USAF Ordered 15 SA-PGBs | Egypt Unveils Homegrown Drones | Airbus To Finalize Eurodrone Contract

Americas

Aechelon Technology won a $7.8 million order, which provides for the production, delivery and integration of four P8 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) next generation databases on to four AAS Weapons Tactic Trainers. Work will take place in California. Estimated completion date will be in October 2022.

The US Air Force has ordered 15 Silent Arrow Precision Guided Bundle (SA-PGB) for testing. They will be shipped to Pendleton UAS Test Range for flight testing in 2022. The SA-PGB is based on the Silver Arrow’s GD-2000 cargo delivery unmanned air system (UAS). It has been scaled down to deliver a 350-pound payload after being dropped from an aircraft, that could range from the Cessna Caravan to the C-17.

Middle East & Africa

Egypt showcased its first two homegrown drones – Neuth drone and EJune-30 SW. The unveiling took plate at EDEX-2021 exhibition in Cairo. The Neuth drone is named after Egyptian goddess of the sky. It is produced jointly by the Arab Organization for Industrialization and the Military Technical College. Designed for reconnaissance missions, it can reportedly carry up to a 50kg payload. The drone has an endurance of 10 hours and satellite integration capabilities, local media reported.

Europe

Airbus revealed for the first time the upgrade of the Tiger Mk III upgrade it plans to roll out to France, Germany, and Spain. France is expected to finalize a deal for up to 180 H160M helicopters for its army, navy and air force by the end of the year. Beyond that, Airbus expects to sell as many as 400 helicopters through 2030, according to Matthieu Louvot, executive vice president of Airbus Helicopters programs.

Airbus also announced that it expects to finalize the contract to build the Eurodrone in the next couple of months. The Eurodrone is powered by two turboprop engines. The manufacturer of the engines has not yet been revealed. The Eurodrone is set to be huge, with a wingspan of 16 meters (52 feet) and a payload capacity of 2,300 kilograms. Its weight should reach approximately 11 tons when fully armed (against 4 for the Reaper).

Asia-Pacific

A US Air Force F-16 made an emergency landing at Aomori Airport in northeastern Japan on Nov. 30 after the pilot reported experiencing technical issues with the jet. During the emergency landing, the pilot jettisoned two drop tanks, at least one landed near a residential area. The incident forced the airport to shutdown the runway, canceling domestic flights.

Today’s Video

Watch: New Airbus H160 – Top helicopter

Eurocopter’s EC665 Tiger HAD Helicopters

Eurocopter’s Tiger had always had a very odd setup in that it came in two seemingly incomplete versions (HAP scout and HAC/UHT anti-tank), whose respective deficiencies severely limited multi-role flexibility and hence exports. The new Tiger HAD (Helicoptere Appui Destruction) variant fixes those deficiencies, and looks set to become the default version for new-build EC665 Tiger exports.

The HAD project began in December 2005, as the EU’s OCCAR organization for armament cooperation signed a formal contract in Bonn, Germany and set out initial procurement numbers for Spain. This was followed by the French DGA’s announcing the restructuring of its own 80-helicopter order, and each customer has made its own choices as the new variant has gone from concept to initial delivery.