JULY 2022 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Chinese Air Force Z-10 attack helicopter enters service with PLA Hong Kong Garrison

According to Liu Xuanzun in Global Times, official reports show that Z-10 attack helicopters for the first time participated in a recent patrol exercise organized by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison, indicating that the garrison has commissioned this type of helicopter to provide escort and air support to other helicopters, vessels and ground troops in joint operations.

Boeing and US Air Force celebrate 50 years of F-15 innovation

On July 27, 1972, the Boeing F-15 Eagle flew for the first time with Chief Test Pilot Irv Burrows at the controls. Fifty years later, the undefeated F-15 continues to evolve and add an advanced capability to the U.S. Air Force fighter fleet.

Luftwaffe German Air Force to get F-35A Lightning II jets and munitions

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of F-35 Aircraft, munitions, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $8.4 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 28.

Nigerian army getting Turkish TAI T129 Atak and US Bell AH-1Z helicopters

According to Turkish media on July 26, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) General Manager Temel Kotil announced that, after the Philippines as the first foreign customer, Nigeria has purchased six T129 Atak helicopters. The contract amounts to nearly USD 269.4 Mn.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd orders 88 Honeywell TPE331-12B engines for its HTT-40 trainer aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) inked a deal worth more than $100 million on July 27 for the supply and manufacture of 88 TPE331-12B engines/kits, as well as maintenance and support services, to power the Hindustan Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40), Frontier India reports.

Textron Aviation Defense Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine achieves military type certification from US Air Force

Textron Aviation Defense on July 25 announced the Beechcraft AT-6E Wolverine has achieved Military Type Certification (MTC) from the U.S. Air Force, paving the way for continued global sales of the light attack aircraft. The AT-6E is a multi-mission aircraft system designed to meet a wide variety of warfighter and peacekeeper needs.

Nigerian Air Force L-39ZA Albatross jets upgraded in Czech Republic now back home

As reported by DefenceWeb on July 25, Aero Vodochody has concluded maintenance work on three Nigerian Air Force (NAF) L-39ZA trainer and light attack jets, which have recently returned home: after a two-year overhaul, the three aircraft departed the Czech Republic for Nigeria on 17 July, Key Publishing reports.

Kratos and USAF complete successful XQ-58A Valkyrie Skyborg flight series

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, a national security solutions provider and industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, announced on July 18 that it has recently completed a successful series of flights with two production XQ-58A Valkyrie aircraft for the Skyborg Program. The program team includes the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Fighters and Advanced Aircraft Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), USAF 40th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS), USAF 46th Test Squadron, and Kratos.

MQ-9A Reaper UAV makes its debut at RIMPAC SINKEX 2022

The first-ever use of a U.S. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper, a remotely piloted aircraft, during a Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 sinking exercise (SINKEX), July 12. Airman 1st Class Ariel O’Shea reports on navy.mil.

Luftwaffe German Air Force to deploy Eurofighter, A400M and A330 MRTT detachment to Singapore and Australia

According to Defense Studies, on August 15, the German Air Force will deploy to the Indo-Pacific region with a group of several aircraft, thus demonstrating its operational readiness: six Eurofighter Typhoon 2s from Tactical Air Force Wing 74 in Neuburg-an-der-Donau, four Airbus A400M Atlas from Air Transport Wing 62 in Wunstorf, and three Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) of the multinational air transport association MRTT Unit in Eindhoven are deploying from Germany to the Indo-Pacific for the first time. The self-imposed goal: arrival within 24 hours. For this occasion, Typhoon 31+11 has received a special paint scheme.

Kuwait Air Force to get US air-to-air missiles and bombs for its Eurofighters

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on July 22 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Kuwait of Advanced Weapons in Support of the Eurofighter Typhoon Aircraft Program and related equipment for an estimated cost of $397 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

First batch of Chinese J-10 cadet pilots to be assigned to the PLA Air Force

According to information published by China Mil on July 23, 2022, the first batch of J-10 cadet pilots, 23 years old on average and directly trained by the air force flight academy, got ready to be assigned to the combat units of the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) upon graduation.

Third successful missile live fire test for AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range

Northrop Grumman successfully completed the third live fire test of its AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The U.S. Navy launched the missile from an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft recently at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of California. Utilizing its advanced emitter acquisition system, the missile detected a land-based threat and engaged the threat system.

Belgian Air Force F-16 fighters to get additional sustainment support

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on July 19, 2022, that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Belgium of F-16 Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $127 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

Rheinmetall modernizing Asterion simulators for NH90 NFH Sea Lion naval helicopters

Rheinmetall has scored another success with Asterion, its range of world-leading simulator products. Group subsidiary Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH has been awarded a follow-up contract by its partner company Reiser Simulation und Training GmbH (RST) for simulators for the NH90 NFH Sea Lion naval helicopter.

SAMI Aerospace signs contract with Airbus Helicopters Arabia, ST Engineering and Lockheed Martin

SAMI Aerospace has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters Arabia, the Kingdom’s subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters to support SAMI in building its technical capabilities to provide rotorcraft technical support to Saudi Armed forces.

Northrop Grumman and Boom Supersonic collaborate on new supersonic aircraft for quick-reaction missions

The agreement to together propose special mission variants of Boom’s Overture supersonic aircraft was finalized at the Farnborough International Air Show : “Pairing Northrop Grumman’s airborne defense systems integration expertise with Boom’s advanced Overture supersonic aircraft demonstrates the power of collaborations like this for the benefit of our customers,” said Tom Jones, president, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “Together we can ensure our military customers have variants of Overture for missions where advanced system capabilities and speed are critical.”

Royal Canadian Air Force to get two Airbus A330-200 strategic tankers

On July 14, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada has finalized a contract to acquire the first two aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) that will replace and renew the capability currently fulfilled by the CC-150 Polaris fleet and later become part of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) fleet.

Inzpire Ltd and Callen-Lenz team up to deliver operational turn-key UAS services

Inzpire Limited and Callen-Lenz announced on July 15 that the companies are forming a team to deliver operational turn-key Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) services to militaries, governments, emergency services and national infrastructure customers in the UK and beyond.

Sikorsky delivers the third CH-53K helicopter to the US Marine corps

According to a press release published by Sikorsky on July 14, 2022, the Lockheed Martin Company, delivered the third Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) CH-53K helicopter ahead of contract schedule to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Page 1 of 3