The first U.S. portion of the T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer has officially entered the Boeing jet’s state-of-the-art production line. The training jet, designated the eT-7A Red Hawk by the U.S. Air Force because of its digital heritage, was fully designed using 3-D model-based definition and data management systems developed at Boeing during the last
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, (GA-ASI) and GKN Aerospace have signed a contract for GKN Aerospace to manufacture the advanced composite V-tails for GA-ASI’s new MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) from its Cowes facility in the United Kingdom. SkyGuardian is the baseline system of the U.K. Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Protector RG Mk1 and
Astronics Corporation has been awarded contracts by Boeing to supply CorePower® aircraft power distribution units and custom-engineered exterior lighting for the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling program. The CorePower system replaces pilot-operated, thermal mechanical breaker systems with intelligently controlled, solid-state switches to provide safe, reliable performance remotely. The system planned for the MQ-25 incorporates the use
Airbus Defence and Space mini UAS subsidiary SURVEY Copter has signed a contract with French DGA Armament general directorate to provide the French Navy with 11 systems, (22 aircraft), of the electrically powered fixed-wing Aliaca maritime version UAS (officially called SMDM / “Systèmes de Mini Drones aériens embarqués pour la Marine” by French authorities), including
On behalf of Braathens, Skyworld Aviation has concluded the sale of one Avro RJ100 aircraft to the Bahrain Defence Force. SE-DSZ (serial number 3380) will undergo maintenance at Norwich prior to ferrying to Bahrain. Seven out of the ten aircraft fleet from Braathens have now been sold. The Bahrain Defence Force currently operates one Avro RJ85 and
The first Boeing KC-46 tanker destined for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) took to the skies on its maiden flight on February 8. This successful flight highlights an important milestone as the aircraft now transitions into the certification phase of development. Japan is the KC-46 program’s first international customer and is scheduled to receive
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Aircraft Engines have signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) announcing their intent to work together on bringing niche engine technology to India. Under the terms of the MOU, HAL and Safran Aircraft Engines intend to explore opportunities to assemble the Safran M88 engine and manufacture components for the engine with HAL for an
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed two deals, one to sell and one to lease two Heron MKII UAV systems to a central Asian country. The systems include reconnaissance payloads, Heron MK II drones, and land arrays. The Heron MK II reaches an altitude of 35,000 feet, maximum speed of 140 knots, and can stay
As part of a major £1.5 billion investment in military research and development, the U.K. government has signed a £30 million design and manufacture contract with the Belfast arm of Sprint AeroSystems for an unmanned fighter drone. In 2020 the U.S. group acquired the former business in Northern Ireland from Bombardier. The deal is to
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a US$2.1 billion contract for 15 KC-46A tankers, expanding its fleet of aircraft that will not only set the standard for aerial refueling but will also help enable the integrated digital battlespace. The KC-46 is a widebody, multirole tanker designed for state-of-the-art air refueling, cargo and medical transport.
