June 2015 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

U.S. Approves a $1.7 bn FMS to Japan for Four E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and Associated Equipment

U.S. Approves a $1.7 bn FMS to Japan for Four E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and Associated Equipment
 
U.S. Approves a $1.7 bn FMS to Japan for Four E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and Associated Equipment
The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Japan for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.7 billion (€1.5 bn). The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on June, 1st.
 

South Korea to Develop Indigenous Missile for AH-1 & MD 500 Helicopters to Replace TOW ATGM

South Korea to Develop Indigenous Missile for AH-1 & MD 500 Helicopters to Replace TOW ATGM
 
South Korea to Develop Indigenous Guided Missile for AH-1 Helicopters to Replace TOW ATGM
South Korea's arms procurement agency said Tuesday, June 2nd, it has decided to develop an anti-tank guided missile for light and combat helicopters using its own technology. Currently, South Korea has about 60 AH-1S Cobra acquired in the 90s and ordered 36 AH-64E Apache to be delivered between 2016 and 2018. In the 80s, South Korea also received 50 Hughe 500MD Defender armed with TOW missiles.
 

Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod successfully performed first flight test

Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod successfully performed first flight test
 
Lockheed Martin’s Legion Pod recently completed its first flight test, successfully tracking multiple airborne targets while flying on an F-16 in Fort Worth, Texas. Legion Pod was integrated onto the F-16 without making any hardware or software changes to the aircraft. Additional flight tests on the F-16 and F-15C will continue throughout the year.
Lockheed Martin’s Legion Pod recently completed its first flight test, successfully tracking multiple airborne targets while flying on an F-16 in Fort Worth, Texas. Legion Pod was integrated onto the F-16 without making any hardware or software changes to the aircraft. Additional flight tests on the F-16 and F-15C will continue throughout the year.
 

Airbus Defence and Space will provide South Korea with four A330 MRTT multirole tanker aircraft

Airbus Defence and Space will provide South Korea with four A330 MRTT multirole tanker aircraft
 
According to the South-Korean news agency Yonhap, Airbus today beated Boeing in the competition to supply South-Korea with four aerial refueling tanker. Total amount for the project has been estimated to $1.25 bn. The first two tanker will be delivered by 2018 and another two the next year. The two other competitors were Boeing with its KC-46 Pegasus, currently in development, and Israel Aerospace Industries with the B767 MMTT.
According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, Airbus today beat Boeing in the competition to supply South Korea with four aerial refueling tanker. Total amount for the project has been estimated to $1.3 bn. The first two tanker will be delivered by 2018 and another two the next year. The two other competitors were Boeing with its KC-46 Pegasus, currently in development, and Israel Aerospace Industries with the B767 MMTT.
 

KRET unveils details about new multi-channel laser guidance system for military helicopters

KRET unveils details about new multi-channel laser guidance system for military helicopters
 
KRET has developed a multi-channel laser guidance system for the Ka-52, Mi-8MNP, and Mi-28N helicopters. The new development will guide high-precision missiles and will allow helicopters to use various types of missiles, announced the Russian state corporation Roste on June 26, 2015. The laser guidance system is designed to control and guide missiles to a target through either automatic or manual honing.
KRET has developed a multi-channel laser guidance system for the Ka-52, Mi-8MNP, and Mi-28N helicopters. The new development will guide high-precision missiles and will allow helicopters to use various types of missiles, announced the Russian state corporation Rostec on June 26, 2015. The laser guidance system is designed to control and guide missiles to a target through either automatic or manual honing.
 

BAE Systems to continue providing Republic of Singapore Air Force with training solutions

BAE Systems to continue providing Republic of Singapore Air Force with training solutions
 
BAE Systems has been awarded an extension to its contract to support the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Air Grading Centre (AGC) – Flying Training Institute (FTI) from its Flight Training Academy located in Tamworth, NSW. BAE Systems will continue to provide the RSAF with aircraft, purpose built training facilities, instructor training, student accommodation and recreational facilities until the end of 2019.
BAE Systems has been awarded an extension to its contract to support the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Air Grading Centre (AGC) – Flying Training Institute (FTI) from its Flight Training Academy located in Tamworth, NSW. BAE Systems will continue to provide the RSAF with aircraft, purpose built training facilities, instructor training, student accommodation and recreational facilities until the end of 2019.
 

Angola to take delivery of up to four upgraded Su-30K multirole fighters in late 2015

Angola to take delivery of up to four upgraded Su-30K multirole fighters in late 2015
 
Angola will take delivery of up to four overhauled and upgraded Su-30K multi-role fighters in late 2015 under a contract with Russia, the Russian news agency TASS reports with reference to a representative of the 558th aircraft repair plant (Belarus); the enterprise is responsible for overhaul and upgrade of the aircraft.
Angola will take delivery of up to four overhauled and upgraded Su-30K multi-role fighters in late 2015 under a contract with Russia, the Russian news agency TASS reports with reference to a representative of the 558th aircraft repair plant (Belarus); the enterprise is responsible for overhaul and upgrade of the aircraft.
 

