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Archives by date > 2016 > November

Turkey Requests 2nd Batch F-35s | AeroVironment to Upgrade Netherlands UAVs | Jakarta Negotiations Ongoing for Russian Su-35s

Nov 02, 2016 00:58 UTC

Americas

  • Embraer believes they will hit their operating targets for 2016 thanks to strong year-end demand. The company made the announcement on Monday. Chief Financial Officer Jose Antonio Filippo also told journalists a writedown of the company’s used aircraft portfolio, which contributed to a $34 million third-quarter loss, was focused on its commercial jets inventory and was not likely to be repeated in coming quarters.

  • A Russian arms trafficker serving a 25-year sentence in the US has appealed his conviction. Viktor Bout was convicted for attempting to sell millions of dollars worth of arms to whom he believed were militants with the FARC, a Colombian rebel group. Bout’s lawyer claims that a co-conspirator, Andrew Smulian, was a government informant throughout the investigation, which means Bout could not have been involved in a conspiracy with him. Bout’s infamy made the silver screen in 2005, with his story serving as the basis for Nicolas Cage’s Yuri Orlov in the movie “Lord of War.”

Middle East & North Africa

  • After rumors they would do so, Turkey has officially requested a second batch of F-35s under the Joint Strike Fighter program. A meeting of the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSIK), Turkey’s procurement authority, brought top political and military officials together on Friday to make the decision. Officials are also hoping to build a new-generation, dual-fighter jet fleet by their country’s centennial, 2023, comprised of the F-35 and an indigenous aircraft, known as TFX, that Ankara has been designing.

  • Iraqi special forces have reached the outskirts of the city of Mosul, as the offensive to reclaim the city from the Islamic State enters its third week. Soldiers of the elite Counter Terrorism Service (CST) have already captured the state television station, the most important building reclaimed to date. While the offensive on Mosul involves Kurdish Peshmerga, Shia militias and regular Iraqi security forces, the CST has been heavily trained with US help, undergoing training exercises with other elite units in places like Jordan.

Europe

  • The Netherlands has contracted AeroVironment to conduct upgrade work on their RQ-11B Raven UAVs in a $10.3 million deal. In service since 2008, the Ravens will see their current analogue configuration upgraded to include AeroVironment’s digital datalink. Also included in the deal are new Puma AE and Wasp micro unmanned air systems, plus a new ground control station and support, which AeroVironment says will be delivered within six months.

  • An investigation by the BBC and the Guardian newspaper has suggested that engine maker Rolls Royce was involved in corruption. Findings include the establishment of a network of agents hired to help them land lucrative contracts in at least 12 different countries around the world, sometimes allegedly using bribes. One deal scrutinized uncovered evidence of a suspicious payment of cash that may have helped Rolls-Royce win a major contract for engines on Hawk trainer aircraft worth $400 million to the company.

Asia Pacific

  • Two J-20 stealth fighters made their public flying debut yesterday in a brief one minute taster at the Airshow China exhibition. Following a vertical split at the end of the runway, one of the J-20s quickly disappeared over the horizon, leaving the other to perform a series of turns, revealing its delta wing shape against bright sub-tropical haze. Neither of the fighters, however, expanded on basic maneuvers, with both failing to conduct a low-speed, high angle of attack pass, or opening weapons bays. Without a more encompassing display, it may be a while before we see the J-20 as a rival to the F-35 on the export market.

  • An official with Indonesia’s defense ministry has confirmed that Jakarta is still in negotiations to purchase either nine or ten Su-35 fighters. Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu had expressed his country’s interest in the fighter in May but any concrete deal has yet to materialize. While Russian and Indonesian officials haggle over pricing, it’s believed that Western companies such as Lockheed Martin and Saab are trying to wrest such a big ticket deal away from Russian manufacturer Sukhoi. Indonesia boasts one of the world’s fastest growing defense budgets with expectations that the archipelago will spend more than $20 billion on procurement between 2016 and 2025.

