September 2021 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Bell Boeing starts Nacelle improvement of CV-22 Osprey

According to a press release published by Boeing on September 23, 2021, the first Air Force CV-22 Osprey designated for nacelle improvement modifications arrived at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center. The aircraft is part of an ongoing process by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, and Boeing (together referred to as “Bell Boeing”) to further increase Osprey’s reliability and maintainability for the Department of Defense (DOD).

PLA Chinese Air Force to unveil WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drone at Airshow China 2021

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will for the first time display the WZ-7 high-altitude reconnaissance drone at the Airshow China 2021, to be held in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, from September 28 to October 3, a spokesperson at the PLA Air Force announced on September 24. Liu Xuanzun reports in Global Times.

Boeing celebrates 60th anniversary of CH-47 Chinook first flight

The iconic tandem-rotor helicopter made its first flight on Sept. 21, 1961, and will lead heavy-lift readiness for decades to come.

Royal Air Force receives 6th Poseidon Mk1 maritime patrol aircraft

RAF base Lossiemouth welcomed its newest Poseidon Mk1 maritime patrol aircraft, ZP806, on September 21, Defense Brief reports. The antisubmarine warfare aircraft, named ‘Guernsey’s Reply,’ is the 6th Poseidon aircraft to arrive at the Moray base and will operate as part of the re-established 201 Squadron.

Chinese PLA J-16D electronic warfare jet to fly at Airshow China 2021

According to Liu Xuanzun in Global Times, the J-16D, the electronic warfare variant of the Chinese Air Force's J-16 fighter jet, will make its debut at the Airshow China to be held from September 28 to October 3 in Zhuhai. This indicates that the aircraft is in service with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and will give it an edge in electromagnetic space with powerful jamming capability.

Morocco receives first Turkish Bayraktar TB2 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

According to information published by Daily Sabah on September 21, 2021, Morocco has received the first units of Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

French A400M can now drop paratroopers through both doors

This is unprecedented: the French Air Force has authorized the "extended" drop of paratroopers from the A400M Atlas. This means that paratroopers will now be able to jump simultaneously from both doors of the transport plane.

Boeing selects Australia for company first final assembly facility outside North America

Boeing, in partnership with the Queensland Government, has selected Toowoomba as the preferred site for the company’s first aircraft assembly facility of its kind outside of North America.

Kaman unveils KARGO UAV

Kaman Corporation unveiled on September 21 the KARGO UAV, the newest addition to its family of purpose-built, autonomous unmanned systems designed to be the new standard for expeditionary logistics. Built with the U.S. Armed Forces future operating concepts in mind, the KARGO UAV offers a rugged design for easy transport and deployment. The system’s compact form-factor fits in a standard shipping container and is designed to be unloaded and operated by as few as two people.

Italy joins UK development of next-generation Eurofighter Typhoon radar

Italy has joined the UK’s development of the new European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) radar for the Eurofighter Typhoon. The first stage of collaboration, to take place this Autumn, will see a team of engineers from Leonardo’s Nerviano, Milan-based radar site join the Mk2 development team at Leonardo’s Edinburgh site.

Collins Aerospace MS-177 ISR sensor now supporting RQ-4B Global Hawk operational missions

The United States Air Force (USAF) recently completed its first RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aerial system (UAS) operational mission carrying Collins Aerospace’s MS-177 multi-spectral imaging (MSI) sensor. The MS-177 long range wide area multi-spectral imaging (MSI) sensor enhances the Global Hawk’s ISR mission capabilities by providing greater standoff range and more actionable intelligence to address challenges and achieve overmatch on the battlefield.

Finnish Air Force to start Ruska 21 exercise in October

The Finnish Air Force will organize the Ruska 21 air operation exercise from October 4 to October 9. 50 aircraft and about 3,300 people from all over Finland will take part in the year's main war exercise in the defense branch. The Swedish Air Force is also involved in the exercise.

US Navy upgrades adversary tactical fighter improving safety, readiness

The Navy’s Specialized and Proven Aircraft program office (PMA-226) recently delivered the first F-5N aircraft to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. to begin ground and flight test of the F-5 block upgrade prototype project. Aligned with the Navy’s strategic imperative of increasing capability and enhancing lethality, the newly redesigned tactical fighters will include features found on modern aircraft that improve both safety and readiness.

MQ-25 conducts first air-to-air refueling with F-35C

The Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268) program completed its first aerial refueling of an F-35C Lightning II aircraft by the Boeing-owned MQ-25 test asset, known as T1, as part of the Navy’s broader initiative to field unmanned systems that transform and enhance the fleet’s capability, capacity and lethality.

Lockheed Martin unveils LMXT strategic tanker

Lockheed Martin introduces the LMXT as America's next strategic tanker. Offered in response to the U.S. Air Force's KC-Y Program, the LMXT represents the newest chapter in Lockheed Martin's 60+ year history of producing and delivering tanker and cargo aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and multiple operators around the world.

GA-ASI flies MQ-9A UAS in the Canadian Arctic

In a flight that originated from its Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) near Grand Forks, N.D., General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew a company-owned MQ-9A “Big Wing” configured Unmanned Aircraft System north through Canadian airspace past the 78th parallel.

Russian Defense Ministry may consider purchase of Checkmate fighter

Russia’s Defense Ministry may consider the purchase of single-engine Checkmate fighters under a future state program for armaments, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told the media on the sidelines of the Tyumen Oil and Gas Forum.

ZALA 421-16E5G hybrid UAV performs 12 hours flight

Hybrid UAV ZALA 421-16E5G performed flight, which lasted more than 12 hours and covered a distance of more than 1,130 kilometers.

BriteCloud test programme with US Air National Guard races towards final stages

Upcoming flight trials set to pave the way for a procurement decision on Leonardo’s expendable active decoy by the United States Government. BriteCloud is a world-first countermeasure technology which uses miniaturized jamming to protect combat aircraft from incoming missiles. Designed and built in the UK, BriteCloud has seen service with the Royal Air Force.

£400m investment for the Royal Air Force

The UK's Chinook helicopters will be enhanced with state-of-the-art defensive systems, while the RAF's C-17 Globemaster fleet will receive a software and hardware upgrade.

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