Fixed-wing – Page 1112
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Australia explores lasers to solve air defence problem
Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA The Australian Defence Force is to explore the acquisition of a tactical laser as a "leap-ahead" solution for its longstanding Project 117 ground-based air-defence system requirement. The project is to be delayed by at least three more years, however, with acquisition funding approvals moved to 2004 ...
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Bangladesh air force to get updated C-130s
Lockheed Martin is to upgrade four ex-US Air Force C-130Bs for the Bangladesh air force. The first will be delivered in September, and the $15 million turnkey deal includes in-country support of the aircraft for at least the first two years of operations. The C-130s are undergoing major overhaul ...
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China develops two unmanned vehicles
Aviation Industries China has developed two unmanned air vehicles (UAV) which appear to share a platform. Both feature a bullet-shaped fuselage with a low mounted swept wing. One design appears to be equipped for reconnaissance while the other has a pod above the fuselage, probably for electronic warfare or ...
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Contracts
The French DGA has awarded Thomson-CSF Comsys a €38 million ($36.9 million)contract for battlefield identification friend or foe systems to be fitted to vehicles with an air defence capability. Malaysia Airlines has won a Ringgit 64 million ($16.8 million) deal to train 370 Royal Malaysian Air Force engineers, according to ...
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GE/P&W team for US Army helicopter engine development
General Electric and Pratt & Whitney have linked to compete for a US programme to develop a new engine for growth versions of the Boeing Apache and Sikorsky Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters. The companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a business venture to pursue the ...
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Tomahawk refusal sparks Israeli plans
Israel is to hasten the development of long-range missiles - with cruise capability - as a result of the US refusal to sell Raytheon Tomahawk cruise missiles to the Israeli Defence Forces. Israel had asked Washington to approve the sale of the Tomahawks. It is not clear which version ...
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JSF contest nears final phase
The CLIMATIC final stage of the US Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) competition is to begin on 15 April, with the release of a request for information (RFI) to the Boeing and Lockheed Martin teams. The RFI is expected to outline a new acquisition strategy. A US Department of Defense ...
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Italian trainer upgrade completes flight tests
Aermacchi is completing flight testing of a mid-life update (MLU) for the Italian air force's MB339A advanced trainers. The Italian manufacturer intends to certificate the retrofit package early next year. Aermacchi's MLU aims to increase the structural life of the aircraft as well as introduce new equipment. The air force ...
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NATO invites Turkey to its NATAR party
Turkey has been asked to join the NATO Advanced Technology Radar (NATAR) programme to develop an airborne ground surveillance system. A NATAR project office was formally established in Brussels in February, staffed by representatives from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Norway and the USA. The project office briefed a Turkish defence ...
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First flight
Sikorsky has flown the first S-70 Black Hawk equipped with a new Rockwell Collins cockpit. The helicopter is the first of 58 for the Turkish armed forces. The cockpit features four multifunction displays and dual flight management systems. Turkish search-and-rescue variants will be equipped with a forward-looking infrared sensor. Source: ...
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UK implements Defence Review with joint service Harrier force
Stewart Penney/LONDON The final elements of the UK's 1998 Strategic Defence Review have been implemented by the Ministry of Defence with the formation of a combined joint service BAE Systems Harrier force and a single organisation responsible for supply and engineering throughout the three services. Joint Force Harrier (JFH) - ...
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Mexico looks to Embraer to fill AEW order
Mexico is in advanced talks to order up to 11 Embraer EMB-145SA airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and a new EMB-145MP maritime patrol derivative. The deal is understood to comprise firm orders for four EMB-145SAs and three MPs, plus options for another four aircraft. The order is still ...
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K-Max customers
Kaman Aerospace has announced two new customers for its K-Max external lift helicopter. Heli Air Zagel Lufttransport has taken delivery of a new machine and Wucher Helicopters of Austria will take a second, previously owned, K-Max shortly. The helicopters will be used for heli-logging, as well as ski resort support. ...
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Export conundrum
US industry and military are fighting to reform US export controls to promote competition and coalition operations Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC During the Kosovo conflict, the Italian Coast Guard tried to buy air-sea rescue flares with which to locate downed NATO aircrew. The US manufacturer's request for an export licence was ...
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Air Harrods stocks twin turboshaft EC135 at Stansted
Air Harrods, subsidiary of the London department store, has taken delivery of a twin turboshaft Eurocopter EC135. The aircraft, completed by Eurocopter UK distributor McAlpine Helicopters, will join the London Stansted Airport-based operator's fleet in September, after receipt of a UK air operator's certificate. Air Harrods has two Sikorsky S-76s ...
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US eases attack helicopter stance for South Americans
The emergence of an attack helicopter market in South America has moved a step closer, with US Government approval for Bell to begin demonstrating a version of the AH-1W to Chile and Colombia. The two countries are also looking to acquire more Sikorsky UH-60s. Both have emerging requirements for armed ...
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Competition for Brazilian air force Hercules upgrade gathers pace
Bids are expected this week for a Brazilian air force Lockheed Martin C-130 upgrade covering modifications to seven C-130Hs and a single C-130E. The tender follows the implementation of an upgrade by Derco Aerospace of five C-130Es, and is expected to be awarded "within a couple of months", say contractors ...
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Hopefuls queue up as Chile delays fighter contest again
Chile has again postponed a decision on a new fighter aircraft, buying time for Boeing to submit a revised bid offering the F/A-18E/F and possibly reopening the competition to the DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Dasa) Mako and Sukhoi Su-27. Selection of the fighter was delayed by the new Chilean administration of ...
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Enaer unveils Cessna upgrade
Enaer has taken the wraps off its proposed Cessna A-37 Dragonfly avionics upgrade, while partner Snow Aviation hopes to begin work on re-engining a T-37 demonstrator in August with a new Williams FJ33 powerplant. The Chilean manufacturer has produced a cockpit mock-up of a proposed A-37 upgrade based around a ...
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Mergers
European Air Express (EAE) has acquired a majority stake in Filder Air Service and merged the two German regionals under the EAE brand. Mönchengladbach-based EAE has returned two Fokker 50s leased from Denim Air of the Netherlands and replaced the aircraft with two ATR 42s. Two BAe Jetstream 31s are ...