AFA 2014: USAF officials cautiously optimistic on SpaceX launch certification
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,...
View ArticleAFA 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...
View ArticleAFA 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...
View ArticleLand 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...
View ArticleIndian 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...
View ArticleF-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...
View ArticleDutch 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...
View ArticleBudget 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...
View ArticleAAD: 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...
View ArticleAAD: 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...
View ArticleAAD: 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...
View Article'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...
View ArticleNigeria 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...
View ArticleNATO 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...
View ArticleMexico 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...
View ArticleSaudi 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...
View ArticleIDF 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...
View ArticleUSN'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...
View ArticleUK 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....
View ArticleRAF 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...
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