PRODUCTION REFORM
Russia's Voronezh aircraft manufacturing enterprise (VASO) should undergo a major restructuring and renovation to meet expanded military orders, says air force commander Gen Vladimir Mikhailov. The facility has so far overhauled three of a planned 50 Ilyushin Il-76MD transports for the service, and is to produce Il-112V twin-turboprops to replace its Antonov An-12s and An-26s. Assembly of the first prototype Il-112V should conclude this year, with the type to fly for the first time in 2008.
CYCLONE DELAYED
Delivery of the first Sikorsky MH-92 maritime helicopter to the Canadian Forces has been delayed until January 2008, as a consequence of the almost six-week strike at the US manufacturer that ended in April 2006. Canada's first CH-148 Cyclone had been scheduled for arrival in late November under the 28-aircraft, C$1.8 billion ($1.5 billion) contract signed in 2004. Sikorsky says the strike is defined as a "force majeure" under the terms of its contract, and confirms that Ottawa is forgoing penalties for late delivery.
IRANIAN LAUNCH
Iranian aerospace firm Asr-e Talai is to start operational test and evaluation of a new 4kg (8.8lb) hand-launched mini unmanned air vehicle. The company, which has not previously been associated with UAV development, says the new system could enter production from June 2007.
BULGARIAN BID
Elbit Systems has launched a final effort to save a troubled €57 million ($74 million) upgrade to the Bulgarian air force's MilMi-17 transport and Mi-24 assault helicopters. Company president Joseph Ackerman met the nation's defence minister recently in a bid to resolve the dispute, which arose when Sofia tried to scrap the deal following the election of a new Bulgarian government. Elbit was to return the first aircraft to service last December, but Russia has refused to transfer engines to support the overhaul and has demanded royalty payments, according to sources close to the deal.
Source: Flight International
