APRIL 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


Serbia received four MiG-29 fighter jets from Belarus

Serbia’s Armed Forces have received four Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name: Fulcrum) fighter jets from Belarus, Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said in an interview with the Politika newspaper.

Belgium approves acquisition of one A400M flight simulator

The Belgian government on April 19 approved the acquisition of a sole A400 flight simulator for the Belgian Air Force’s future fleet of strategic airlifters.  “Belgium has decided to make this investment along with Luxembourg,” the Belgian Defense Minister Steven Vandeput announced on its website.

Cobham lands KF-X fighter jet Oxygen System contract

Cobham has received a contract from Korean Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) to design and supply a pilot Oxygen System for the future KF-X, an advanced multirole fighter aircraft currently under development, the company said on April 10, 2018.

Russia's VRT300 drone began test trials

VR-Technologies Design Bureau of the Russian Helicopters Holding began test bench trials of the main systems and units of VRT300 helicopter drone. Flight tests are scheduled in late 2018, the holding said on April 19, 2018.

Russian Defense Ministry receives another upgraded Tu-95MS bomber

The Tupolev Company of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) handed over to the Defense Ministry a Tu-95MS bomber with an upgraded power plant for acceptance trials, the UAC said on April 19, 2018.

Ukraine's MSB-2 Nadiya helicopter made maiden flight

Ukraine's first long-range helicopter MSB-2 Nadiya has made a successful maiden flight on Monday, regional authorities said last week.

Raytheon completes Small Diameter Bomb II developmental testing

Raytheon Company has completed developmental testing on the Small Diameter Bomb II, a key step toward bringing this new capability to fighter pilots. Government confidence testing, a prerequisite for operational testing, is scheduled to be completed this year, the US company said on April 19.

New Guardian computer system to help RAF protect the British skies

The UK Ministry of Defence will invest up to £80 million (USD 112 million) in a new computer system to boost the RAF’s speed and accuracy in protecting the skies, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has announced on April 22, 2018.

Chinese aviation brigade conducts live-fire exercise

An aviation brigade of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force held a live-fire exercise off the country's southeastern coast on 18 April, according to a statement from the PLA Ground Force reported on Chinamil.com

Final C-27J Spartan airlifter delivered to Royal Australian Air Force

The 10th and final twin-engine airlifter Leonardo (formerly Alenia Aermacchi) C-27J Spartan for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has been welcomed into service during a ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond, as reported on 18 April.

3-D printer-capable Marines with 31st MEU print replacement part for F-35B

Marines with Combat Logistic Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are now capable of ‘additive manufacturing,’ also known as 3-D printing. This innovative technique is the process of replicating a digital 3-D model in the real world.

DSA 2018: Deftech, Korean Air Lines and POSCO DAEWOO to partner on UAV area

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech), Malaysia’s premiere defence and aerospace company, yesterday signed a tripartite cooperation agreement with Korea’s largest trading company, POSCO DAEWOO, and Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd, one of the world’s biggest airlines and aerospace company.

RAF’s legendary 'Dambusters' 617 Squadron reforms to fly F-35B jets

The 617 Squadron immortalised by the Dambusters raid of World War II has been reformed to fly the UK’s new F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, the Defence Secretary has announced.

DSA 2018: Milkor unveils MA 80/380 UAS

The South-African company Milkor chose DSA to officially unveil a new family of Unmanned Aerial Systems, the MA 80 and the bigger MA 380. Both are “a new breed of powerful, long-endurance, portable aerial surveillance systems,” says Milkor.

DSA 2018: Deftech lands Royal Malaysia Police Cessna aircraft support contract

Deftech Aviation Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of DRB-HICOM Berhad, announced a contract extension worth RM 18 million (USD 4,62 million) with the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs during a handover ceremony on April 18, 2018 at the DSA exhibition.

DSA 2018: Thales offering FZ275 LGR for Malaysian Army future's MD530G helicopters

At DSA 2018, Thales, through its local partner, Destini Prima Sdn Bhd (DPSB), is proposing its latest FZ275 Laser Guided Rocket for the Malaysian Army Aviation actual and future aircraft, and specifically for the six MD530G light attack helicopters the service purchased in February 2016.

J-10C fighter jet started operational duty says PLAAF

China's new multi-role fighter jet J-10C began operational duty Monday, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force announced.China's new multi-role fighter jet J-10C began operational duty Monday, April, 16, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force announced.

Funding missing for laser kits on US AC-130J Gunships

Speaking at a hearing of the US Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging threats, Air Force Lt. Gen. Marshall Webb told lawmakers that the service still lacks adequate funds for a program to add a laser to the AC-130J gunship.

Iran to unveil new Shafaq missile during Army Day parade

According to Tasnim News Agency, Iranian Army Airborne Commander General Yousef Qorbani announced the country's plan to unveil a new short-range missile named 'Shafaq' (Twilight) during the military parades on the Army Day in Iran on April 18, adding that the missile is an upgrade of an earlier version with a longer range.

Possible sales of 14 F-16 from US State Department to Slovakia

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Slovakia of F-16 Block 70/72 V configuration aircraft for an estimated cost of $2.91 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on April 3, 2018.

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