December 2014 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

Airbus Helicopters delivers first NH90 GSPA and first two Tiger HAD-E helos to Spanish Armed Forces

Airbus Helicopters delivers first NH90 GSPA and first two Tiger HAD-E helos to Spanish Armed Forces
 
Airbus Helicopters has completed today official delivery of the first two Tiger helicopters in the new HAD-E version and the first NH90 GSPA tactical transport helicopter destined for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). These three helicopters were assembled in the Spanish plant in Albacete, which successfully carried out the industrial phase, airworthiness certification and technical acceptance.
Airbus Helicopters has completed today official delivery of the first two Tiger helicopters in the new HAD-E version and the first NH90 GSPA tactical transport helicopter destined for the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). These three helicopters were assembled in the Spanish plant in Albacete, which successfully carried out the industrial phase, airworthiness certification and technical acceptance.
 

German Air Force takes delivery of its first A400M Atlas military transport aircraft

German Air Force takes delivery of its first A400M Atlas military airlifter
 
Airbus Defence and Space today, December 18, has formally delivered the first Airbus A400M military transport ordered by Germany. A total of nine aircraft have now been delivered and the aircraft is in service with four nations.
Airbus Defence and Space today, December 18, has formally delivered the first Airbus A400M military transport ordered by Germany. A total of nine aircraft have now been delivered and the aircraft is in service with four nations.
 

Saab receives development order for Gripen E from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration

Saab receives development order for Gripen E from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
 
Swedish defence and security company Saab has received today, December 18, a development order for Gripen E from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The order is part of the Gripen E framework agreement from 2013 and is valued at SEK 385 million ($50 mn).
Swedish defence and security company Saab has received today, December 18, a development order for Gripen E from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). The order is part of the Gripen E framework agreement from 2013 and is valued at SEK 385 million ($50 mn).
 

Airbus Helicopters delivers first EC135 light utility helicopter to Spanish National Police Force

Airbus Helicopters delivers first EC135 light utility helicopter to Spanish National Police Force
 
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first the first EC135 to the country’s National Police Force under the contract signed in February of this year with the DGT. The agreement covered the supply of a total of three EC135s, with the latter model to be operated by the National Police Force. The deliveries commenced with these first helicopter and will be completed in 2016.
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first EC135 light utility helicopter to the country’s National Police Force under the contract signed in February of this year with the DGT. The agreement covered the supply of a total of three EC135s to be operated by the National Police Force. The deliveries commenced with these first helicopter and will be completed in 2016.
 

Negotiations between France and India for the Rafale fighter aircraft now "on fast track"

Negotiations between France and India for the Rafale fighter aircraft now "on fast track"
 
Negotiations regarding the transfer of Rafale fighter jets from France to India have made good progress and have been put on fast track, Ambassador of France to India, Francois Richier, said in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday. Voicing satisfaction over the talks, Mr. Richier, who was on a three-day visit to Kolkata told journalists that the talks, which started in early 2012, have taken three years due to the "importance and complexity" of the deal.
Negotiations regarding the transfer of Rafale fighter jets from France to India have made good progress and have been put on fast track, Ambassador of France to India, Francois Richier, said in Kolkata, India, on Wednesday. Voicing satisfaction over the talks, Mr. Richier, who was on a three-day visit to Kolkata told journalists that the talks, which started in early 2012, have taken three years due to the "importance and complexity" of the deal.
 

Netherlands and NHIndustries found agreement for resuming NH90 multirole helicopters deliveries

Netherlands and NHIndustries found agreement for resuming NH90 multirole helicopters deliveries
 
Delivery of problem-plagued NH90 helicopters to the Dutch Navy has resumed following a remediation agreement between the Ministry of Defense and NHIndustries. Deliveries of the medium-size, twin-engine multi-role rotorcraft were suspended last June because of major problems with wear and corrosion in the delivered aircraft.
Delivery of problem-plagued NH90 helicopters to the Dutch Navy has resumed following a remediation agreement between the Ministry of Defense and NHIndustries. Deliveries of the medium-size, twin-engine multi-role rotorcraft were suspended last June because of major problems with wear and corrosion in the delivered aircraft.
 

F-35 MRO&U capability in Pacific region to be provided by Japan and Australia

F-35 MRO&U capability in Pacific region to be provided by Japan and Australia
 
The US Department of Defense has assigned F-35 Regional Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) capability for airframes and engines for the Asia Pacific Region. Participating nations were provided with requirements for Regional MRO&U, or "heavy maintenance" needs for both F-35 engine and airframe.
The US Department of Defense has assigned F-35 Regional Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and Upgrade (MRO&U) capability for airframes and engines for the Asia Pacific Region. Participating nations were provided with requirements for Regional MRO&U, or "heavy maintenance" needs for both F-35 engine and airframe.
 

