Afghan SpecOps gets PC-12NG Transport Planes

US SOCOM “U-28A”

In October 2012, Sierra Nevada Corp. in Sparks, NV received a contract for 18 uniquely modified Pilatus PC-12/47E aircraft, which will be used by Afghan National Army Special Operations Forces. Sierra Nevada will handle the modifications to Pilatus’ aircraft, and acts as the American lead. Their work will be performed in Sparks, NV until July 31/15. The 645th AESG/WIJK at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH manages the contract (FA8620-13-C-4007).

The PC-12/47E single-engine turboprop is also known as the PC-12NG, and uses Pratt & Whitney Canada’s 1,200 shp PT6A-67P engine…

Rapid Fire Oct. 17, 2012: Russia Aims for Higher Budgets

• Russia plans to significantly increase its defense budget, says Duma’s Defense Committee chairman Vladimir Komoedov. They are aiming for $97B or 3.7% of GDP by 2015. Possibly, if oil prices then are still high enough to support it.

• The US House Armed Services Committee (HASC) may see significant changes in its composition with the coming election.

• Booz Allen Hamilton to acquire ARINC’s Defense Systems Engineering & Support (DSES) division for about $154M in cash. Around 1,000 employees are involved in the acquisition. Meanwhile Safran is buying Goodrich Electric Power Systems (GEPS) for about $400M.