Defense Projects and News

Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems have each received a $15 million fixed-price contract for a preliminary design review (PDR) assessment for the US Navy's Unmanned Carrier Launched Surveillance and Strike aircraft.

The F-35B performs first night vertical landing aboard the U.S.S "Wasp"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW72dBp5DBM&feature=youtu.be

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) expects to complete construction of its new manufacturing facility to produce wings for the Lockheed Martin F-35 by mid-2014. Construction started on the factory earlier this year following an agreement between the two companies, although the schedule for completion has been advanced under technical supervision by Lockheed personnel. The site will eventually produce 811 wing pairs for the Joint Strike Fighter.

1st #A400M for Turkish Air Force flies in TuAF colours.

http://www.airbusmilitary.com/Multimedia/A400MVideoGallery.aspx

The U.S. Navy has stopped working on an integral component about four months ago for the MQ-4C Triton unmanned air system. They are actively trying to find source a substitute according to service and industry officials. The Exelis Air-to-Air Radar Subsystem (AARSS) sense-and-avoid radar project was halted April 25 due to technical problems and cost overruns, the Navy said last week.

A sense-and-avoid capability is 'vital' to the MQ-4C, according to Tom Vice, president of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems segment. Triton is designed to operate in oceanic airspace, where there is no outside radar surveillance. The radar or an equivalent sensor is required so the UAS can avoid colliding with a 'non-cooperative' aircraft that is not using any other collision-avoidance system.

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Boeing is looking to international markets to sell their CH-47F Chinook, including remanufacturing existing D models. Boeing spoke to the media on 28 August and listed several nations as interested parties, mainly in the Middle East region. An important factor for many international customers is commonality with the US Army, which by far has the largest CH-47 fleet and is generally a major ally to existing customers. The USA currently operates more than 250 F-models and recently signed a contract for 155 more, in addition to options.

Boeing introducing the new and improved Super Hornet...

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/Advanced-Super-Hornet-Demonstrates-Significant-Stealth-Range-Improvements

The Israeli air force says it will only evaluate a US offer to sell it surplus Boeing KC-135 tankers if the aircraft involved are R-model type. Washington has so far only proposed the sale of three KC-135Es. However, the IAF is adamant on only R-model tankers, so the deal hinges upon this factor it seems.

The Indian Air Force has formally introduced the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III strategic transport into their fleet of aircraft.

Details of the #A400M unpaved runway trials.

http://www.airbusmilitary.com/PressCenter/LatestNews/TabId/176/ArtMID/681/ArticleID/299/Airbus-Military-A400M-successfully-performs-unpaved-runway-trials.aspx

An Airbus Photo of the A400M doing the unpaved trials.

The "ballistic missiles" that Russian early warning radars detected over the Mediterranean sea on the morning of 3 September have been confirmed as two Sparrow target missiles launched from an Israeli air force Boeing F-15 during a joint Israeli/US test, performed as part of the development of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile interceptor.

Embraer has delivered the first modernised A-1M subsonic attack aircraft to the Brazilian air force.

Apparently Norway And U.K are to collaborate On F-35 Operations.

Boeing Fulfills US Air Force C-17 Production Contract with 223rd Delivery

Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered the 223rd and last U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III airlifter today, fulfilling the production contract more than 20 years after the first delivery. The aircraft left Boeing’s Long Beach facility to fly to its assignment at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., where a ceremony will mark its arrival. The Air Force was the C-17's launch customer. Since the aircraft's first flight Sept. 15, 1991, it has been the world's only strategic airlifter with tactical capabilities that allow it to fly between continents, land on short, austere runways, and airdrop supplies precisely where they are needed. "Thank you for delivering to our nation combat airlift – that is the definition of the C-17 – the most versatile, most capable, most ready airlifter ever built," said U.S. Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, commander, Air Mobility Command. "What you have done with this aircraft speaks volumes about your character." Boeing continues to produce C-17s for other customers around the world, and maintain and sustain the aircraft through the C-17 Globemaster Integrated Sustainment Program.

C-17s have been involved in contingency operations of all types, including flying troops and equipment to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The airlifter also has been used in humanitarian missions around the world, including the Japanese and Indian Ocean tsunamis of 2011 and 2004, respectively; Hurricane Katrina in 2005; and the Haitian earthquake of 2010.

"C-17s are the workhorse for the U.S. Air Force in wartime and in peace," said Chris Chadwick, Boeing Military Aircraft president. "So while this is the last new C-17 to be added to the Air Force fleet, the mission does not stop here. The C-17 delivers hope and saves lives, and with the Air Force in the pilot's seat, it will continue to do so well into the future." The C-17 holds 33 world records – more than any other airlifter in history – including payload-to-altitude, time-to-climb and short-takeoff-and-landing marks. It has exceeded 2.6 million flight hours, playing an integral role in global strategic airlift.The National Aeronautics Association in 1994 awarded the C-17 its Collier Trophy, recognizing the aircraft as the top aeronautical achievement of that year.

"C-17 is the product of our dedicated workforce and more than 20 years of teamwork with our suppliers and the U.S. Air Force," said Nan Bouchard, Boeing vice president and C-17 program manager. "Every employee here is proud to build this amazing aircraft. We are continuing the legacy by building C-17s for our partner nations, and we will continue to work with the U.S. Air Force to ensure their aircraft deliver top performance into the future." In addition to the 223 C-17s delivered to the U.S. Air Force, 34 are operated by Australia, Canada, India, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the 12-member Strategic Airlift Capability initiative of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations.

The Netherlands is now saying that they will cut the fleet plan of F-35 Fighters to 37.

Israel has lifted the ban of the grounding of F-15 and F-16 fleets

Israel has resumed operations with its Lockheed Martin F-16I and F-15I fighter aircraft, which have been grounded since an accident that involved a F-16I on 7 July. The F-16I Sufa was on a training missoin when it suddenly crashed in the Mediterranean Sea, 27-nautical miles off the coast of the Gaza Strip. Its two crew ejected safely and were later rescued.

B1B-Lancer pilot amasses 5,000 hours flying this Bomber.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYUxMNHNhq0

There is news that Boeing is expected to end production of C-17 airlifter.

Pilotless F16 flies...

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/Boeing-QF-16-Aerial-Target-Completes-1st-Pilotless-Flight