Defense Projects and News

Textron Aviation Defense LLC., a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, recently announced that the Beechcraft T-6C military trainer has achieved basic certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), supporting future configuration certification and delivery of 10 previously ordered T-6C aircraft for the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) program. The T-6C aircraft, on schedule to begin deliveries next year, will support team Affinity of Affinity Flying Training Services, a joint venture between Elbit Systems and KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root) selected to provide aircraft and maintenance services to the UKMFTS program. “Achieving EASA certification for the T-6C supports the progression of our contract with UKMFTS, and additionally opens up opportunities to provide a proven military training platform to the European market,” said Tom Hammoor, president of Textron Aviation Defense. “This highly capable training platform, further enhanced with exceptional product support, equips our customers with a superior solution for a wide range of mission needs.”

First deck landing on the brand new HMS "Queen Elizabeth" aircraft carrier for the Royal Navy. Not a plane but cool to watch for sure.

The U.S. has approved Australia’s request to acquire Gulfstream G550 executive jets modified into airborne intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (AISREW) platforms. Up to five G550s worth $1.3 billion after conversion could be supplied if all goes well.

Embraer has started delivery of Phenom 100 military trainers to the UK Ministry of Defence’s Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS). The first example of five was handed over to Affinity Flight Training Services yesterday. The new entry-level Phenom jets will replace older trainer platforms and provide a modern way to continue their work. “The departure of the first Embraer Phenom 100 from Brazil, en route to the UK, marks a significant milestone in preparation for delivering the [UKMFTS] fixed-wing program,” said Affinity managing director Iain Chalmers.

The United States Military is looking to utilize small unmanned aerial vehicles on a broader scale. As a result they are looking allocate more funding towards these types of applications. The role in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) is showing greater importance. Textron Systems’ Aerosonde, which the company acquired through its acquisition of AAI Corporation in 2007, is an 80-pound mtow, catapult-launched, fixed-wing UAV powered by a Lycoming EL-005 heavy fuel engine. It carries a payload of up to 20 pounds. The use of a heavy fuel engine running on the same kind of fuel as a Navy vessel was prerequisite to providing sea-based services under the Navair contract, Phillips said. The contract also makes possible the use of a vertical takeoff and landing kit the company has developed for Aerosonde.

The Piaggio P.1HH Hammerhead unmanned aerial vehicle resumed flight testing on the 5th of July after a hiatus resulting from a crash of the first prototype. Piaggio unveiled the medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV at the Paris air show in 2013 and has orders for eight examples from the United Arab Emirates. UAE state investment group Mubadala owns Piaggio.

The acquisition estimate for the F-35 is going up to around 406.5 billion dollars
The Pentagon has increased its total acquisition estimate for the F-35 Lightning II fighter by 6.8 percent to $406.5 billion, and the total program cost by 1.8 percent to $1.53 trillion. A reduction in the annual buy rate of F-35As by the U.S. Air Force drove the acquisition cost increase and contributed to a “slight uptick” in unit costs, the Department of Defense (DOD) said in its latest F-35 selected acquisition report (SAR) to Congress. (AIN)

A United States MV-22 Osprey crashed into the waters off Australia during a joint exercise with the Australian Navy. The aircraft carrying 26 Marines struck the flight deck of USS "Green Bay" before crashing into the water. Of the 26 crew, 23 Marines were rescued. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Photo by Reuters

A Black Hawk helicopter is reportedly missing after it is believed to have crashed off one of the Hawaiian islands early this morning. The helicopter was said to be on a training mission with 5 persons onboard. A search is currently being carried out.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has selected Triumph Group, Inc. [NYSE:TGI] as a major supplier for its T-X Air Force training jet. If the Air Force awards the contract to Boeing, Triumph’s Aerospace Structures business unit, located in Red Oak, Texas, will supply the wing, vertical tail and horizontal tail structures, with opportunities for additional work, generating 950 direct and indirect jobs. “Providing our military with the newest and most advanced training system is crucial to preparing future generations of warfighters,” said Congressman Joe Barton who represents the 6th district in Texas where Triumph Aerospace Structures is located. “I would like to thank Triumph and Boeing for their commitment to our national defense and for promoting our community and jobs right here in the 6th District.”

