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Mock up shows military role for X2
June 01, 2009
Last month Sikorsky displayed a mock-up of a possible X2 Light Tactical Helicopter (LTH) design at the Army Aviation Association of America annual convention. The mockup reflects Sikorsky’s military concept for the X2 compound helicopter research vehicle, currently in flight test. Sikorsky hopes to set a new helicopter speed record of more than 250 knots...
moreDebate Continues over Cost, Schedule of Early F-35s
May 19, 2009
Although the Pentagon last month declared that it was increasing the early production tempo of the F-35, the decision to buy 30 aircraft next year does not actually change previous plans. Moreover, there is still no U.S. commitment to multi-year procurement (MYP) before 2015. Mindful of repeated criticism by the U.S. Government Accountability Office that...
moreGA-ASI Unveils Stealthy Predator UAV
May 19, 2009
The stealthy, jet-powered version of the Predator series UAV that was unveiled last month was developed “with significant company investment,” according to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI). Tom Cassidy, president of GA-ASI’s aircraft systems group, again sought to contrast the company’s lean and independent development model with that of...
moreBoeing Pushes F/A-18 Developments
May 19, 2009
Boeing is making further improvements to the F/A-18E/F, and evaluating a more powerful version of the Super Hornet’s GE F414 powerplants. A new core and a new fan that could deliver 20 percent more thrust are under investigation by Boeing and General Electric. Boeing F/A-18 program manager Bob Gower said that no change to the aircraft’s inlets would be...
moreItaly Signs for Boeing CH-47F Chinooks
May 19, 2009
The Italian Army confirmed that it is buying 16 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters in a co-production deal with AgustaWestland that is worth approximately $1.23 billion. This is the first international sale of the CH-47F, a major upgrade to the evergreen Chinook that is already in service with the U.S. Army. New-build and remanufactured versions...
moreA400M Customers Review Program Commitment
May 19, 2009
EADS Airbus Military hopes that by the Paris Air Show next month launch customers Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and the UK will complete a review of their commitment to the A400M military transport. Defense-capability marketing vice president Peter Scoffham on May 12 said that the company was doing “all we can to meet customer...
moreNew Marine One Axed
May 01, 2009
he Obama Administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2010 defense budget ends funding for the controversial Presidential helicopter replacement program, the cost of which had ballooned to $13 billion for 28 VH-71 Kestrels. The VH-71 was based on a highly modified version of the three-engine AgustaWestland EH101, with Lockheed Martin serving as the prime...
morePentagon’s Budget Review Boosts UAVs, Drops F-22, VH-71 and CSAR-X
April 16, 2009
The Pentagon is increasing production of the General Atomics Predator and Reaper armed UAVs and withdrawing 250 strike aircraft. The long-awaited statement on the U.S. Fiscal Year 2010 budget by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates confirmed an end to F-22 production at 187 aircraft, offset by a slight advance in the pace of the F-35 program. As expected,...
moreEmbraer Launches KC-390 Transport Jet
April 16, 2009
The new tactical transport jet that has been under development in Brazil for the past two years was formally launched this month. Embraer signed a contract with the Brazilian Air Force on April 14 for the KC-390 at the Latin America Aero and Defence Show. As the revised designation now suggests, the aircraft can also act as a refueler, either in the air or...
moreAlenia Touts UAV Capability
April 16, 2009
Alenia Aeronautica is claiming leadership in Europe of unmanned aircraft development, following the recent completion of new flight tests of the Sky-Y demonstrator. The five flights took place within specially designated airspace in the Puglia region of Italy, and followed 14 earlier flights on the test range at Vidsel in northern Sweden. Images from the...
moreBoeing Refreshes F-15 Strike Eagle with Stealth, New EW
April 16, 2009
Boeing has applied some stealth design principles to the F-15 Strike Eagle, and is marketing the modified aircraft for export as the F-15SE Silent Eagle. On the new model, the conformal fuel tanks (CFTs) already added to the F-15E are adapted to carry weapons internally and the vertical tails are canted outwards to reduce radar-cross section under certain...
moreDenel Now a C-130 Service Center
April 16, 2009
Denel Aviation of South Africa has been certified by Lockheed Martin as a service center for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of C-130s. Although there are already eight of these facilities around the world, this is the first one in Africa. Denel says that there are 140 C-130s or L-100s (the commercial version) flying in Africa with 14 operators. Denel...
moreUAE Selects Master for Advanced Trainer and Combat Roles
March 16, 2009
The United Arab Emirates has selected the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master to fulfill its advanced trainer and combat support requirement. The UAE Air Force and Air Defense (AFAD) plans to acquire 48 Masters for lead-in fighter training and light attack duties. Details of the deal are yet to be finalized, but the agreement, announced on February 25 during the...
moreUAE Boosts Airlift Capabilities
March 16, 2009
Dramatically expanding the country’s airlift capabilities, the United Arab Emirates plans to add Boeing C-17s and Lockheed Martin C-130Js. The country is purchasing four C-17 Globemaster IIIs for AED4.3 billion ($1.17 billion), and 12 C-130Js for AED5.9 billion ($1.6 billion). Financial management of the purchases has been assigned to Al Waha Capital, and...
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