Turkish Black Hawk on Trials March 25 2020

The T70 Utility Helicopter Program, which was launched for the utility helicopter requirement of the Turkish Armed Forces and the fire fighting helicopter need of the General Directorate of Forestry, continues its progress. Presidency of Defence Industries (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı / SSB), which is the military acquirement corporation of Turkey, shared an information from its official social media accounts about the testing activities of the platform. In the statement, &...

JL-9 Solution March 23 2020

Aircraft carrier power is increasing worldwide. Described as a separate capability in aviation, the ship-based aircraft operation also creates the need for special equipment. China, which tries to become one of the world's leading aircraft carrier powers, continues its works without interruption. Beijing, which has commissioned the first two ships and continues the construction of the third, takes measures to meet the increasing need for aircraft and pilots. In this context...

Additional Jet Trainer March 23 2020

The advanced jet trainers approaching the end of their economic life. So they will leave their places to new ones. The US Air Force also chose the T-7A Red Hawks in the past months to replace the T-38 Talons in its inventory. For the transition to new platforms, the USA launched the Reforge Proof of Concept (RFX) process to provide advanced training in specific areas with modern training aircraft. In this process, a limited amount of aircraft procurement is planned.

Bell and Sikorsky-Boeing Will Compete for New Design March 17 2020

Bell and Sikorsky-Boeing will compete for the design planned to replace the UH-60 Black Hawk general-purpose helicopter, which has been operational since 1979. The US Army has awarded Bell and a Sikorsky-Boeing team Competitive Demonstration and Risk Reduction contracts for the next stage of its Future Long Range Air Assault (FLRAA) programme. Over the last several years, Bell and the Sikorsky-Boeing team designed, built and flew demonstrators for the service’s Joint Multi-Rol...

Engine Shut Down in T-7A February 29 2020

T-7A Red Hawk tests, developed to replace the T-38 Talon advanced jet training aircraft, are ongoing. The U.S. Air Force chose Boeing as the main contractor for the platform. The T-7A’s only engine, GE 404, was turned off for 48 seconds when the aircraft was flying at an altitude of 20,000 feet, Boeing said in a statement. “It’s a test of all the subsystems built for backup in the event a pilot would have to shut the engine down in an emergency and power it back up again,&rd...

USS Gerald R. Ford’s EMALS is Operational for All Aircraft February 16 2020

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced that the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) have been cleared for shipboard launch and recovery of all currently deployed naval aircraft types aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).  This means that CVN 78 completed Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) following 16 days at sea. The aircraft carrier passed sea compatibility tests with EMALS and AAG. It can launch and r...

Triton Eye on Pacific January 29 2020

Because of the increasing China, North Korea and Russian movements in the region, the USA added a new one to the measures taken in order to compete in the intelligence race in the Pacific. The US Pacific Fleet announced deployment of two MQ-4C Tritons to Andersen Air Force Base in Guam as part of early operational capability. With the Tritons, the maritime patrol variant of RQ-4 Global Hawks, the US Navy will perform training activities. In this context...

Serial Production Time for T-7A Red Hawk January 21 2020

The United States announced that the T-7A Red Hawk aircraft were chosen as the platform to replace the T-38 Talon advanced jet trainers in the last quarter of 2019. As a partner of Boeing in the program, Saab announced that the serial production phase has started for the aft fuselage section. Saab stated that the parts of the platforms that on their shares will be manufactured in the facilities located in Linköping in the first place. The company, which is respon...

ROKAF receives first Global Hawk UAV December 28 2019

Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defence (MND) confirmed that the Korean Air Force (ROKAF) received the first of four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on 23 December 2019. The UAV arrived at Sacheon Air Base in South Gyeongsang Province. The three remaining platforms are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2020, although this could change depending on situations.

NATO Approaches Surveillance Capability November 25 2019

  The first of five NATO RQ-4D Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) unmanned aircraft lands in Italy. The first of five NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) aircraft landed in Sigonella. AGS is being developed with significant contributions from 15 Allies - Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States. All Allies will have access to the data obtained by the AGS; The ...

HH-60W to be Tested November 12 2019

New HH-60W helicopters of US landed at Eglin Nov. 6 to begin developmental testing. The second HH-60W general-purpose helicopter reached the test area the next day. The platform is based on the UH-60M helicopter in design. The aircraft is modified to perform missions locating and rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory, and United States Air Force (USAF)purchased 113 HH-60W helicopters equipped for search and rescue missions. HH-60W is significantly more capable and re...

