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May 2015 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

Airbus Helicopters officially unveils first prototype of the H160 utility helicopter 3005152

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Airbus Helicopters officially unveils first prototype of the H160 utility helicopter
 
Three months after having unveiled a mockup of the H160 at Heli-Expo 2015, Airbus Helicopters has disclosed the first prototype of the aircraft. Airbus Helicopters unveiled the H160 prototype in the presence of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. This innovative helicopter also performed its first ground run on May 28, 2015, announced Airbus Helicopters. The company previously reported that the prototype, the first of three, powered on in November 2014.
Three months after having unveiled a mockup of the H160 at Heli-Expo 2015, Airbus Helicopters has disclosed the first prototype of the aircraft. Airbus Helicopters unveiled the H160 prototype in the presence of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. This innovative helicopter also performed its first ground run on May 28, 2015, announced Airbus Helicopters. The company previously reported that the prototype, the first of three, powered on in November 2014.
 

U.S. approves a $130 mn FMS to United Arab Emirates for Guided Bomb Units 3005151

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U.S. approves a $130 mn FMS to United Arab Emirates for Guided Bomb Units
 
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Guided Bomb Units (GBU-31s and GBU-12s) and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $130 million. The principal contractors will be The Boeing Company in Chicago, Illinois; and Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona, the DSCA announced yesterday, May 29.
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Guided Bomb Units (GBU-31s and GBU-12s) and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $130 million. The principal contractors will be The Boeing Company in Chicago, Illinois; and Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona, the DSCA announced yesterday, May 29.
 

Royal Thai Air Force selects Cambridge Pixel to upgrade its air defence capability 2905154

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Royal Thai Air Force selects Cambridge Pixel to upgrade its air defence capability
 
The Royal Thai Air Force has selected Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display and tracking subsystems, to upgrade its air defence capability at several strategic sites across the country, including air force bases and training facilities. Engineers at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters at Don Muang Airbase, Bangkok, Thailand, were looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade their legacy air defence processing and display hardware without replacing the existing and expensive radar sensors.
The Royal Thai Air Force has selected Cambridge Pixel, a developer of radar display and tracking subsystems, to upgrade its air defence capability at several strategic sites across the country, including air force bases and training facilities. Engineers at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters at Don Muang Airbase, Bangkok, Thailand, were looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade their legacy air defence processing and display hardware without replacing the existing and expensive radar sensors.
 

Rockwell Collins to provide support for Canada's fleet of CH-147F Chinook helicopters 2905152

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Rockwell Collins to provide support for Canada's fleet of CH-147F Chinook helicopters
 
The Boeing Company announced yesterday, May 28, it has awarded Rockwell Collins a contract to provide avionics service and support for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of 15 CH-147F Chinook transport helicopters. The Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit is featured on the CH-147F Chinook helicopter, which was delivered by Boeing to the RCAF in 2013 and 2014.
The Boeing Company announced yesterday, May 28, it has awarded Rockwell Collins a contract to provide avionics service and support for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of 15 CH-147F Chinook transport helicopters. The Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit is featured on the CH-147F Chinook helicopter, which was delivered by Boeing to the RCAF in 2013 and 2014.
 

Orbital ATK wins a $26 mn contract to deliver one AC-208 Caravan gunship aircraft to Lebanon 2905151

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Orbital ATK wins a $26 mn contract to deliver one AC-208 Caravan gunship aircraft to Lebanon
 
Orbital ATK has been awarded a not to exceed $26,134,804 firm-fixed-price contract for support of the Lebanon Cessna 208B Caravan Program. The US-based company will provide one commercial-off-the-shelf Cessna 208B Caravan with a Garmin 1000 baseline glass cockpit, avionics package and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140 turboprop engine, the US DoD announced yesterday, May 28. Work will be performed at Beirut, Lebanon, and is expected to be complete by May 30, 2016.
Orbital ATK has been awarded a not to exceed $26,134,804 firm-fixed-price contract for support of the Lebanon Cessna 208B Caravan Program. The US-based company will provide one commercial-off-the-shelf Cessna 208B Caravan with a Garmin 1000 baseline glass cockpit, avionics package and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-140 turboprop engine, the US DoD announced yesterday, May 28. Work will be performed at Beirut, Lebanon, and is expected to be complete by May 30, 2016.
 

