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UK to decide Lightning variant at SDSR, to deploy STOVL F-35B 'off-strip'
With the UK committed to 138 F-35s, it has so far ordered 48 F-35Bs for the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. While it has yet to decide if the remainder will be A- or B-variant, the commander of the Lightning Force told that the flexibility of the STOVL F-35B is also of value for land-based operations as the aircraft can and will be flown from 'off-strip' locations. Source: IHS Markit/Patrick AllenLuftwaffe sets out design drivers for next-generation fighter
With a planned in-service date in the 2040s, the Next-Generation Weapon System forms the optionally piloted component of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System. Source: AirbusSweden signs for MQM-178 Firejet aerial target drone
The MQM-178 Firejet is pneumatically launched from a rail launcher, eliminating the operational costs associated with the use of rocket-assisted take-off. Source: KratosGermany gives green light for heavy transport helicopter
The CH-53K (foreground) and CH-47F (background) at the ILA Berlin 2018 airshow in April. Source: IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings
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Air superiority and nuclear deterrence dictate manned future fighter for France
The twin requirements of air superiority and nuclear deterrence are driving France’s development of a manned next-generation fighter aircraft as part of a wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a senior French Air Force (Armee de L’Air: AdeLA) officer said on 15 November. Speaking at
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Russian defence minister outlines military development
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is intensifying training of military personnel, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a brief review of Russia's military development on 6 November. “This year, the Ground Forces [SV] have conducted more than 3,800 battalion-level tactical exercises.
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France launches definition study on new maritime surveillance aircraft
The Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) announced on 9 November that it had launched a one-year definition study on the future maritime surveillance and reaction aircraft (AVSIMAR). The DGA said this was part of an effort to streamline the acquisition and support of specialised
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Divine Eagle UAV spotted at China’s Malan airbase
Key Points The Divine Eagle HALE UAV has been seen in satellite imagery of China’s Malan airbase, suggesting that the type is now operational with the PLAAF. While the UAV’s sensor fit is unknown, enough surface area and internal space exists to enable a variety of missions.
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DGA qualifies Rafale F3R standard
The Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the French procurement agency, on 9 November announced that it had qualified the new-generation F3R standard for the Rafale combat aircraft on 31 October, in line with the January 2014 contract awarded to Dassault Aviation, Thales, MBDA,
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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 -
Basic instincts: Resetting the core operational mindset of the USMC
Facing mounting coastal threats, the US Marine Corps is developing new methods and mindsets to face its foes and remain relevant, as Michael Fabey reports -
Survival of the fittest: pods and pylons still in vogue for fast jet self-protection
Add-on countermeasures systems continue to make an important contribution to combat aircraft survivability in hostile airspace. Richard Scott reports
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Rheinmetall puts Mission Master UGV to the test
Rheinmetall’s Mission Master unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) was put through its paces in the European Land Robot (ELROB) trials held from 24–27 September in Lens, Belgium. The annual competition is held in different locations in Europe and is designed to demonstrate and compare the
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Australia names Sea 1180 patrol vessel as Arafura class
Key Points Australia has marked further progress in its Sea 1180 programme with the naming of its new OPV class and the start of steel welding on the first of class The programme’s first of class is expected to be delivered by 2021 The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has named the offshore
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Rheinmetall puts Mission Master UGV to the test
Rheinmetall’s Mission Master unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) was put through its paces in the European Land Robot (ELROB) trials held from 24–27 September in Lens, Belgium. The annual competition is held in different locations in Europe and is designed to demonstrate and compare the
