Americas
Sikorsky won a $7.7 million order, which procures support to update existing CH-53K system/subsystem specifications produced by the original equipment manufacturer. The Sikorsky CH-53K Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopter is being developed by Sikorsky Aircraft to replace the CH-53E helicopter of the US Marine Corps. The Super Stallion can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. The aircraft can be operated from austere and remote forward operating bases. Work will take place in Stratford, Connecticut. Estimated completion will be by October 2022.
Boeing announced that it delivered the first Super Hornet test aircraft for the US Navy’s Blue Angel flight demonstration squadron. The jet is now at NAS Patuxent River. Boeing says the jet comes with an oil tank for the smoke-generation system, fuel systems that enable the aircraft to fly inverted for extended periods of time, civilian-compatible navigation equipment, cameras and adjustments for the aircraft’s center of gravity. The Blue Angels, whose demonstrations this year have been limited to salutes to COVID-19 workers in US cities, have flown F/A-18 Hornets, referred to as Legacy Hornets, for the past 34 years. Super Hornets are about 20 percent larger, faster and more advanced variants of the planes they replace.
Middle East & Africa
GeoSpectrum Technologies, a subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems, announced on June 2 that it was selected to deliver its Long-Range Acoustic Messaging (LRAM) system to a Western customer, marking the company’s latest sale of the long-range underwater communication technology. Nova Scotia, Canada-based GeoSpectrum recently delivered LRAM equipment to the Canadian government. The LRAM system is designed to send acoustically encoded tactical messages from a user-controlled station to a submerged asset such as a submarine. Two-way communication can also be provided.
Europe
Lockheed Martin won an $18.7 million contract for the procurement of maintenance and sustainment operations support for the Norway Italy Reprogramming Laboratory systems and consumables in support of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft for the governments of Norway and Italy. The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF), is being developed by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps and the UK Royal Navy. The stealthy, supersonic multirole fighter was designated the F-35 Lightning II in July 2006. The JSF is being built in three variants: a conventional take-off and landing aircraft (CTOL) for the US Air Force; a carrier variant (CV) for the US Navy; and a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft for the US Marine Corps and the Royal Navy. Work will take place at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Expected completion will be by December 2022.
The third of nine british P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft has been named after the highest scoring pilot in Coastal Command in the Second World War. Poseidon MRA1 tail number ZP803 is currently being completed in the USA and sports the name ‘Terence Bulloch DSO* DFC* RAF’ in recognition of the pilot who made the greatest number of attacks against submarines in the Battle of the Atlantic. In April this year, the RAF has formally declared Initial Operating Capability for its brand-new P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Asia-Pacific
The Philippine president has suspended his decision to terminate a key defense pact with the United States, at least temporarily avoiding a major blow to one of America’s oldest alliances in Asia. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Tuesday he dispatched a diplomatic note to the US ambassador in Manila informing the US government that the Philippines is delaying its decision to abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement by at least six months.
Today’s Video
Watch: F-35, Why is it the Best Fighter in the World Today?
