A Mojave short take-off and landing unmanned aircraft lines up for the first landing aboard a Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier. (General Atomics)  The UK Royal Navy (RN) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) have completed a first-of-its-kind trial of GA-ASI's Mojave remotely piloted air system (RPAS) from an aircraft carrier.  Undertaken off the US east coast on 15 November as part of the RN's Westlant 23 deployment, the demonstration saw the Mojave RPAS safely execute an unassisted take-off from, and recover...

The Myasishchev M-55 ‘Mystic-B' high-altitude aircraft may be returned to service by Russia to fill an ISTAR gap over Ukraine. (Janes/Paul Jackson)  Russia may be about to return to service its Soviet Union-era Myasishchev M-55 ‘Mystic-B' high-altitude aircraft as it looks to fill an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability gap, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ascertained.  The UK MoD said in its Defence Intelligence update on Ukraine on 19 November that “Russia is likely considering bringing...

An artist's impression of the Poseidon in German service. (Boeing)  Germany is increasing its buy of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime multimission aircraft (MMA), with a further three aircraft approved by the country's government.  Kommandeur Marineflieger, Sea Captain Broder Nielsen, confirmed the additional purchase on 17 November, saying, “The budget committee of the Bundestag has approved the procurement of three more P-8A Poseidons. A good and important decision for the operational capability of German naval aviation.”  News of the approval...

A still from a video released by Edge during the Dubai Airshow shows a Reach-S flying from the airport on Abu al-Abyad island. (Edge Group)  The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces have ordered both Reach-S unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and Garmoosha rotary UAVs, local defence company Edge announced during the Dubai Airshow on 16 November.  It said the Reach-S order covers the delivery of 100 UAVs without specifying the value of the contract, while the contract for an unspecified number of Garmoosha UAVs is worth AED239 million (USD65 mil...

A Luftwaffe Eurofighter at the ILA 2022 exhibition in Berlin. With the previous German government having said it would buy Eurofighter Tranche 5 aircraft to partially replace the Luftwaffe's Tornado fleet, an official told   Janes  that this plan is now ‘undecided'.  (Janes/Gareth Jennings)  Germany has not yet determined if it will proceed with its previously announced plan to buy Eurofighter Tranche 5 combat aircraft.    Speaking to   Janes  under the Chatham House Rule, an official said that th...

The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat at MidAmerica Airport, Illinois. Boeing is using the MQ-28 to experiment UCAV-related technology, and the aircraft may find further use as tactics, techniques, and procedures testbeds. (Janes/Zach Rosenberg)  The US Air Force (USAF) is to set up an experimental squadron in 2024 to experiment with force structure in advance of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) acquisition, Thomas Lawhead, the service's assistant deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration, and requirements, told at a Mitchell Institute talk...

The first of three Global 6000 business jets seen in Kansas in November 2022, ahead of its conversion with PEGASUS SIGINT mission systems. (Bombardier)  The Global 6000 business jet-based Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System (PEGASUS) has passed its critical design review (CDR), prime contractor Hensoldt announced on 16 November.  The CDR, which was conducted by representatives of the Bundeswehr, was successfully completed two years after Hensoldt was contracted to develop the capability based on its Kalaetron signals intelligence (...

An F-35A fires an AIM-9X missile from the its external wing against an aerial drone target at Point Mugu Test Range, California. (US Air Force)  The US State Department has approved the potential sale of Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles (AAMs) to South Korea.  The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on 15 November that the possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) is worth USD52.1 million and features 42 AIM-9X Block II+ missiles, training missiles, guidance units, and associated...

Serbia received its second and final Airbus C295 airlifter on 14 November, seen here at Batajnica in its temporary Spanish delivery markings. (Serbian MoD)  The second of the two Airbus Defence and Space C295MW (Modernised, Winglets) transport aircraft ordered by Serbia was delivered to Milenko Pavlović Air Base at Batajnica on 14 November, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced.  Ordered on 23 February 2022 the aircraft is part of a wider effort to modernise the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence (Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protivvazduhoplovna...

The UK plans to field a Land GBAD C-sUAS capability starting with 225 SMASH SLS anti-drone fire-control systems for small arms in December. (Technische Bureau H A Muller (TBM BV))  The UK plans to field a LandGround-Based Air Defence (GBAD) counter-small unmanned aircraft system (C-sUAS) capability starting in December, Squadron Leader Hugo Piers Morris, senior officer 2 (SO2) counter-small uncrewed air systems, Project 6 lead, joint effects, in the British Army Programmes Directorate, said on the first day of SAE Media Group's Future Armoure...

