April 2022 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Nigerian army to get Bell Textron AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters

The U.S. Defense Security Agency announced on April 14 that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Nigeria of Bell Textron AH-1Z Attack Helicopter Related FMS Acquisitions and related equipment for an estimated cost of $997 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

British firm AERALIS takes another step forward by joining forces with Hamble Aerostructures

According to a PR published by AERALIS on April 19, 2022, the innovative British jet designer AERALIS, has announced it is partnering with Hamble Aerostructures, an Aernnova Group company, for integrated manufacturing design support of the common core fuselage and canopy of AERALIS’ unique modular jet.

IFR Airworthiness Release expands flight envelope for UH-60V Black Hawk

The UH-60V Black Hawk helicopter, enabled by the Northrop Grumman OpenLift architecture, has been granted an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Airworthiness Release by the U.S. Army Systems Readiness Directorate. This will allow pilots to fly the UH-60V under all meteorological conditions.

Russian Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bombers strike Mariupol

According to Ukrinform, for the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian armed forces attacked the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol using long-range Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers to drop unguided bombs, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk said on April 15.

Slovakia is in talks with US and NATO allies to provide their MiG-29 jets to Ukraine

According to information published by the "Politico" website on April 11, 2022, Slovakia is in talks with NATO allies and the United States to provide its fleet of MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine.

Royal Air Force' squadron conducts tactical refuelling in Estonia

According to information published by the Royal Air Force on April 15, 2022, a 47 Squadron C-130J Hercules operating from RAF Akrotiri has been conducting tactical refueling of British Army Wildcat helicopters, which are deployed on a NATO mission in Estonia called Operation CABRIT.

Russian Su-27 fighter aircraft practice air fighting near Kaliningrad

According to information published by Tass on April 14, 2022, more than 10 crews of Sukhoi Su-27 multirole fighters from an air unit of the Baltic Fleet’s air arm, which is based in the Kaliningrad Region in west Russia, have practiced air fighting during an exercise.

Slovakia may send Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter aircraft to Ukraine

According to information published by Euraktiv on April 14, 2022, Slovakia may send Mikoyan MiG-21 fighter aircraft to Ukraine, Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger said.

Slovakia is also interested by the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAV

According to a tweet published by the Slovak Minister of Defense on April 13, 2022, a meeting took place between the minister and the CEO of the Turkish company Baykar to discuss the purchase of the Bayraktar TB2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Ukrainian Leleka-100 UAV shot down by the Russian forces

According to a tweet published by UAWeapons on April 12, 2022, a Ukrainian Leleka-100 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was shot down by the Russian Forces.

Serbian President considers purchase of twelve French Rafale fighter aircraft

According to information published by Reuters on April 12, 2022, Serbia could acquire twelve French Rafale fighter jets, said the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic.

US 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Expeditionary Strike Group 3 demonstrate lightning carrier concept

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a key capability when they operated 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from America-class amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli from March 30 through April 8, fully exercising the Marine Corps’ “lightning carrier” concept for the first time in naval history on an amphibious assault ship. Maj. Mason Englehart3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, explains.

Lockheed Martin successfully completes record-breaking endurance flight of Stalker VXE UAS

According to information published by Lockheed Martin on April 11, 2022, the firm demonstrated the expanded endurance capabilities of a specially configured Lockheed Martin Stalker VXE unmanned aerial system (UAS) through a world record endurance flight on Feb. 18, 2022, at the Santa Margarita Ranch in California.

Agentinian Air Force to get U.S. support for T-6 Texan II training aircraft fleet

The U.S. Defense Cooperation agency announced on April 8 that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Argentina of Beechcraft T-6 Texan II Aircraft Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $73 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

Elbit Systems UK demonstrates Skylark 3 Hybrid UAS at RAF Upavon

Elbit Systems UK has delivered a series of demonstrations of Skylark 3 Hybrid Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) at RAF Upavon in Wiltshire. The demonstrations took place from 21st – 23rd March, culminating in a number of flights on 23rd March conducted in support of the RAF's Rapid Capabilities Office's (RCO) future concept development programme.

Saab receives order for JAS 39 Gripen C/D upgrade for Swedish Air Force

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to ensure the continued operation of JAS 39 Gripen C/D and to provide capability enhancements to preserve the operational relevance of the fighter aircraft. The order value is SEK 500 million.

Aeralis receives further support from Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office

Pioneering military aerospace company Aeralis announced on April 11 that it has received significant further investment from the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) in line with the wider Pyramid programme.

Serbia could purchase Turkish made TB2 Bayraktar UAVs

According to information published by Armenia News on April 10, 2022, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 strike drones from Turkey.

Israel hosts joint training exercise with Cyprus and United Kingdom

According to a tweet published by the Israeli Air Force on April 3, 2022, the IAF hosted a joint training exercise with the British Royal Air Force and Cyprus Air Command at Palmachim AFB. The exercise, which included Israeli Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, allowed the participating forces to learn from each other and drill maritime Search and Rescue missions in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

US AH-60L Battle Hawk attack helicopters to be armed with suicide drones

According to a tweet from Caesar broadcasting a video released by the U.S. Army and DEVCOM, in the future, the American AH-60L Battle Hawk attack helicopter will assist the M142 HIMARS MLRS in destroying the enemy air defense system with suicide drones instead of the Hellfire ATGM as their main weapon.

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