Key Points
Lockheed Martin is offering the TR-X as a replacement for its U-2
The USAF has not requested designs for a next-generation surveillance aircraft, but Lockheed Martin sees the need for a more survivable successor to the legacy fleet
Lockheed Martin is offering the US Air Force (USAF)
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AFA 2015: Lockheed Martin pitches TR-X to replace U-2
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DSEI 2015: Raytheon pitches Sentinel R.1 service extention to 2015
Raytheon UK's Sentinel R.1 Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) aircraft could be kept in service for another decade to help the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) meet its airborne ISTAR requirements, according to company executives.
The long-term fate of the Sentinel is under consideration as part of the UK's
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DSEI 2015: C-2 back in testing and on schedule, says KHI
Flight tests of the C-2 transport aircraft have resumed and it is in on course to finish its development programme on schedule in March 2016, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) officials said at DSEI 2015 in London.
Testing of the C-2 was suspended in July 2014 when a rear door blew off during
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China unveils next-gen Wing Loong II UCAV
Chengdu Aircraft Corporation revealed its second-generation Wing Loong II turboprop-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) at the biennial Beijing Air Show in mid-September.
Data and images of the platform show a strong resemblance to the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper high-altitude
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Argentine Coast Guard receives first H225 helicopter
The Argentine Coast Guard took delivery of its first Airbus Helicopters H225 Super Puma helicopter on 16 September.
The H225 (formerly known as the Eurocopter EC 225) was purchased as part of the Argentine Coast Guard's fleet modernisation programme, which called for the service's three SA 330L
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AFA 2015: Poland becomes third JASSM FMS customer
Key Points
The Polish Air Force has purchased the AGM-158 for its F-16s
The purchase increases Poland's long-range strike capabilities
Lockheed Martin has received a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract from the US Air Force to equip the Polish Air Force's Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 52 fleet
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GMLRS Alternative Warhead gets first order
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a USD227 million contract for the Lot 10 production of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)-Unitary, the company announced on 15 September.
This marks the first official production contract for the GMLRS alternative warhead programme (AWP), although it
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Analysis: US Syrian rebel training programme fields only '4 or 5' fighters
Only a handful of Syrian fighters remain from a US train and equip programme meant to oppose the Islamic State militants there, the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) told Congress on 16 September.
ANALYSIS
"It's a small number, the ones that are in the fight is, we're talking four or
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Analysis: UAE may have acquired long-range mod4 ER torpedo vessels
ANALYSIS
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is probably operating innocuous-looking vessels that are armed with the world's longest-range torpedo: a capability that would enable it to target Iranian Kilo-class submarines at their base.
Confirmation that the UAE has received new torpedo systems came in
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DSEI 2015: Profitability and R&D spend allows Nammo to exploit niche markets
Maintaining profitability to allow a decent research and development (R&D) spend is key to Norway's Nammo retaining its position as a niche ammunition provider, the company's top official told IHS Jane's at DSEI 2015.
Morten Brandtzaeg, Nammo's president and CEO since 26 August, said the
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AFA 2015: Pentagon warns of budget shortfalls under continuing resolution
Key Points
A long-term CR in place of a FY 2016 funding bill would keep the DoD at FY 2015 funding levels, the secretary of defence warned
The CR would amount to a USD25 billion cut to the requested FY 2016 budget
If Congress funds the US Department of Defense (DoD) via a long-term continuing
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DSEI 2015: Italian Army orders more Guardian C-IED systems
The Italian Army has ordered more Guardian counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) systems from Selex ES, the company announced on 16 September at DSEI 2015 exhibition in London.
Guardian is a family of electronic countermeasure systems designed to jam radio-controlled IEDs. The range includes
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DSEI 2015: Beretta unveils ARX-200 battle rifle
Beretta Defense Technologies showed off its awaited ARX-200 7.62x51 mm combat rifle at DSEI 2015 in London.
Developed to the requirements of the Italian Army, the ARX 200 is currently being qualified according to NATO AC 225/LCG1 rules.
The new rifle draws on the experience acquired with the
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AFA 2015: KC-46 first flight back on schedule
Key Points
The USAF expects the developmental KC-46A Pegasus tanker to make its first test flight 25 September
Despite schedule turbulence, the USAF expressed confidence in the aircraft's performance
The US Air Force's (USAF's) Boeing KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelling tanker is expected to conduct
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Israel, US to start talks on post-Iran deal weapons package
Israel and the United States are set to begin discussions on a new weapons package in the wake of the 14 July Vienna agreement aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a senior Israeli defence source said on 10 September.
The talks will focus on what Israel needs to maintain its
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DSEI 2015: Thales Watchkeeper X eyes export market
Thales used the DSEI 2015 defence exhibition to launch the rebranded Watchkeeper X unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the export market on 16 September.
Watchkeeper was originally created as a bespoke system, based on the Elbit Hermes 450, for the British Army, which calls it the WK450.
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DSEI 2015: Thales debuts new wideband naval high frequency radio
Thales showcased a new wideband-ready naval high frequency (HF) radio at DSEI 2015 in London.
Called the MSN 8200, the new radio features a modular architecture designed to accommodate wideband plug-ins.
Speaking to IHS Jane's at the show, Thales naval communications product line manager Donna
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DSEI 2015: New vehicles needed for Land Joint Strike initiative, says British Army head
More than 300 wheeled combat vehicles are needed to turn the British Army's new Land Joint Strike (LJS) initiative into reality by the end of this decade, according to senior army officers.
The head of the army, General Sir Nick Carter, unveiled the LJS at London's DSEI defence exhibition on 16
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Chief designer reveals data on China's new Luoyang PL-10 AAM
The Luoyang Electro-Optical Research Institute (LEOC) has largely competed development of its fifth-generation PL-10 short-range air-to-air missile (AAM), according to comments by the missile's designer on a Chinese TV show broadcast in late August.
The PL-10 AAM was first seen on Chinese websites
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China, Pakistan complete seven-week special forces drills
Pakistan and China ended seven weeks of joint exercises between their special forces on 15 September.
In recent years China has sought to block Islamic militants from entering its predominantly Muslim Xinjiang region, which borders Pakistan. Senior Pakistan Army officers have told IHS Jane's that
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