Category: Military & Defense

The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon (ZP801) for the United Kingdom Royal Air Force (RAF) took off from Renton, Wash. on July 12, marking the first flight of this inaugural UK P-8A. During the 90 minute flight key testing took place before the aircraft touched down and moved to the next phase of preparation before customer delivery, installation of military systems. The RAF P-8A Poseidon fleet will support maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship warfare for the UK, and will increase protection of the UK’s nuclear deterrent and Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. The first of nine P-8As, ordered by the Read more

The Portuguese Government has signed a firm order for five multi-mission Embraer KC-390 airlifters, as part of the process to modernize Portuguese Air Force capacities to support national Armed Forces operations and increase readiness in missions of public interest. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2023. The KC-390 can perform different types of military and civilian missions including humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue and firefighting, while fully meeting the requirements of the Portuguese Air Force, adding new superior cargo and troops transport, aerial delivery and aerial refueling capabilities.

The first Airbus C295, purchased by the Government of Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) program, has completed its maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards delivery by the end of 2019 to begin operational testing by the RCAF. The contract, awarded in December 2016, includes 16 C295 aircraft and all In-Service Support elements including, training and engineering services, the construction of a new Training Centre in Comox, British Columbia, and maintenance and support services. The aircraft will be based where search and rescue squadrons are currently located: Comox, British Read more

Serbia has received its first H145M helicopter and will become a maintenance hub for SA 341 / SA 342 Gazelle helicopters. ”Both events underline the fact that Serbia and Airbus have entered into a close partnership”, as Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even pointed out at the Partner Defence Exhibition in Belgrade. The Moma Stanojlovic aeronautical plant, located near Belgrade, has been certified by Airbus Helicopters to carry out maintenance work on the Gazelle. More than 160 Gazelle SA 341 / SA 342 were produced under license by the Soko plant in Mostar from 1971 to 1991 and these helicopters are Read more

The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) received one of the most modern observation aircraft for missions under the Treaty on Open Skies. In an official ceremony in Hamburg, Lufthansa Technik handed over the converted Airbus A319CJ to the German armed forces. The aircraft is intended to fly missions within the framework of confidence-building measures but can also be used for medical and conventional passenger transport. On the customer side, the conversion of the former business jet, which was completed on schedule and within budget, was overseen by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). As the Read more

Saft has delivered its first EverSkyTM batteries to Boeing as part of a contract awarded in 2018 to fit new 777 and 777X airliners with onboard rechargeable nickel-based battery systems, comprised ofULM® (Ultra-Low Maintenance) EverSky batteries combined with a dedicated charger. The new Saft battery system is designed to offer 777 operators superior performance and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) by extending maintenance intervals. Customers can retrofit existing 777 airplanes with these new systems distributed by Boeing subsidiary Aviall. The Boeing 777 battery system provides onboard power for APU (auxiliary power unit) starting and backup for critical systems. It Read more

Embraer Defense & Security and ELTA Systems (ELTA), a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement at the Paris Air Show, to introduce the P600 AEW (Airborne Early Warning). Designed to compete in a new segment of the AEW market, this next generation aircraft is based on the advanced super midsize platform of the Embraer Praetor 600 business jet. The primary sensor of the P600 AEW is the IAI/ELTA 4th generation Digital Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with integrated IFF capabilities. In this cooperation, Embraer Defense & Security is to provide the air platform, Read more

The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA has signed an order to purchase an additional H225M which will be operated by the French Air Force. The aircraft will be delivered in a configuration that allows it to be interoperable with the existing fleet of 10 H225Ms in the French Air Force and in particular it will be capable of inflight refuelling, an essential operational advantage that this helicopter offers. The aircraft will be based in Cazaux and will be used for Special Forces and Search and Rescue missions.