September 2014 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

China conducts tests on future stealth fighters engine

China conducts tests on future J-15 and J-20 fighters engines
 
China recently tested what is believed to be the WS-10 (Taihang) and WS-15 (Emei) engines which the carrier-borne aircraft J-15 and the stealth fighter J-20 are likely to be equipped it. Test Flight Center of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) successfully completed the first takeoff-and-landing test flight of the fighter planes recently on the plateau in Qinghai province, the Voice of China reported.
China recently tested what is believed to be the WS-10 (Taihang) and WS-15 (Emei) engines which the carrier-borne aircraft J-15 and the stealth fighter J-20 are likely to be equipped with. Test Flight Center of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) successfully completed the first takeoff-and-landing test flight of the fighter planes recently on the plateau in Qinghai province, the Voice of China reported.
 

Boeing to Upgrade Specialized ICBM Guidance System Test Equipment

Boeing to Upgrade Specialized ICBM Guidance System Test Equipment
 
Boeing will continue to ensure the readiness of the nation’s Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system with the development of a new Guidance Data Acquisition System (GDAS). Under a $4.9 million contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force, Boeing will update and replace the aging GDAS, a key piece of equipment that tests the guidance system of Minuteman III.
Boeing will continue to ensure the readiness of the nation’s Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system with the development of a new Guidance Data Acquisition System (GDAS). Under a $4.9 million contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force, Boeing will update and replace the aging GDAS, a key piece of equipment that tests the guidance system of Minuteman III.
 

Chinese PLA is developing a new stealth bomber for 2025

 Chinese PLA is developing a new stealth bomber for 2025
 
According to local medias, China is developing a new stealth bomber called the H-20 to firm up the PLA strategic bomber force, said Bill Sweetman, a military journalist and Richard D. Fisher, an expert in Chinese military development.
China is developing a new stealth bomber called the H-20 to firm up the PLA strategic bomber force, said Bill Sweetman, a military journalist and Richard D. Fisher, an expert in Chinese military development.
 

Peru to receive Russian Mi-171Sh multi-purpose helicopters in December

Peru to receive Russian Mi-171Sh multi-purpose helicopters in December
 
Russia will deliver 8 Mi-171Sh multi-purpose helicopters to Peru's air force in December, the deputy director of Russia's arms export agency was quoted as saying Friday, September 19. Peru, a major buyer of Russian military hardware, bought 24 helicopters from Russia for $406 million in December last year for use in combating drug trafficking and to replace eight Mi-17 military transport helicopters purchased from the Soviet Union in 1984.
Russia will deliver 8 Mi-171Sh multi-purpose helicopters to Peru's air force in December, the deputy director of Russia's arms export agency was quoted as saying Friday, September 19. Peru, a major buyer of Russian military hardware, bought 24 helicopters from Russia for $406 million in December last year for use in combating drug trafficking and to replace eight Mi-17 military transport helicopters purchased from the Soviet Union in 1984.
 

Japan looking for its own early warning aircraft

Japan looking for its own early warning aircraft
 
Japan's defence ministry wants to develop its own early warning aircraft, replacing US-made planes as the Chinese and Russian air forces grow more assertive, a report said yesterday. The ministry had asked for an initial 80 million yen ($700.000) from the finance ministry for the next fiscal year starting on April 1 to produce a mock aircraft, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
Japan's defence ministry wants to develop its own early warning aircraft, replacing US-made planes as the Chinese and Russian air forces grow more assertive, a report said yesterday. The ministry had asked for an initial 80 million yen ($700.000) from the finance ministry for the next fiscal year starting on April 1 to produce a mock aircraft, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
 

Bell Helicopter might provide 18 Huey II to Lebanon

Bell Helicopter might provide 18 Huey II to Lebanon
 
US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for Huey II rotary wing aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $180 million. The prime contractor will be Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas.
US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lebanon for Huey II rotary wing aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $180 million. The prime contractor will be Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas.
 

CyPhy Works awarded to develop micro-UAV for USAF SAR operations

CyPhy Works awarded to develop micro-UAV for USAF SAR operations
 
The US Air Force has contracted CyPhy Works to develop and test a micro-unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for search and rescue operations. The contract for the Extreme Access Pocket Flyer is the first for the UAV, and will aid personnel in inspection of small passageways and tunnels.
The US Air Force has contracted CyPhy Works to develop and test a micro-unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for search and rescue operations. The contract for the Extreme Access Pocket Flyer is the first for the UAV, and will aid personnel in inspection of small passageways and tunnels.
 

