Show News - Day 3
Boeing unlikely to switch to bigger airframe for USAF tanker contract
Boeing officials have said they are unlikely to offer a bigger aircraft for the US Air Force's (USAF's) USD35 billion tanker contract, which is being reopened for bidding by the US Department of Defense (DoD).
The Pentagon decided to reopen the tanker contract process after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) upheld protests by Boeing against the USAF's decision to award the contract to a Northrop Grumman/EADS North America team.
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AgustaWestland and Boeing strike Chinook production deal
AgustaWestland and Boeing signed an agreement on 16 July at Farnborough Airshow that will see them jointly manufacture CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Italian Army.
Negotiations are under way with the Italian Ministry of Defence, which has a requirement for between 16 and 20 helicopters.
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General Atomics poised to boost UAV production
General Atomics, a major manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, is planning to move to larger facilities at the end of 2008 to accommodate a pressing demand from the United States for more drones in combat.
Chris Ames, director of business development in General Atomics' Aircraft Systems group, said the company would stay in San Diego, California, but would move to bigger facilities that would allow for the doubling of monthly production rates.
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F-35 partners mull early buy to cut cost
The United States is set to present a proposal to international partners in the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter programme that would reduce the cost of their aircraft orders in exchange for an early commitment to a five-year contract.
The F-35 Joint Programme Office and prime contractor Lockheed Martin will formally present the proposal for a "consortium buy" to the eight F-35 international partners early in 2009.
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Alenia Aermacchi targets revenue growth
Alenia Aermacchi Chief Operating Officer Giovanni Bertolone outlined his vision of how the company will grow at Farnborough Airshow on 16 July, projecting that by 2010 revenues will double from its 2006 figures.
Bringing in EUR1.9 billion (USD3 billion) in 2006, the company saw a 21 per cent increase in 2007, recording revenues of EUR2.3 billion.
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AgustaWestland, OPK Oboronprom announce helicopter joint venture
Italy's AgustaWestland and Russian rotary-wing specialist OPK Oboronprom have agreed to establish a joint venture relating to the final assembly of civil helicopters in Russia: an accord that builds on existing co-operation agreements between the two companies.
The 50:50 joint venture – announced at the Farnborough Airshow on 15 July – will cover the final assembly of AgustaWestland AW139 civil helicopters in Russia.
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Sweden plans helicopter deployment to Afghanistan
The Swedish Air Force (SwAF) has announced that it intends to send helicopters to Afghanistan to help alleviate the shortage of rotary-wing platforms currently being experienced by NATO and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
SwAF Chief Major General Anders Silwer said at a pre-Farnborough Airshow briefing in London on 13 July that "there is a tremendous shortage of helicopters" in Afghanistan.
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Singapore downselects for its trainer requirement
Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 training aircraft has been shortlisted for Singapore's new advanced jet trainer requirement.
Singapore issued a request for information in 2007 for an integrated training system to support its growing fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft.
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Boeing readies designs for Super Hornet replacement
Boeing's Advanced Systems unit has entered discussions with the US Navy (USN) on designs for a next-generation fighter jet to replace the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet around 2025, the company's sector lead Darryl Davis said on 15 July.
The USN has not yet issued any formal requirements for its F/A-XX programme.
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Thales unveils Elix-IR threat warning system
Thales Land and Joint Systems launched its Elix-IR threat-warning system at the 2008 Farnborough Airshow.
Elix-IR is a cross-platform device (sea, air and land) designed to detect, classify and declare multiple threats, ranging from small-arms fire to surface-launched guided missiles.
Full article for International Defence Review subscribers
Raytheon's MALD has been trialled under F-16s and B-52s (Raytheon)
Raytheon awaits MALD contract
Raytheon is anticipating a contract for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the ADM-160B Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) during July.
The company expects to begin deliveries in about April 2009 to meet a delivery requirement for 90 units, out of the 130-150 under the LRIP, by the end of September 2009.
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Ospreys have been vital for stabilising Al Anbar, says USMC
The capabilities of the US Marine Corps (USMC) Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor during its recent deployments to Iraq have directly contributed to improved military and political conditions in Al Anbar.
This is the view of the USMC's Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Lieutenant General George J Trautman, speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow on 15 July.
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Rosoboronexport points to 'positive trend' in Russian defence co-operation with West
Russian co-operation with Western countries in the field of defence has experienced a "positive trend in growth", Rosoboronexport First Deputy Director Alexander Fromin said on 15 July.
His comments – which came at the 2008 Farnborough International Airshow – follow a series of collaborative accords between Russian defence organisations and their Western European counterparts in fields such as research and development and joint development and sales strategies.
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UK spending squeeze no problem for RSL, says company president
Raytheon Systems Limited's (RSL's) president and managing director has said that a decrease in UK defence spending "isn't a real problem" and has reiterated that RSL continues to look for international growth.
Speaking to Jane's on 14 July, during the Farnborough International Airshow 2008, Brian McKeon said: "A downturn in defence spending isn't a real problem for us from a UK perspective, because we have opportunities, if we do it in the right way, of leveraging US investment."
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