September 2022 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Lockheed Martin Joint-Air-To-Ground Missile cleared for full rate production

Continuing the legacy of superior precision engagement performance, Lockheed Martin’s Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile is ready for full rate production.

Rocket Lab signs agreement with USTRANSCOM to explore using Neutron and Electron rockets to deliver cargo around the world

Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a global leader in launch services and space systems, announced that it has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to explore the possibility of using the Company’s Neutron and Electron launch vehicles to transport cargo around the world. The agreement will also see Rocket Lab explore using Photon spacecraft to establish on-orbit cargo depots and deliver re-entry capability.

Protector completes acceptance test procedures

Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) for the first Protector RG Mk1 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system was completed on Aug. 26, 2022. Completion of ATP allows 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.

Royal Air Force Atlas C.1 trials low level parachute capability

The Royal Air Force’s A400M Atlas C Mk1 is continuing to expand its capability with the start of Low-Level Parachute trials.

Poland willing to buy 96 AH-64E Guardian attack helicopters

Deputy PM and head of the Polish Minister of Defense Mariusz Błaszczak announced that a request has been sent to the US, regarding the acquisition of 96 AH-64E Guardian (Apache) helicopters. The statement was made via Błaszczak's Twitter account, Jarosław Ciślak reports in Defence 24.com.

PLA Chinese Naval Aviation gets carrier-based early warning aircraft and trainer jets

The Naval Aviation Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has made preliminary strides in its development from being coast-based to carrier-based, and it has established a carrier-based aircraft system consisting of fighter jets, helicopters, early warning aircraft and trainer jets, a top official of the force announced, confirming for the first time that China has been developing carrier-based early warning aircraft and trainer jets. Liu Xuanzun reports in Global Times.

US approves $450 million possible foreign military sale for F-16 fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Pakistan of F-16 Case for Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $450 million. 

RAF Voyager builds on Air-to-Air Refuelling training with the Qatari Air Force

Flying from a Qatari airbase the RAF Brize Norton based Voyager took part in Exercise Soaring Falcon, conducting Air-to-Air Refuelling in a range of conditions with Qatar Emiri Air Force Rafale fast jets. This is the third exercise in a series of regular deployments of the Qatar Air-to-Air Refuelling Service: an agreement between the UK and Qatar to provide an Air-to-Air Refuelling service for the Qatar Emiri Air Force. A forthcoming exercise in mid-September will focus on night flying to build a 24-7 capability.

BAE Systems accelerates electronic warfare system production for F-15E and F-15EX Eagle fighter jets

BAE Systems has received a contract from Boeing to produce additional Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability Systems (EPAWSS) for U.S. F-15E and F-15EX Eagle aircraft – providing state-of-the-art situational awareness and self-defense capabilities. This contract brings the total contract value for EPAWSS production to $351 million.

Belgium will buy a second A330 MRTT tanker bringing the MMU fleet to ten aircraft

The European fleet of Airbus A330 MRTT ("Multi-Role Tanker Transport") tanker and transport aircraft will eventually increase from nine to ten aircraft, thanks to a new investment of more than 270 million granted by Belgium.

Tu-95MS crews test EMD air defence system within final stage of Vostok 2022 exercise

Crews of Tu-95MS airplanes have practiced flights aimed at testing the air defence system of the Eastern Military District (EMD) within Vostok 2022 exercise.

US and partners conduct Middle East BTF through air, land, sea

United States ground and naval units, as well as coalition and regional partner air forces executed a Bomber Task Force mission across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Sept. 4.

Safran enters into exclusive negotiations with Thales to acquire its aeronautical electrical systems activities

Safran announced that it has entered into negotiations with Thales to acquire its aeronautical electrical systems business. This electric power conversion activity, also plays a role in power generation and electric motors in the civil and military aeronautics sector.

Embraer concludes flight tests for firefighting capability for the C-390 Millennium

Embraer has successfully completed the fight test of the certification campaign for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS II), which provides the C-390 Millennium with the required capability to perform firefighting missions.

US Air Force executes first in-flight Next Generation Aircrew Protection test in F-15E Strike Eagle

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s 711th Human Performance Wing and the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron executed an in-flight vapor purge test in a F-15E Strike Eagle, Aug. 16-19, 2022.

The Utah Air National Guard takes an important next Step in ABMS Modernization Efforts

The Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Air Refueling Wing, working with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC) – KC-135 Test Detachment based in Salt Lake City, Utah, took a step in making the U.S. Air Force ABMS Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) a reality on the 60-year-old KC-135.

Czech Republic hosts multinational JTAC exercise Ample Strike 2022

The Czech Armed Forces are hosting the multinational exercise Ample Strike II/Resilient Sky 2022 across the southern parts of the Czech Republic offering theatre-realistic Air-Land Integration (ALI) training.

US clears sale of AIM-9X and AGM-84 missiles to Taiwan

On September 2, the US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85.6 million. The same day, the State department also approved the possible foreign military sale for  GM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $355 million.

Taiwan Defense buys 4 General Atomics MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAVs

As written by Keoni Everington in Taiwan News on August 31, Taiwan has officially signed a procurement contract with the U.S. to purchase four MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for NT$16.88 billion (USD555 million).

Turkish Baykartar Kizilelma fighter UAV exhibited at Teknofest

As reported by Hürriyet Daily News, the prototype of Türkiye’s unmanned fighter aircraft, Bayraktar Kizielma, has been showcased at Teknofest, Türkiye’s largest aerospace and technology festival taking place in Samsun province until September 4 at Çarşamba Airport, attracting great attention despite ongoing design and development efforts.

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