DARPA new technology will enhance pilots' visibility

DARPA new technology will enhance pilots' visibility
 
United State's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) unveiled yesterday, September 18, new Multifunction RF (MFRF) program which is seeking to enhance the survivability and combat effectiveness of helicopters facing degraded visibility.
United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) unveiled yesterday, September 18, new Multifunction RF (MFRF) program which is seeking to enhance the survivability and combat effectiveness of helicopters facing degraded visibility.
 

Poland to receive missiles and upgrades for its F-16s fleet

Poland to receive new missiles and upgrades for its F-16s fleet
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Poland for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles and F-16 Operational Flight Plan upgrades, associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin in Ft. Worth, Texas.
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Poland for Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles and F-16 Operational Flight Plan upgrades, associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $500 million. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin in Ft. Worth, Texas.
 

Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract To Support U.S. Marine Corps Air Operations System

Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract To Support U.S. Marine Corps Air Operations System
 
Under a contract worth approximately $18 million, Lockheed Martin will upgrade and sustain the USMC’s Virtualized Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS), which interfaces with Joint Services and Coalition systems to enable synchronized air mission planning for all arms of the military. TBMCS enables distributed battle management, which means that the Joint community – Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Air Force – can all contribute to managing the air campaign.
Under a contract worth approximately $18 million, Lockheed Martin will upgrade and sustain the USMC’s Virtualized Theater Battle Management Core Systems (TBMCS), which interfaces with Joint Services and Coalition systems to enable synchronized air mission planning for all arms of the military. TBMCS enables distributed battle management, which means that the Joint community – Marine Corps, Navy, Army, Air Force – can all contribute to managing the air campaign.
 

Lockheed eyes 2-4 percent cost reduction in next F-35 contract

Lockheed eyes 2-4 percent cost reduction in next F-35 contract
 
According to Reuters, Lockheed Martin Corp is close to signing a roughly $4 billion deal with the U.S. Defense Department for 43 more F-35 fighter jets that will lower the cost of the jet's airframe by 2 to 4 percent, sources familiar with the program said. The reduction is part of a drive by the company and other key F-35 suppliers to slash the projected $400 billion cost of developing and building 2,457 U.S. jets in coming years - and the $1 trillion in additional costs to operate and maintain them over 50 years.
According to Reuters, Lockheed Martin Corp is close to signing a roughly $4 billion deal with the U.S. Defense Department for 43 more F-35 fighter jets that will lower the cost of the jet's airframe by 2 to 4 percent, sources familiar with the program said. The reduction is part of a drive by the company and other key F-35 suppliers to slash the projected $400 billion cost of developing and building 2,457 U.S. jets in coming years - and the $1 trillion in additional costs to operate and maintain them over 50 years.
 

US Air Force expects to develop counter-electronics missile by 2016

US Air Force expects to develop counter-electronics missile by 2016
 
US Air Force Research Laboratory recently announced its intention to develop and test new missile's technology during next years. Developed over the past half decade under a program called Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), the technology for a steerable counter-electronics weapon will be “available” in 2016, said Maj. Gen. Tom Masiello, who commands the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
US Air Force Research Laboratory recently announced its intention to develop and test new missile technology during next years. Developed over the past half decade under a program called Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), the technology for a steerable counter-electronics weapon will be “available” in 2016, said Maj. Gen. Tom Masiello, who commands the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
 

Czech Military to provide training to Iraqi pilots

Czech Military to provide training to Iraqi pilots
 
The Czech Defense Ministry says it has signed a deal with Iraq to provide training to 31 helicopter pilots from the Iraqi air force. The ministry says the training in the Czech city of Pardubice will take 12 months and is scheduled to start early next year. Iraqi is facing a militant uprising and needs international military help.
The Czech Defense Ministry says it has signed a deal with Iraq to provide training to 31 helicopter pilots from the Iraqi air force. The ministry says the training in the Czech city of Pardubice will take 12 months and is scheduled to start early next year. Iraqi is facing a militant uprising and needs international military help.
 

New Boeing and DLA partnership will improve logistics support for warfighters

New Boeing and DLA partnership will improve logistics support for warfighters
 
Boeing received a $293 million performance-based contract from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide aircraft parts and support that will enable DLA to provide essential logistics support to warfighters more quickly and effectively.
Boeing received a $293 million performance-based contract from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide aircraft parts and support that will enable DLA to provide essential logistics support to warfighters more quickly and effectively.
 

