MAY 2023 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry

Malaysia orders 18 KAI FA-50 Block 20 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft

: Posted On Tuesday, 30 May 2023 16:04

The Malaysian Ministry of Defence has signed a final contract for the acquisition of 18 FA-50 Block 20 light combat aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) from South Korean aviation company Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Asia Pacific Defense Journal reported on May 29, 2023. The contract worth US$920 million was signed at the backdrop of the recently concluded Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 2023) in Langkawi, Malaysia on 23 May 2023.

Indian Navy MiG-29K makes maiden night landing on INS Vikrant

: Posted On Friday, 26 May 2023 16:48

According to a report by Rahul Singh in the Hindustan Times on May 26, an important milestone was achieved as an Indian Navy MiG-29K fighter jet successfully made its maiden night landing on the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. Navy officials stated that this achievement marks a significant step towards the full operationalization of the warship, along with its air wing, by the end of the year.

F-16 training and aircraft to fill Ukraine's mid-term and long-term defense needs

: Posted On Wednesday, 24 May 2023 09:39

Last week in Japan, during a meeting of G7 leaders, including those from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, President Joe Biden said the U.S. will support an effort with partners and allies to train Ukrainian fighter pilots on the F-16 aircraft. C. Todd Lopez, U.S. Department of Defense, reports.

LIMA 2023: Sypaq from Australia showcases Corvo family of fixed-wing and muti-rotor drones

: Posted On Tuesday, 23 May 2023 15:09

The Corvo family of autonomous systems is designed and manufactured in Australia. Corvo specialises in the development of complete autonomous systems which are rugged, reliable, dependable, and ensure that the entire workflow is seamless from data capture through processing and delivery to the end user.

Taiwan Air Force arming its F-16V fighters with new AIM-9X Block II air-to-air missiles

: Posted On Tuesday, 23 May 2023 11:11

As reported by RepublicWorld on May 22, Taiwan has bolstered its defense capabilities by arming its F-16s with new air-to-air missiles: the Republic Of China Air Force announced that the AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles have been allocated to its F-16 Viper squadrons, which are deployed to respond to PLA’s increasing fly-bys.

Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command replaces old J-7 and J-8 aircraft with more J-16 fighter jets

: Posted On Monday, 22 May 2023 16:59

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command recently upgraded its aircraft fleet by replacing a group of older planes with additional Shenyang J-16 heavy fighter jets. These advanced warplanes are frequently seen during routine drills and patrols near Taiwan. Liu Xuanzun reports in Global Times.

LIMA 2023: Leonardo to promote technological capabilities for regional defence and security requirements

: Posted On Monday, 22 May 2023 10:33

Leonardo, a global high-technology company from Italy, will attend Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), starting next in Malaysia (23-26 May), promoting military fixed and rotary-winged platforms, and naval capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

US allow export of European F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

: Posted On Friday, 19 May 2023 16:15

According to information published by CNN on May 19, 2023, the US has recently affirmed its willingness to permit the export of European F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

First two Leonardo M-346 Master training jets land at Hellenic International Flight Training Center in Kalamata

: Posted On Wednesday, 17 May 2023 10:06

The first two new Leonardo M-346 Master training and light attack aircraft were welcomed by representatives of the Greek Government and the Ministry of Defense, the Hellenic Air Force, and representatives of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

Raytheon Technologies upgrading Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft with PhantomStrike radar

: Posted On Tuesday, 16 May 2023 10:12

Raytheon Technologies will outfit Korea Aerospace Industries' FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft with the new PhantomStrike radar. PhantomStrike is a fully air-cooled fire-control radar designed to provide long-range threat detection, tracking and targeting. Working with the United States Government, PhantomStrike was approved to be exported as a Direct Commercial Sales product to KAI.

