May 2017 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 

Airbus DS demonstrates world's first Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling Contact

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Airbus DS demonstrates world's first Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling Contact
 
Airbus Defence and Space has successfully demonstrated automatic air-to-air refuelling (AAR) contacts with a fighter aircraft from a tanker’s refuelling boom – the first time in the world that this has been done, the company announced on May 9, 2017.
 

SNC, Embraer to jointly fly in USAF OA-X experiment with A-29 Super Tucano

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SNC, Embraer to jointly fly in USAF OA-X experiment with A-29 Super Tucano
 
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), together with its partner, Embraer Defense & Security, has been invited to participate in the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Capability Assessment of Non-Developmental Light Attack Platforms, known as OA-X. SNC and Embraer will take part in the experiment with the A-29 Super Tucano, which is the only light air support aircraft in the world with a USAF Military Type Certificate. The OA-X assessment begins in July at New Mexico’s Holloman Air Force Base.
 

IDEF 2017: Antonov, Aselsan to collaborate on transport aircraft avionics

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IDEF 2017: Antonov, Aselsan to collaborate on transport aircraft avionics
 
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlines the main areas of collaboration to be developed between ASELSAN Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S (ASELSAN) Turkey’s leading defense company and the Ukrainian aircraft company ANTONOV, which is the part of the SC “UkrOboronProm”, was signed on May 10 at IDEF 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey, by representatives of both companies.
 

IDEF 2017: Turkey signs contract for 52 Super Mushshak basic trainer aicraft

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IDEF 2017: Turkey signs contract for 52 Super Mushshak basic trainer aicraft
 
Turkey’s Primary Trainer Aircraft (BEU) project aims to procure the most suitable air platform to train Turkish Air Force (TurAF) combat squadrons pilots. In order to replace aging fleet of primary trainer aircraft, the country’s Defence Industry Executive Committee signed on May 10 a contract with Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) for the procurement of 52 MFI-17 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft.s
 

IDEF 2017: SAGE intoduces Turkey's first indigenously-made air-to-air missiles

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IDEF 2017: SAGE intoduces Turkey's first indigenously-made air-to-air missiles
 
Turkey's first indigenously-made air-to-air missiles appeared this week during IDEF 2017 defense exhibition. Developed by Tübitak Defence Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE), the PEREGRINE and the MERLIN missiles are to be used on Turkish Air Force (TurAF) fleet of F-16C/D fighter jets.
 

TAI unveils T625 light utility helicopter at IDEF 2017

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TAI unveils T625 light utility helicopter at IDEF 2017
 
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) yesterday unveiled its first indigenously-made 5 ton class helicopter, the T625 Turkish Light Utility Helicopter (TLUH) during IDEF 2017 exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey. The T625 TLUH program has been launched in 2013 following a contract awarded by the SSM to Turkish Aerospace Industries.
 

IDEF 2017: Turkey progressing towards TF-X next-gen fighter jet development

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IDEF 2017: Turkey progressing towards TF-X next-gen fighter jet development
 
IDET TF X fighter jet 640 002
The Turkish Air Force (TurAF) is now fully commited to its next-generation fighter aircraft program. Along with the acquisition of F-35A Lighting II fighter jets, the TF-X program has been launched to meet TurAF requirements beyond 2030s.
 

PLAAF to improve pilot capabilities with more realistic combat exercises

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PLAAF to improve pilot capabilities with more realistic combat exercises
 
The Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force is strengthening the intensity and difficulty of its combat exercises to improve pilot capabilities, the official newspaper China Daily said on Friday May 5, 2017. In the past, exercises were normally executed in accordance with preset plans, and pilots would often be told in advance the whereabouts and tactics of their practice enemies before the drill.
 

Lockheed reaches milestone with first Italian-built F-35B STOVL fighter

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Lockheed reaches milestone with first Italian-built F-35B STOVL fighter
 
The first Short Take-Off/Vertical Landing version of the F-35, or F-35B, assembled outside the United States rolled out of the Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy, on May 5, 2017. The rollout exhibits the ongoing strong partnership between the Italian Ministry of Defense, industry partner Leonardo and Lockheed Martin.
 

