Military UAVs – Page 301
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Defence renaissance
The world's defence manufacturers are again identifying the Asia-Pacific as a major market Stewart Penney/LONDONBy common consensus, the worst effects of the Asian economic crisis have passed and the nations around the Pacific are again considering their defence needs. At the 1998 Asian Aerospace show, the economic crisis generated pessimistic ...
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The great debate
China's air power strategy, Indonesia's air force development plans and how air wars will be fought this century are on the agenda at the MAPC The commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, Lt Gen Liu Shunyau, will reveal his plans for the future of air power ...
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FY2001 US defence budget preview
The US Department of Defense's (DoD) Fiscal Year 2001 budget request was delivered to US lawmakers on 7 February. It includes significant funding for the proposed National Missile Defense (NMD) system, while sustaining production of the Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS). Other priorities ...
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USN draws blueprint for versatile UAV
The US Navy is in the initial stages of developing a requirement for a warship-based, medium-altitude, multi-role endurance (MRE) unmanned air vehicle (UAV). An analysis of alternatives study is to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2001 and will define the number of UAV systems to be ...
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Contracts
Thomson Dasa Armaments has awarded Team Fuzing - a consortium including Societa Esplosivi Industriali (SEI) of Italy, Dayron, KDI Precision Products and Kaman Aerospace/Raymond Engineering Operations in the USA - a contract for "several thousand" FMU-139A/B electronic bomb fuses. Manufacturing will be spread around Team Fusing, but SEI will being ...
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F-16 output to be increased
Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC Lockheed Martin plans to ramp up production of the F-16C/D again from 2001, the revival in domestic and international fighter sales over the last 12 months having reversed a six-year period of decline. "The last year has been very good in terms of sales announcements ...
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South Korea deploys anti-radar UAV
South Korea has deployed the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Harpy anti-radiation unmanned air vehicle (UAV) and is on the verge of placing another order. Any additional purchase could include developed versions of the ground-launched system. The South Korean army purchased 100 Harpys in a deal valued at about $50 ...
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UK issues parallel invitations to tender for Spectator
Two parallel invitations to tender (ITT) for the risk reduction phase of the Spectator unmanned air vehicle (UAV) requirement have been issued by the UK Ministry of Defence. The two ITTs cover "potential programmes" for the supply of an aircraft to emulate a UAV and a radar to "provide ...
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Italy moves on UAV purchases after Yugoslavia campaign
Andy Nativi/GENOA The Italian armed forces are launching a series of unmanned air vehicle (UAV) procurement programmes following the extensive use of such systems during Operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia last year. A "lesson learned" study has pushed the Italian defence ministry to accelerate its UAV acquisition plans. As ...
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Global Hawk procedures changed
Flight procedures for the Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle (UAV) have been modified following the US Air Force's investigation of the crash on 29 March last year that destroyed a $45 million Global Hawk. The accident occurred when the UAV inadvertently received a flight ...
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Shadow wins US Army tactical UAV fly-off
AAI has been selected by the US Army to supply its tactical unmanned air vehicle (TUAV) following a fly-off involving four systems. The initial contract for four low rate initial production TUAVs is worth $41 million. Cockeysville, Maryland-based AAI's Shadow 200 was selected over the Alliant Techsystems Outrider, General Atomics' ...
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Attacking options
Unmanned air vehicles may not be ready - yet - to replace manned aircraft in combat, but they are close to being able to take on more of the riskier missions During its lifetime, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) will start operating routinely alongside unmanned combat aircraft. Unmanned vehicles will ...
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US Navy awards contracts for next-generation catapult
Northrop Grumman and General Atomics have won US Navy contracts to develop competitively an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) for the navy's CVX next-generation aircraft carrier. The two companies, selected from seven bidders, will perform EMALS programme definition and risk reduction tasks. Northrop Grumman's contract is worth $62 million, ...
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$4.6 billion USAF engine support deal for GE and P&W
General Electric and Pratt & Whitney have won engine improvement contracts from the US Air Force worth more than $4.6 billion over the next 15 years. The US Defense Department describes the unusual arrangement as an "indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract", and says it reflects increasing USAF awareness that more resources ...
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New roles considered for Global Hawk
Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC Northrop Grumman is beginning to look at developments of its RQ-4A Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle that could include stealth features for the airframe and payloads that would allow it to perform nearly 20 more operational roles. Plans are also being developed to deploy Global Hawk ...
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Matra BAe outlines plan for cruise missile-firing airliner
Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD) has unveiled a concept for deploying cruise missiles from a converted Airbus airliner fitted with twin stern launcher tubes. A modular missile storage and handling system occupies the passenger deck. The missile builder is also exploring the use of the system with ...
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Australian Army sets missile priorities for firepower plan
Peter La Franchi/ADELAIDE The Australian Army is exploring the acquisition of shore-based anti-ship missiles (ASMs) as part of evolving plans for its future firepower architecture. The move highlights an army push to regain control of Joint Project 117 for a new generation surface-to-air missile. The plans may also include ...
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Holding the fort
Singapore's air force has added to its defensive strength and more procurements are on the horizon Andrzej Jeziorski/SINGAPORE It's a small island republic with no indigenous natural resources, but Singapore has been a long-time economic winner, even by the standards of the pre-crash Pacific rim. Singapore's economy was one of ...
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Denel reveals updated Seeker
Denel has developed an updated version of its Seeker unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designed to provide greater range and endurance, as well as updating its payload. The first Seeker II is to fly early next year, with deliveries starting shortly after. The Seeker II has digital avionics and systems in ...
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Mergers
Northrop Grumman has agreed to buy Oslo-based Navia Aviation, an instrument landing systems, digital voice switching systems and air traffic control systems supplier, for $35 million from Norway's Navia. The business will report to UK-based Park Air Electronics, a unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems division. Cordant Technologies ...