NATO and US Air Force launch DRAGON program to upgrade their E-3s Sentry

NATO and US Air Force launch DRAGON program to upgrade their E-3 Sentry
 
The US Air Force and NATO are undergoing a cooperative development effort, known as the DRAGON program, to upgrade the cockpits of their E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft. DRAGON, which stands for Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation, is finding that aging AWACS fleets are a main concern for the Air Force and NATO.
The US Air Force and NATO are undergoing a cooperative development effort, known as the DRAGON program, to upgrade the cockpits of their E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft. DRAGON, which stands for Diminishing Manufacturing Sources Replacement of Avionics for Global Operations and Navigation, is finding that aging AWACS fleets are a main concern for the Air Force and NATO.
 

Russian Air Force launches Military Drills In Arctic

Russian Air Force launches Military Drills In Arctic
 
Over 25 fighters and bombers from Russia's Western Military District have started tactical flight training in the Arctic, spokesperson for the district Col. Oleg Kochetkov said Tuesday, September 16. "As part of the drills, flight personnel will practice joint action on air policing, air target interception, ground target engagement and airstrike and anti-aircraft fire evasion. All tasks will be practiced both during the night and day time in various weather conditions," the official said.
Over 25 fighters and bombers from Russia's Western Military District have started tactical flight training in the Arctic, spokesperson for the district Col. Oleg Kochetkov said Tuesday, September 16. "As part of the drills, flight personnel will practice joint action on air policing, air target interception, ground target engagement and airstrike and anti-aircraft fire evasion. All tasks will be practiced both during the night and day time in various weather conditions," the official said.
 

Israeli Air Force to receive a second Hercules C-130J

Israeli Air Force to receive a second Super Hercules C-130J
 
According to Flightglobal, a second Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport will be delivered to the Israeli air force soon, following a lead example that was received by the service on 9 April.
According to Flightglobal, a second Lockheed Martin C-130J tactical transport will be delivered to the Israeli air force soon, following a lead example that was received by the service on 9 April.
 

MKU unveiled 6th generation armour technology for helicopters

MKU unveiled 6th generation armour technology for helicopters
 
MKU has introduced its 6th Generation armour technology - Polyshield V6. The new technology reduces the weight of the armour of a helicopter by up to 40% and is almost 30% thinner than standard solutions. The reduced weight improves the performance and mission capability of armoured helicopters. This technology has been developed after extensive R&D by MKU’s team of experts and engineers based in Germany and India.
MKU has introduced its 6th Generation armour technology - Polyshield V6. The new technology reduces the weight of the armour of a helicopter by up to 40% and is almost 30% thinner than standard solutions. The reduced weight improves the performance and mission capability of armoured helicopters. This technology has been developed after extensive R&D by MKU’s team of experts and engineers based in Germany and India.
 

Textron Systems G-CLAW Achieved Successful Live-Fire Demonstration

Textron Systems G-CLAW Achieved Successful Live-Fire Demonstration
 
Textron Systems Weapon & Sensor Systems announced yesterday, September 16, its G-CLAW precision guided weapon successfully completed a live-fire demonstration recently at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The GPS-guided G-CLAW struck within four meters of the designation spot and detonated on the target as intended, proving the weapon’s guidance, warhead and its fuzing capability.
Textron Systems Weapon & Sensor Systems announced yesterday, September 16, its G-CLAW precision guided weapon successfully completed a live-fire demonstration recently at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The GPS-guided G-CLAW struck within four meters of the designation spot and detonated on the target as intended, proving the weapon’s guidance, warhead and its fuzing capability.
 

Airbus Group to further develop its defence and space business

Airbus Defence & Space to further develop its Military Aircraft and Missiles business
 
After a detailed and comprehensive portfolio assessment, Airbus Defence and Space has defined Space (Launchers & Satellites), Military Aircraft, Missiles and related Systems and Services as its future core businesses. These are the areas in which the Division will further invest to strengthen its leading position.
After a detailed and comprehensive portfolio assessment, Airbus Defence and Space has defined Space (Launchers & Satellites), Military Aircraft, Missiles and related Systems and Services as its future core businesses. These are the areas in which the Division will further invest to strengthen its leading position.
 

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