|
Â
|
November 2023 news
Defense Aviation and Aerospace Industry |
|
|
|
|
| Â |
According to a tweet posted on November 90 by Dárek pro-Putina, the Czech Republic has already raised almost half a million euros as part of the "Gift for Putin" (Dárek pro-Putina) initiative for the purchase of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. The organizers of the campaign reported that almost €500,000, about 10% of the needed amount, has been raised.
On November 30, Airbus Helicopters announced that the first NH90 Sea Tiger took off on schedule for its maiden flight, at Airbus Helicopters' site in Donauwörth, Germany. The German Bundeswehr ordered 31 NH90 Sea Tiger multi-role frigate helicopters for the German Navy’s shipborne operations in 2020.
The Romanian Ministry of Interior has received the first four S-70M Black Hawk utility helicopters from Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company. These helicopters, manufactured at PZL Mielec in Poland, mark the beginning of a new era in search and rescue operations in Romania. Two additional units are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2023 as part of the European Union's VISION 2020 project.
Boeing will build an additional 15 KC-46A Pegasus tankers under a Lot 10 contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force valued at $2.3 billion. To date, 153 KC-46A multi-mission aerial refuelers are on contract globally, providing advanced capability advantages for the joint force and allies. To date, Boeing has delivered 76 KC-46As to the U.S. Air Force and two to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
Leading UK combat air enterprises and the Ministry of Defence have teamed up with top machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, and computing experts to enhance software development for an innovative fighter jet, the Tempest.
According to reports by Intelligence Online, ongoing discussions are taking place between France and Ukraine. The primary focus of these talks is the potential transfer of six Dassault Mirage 2000 combat aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Uzbekistan, historically an ally of Moscow, Beijing, and Ankara, and a former member of the USSR, is considering the acquisition of 24 Rafale multirole fighters. This information, initially revealed by Intelligence Online and later confirmed by La Tribune, suggests a significant shift in Uzbekistan's geopolitical relations.
Belgium will officially become a member of the FCAS-SCAF military program (Future Air Combat System) in June 2025, according to a recent announcement by Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder. This integration marks a significant turning point in European collaboration on advanced defense technologies.
Pratt & Whitney Canada announced on November 28 a new, cost-effective P&WCSMART military overhaul program developed specifically for military customers flying Bell 212 and Bell 412 helicopters with PT6T-3 or PT6T-6 Twinpac engines.
The DGA posted a tweet on November 24 to explain that the hydrogen (fuel cell) Rapace H2 drone was designed to respond to the environmental advances of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces. This is France's first project of this kind, applying a military perspective to hydrogen propulsion in drones. This prototype will enable researchers to study the benefits of using hydrogen technology in drones, particularly in the areas of energy autonomy as well as thermal and acoustic discretion.
As reported by Tasnim on November 25, 2023, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy of Iran has announced the development of two new air-to-air missiles, according to statements from IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Reza Tangsiri. These missiles, already manufactured and set to be unveiled in the future, as noted by the commander, are designed for targeting and neutralizing hostile drones and guided missiles, with claimed ranges of approximately 4 and 17 km.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even has announced a deal with the French Ministry of Armed Forces for the mid-life upgrade of the Tigre helicopter, reports Michel Cabirol in La Tribune. The agreement confirms a scaling back of the initial ambitious capability improvements for the Tigre Mark 2.
According to Tasnim on November 28, 2023, Iran finalized the procurement of several Russian aircraft, including the Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters, Sukhoi-35 fighters, and Yak-130 training aircraft. Sardar Seyed Mehdi Farhi, Deputy Minister of Defense and Support of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, confirmed the ongoing acquisition process.
Elbit Systems was awarded a contract by Airbus Defense and Space to supply the Direct Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) and Infrared (IR) Missile Warning Systems for installation on the MRTT A330 refueling aircraft of the Royal Canadiéan Air Force. The contract will be performed over a period of five years.
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business announced on November 27 that it is releasing Arcus, a new image generator that combines Collins' advanced rendering and processing tools with gaming technology to deliver immersive, modular aircrew training.
On November 25, 2023, India's ambitious journey towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing marked a significant milestone with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally test-flying the indigenously built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). This event underscored the nation's growing confidence in its military-industrial capabilities, particularly as the Indian Air Force (IAF) seeks to expand its fleet with an additional 97 Tejas jets, in a deal valued at around US$7 billion.
With the proliferation of Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities and the return of high-intensity conflict, the idea of developing a dedicated Rafale variant for electronic warfare, similar to the American E/A-18G Growler, is now regularly discussed, Laurent Lagneau writes in Opex360. This is especially relevant since the French Air and Space Army (AAE) has lost the capability to suppress and destroy enemy air defenses (SEAD - Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses).
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Air Force (Wakasau) Vice Marshal A. Gustaf Brugman mentioned the main weapons system (alutsista) which will strengthen the air force in the near future, Defense Studies reports.
MBDA and Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed an agreement to deepen cooperation. The agreement will see the companies explore new opportunities for the integration of new MBDA weapons onto KAI platforms and the export of both together via a joint marketing approach.
Iran Defense posted a tweet on November 24, 2023, to inform that the second Yasin trainer jet prototype had made its first flight, after being rolled out earlier this year.