A rendered image of the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft in NATO markings, showcased at the DSEI 2023 defence exhibition in London. (Boeing via Janes/Gareth Jennings)  NATO has selected the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail to replace its Boeing E-3A Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft.  The alliance announced the selection on 15 November, saying the approval was granted in the same month. Six aircraft will be acquired to begin operations from 2031.  The six Wedgetails will replace the 14 Sentries operated by the NATO E-3A Com...

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron takes off from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, for a deployment to an undisclosed Middle East location on 16 October 2023. (48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)  The US conducted two rounds of strikes against what the Department of Defense (DoD) described as sites used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates in response to attacks on US bases in Syria and Iraq.  On 8 November two US Air Force (USAF) F-15Es bombed what US Secretary of Defen...

With the Jupiter HT1 already used by the UK as a training helicopter, additional Jupiter HC2s are to be acquired to perform support and training roles in Cyprus and Brunei. (Airbus)  The United Kingdom is to acquire six new Airbus Helicopters H145 rotorcraft to be used in Cyprus and Brunei.  The Ministry of Defence (MoD) published a transparency notice of the intended procurement on 13 November, saying that six helicopters are to be acquired along with three years of support for an estimated GBP140 million (USD172 million). Known as Jupiter H...

Seen in Portuguese markings, the C-390 is to be pitched to Sweden by Embraer and Saab. (Embraer)  Embraer and Saab have agreed to jointly pitch the C-390 Millennium for Sweden's future medium-lift aircraft requirement.  Announced on 14 November, the arrangement will see the companies collaborate on offering the Brazilian-made airlifter to replace the Swedish Air Force's (SwAF's) ageing Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules fleet.  “Both companies announced a collaboration to position the C-390 Millennium as the preferred solution for renewing the S...

The integration of the SkyStriker is being considered by Thailand to augment the munitions options on the D11A, pictured above at the Defense & Security 2023 show in Bangkok. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)  Thailand's Defense Technology Institute (DTI) and Elbit Systems are exploring possibilities to expand their partnership to focus on the Israeli company's SkyStriker autonomous loitering munition.  Janes   understands that the DTI is interested in integrating the munition into Thailand's new D11A, a local version of Elbit Systems' multicalibre Pr...

The RN's Type 26 frigates are among one class of ship being installed with Elbit Systems' electronic intelligence solution as part of MEWSIC Increment 1. (BAE Systems)  The programme to deliver a next-generation electronic surveillance system for the Royal Navy's (RN) surface warships has passed the critical design review (CDR), the UK Ministry of Defence announced on 13 November.  Known as the Maritime Electronic Warfare System Integrated Capability (MEWSIC), the programme – being delivered by Babcock, Elbit Systems UK, and QinetiQ – aims t...

A file image of the Apache production line in Mesa, Arizona. Boeing has commenced its build of the first of 24 helicopters for Morocco. (Boeing)  Boeing has commenced production of 24 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters for Morocco, the manufacturer announced on 13 November.  Work was launched at the Mesa facility in Arizona some three-and-a-half years after the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract was signed for an undisclosed value in June 2020. Deliveries are to begin in 2024.  According to the US State Department approval fo...

RAF aircraft, such as the Poseidon MRA1 pictured, are providing surveillance support to Israel. (Crown Copyright)  The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is providing aerial surveillance support to Israel in its ongoing operation against Hamas militants in Gaza, it was disclosed on 13 November.  Answering questions in the House of Commons, Minister of State for the Armed Forces James Heappey said, aircraft have been deployed to the region in support of Israel and the UK's wider security concerns.  “A total of 12 aircraft have deployed to the eastern Me...

Northrop Grumman said it expects to deliver the first of four on-order MQ-4C Tritons to Australia by 2024. (Northrop Grumman)  Northrop Grumman has completed the first flight of Australia's on-order MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS),the company announced on 13 November.  The company said the flight took place on 9 November at its Palmdale Aircraft Integration Center in California. Northrop Grumman said the first of four contracted MQ-4Cs will be delivered to Australia in 2024.  According to the company, the first Australian...

The European F-16 Training Center for the training of Ukrainian pilots was officially opened in Romania on 13 November. (Kajsa Ollongren/Netherlands Ministry of Defence)  The European F-16 Training Center that will instruct Ukrainian pilots was officially opened in Romania on 13 November.  The ministers of defence for Romania and the Netherlands, Angel Tîlvăr and Kajsa Ollongren unveiled the centre along with Orlando Sanchez, Lockheed Martin's vice-president,at the 86th Fetesti Air Base in eastern Romania. Officials from Denmark and the Unite...