January 2018 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 

KAI starts delivering T-50TH fighter jets to Thailand
 
KAI starts delivering T 50TH trainer jets to Thailand 640 001
Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), South Korea's sole aircraft manufacturer, on Monday, January 8, began delivery of its advanced T-50 trainer jet to Thailand's air force. KAI received two separate orders to build four T-50TH trainer jets worth US$110 million in 2015 and eight T-50TH jets valued at $260 million last year.
 

Oman requests $62M FMS for F-16 jets upgrade
 
Oman equests 62M FMS for F 16 jets upgrade 640 001
The US State Department on January 5 approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Oman of items and services to support an incremental Operational Flight Profile (OFP) software upgrade for F-16 subsystems, as well as Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) and secure communications equipment for Mode 5 operations for an estimated cost of $62 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated.
 

Belgian Air Component F-16s receive new upgrades
 
Belgian Air Component F 16s to receive new upgrades 640 001
With the Belgian Defense Ministry awarding a contract to Terma for modification of F-16 pylons to a Pylon Integrated Dispensing System (PIDS+) configuration, all of the original European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) countries – Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium – have now ordered the Terma PIDS+ pylons for their F-16s, and all of them are equipped with the Hensoldt AAR-60(V)2 Missile Warning System (MWS).
 

US Air Force lab creates new high efficiency solar cells for military spacecraft
 
US Air Force lab creates new high efficiency solar cells for military spacecraft 640 001
Experts at the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) continue to expand the scope of their technological expertise, rising above the Earth’s surface to meet the power needs of next generation military spacecraft, AFRL press office said on January 3, 2018.
 

Aurora wins new $48M USAF order for Orion UAS development
 
Aurora wins new 48M USAF order for Orion UAS development 640 001
The U.S. Air Force has awarded a new $48 million contract to Aurora Flight Sciences for the continued development of the Orion Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), the Boeing-subsidiary announced on January 3, 2018.
 

USAF AgilePod successfully integrated on Scorpion light attack ISR jet
 
USAF AgilePod successfully integrated on Scorpion light attack ISR jet 640 001
To be ‘agile’ means to be nimble, responsive and able to adapt quickly and easily to any situation. The US Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) premier intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance pod, the AgilePod, lived up to its moniker as it integrated seamlessly onto the Scorpion light attack ISR aircraft recently, with only a few weeks’ notice of the opportunity.
 

Elbit wins $110M Mi-17 upgrade deal in Asia-Pacific
 
Elbit wins 110M Mi 17 upgrade deal in Asia Pacific 640 001
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that it was awarded an approximately $110 million contract from an Asia-Pacific country for the upgrade and maintenance of dozens of Mi-17 helicopters. The project will be performed over a five-year period.
 

Kazakhstan receives new Su-30SM, overhauled Su-25 jet aircraft
 
Kazakhstan receives new Su 30SM overhauled Su 25 jet aircraft 640 002
Kazakhstan has received Sukhoi Su-30SM fighter jets manufactured in Russia and overhauled Su-25 close air support aircraft, the Kazakh Defense Ministry’s press office said. "The Kazakh Armed Forces have received advanced Su-30 supermaneuverable fighter jets as part of military and technical cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia," the press office said.
 

Latvian State Border Guard orders two AW119Kx helicopters
 
Latvian State Border Guard orders two AW119Kx helicopters 640 001
Leonardo today announced that the State Border Guard of Latvia has signed a contract for two AW119Kx single engine helicopters plus option for an additional unit, customised configuration and aircrew/maintenance technician training services.
 

Japan MoD details air force acquisitions and programs for FY2018
 
Japan MoD details air force acquisitions and programs for FY2018 640 001
Japan will steadily improve its defense capabilities in FY2018 as the final fiscal year of the country's Medium Term Defense Program launched in 2013 in order to develop the Dynamic Joint Defense Force. Japan will especially build up defense capabilities while focusing on JASDF ISR, transport, C3I and air dominance tasks.
 

Saab joins South Korea's AESA radar development effort
 
Saab joins South Korea s AESA radar development effort 640 001
Saab has received an order for support of algorithm development and evaluation for airborne AESA fighter radar. The radar development programme is led by the Korean Agency for Defence Development (ADD) and Saab will work in cooperation with ADD and its contractual partner LIG Nex1. The order value is MSEK 125 (US$15.2M), the Swedish company said on December 22, 2017.
 

Lockheed Martin comments Gray Wolf development contract
 
Lockheed Martin comments Gray Wolf development contract  640 001
Lockheed Martin received a $110 million, five-year Phase 1 contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop and demonstrate a new low-cost cruise missile called Gray Wolf, the US-based defense contractor confirmed on December 27, 2017.
 

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