October 2013 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

Iraq taking delivery of Russian Attack Helicopters Mi-28NE Night Hunter

Iraq taking delivery of Russian Attack Helicopters Mi-28NE Night Hunter
 
Russia has started implementation of a multibillion dollar arms deal with Iraq, an official with the Middle Eastern nation’s government said Thursday.
Russia has started implementation of a multibillion dollar arms deal with Iraq, an official with the Middle Eastern nation’s government said Thursday.
   

Russia Close to Complete Attack Helicopter Mi-35M Hind-E Deliveries to Brazil

Russia Close to Complete Attack Helicopter Mi-35M Hind-E Deliveries to Brazil
 
Russia is planning to deliver the remaining Mi-35M Hind-E attack helicopters to Brazil under the 2008 contract in the next few months, a senior government official said Thursday.
Russia is planning to deliver the remaining Mi-35M Hind-E attack helicopters to Brazil under the 2008 contract in the next few months, a senior government official said Thursday.
   

India will finalize MMRCA Dassault Rafale deal before March 2014

India will finalize MMRCA Dassault Rafale deal before March 2014
 
India will finalise a $15 billion (deal estimation is between 12 and $20 bn) deal to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation by March 2014, an Indian air force official said on Thursday, after the deal had been held up by differences over local manufacturing.
India will finalise a $15 billion (deal estimation is between 12 and $20 bn) deal to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation by March 2014, an Indian air force official said on Thursday, after the deal had been held up by differences over local manufacturing.
   

Russian $1 billion arms deal with Angola including 18 Su-30K fighter jets and Mi-17 helicopters

Russian $1 billion arms deal with Angola including 18 Su-30K fighter jets and Mi-17 helicopters
 
Russia’s state arms export monopoly has signed a $1 billion deal package with Angola to deliver military equipment, build an ammunition plant and provide maintenance services, Vedomosti business daily reported Wednesday.
Russia’s state arms export monopoly has signed a $1 billion deal package with Angola to deliver military equipment, build an ammunition plant and provide maintenance services, Vedomosti business daily reported Wednesday.
   

General Electric to Power Bell V-280 Valor Third Generation Tiltrotor Aircraft

General Electric to Power Bell V-280 Valor Third Generation Tiltrotor Aircraft
 
Today, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE, will team with Bell on its V-280 Valor; a third generation tiltrotor.
Today, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE, will team with Bell on its V-280 Valor; a third generation tiltrotor.
   

Saudi-Arabia 6.8 billion deal with the US on various munitions and support

Saudi-Arabia 6.8 billion deal with the US on various munitions and support
 
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Oct. 11 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of various munitions and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $6.8 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Oct. 11 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of various munitions and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $6.8 billion.
   

Russian Helicopters delivers Mi-171E to Kazakhstan

Russian Helicopters delivers Mi-171E to Kazakhstan
 
Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Rostec State Corporation, has delivered a Mi-171E built at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Ministry uses Mi-8/17s for routine patrolling and search-and-rescue missions, and for transporting personnel and cargo.
Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of Rostec State Corporation, has delivered a Mi-171E built at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant to the Kazakhstan Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Ministry uses Mi-8/17s for routine patrolling and search-and-rescue missions, and for transporting personnel and cargo.
   

Saudi Arabia is interested in manufacturing of ANTONOV airplanes.

Saudi Arabia is interested in manufacturing of ANTONOV airplanes
 
On October 4, 2013 within the visit to Ukraine His Highness, Prince Turki bin Saud Mohammed A. Al-Saud, Vice President for Research Institutes, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, visited ANTONOV Company and declared intention to
On October 4, 2013 within the visit to Ukraine His Highness, Prince Turki bin Saud Mohammed A. Al-Saud, Vice President for Research Institutes, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, visited ANTONOV Company and declared intention to
   

Turkey wants to offer TAI T-129 attack helicopter to Pakistan and angers the US.

