MAY 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


BAE Systems selected for demonstration phase of DARPA's SECTR program

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, has awarded BAE Systems a $13.1 million contract to demonstrate a new, cost-effective optical seeker for precision-guided munitions. The seeker is designed to improve navigation, as well as automate target location and homing, for different types of munitions that are used in GPS-denied and other contested environments.

Kinzhal missile makes public premiere at Russia's Victory Day parade rehearsal

Russia's Kinzhal missile made its first public appearance during the Victory Day parade rehearsal in Moscow, according to pictures released by the Russian Defense Ministry. Ten Mikoyan MiG-31K (NATO reporting name: Foxhound) fighter jets fitted with the Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic missile system are undergoing operational evaluation trials, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said.

Altius MALE UAV development to be completed by 2020

The work on the Altius heavy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a combat load of up to two tons is planned to be completed within a year, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the information today through its Facebook page.

US oks $1.4bn FMS from Germany for C-130J and KC-130J airlifters

The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Germany of three C-130J-30 aircraft and three KC-130J aircraft for an estimated cost of $1.40 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on May 4, 2018.

First F-35A training equipment delivered to RAAF

One of the world’s largest aircraft has landed at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Williamtown carrying the first delivery of Australia’s state of the art training equipment for the Joint Strike Fighter, the RAAF announced on May 2, 2018.

RAF scrambles Typhoon fighter jets over the Black Sea

Royal Air Force Typhoons based in Romania have been launched as a response to a Russian aircraft operating near NATO airspace over the Black Sea, the RAF reports today, the RAF reports today.

BAE Systems, Prismatic unveil PHASA-35 solar-powered UAV

A new solar electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which has the potential to fly for up to a year before needing maintenance, has become a step closer to reality following a new agreement between two cutting-edge British companies, BAE Systems and Prismatic.

Diehl, Boeing joint forces to market GBU-54 JDAM in Germany

At the ILA International Air Show in Berlin, Diehl Defence and Boeing Defense, Space & Security signed a Teaming Agreement on cooperation of GBU-54 Laser JDAM weapon systems in Germany, the German defense company said on May 2, 2018.

TsAGI progressing towards Il-276 airlifter development

The Ilyushin Company that is a transport aviation department of Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), and the Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) have agreed on the wind tunnel tests of a model of the advanced Ilyushin Il-276 transport plane, the company’s press office said.

Ukraine and Turkey to jointly work on An-188 airlifter project

Ukraine and Turkey have agreed to jointly implement the production of the An-188 military-transport plane, Ukraine's state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom said Thursday in a statement.

Russia's Western Military District air regiment receives new Su-30SMs

Four Sukhoi Su-30SM (NATO reporting name: Flanker-H) multipurpose fighter jets were delivered to a Russian Air Force's Western Military District air regiment based near Kursk in southwest Russia in late April, the district’s press office said.

Belgian NH90 helicopter performed first operational mission in Mali

A Belgian Air Component NH90 helicopter performed a first operational mission last week in Gao (Mali) as part of Belgium's participation in the MINUSMA mission, military sources confirmed to the Belgian news agency Belga.

USAF names B-21 Raider Bombers' future homebases

The US Air Force announced on May 2 that the B-21 Raider will replace B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit aircraft at three existing bomber bases beginning in the mid-2020s. The service selected Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota; and Whiteman AFB, Missouri, as reasonable alternatives to host the new B-21 aircraft.

SABCA wins follow-on order for Royal Danish Air Force F-16 support

The "Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques" (SABCA) on April 23 won a US$ 2.8 million follow-on contract within the Service Life Sustainment Program for the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 Block 15 aircraft, the European Tenders electronic daily online platform announced today.

Insitu launches ScanEagle 3 UAV at Xponential 2018

Insitu, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, today announced the launch of the newest member of its growing family of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) — ScanEagle3 at AUVSI’s Xponential 2018 in Denver, Colorado on Tuesday, May 1.

Dutch Defence Ministry details AH-64D upgrade program

The Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence wants to modernize the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) fleet of 28 aircraft AH-64D Apache combat helicopters. After about 20 years, they are technically and operationally outdated. The aircraft are being thoroughly modernized so that the can continue to operate Apaches until 2050, Dutch State Secretary for Defence Barbara Visser reported on May 1 in a letter to the country’s House of Representatives.

US Air Force selects Raytheon's AN/ALR-69A(V) radar warning receiver

The U.S. Air Force awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract for Raytheon's AN/ALR-69A(V), the world's first all-digital radar warning receiver. The contract calls for the rapid procurement of 779 units or more for the USAF fleet of tactical air and large body aircraft.

Pentagon awards contract to Lockheed Martin for F-35 fleet support

The F-35 Joint Program Office has awarded the Lockheed Martin industry team a $1.4 billion sustainment contract to support operations for the F-35 fleet around the globe.

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