FEBRUARY 2021 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Skydio selected for final integration in the US Army Short Range Reconnaissance Program

Skydio, US drone manufacturer, announced the US Army elected to continue with the Skydio X2D SRR system to complete remaining integration and documentation requirements within the Other Transaction Agreement Prototype Phase. The SRR program, managed by the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation’s Project Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS) located in Huntsville, Alabama, aims to equip Soldiers with a rapidly deployable small UAS solution to conduct Reconnaissance and Surveillance (R&S) activities.

GA-ASI launches SkyGuardian global support solutions

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions (SGSS), a new service and support program for GA-ASI customers operating the MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and the maritime variant SeaGuardian. SGSS provides operators with reduced lifecycle costs and low risk by providing a guaranteed full-sustainment solution that allows for maximum system availability, commonality, and access to crew training at an affordable cost-per-flight-hour.

Kenya Air Force receives first C-145 aircraft

The Kenya Air Force took delivery of its first C-145 Skytruck transport aircraft from the United States.

US approves foreign military sale of F-16 Air combat training center to Jordan

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Jordan of an F-16 Air Combat Training Center and related equipment for an estimated cost of $60 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on February 11.

France selects Airbus Survey Copter Aliaca fixed-wing drone systems to equip its ships

Airbus Defence and Space mini UAS subsidiary SURVEY Copter signed a contract with French DGA Armament general directorate to provide the French Navy with 11 systems, (22 aircraft), of the electrically powered fixed-wing Aliaca maritime version UAS (officially called SMDM / “Systèmes de Mini Drones aériens embarqués pour la Marine” by French authorities), including training and integrated logistic support. First deliveries are expected in 2021.

Peru buys two KC-130H from Spain

The Government of Peru has confirmed on February 6  the purchase of two Hercules KC-130H aircraft from Spain for an approximate value of 126.7 million soles (about 35 million dollars) that will allow to expand the fleet of its Air Force.

Thales and Airbus selected to upgrade French joint electronic warfare capabilities

The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales and Airbus a contract for the new joint tactical signals intelligence (SIGINT) system to upgrade the French forces' critical signals monitoring, direction finding and spectrum analysis capabilities.

M2K Technologies partners with DroneShield to bring C-UAS systems to Indian market

M2K Technologies Pvt. Ltd., part of M2K Group with business interests in Defence & Aviation, Biologicals, Real Estate and Entertainment, and, DroneShield Ltd , a global leader in drone detection and mitigation, have entered into an Agreement to collaborate and distribute DroneShield solutions in the Indian market.

Indian Navy and Coast Guard receive new Advanced Light Helicopter Mk III

The  Indian Navy and Coast Guard have officially received an upgraded version of the ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter), MK III (MR) during Aero India 2021.

Safran and HAL sign MoU on military engine collaboration

India's leading aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines, the French global leader in aeroengine design, development and manufacturing, signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) announcing their intent to work together on bringing niche engine technology to India.

 

Philippine approves purchase of more S-70i Black Hawk helicopters

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the acquisition of 15 more Sikorsky Black Hawk multirole helicopters for the Philippine Air Force (PAF), Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced on February 4.

CAE awarded contract from Boeing to develop additional P-8A operational flight trainer for Royal Air Force

On the eve of the International Training and Education Conference (ITEC), Europe’s largest show for military training and simulation, CAE announced that Boeing has ordered simulator hardware for an additional P-8A operational flight trainer (OFT) for the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF).

Abaco Systems wins order to support upgrade of AC-130J gunships

Abaco Systems, Inc. announces a design win with an initial value of $505k, and a lifetime potential of $4.5m supporting a major defense prime upgrade to an existing Side Head Up Display platform in AC-130J gunships. This Side HUD application is to enable operational visibility of the battlespace for the platform.

DroneShield rolls out next generation AI software

DroneShield Ltd  announced the rollout of its first fully Machine Learning/AI based detection and classification software to all of its existing customer systems.

US 378th Air Expeditionary Wing trains Royal Saudi Air Force Police Wing members in counter UAS exercise

Personnel from the US 378th Air Expeditionary Wing trained with Royal Saudi Air Force Police Wing members in a joint counter unmanned aerial system exercise Jan. 27, 2021 at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

First upgraded Ka-52M attack helicopters may arrive for Russian troops in 2022

The Russian Helicopters Group (part of the state tech corporation Rostec) has assembled the first two prototypes of upgraded Kamov Ka-52M ‘Alligator’ reconnaissance/attack helicopters and the deliveries of serial-produced gunships to the troops may begin in 2022, the company’s press office said on February 10.

US Army looking for Long Range Precision Munition shoot-off demonstration for FARA aircraft in 2022

The US Army is looking for manufacturers to put forward potential Long Range Precision Munition (LRPM) candidates, to be integrated on Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA), for a “shoot-off” demonstration next year. The “shoot-off” is planned for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. The Army wants the LRPM to be ready for FARA, first units of which will be fielded in 2028.

Two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers perform flight over Arctic seas

Two Russian Tu-160 strategic missile-carrying bombers performed a flight over the neutral waters of the Barents, Greenland and Norwegian seas, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on February 9.

First Japan Air Self-Defense Force Boeing KC-46 tanker takes flight

The first Boeing KC-46 tanker destined for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) took to the skies on its maiden flight on February 8. This successful flight highlights an important milestone as the aircraft now transitions into the certification phase of development.

Sagetech Avionics receives US DoD AIMS certification for mode 5 micro IFF transponder for drones

Sagetech Avionics, an aerospace technology company providing industry-leading situational awareness solutions for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), announced that on February 5th the DoD AIMS Program Office issued the world’s first 17-1000 Mark XIIB certification to Sagetech for its MX12B micro Mode 5 Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder. This newly certified transponder enables NATO and allied militaries to deploy Mode 5 IFF capability on small drones, protecting the warfighter against rapidly increasing unmanned threats from enemy forces.

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