* Bell Helicopter has sold 24 Huey II upgrades to the US Air Force for UH-1Hs used for pilot training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. In addition to the Huey II's uprated engine and new Bell 212 dynamics, the upgrade includes an integrated glass cockpit and 212 nose.
* Northrop Grumman is to supply improved air-traffic management systems for the US Air Force's E-8 JSTARS fleet of surveillance aircraft under a $103 million design and development deal. The USAF will accept its 17th and last JSTARS platform later this month.
* Air New Zealand subsidiary Safe Air will conduct a life extension to four Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130H transports between 2007 and 2011 under an estimated NZ$27 million ($19.6 million) subcontract to L-3 subsidiary Spar Aerospace. A fifth aircraft will be modified at Spar's facility in Edmonton, Canada.
* Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control has received a follow-on contract worth $247 million to manufacture a further 97 Arrowhead target acquisition, designation and night vision sensors for US Army and export AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.
* BAE Systems and Qinetiq will conduct the UK Royal Air Force's Panavia Tornado F3 fleet sustainment programme under a deal worth £25 million ($45 million). The work includes integration of enhanced versions of the Raytheon AIM-120 Amraam and MBDA Asraam air-to-air missiles and the retention of suppression of enemy air defence software for one trials aircraft.
* L-3 Communications is to provide a further 128 cockpit displays for the US Marine Corps' Boeing CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters under a follow-on contract of undisclosed value. Deliveries of the new electronic flight indicators will start from July.
* EADS Defence Electronics will supply power amplifiers for the multifunctional information distribution system's low volume terminal under an initial €40 million ($52 million) contract with the US armed forces, which have an option to acquire systems worth a further €20 million.
Source: Flight International
