September 2018 news

Air Forces - Aerospace and Defense Industry


Bell unveils V-247 Vigilant VTOL unmanned combat drone mock-up at Modern Day Marine Expo 2018

On 25 September, Bell unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its next-generation V-247 Vigilant vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial system at Modern Day Marine Expo 2018 taking place at Quantico Marine Corps Base.

Rostec creates test complex for PD-35 aircraft engine

United Engine Corporation (UEC), a part of Rostec, will build a test complex for the prospective PD-35 aircraft engine, which is proposed to be used in the Russian-Chinese CR929 aircraft. The testing facilities will be created at JSC "UEC-PERM ENGINE". There will be about 40,000 square meters of production, administration and accommodation, and engineering areas with state-of-the-art equipment on the premises of the out-of-town test facility in Russia's Perm Krai. The cost of the project is about $300 million, the first test stands will be built in 2021.

TsAGI completes Ansat helicopter upgraded rotor testing

The Zhukovsky Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) completed the research of the new aerodynamic scheme of the lifting rotor of Ansat helicopter serially produced by Kazan plant of Russian Helicopters Holding. The rotor will increase the lifting capacity by 150-200 kg, the holding said.

Russian combat helicopters to receive new S-13DF unguided rockets

Russian Ka-52 and Mi-28N helicopter gunships will be able to destroy the adversary in fortified shelters - pillboxes and concrete buildings. The Russian Aerospace command decided to arm the helicopters with S-13DF rockets that break through the walls and destroy the target by fuel and air explosion.

Royal Thai Air Force expands H225M helicopters fleet

Airbus Helicopters has secured an additional order of four H225M (previously known as EC725) multirole utility helicopters from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), as part of the fleet strengthening programme. This follow-on order will bring the RTAF’s H225M fleet to 12 units by 2021.

Russian Helicopters refuses to provide support for AAF overhauled Mi-17V-5 choppers

Due to the received information on the unauthorized overhaul of one Mi-17V-5 helicopter of the Defense Ministry of Afghanistan by the Slovak Aircraft repair company LOTN, JSC "Russian Helicopters" in the name of the designer (JSC "Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant") and the manufacturer (PJSC "Kazan Helicopters") disclaims all liability for the further safe operation of this rotorcraft and has good reason to refuse to provide service support for this helicopter's operation.

Cubic lands new order for F-35 Air Combat Training Systems

Cubic Corporation yesterday announced its Cubic Global Defense (CGD) business division, was awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin to deliver its latest-generation Air Combat Training System (ACTS) for the F-35 Lightning II. Cubic is scheduled to deliver more than 500 F-35 Training Subsystems over the next four years as part of Lockheed Martin's F-35 production Lots 12-14.

French Air Force to Field 12 A330-MRTT Phénix Aircraft by 2023

French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced today that the delivery rate of MRTT Phénix will be accelerated: by 2023, the French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) will field 12 A330-MRTT.

Final Assembly of Sikorsky's First HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Underway

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, announced that final assembly of the first HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Weapons System and Operational Flight Trainers is underway, supporting the smooth entry of the aircraft into the U.S. Air Force fleet in 2020.

Rockwell Collins selected to install Real Time Information in the Cockpit system in USAF legacy KC-135R

Rockwell Collins has been selected by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to advance communications capabilities for its KC-135R fleet with the implementation of a Real Time Information in the Cockpit (RTIC) system. This marks the first time that this solution with Link 16 communications will be permanently integrated on legacy tanker aircraft.

iGov Technologies wins TACP-MCS communication system Block 2 delivery order

iGov Technologies, Inc., provider of C4ISR systems and support programs, announced today they received an $85.1 million DO award under the $538 million Platform Engineering and Integration for Tactical and Strategic Systems (PEITSS), multi-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) selected iGov on a competitively solicited basis.

Lockheed Martin wins $7.2Bn USAF order for 22 GPS III Follow-On satellites

The U.S. Air Force announced selection of Lockheed Martin for a fixed-price-type production contract for 22 GPS III Follow-On satellites with a total estimated contract value up to $7.2 billion.

F/A-18 fighter jet to receive upgraded Deployable Flight Incident Recorder Set

Leonardo DRS, Inc. announced today it has been awarded a contract to develop upgraded Deployable Flight Incident Recorder Set (DFIRS) technology for new and in-service F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft.  The contract, awarded by The Boeing Company, will be executed by Leonardo DRS' subsidiary, DRS Technologies Canada Ltd., in Kanata, Ontario.

NORAD F-22s scrambled as Russian bombers approach Alaska airspace

Two North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) F-22 Raptor fighter jets positively identified and intercepted two Russian Tu-95MS Bear strategic bombers at approximately 10 p.m. EDT Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, the NORAD Public Affairs Directorate announced.

Kursk Air Regiment reinforced with new Su-30SM wing

Four Su-30SM fighter jets reinforced the air regiment in Kursk region, Western Military District spokesman Igor Muginov said. "A Su-30SM wing joined the air regiment of the district deployed in Kursk region. Pilots received four multirole generation-4++ aircraft at Irkut plant and flew them in one day from an airfield in Irkutsk region," he said.

First batch of five MD 530F choppers handed over to Afghan Air Force

MD Helicopters, Inc. on September 10 announced the delivery of the first five (5) MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters to the Afghan Air Force in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Ordered against MDHI’s 5-year, $1.4 billion IDIQ, these aircraft are the first of 30 new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters that will join the AAF Aviation Unit this year.

India further details Ka-226T procurement program

India`s Ministry of Defense has issued a detailed request for proposals (RfP) to the Russian-Indian joint venture (JV) Helicopters Limited Company (HLC) for 200 Kamov Ka-226T (NATO reporting name: Hoodlum) light utility helicopters, according to Indian official sources.

MiG reportedly resumed work on Skat UCAV

The Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG has resumed its work on the Skat combat unmanned aerial vehicle whose design will contain technologies that make drones less noticeable for radars, a defense industry source told TASS.

Ecuadorian Army inducts PZL Mielec M28 STOL aircraft

An M28 short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft manufactured at PZL Mielec, a facility in Poland owned by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has arrived in Ecuador following a trans-Atlantic flight from Poland. Delivered five months after contract award, the twin-engine turboprop will meet the Ecuadorian Army's need for a proven multi-role transport aircraft that can perform in diverse climates and terrain.

Indra to provide Royal Thai Air Force with LANZA LRR 3D radar

Indra, one of the world's top technology and consulting companies, has signed a contract for the delivery of its 3D radar, LANZA LRR, to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). Indra’s radar will also include the delivery of other associated equipment such as Indra’s AirDef (an advanced air defence command and control system). The company will also provide a comprehensive logistic package including training to the Royal Thai Air Force operation and maintenance personnel, spares and warranty.

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