Russian Helicopters delivers four new Mi-8AMTSh Terminator helicopters to Russian Armed Forces

Russian Helicopters delivers four new Mi-8AMTSh Terminator helicopters to Russian Armed Forces
 
Four new Terminator type helicopters were delivered to the Russian Defense Ministry, the press service of the company Russian Helicopters (subsidiary of Rostec) reported. "Russian Helicopters, in compliance with the orders of the Ministry of Defense, presented the Mi-8AMTSh. These four new rotorcraft were assembled at the Ulan-Ude Aviation factory and then flew to the delivery point in one of the bases of the [Russian] Central Military District "said the statement of the holding company.
Four new Mi-8AMTSh Terminator helicopters were delivered to the Russian Defense Ministry, the press service of the company Russian Helicopters (subsidiary of Rostec) reported. "Russian Helicopters, in compliance with the orders of the Ministry of Defense, presented the Mi-8AMTSh. These four new rotorcraft were assembled at the Ulan-Ude Aviation factory and then flew to the delivery point in one of the bases of the [Russian] Central Military District "said the statement of the holding company.
 

Northrop Grumman wins contract to supply RQ-4 Global Hawk drones to South Korea

Northrop Grumman wins contract for supplying RQ-4 Global Hawk drones to South Korea
 
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., California, has been awarded a $657,400,000 contract for aircraft for the Republic of Korea, announced yesterday December 16 the US Department of Defense. Contractor will provide four RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk air vehicles and ground control components.
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., California, has been awarded a $657,400,000 contract for aircraft for the Republic of Korea, announced yesterday December 16 the US Department of Defense. Contractor will provide four RQ-4B Block 30 Global Hawk air vehicles and ground control components.
 

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker's maiden flight scheduled before year-end

Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tanker's maiden flight scheduled for year-end
 
Boeing workers and engineers are hustling to get the first test plane of the company’s aerial-refueling tanker program in the air later this month, reported yesterday The Herald Business Journal. The aerospace company’s current goal — Dec. 27 or 28 — is six months later than Boeing had initially planned for the KC-46 tanker program. It can’t afford many more delays if the company is going to deliver the first batch of tankers to the USAF on time, according to the general overseeing the program for the Air Force.
Boeing workers and engineers are hustling to get the first test plane of the company’s aerial-refueling tanker program in the air later this month, reported yesterday The Herald Business Journal. The aerospace company’s current goal — Dec. 27 or 28 — is six months later than Boeing had initially planned for the KC-46 tanker program. It can’t afford many more delays if the company is going to deliver the first batch of tankers to the USAF on time, according to the general overseeing the program for the Air Force.
 

Embraer's KC-390 military airlifter first prototype performed first runway test

Embraer's KC-390 military airlifter first prototype performed first runway test
 
According some pictures relayed last Friday by the Globo network, the Embrer KC-390 prototype made its first turn at low speed on the runway of Gaviao Peixoto, at the operational headquarters of Embraer Defesa & Segurança. This first test seems to announce the maiden flight of the aircraft, scheduled for the end of the year, and confirming the timetable announced on October 21, during the deployment ceremony.
According to pictures relayed last Friday by the Globo network, the Embraer KC-390 prototype made its first turn at low speed on the runway of Gaviao Peixoto, at the operational headquarters of Embraer Defesa & Segurança. This first test seems to announce the maiden flight of the aircraft, scheduled for the end of the year, and confirming the timetable announced on October 21, during the deployment ceremony.
 

Airbus Helicopters wins support contract for German Army's EC 135 training helicopters fleet

Airbus Helicopters wins support contract for German Army's EC135 training helicopters fleet
 
Airbus Helicopters has won the support contract to maintain, overhaul and ensure the availability of the German Army Aviation School’s fleet of EC135 training helicopters. This extends the existing contract, signed in 2005, by a further seven years.
Airbus Helicopters has won the support contract to maintain, overhaul and ensure the availability of the German Army Aviation School’s fleet of EC135 training helicopters. This extends the existing contract, signed in 2005, by a further seven years.
 

Iran plans to build home-made Mig-29 fighter aircraft simulator

Iran plans to build home-made Mig-29 fighter aircraft simulator
 
According to Iranian news agency FARS, the Iranian Air Force plans to manufacture a home-made simulator for Mig-29, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army's Self-Sufficiency Jihad Rear Admiral Farhad Amiri announced. "Iranian Army's Air Force has manufactured Sukhoi Su-24 and Mirage simulators and we are going to start construction of Mig-29 simulator soon," Admiral Amiri said, lauding Iran's Army self-sufficiency in different fields.
According to Iranian news agency FARS, the Iranian Air Force plans to manufacture a home-made simulator for Mig-29, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army's Self-Sufficiency Jihad Rear Admiral Farhad Amiri announced. "Iranian Army's Air Force has manufactured Sukhoi Su-24 and Mirage simulators and we are going to start construction of Mig-29 simulator soon," Admiral Amiri said, lauding Iran's Army self-sufficiency in different fields.
 

