Category: Military & Defense

As part of a major £1.5 billion investment in military research and development, the U.K. government has signed a £30 million design and manufacture contract with the Belfast arm of Sprint AeroSystems for an unmanned fighter drone. In 2020 the U.S. group acquired the former business in Northern Ireland from Bombardier. The deal is to include a full-scale vehicle flight-test program by 2023. According to the British government, the drones will be manufactured to act as a “loyal wingman” to the RAF’s Typhoon jets, capable of shooting down enemy aircraft. The program will also include the U.K. unit of Northrop Read more

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a US$2.1 billion contract for 15 KC-46A tankers, expanding its fleet of aircraft that will not only set the standard for aerial refueling but will also help enable the integrated digital battlespace. The KC-46 is a widebody, multirole tanker designed for state-of-the-art air refueling, cargo and medical transport. Boeing is now on contract for 94 KC-46A tankers.

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a US$1.7 billion contract for 12 KC-46A tanker aircraft. With this sixth production lot, Boeing is now on contract for 79 KC-46A tankers.  The company delivered the first KC-46A to the Air Force in January 2019. Since then, Boeing has delivered 42 tankers to four different bases. The next-generation KC-46 brings new capabilities and operational flexibility to the U.S. Air Force and international customers. The KC-46A is a multirole tanker designed to refuel allied and coalition military aircraft compatible with international aerial refueling procedures. It’s also equipped to carry passengers, cargo and patients Read more

GE Aviation has been awarded a US$111.9 million contract with NAVAIR for fourth lot T408 engines to power the U.S. Marine Corps’ most advanced heavy-lift helicopter, the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion. This latest contract of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) engines follows three previous LRIP contracts for this program, the most recent being in August 2019. GE Aviation’s Lynn, Mass., plant will perform final assembly for the Lot 4 engines.

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Aviation Group has won three avionic upgrade contracts worth approximately US$50 million in South Korea, in 2020. The win includes three different aircraft types used by the Korean Air Force. The avionic upgrade process includes converting a used aircraft and retrofitting it with all or part of the avionic systems with new and advanced systems. The result is an aircraft with advanced performance, capable of meeting the challenges of modern military or civilian aviation.

The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract, valued at US$109 million, to provide P-8A Poseidon training for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). A suite of training systems and course-ware will prepare RNZAF aircrew and maintainers to safely and effectively operate and maintain the maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft for decades to come. Boeing’s holistic P-8 training system will enable the RNZAF to conduct up to 70% of all Poseidon-related training in a simulated environment. Boeing’s Electronic Classroom will give RNZAF instructors and students access to course-ware and testing capabilities. Boeing also will provide Read more

AAR has been awarded a US$148,357,084 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity follow-on contract with Naval Air Systems Command. This expanded contract provides contractor logistics support required for operating and maintaining the C-40A aircraft, aircraft subsystems, appliances and support equipment, including depot-level, main operating base and supply support. This award also introduces additional requirements including new operating sites, commercial line maintenance, and scheduled engine overhauls. Heavy maintenance work on the C-40A aircraft will be performed at AAR’s MRO facility at the Oklahoma City airport, with line maintenance support conducted at two Naval Air Stations within the United States and logistics support at six Naval Read more