JuLY 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Colombia to replace its aging Kfir fighters

The Colombian Air Force announced on July 23 that new fighter jets  are being evaluated to replace a fleet of aging Israel Aerospace Industries Kfir fighters, in service for three decades.

Russian Navy aviation upgrades Tu-142 antisubmarine aircraft

The Russian Navy aviation began to upgrade antisubmarine Tupolev Tu-142 aircraft. It received high precision guidance system Gefest SVP-24 which ensured exceptional precision of missile and bomb strikes in the counterterrorist operation in Syria, the Defense Ministry told the Izvestia daily.

Canada officially requests bids for fighter jet replacement

Canada on July 23 issued a final solicitation for its fighter competition with 88 new jets. The 88 jets are to replace the country’s aging CF-18s, which have been in service for more than 35 years.

Russia expresses deep regret over South Korea airspace violation

A Russian official has said a military jet's intrusion into South Korean territorial airspace was not intentional, according to Seoul's presidential office.The official expressed "deep regret" to the defence ministry and blamed a technical glitch, South Korea said.

Northrop Grumman awarded for US Navy MQ-4C Triton UAS support

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.is awarded $33,755,229 for firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement in support of the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system. This order procures material kits and retrofit labor to incorporate the Integrated Functional Capability 4.0 configuration into retrofit aircraft and ground segments.

Schiebel Camcopter S-100 to perform coast guard services for European Maritime Safety Agency in the Republic of Croatia

The Maritime Safety Directorate of the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Croatia issued the first mobilization request to the European Maritime Safety Agency(EMSA) for CAMCOPTER S-100 maritime surveillance services.

Minoga helicopter upgraded for Arctic

The latest Russian Minoga helicopter will be upgraded for Arctic operations, the Izvestia daily writes.

Drone Aviation delivers on $1.1 million WASP lite contract for US Army

Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (OTCQB: DRNE) (“Drone Aviation” or the “Company”), a developer of specialized, tethered aerial monitoring and communications platforms serving national defense and homeland security customers, today announced that it has completed a U.S. Army safety and performance review and delivered multiple WASP Lite aerostat systems to the customer under the $1.1 million award announced in May 2019.

Rolls-Royce to develop hypersonic technology with UK MOD

Rolls-Royce has been awarded a contract to develop hypersonic propulsion systems for increased aircraft performance and capability.

Japan could arm its upgraded F-15Js with AAM-4B air-to-air missiles

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has not discounted the possibility of arming the upgraded F-15Js with the indigenous AAM-4B air-to-air missile.

UK: Dstl to develop conceptual unmanned aircraft for RAF

A new project to develop a novel unmanned combat aircraft has been announced by the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

Brazil: KC-390 enters final phase tests

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced that it is in the final stages of testing the KC-390, the largest military aircraft ever produced in Brazil.

UK and Sweden partner on future combat air

Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt and her Swedish counterpart Peter Hultqvist have signed a landmark agreement to partner on future combat air.

Leonardo single engine TH-119 helicopter obtains FAA IFR certification

Leonardo announced that its TH-119 helicopter received IFR supplemental type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The TH-119 is the only single engine helicopter in decades to meet current IFR requirements, allowing pilots to operate the aircraft safely in low visibility and challenging weather conditions, thanks to advanced avionics by Genesys Aerosystems and redundant helicopter flight systems.

India asks Russia for proposals on Su-30MKI modernization

India plans to modernize its fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets and has asked Russia for relevant proposals, Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, the Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, said in an interview with the Russian military daily Krasnaya Zvezda after his working visit to Russia.

China FC-31 multi-role aircraft continues its development

China's development of the FC-31, the country's second stealth fighter jet, is proceeding smoothly and on schedule, according to its chief designer. Sun Cong, president of the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment under Aviation Industry Corporation of China, said at a news conference in Shenyang, Liaoning province, that people should be patient and wait for good news from the project.

Northrop Grumman announces new orders for its Optionally Piloted Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance System

Marking its European debut, Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Firebird product line is showcased at the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, in the United Kingdom, July 19-21. The company is also announcing signed agreements with Tenax Aerospace and Grand Sky Development Company, LLC ("Grand Sky") for rights to purchase Firebird, the company’s new, optionally piloted intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft system.

US Air Force tested the new HH-60W combat rescue helicopter

The 413th Flight Test Squadron successfully conducted the first Air Force-piloted flight of the HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter. The test took place at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach. The unit embedded Air Force personnel with the contractor, Sikorsky, to provide early warfighter involvement and operationally relevant developmental testing.

Russia continues to negotiate delivery of Su-57 PAK FA fighter to India

Russia continues to negotiate the delivery of fifth-generation Su-57 PAK FA fighter jets to India but supplying the aircraft to the Russian Air Force remains a priority.

Boeing awarded $96.9M for Apache helicopter and trainer support for UAE

The Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $96,873,221 modification to foreign military sales (United Arab Emirates) contract for Apache aircraft integrated logistics support, product assurance and Longbow Crew Trainers.

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