Sikorsky To Provide VH-92 FTD | Embraer Flight Tested Portugal’s KC-390 | US Clears AIM-9X, AGM-84 Missiles Sale To Taiwan

Americas

Sikorsky won a $40 million modification, which adds scope to provide production and installation of a VH-92A Flight Training Device (FTD) and updates to a previously delivered VH-92A FTD for the Marine Corps. The new Marine One, also referred to as VH-92A, is the next-generation presidential transport helicopter being developed for the US Marine Corps (USMC). Work will take place in New York, Florida, Connecticut, Virginia, Utah and various locations within the continental US. Expected completion will be in March 2024.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory recently carried out an in-flight vapor purge test in a F-15E last month. The objective of the test by the 711th Human Performance Wing was to  evaluate cockpit environmental conditions after a chemical weapon attack. “In order to develop the next generation of aircrew protective equipment we need to determine what level of protection aircrew members need,” said Joel Huddleston, 28th TES deputy division chief. “By aggregating this data, we will be able to specialize the suits and ensure the warfighter is unencumbered.” For the data collection process, liquid methyl salicylate, also known as oil of wintergreen, was sprayed into the idling jet prior to taxi. Crew members are then exposed to the chemical after the liquid was vaporized by engine heat and get sucked into the cockpit.

Middle East & Africa

According to Indian media reports, the Indian navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya has successfully launched Barak 1 surface-to-air missile (SAM). This appears to be the first time that a live firing test with Barak missiles was conducted on an aircraft carrier. So far, the tests in the Indian Navy have been conducted on frigates. Barak is an Israeli surface-to-air missile (SAM) designed to be used as a ship-borne point-defense missile system against aircraft, anti-ship missiles, and UAVs for relatively short range of about 12 km

Europe

Embraer has began the flight test program for Portugal’s first KC-390 transport aircraft. Once flight testing is completed, Portugal’s first KC-390, registered PR-ZDK, will be sent to Portuguese aircraft maintenance, repair, and operations service provider OGMA where it will be equipped with certified features to meet NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] standards.

Asia-Pacific

South Korea intends to spend $295 million from 2023-2027 to buy tactical data links and fire control radar systems from the United States for its AH-64E fleet. The report from Yonhap did not specify the type of equipment to be bought.

The US government has cleared the sale of 60 AGM-84L-1 Harpoon Block II missiles and 100 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles to Taiwan on September 2. Congress was notified of three potential arms sales to Taiwan on that day and the most expensive one was the upgrade of the AN/FPS-115 PAVE PAWS radar for $665.4 million. The Pentagon says the Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for the Surveillance Radar Program (SRP), to be executed by Raytheon, will provide “improved situational awareness and threat warning capabilities critical to regional security.”

Today’s Video

WATCH: Comparison of the Embraer KC-390 Vs the Lockheed Martin C-130J cargo plane.

From VH-71 to VXX: the Future of US Presidential Helicopters

In January 2005, the U.S. Navy selected the US101 as the new “Marine One” baseline helicopter, for use by the President of the United States. The US101 is an American variant of AgustaWestland’s successful AW101 multi-mission medium helicopter; it beat out Sikorsky’s S-92 Superhawk, which is already in use as a government VIP transport in countries like South Korea.

That $1.7 billion victory was first endangered, and then destroyed, by ongoing changes from the White House staff. In 2008, the program’s ballooning costs and requirements got a temporary reprieve when US Navy agreed to proceed with the VH-71, despite a cost per aircraft equal or greater than the President’s Air Force One 747s. By June 2009, however, the VH-71 program had shot itself down.

Another round of competition is on the way, and back in 2009 the Pentagon said it was considering buying 2 different helicopters in the VXX follow-on program. Faced with an initial Analysis of Alternatives deemed too expensive, the OSD accepted the Navy’s revised approach in May 2012, setting things in motion for a new program of record.