MAY 2019 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Aviation Defense Industry


Indian Navy to get 10 Ka-31 helicopters

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has recently approved the Rs 3,600 crore ($5,198,400,000) proposal to buy 10 Kamov-31 AEW Helicopters from Russia for the Indian Navy.

USA: F-35s and F-16s fought non-stop in defensive counter-air exercise

The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th FW conducted an integrated combat capability exercise April 30-May 2 at the Utah Test and Training Range.

USA deploying bombers to Middle East

The United States announced the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, along with a bomber task force, to the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) region, in response to escalatory indications and warnings by Iran in the area.

Russia develops new systems for landing drones on ship decks

The St. Petersburg-based joint-stock company Navigator has developed a multi-functional Korma system designed to ensure navigation and interaction among manned flying craft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and land them on ship decks.

Serial production of Ka-62 helicopters will begin in 2020

The Russian Helicopters holding company, an affiliate of the Russian State Corporation Rostec, will launch serial production of the Ka-62 multirole helicopter next year according to information graphics posted on the corporation’s official page in Instagram.

US Air Force successfully shot down missiles using a laser prototype

The Air Force Research Laboratory Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator Advanced Technology Demonstration Program successfully completed a major program milestone with the successful surrogate laser weapon system shoot down of multiple air-launched missiles in flight, on April 23.

Weapons to support F-16 Block 70 - F-16V fleet of Bahrain

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain of various weapons to support its F-16 Block 70/F-16V aircraft fleet for an estimated cost of $750 million.

Airbus A400M Atlas to succeed Lockheed C-130H Hercules in Belgian Air Force

This Tuesday, April 30, 2019, the Belgian Ministry of Defense organized, in the presence of the Minister of Defense, Didier Reynders, and a Luxembourg delegation, a visit to the Airbus assembly plant located in Seville to attend the merger of the hull and cockpit part of the first Belgian-Luxembourgish A400M (NSN 104).

Russia is ready to cooperate with Turkey, selling them Su-57 aircraft

According to Russian state-owned Rostec's head, Sergey Chemezov, Russia is ready to cooperate to sell Turkey Su-57 fighter jets, if Turkey's participation in the US F-35 jet programme fell through.

Schiebel wins contract for UAS Arctic deployment for Norway

Norway's Andoya Test Center selected Schiebel's market-leading Camcopter S-100 Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Air System (UAS) for extensive search and rescue trials as part of the Arctic 2030 project.

Air Force Gen. Wolters takes over from Army Gen. Scaparrotti as EUCOM and SACEUR head

In ceremonies in Germany on Thursday, May 2, and in Belgium (SHAPE HQ) on Friday, May 3, Air Force Gen. Tod Wolters is taking over from Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti in the dual roles of NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe and head of U.S. European Command.

Chinese J-20 aircraft now capable of aerial refuelling

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's most advanced stealth fighter jet, the J-20, is now ready for aerial refuelling operations that will help the jet reach farther targets, as national television showcased the aircraft's embedded refuelling probe on Tuesday, May 02.

Kaman awarded contract to reactivate USMC K-MAX helicopters

Kaman Aerospace, the Aerospace segment of Kaman Corporation (NYSE: KAMN), today announced that it has been awarded a contract to return two United States Marine Corps (USMC) K-MAX® aircraft to flight operations. Kaman Aerospace will transport the two helicopters from Yuma, Arizona, where they are currently located, to Bloomfield, Connecticut, where they will be reactivated to flight-ready status.

US Air Force F-35As conducted first combat employment

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft conducted an air strike at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, April 30. This strike marked the F-35A’s first combat employment.

Indian Army to equip its attack helicopters with airborne fire control radars

The Indian Army seeks to equip its attack helicopters with airborne fire control radars, enabling them to overcome the operational limitations being imposed by the present electro-optical systems fitted on such vehicles, and consequently enhancing their combat capacities.

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