Raytheon won a $79.4 million deal for Small Diameter Bomb Increment II (SDB II) lot integration and test. This contract effort will deliver all-up round (AUR) test vehicles, perform AUR-level assembly, checkout, testing and systems integration testing; and prepare for production cut-in and fielding for the multiple engineering changes needed, including National Security Agency (NSA) cryptographic modernization, Global Positioning System (GPS) military code, mitigation of part obsolescence, and design changes evolving from production and/or operations. SDB II’s capabilities include the ability for the weapon to be employed in three primary attack modes, each with a subset mode, for a total of six engagement modes. A dual band, two-way weapon data link for in-flight target updates and status reporting allows post-launch control of the weapon by the launching aircraft, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), or a third party. Work will take place in Arizona. Estimated completion is April 1, 2023.
Argent Technologies won a $8 million deal for engineering, technical, administrative and programmatic management support for total life cycle management of the various aircrew escape systems managed under the Joint Program Office for Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Device tri-service charter. Work will take place in Texas and is expected to be finished by September 2025.
Middle East & AfricaThe eighth edition of Cybertech Global, an international cyber event that that until now had only been held in Tel Aviv, will take place this week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event on April 5-7, which begins this morning and ends on Wednesday, will be held under the sponsorship of the local government, and be attended by senior officials from the highest level. Delegations from more than 50 countries will participate in the event, as will hundreds of Israelis. Thousands of visitors are expected to come to Cybertech Global Dubai, which will include a conference and exhibition of the global cyber industry that will be the largest of its kind ever held in the Gulf region. Among the participants will be the Director of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, Yigal Unna, and his Emirati counterpart, Dr. Mohamad al-Kuwaiti. The Acting Director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Brandon Wales, will also participate.
EuropeThe UK’s New Medium Helicopter Programme will see four of the medium-sized helicopters currently in service across the armed forces replaced by one new helicopter. It is understood that the helicopters will be operated jointly by the Army and RAF under Joint Helicopter Command. Work on the programme is at an early stage with effort primarily focused on developing and refining key user requirements.
Asia-PacificKorea Aerospace Industries (KAI) had a press conference last week and the company revealed that it hopes to export two T-50TH advanced jet trainers to Thailand this year. President and CEO Ahn Hyun-ho made the revelation. Thailand had declared last year that it will not buy two more T-50TH jets to increase its fleet to 14 aircraft. He added that an export of three Surion helicopters to Indonesia was scuttled after Jakarta slashed its military budget due to COVID-19.
Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has concluded an agreement with Mitsui E&S Holdings to take over the latter’s ‘naval and governmental ships business’, which includes the development and construction of autonomous underwater and autonomous surface vehicles (AUVs and ASVs). The deal, which was announced on March 29, is the result of formal negotiations between the two companies that began in June 2020. Both firms said they want to complete the transfer by October after getting approval from regulators.
Today’s VideoWatch: MQ-9 Reaper: The Most Feared U.S. Air Force Drone in Action
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon of Patrol Squadron 46 drew a “46” over the eastern Mediterranean Sea, clearly visible on flight tracking websites. On Apr. 3, 2021, a P-8A Poseidon aircraft with the Patrol Squadron [...]
The post VP-46 P-8A Poseidon Draws Large “46” Over Eastern Med Sea On Its Way To The Area Of Operations Off Syria appeared first on The Aviationist.
The US Navy will establish its second CMV-22B unit and the first squadron for the East Coast, at NAS North Island this fall. The squadron will eventually relocate Naval Station Norfolk in 2023. So far, 18 C-2A pilots have completed their transition to the CMV-22B. The goal is to have 115 C-2A pilots eventually.
A new effort at synchronizing US Air Force maintenance and fighter squadrons is paying dividends, according to the branch’s Air Combat Command. The Combat Oriented Maintenance Organization, attempted first at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., in 2020, reduces the maintenance organizational structure, among other benefits, it said in a press release.
Middle East & AfricaThe 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Levant was formally inactivated in a ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, the US Air Force announced on Friday. The ceremony on Thursday ended the involvement of the task force in the air campaign against Islamic State forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, with NATO and other allied partners.
EuropeThe UK-led Typhoon proposal being prepared for Finland’s HX contest pledges to add the nation to the Eurofighter industry consortium, while offering in-country final assembly, engine production and sovereign control over mission data, Jane’s reports. Speaking during a 31 March media briefing outlining the campaign’s key points, UK minister for defence procurement Jeremy Quin said the four-nation Eurofighter group discussed Helsinki’s potential inclusion during a meeting earlier in the month.
Asia-PacificJapan has decided to bed down its F-35Bs at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture, Yomiuri reports. The jets will train at a Field Carrier Landing Practice facility that Japan is building for the US military at Mageshima island. Just south of Nyutabaru Air Base.
India’s Economic Times reports that a team from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will be visiting Bengaluru within the next two months to evaluate the Tejas fighter. According to inside sourced, the Indian LCA has emerged as a top contender for the Malaysian Air Force since it is being offered at cheaper rates than the Swedish Saab Gripen and is more modern and capable than the China-Pakistan origin JF 17.