Russian industry achieved digital model of PAK DA next-generation bomber

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Russian industry achieved digital model of PAK DA next-generation bomber
 
A digital model of the Perspective Aircraft Complex of Long-Range Aviation (PAK DA) next-generation strategic bomber has been developed in Russia, Chief Designer and Vice-President for Innovations at the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) Sergei Korotkov told TASS.
 

NATO completes upgrade of Chièvres AB airfield lighting system

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NATO completes upgrade of Chièvres AB airfield lighting system
 
NATO completes upgrade of Chièvres AB airfield lighting system 640 001
The NATO project to install a new airfield lighting system along the Chièvres Air Base runway has been completed, April 18. This week the Federal Aviation Agency made their final flight checks on the system which is now up to NATO standards.
 

Belgian military plans deployment of two NH90 TTH helicopters to Mali in 2018

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Belgian military plans to deploy two NH90 TTH helicopters in Mali in 2018
 
Belgian air force NH90 TTH 640 001
According to the Belgian public broadcasting organization RBTF, Belgian military is planning to deploy some NH90 Caiman Tactical Transport Helicopters within the UN mission in Mali, headed by the Belgian General Jean-Paul Deconinck.
 

GA, GKN Aerospace to jointly develop new fuel bladders for the MQ-9B RPA

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GA, GKN Aerospace to jointly develop new fuel bladders for the MQ-9B RPA
 
GA GKN Aerospace to jointly develop new fuel bladders for the MQ 9B RPA 640 001
GKN Aerospace has signed a development agreement with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) covering the design, development and manufacture of fuel bladders for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system, the company announced on May 3rd, 2017.
 

US Air Force launches unarmed Minuteman III ICBM for the second time in a week

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US Air Force launches unarmed Minuteman III ICBM for the second time in a week
 
The US Air Force launched another unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile during an operational test at 12:02 a.m, Vandenberg AFB press office announced on May 3, 2017. This the second time in a week the US Air Force tests this key element of the US strategic deterrent forces.
 

Boeing progressing toward KC-46 tanker aircraft first deliveries

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Boeing progressing toward KC-46 tanker aircraft first deliveries
 
Boeing now has six aircraft in its KC-46 tanker test program, expanding its ability to complete ground and flight-test activities as it progresses toward first deliveries to the U.S. Air Force. The newest KC-46 aerial refueling aircraft, the second low-rate initial production plane, completed its first flight April 29.
 

Kenya approved to purchase 12 weaponized MD 530F helicopters

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Kenya approved to purchase 12 weaponized MD 530F helicopters
 
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kenya for MD 530F light helicopters and weapon systems worth $253 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on May 2, 2017.
 

NATO requests $333 mn FMS contracts for C-17 airlifters self-protection systems and support

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NATO requests $333 mn FMS contracts for C-17 airlifters self-protection systems and support
 
The US State Department on recently approved two Foreign Military Sales contracts worth $333 million for NATO's C-17 Globemaster III military transport aircraft LAIRCM self-protection systems and support, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on April 28, 2017.
 

HAIG introduces light attack variant of its L-15 trainer jet

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HAIG introduces light attack variant of its L-15 trainer jet
 
HAIG introduces light attack variant of its L 15 trainer jet 640 002
China's Hongdu Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG), part of AVIC corporation, on May 1st rolled out a light-attack version of the L-15 "Falcon" training jet during an official ceremony at HAIG factory. Likely dubbed L-15B, the new jet recently appeared on Chinese state-run television CCTV 1 footages.
 

USAF's F-15 EPAWSS program completes Critical Design Review

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USAF's F-15 EPAWSS program completes Critical Design Review
 
USAF F 15 EPAWSS modernization completes Critical Design Review 640 001
In February, Boeing completed a successful Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Eagle Passive/Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS). This review follows BAE Systems’ CDR of the system’s electronic warfare (EW) suite that was completed at the end of 2016 in Nashua, New Hampshire.
 

Boeing lands $541 mn order to provide Netherlands with 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters

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Boeing lands $541 mn order to provide Netherlands with CH-47F Chinook helicopters
 
Boeing lands 541 mn order to provide Netherlands with 15 CH 47F Chinook helicopters 640 001
The US-based aicraft manufacturer Boeing has been awarded a $541 million foreign military sales contract from Netherlands to provide renew and new build CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, the US Department of Defense announced on April 28, 2017.
 

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