Croatia buys two more Black Hawks November 1 2019

  US Government cleared two Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters sale to Croatia. The country will have four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters in inventory. The US State Department approval, announced on 30 October, covers a pair of the latest-variant UH-60Ms, along with other equipment, spares, weapons, training and support. The estimated value of the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) is USD115 million. The helicopters will join a pair of UH-60Ms t...

Taiwan Retires 49-year-old UH-1H October 30 2019

The Republic of China Army retired its UH-1H fleet today and declared the UH-60M fleet fully operational. A ceremony was held at Tai Chung Lung Hsiang base to mark the event. The UH-1H utility helicopter was in service for military training or in the relief operations of mountain rescue and natural disasters. Army Aviation Special Operations Command held a "de-settlement ceremony" on the 30th of this month due to the absence of parts and shortage of spare parts. Its air tr...

Fifth Ship Works Started at MİLGEM October 15 2019

Signatures were signed for the fifth ship of the MİLGEM program of the Turkish Naval Forces and the first ship of class I. The fourth ship of the ADA class submarine defence warfare corvettes was signed on September 29th with the delivery ceremony of TCG Kınalıada. In the design of the fifth ship class, I air defence frigate, Defence Technologies Engineering Inc. (STM) will serve. The company had previously installed the design of four Ada classes. The ships were built under the command of th...

Production Approval for HH-60W September 26 2019

Lockheed Martin announced that the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter, the M-level UH-60 Black Hawk general-purpose helicopter, has received Milestone C initial production approval. The Combat Rescue Helicopter will perform combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services. The joint Sikorsky and USAF flight test team have executed over 70 hours of envelope expansion flights. A much-improved version of the 1970s UH-60 Black Hawk design, ...

MBDA Signs Agreement with India September 20 2019

MBDA, has signed an agreement with Bharat Dynamics Limited of India. The agreement involves the advanced short-range air-to-air missile (ASRAAM) and Mistral missiles, and covers final assembly, integration and testing, says MBDA. The ASRAAM will be used by New Delhi's fleet of Sepecat/Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) Jaguar ground attack jets. It will also see service with the Tejas Mk-1A, a combat-capable of the version of the Hawk Mk132 called Hawk-India, and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI. A...

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Delivered to the Squadron September 12 2019

The U.S. Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120), also known as “Greyhawks”, receive the first improved version of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning surveillance aircraft with aerial refuelling capability. The upgrades installed to support aerial refuelling include electrical and lighting upgrades and long endurance seats that will enhance the field of view in the cockpit and reduce fatigue over longer missions. The aerial refuelling capabil...

NATO Movement Against to Russia August 11 2019

NATO has completed a scheduled upgrade of a land-based Aegis Ashore ballistic missile system in Romania. The update is part of the United States European Phased Adaptive Approach to ballistic missile defence, which was announced on September 2009. The Aegis Ashore station will detect and track potential threats outside of the bloc. A US THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) system was deployed to the Deveselu base for the time of the upgrade.   In response to th...

Old Black Hawk with New Face August 10 2019

The U.S. Air Force has received the first Operational Loss Replacement HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, which in turn is a rebuilt low-hour U.S. Army UH-60L Black Hawk.    The first 210th RQS Operational Loss Replacement HH-60G Pave Hawk was delivered to Alaska Air National Guard.   The HH-60 is the Department of Defence's sole combat-search-and-rescue helicopter. The OLR program will restore the Pave Hawk fleet to its authorized size.

US and Korean Alliance Get Stronger August 10 2019

The Republic of Korea adds a new one to the defence expenditures it has recently increased. New military platforms to put in the inventory of the Republic of Korea navy. According to the Pentagon's Defence Security Cooperation Agency, Korea will procure 12 MH-60R Seahawk from the US under the approved request. Cost of procurement is approximately 800 million US Dollars. And will be made under the scope of the FMS. Seoul will provide helicopters, as well as hell-borne surface sca...

USA has Green Signalled July 31 2019

The United States has green signalled Republic of Korea’s request to provide Contractor Logistics Support for four RQ-4 Block 30 Remotely Hawk high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) surveillance unmanned aerial vehicles. Seoul had requested to purchase contractor logistics support, programme management, depot and organisational level maintenance, technical and logistics services, and other related elements of logistics and programme support, adding that the total estimated programme cost i...

