FEBRUARY 2021 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


4/4 Weekly January 2021 Defense sec...
4/4 Weekly January 2021 Defense security news Web TV navy army air forces industry military
 

Israeli military selects Lockheed Martin CH-53K King Stallion as new transport helicopter

In a concluding meeting, the Israel's Minister of Defense accepted the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recommendation to select the Lockheed Martin CH-53K helicopter as the IAF’s next transport helicopter, replacing the current “Yas’ur” (CH-53) model.

British Army leads the way for NATO next generation rotorcraft

Colonel Paul Morris, Assistant Head Plans, Capability Air Manoeuvre, addressed the virtual International Military Helicopter Conference to outline further detail on how the British Army are leading NATO’s development of the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability.

Complete avionics upgrade for C-130HI transport aircraft of Israeli Air Force

The 131st ("Yellow Bird") Squadron of Israeli Air Force (IAF) is wrapping up the avionic enhancement process for its "Karnaf" (Hercules C-130HI), which began several years ago. The upgraded transport planes are not the same as they were in the past, the squadron says.

Boeing begins T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer production

A new era in aircraft design and build has begun as the first U.S. portion of the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer has officially entered the Boeing jet’s state-of-the-art production line.

Lockheed Martin awarded fourth and fifth production lots for Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles

Lockheed Martin was awarded a $414 million contract from the U.S. Navy and Air Force for Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) production. This is the largest LRASM production contract in the history of the program.

Russia received requests for Su-57E fighter from foreign customers

The Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation has received a number of requests from foreign customers for the Su-57E multirole fighter aircraft, an official spokesman of the Service told TASS at the IDEX-2021 international armament exhibition.

Northrop Grumman marks five years of B-21 progress with two aircraft in flow

In just over two years since completing Critical Design Review (CDR), Northrop Grumman has brought its digital design of the B-21 Raider to life, with two test aircraft in production today.

Saab delivers third GlobalEye to UAE

Saab delivered the third GlobalEye aircraft to the United Arab Emirates on 20 February 2021.

Rheinmetall to supply German Air Force with two additional cargo hold simulators for the Airbus A400M

The German Air Force continues to count on Rheinmetall’s cutting-edge simulation expertise for training its A400M Military transport aircraft personnel. In January 2021 the A400M’s maker, Airbus, contracted with Rheinmetall Electronics to supply not just one but two additional training simulators for the European A400M. Earmarked for German air bases in Wunstorf and Altenstadt, the two simulators will be delivered and ready to operate at the end of 2022 or the beginning of 2023. The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range.

French armed forces to expand their secure satellite communication capabilities

Thales has been chosen by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to lead a second part of the ground segment of the Syracuse IV satellite communications system for the French armed forces. The Group was selected to supply the satellites in 2015 and to lead the first increment of the ground segment in 2019. This second capacity increment will enhance the interoperable communications capabilities of the French Army, Navy and Air Force in terms of data rate, availability, threat resistance and end-to-end connectivity.

Israel Missile Defense Organization and US Missile Defense Agency commence development of Arrow-4 weapon system

The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), in the Directorate of Defense R&D (MAFAT) of the Israel Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), have commenced the development of the Arrow-4 system. Arrow-4 will be the next generation of endo-exoatmospheric interceptors in the Arrow weapon system, which today consists of Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 interceptors.

NATO first operational UAS flying unit is providing increased security for the Alliance

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s RQ-4D Phoenix Global Hawk has recently enabled NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Force to achieve a declaration of initial operating capability (IOC) from Supreme Allied Commander Europe, giving NATO commanders the ability to perform uninterrupted in-theater operations 24/7/365. The RQ-4D Phoenix Global Hawk variant provides cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of global security.

Royal Canadian Air Force in works to extend CH-146 Griffon fleet to mid-2030

This week, the first of three CH-146 helicopters was delivered to Mirabel (Quebec, Canada) to help test avionics systems and engine upgrades. This milestone marks an important step in the GLLE project’s plan to extend the helicopter fleet to mid-2030.

US Air Force begins retirement of B-1 bombers, paving way for B-21

In support of its efforts to modernize America’s bomber fleet, the Air Force will begin divesting 17 B-1B Lancers from its current fleet as authorized by the National Defense Authorization Act.

Silent Arrow awarded US Air Force contract for cargo delivery UAS

Silent Arrow announced the United States Air Force has awarded contract FA864921P0478 entitled "Feasibility of Downsizing and Adapting Commercial Silent Arrow Cargo Delivery UAS to Meet Specific AFSOC Operational Requirements" to the company effective February 5, 2021. The contract will be executed in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) with funding from AFWERX.

Belgian Air Component tests drone capabilities

In Belgium, the Lombardsijde military district is an ideal site to test the capabilities of drones. Day and night, land and air component specialists work together to experiment with various scenarios on land and at sea.

US Air Force tests anti-drone laser weapons

Throughout 2020, the 704th Test Group’s Operating Location-AA, part of the Directed Energy Combined Test Force, or DE CTF, focused much of its effort on the testing of weapons designed to prevent adversarial drone observation and assault.

China: advancement on AG600 large amphibious aircraft

China's indigenously developed AG600 large amphibious aircraft has achieved continuous progress with multiple test planes entering the manufacturing phase, according to its developer.

Freshvale releases Heavy VTOL UAV 150H

FRESHVALE LTD released the brand-new HEAVY VTOL UAV 150H with the results of its pioneering mission in the far North. Unmanned helicopter HEAVY VTOL UAV 150H successfully performed the tests by delivering 150 kg cargo to 130 km demonstrating safe autonomous flight and economical fuel consumption (22-25 l/h). The mission was completed by the crew of 2 persons only – operator and technician. Also Freshvale Ltd has announced successful completion of a new test: verification of performance was carried out in the harsh environmental conditions of mountainous areas.

India leases four Heron TP MALE UAVs from Israel

The Indian Army has leased four  Heron TP medium-altitude, long endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) from Israel as part of its emergency procurement programme.

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