South Korea to select winner for country's future tanker aircraft fleet on Tuesday

South Korea to select winner for country's future tanker aircraft fleet on Tuesday
 
South Korea is expected to pick the winner of its 1.4 trillion won ($1.25 billion) project to procure four in-flight refueling tankers at a session of the South Korea's National Defense Acquisition Program Committee on Tuesday, a procurement official said Sunday June 28th 2015.
South Korea is expected to pick the winner of its 1.4 trillion won ($1.25 billion) project to procure four in-flight refueling tankers at a session of the South Korea's National Defense Acquisition Program Committee on Tuesday, a procurement official said Sunday June 28th 2015.
 

First group of IAF cadets achieved initial flight training on new M-346 Lavi trainer aircraft

First group of IAF cadets achieved initial flight training on new M-346 Lavi trainer aircraft
 
Dozens of Israel Air Force cadets received their officer’s ranks on Tuesday June 23rd at Hatzerim Air Force Base, in a ceremony that occurs every year – though this year’s new pilots are different. These members of the 170th IAF training course are the first to have trained on the Alenia M-346 Master training jet, which is dubbed the Lavi (Hebrew for Lion) in the IAF.
Dozens of Israel Air Force cadets received their officer’s ranks on Tuesday June 23rd at Hatzerim Air Force Base, in a ceremony that occurs every year – though this year’s new pilots are different. These members of the 170th IAF training course are the first to have trained on the Alenia M-346 Master training jet, which is dubbed the Lavi (Hebrew for Lion) in the IAF.
 

The Royal Australian Air Force takes delivery of its first Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical airlifter

The Royal Australian Air Force takes delivery of its first Alenia C-27J Spartan tactical airlifter
 
The Royal Autralian Air Force (RAAF) has taken delivery of the first of ten Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan tactical airlifters. The new aircraft has touched down at its new home of RAAF Base Richmond, the Australian Aviation website announced on June 25th, 2015.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken delivery of the first of ten Alenia Aermacchi C-27J Spartan tactical airlifters. The new aircraft has touched down at its new home of RAAF Base Richmond, the Australian Aviation website announced on June 25th, 2015.
 

Australian Senate Committee gives green light for acquisition and use of armed drones

Australian Senate Committee gives green light for acquisition and use of armed drones
 
An Australian Senate Committee gave an exclusive right to Australia's military personnel to operate armed unmanned aircrafts and use them in compliance with international law, according to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Legislation Committee. "A policy statement governing the deployment of armed unmanned platforms should be clearly articulated by the Australian government," the report read, according to Australian news agency AAP.
An Australian Senate Committee gave an exclusive right to Australia's military personnel to operate armed unmanned aircrafts and use them in compliance with international law, according to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Legislation Committee. "A policy statement governing the deployment of armed unmanned platforms should be clearly articulated by the Australian government," the report read, according to Australian news agency AAP.
 

Italy hosts largest multinational helicopter exercise in Europe, Italian Blade 2015

Italy hosts largest multinational helicopter exercise in Europe, Italian Blade 2015
 
More than 30 helicopters and 1000 military personnel have gathered 80 kilometers north of Rome for Italian Blade 2015, this year’s largest military rotary-wing exercise in Europe, the European Defense Agency announced on Tuesday June 23rd. Crews from seven different countries have started training together yesterday using joint procedures and tactics during missions of increasing complexity.
More than 30 helicopters and 1000 military personnel have gathered 80 kilometers north of Rome for Italian Blade 2015, this year’s largest military rotary-wing exercise in Europe, the European Defense Agency announced on Tuesday June 23rd. Crews from seven different countries have started training together yesterday using joint procedures and tactics during missions of increasing complexity.
 

HAL's home-grown Light Combat Helicopter successfully achieved hot weather trials

HAL's home-grown Light Combat Helicopter successfully achieved hot weather trials
 
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) attained a milestone by successfully completing the hot weather flight trials for a nearly one week at Jodhpur recently, the India-based company announced today June 26th, 2015.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s indigenously designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) attained a milestone by successfully completing the hot weather flight trials for a nearly one week at Jodhpur recently, the India-based company announced today June 26th, 2015.
 