E-2D Hawkeye gets new APY-9 Radar July 26 2019

Lockheed Martin has signed a contract for the production of modern radars for the E-2D Hawkeye aircraft program with Northrop Grumman.  Production of 24 APY-9 radars will start within the contract which is worth 600 million US dollars. The APY-9 radar program is nearing completion of existing five-year production contract in 2020, and this new contract calls for another five years of production with deliveries spanning from 2021 to 2025. The latest radar order will include Lockheed Marti...

BAE Systems for Navy July 26 2019

BAE Systems has signed a follow-on contract with US Navy to produce 28 more payload tubes for Block-V Virginia-class submarines. BAE Systems will deliver seven sets of four tubes each for the Virginia Payload Modules (VPM). Builder of the Virginia class, BAE Systems will deliver seven sets of four tubes each for the VPM. These systems will increase the payload capacity and firepower by extending the length of mid-body section of the submarine. Each large-diameter payload tube can launch seven...

The Hawkeye Tested July 26 2019

U.S. soldiers tested the Hawkeye 105mm mobile artillery system as part of Exercise Northern Strike 19. The Hawkeye is a mobile artillery system based on the high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle fitted with a U.S. Army standard M20 105mm cannon mounted at the rear of the vehicle. The Hawkeye can be ready to fire in less than two minutes with a total crew of four soldiers.

Hawks Set Example for Drone Capture July 12 2019

  Oxford University, Flight Group researchers are studying the way Hawks catch prey to help develop the guidance systems for an air vehicle that will catch rogue drones. Research is focused on the behaviour of Hawks to understand flight dynamics, controls and guidance systems. Various methods and technologies are being developed that use projectiles, the jamming of radio communications, other drones and birds of prey. The researchers used high speed cameras ...

Simulators for Atak June 25 2019

The ATAK Helicopter Full Mission Simulator, which will be used to train pilots who will fly T129 Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter, was developed by Turkish Air Defence and Software Company HAVELSAN within the scope of a project by the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB). The Simulator has been delivered to Turkish Armed Forces Command. Because the pilot and weapon system officer is positioned tandem in the attack helicopter, the requirements of these two missions can...

Maiden Flightfrom Unpiloted Black Hawk June 8 2019

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk testbed helicopter equipped with Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) technology made its maiden flight on 29 May, the company announced on 6 June. The flight took place at company's West Palm Beach facility in Florida on 29 May. İt also marked the official start of the flight trials programme for the OPV technology following an earlier test aboard a S-76B Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA) testbed helicopter. &quo...

Black Hawk's Chinese Sibling in Inventory May 17 2019

The Z-20 helicopters which are quite similar in appearance to the UH-60 in inventory. The platform has been seen for the first time in a long time. It is thought that the helicopter that was firstly seen with Chinese Army insignias entered the Chinese inventory. In the latest images published, it is stated that the LH953201 and LH953205 serial numbered helicopters carry the Chinese Army marks and the serial numbers match the ones used in the army system. The Z-20 helicopte...

First Domestically Built Black Hawk Engine Delivered May 15 2019

The process continues to progress in helicopters to be manufactured at TUSAŞ facilities under licence within scope of the T70 Utility Helicopter Program. In this context, TEI delivered the first T700-TEI-701D turboshaft engine produced under license. The delivery ceremony was held at TEI facilities based in Eskişehir. The ground laying ceremony for TR Engine, which will be the Turboshaft engine R & D center, was also held at the ceremony. President of Defense Industry Dr. Ismail...

Bidding Time for the Republic of Korea May 14 2019

DAPA (Defence Acquisition Program Administration), the defence procurement agency of the Republic of Korea, has announced that the country has launched the second phase for the new anti-submarine warfare helicopters. In the first phase, Republic of Korea has pruchased eight AW159 Wildcat helicopters. The estimated value is expected to be $ 802 million. It is estimated that US-based Lockheed Martin and Italian Leonardo companies will compete. The timeline for bidding is May 2 to Augu...