Russia's Air Force to purchase at least 50 Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers 2805153

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Russia's Air Force to purchase at least 50 Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers
 
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Russia’s Air Force will purchase at least 50 Tu-160M strategic bombers, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Gen.Viktor Bondarev said on Thursday, May 28. "The supreme commander [president of Russia Vladimir Putin] and the Russian defense minister have taken a decision on reviving production of the Tu-160M aircraft," he stressed. The industry "has confirmed its possibilities" on restarting the production of these bombers, he said.
According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, Russia’s Air Force will purchase at least 50 Tu-160M strategic bombers, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Gen.Viktor Bondarev said on Thursday, May 28. "The supreme commander [president of Russia Vladimir Putin] and the Russian defense minister have taken a decision on reviving production of the Tu-160M aircraft," he stressed. The industry "has confirmed its possibilities" on restarting the production of these bombers, he said.
 

Northrop Grumman to begin upgrade of USAF's B-2 bombers weapons management software 2805152

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Northrop Grumman to begin upgrade of USAF's B-2 bombers weapons management software
 
Northrop Grumman has successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Air Force that its plans to upgrade key weapons management software for the B-2 stealth bomber are on track and ready to proceed to the next level of development, the US-based company announced yesterday, May 27.
Northrop Grumman has successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Air Force that its plans to upgrade key weapons management software for the B-2 stealth bomber are on track and ready to proceed to the next level of development, the US-based company announced yesterday, May 27.
 

Mexico and Airbus Helicopters could sign deal for 50 Super Puma utility helicopters 2805151

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Mexico and Airbus Helicopters could sign deal for 50 Super Puma utility helicopters
 
Mexico is reportedly in talks to buy 50 more Super Puma military helicopters from Airbus Helicopters a source familiar with the negotiations said, confirming a report on the La Tribune news website. A deal for the AS332 Super Puma helicopter could be concluded as early as the Bastille Day military ceremonies in Paris on July 14 when Mexico has put negotiations on the agenda for a visit by its president, the source said, asking not to be named.
Mexico is reportedly in talks to buy 50 more Super Puma military helicopters from Airbus Helicopters a source familiar with the negotiations said, confirming a report on the La Tribune news website. A deal for the AS332 Super Puma helicopter could be concluded as early as the Bastille Day military ceremonies in Paris on July 14 when Mexico has put negotiations on the agenda for a visit by its president, the source said, asking not to be named.
 

Airbus Helicopters' H225M Caracal successfully passed Polish army tests 2705156

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Airbus Helicopters' H225M Caracal successfully passed Polish army tests
 
Airbus Helicopters' H225M Caracal utility helicopter, preliminarily selected by Poland in a $3 billion tender, has passed army tests, a prerequisite for opening formal negotiations for the purchase of 50 helicopters, the Polish army said on Wednesday, May 27. The H225M has been selected by Poland for its medium-lift utility helicopter programme on 21 April.
Airbus Helicopters' H225M Caracal utility helicopter, preliminarily selected by Poland in a $3 billion tender, has passed army tests, a prerequisite for opening formal negotiations for the purchase of 50 helicopters, the Polish army said on Wednesday, May 27. The H225M has been selected by Poland for its medium-lift utility helicopter programme on 21 April.
 

USAF successfully launched unarmed Minuteman III ICBM equipped with test reentry vehicle 2705155

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USAF successfully launched unarmed Minuteman III ICBM equipped with test reentry vehicle
 
A team of US Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 3:37 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time May 20. The ICBM's reentry vehicle, which contained a telemetry package used for operational testing, traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the AFGSC said on Tuesday, May 26.
A team of US Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, at 3:37 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time May 20. The ICBM's reentry vehicle, which contained a telemetry package used for operational testing, traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, the AFGSC said on Tuesday, May 26.
 