Today’s Video

J-20s at Airshow China:

DoD Working on Swarming Drones | Polish Prosecutors to Investigate Scrapped Caracel Deal with Airbus | China to Premier J-20 Stealth Fighter at Airshow China

Nov 01, 2016 00:57 UTC

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Americas

  • Two men in California have been charged for taking part in a scheme to smuggle $3 million worth of military aircraft parts and other defense equipment to Iran. Zavik Zargarian and Vache Nayirian stand accused of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, according to the US Department of Justice. If convicted, Zargarian faces a maximum sentence of 115 years in federal prison and a $4,770,000 fine, while Nayirian faces a maximum sentence of 95 years in prison and a $3,770,000 fine, prosecutors said. Their trial begins on December 20.

  • Expect to hear more about the DoD Strategic Capabilities Office’s (SCO) swarming drones concept in the coming months, says deputy secretary of defense Ash Carter. Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington last week, Carter claimed the technology has made some important strides in recent weeks, but specific details are still being kept close to the chest of the SCO. The office is currently testing the Perdix, a palm-sized, expendable UAV that springs out of a fighter jet’s chaff dispenser and flies low to capture video. However, Perdix is not believed to be part of the swarming drones concept.

  • The first upgunned Stryker infantry carrier vehicle has been returned to the US Army. Designated as the Stryker Dragoon, the vehicle comes armed with a more lethal 30mm cannon and will be fielded with the Germany-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment in May 2018. Other new aspects of the upgrade include an integrated Kongsberg MCT-30mm Weapon System with a remotely-operated, unmanned turret; a new, fully-integrated commander’s station; and upgraded driveline component and hull modifications. Full rate production will commence following an abbreviated test phase in Spring 2017.

Africa

  • A delegation from Airbus visited Nigeria following a proposal earlier this year to sell their C295W light transport aircraft to the Nigerian Air Force. While it remains to be seen how many of the aircraft Nigeria would purchase, Airbus is expected to include training and support personnel in any deal made. Ghana, Mali, Algeria and Egypt have all either ordered or currently operate the C295W as Airbus looks to grow sales to the African market. This September saw the company help bring a Portuguese maritime surveillance/patrol variant of the C295 to display at the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in South Africa.

Europe

  • Polish prosecutors are to investigate the recently scrapped Caracel military helicopter deal with Airbus to see if the move circumvented Polish law or was linked to corruption. Speaking to local media, prosecutor Michal Dziekanski said “this will be a complicated, comprehensive investigation, encompassing a very large set of evidence.” Tomasz Siemoniak, the defense minister responsible for originally brokering the deal during the previous administration, called the Airbus tender “fair and transparent” and said it was canceled by his rivals for political reasons.

  • Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft operated by the RAF will live to fly until at least March 2017 despite the fact one of the five-strong fleet should have been retired by now. Manufacturer Raytheon has been contracted for $159 million in support work on the remaining fleet which will see four Sentinel aircraft continue in operation until 2021, extended from the previous retirement date of 2018. Funding has yet to be released in order to keep the fifth plane flying over the same period with a decision expected in March.

Asia Pacific

  • This week will see China unveil its J-20 stealth fighter during a flight demonstration at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in the southern city of Zhuhai. The warplane, along with the J-31, are attempts by Beijing to close the technological gap with the US and to increase their offensive and defensive capabilities. While the J-31 is still in development, it is hoped that the plane will compete with the US-made F-35 on the international market.

  • Israeli-made Heron and Searcher UAVs will be armed with missiles by India. Known as Project Cheetah, the program will see the drones equipped with advanced surveillance technology as well as the ability to conduct surgical strikes, severing the need for the deployment of further aircraft. It’s expected that Israeli firms will be involved in the upgrades. The armed drones will then undergo operations against militants fighting in the disputed Kashmir region with the aim of limiting Indian military casualties.

Today’s Video

Testing of the Chengdu J-20 earlier this year:

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