New Delhi Approves Navy Ka-31 Buy May 11 2019

The Defence Acquisition Council on Friday cleared the purchase of 10 Russian-made Kamov Ka-31 31 Helix airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) helicopters for the Indian Navy (IN). ANI news agency reported the proposed acquisition would cost approximately Rs 3,600 crore (US$518 million).. The procurement of 10 Ka-31 AEW&C helicopters, used as airborne pickets by the IN, will allow them to improve their situational awareness at sea, and follow-on orders after India ordered...

$6 961 Billion Worth Export May 7 2019

The State Department has decided to approve a possible Foreign Military Sale to three countries for five different defence items. Two for Bahrain, two for Czech Republic and one for United Arab Emirates. Total cost for Bahrain is $ 3. 228 billion. Total tag price for Czech Republic is 1. 085 billion and UAE will pay $2.728 billion. Total export value is $6 961 billion. Bahrain will acquire various Patriot missile systems and related support and equipment for an...

Albania Gets Second Hand Black Hawk from USA April 11 2019

Albanian Defence Minister Olta Xhaçka stated on an interview that his government is negotiating with the United States buying three Black Hawk "helicopters. "It's part of the United States aid package, after a few days I'll go to America to sign the contract. These are three "Black Hawk" helicopters that will reinforce the army's capabilities. " Minister Xhaçka said that even though helicopters are used, they are in extremely good workin...

US Approves MH-60R Sale to India April 3 2019

  The US government has approved the sale of the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk maritime multisession helicopter to India. The US State Department has cleared India to procure 24 MH-60R helicopters, as well one MH-60B/R Excess Defence Article (EDA) helicopter from the US Navy that will likely be used for training. In addition to the helicopters, the proposed package includes related anti-submarine warfare equipment and weapons, anti-surface warfare weapons, ...

Mirage F1s Returned to Skies April 3 2019

US-based tactical training, threat simulation and R & D provider Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), announced that it received 63 Mirage F1 platforms from France in 2017. The company announced on April 2 that 45 of the platforms have uğgraded with digital radio, frequency memory and jammer capability and advanced radar systems. In addition to Mirage F1s, the company will provide Agressor services to US Air Force training with Hawker Hunter, IAI Kfir and L-39ZA aircraft....

One More Step in AAG April 2 2019

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) made a new announcement about the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) tests. The statement, about the system which will be used on board the United States' new generation Gerald R. Ford class aircraft to be used; said that another test phase has left behind. In the tests carried out with the E-2C + Hawkeye, which weighs approximately 21,000 kilograms, the system was attempted to stop by the barrier. In the trials conducted in Lakehurst,...

First Saudi Hawk Rolled Out April 2 2019

Saudi Arabia, rolled out the the country's first Hawk Mk 165 advanced jet trainer aircraft manufactured under license, with a ceremony. The ceremony was held at the King Abdulaziz Air Base, and the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, was also attended. Prince told that during ceremony the program is an important milestone in the country's Vision 2030 Program. The Saudi Royal Air Force, which already has Mk 65 and Mk65A models in its inventory, ordered the first Mk165 AJT pack...

British Rolls-Royce Gets Involved in Bell’s V-280 and V-247 Engines March 26 2019

British Company Rolls-Royce will develop turboshaft engines for Bell’s V-280 Valor and V-247 Vigilant tiltrotors. The V-280 Valor is powered by US company GE’s T64-GE-419 engine. According to Bell, “Bell and Rolls-Royce are developing an end-to-end engine integrated solution for V-280 as an option for future procurements”. The company however admits that “”the government has not defined its engine sourcing strategy.” Following Siko...

Next Gen Frigate for U.S. Navy March 7 2019

The U.S. Navy has issued a draft request for proposals for a new guided missile frigate, being acquired through the FFG(X) competition in order to buy a total of 20 ships, and the draft solicitation outlines the construction schedule for the first 10 ships in the class. The lead ship would be delivered 72 months after a contract is awarded. The contract will include an option for an additional nine ships. A final RFP will be released later this year, with a contract award ...

Canada Submits Formal Bid to Buy Eurohawk February 21 2019

Canada has submitted a formal bid to buy the Eurohawk from Germany, Reuters reports. It said earlier that Transport Canada wishes to purchase the aircraft in order to monitor oil spills and the Arctic Region. Canada has submitted a formal bid for the prototype aircraft, which was stripped of key equipment and demilitarized by the United States in 2017. The German Defence Ministry is evaluating the request from Canada to buy a high-altitude surveillance drone that has been ...