This announcement follows Boeing’s May 15 decision to assemble T-X at its St. Louis facility.

“This opportunity secures economic growth for the community and attracts the best and brightest talent with highly-skilled jobs locally and across the nation,” said Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the Rules Committee. “Texas is open for business building the right choice for the next U.S. Air Force trainer with Boeing and Triumph Group.”

The Boeing KC-46 tanker has been going through a tough developmental time. Right now, the United States Air Force is going forward with the testing of the KC-46 for fuel-boom scraping issues. Based on the test results and its assessment of the risk involved, the service will decide whether to accept the still-developmental tanker as planned or require a fix, senior officers said on September 22.

Here is a look at Bell's V-280 tilt-rotor. They say they plan to fly the aircraft this Fall. Bell Helicopter has completed final assembly of the V-280 Valor next-generation tiltrotor prototype and is preparing for ground runs and an anticipated first flight this fall. The V-280 is competing to win the U.S. military’s Future Vertical Lift Program to replace the Army’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks and the Bell UH-1 operated by the Marines. The program ultimately could result in deliveries of as many as 4,000 aircraft by the year 2030 under a contract potentially worth $100 billion and include significant foreign military sales. (AIN)

Afghan Air Force has received its first set of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, the first two were offloaded from a USAF C-17 Globemaster III Transport. These are the first of 50+ helicopters the United States are providing the Afghan forces with . Afghanistan Air Force is transitioning from the Russian-built Mil Mi-17 'Hip' helicopters to these American-made Utility helos.

Embraer Defense KC-390 had to return to base promptly after a stall test. The aircraft is said to be registered PT-ZNF returned safely to the base in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. Embraer does not shed any details on why the flight crew returned earlier than expected after the stall test.

The Embraer KC-390 has now arrived in the United States for further testing. The aircraft registered PT-ZNJ is the second flight test vehicle in the test campaign and it arrived in Jacksonville on the 20th of November. It will engage in a myriad of tests including evaluating avionics systems, crosswind operations and external noise.

@JetForums This is pretty cool huh?

The first tanker variant of the Airbus A400M Atlas for the French Air Force has been handed over to the DGA. The aircraft is MSN 62 and represents the 12th Atlas of a planned 50 examples. This one has two underwing pod stations with hose and drogue delivery system and was delivered on the 22nd of November.

Through the Foreign Military Sale process, the U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing [NYSE: BA] a $279 million contract for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF’s) first KC-46 tanker and logistics support, marking the aircraft’s first international sale. Japan chose Boeing’s KC-46 tanker over competitors following its KC-X aerial refueling competition. The KC-46 adds to the JASDF’s current fleet of four KC-767J tankers. “We are excited to partner with Boeing as we assist Japan in advancing its aerial refueling capabilities,” said Brig. Gen. Donna Shipton, program executive officer, U.S. Air Force Tanker Directorate. “This is an important step in strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance and will enhance our interoperability with both nations flying KC-46s.”

The French Air Force has receive its first C-130J Transport. The Lockheed Martin aircraft was delivered to the Orléans Air Base on December 22nd 2017. Another of the type is expected to be delivered later this year while a pair of tanker-transport variants are expected to be handed over in 2019.

The Bell V-280 titlt-rotor has finally made its first flight. The V-280 Valor flew for the first time on December 18th 2017. It is part of the Department of Defense (DoD) Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program to find a replacement for the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk as well as the Bell UH-1 which are helicopters utilized by the United States Marine Corps. Below you see the Bell V-280 Valor test prototype flying for the first time last month. The registration is N280BH.