JUNE 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


Turkey sold strike missile to Azerbaijan

Turkey has reportedly sold its SOM air-launched stand-off strike missile to the Azerbaijan Air Force (AzAF). Roketsan is the prime contractor for the SOM.

L-3 lands $83 mn USAF contract for G550 jet aircraft delivery

The US Department of Defense yesterday announced it awarded L-3 Communications a US$83 million FMS contract for the delivery of two Gulfstream G550 jet aircraft. While the service didn't disclosed the final customer, the two aircraft are most likely to be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

New CAE C-130J Fuselage Trainer delivered to RAAF

CAE on June 15 announced that the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has accepted into service a new C-130J Fuselage Trainer (FuT). The C-130J FuT was officially handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force during a ceremony today at RAAF Base Richmond.

Esterline, Lockheed Martin enter new agreement within Belgium F-16 replacement program

Esterline Belgium (formerly Barco Defense & Aerospace) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Lockheed Martin to address the Essential Safety Interests of the Belgian Air Component F-16s replacement program (ACCaP).

Russia receives second Tu-214PU-SBUS special-purpose aircraft

The Russian Ministry of Defense yesterday received the second and final Tu-214PU-SBUS special-purpose aircraft-control point, the PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) unveiled on its Twitter account.

Bangladesh reportedly ordered additional K-8W trainer jets

Bangladesh on June 20 signed a contract with the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC, part of the Chinese state corporation AVIC) to supply the Bangladesh Air Force with an additional batch of K-8W combat training aircraft. The number of aircraft ordered and other details of the contract were not disclosed.

Thailand launched AH-1F Cobra replacement program

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is planning to acquire at least six new combat helicopters to replace several ageing AH-1F Cobra platforms, according to the country`s officials.

Aviastar-SP vows to resume An-124 production in Russia

The Aviastar-SP Plant in Ulyanovsk in the Volga area has started preliminary work to resume the production of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan (NATO reporting name: Condor) plane in Russia, according to a document available on the state procurement website.

Airbus and IAI reached 9-year agreement for Heron TP RPAS leasing

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed an agreement with Airbus to lease Heron TP Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) RPASs (remotely piloted air vehicle system) to Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, the Israel-based defence contractor announced on June 14, 2018.

BAF C-130H performs first airdrop in operational environment since 2004

A Belgian Air Force (Air Component) C-130H Hercules airlifter recently performed the first airdrop in an operational environment since more than 10 years and the Belgian participation in the UN support mission in Sudan, the 15th Wing Air Transport stated on its Twitter account.

DynCorp lands US Air Force order for VIP Special Air Mission support

DynCorp International LLC has been awarded a US$21.7 million modification on an existing firm-fixed-price contract for the Very Important Person Special Air Mission contract, the US Department of Defense said on June 18, 2018.

Nigeria completes first in-house overhaul of Mi-35P gunship

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted the first in-house overhaul of its Mil Mi-35P (NATO reporting name: Hind) gunship, the service announced.

Airbus and BAAINBw sign operator agreement for Heron TP UAS

Airbus and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) have signed an operator agreement for Heron TP unmanned aerial systems (UAS) after parliamentary approval was granted on 13 June 2018.

Lebanon receives final four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from US

The United States has delivered the last four A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to the Lebanese army, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon said Wednesday, June 13, 2018.

TsAGI completes preliminary studies on new light convertible aircraft

Specialists of the Russiaen Professor N.Ye.Zhukovsky Aerohydrodynamic Central Institute (TsAGI) continue to investigate a model of a light convertible aircraft, the Institute’s press service reports.

US Air Force completes Kongsberg's Joint Strike Missile test phase

A team of U.S. Air Force engineers, test pilots, and Norwegian government and industry personnel recently completed a large phase of testing for the Joint Strike Missile, the USAF 412th Test Wing Public Affairs said on June 15, 2018.

Raytheon to provide F-35 next generation DAS system

Lockheed Martin selected Raytheon to develop and deliver the next generation Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for the F-35 fighter jet. The result of a Lockheed Martin-led competition, the selection will enhance capability and reduce cost, the US-based defense giant announced on June 13, 2018.

UAE orders new Functionality for its GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft fleet

Saab has received an order from the United Arab Emirates for additional functionality for the advanced airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) solution GlobalEye. The order value is approximately SEK 345 million (USD 39,15 million).  The UAE placed its first order for GlobalEye in November 2015. GlobalEye combines air, maritime and ground surveillance in one swing-role solution. It features a full suite of sophisticated sensors including the powerful new extended range radar (Erieye ER).

Russia upgrading An-72 airlifters for Artic operations

The Russian Defense Ministry contracted the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to upgrade An-72 airlifters for Arctic operations. The aircraft has the engines above the wing which allows it to take off and land with a cargo of several tons. The ministry wants to have the takeoff weight, the range and payload increased, the Izvestia daily writes.

French Air Force A400M airlifter concludes aerial refuelling test campaign with Rafale

The French Air Force A400M strategic airlifter successfully concluded an aerial refuelling test campaign with the Rafale fighter jet, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), stated on June 8, 2018.

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