France tests NGF engine prototype

by Gareth Jennings

A model of the Next European Fighter Engine/New European Engine being developed by Safran, MTU, and ITP for the FCAS/SCAF New Generation Fighter displayed at the Paris Air Show 2019. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)

France has undertaken trials of a prototype engine for the New Generation Fighter (NGF) it is developing with Germany and Spain as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS)/Système de Combat Aérien Futur (SCAF).

The French defence procurement agency announced on 10 January that it had successfully completed a ground test of a prototype engine under the Turenne programme, using a powerplant derived from the Snecma M88 as currently fitted to the Dassault Rafale combat aircraft.

“At the end of 2021, the Directorate General of Armaments [DGA] completed a major test for the development of the next engine of the [NGF] combat aircraft of the [FCAS/]SCAF. As part of the Turenne defence technology project led by the DGA, a prototype derived from the engine of the Rafale fighter jet was tested on the test bench”, the DGA said.


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Bundeswehr selects Rohde & Schwarz for major digital radio programme

by Olivia Savage

Rohde & Schwarz has officially been named as the chosen vendor for the Bundeswehr's multibillion-euro digital radio programme. The company has already delivered units to the Bundeswehr, which are based on the SVFuA dual-channel, multiband radio (pictured in the vehicular variant). (Rohde & Schwarz)

Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has officially been named as the chosen vendor for the German Bundeswehr's major Combat Net Radio (CNR) programme, the company announced on 7 December.

In December 2022 the Bundeswehr signed a multibillion-euro contract with an unnamed company for the supply of CNRs for the military's tanks, combat vehicles, and trucks under the wider Digitisation of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) programme. R&S was widely purported to have been selected for the CNR (often referred to as the digital radio programme); however, Thales lodged a complaint against the selection process, delaying the announcement.

It is believed that approximately EUR2.9 billion (USD3.1 billion) has been earmarked for the procurement of over 30,000 radios under the CNR programme.


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UK stands up second operational F-35B squadron

by Gareth Jennings

The UK stood up 809 NAS as its second front-line F-35B unit at RAF Marham on 8 December 2023. (Janes/Gareth Jennings )

The UK stood up its second operational squadron for the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft on 8 December.

The Royal Navy's (RN's) 809 ‘Immortals' Naval Air Squadron (NAS) was reconstituted at the home of the Lightning Force at Royal Air Force (RAF) Marham in Norfolk.

The squadron joins the RAF's 617 ‘Dambusters' Squadron as the UK's two front-line units for the ‘fifth-generation' short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) jet, with 207 Sqn serving as the operational conversion unit (OCU) at the same location, and 17 Test and Evaluation Sqn at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California.

As with 617 Sqn, 809 NAS is drawn from both the RAF and the RN, with both services performing land- and carrier-based operations of the aircraft.


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Taurus-LIG Nex1 developing KEPD 350K-2 for FA-50

by Akhil Kadidal

A visual comparison of the new Taurus KEPD 350K-2 (in foreground) and KEPD 350K precision-attack cruise missiles. The KEPD 350K-2 uses a new wing design and improved dynamics to retain the 500 km range of the older and larger KEPD 350K. (Janes)

A smaller version of the Taurus Systems KEPD 350K air-launched precision‐attack cruise missile being planned for the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 fighter aircraft could enter production two years after full-scale development is launched.

Designated as the KEPD 350K-2, this all-weather-capable missile is being developed to meet “increasing demand” for air-to-ground missiles for light combat aircraft and short-range fighters, according to Taurus. The company has signed an agreement with LIG Nex1 to jointly develop the new missile.

“From Taurus' perspective, once the full-scale development is launched, we can be ready for production in 36–48 months, depending on the time it requires for the integration on the platform,” a Taurus company spokesperson told Janes .


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France has undertaken trials of a prototype engine for the New Generation Fighter (NGF) it is develo...

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