May 2022 news

Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry


 

Rostec to start serial production of Su-57 fighters in 2027

Russia will start serial production of the 5th-generation light fighter Sukhoi Su-57 in 2027, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said on May18 at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin: work is in progress on the designer documentation for the light fighter jet Checkmate. Its serial production will begin in 2027, Rostec corporation’s CEO Sergey Chemezov said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

US Air Force and Lockheed Martin complete ARRW hypersonic boosted test flight

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin successfully conducted a hypersonic-boosted flight test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) from the service’s B-52H Stratofortress. The successful flight demonstrates the weapon’s ability to reach and withstand operational hypersonic speeds, collect crucial data for use in further flight tests, and validate safe separation from the aircraft to deliver the glide body and warhead to designated targets from significant standoff distances.

Rostec to start serial production of Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik heavy attack drones in 2023

Russia will launch serial production of the Okhotnik (Hunter) heavy strike drone in 2023, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said Wednesday, May 18, at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The Okhotnik features a flat nozzle thruster that makes it less visible for radars.

Israeli F-16 fighters targeted by Russian S-300 air defense missiles over Syria

According to various media, a Russian air defense unit fired S-300PMU anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli F-16C/I jets during an air attack on targets located in northwestern Syria last week, Israel’s Channel 13 News said on May 16.

Kazakhstan to produce TAI Turkish Aerospace Industries Anka UAVs

According to Joe Saballa in The Defense Post, Turkey has agreed to collaborate with Kazakhstan in manufacturing Anka unmanned aerial vehicles. The agreement was reached when Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid an official visit to Ankara with a large delegation last week.

Rafael unveils AeroSpike Stand-Off Precision Guided Missile

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveils AeroSpike, a new advanced air-to-surface Stand-Off Precision Guided Missile (SOPGM) for fixed-wing airborne platforms.

India test-fires extended-range version of BrahMos missile from Su-30MKI fighter

MOSCOW, May 16. /TASS-DEFENSE/. India has for the first time test-fired an extended-range version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, the Indian Defense Ministry’s press office said.

BAE Systems and Mitsubishi to cooperate on Japanese Air Force F-X 6th-gen fighter jet

According to Ryo Nemoto in Nikkei Asia, Mitsubishi is in discussions to have BAE Systems join the development of a next-generation fighter jet that the Japanese government aims to deploy in 2035. Japan and the U.K. have already decided to collaborate on engine parts and aim to hammer out the specifics of expanded cooperation by the end of 2022. The development of the F-X allows Japan to catch up to and counter Russian and Chinese stealth fighters.

Moroccan Air Force F-5 fighters to get Elbit Systems Delilah cruise missiles

Morocco is seeking to purchase Israeli cruise missiles Delilah to enhance further its multi-layered defense capabilities, according to Defensa magazine echoed by the North Africa Post. The North African Kingdom has opened negotiations with Israeli Elbit Systems to get the Delilah missiles to arm its F-5 jets to upgrade these U.S.-made light fighters with advanced sensor systems and jamming systems, data links and a set of modern air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons.

Israel Aerospace Industries and 2Excel Aviation demonstrate Maritime Heron to UK Government

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and 2Excel Aviation completed a demonstration of IAI’s Maritime Heron UAS in a series of Beyond Visual Line of Sight maritime search and ISR scenarios. The demonstration was based out of West Wales Airport in Aberporth, Wales. Attending the demonstration were in-person and virtual observers from the UK Ministry of Defence, Government and the Civil sector. Following the demonstration, IAI and 2Excel received positive feedback from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

Chinese Z-10 attack helicopter enters Taiwan's air defense identification zone

According to a tweet published by Ryan Chan on May 11, 2022, a Chinese People's Liberation Army Z-10 attack helicopter entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.

Russian multi-role fighter jets conduct exercise in the Baltic Sea

According to information published by Tass on May 6, 2022, fighter jets and bombers of the Baltic Fleet’s air arm have practiced eliminating a simulated enemy’s naval formation during a planned exercise.

Algerian Air Force receives second C-130J Super Hercules

The Algerian Air Force has taken delivery of a second Lockheed Martin Super Hercules and will receive further examples in the near future, Guy Martin reports in Defence Web. Algeria is the second C-130J Super Hercules operator in Africa after Tunisia received two aircraft in 2013 and 2014. Twenty other nations around the world operate this type.

Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 UCAV destroys Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter

According to a tweet published by Restitutor Orientis on May 9, 2022, a Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 UCAV has destroyed one Russian Mil Mi-8 helicopter on the Snake Island.

DGA orders more Talios pods from Thales for French Air Force and Navy Rafale fighters

The DGA (French Defense Procurement Agency) tweeted on May 5 that it had notified Thales Group of the order for 21 additional Talios pods. They will be delivered in 2024 and 2025. This brings to 67 the number of Talios ordered for the Rafale fighters equipping the French Air Force and the French Navy. 30 have been delivered and 16 more will be delivered by 2023.

Kazakhstan receives RQ-11 Raven UAV from US to help monitor the borders

According to information published by the U.S. Embassy of Kazakhstan on May 4, 2022, U.S. Security Cooperation Office, in cooperation with Kazakhstan’s Border Guard Service, recently completed AeroVironment's Raven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operator training. These new UAV operators will employ US-provided Ravens unmanned aircraft to help monitor the borders of Kazakhstan.

Rheinmetall supplying German Air Force with training rigs and augmented reality systems for A400M maintenance training

The Luftwaffe (German Air Force) has turned once again to Rheinmetall's simulation and training expertise for training its personnel in the A400M Atlas military transport aircraft. In December 2021 Rheinmetall won the tender from Germany's Federal Agency for Bundeswehr Equipment Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for advanced training rigs and augmented reality (AR) systems for training maintenance and repair personnel for the A400M. The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit million-euro range.

Northrop Grumman wins contract to install next-gen EW suite on F-16

According to a PR published by Northrop Grumman Corporation on May 3, 2022, the company has received a contract from the U.S. Air Force to continue preparing the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) for developmental test and full hardware qualification.

Poland to defend Slovakian airspace if Slovakia transfers its MiG-29s to Ukraine

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine (and Moldova, including pro-Russian separatist Transnistria, soon ?), Poland announced it is ready to defend Slovakia's airspace if this country transfers its MiG-29AS fighter planes to the Ukrainian Air Force, R.RepublicWorld.com reports.

Russian Antonov An-30 spy plane violates Danish and Swedish airspaces

Authorities from both Denmark and Sweden reported that an Antonov An-30 Clank entered Danish airspace on Friday evening, April 29, east of the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm then entered Swedish airspace.

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