Helicopters – Page 139
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NewsPentagon concerned about prime contractor consolidation
The Pentagon has very few tools in its arsenal to constrain major mergers and acquisitions between prime contractors – a fact that has become all too apparent to defence acquisition chief Frank Kendall with Lockheed Martin’s $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky.
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NewsNorthrop builds first F-35 centre fuselage for assembly in Japan
Northrop Grumman has built the first F-35 centre fuselage destined for Japan’s domestic joint strike fighter assembly plant, operated by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
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NewsLockheed considering laser weapon concepts for F-35
Lockheed Martin’s F-35 has not yet seen combat, but already the defence manufacturer is exploring “concepts” for installing and employing a high-power fibre laser weapon onto the new-generation combat jet for shooting down missiles and other airborne threats.
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NewsNorway reconfirms plans to acquire 52 F-35s
Norway's defence ministry has used a strategic defence review to underline its continued commitment to acquiring 52 Lockheed Martin F-35s, as well as outlining plans to acquire different types of manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft.
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Airbus Helicopters hopeful Japan will reverse UH-X decision
Airbus Helicopters remains confident that it can persuade Japan’s defence ministry to reconsider its decision to select a combined Bell Helicopter/Fuji Heavy Industries bid for its UH-X contest over the European manufacturer’s own clean-sheet proposal.
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NewsLockheed F-35C begins second round of sea trials as bombs drop
Two US Navy F-35C test aircraft have begun a second round of developmental testing at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, aimed at smoothing the aircraft’s entry into service in 2018.
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NewsBidders gear up for Czech Republic Mi-24 replacement
Bidders are lining up to respond to a nascent requirement from the Czech Republic as it looks to eventually replace its air force’s fleet of Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters.
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NewsBAE wins deal to replace USAF F-15 electronic warfare suite
BAE Systems will replace an aging Northrop Grumman electronic warfare suite on hundreds of US Air Force Boeing F-15s, Boeing announced on 1 October.
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India finalises Apache, Chinook order
India has finalised its long-planned contract to acquire new attack and transport helicopters from the USA, with Boeing to deliver a combined 37 aircraft under the programme.
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Honeywell to propose engine upgrade for LUH-72
Honeywell plans to offer the HTS900 engine to Airbus for a potential requirement to re-engine the LUH-72 Lakota, company executives says.
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US Army begins competition for T700 engine replacement
The US Army has launched a long-awaited search for an improved engine design for nearly 3,000 medium-twin helicopters, with potentially a surprise bidder waiting in the wings.
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Israel hones joint skills with Greek air force
The Israeli and Greek air forces have, in recent weeks, performed a big joint exercise.
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NewsRAF A400M stretches legs on US detachment
With four operational Airbus A400Ms in use, the UK Royal Air Force is working overtime to “unlock” the potential of the service's new tactical transport, with one aircraft now in the USA to assess carriage of the US Army's Stryker armoured fighting vehicle.
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NewsBoeing KC-46A makes historic first flight after setbacks
Boeing’s first fully-configured KC-46A aerial refuelling tanker has begun its long-awaited first flight, lifting off from Paine Field in Washington today after some weather-related delays.
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NewsBeale AFB farewells MC-12 as spy plane moves to Army and SOCOM
The MC-12W Liberty reconnaissance aircraft will be completely removed from the US Air Force’s inventory by 1 October, but Air Combat Command says all of the aircraft will go to new owners and not the boneyard.
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NewsUS Navy’s Sidewinder, AARGM block upgrades hit key milestones
The US Navy has moved forward on two key weapons programmes, after clearing Raytheon’s AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II for full-rate production and validating the Orbital ATK AGM-88E Block 1 software improvement in a successful test shot against a moving ship.
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NewsPease ANGB begins preparations to house Boeing KC-46 in 2018
Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire has begun updating 1950s-era hangars once occupied by Boeing B-47 Stratojets and KC-97 Stratofreighters, of Strategic Air Command, to accommodate the manufacturer’s newest creation, the Boeing KC-46.
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NewsP&W expects influx of F119 overhauls as Raptor unsheathes talons
Pratt & Whitney could soon be prying open boxes of Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor engine tooling to support depot overhaul of the thrust-vectoring, supercruise F119 due to increased operational use.
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Scorpion will not be proposed for USAF T-X competition
Textron AirLand’s Scorpion in its current form has been ruled out as a competitor for the US Air Force’s T-X next-generation trainer programme to replace the Northrop T-38, according to the joint venture’s president Bill Anderson.
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NewsNavy interest in Scorpion Jet as Textron seeks USAF certification
Textron AirLand is courting the US Navy in its quest for a Scorpion Jet launch customer, with the seafaring service exploring ways to keep its Boeing F/A-18 pilots mission-ready without having to put all too many extra flight hours on its war-fatigued fighters.