October 2022 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

US Air Force declares Initial Operational Capability of Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II

The U.S. Air Force declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter, validating the platform's operational readiness to forward deploy Air Force rescue crews around the globe. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT) designed and manufactures the HH-60W, which enables the U.S. Air Force to conduct rescue missions at greater ranges and in the most challenging environments, and with increased survivability.

Boeing introduces the Modernized Apache

For more than 35 years, the AH-64 Apache has defended freedom, kept the peace and helped ensure mission success for Soldiers in every corner of the globe — identifying and eliminating wide-ranging, dynamic threats from the battlefield and keeping our ground forces safe. From the AH-64A in 1984 to today’s AH-64E Version 6, or v6, the Apache has grown in leaps and bounds — time and again exceeding expectations and redefining the capabilities of the platform. The Apache has proven to be an extremely lethal Attack helicopter platform as well as a very powerful and effective Reconnaissance platform.

Kaman selected to build cargo UAS prototype for US Marines

Kaman Air Vehicles, a division of Kaman Corporation announced that they have been selected to build a logistics UAS prototype for the United States Marine Corps. Kaman will build a funded military version of its KARGO UAV, a purpose-built autonomous medium-lift logistics vehicle. KARGO UAV carries up to 800 pounds of payload and is designed to operate in austere environments.

Hensoldt mission system for reconnaissance flights put into operation

Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT has successfully passed acceptance by the customer, aviation specialist QinetiQ GmbH, Mönchengladbach, with the first of two complete systems for electro-optical reconnaissance.

A new Belgian detachment of F-16s departed for Operation Enhanced Vigilance Activities in Estonia

On Wednesday, October 5, 2022, three F-16s left Florennes Air Base for Estonia to participate in the deterrence mission as part of NATO's Enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA). This detachment, made up of around 100 Belgian soldiers and six F-16s, will have the mission of guarding the Baltic airspace and NATO borders.

European MALE RPAS passes integrated baseline review

The European MALE RPAS (Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) has successfully passed its Integrated Baseline Review (IBR).

Embraer advances in the production of the first KC-390 Millennium for Hungary

Embraer continues to advance in the production of the first KC-390 Millennium aircraft for the Hungarian Defence Forces. In November 2020, the Hungarian government signed a contract with Embraer for the acquisition of two KC-390 aircraft in the process of strengthening the capabilities of the Hungarian Defence Forces. Currently, Embraer is assembling the semi-wings on the aircraft's fuselage, with both structures already painted in the customer's colors.

Launch of European Spartan Exercise

The only dedicated European exercise for the C-27 Spartan military aircraft launched on October 4 for two weeks of intensive joint training. Now in its sixth edition, the ‘European Spartan Exercise’ will take place at Bezmer airbase, Bulgaria with four participating nations: Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Romania. The aim of the exercise is to increase interoperability among European countries operating the C-27J Spartan military aircraft.

US Air Force to conduct more regular hypersonic flight tests

According to information published by the US government on October 7, 2022, the Department of Defense announced the award of a new contract to augment the Department's capacity to conduct regular hypersonic flight tests more regularly.

Indian Air Force to arm more Su-30MKI fighters with BrahMos missiles

NEW DELHI, October 7. /TASS-DEFENSE/. India’s Air Force is planning to increase the number of Su-30MKI fighters armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to 65, the Times of India newspaper reported with reference to the Air Force command.

First Australian MQ-4C Triton surveillance and reconnaissance drone touches down

Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System was rolled out in September as part of a partnership between the Department of Defence, the US Navy and Northrop Grumman.

DARPA POWER program aims to create revolutionary power distribution network

DARPA is working on the next leap forward in energy distribution by leveraging wireless power beaming to create a dynamic, adaptive, speed of light wireless energy web. The goal of the Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program is to design and demonstrate airborne optical energy relays. These relays are a critical component necessary to allow ground-sourced lasers to be coupled with high-altitude, efficient long-range transmission. Additionally, such relays will enable future multi-path wireless energy networks.

Protector RPA completes acceptance test procedures

Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system has been completed. Completion of ATP allowed for the official hand-over of the aircraft to the UK Royal Air Force (RAF), the launch customer of the MQ-9B RPA system developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). Protector is a specially configured model of MQ-9B, designed to meet the unique requirements of the RAF.

Norwegian defense increases presence at Norwegian oil and gas installations

Following the government's decision to increase preparedness at Norwegian oil and gas installations, the Norwegian Armed Forces have increased their visibility and presence.

US and Romania hosts European Partnership Flight for allied nations

Service members from the U.S. military and the allied nations of Belgium, Bulgaria, Poland, Portugal, and Romania came together in Bucharest, Romania for a European Partnership Flight event focused on F-16 maintenance and operations, Sept 19, 2022. United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa and the Romanian Air Force co-hosted the week-long event.

US Army awards $25.9M contract for M299 launchers

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for M299 Launchers with a total value of $25.9 million. This contract provides M299 All Up Launchers (AULs) and spare parts support for the U.S. Army and international customers.

US 15th Wing and Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct first bilateral airlift exercise

From September 27 to 29, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF conducted) a JPN-US bilateral training specialized in tactical airlift in Hawaii. 

Royal Australian Air Force deploys P-8A aircraft to support Nato’s Operation Sea Guardian 22

Australian Defence has deployed a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the Mediterranean as part of Operation SEA GUARDIAN 22.

Ukrainian soldiers seize Iranian-made Mohajer-6 UAV

On October 3, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry shared on Twitter an image of a captured Mohajer-6.

NCI Agency holds NATO live-testing counter-drone exercise

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency) hosted NATO's Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Technical Interoperability Exercise 2022 (TIE22) in Vredepeel, Netherlands, together with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. The exercise took place from 13 to 23 September 2022 and it welcomed over 250 participants and 90 distinguished visitors.

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