Taiwan receives second batch of four UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters 2705154

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Taiwan receives second batch of four UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters
 
Taiwan has taken delivery of a further four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, part of a package of 60 such choppers from the United States, after the second batch of the aircraft was shipped to southern Taiwan earlier this week, the Republic of China's Army said Tuesday, May 26. The four Black Hawks arrived in Kaohsiung May 24 and were later put through ground and air testing after being unloaded and assembled.
Taiwan has taken delivery of a further four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, part of a package of 60 such choppers from the United States, after the second batch of the aircraft was shipped to southern Taiwan earlier this week, the Republic of China's Army said Tuesday, May 26. The four Black Hawks arrived in Kaohsiung May 24 and were later put through ground and air testing after being unloaded and assembled.

 

First F-35A wing-set produced by Alenia Aermacchi entered the F-35 production line 2705152

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First F-35A wing-set produced by Alenia Aermacchi entered the F-35 production line
 
The first F-35A wing-set produced by the Italian company Alenia Aermacchi entered the F-35 production line in Fort Worth, marking a milestone for the Lockheed Martin-Alenia Aermacchi collaboration on the program. Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi produced the full wing-set at the F-35 Final Assembly & Check-Out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy.
The first F-35A wing-set produced by the Italian company Alenia Aermacchi entered the F-35 production line in Fort Worth, marking a milestone for the Lockheed Martin-Alenia Aermacchi collaboration on the program. Finmeccanica-Alenia Aermacchi produced the full wing-set at the F-35 Final Assembly & Check-Out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy.
 

HAL and BAE Systems sign MoU for Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer upgrade 2705151

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HAL and BAE Systems sign MoU for Hawk Mk132 Advanced Jet Trainer upgrade
 
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed an MoU with BAE Systems UK for the upgrade of Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer, development of combat Hawk for Indian and export markets and maintenance solutions for supporting Jaguar and Hawk fleet. The Hawk Mk 132 is an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) with tandem dual seats meant to provide basic, advanced flying and weapons training.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has signed an MoU with BAE Systems UK for the upgrade of Hawk Mk 132 Advanced Jet Trainer, development of combat Hawk for Indian and export markets and maintenance solutions for supporting Jaguar and Hawk fleet. The Hawk Mk 132 is an Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) with tandem dual seats meant to provide basic, advanced flying and weapons training.
 

India's defence ministry has cleared deals for 22 AH-64E Apache and 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters 2605158

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India's defence ministry has cleared deals for 22 AH-64E Apache and 15 CH-47F Chinook helicopters
 
The Indian defence ministry has cleared two crucial deals worth more than $3.1 billion to equip the Indian Air Force with US-built attack and heavy-lift helicopters. India's defence minister Manohar Parrikar has sent the proposals to buy 22 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift copters — both platforms manufactured by US defence giant Boeing — to the finance ministry for clearance, a government official said on Monday.
The Indian defence ministry has cleared two crucial deals worth more than $3.1 billion to equip the Indian Air Force with US-built attack and heavy-lift helicopters. India's defence minister Manohar Parrikar has sent the proposals to buy 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift copters — both platforms manufactured by US defence giant Boeing — to the Indian finance ministry for clearance, an Indian government official said on Monday.
 

Royal Australian Air Force's E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft achieved final operational capability 2605157

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Royal Australian Air Force's E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft achieved final operational capability
 
Royal Australian Air Force's six Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft have achieved final operational capability (FOC), the RAAF announced today May 26 in an official statement. "Australia now has the most advanced air battle space management capability in the world, with the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft achieving Final Operational Capability," the RAAF said.
Royal Australian Air Force's six Boeing E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft have achieved final operational capability (FOC), the RAAF announced today May 26 in an official statement. "Australia now has the most advanced air battle space management capability in the world, with the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft achieving Final Operational Capability," the RAAF said.
 