Today’s VideoWatch: British Babcock New Frigate Warship for Hellenic Navy
According to the Israeli Air Force, the new G550 “Oron” combines the capabilities of several different ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) aircraft in a single platform. On Sunday Apr. 4, 2021, the Israeli Air Force formally [...]
The post The Israeli Air Force Officially Introduces The “Oron”: A Highly-Modified G550 With “Unprecedented ISR Capabilities” appeared first on The Aviationist.
The Italian Air Force Typhoons in QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) were launched to intercept a U.S.-registered aircraft experiencing loss of radio comms with the Air Traffic Control. Two Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons of the [...]
The post Italian Eurofighter Typhoons Scramble To Intercept US-Registered Beech King Air During COMLOSS Incident appeared first on The Aviationist.
97th AMW at Altus Air Force Base carried out an impressive Elephant Walk with 29 aircraft, including KC-135s, KC-46s and C-17s. On Apr. 2, 2021, Altus Air Force Base (AAFB), Oklahoma, conducted an exercise to [...]
The post Behold These Incredible New Photos Of The Altus Air Force Base’s Impressive Elephant Walk appeared first on The Aviationist.
Do you remember the famous mishap to a USMC F-35B damaged by the explosion of an ammunition round leaving its gun pod? It’s no longer a Class A mishap…. A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B made [...]
The post Navy Downgrades Mishap To USMC F-35B Damaged By Its Own Round. It’s “Just” Class C Now. appeared first on The Aviationist.
An F/A-18F Super Hornet suffered a bird strike during a mission out of NAF El Centro, California. The mishap was labeled Class A, meaning damage between 2.5M USD and total loss of the aircraft. An [...]
The post Bird Strike Damages Super Hornet’s Intake And Engine Resulting In Class A Mishap (+2.5M USD And/Or Total Loss) appeared first on The Aviationist.
Northrop Grumman Systems won a $195 million contract modification to a previously awarded fixed-price incentive (firm-target) contract (N0001918C1037). This modification exercises options to provide support services to include non-recurring engineering, software support activity and product support in support of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) Lot 9 full rate production (FRP) aircraft. In addition, this modification adds scope to procure one E-2D AHE CV-22B variation in quantity aircraft Lot 10 FRP aircraft. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) is the newest variant of the E-2 aircraft platform. It features a state-of-the-art radar with a two-generation leap in capability and upgraded aircraft systems that will improve supportability and increase readiness. Work will take place in Florida, New York, California, Indiana, Illinois, France, and Massachusetts. Estimated completion date is in February 2026.
General Electric Aviation won a $21.6 million deal, which provides for 10 T-64 engine cores for the CH-53E aircraft as part of the T-64 Engine Reliability Improvement Program. The T64 is a turboshaft engine with a maximum power of 3,229 kW (T64-100) for applications on medium-size transport helicopters, such as the Sikorsky CH-53. Work will take place in Massachusetts, Vermont, North Carolina, Kentucky and Ohio. Estimated completion will be in December 2022.
Middle East & AfricaThe USS Dwight. D Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is participating in Operation Inherent Resolve with new airstrikes, the Navy said on Wednesday. Missiles were launched by Carrier Air Wing 3 against Islamic State positions in Iraq and Syria from the strike group’s position in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Navy statement said. The air launches came after IS took responsibility for an attack this week at Palma, Mozambique. “Our Strike Group is ready and capable of providing direct, long-range combat operational air support from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea,” Rear Adm. Scott F. Robertson, commander of Carrier Strike Group 2, said in a statement.
EuropeA Dutch frigate will join the UK Carrier Strike Group for its initial deployment in May, the British Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday. Led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the strike group will travel from the North Atlantic Ocean, to the Mediterranean Sea and through the Suez Canal to the Indian Ocean and then the Indo-Pacific region.
Asia-PacificSouth Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) says the defense project promotion committee has approved the purchase of around 36 attack helicopters. The budget allocated is $2.81 billion and the deal will be concluded by 2028.
Boeing won a $1.6 billion modification that provides for the production and delivery of 11 P-8A Lot 12 production aircraft; nine for the Navy and two for the government of Australia. The P-8 has two variants: The P-8I, flown by the Indian Navy, and the P-8A Poseidon, flown by the U.S. Navy, the Royal Australian Air Force and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force. The RAAF has acquired the Boeing aircraft through the Foreign Military Sales process and will receive a variant designed and produced for the U.S. Navy called the P-8A Poseidon. Work will take place in Washington and California. Estimated completion date is in September 2024.
Today’s VideoWatch: CH-53E Super Stallions Load and Relocate Tactical Vehicles & Equipment
The F-35I “Adir” (just like any other Lightning II aircraft) requires the exterior paint or coating to be regularly cleaned to preserve its LO (Low Observability). Several things combine to provide the F-35’s LO (Low [...]
The post Israeli Air Force Details How F-35I “Adir” Stealth Jet’s Coating Is Cleaned To Preserve Low Observability appeared first on The Aviationist.