Key Points
US officials said SpaceX could be approved for military launch by the end of this year or in 2015 but cautioned that certification was 'not a done deal'
Concerned about US-Russia tensions, Washington is seeking alternatives to the Russian-manufactured RD-180 engine that powers its Atlas
AFA 2014: USAF officials cautiously optimistic on SpaceX launch certification
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AFA 2014: Second version of F-35 logistics system in testing
Key Points
ALIS 2.0, an improved version of the F-35's digital logistics system, has begun final testing
The system is expected to be ready for USMC deployment in July 2015
Lockheed Martin has delivered the logistics system for its F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to test sites in
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AFA 2014: KC-46A flight tests delayed over continued wiring issues
Key Points
First flight of the KC-46A Pegasus tanker has been delayed due to faulty wiring
The USAF's programme manager said he is 'disappointed' but not 'panicked'
First flight of the US Air Force's (USAF's) new Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tanker has been delayed by about five months
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Land Systems launches RG21 mine-protected vehicle
Land Systems South Africa has launched a new mine-protected general-purpose vehicle that is designed specifically for ease of manufacture and support by partner companies in another country.
The RG21 is a 13.8-ton (combat weight) 4x4 vehicle that provides all-round protection against rifle fire and
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Indian Army hands over first M-346 guns for upgrade contest
The Indian Army on 10 September approved the release of four Soviet-era M-46 130 mm field guns to four local contractors that will upgrade them to 155 mm/45 calibre standard.
Industry sources told IHS Jane's that the guns would be handed over to Bharat Forge, Punj Lloyd and Tata from the private
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F-35 contractors initiate self-funded affordability effort
Key Points
Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors on the F-35 programme plan to fund USD170 million in cost-cutting measures over two years.
The company and the government plan to sell the aircraft for USD80 million once production is at its peak.
Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors on the
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Dutch to increase defence spending
The Dutch government has decided to increase the Netherlands' defence spending, reversing 24 years of declining defence expenditure.
Dutch Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said on 16 September that the funds would be used generally to "enhance the clout" of the armed forces.
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Budget concerns hold up UCLASS RfP public release
Key Points
The DoD is carefully considering how much funding to allocate for UCLASS before allowing the navy to solicit bids for the effort.
The USN has reportedly been studying two UCLASS alternatives-a smaller, more affordable ISR asset and a larger, heavily-armed vehicle capable penetrating
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AAD: Sky Dragon gets longer-range radar
China's Norinco marketed an improved version of its Sky Dragon 50 medium-range air defence system at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show, held in Pretoria from 17-21 September.
Norinco unveiled the original Sky Dragon surface-to-air missile (SAM) system at the Eurosatory show in 2012 with
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AAD: Belorussia has new Shershen ATGM in the pipe
Belorusian company SRPC is developing a new addition to its Shershen family of anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems.
Vitali Mikachev, Belarus' deputy director of foreign economic affairs, told IHS Jane's at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show, held in Pretoria from 17-21 September, that
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AAD: Airbus, Denel, Aerosud sign tripartite MoU
Airbus, Denel Aerostructures, and Aerosud signed a "tripartite memorandum of understanding [MoU]" at the Denel Aerostructures plant outside Johannesburg, South Africa, on 16 September.
The MoU is described as being "an industrial and research alliance" to jointly develop
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'Coalition of the willing' goes into action in Iraq
Key Points
USAF aircraft are expanding the scope of their sorties against the IS in Iraq
A 'coalition of the willing' has been formed to counter the IS following a meeting of 30 foreign ministers in Paris on 15 September
As US strike aircraft stepped up the range and scope of their offensive
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Nigeria to buy 'significant number' of Russian helos
Russia concluded a deal with Nigeria last month on deliveries of a 'significant' consignment of Mil transport and attack helicopters, according to a senior official with the state-owned corporation Rostec.
"In August a contract was signed with Nigeria on the deliveries of [Russian]
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NATO shelves plans to procure additional SAC aircraft
Plans to increase the size of NATO's Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) fleet of three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport aircraft have been shelved due to a lack of demand, a programme official said on 17 September.
Speaking at the IQPC Military Airlift 2014 conference in London, SAC
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Mexico orders 18 UH-60M Black Hawk helos for counter-narcotics duties
Sikorsky has been awarded a USD203.6 million contract to build 18 UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters for Mexico.
The contract, which was announced by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 15 September, covers the manufacture of 18 'green' UH-60M helicopters for the Mexican Air Force (Fuerza
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Saudi Arabia begins receiving new AH-64E Apache helos
Saudi Arabia has begun receiving the first of its new AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters from Boeing, images posted online in early September appear to show.
According to these pictures, at least three AH-64E helicopter have arrived in the kingdom having been transported from Boeing's Mesa
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IDF preparing to defend against Hizbullah ground offensive
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are restructuring their defences along the Lebanese border after recent intelligence evaluations indicated that the militant Shia group Hizbullah is planning to send hundreds of well-armed fighters into northern Israel in any future conflict.
The central pillar of
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USN's Triton conducts first flight across United States
Key Points
The navy's first MQ-4C made the cross-country journey in 11 hours
Two more Tritons will also fly across the United States to NAS Patuxent River where testing will help the programme reach IOC in 2017
The first of three unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) designed for the US Navy's (USN's)
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UK may retain C-130J Hercules for special forces duties
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) may retain in service a number of its Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules transport aircraft for special forces use, a senior service official disclosed on 16 September.
Speaking at the IQPC Military Airlift 2014 conference in London, an official speaking under Chatham
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RAF Lossiemouth undertakes first QRA North scramble
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has flown its first Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) sortie out of RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, the service announced on 19 September.
A pair of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft from 6 Squadron were scrambled to intercept two Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-95 'Bear'
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