency (EDA) research project, for which the Agency Steering Board has just given its go-ahead, will help participating Member States’ Armed Forces to step up their collaborative air training & exercise capabilities thanks to improved modelling and simulation.

Longbow Ltd to supply mast mounted assembly radar electronics units of AH-64E

Longbow Limited, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $164,606,754 firm-fixed-price contract for AH-64E helicopter mast mounted assembly/radar electronics units. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2022.

BAE Systems and Leonardo awarded contract to develop next generation radar for RAF Typhoon

BAE Systems and Leonardo have been awarded a £317m contract to develop the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA), the European Common Radar System Mark 2(ECRS Mk2) radar, to a standard ready to be integrated on to RAF Typhoons. It will sustain more than 600 highly skilled jobs across the country, including more than 300 at Leonardo's site in Edinburgh, over 100 electronic warfare specialists at the company’s site in Luton, and 120 engineers at BAE Systems' site in Lancashire.

Raytheon to deliver AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles to Spanish Air Force

According to a notification issued on Sept.2 by the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Spain of 100 AIM-120C-7/8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and 1 AMRAAM Guidance Section (spare) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $248.5 million.

US Army demonstrates Future Vertical Lift aircraft "Raider" and "Defiant" in action

On July 29, 2020, Lockheed Martin and the Sikorsky and Boeing Team demonstrated Future Vertical Lift aircraft in action, showing how RAIDER and DEFIANT will give the U.S. Army the edge in achieving aviation overmatch.

Northrop Grumman EGI-M navigation system completes Critical Design Review

Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the critical design review (CDR) milestone for the Embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) / Inertial Navigation System (INS)-Modernization, or EGI-M program.

Su-34 bombers to redeploy at reconstructed Voronezh base

An air regiment of Su-34 frontline bombers will redeploy to Baltimore airfield in Voronezh in October. The airbase has been radically upgraded. It was pulled down and built anew. It now has the necessary infrastructure, aircraft shelters and weapon dumps. Su-34 can operate in the Russian west from there and reinforce the troops in Crimea, the Caucasus and the Black Sea fleet, the Izvestia daily writes.

Chinese KJ-600 first carrier-based early warning aircraft makes maiden flight

China's first aircraft carrier-based, fixed-wing early warning aircraft, reportedly called the KJ-600, successfully made its maiden flight in late August. Chinese aircraft carriers currently have only helicopters for early warning purposes.

Airbus wins contract to procure Spanish NH90 maintenance

According to Infodefensa TV, the Spanish Airbus company has been awarded a €41.7 million contract for the maintenance of Ground Spain Army's NH90 helicopters. The contract includes the aircraft, their spare parts, technical assistance, modifications and third-tier maintenance services for the components.

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