Category: Military & Defense

The Sikorsky-Boeing SB 1 DEFIANT™ helicopter achieved first flight on March 21, at Sikorsky’s West Palm Beach, Fla., site. The aircraft, developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company and Boeing, will help inform the next generation of military helicopters as part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift program. With its two coaxial main rotors and a rear mounted pusher propulsor, DEFIANT is unlike production rotorcraft available today. It represents a leap forward in technology to achieve the U.S. government’s desire for vast increases in speed and range while improving maneuverability and survivability in a cost-effective way. DEFIANT aircraft’s use Read more

With a three-year contract award for 78 F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets, Boeing will play a vital role in the U.S. Navy’s fleet modernization efforts. The Block III configuration adds capability upgrades that include enhanced network capability, longer range, reduced radar signature, an advanced cockpit system and an enhanced communication system. Boeing will begin converting existing Block II Super Hornets to Block III early in the next decade. The fighter’s life also will be extended from 6,000 hours to 10,000 hours. This new multi-year contract benefits the U.S. Navy and Boeing by allowing both to schedule future production and Navy Read more

AAR has been awarded a US$10.8 million order from the U.S. Air Force for the production of 463L cargo pallets. The cargo pallets will be manufactured at AAR’s Mobility Systems business unit in Cadillac, Michigan. The 463L USAF design uses a lightweight balsa wood core that continues to provide unparalleled strength-to-weight performance and reliability. The pallets are designed to be loaded and off-loaded on a variety of military and commercial aircraft.

AIM Norway and Lockheed Martin have signed a historic agreement to jointly establish the world’s first Lockheed Martin-licensed F-16 ‘Falcon Depot’ center for the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) and other regional F-16 customers. The facility will be located in Kjeller, Norway, at an existing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility used by the RNoAF. AIM Norway offers decades of F-16 sustainment knowledge that can benefit F-16 customers across the globe by leveraging AIM’s extensive technical expertise and capabilities. Lockheed Martin, the original equipment manufacturer and design authority of the F-16, is leveraging AIM’s extensive technical expertise and MRO experience Read more

Airbus Helicopters has selected the Pratt & Whitney PW206B3 engine to power the Airbus H135 IFR-certified helicopter the company is proposing for the U.S. Navy helicopter trainer replacement. Company officials made the announcement at the 2019 Heli-Expo industry trade show in Atlanta. The H135, which is IFR certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, allows more efficient training of new pilots in environments and scenarios most similar to the Navy’s warfighting rotorcraft fleet, creating opportunities for better cost and operational synergies compared to single-engine trainers. It is a technologically advanced aircraft and one of the safest in its class, due in Read more

Boeing and the U.S. Navy have received U.S. Department of Defense approval to offer the EA-18G Growler to Finland. Previously only Australia had been authorized to purchase the airborne electronic attack (AEA) aircraft. Boeing and the Navy have offered the Growler and F/A-18 Super Hornet in a response to query issued by the Finnish Ministry of Defense as part of their HX fighter program procurement. “All strike fighter aircraft rely on Growler escort to increase survivability during high-threat missions,” said Dan Gillian, Boeing vice president, F/A-18 and EA-18G programs. “The combination of the Super Hornet Block III and Growler would Read more

France and Germany have awarded the first-ever contract to Dassault Aviation and Airbus. The agreement is a Joint Concept Study (JCS) which will benefit the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme. Indeed, the decision by both countries shows commitment in securing European sovereignty and technological leadership in the military aviation sector. Starting date for the two-year study is 20 February 2019. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said of the contract: “This new step is the cornerstone to ensure tomorrow’s European strategic autonomy. This planned Next Generation Weapons System consists of a highly capable manned “New Generation Fighter” Read more