SEPTEMBER 2020 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Croatia to make decision on fighter jet procurement by the end of the year

According to the Polish news agency Defence24, the Croatian Ministry of Defense announced the receipt of four bids for 12 fighter jets for the country’s air force. Croatia intends to come up with a decision in its ongoing fighter jet procurement procedure by December 12 2020.

First pilot wings awarded to French student fighter pilots trained on Pilatus PC-21

On Wednesday September 16, 2020, the first French Air and Space Force pilots to have been trained on Pilatus PC-21 received their pilot wings. This ceremony was chaired by General Philippe Lavigne, Chief of Staff of the Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace), at BA709 Commandant Ménard (BA 709) air base in Cognac-Châteaubernard.

Analysis: Drone wars statistics - Fewer mishaps but more combat attrition

The military use of drones has grown dramatically in recent years. Unmanned aircraft of different sizes are employed in various roles. Some are employed on reconnaissance, carrying various sensors for intelligence gathering and targeting. Others carry weapons and are used as strike platforms. Sometimes UAS are also used as ‘suicide drones’ or ‘loitering missiles,’ hitting targets of opportunity on the battlefield.

Belgium buys Dutch decommissioned F-16 for armorer training

The Belgian army has decided to buy back from the Netherlands a decommissioned F-16 fighter jet which will be used for the training of armorers of the Air component in the assembly of the various armaments (bombs and missiles) in its arsenal, Belga news agency revealed.

Tecnobit - Grupo Oesía and UAV Navigation to enhance range of solutions for UAS

Tecnobit - Grupo Oesía and UAV Navigation,both of which have 100% Spanish capital, will contribute their capacity for innovation to major aeronautical programs such as NGWS/FCAS.

 

U.S. Army performs maiden flight of fully upgraded UH-60V Black Hawk

The U.S. Army on Sept. 11 performed the first flight of the modernized UH-60V Black Hawk, which is a retrofit of the UH-60L upgraded with Northrop Grumman’s [NOC] ‘digital cockpit’ suite. This first flight took place at Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD).

US and Royal Saudi Air Forces conduct exercise Desert Eagle in CENTCOM area of responsibility

Members of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing performed a hot pit refuel of F-15E Strike Eagles from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, following a large formation flight in support of Exercise Desert Eagle at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 10, 2020.

Elbit Systems to supply additional complex composite structural assemblies for F-35

Elbit Systems announced on Sept. 14 that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Elbit Systems – Cyclone Ltd., was awarded a contract by Lockheed Martin for the manufacture of assemblies for Forward Equipment Bay assemblies for the F-35. The contract is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems and will be performed over a period of four-years.

Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons produced only in Viper version

As announced on 16 October 2015 by George Standridge, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' vice president of business development,Lockheed Martin will now produce its F-16 Fighting Falcon exclusively to the V, or Viper, standard, in order to simplify manufacture and orders, especially for international customers, Caleb Larson reports on The National Interest.

German Armed Forces to procure two modernized Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has contracted Aerodata AG and, through subcontracting, its subsidiary OPTIMARE Systems GmbH for the modernization of the mission equipment on the two Dornier 228 maritime surveillance aircraft.

BIRD Aerosystems wins contract to upgrade Czech Air Force Airborne Missile Protection Systems

This overall upgrade will allow the Czech Air Force to align with the latest developments and ensure optimal protection from missiles.

Greece selects French-made Rafale as future fighter aircraft for Hellenic Air Force

According to a press release published by the French Ministry of Defense on September 12, 2020, the Greek Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced that Greece will acquire 18 French-made Rafale fighter aircraft.

Swedish Company SAAB offers Gripen C-D fighter aircraft to Croatia

According to a press release published on September 9, 2020, the Swedish Company SAAB submitted its proposal to deliver 12 new Gripen C/D fighter aircraft to Croatia.

Elbit Systems UK demonstrates Hermes 900 Maritime SAR to Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) recently successfully completed a series of flight demonstrations for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The demonstration were run by the MCA and were designed to test the capabilities of using a UAS to enhance Search and Rescue (SaR) capabilities and the use of long-range unmanned capabilities in civilian airspace.

US F-35Bs arrive for work-up with British Royal Navy's aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth

Ten United States F-35B fighter jets have arrived in the UK ahead of joining HMS Queen Elizabeth. The aircraft from V Marine Fighter Attack (VMFA) 211 Squadron landed at RAF Marham in Norfolk from their base in Yuma, Arizona.

General Atomics awarded contract for French MQ-9 Reaper UAVs

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has been awarded a not-to-exceed $27,790,850 amended undefinitized contract action for the France MQ-9 Block 5 weaponization and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Pod integration effort.

Indian Air Force inducts Rafale fighter jets

India on Thursday, Sept. 10, formally inducted its first five Rafale fighter jets into the 17th Squadron "Golden Arrows" at Ambala Air Station along the western border. This Squadron is the first Indian Air Force squadron to be equipped with the French-made Dassault Rafales.

EDA: RPAS automation project helps set European standards

Mission accomplished for European Defense Agency’s ‘Enhanced RPAS Automation’ (ERA) project launched in 2016 by EDA on behalf of Germany, France, Italy, Poland and Sweden. The project aimed at standardising a set of key technical enablers for the operation of both civil and military RPAS in Europe and was formally closed at today’s 4th online stakeholder workshop, where its results were reviewed.

CH 53K helicopter tests its power at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

The CH-53 has been a potent member of the Marine Corps aviation community’s fleet for over 40 years, but the newest version takes the platform to a whole new level.

U.S. Air Force lands C-130J on newly renovated Angaur Airfield in Palau

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules delivered U.S. Army Pacific soldiers onto the newly renovated Angaur Airfield for training exercises in the Republic of Palau, Sept. 5.

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