US Air Force approves full rate production for Lockheed Martin's JASSM-ER missile

US Air Force approves full rate production for Lockheed Martin's JASSM-ER missile
 
The U.S. Air Force has approved full rate production for Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). JASSM-ER successfully completed U.S. Air Force Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) flight testing in 2013. During IOT&E, the program had a 95 percent success rate, scoring 20 successes in 21 flights. Lots 11 and 12 of the JASSM contract awarded in December 2013 included 100 ER missiles.
The U.S. Air Force has approved full rate production for Lockheed Martin’s Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile – Extended Range (JASSM-ER). JASSM-ER successfully completed U.S. Air Force Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) flight testing in 2013. During IOT&E, the program had a 95 percent success rate, scoring 20 successes in 21 flights. Lots 11 and 12 of the JASSM contract awarded in December 2013 included 100 ER missiles.
 

Three upgraded Yak-130 training aircraft delivered to Russian Air Force

Three upgraded Yak-130 trainer aircraft delivered to Russian Air Force
 
Russian company Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) announced on Friday December 12 having delivered three enhanced Yak-130 modern combat training aircraft to the Russian Air Force. KRET designers have upgraded the aircraft with new avionics and and integrated flight control system.
Russian company Concern Radio-Electronic Technologies (KRET) announced on Friday December 12 having delivered three enhanced Yak-130 modern combat training aircraft to the Russian Air Force. KRET designers have upgraded the aircraft with new avionics and and integrated flight control system.
 

Northrop Grumman delivers first APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar for US and Taiwan F-16 fleets

Northrop Grumman delivers first APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar for US and Taiwan F-16 fleets
 
Northrop Grumman Corporation , today marked the delivery of its first engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) to Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman's APG-83 SABR was competitively selected by Lockheed Martin for the F-16 Radar Modernization program to support U.S. and Taiwan Air Force F-16 upgrade programs.
Northrop Grumman Corporation, on Friday December 12, marked the delivery of its first engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) to Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman's APG-83 SABR was competitively selected by Lockheed Martin for the F-16 Radar Modernization program to support U.S. and Taiwan Air Force F-16 upgrade programs.
 

German North Rhine-Westphalia Police Force orders six Airbus EC145 T2 helicopters

German North Rhine-Westphalia Police Force orders six Airbus EC145 T2 helicopters
 
Six EC145 T2 rotorcraft have been ordered by Germany’s Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia Police Force), becoming the latest law enforcement customer for this enhanced member of Airbus Helicopters’ twin-engine EC145 family. Deliveries of these helicopters are planned in 2016-2017.
Six EC145 T2 rotorcraft have been ordered by Germany’s Landespolizei Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia Police Force), becoming the latest law enforcement customer for this enhanced member of Airbus Helicopters’ twin-engine EC145 family. Deliveries of these helicopters are planned in 2016-2017.
 

Turkish National Defense Ministry eyes on home-made fighter aircraft for full independence

Turkish National Defense Ministry eyes on home-made fighter aircraft for full independence
 
According to local media, Turkey is setting its sights on the ambitious target of producing its own local fighter jet to become “fully independent” in its ground, naval and air defense, Turkish National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz has said. “We manufacture our own ships and all of our land vehicles, including tanks. We also manufacture our own helicopter and training jets. Another thing we are planning is producing a fighter jet,” the minister told state-run Anadolu Agency on Dec. 14.
According to local media, Turkey is setting its sights on the ambitious target of producing its own local fighter jet to become “fully independent” in its ground, naval and air defense, Turkish National Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz has said. “We manufacture our own ships and all of our land vehicles, including tanks. We also manufacture our own helicopter and training jets. Another thing we are planning is producing a fighter jet,” the minister told state-run Anadolu Agency on Dec. 14.
 

Raytheon awarded contract for delivering AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles to Japan

Raytheon awarded contract for delivering AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles to Japan
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $33 million. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona.
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Japan for AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $33 million. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona.
 

Second Super Puma AS332 C1e delivered by Airbus Helicopters to the Bolivian Air Force

Second Super Puma AS332 C1e delivered by Airbus Helicopters to the Bolivian Air Force
 
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the 2nd Super Puma AS332 C1e to the Bolivian Air Force (FAB). At the end of 2013, the FAB purchased six of these light-medium helicopters to fight drug trafficking and perform civil security and public service missions throughout the country. The first helicopter was delivered in August of this year and the four remaining helicopters will be delivered between now and 2016.
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the 2nd Super Puma AS332 C1e to the Bolivian Air Force (FAB). At the end of 2013, the FAB purchased six of these light-medium helicopters to fight drug trafficking and perform civil security and public service missions throughout the country. The first helicopter was delivered in August of this year and the four remaining helicopters will be delivered between now and 2016.
 

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