JUNE 2021 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry

Ten NATO Allies start new era in pilot training

: Posted On Wednesday, 09 June 2021 13:09

Defense Ministers from 10 NATO countries on 9 June 2021 agreed to bolster the training of their nation’s military pilots, taking advantage of new technologies such as virtual reality.

Latvia to become second NATO member to buy Bayraktar TB2 armed drones

: Posted On Wednesday, 09 June 2021 10:27

According to Daily Sabah, Latvia has indicated it could be the second European Union and NATO member state to acquire Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have scored high-profile successes in the field, following last month's purchase by Poland.

Vietnam Air Force cleared to get Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft

: Posted On Tuesday, 08 June 2021 16:26

According to Asian Defence, the U.S. has agreed to sell Beechcraft T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft to Vietnam, U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander Kenneth Wilsbach said on June 4 : "We're committed to helping that aircraft to be delivered and then operationalizing and improving the Vietnamese Air Force's pilot training," he said at a teleconference hosted by the U.S. Department of State Asia Pacific Media Hub on June 4.

Saab and Varjo bring virtual reality to flight simulators

: Posted On Tuesday, 08 June 2021 15:50

Saab and Varjo Technologies work together to revolutionize flight simulators. The Finnish company Varjo has developed a human eye resolution mixed reality (XR) technology that will be integrated into all Saab Gripen E/F simulators. In addition to the highest resolution and widest field of view in the industry, the collaboration will also offer numerous new training opportunities at a fraction of the cost.

US Navy and Boeing make aviation history with MQ-25 becoming first UAV to refuel another aircraft

: Posted On Tuesday, 08 June 2021 11:33

For the first time in history, the U.S. Navy and Boeing have demonstrated air-to-air refueling using an unmanned aircraft – the Boeing-owned MQ-25 T1 test asset – to refuel another aircraft.

Bell and Northrop Grumman integrate new data link into AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter

: Posted On Tuesday, 08 June 2021 10:48

The U.S. Marine Corps has successfully demonstrated in flight testing a two-way connection between the Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and a ground station using new Link-16 hardware and software. Bell Textron manufactures the AH-1Z Viper and Northrop Grumman has developed the Link-16 system. Link-16 is part of a defined road map of planned improvements designed to ensure the H-1 platform maintains its technological edge and combat capability throughout its service life.

Turkish armed forces to receive 118 T129 Atak helicopters

: Posted On Monday, 07 June 2021 16:28

According to a tweet posted by DefenceHubLive, as part of the Atak Program, a total of 91 T129 Atak Helicopters will be delivered to the Turkish Land Forces (59 are confirmed and 32 are optional) and 27 will be delivered to the Ministry of Interior (24 are confirmed and 3 are optional). Let's notice that 30 Atak helicopters have already been purchased for the Pakistan Air Force and 6 for the Philippine Air Force.

Kadet Defence Systems JX2 NG aerial target powered by Veronte autopilot

: Posted On Monday, 07 June 2021 11:20

Kadet Defence Systems is an Indian aerospace and defence focused organization. The company specializes in the design of unmanned aerial vehicles used as aerial targets. Kadet Defence Systems decided to partner with Embention, a supplier in target drone autopilots and critical systems for UAVs, in order to face the rapid increase in the UAV industry.

Bell H-1 fleet of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom attack and utility helicopters accumulated more than 400,000 joint-flight hours

: Posted On Monday, 07 June 2021 09:17

The H-1 mixed fleet of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom attack and utility helicopters have accumulated more than 400,000 joint-flight hours. Designed by Bell Textron as the dedicated military helicopters for the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the Viper and Venom have been deployed around the world across a full spectrum of military operations since 2010.

Russian Tu-23M bombers deployed in Syria for training

: Posted On Friday, 04 June 2021 15:00

According to information published by Associated Press on May 25, 2021, the crews of Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed flights over the eastern Mediterranean Sea after taking off from the Hmeymim airbase in Syria and were escorted by Su-35 fighters, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported.

Australian Defense will buy AH-64E Apache Helicopters

: Posted On Friday, 04 June 2021 10:19

According to information published by the Australian Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on June 3, 2021, the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AH-64E Apache Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

Japan to possibly deploy 4 F-35A fighter jets in Ishikawa in 2025

: Posted On Thursday, 03 June 2021 15:39

Japan is planning to buy 105 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, as well as 42 F-35Bs. According to Sputnik news agency, the Japanese Air Force is planning to deploy four F-35A Lightning IIs at the Komatsu air base in the Ishikawa prefecture in 2025, Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said. The number of planes may later increase to 20.

US SOCOM requests USD170 Mn for 6 AT-802U Sky Warden armed ISR aircraft

: Posted On Thursday, 03 June 2021 13:37

U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is requesting $193 million for the Armed Overwatch program in fiscal 2022, including $170 million in procurement for six Air Tractor AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft.

Saab and FMV sign helicopter support agreement for Swedish armed forces

: Posted On Wednesday, 02 June 2021 16:37

Saab has signed an agreement with FMV regarding full support for Helikopter 15. The agreement is valid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2026 with additional option years up to 31 December 2030.

Learjet to supply Bombardier Global 6000 E-11A aircraft to US Air Force

: Posted On Wednesday, 02 June 2021 16:00

Learjet Inc., Wichita, Kansas, has been awarded a $464,851,645 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft (designated E-11A). This contract provides for the purchase of up to six Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft and completion work. Work will be performed in Wichita, Kansas, and is expected to be completed in May 2026.

IAI signs USD200 Million UAS services contract for Heron UAV with Asian country

: Posted On Tuesday, 01 June 2021 14:43

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently signed a $200 USD million contract to provide unmanned aerial systems (UAS) services to a country in Asia, relating to IAI’s Heron unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This is the fourth major UAS transaction that IAI has announced this year.

Sukhoi Su-57 will control four Okhotnik S-70 combat drones

: Posted On Tuesday, 01 June 2021 14:02

Fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet will be able to simultaneously control four heavy Okhotnik combat drones, a source in the aircraft industry told TASS: “The control of several combat drones from Su-57 cockpit is being designed. The fighter jet is likely to control from two to four Okhotnik drones,” he said.