Boeing and Northrop Grumman have successfully completed the critical design review for the surveillance radar and other key systems destined for the 737 airborne early warning and control aircraft ordered for Australia's Wedgetail programme. Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems plans to start testing the first MESA (multirole electronically scanned array) radar in August. The first two of four firm aircraft on order are due to be delivered in 2006.
Source: Flight International
MBDA is to assemble Brimstone air-to-surface missiles in Germany for the first time, following its receipt of a contract to equip the Luftwaffe’s Eurofighter combat aircraft.
The US government has blacklisted more private companies over alleged connections to the training of Chinese military aviators, including two firms operated by former test pilots in the UK Royal Air Force and South African Air Force.
Austria has signed for a dozen new Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks to replace its ageing Bell 212 transports.