General Atomics's HELLADS Demonstrator Laser Weapon System to undergo live fire tests 2605155

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General Atomics' HELLADS Demonstrator Laser Weapon System to undergo live fire tests
 
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that the High-Energy Liquid Laser (HELLADS) completed the U.S. Government Acceptance Test Procedure and is now being shipped to the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico. At WSMR, the laser will undergo an extensive series of live fire tests against a number of military targets.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems solutions, today announced that the High-Energy Liquid Laser (HELLADS) completed the U.S. Government Acceptance Test Procedure and is now being shipped to the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico. At WSMR, the laser will undergo an extensive series of live fire tests against a number of military targets.
 

The Russian Air Force takes delivery of additional batch of Su-34 frontline bombers 2605154

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The Russian Air Force takes delivery of additional batch of Su-34 frontline bombers
 
The Russia-based Sukhoi Company handed over the first batch of Su-34 frontline bombers to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation according to the 2015 State Defense Order. The aircraft took off from the V.P. Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant's airfield and headed to their place of deployment, the aircraft maker announced on May 21.
The Russia-based Sukhoi Company handed over the first batch of Su-34 frontline bombers to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation according to the 2015 State Defense Order. The aircraft took off from the V.P. Chkalov Novosibirsk Aircraft Plant's airfield and headed to their place of deployment, the aircraft maker announced on May 21.
 

Egypt reportedly signed a $2bn deal for 46 MiG-29 fighter aircraft 2605153

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Egypt reportedly signed a $2bn deal for 46 MiG-29 fighter aircraft
 
Egypt has agreed to buy 46 of Russia's MiG-29 fighter jets in a deal that may be worth up to $2 billion, the largest order for MiG aircraft since the fall of the Soviet Union, newspaper Vedomosti reported Monday May 25, citing two unidentified aviation industry sources.
Egypt has agreed to buy 46 of Russia's MiG-29 fighter jets in a deal that may be worth up to $2 billion, the largest order for MiG aircraft since the fall of the Soviet Union, newspaper Vedomosti reported Monday May 25, citing two unidentified aviation industry sources.
 

Russian Helicopters starts series production on Mi-26T2 heavy transport helicopter 2605152

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Russian Helicopters starts series production on Mi-26T2 heavy transport helicopter
 
Russian Helicopters has launched series production on the heavy Mi-26T2 helicopter at Rostvertol. The Mi-26T2 is a modernised version of the Mi-26T, equipped with the latest avionics, making it possible to cut the number of crew required and also to operate the helicopter during night-time, the Russia-based announced on Friday, May 22nd.
Russian Helicopters has launched series production on the heavy Mi-26T2 helicopter at Rostvertol. The Mi-26T2 is a modernised version of the Mi-26T, equipped with the latest avionics, making it possible to cut the number of crew required and also to operate the helicopter during night-time, the Russia-based announced on Friday, May 22nd.
 

Sikorsky's S-97 Raider helicopter successfully achieves first flight 2605151

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Sikorsky's S-97 Raider helicopter successfully achieves its first flight
 
Sikorsky Aircraft announced on May 22 the successful first flight of the S-97 Raider helicopter, a rigid coaxial rotor prototype designed to demonstrate a game-changing combination of maneuverability, hover ability, range, speed, endurance and survivability. The first flight was conducted at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center (DFC) where the two-prototype Raider helicopter test program is based.
Sikorsky Aircraft announced on May 22 the successful first flight of the S-97 Raider helicopter, a rigid coaxial rotor prototype designed to demonstrate a game-changing combination of maneuverability, hover ability, range, speed, endurance and survivability. The first flight was conducted at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center (DFC) where the two-prototype Raider helicopter test program is based.
 

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