BULGARIAN BLOW
The Bulgarian government officially cancelled a €57 million ($74 million) contract with Elbit Systems last week to upgrade its air force Mil Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters, also requesting the return of some money already paid to the Israeli company. Elbit says it is discussing "mutually acceptable" compensation for the deal's collapse.
UNMANNED SEARCH
The Spanish government has allocated €17 million ($22 million) to acquire one tactical unmanned air vehicle system before year-end to support its troops in Afghanistan. Madrid has yet to identify potential candidates for the requirement, but expects to field four UAVs and one ground control station.
RADIO BATTLE
Boeing and Lockheed Martin are preparing bids for the airborne and maritime/fixed station (AMF) element of the Joint Tactical Radio System programme. Award of a $1 billion-plus contract to develop the software-programmable, multi-channel AMF, which will replace existing radios in aircraft and ships, is expected in July.
Source: Flight International