HENSOLDT’s Kalaetron Attack air defense jamming system develops quickly

: Posted On Friday, 12 May 2023 13:47

Sensor solution provider HENSOLDT is pushing ahead with the development of its "Kalaetron Attack" jamming system against air defence radars at full speed. Shortly after the system proved itself in ground and flight tests under test conditions against air defence radars of various types, the range of Kalætron Attack was increased by modifications in the installation on the aircraft and further jamming modes were implemented.

German army to get 60 Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth $8.5 Bn

: Posted On Friday, 12 May 2023 09:18

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on May 11 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of CH-47F Chinook helicopters, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $8.5 billion.

Royal Thai Navy receives second modernized Do 228 maritime reconnaissance aicraft

: Posted On Thursday, 11 May 2023 15:42

According to Defense Studies on May 10, the reception ceremony for Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Dornier Do 228, No. 1112, Squadron 101 of Wing 1, Royal Thai Naval Air Division, Royal Thai Navy, took place on April 29, 2023, at U-Tapao International Airport. The first aircraft, Nr 1114, was received on February 15, 2023.

AeroVironment introduces plug-and-play VTOL kit for Puma AE UAS

: Posted On Thursday, 11 May 2023 13:08

AeroVironment, Inc. On May 9 introduced the Puma VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) kit, designed for plug-and-play integration into Puma 2 AE and Puma 3 AE small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). The optional Puma VTOL kit expands the operational capabilities of the combat-proven Puma system in complex terrain, as neither runway nor large open space is required for the launch and recovery of the VTOL-equipped Puma, allowing operators to launch anywhere, anytime.

Airbus Helicopters delivers first H135 to Spanish Air and Space Force 6 months ahead of schedule

: Posted On Wednesday, 10 May 2023 16:24

Airbus Helicopters on May 9 announced it had delivered the first H135 to the Spanish Air and Space Force in Albacete. This is the 8th helicopter delivered under the 36-unit contract signed at the end of 2021 to supply the Armed Forces and State Security Forces.

Peruvian Air Force to get one more Beechcraft 360C King Air

: Posted On Tuesday, 09 May 2023 12:07

The Peruvian Ministry of Defense authorized the incorporation of an additional 10.9 million dollars in the budget of the Peruvian Air Force in order to acquire another Beechcraft 360C King Air, Alejo Marchessini reports in Defensa.com.

Northrop Grumman AARGM-ER missile completes 5th consecutive live fire test

: Posted On Monday, 08 May 2023 15:49

Northrop Grumman on May 8 announced the 5th consecutive successful flight test of the U.S. Navy’s AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The missile successfully detected, identified, located and engaged an advanced, land-based, emitter target.

Bell Boeing awarded US Navy contract to produce 4 additional MV-22B Osprey aircraft

: Posted On Monday, 08 May 2023 10:00

The U.S. Department of Defense of May 5 announced that Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded a $482,300,000 fixed-price incentive (firm-target) undefinitized modification to a previously awarded contract (N0001917C0015). This modification adds scope for the production and delivery of four CMV-22B Osprey (Lot 27) aircraft for the U.S. Navy.

French Defense Minster Lecornu confirms delivery of 28 Safran Patroller tactical drones to 61st Artillery Regiment

: Posted On Friday, 05 May 2023 16:32

According to an Opex360 article by Laurent Lagneau published on May 5, the report attached to the draft military programming law (LPM) 2024-30 contains errors. The report states that the Ground Force (Army) will have 17 Patroller tactical drone systems (SDT) by 2030, which is 12 more than planned. However, each SDT consists of 5 Patroller drones and 2 ground stations, making this a significant increase in effort. This is not surprising, as the Minister of the Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, had emphasized the importance of drones before the publication of the LPM 2024-30 project.

BAE Systems unveils new version of Athena 1920 high-definition thermal camera core

: Posted On Friday, 05 May 2023 08:58

BAE Systems unveiled a new version of its Athena 1920 high-definition thermal camera core, which can now support missions requiring 360-degree situational awareness, vehicle protection, and space-based surveillance in challenging visual and operational environments.

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