French ministry for Armed Forces selects Airbus Survey Copter Aliaca fixed-wing drone systems to equip its ships

February 12, 2021

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

Bahrain Defence Force purchases one Avro RJ100 aircraft

February 12, 2021

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

First Japan KC-46 Tanker takes flight

February 10, 2021

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

Safran and HAL sign MoU on military engine collaboration

February 9, 2021

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

IAI signs deals to supply Heron MK II UAV systems to Asian country

January 26, 2021

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

U.K. government signs £30 million contract with Sprint for fighter drone project

January 26, 2021

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

U.S. Air Force awards Boeing contract for 15 KC-46A tankers

January 22, 2021

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.

U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing contract for 12 KC-46A tanker aircraft

January 13, 2021

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a US$1.7 billion contract for 12 KC-46A tanker aircraft. With this sixth production lot, Boeing is now on contract for 79 KC-46A tankers. The company delivered the first KC-46A to the Air Force in January 2019. Since then, Boeing has delivered 42 tankers to four different bases. The

GE awarded new contract for additional T408 turboshaft engines

January 6, 2021

GE Aviation has been awarded a US$111.9 million contract with NAVAIR for fourth lot T408 engines to power the U.S. Marine Corps’ most advanced heavy-lift helicopter, the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion. This latest contract of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) engines follows three previous LRIP contracts for this program, the most recent being in August

Israel Aerospace Industries wins three avionic upgrade tenders in South Korea

January 5, 2021

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Aviation Group has won three avionic upgrade contracts worth approximately US$50 million in South Korea, in 2020. The win includes three different aircraft types used by the Korean Air Force. The avionic upgrade process includes converting a used aircraft and retrofitting it with all or part of the avionic systems with

Military & Defense