February 2022 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

A-100 AEW&C aircraft gets unique protective cockpit glass

The cockpit of A-100 Premier airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft was equipped with unique glass that protects the crew against radar emission and is highly transparent, Rostec said.

Mi-28NM helicopters supplied to Russian Army

The latest Mi-28NM Night Hunter helicopter gunships have been supplied to the army, the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper said.

Indonesian Army receives its eighth Bell 412 EPI helicopter

On February 9,  PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) announced that it has delivered the eighth of nine Bell 412EPI multirole medium helicopters on order for the Indonesian Army (TNI-AD).

US Air Force F-22 Raptors deploy to United Arab Emirates in show of support to region

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base, in the United Arab Emirates, Feb. 12 as part of a multifaceted demonstration of U.S. support after a series of attacks throughout January threatened U.S. and Emirati armed forces stationed at the host installation.

Elbit Systems to showcase hybrid propulsion small tactical UAS at Singapore Airshow 2022

Elbit Systems will present the Skylark 3 Hybrid Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (STUAS) for the first time at the Singapore Airshow 2022 (stand C-N65 in the Israeli Pavilion). The Skylark 3 Hybrid is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system, both an electric and an internal combustion engine, tripling endurance and offering up to 18 hours of operations, with no change to size or weight, significantly increasing mission effectiveness and cost efficiency.

Su-30SM2 to interact with drones

A new communication system is being designed for interaction of Su-30SM2 fighter jets with drones, the Izvestia daily writes.

Finland inks deal for its 64 F-35A fighter jets and agreement on industrial participation

On 10 December 2021, the Finnish Government decided on the procurement of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighters, which will replace the capabilities of the Air Force’s Hornet fleet that will be phased out by 2030. The Finnish Defence Forces’ Logistics Command was authorised to conclude procurement contracts for the F-35 system and air-to-air weapons while the Ministry of Defence was authorised to sign an agreement on industrial participation for the HX fighter programme with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, the engine manufacturer.

US Army partners with small businesses to develop innovations for aviation systems

The U.S. Army just announced over $5M in new funding contracts with three small businesses to transition their innovative solutions in wind measurement systems, which have the potential to change the future of Army aviation weapon systems.

US 53rd Wing bomber test avionics software update

The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed a test of the Sustainment Block-18 avionics software during a U.S. Strategic Command Bomber Task Force mission Jan. 11.

Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing selects Honeywell engine to power DEFIANT X

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and Boeing announced Honeywell as the engine provider for DEFIANT X, the advanced helicopter for the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) competition.

US approves foreign military sale of F-15ID to Indonesia

On February 10, the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Indonesia of F-15ID Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $13.9 billion. 

GA-ASI selects two Belgian companies to support MQ-9B development

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has selected two Belgian companies, ALX Systems and Coexpair, to support the development of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and other advanced RPA-related projects.

US Air Force latest sensor pod on F-15C Eagle achieves IOC

The US Air Force reached initial operating capability on its latest infrared search and track pod integrated on the F-15C Eagle, Jan. 21, 2022.

Australia awards contract for C-130J Hercules armour

The Morrison Government has awarded a job-creating $2.13 million contract to a Hawkesbury-based engineering consultancy to continue its development of a unique lightweight armour for the C-130J Hercules airlifter aircraft.

A-100 aircraft made its first flight with radar turned on

Specialists of the Concern "Vega" of the holding "Ruselectronics" and Taganrog Beriev Aircraft Scientific and Technical Complex (TANTK), as part of PJSC "UAC" (both are part of the Rostec State Corporation),  conducted the first flight of the A-100 long-range radar surveillance and guidance aviation complex with the on-board radio-technical complex (BRTK) turned on. The tests confirmed the regular operation of special equipment, as well as aircraft on-board systems in conditions of high electromagnetic radiation.

Ireland needs new combat aircraft squadron

In a report published on February 9, the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) has called on the Irish government to invest in the acquisition of a combat aircraft squadron as part of a national Air Defence Plan.

Brazilian Air Force orders 22 KC-390 multi-mission aircraft

Embraer informs that it has reached an agreement with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) related to the contractual discussion regarding the order for the multi-mission aircraft KC-390. Thus, the total number of aircraft to be contracted by the FAB will be reduced from 28 to 22 units, with deliveries scheduled until 2034. The new production rates are aligned with the FAB’s budget conditions while allowing Embraer long-term planning with its suppliers.

Indonesia purchases 42 Rafale fighter jets

In the presence of the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and the Indonesian Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto, the Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier, and the Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, Head of Defence Facilities Agency of the Indonesian Ministry of Defence, signed the contract for the acquisition by Indonesia of 42 latest-generation Rafale aircraft, at a ceremony held on February 10 in Jakarta.

Two Russian Tu-22M3 bombers conduct second air patrol over Belarus

Two Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers performed their second air patrol over Belarus in an inspection of the Union State’s forces, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on February 8.

US Air Force publishes RFI for E-3G AWACS replacement

The US Air Force has published a RFI (Request for Information) for the replacement of the E-3G Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

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