Turkey wants to offer TAI T-129 attack helicopter to Pakistan
 
Turkey is aggressively lobbying to give T-129 attack helicopters to Pakistan to replace its aging AH-1F fleet and is prepared to agree to generous terms with cash-strapped Pakistan to do so, according to i-hls.com.The T-129 attack helicopter is a coproduction of the Turkish aerospace industries and AgustaWesland. The helicopter design is based on the Agusta A129 attack helicopter.
Turkey is aggressively lobbying to give T-129 attack helicopters to Pakistan to replace its aging AH-1F fleet and is prepared to agree to generous terms with cash-strapped Pakistan to do so, according to i-hls.com.The T-129 attack helicopter is a coproduction of the Turkish aerospace industries and AgustaWesland. The helicopter design is based on the Agusta A129 attack helicopter.
   

Russia proposes to Brazil a joint agreement to produce Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA

Russia proposes to Brazil a joint agreement to produce Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA
 
Speaking to RIA Novosti a representative from the delegation going to Peru and Brazil declared that Russai will propose its fifth generation jet fighter to Brazil. This agreement will include a joint production of the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA.
Speaking to RIA Novosti a representative from the delegation going to Peru and Brazil declared that Russai will propose its fifth generation jet fighter to Brazil. This agreement will include a joint production of the Sukhoi T-50 PAK-FA.
   

Bell Helicopter Continues to Explore New Opportunities in China with Bell 407 and 429.

Bell Helicopter Continues to Explore New Opportunities in China with Bell 407 and 429
 
While at the 2013 Aviation Expo China, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced it had reached agreement with its independent representative, Reignwood Investment, Ltd. (Reignwood) for the purchase of 12 Bell helicopters, including 10 Bell 407 and two Bell 429 aircraft. In addition to this agreement, Bell Helicopter also entered in to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Reignwood to explore future business opportunities in the growing China market.
While at the 2013 Aviation Expo China, Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced it had reached agreement with its independent representative, Reignwood Investment, Ltd. (Reignwood) for the purchase of 12 Bell helicopters, including 10 Bell 407 and two Bell 429 aircraft. In addition to this agreement, Bell Helicopter also entered in to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Reignwood to explore future business opportunities in the growing China market.
   

Russian Air Force to Receive 30 New Fighter-Bombers Sukhoi Su-34 by 2015.

Russian Air Force to Receive 30 New Fighter-Bombers Sukhoi Su-34 by 2015
 
The Sukhoi aircraft maker will deliver a total of 30 Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft to the Russian Air Force by the end of 2014, the Defense Ministry said. The Su-34s are manufactured by the Novosibirsk aircraft plant, part of the Sukhoi holding, located in Russia’s Siberia region.
The Sukhoi aircraft maker will deliver a total of 30 Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft to the Russian Air Force by the end of 2014, the Defense Ministry said. The Su-34s are manufactured by the Novosibirsk aircraft plant, part of the Sukhoi holding, located in Russia’s Siberia region.
   

South Africa deploys Denel's attack helicopter Rooivalk in Demoncratic Republic of Congo

South Africa deploys Denel's attack helicopter Rooivalk in Demoncratic Republic of Congo
 
Three of the South African Air Force’s Rooivalk combat support helicopters will be in the DRC before year-end to boost MONUSCO and its Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in executing its offensive mandate in the aircraft’s first ever combat deployment.
Three of the South African Air Force’s Rooivalk combat support helicopters will be in the DRC before year-end to boost MONUSCO and its Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in executing its offensive mandate in the aircraft’s first ever combat deployment.
   

Romania buys Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal

Romania buys Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal
 
The Portuguese Ministry of Defence said that Romania decided to buy 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal. With this transaction Portugal will win 78 million euros. The first aircraft is to join the Romanian Air Force in 2016.
The Portuguese Ministry of Defence said that Romania decided to buy 12 Lockheed Martin F-16 from Portugal. With this transaction Portugal will win 78 million euros. The first aircraft is to join the Romanian Air Force in 2016.
   

