Americas
General Electric Aviation won a $143.7 million contract modification for 24 low rate initial production Lot 3 T408-GE-400 turboshaft engines and three Lot 2 T408-GE-400 engines for the CH-53K helicopter. The deal also provides for associated engine and programmatic support, logistics support, peculiar support equipment and spares. T408 engines provide enough power to the aircraft to carry a 27,000lb external load over a mission radius of 110nm in the navy high / hot weather conditions. The three-stage power turbine is capable of generating 7,378-rated shaft horsepower. The Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion is a large, heavy-lift cargo helicopter. General Electric will perform work under the modification in Lynn, Massachusetts, and estimated completion will be in December 2022.
The US Air Force awarded Raytheon an $8.4 million modification for field team support services for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) development test mission support including, test planning, test operations, test reporting and telemetry analysis. The contract modification provides for exercise of the third option for an additional 12 months of services to support ground tests, captive flight tests and live fire tests conducted for developmental purposes up to and including operational test readiness reviews. The effort also includes management and maintenance of AMRAAM separation test vehicles and other assets used for the test programs. The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force, US Navy, and over 25 US-allied nations. Work will take place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and estimated completion date is September 5, 2020.
Middle East & Africa
Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), which is a leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for law enforcement agencies, governments, and armies around the world, announces the new lightweight, multi-caliber assault rifle, a highly efficient and modular battle rifle ? the ARAD, based on the AR15 platform. According to local reports, the new lightweight, modular assault rifle is offered in two variants: 5.56X45mm and .300 AAC Blackout. The ARAD was designed to address the needs of Special Forces as well as the various infantry forces. It includes several advanced features that enable operational flexibility. The rifle consists of a short-stroke gas piston with a regulator in two positions, which allows proper operation in all environmental conditions. A two-step enhanced trigger ensures both comfort and shooting accuracy. Additional features include a hard-anodized monolithic aluminum MIL-STD 1913 rail in the upper receiver.
Europe
Jane’s reports that five Czech Air Force JAS 39C fighters began a four-month rotation of NATO’s Baltic air policing mission on September 1 in their first operation with their new Rafael Litening 4i laser targeting pods. The aircraft are reportedly armed with their usual cannons: the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs). On 14 June 2004, it was announced that the Czech Republic was to lease 14 Gripen aircraft, modified to comply with NATO standards. In September 2013, the Defense and Security Export Agency announced that a follow-up agreement with the Czech Republic had been completed to extend the lease by 14 years, until 2029.
Asia-Pacific
Vietnam is looking at acquiring the T-6 Texan II. The sale is reportedly at an advanced stage with the US Air Force helping Vietnam to find a suitable location to bed down the aircraft. Vietnam is pursuing the T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft for their Air Force, “which is interesting because most of the stuff they have right now is from Russia,” Gen. Charles Q. Brown, commander of Pacific Air Forces, said. Pacific Air Forces is moving to distribute its fleet more broadly across the theater to both enhance flexibility and reduce vulnerability as a target, the PACAF commander said on Tuesday.
The Philippines have been forced to push back the delivery of two AH-1s from Jordan as the personnel are still undergoing training in Jordan. The original date was supposed to be this month but Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez announced the new date is early next year. He added that the training of its pilots is still underway. The Jordanian government pledged last year to donate two US-built Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopters, and President Rodrigo Duterte had mentioned this in some of his speeches. The AH-1 Cobra is a two-blade, single-engine attack helicopter.
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