KAI unveils further details on future LAH/LCH helicopters development program

KAI unveils further details on future LAH/LCH helicopters development program
 
Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) has signed, on 25th June, the contracts for the development of Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as well as Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), the agency representing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) simultaneous.
Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) has signed, on 25th June, the contracts for the development of Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as well as Light Civil Helicopter (LCH) with the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT), the agency representing the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) simultaneous.
 

Saudi Arabia to ink a $560mn deal for 23 Airbus Helicopters H145 utility choppers

Saudi Arabia to ink a $560mn deal for 23 Airbus Helicopters H145 utility choppers
 
Airbus Helicopters will sell 23 H145 utility helicopters to Saudi Arabia for $560 million, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced Tuesday, June 23, 2015. A slew of deals worth billions of euros were announced following the first "Franco-Saudi Joint Commission" meeting in Paris, led by Fabius and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Mohamed bin Salman.
Airbus Helicopters will sell 23 H145 utility helicopters to Saudi Arabia for $560 million, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced Tuesday, June 23, 2015. A slew of deals worth billions of euros were announced following the first "Franco-Saudi Joint Commission" meeting in Paris, led by Fabius and Saudi Defence Minister Prince Mohamed bin Salman.
 

Philippines' first KAI FA-50PH light combat aircraft successfully performerd maiden flight

Philippines' first KAI FA-50PH light combat aircraft successfully performerd maiden flight
 
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that the first FA-50PH for Philippines successfully performed its maiden flight. “FA-50PH’s maiden flight took place on 19 June after the Philippines has signed a contract for 12 KAI FA-50 fighter aircraft in March last year,” KAI said on its social networking page. "We will [do] our best to deliver initial 2 aircraft by the end of this year,” the Korean company said.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced that the first FA-50PH for Philippines successfully performed its maiden flight. “FA-50PH’s maiden flight took place on 19 June after the Philippines has signed a contract for 12 KAI FA-50 fighter aircraft in March last year,” KAI said on its social networking page. "We will [do] our best to deliver initial 2 aircraft by the end of this year,” the Korean company said.
 

Antonov delivers first overhauled An-26 transport aircraft to Ukrainian armed forces

Antonov delivers first overhauled An-26 transport aircraft to Ukrainian armed forces
 
Antonov Company, being a part of Ukroboronprom, completed the first stage of modernization of the An-26 transport for Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. This is the first aircraft from 14 ones to be delivered for operation in the zone of antiterrorist actions, the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov announced recently.
Antonov Company, being a part of Ukroboronprom, completed the first stage of modernization of the An-26 transport for Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. This is the first aircraft from 14 ones to be delivered for operation in the zone of antiterrorist actions, the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov announced recently.
 

US delivers a fourth C-130 Hercules military airlifter to Afghan Air Force

US delivers a fourth C-130 Hercules military airlifter to Afghan Air Force
 
A C-130 Hercules touched down at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, June 20, bringing expanded flight capabilities to the Afghan Air Force, the USAF announced today June 23, 2015. After a weeklong journey beginning at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, the arrival of the C-130 in Afghanistan’s capital city illustrates a partnership that will provide increased tactical airlift and mobility operations throughout Afghanistan and beyond.
A C-130 Hercules touched down at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, June 20, bringing expanded flight capabilities to the Afghan Air Force, the USAF announced today June 23, 2015. After a weeklong journey beginning at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas, the arrival of the C-130 in Afghanistan’s capital city illustrates a partnership that will provide increased tactical airlift and mobility operations throughout Afghanistan and beyond.
 

US approves a possible $69 mn FMS to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles

US approves a possible $69 mn FMS to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $69 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced today June 22, 2015. The principal contractor will be Orbital ATK Defense Electronics Systems in Northridge, California.
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $69 millio, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced today June 22, 2015. The principal contractor will be Orbital ATK Defense Electronics Systems in Northridge, California.
 

Sikorsky takes delivery of the third fuselage for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter program

Sikorsky takes delivery of the third fuselage for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter program
 
Spirit AeroSystems has successfully delivered to Sikorsky the third fuselage section for the CH-53K ‘King Stallion’ heavy lift helicopter program’s System Demonstration and Test Article contract. Consisting of an integrated cockpit and cabin structure with a separately attached tail section, the composite-skinned fuselage will enable prime contractor Sikorsky to begin assembling the third of four SDTA aircraft to further solidify the final production configuration of the CH-53K aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps.
Spirit AeroSystems has successfully delivered to Sikorsky the third fuselage section for the CH-53K ‘King Stallion’ heavy lift helicopter program’s System Demonstration and Test Article contract. Consisting of an integrated cockpit and cabin structure with a separately attached tail section, the composite-skinned fuselage will enable prime contractor Sikorsky to begin assembling the third of four SDTA aircraft to further solidify the final production configuration of the CH-53K aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps.
 

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