US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is seeking to shift from operating unmanned systems to 'managing' them as autonomous technology advances, Steve Kracinovich, director of NAVAIR's Autonomous Systems Initiative, said during a 4 May address at AUVSI's annual Xponential conference in New Orleans,
Xponential 2016: NAVAIR wants 'mission-level' autonomy for unmanned platforms
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Sigma Components acquired by private equity
UK private equity firm Silverfleet Capital announced on 4 May that it has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Avingtrans' Sigma Components.
The deal, valued at GBP65 million (USD95 million), will see Sigma's management acquire a "substantial" minority shareholding, IHS
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Russia and China vow to deepen military ties
Key Points
Russia and China plan to increase the frequency and number of their joint military exercises
The aim is to present more of a united front during times of increased tension
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has announced plans to strengthen military ties with the People's Republic
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Nicaragua acquires Russian T-72 tanks
Nicaragua has acquired 50 T-72B tanks from the Russian Federation in a deal worth USD80 million. According to Congressman Edwin Castro, the tanks will be used to combat drug trafficking.
Moscow has announced that a first batch of 20 tanks has been shipped to the Central American nation. However,
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Indian MoD lists items for sourcing via private sector
Key Points
The Indian MoD has shortlisted 23 platforms and weapon systems for indigenous manufacturing
Smoothbore guns, diesel engines, and air-to-ground rockets are among the items
India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has shortlisted 23 platforms and assorted weapon systems for all three services
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First ever EU defence research funding proposal nears
The European Commission (EC) is putting the final touches on a proposal for the EU to fund defence research projects for the first time in its 60-year history.
While questions still hang over the proposal's budget, the proposed pilot projects between 2017 and 2019 may pave the way for a potentially
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Xponential 2016: US must move to develop large UGV capabilities
The US armed forces must look to address the challenge of on- and off-road autonomy for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) following more than of decade of concentrating on providing standoff capabilities.
Speaking at AUVSI's Xponential 2016 conference and exhibition in New Orleans, Major Michael
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Indian parliamentary panel 'distressed' over delay in Rafale deal
Key Points
India's law ministry has expressed reservations about the Rafale deal
The ministry is reportedly demanding financial liability agreements from France
India's federal law ministry has expressed reservations about the outright purchase of 36 French Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft
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China's CASIC seeks greater engagement with private sector
State-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) has announced a plan to increase engagement with China's private sector in a bid to enhance its position as a systems integrator.
CASIC, one of China's biggest manufacturers of missile systems and defence electronics, said that
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Afghan forces face test of strength in Taliban-held districts
Key Points
The ANDSF have been unable to recapture districts in several Afghan provinces
The Taliban dispute government claims they have been 'repelled'
Following the Taliban's spring offensive, launched on 12 April, the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have claimed not only to
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Xponential 2016: US Army UAS sense-and-avoid operations to start this year
The US Army's Ground-Based Sense-and-Avoid (GBSAA) system is to begin operations in 2016 at a handful of sites, and begin expanding capability next year, an army engineer revealed.
The first GBSAA site was established at Ft Hood in Texas in late 2014, and GBSAA operations are begin this year at
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Xponential 2016: Shadow engine replacement slated for service in 2018
The US Army expects to field its Block III RQ-7B Shadow engine in 2018, according to Lieutenant Colonel Tory Burgess.
Speaking at AUVSI's Xponential 2016 conference and exhibition in New Orleans, Lt Col Burgess, who is the US Army's Shadow UAS Product Manager, said that the second stage of the
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Xponential 2016: K-MAX set for USMC demonstration role
Lockheed Martin is set to move its two K-MAX rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.
Speaking to IHS Jane's at AUVSI's Xponential 2016 conference and exhibition, Lockheed Martin's Jon McMillen said that the systems will act as testbed aircraft for the US
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Lockheed Martin gets USD1.3 billion for 13 additional F-35s
Lockheed Martin has received a USD1.3 billion contract for 13 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters that were added to an 11th low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot during fiscal year 2016 (FY16) budget negotiations, the Pentagon announced on 2 May.
The contract includes six short take off and
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Ethiopia turns S-75 SAMs into self-propelled systems
Ethiopia is converting some of its S-75 (SA-2 'Guideline') surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) into mobile systems by mounting them on the hulls of T-54/55 tanks.
A photograph of one of the S-75 launchers mounted on a T-54/55 hull was published by the Somali news website Garowe Online on 19 April to
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GBSD RfP expected in weeks
Key Points
A GBSD RfP is expected by next month
Industry is currently providing feedback on a draft version
The US Air Force (USAF) is moving ahead with plans for replacing the Boeing LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), with a final request for proposals (RfP)
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Allied deterrence will check Russia's aggression, say NATO officials
NATO will match Russia pace for pace in deterring the latter's aggression along its borders, says NATO's new military commander, US Army General Curtis M Scaparrotti, who assumed his new duties on 4 May.
Asked about televised remarks by Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu that Moscow will deploy
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Russia to focus on re-equipping airborne forces
The re-equipment of Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) with new military hardware is a priority for the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and is enshrined in the 2025 State Armament Programme, according to the VDV's chief, Army General Vladimir Shamanov.
He said on 2 May that the "current course of
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Egypt unveils new self-propelled guns
The Egyptian Ministry of Defence and Military Production released a video on 3 May that revealed it has developed two new types of wheeled self-propelled artillery systems by mounting old guns on 6x6 trucks.
The video of the 'Magd 14' artillery exercise held near the city of Suez showed that one of
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Singapore downselects helicopter contenders
Singapore has downselected Airbus and Leonardo-Finmeccanica to replace its ageing Aerospatiale AS332M Super Puma platforms, it was reported on 3 May.
Sources familiar with the details of the procurement said that both European manufacturers will compete for the requirement to provide a dozen new
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