|
|
May 2021 news
Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry |
|
|
|
|
In a historic moment, the front fuselage of the first Boeing-Saab T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer was joined perfectly with its aft section in less than 30 minutes — a testament to the digital heritage of the U.S. Air Force’s first “eSeries” aircraft and witness to the benefits of model-based engineering and 3D design.
According to information published by US Air Force on May 12, 2021, the 174th Attack Wing has partnered with multiple Department of Defense contractors and academia to lead the effort in establishing new and additional capabilities for the MQ-9 Reaper.
The year 2020 was unforgettable for the Brazilian Gripen Programme, but this year has started in full swing also. In January 2021, the first group of pilots from the First Air Defense Group, also known as the Jaguar Squadron, began the operational training on the Gripen fighter, at Wing F7 of the Swedish Air Force base in Såtenäs, Sweden. The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) chose this selected group of pilots to take the course, based on their flight experience and their operational performance.
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, landed at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, France, on May 10. During their time in the European theater, the 4th FS aircraft will participate in multiple events, including Atlantic Trident 21, underscoring the steadfast U.S. commitment to the region and enhancing interoperability with NATO allies and partners.
Multirole MiG-35 fighter jets are undergoing integration acceptance trials. The preliminary conclusion has been obtained to begin the production of a development batch. The Swifts aerobatic team may receive MiG-35 in the coming years.
The combined capabilities of the three companies will result in a relevant industrial player in the missile systems sector that can address the needs of the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces, and represent national interests in international cooperation projects.
Rheinmetall has taken over maintenance operations for the Bundeswehr’s fleet of CH-53G helicopters, as planned. Embedded in the organization of the 64th Helicopter Squadron at Diepholz Air Base, Rheinmetall Aviation Services GmbH now received the first two aircraft in their maintenance bay.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently held a mock battle between a group of aircraft carrier-borne fighter jets and a land-based joint warplane formation. Liu Xuanzun reports in Global Times.
Just weeks after delivery to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the F-15EX – both 001 and 002 – have taken to the Alaska skies for exercise Northern Edge 21, May 3-14. 1st Lt. Savanah Bray, 53rd Wing Public Affairs, reports.
According to a press release published by Hensoldt on May 11, 2021, having been commissioned back in March to produce and deliver ECRS Mk1 radars, sensor solutions supplier HENSOLDT has now been awarded a further order worth some 50 million euros under the German Air Force’s Quadriga procurement program for 38 Eurofighter combat aircraft.
Northrop Grumman has been contracted by the U.S. Navy to prototype and reduce the risk of integrating sense and avoid (SAA) capabilities into the high-altitude, long-endurance MQ-4C Triton autonomous system. This capability will allow the Triton to safely operate in shared airspace with manned aircraft.
The U.S. Navy has completed an advanced anti-radiation guided missile-extended range (AARGM-ER) captive carry flight on an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Naval Technology reports. The flight test was conducted with a separation test vehicle (STV) at Patuxent River Air Station in Maryland. This was part of the US Navy’s preparations for the first live-fire test later in 2021.
According to information published by Ahval on May 10, 2021, Turkey is focusing on the production of its indigenous TF-X fighter jet, because the country’s expulsion from the U.S.-led F-35 stealth fighter program has dealt an estimated blow of $1.4 billion to the local defense industry.
An MH-60G Pave Hawk, tail number 009, piloted by Capt. Tanner Bennett, MH-60G aircraft commander, took off from the 66th Rescue Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and touched down in Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida for a very special send-off. Master Sgt. Andrew Satran, 15th Air Force, reports.
MiG program director Musheg Baloyan told TASS: “MiG-35 is undergoing integration acceptance trials and has received a preliminary conclusion that allows producing the development batch of the aircraft. Pilots like the jet, which is easy to control and pardons many mistakes. We are timely resolving the problems exposed by operation”.
According to information published by U.S. Air Force on May 6, 2021, the Skyborg leadership team conducted a 2 hour and 10-minute flight test of the Skyborg autonomy core system, or ACS, aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
As part of the United Nations mission MINUSMA (Mission Multidimensionnelle Intégrée des Nations Unies pour la Stabilisation au Mali, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali), the German Armed Forces in northern Mali are using Heron drones to provide information. Now, two reconnaissance missions can be carried out simultaneously and sustainably: on May 5, the budget committee of the Bundestag released the funds for an extension and expansion of the operator contract for the Heron drones.
According to information published by U.S. Department of Defense on May 5, 2021, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Marietta, Georgia, has been awarded a $51,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract in support of the French Air Force for long-term sustainment of C-130 aircraft.
NATO successfully tested procedures to fast-track the airlift of troops and equipment across Europe in a simulated crisis exercise in April. The three-day test of the Alliance’s “rapid air mobility” initiative was held in close coordination with Eurocontrol, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation.
According to information published by SCR on May 6, 2021, the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Estonia has recently signed a framework agreement whereby the Spanish company SCR will supply aerial targets and provide services with them.
