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June 2023 news
Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry |
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The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on June 16 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of MQ-9A Block 5 aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $611 million.
Germany’s Defence procurement office (BAAINBw) has selected Saab’s Arexis sensor suite as the preferred solution for the German Eurofighter Electronic Warfare (EW) variant. At this point, Saab has not yet signed a contract nor received an order relating to this.
Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton flying test bed (FTB) recently completed a demonstration of persistent long-range targeting during this year’s Northern Edge 2023 military training exercise. Conducted around the Gulf of Alaska, this demonstration highlighted Triton’s potential to enhance joint, distributed maritime operations, and further support sea control in contested environments. Triton is preparing for initial operational capability (IOC) later this year.
On June 15, the Indonesian Ministry of Defense announced on its website that after the signing of the purchase of used Mirages 2000-5 from Qatar, news emerged in the media accompanied by a number of questions from the public regarding the procurement. In order to avoid confusion in information and as a form of public information disclosure, a response to the news regarding the procurement of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft is presented as follows.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on June 13 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of France of E-2C Hawkeye sustainment items and services for an estimated cost of $160 million.
Elbit Systems announced on June 14 that it was awarded an additional contract by Airbus Helicopters for the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, for the provision of Airborne Electronic Warfare (EW) self-protection systems for the Sikorsky CH-53 GS/GE Sea Stallion transport helicopters, as part of the platform upgrade program led by Airbus Helicopters.
The organizers of the Paris Air Show 2023 announce the dazzling array of military aircraft, helicopters and drones that will be on display at this 54th edition. Marking an exceptional union of engineering marvels and trailblazing technologies, the lineup embodies the sheer power, versatility, and advancement in today's aerospace sector.
In the multinational Air Defender 23 exercise, 25 nations come together to train in joint air operations in the skies above Europe. From June 12 to 23, up to 10,000 participants from 25 nations, along with 250 aircraft, will engage in air training exercises in European airspace, under the leadership of the German Air Force. NATO initiates its largest aerial maneuvers exercise, coordinated by Germany, with the aim of demonstrating the unity of its members in the face of potential threats, particularly from Russia.
Royal Australian Air Force's 9 Squadron reformed on June 11, to prepare for the delivery of the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system. The squadron has a proud wartime history, serving during World War 2 and the Vietnam War.
Leonardo on June 9 announced that the commercial collaboration between Italy and Azerbaijan has been strengthened with the signing of the contract for the supply of the C-27J Spartan. An Azerbaijani delegation was in Italy for the contract signing in the presence of representatives of the Defence Ministers of the two countries.
As reported by David Pugliese in the Ottawa Citizen, Canadian special forces have set in motion a discrete operation to lease state-of-the-art surveillance aircraft. The details of this highly classified project are enveloped in an impenetrable shroud of secrecy, intensifying the intrigue surrounding it. Bids are currently being sought for a high-altitude, long-endurance plane that will play a crucial role in providing indispensable support to the esteemed Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) achieved significant success in the past year, as stated by Bertan Kurt, Head of Corporate Marketing and Communications at TAI, quoted in an article by Yusuf Cetiner published on Overt Defense. With the introduction of their original products to the market, TAI received orders amounting to $1 billion. Moreover, they have been able to secure contracts worth $3.3 billion with 13 countries over the last five years.
A total of 23 air assets and some 750 military personnel from eight countries – Austria, Belgium, Czechia, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Portugal – will participate in Hot Blade 2023, hosted by the Portuguese Air Force. In addition, Greece and Italy will send exercise observers. The air assets comprise 13 helicopters and 10 fixed wings, including training and transport aircraft and fast jets.
Greek company SAS Technology, on June 2, 2023, conducted a successful flight test of the AIHMI S.O.L.M. (Stand-Off Loitering Munition) system. This accomplishment marks another significant advancement in its defense program, which has provided cutting-edge innovative solutions to the Hellenic and international defense industry.
Northrop Grumman announced on June 6 (79th anniversary of D-Day) that the first E-6B Mercury aircraft has been successfully delivered back to the U.S. Navy. Scott Pfeiffer, vice president, platform sustainment and mission readiness of Northrop Grumman, said: “Northrop Grumman is leveraging cutting-edge technology in modernization, supporting the Navy’s mission to provide survivable, reliable and endurable airborne command, control and communications between the National Command Authority (NCA) and U.S. strategic and non-strategic forces for persistent mission readiness.”
According to a report in the Australian Financial Review by Philip Coorey and Andrew Tillett, discussions are underway between Australia, the United States, and Ukraine regarding the potential transfer of 41 Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornets to Kyiv. This move aims to fulfill part of President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for fighter jets, rather than scrapping them as originally planned.
British soldiers who fly and maintain the Army’s Apache Mk.1 (AH-64E) attack helicopters have taken to the high seas to prove their readiness to fly strike missions off ships, the British Army reports. The Apache Mk 1 attack helicopters of 656 Squadron, 4 Regiment Army Air Corps set sail on RFA Argus and face the challenges of choppy seas, wet and salty air, and confined spaces onboard the ship.
HENSOLDT has been at the forefront of airborne radars innovation for several decades and the company has an impressive heritage when it comes to the development of next-generation sensor technology. One of the latest products that leverage this decades-long experience is PrecISR, a new generation airborne multi-mission radar that will set a new baseline for what is possible with airborne sensors.
The long-range Storm Shadow missiles of Anglo-French production have recently appeared in service with the Air Force of Ukraine, mounted on a Su-24M bomber aircraft. This acquisition, a result of the United Kingdom's military aid to Ukraine, is a significant milestone in the country's air power capabilities.
The first U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bomber has arrived at Boeing to begin upgrades as part of the Radar Modernization Program (RMP). The bombers will be fitted with the Active Electronically Scanned Array system (AESA). The RMP program will give the B-52 “fighter-like” radar capabilities, increasing navigation accuracy, targeting and tracking, and will provide new, high-resolution mapping. The new radar will also be able to engage multiple targets simultaneously.
