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Sikorsky-Boeing team delays Defiant first flight
The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 Defiant team postponed the aircraft's first flight until early 2019 after a pair of undisclosed issues arose during PSTB runs. Source: Lockheed MartinSlovakia signs for F-16V fighters
The F-16V is the latest variant of the Fighting Falcon. Slovakia has ordered 14 (including a pair of two-seaters) to be delivered by the end of 2023. Source: Lockheed MartinFrance completes Phénix order with three additional aircraft
France is to acquire 12 Phénix tanker-transport aircraft to replace its increasingly obsolescent platforms. Source: AirbusEuropean MALE RPAS completes design definition phase
The European MALE RPAS is being developed by the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. This full-scale mock-up was revealed at the ILA Berlin Airshow on 26 April, although some final design features were said to be missing. Source: IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings
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US Air Force releases RFI for SRP-O ASLON-45 small launch effort
The US Air Force (USAF) seeks industry feedback on draft mission requirements for a small launch effort called Small Rocket Program-Orbital (SRP-O) Agile Small Launch Operational Normalizer (ASLON)-45. One goal of ASLON-45 is to launch an orbital demonstration mission delivering a 39 kg spacecraft
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Poland exercises option for four more M-346 jet trainers, to upgrade existing fleet
Poland has signed for four more Alenia M-346 Master advanced jet trainers and is upgrading the 12 already received. The procurement and upgrade contract, announced by the manufacturer on 14 December, is valued at EUR130 million (USD147 million) and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2022.
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Germany to replace SAR ‘Hueys’ with H145s
The German Army is to replace its ageing Bell UH-1D ‘Huey’ search-and-rescue (SAR) helicopters with new Airbus Helicopters H145 platforms to be delivered in 2020. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINWBw) has ordered seven
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Leonardo solves overheating issue with internal F-35 training system
Leonardo solved an overheating issue with its miniaturised P5 Combat Training System (CTS) internal subsystem on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by installing a radiator with the liquid coolant down the middle. Chris Lettiere, Leonardo’s vice-president for
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Panama receives King Air 350 aircraft
Panama’s National Naval-Air Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval: SENAN) has received a new Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft, the service announced on 7 December. The country’s Ministry of Security reported that the platform cost USD9.5 million and was financed with the funds retrieved
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If you want peace, prepare for war: Chinese land forces modernisation
China's military modernisation began in the mid-1990s after Beijing realised that its military was incapable of participating in a modern conflict such as the 1991 Gulf War. Sam Cranny-Evans reports on the extent to which China's land forces have been transformed by the process -
Unmanned whirlybirds: Rotary-wing UAVs take off in Asia
Rotary-wing UAVs have been gaining traction in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the maritime domain where naval forces are building ships with an eye on unmanned aviation capabilities. Land forces operating in constricted terrain are also investigating similar systems. Kelvin Wong reports -
Silencing the airwaves: Chinese SEAD capabilities
China’s territorial ambitions around its coast have long been among the driving forces of its military modernisation. Tiago Falcao Machado reports on how, to support the expanding missions of its air forces, the PLA is developing an increasingly effective SEAD capability
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European Boxer programmes take final shape
European Boxer programmes are taking final form, with offers to the UK and Slovenia expected in 2019. Klaas Krause, head of sales Eastern Europe for Rheinmetall, which formed the Artec joint venture with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to produce the Boxer, said on 12 December that the UK Ministry of
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DSME awarded contract to build ASR-II submarine rescue ship
South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has been awarded a contract for the construction of a new auxiliary submarine rescue ship (ASR-II) for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN), the company announced on 7 December. The 5,200-tonne vessel is expected to be
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Endeavor Robotics reveals Scorpion UGV details
Endeavor Robotics has unveiled the design of its Scorpion unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that it is pushing for the US Army’s Common Robotic System-Individual (CRS-I) programme. The Scorpion is a clean-sheet design weighing less than 11 kg. Its light weight ensures that it is backpackable and