Pentagon stops work on BAE Systems alternative F-35 Helmet Mounted Display

Pentagon stops work on BAE Systems alternative F-35 Helmet Mounted Display
 
The Pentagon said on Thursday it would halt work on a second pilot helmet being developed for the F-35 fighter jet by Britain's BAE Systems Plc, and focus exclusively on the main helmet built by Rockwell Collins Inc and Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd.
The Pentagon said on Thursday it would halt work on a second pilot helmet being developed for the F-35 fighter jet by Britain's BAE Systems Plc, and focus exclusively on the main helmet built by Rockwell Collins Inc and Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd.
   

Chinese fighter, Chengdu J-10 fighter not yet approved for export

Chinese fighter, Chengdu J-10 fighter not yet approved for export
 
As global attention has been drawn to when China’s in-service home-made J-10 fighter aircraft enters the international market, Ma Zhiping, vice president of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), disclosed recently that many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America had already enquired about price of J-10.
As global attention has been drawn to when China’s in-service home-made J-10 fighter aircraft enters the international market, Ma Zhiping, vice president of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC), disclosed recently that many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America had already enquired about price of J-10.
   

First Production AgustaWestland AW189 Helicopter Performs its Maiden Flight.

First Production AgustaWestland AW189 Helicopter Performs its Maiden Flight.
 
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first production AW189 8 tonne class twin engine helicopter performed its maiden flight at Vergiate plant (Italy) today. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. by year end to carry out offshore transport missions in the North Sea, with operational readiness planned in early 2014. Additional two AW189 helicopters are currently under assembly in Vergiate.
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first production AW189 8 tonne class twin engine helicopter performed its maiden flight at Vergiate plant (Italy) today. The aircraft is expected to be delivered to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. by year end to carry out offshore transport missions in the North Sea, with operational readiness planned in early 2014. Additional two AW189 helicopters are currently under assembly in Vergiate.
   

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Program Surpasses 10,000 Flight Hours

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Program Surpasses 10,000 Flight Hours
 
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program continues its operational maturation, surpassing 10,000 flight hours in September. More than half of the total hours were accumulated in just the past 11 months. Through September, F-35s flew 6,492 times for a total of 10,077 flight hours. The new milestone effectively doubles the safe flight operations of the F-35 in a year, compared to reaching 5,000 flight hours in six years.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II program continues its operational maturation, surpassing 10,000 flight hours in September. More than half of the total hours were accumulated in just the past 11 months. Through September, F-35s flew 6,492 times for a total of 10,077 flight hours. The new milestone effectively doubles the safe flight operations of the F-35 in a year, compared to reaching 5,000 flight hours in six years.
   

Canada receives Boeing CH-47 Chinook with Raytheon cockpit.

Canada receives Boeing CH-47 Chinook with Raytheon cockpit
 
Boeing CH-47 helicopters equipped with Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpits has been delivered to Canada.The CAAS cockpit configuration on the Chinook, which is designated the CH-147 by Canada, includes an enhanced system architecture and tailored pilot-vehicle. Displays provide superior tactical and flight situational awareness through embedded cognitive decision aids for improve flight safety.
Boeing CH-47 helicopters equipped with Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpits has been delivered to Canada.The CAAS cockpit configuration on the Chinook, which is designated the CH-147 by Canada, includes an enhanced system architecture and tailored pilot-vehicle. Displays provide superior tactical and flight situational awareness through embedded cognitive decision aids for improve flight safety.
   

First Lockheed Martin F-35 For Australia Takes Shape In Fort Worth

First Lockheed Martin F-35 For Australia Takes Shape In Fort Worth
 
Lockheed Martin and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the beginnings of the first F-35 Lightning II for Australia yesterday. The aircraft, designated as AU-1, officially began the mate process, where major components of the aircraft are joined together to form the aircraft’s structure. AU-1 will then make its way down the assembly line and roll out of the factory for delivery to the RAAF in the summer of 2014.
Lockheed Martin and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) celebrated the beginnings of the first F-35 Lightning II for Australia yesterday. The aircraft, designated as AU-1, officially began the mate process, where major components of the aircraft are joined together to form the aircraft’s structure. AU-1 will then make its way down the assembly line and roll out of the factory for delivery to the RAAF in the summer of 2014.
   

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