UH-60V Inducted Into Service With Illinois Army National Guard | Czech Republic Plans To Buy More Vipers And Venoms | Loyal Wingman Designated Ghost Bat

Americas

Northrop Grumman won a $17.3 million deal for depot level repair.  This follow-on contract includes: maintenance, modifications, repairs, alteration, upgrades of systems and spares for the AN/AQS-24 Sonar Detecting Set (all variants), Common Post Mission Analysis and Intermediate Level Test Equipment to support the Navy for the currently deployed airborne mine countermeasures legacy systems. The AQS-24A is a helicopter towed airborne Sonar mine countermeasure detection system equipped with a side scan sonar to detect and classify underwater mines. Work will take place in Maryland. Expected completion is in October 2026.

The UH-60V variant has been inducted into service with the 106th Aviation Regiment at the Illinois Army National Guard. Around 60 pilots were trained to operate the V variant and they did that by first undergoing six weeks of training on the UH-60M before spending another two weeks for a training support plan to be qualified.

Middle East & Africa

Israeli Steadicopter and Smart Shooter have unveiled the Golden Eagle – an unmanned helicopter with precise hit capabilities. Based on the Black Eagle 50E platform, the Golden Eagle incorporates AI-based technology and Smart Shooter’s SMASH Dragon system. The AI-based technology enables superior situational awareness and autonomous multi-target classification and tracking. The SMASH Dragon, a remotely-operated robotic weaponry payload, locks on the target, tracks it and ensures precise target hit.

UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs, Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, visited South Korea and the UAE has expressed interest in KAI’s T-50. The UAE had recently announced its decision to buy the L-15 advanced jet trainer from China.

Europe

Defense News reports that according to Defense Minister Jana Ernochová, the Czech Republic plans to buy more UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters for the military because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown that the country’s current fleet is “insufficient.” “At the Ministry of Defence, we have all the prerequisites to catch up as soon as possible in terms of defence spending,” ernochová was cited as saying in a statement released by the ministry. The minister was alluding to Prague’s ambitions to increase military spending to 2% of GDP in order to meet its NATO obligation.

Asia-Pacific

Australia will designate the Boeing Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft as the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, Defense Minister Peter Dutton announced. “The introduction of the new popular name is a rare and special moment in aviation history for our RAAF partners and industry team of over 35 Australian suppliers,” said Glen Ferguson, director Airpower Teaming System Australia and International.

Today’s Video

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