Americas
South Korea is offering its K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer to the US Army to fill the capability gap created by canceling the Extended-Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program. Launched in 2018, the ERCA program aimed to provide the service with a long-range artillery strike capability by having a Paladin M109 howitzer mounted with a 30-foot (9-meter) gun tube. However, the project was called off after several technical challenges prevented its first prototypes from meeting army requirements.
The Palm Springs Air Museum (PSAM) has unveiled its latest restoration project – the unique Boeing Skyfox jet trainer prototype. Acquired by the museum in 2021, the Skyfox has undergone a comprehensive restoration and is now on display for the public. The Skyfox originated as a project by Skyfox Corporation, led by former Lockheed engineer Irven Culver. Designed as a cost-effective upgrade to existing jet trainers like the T-33, the Skyfox sported several modifications. These included externally mounted Garrett TFE731 turbofan engines, increased internal fuel capacity, and upgraded avionics. The sole prototype, a converted Canadian-built CT-133 Silver Star (N221SF), performed its maiden flight in 1983 at Mojave Air and Spaceport, California.
Middle East & Africa
Turkish flight simulator manufacturer Havelsan has delivered the 5th full flight simulator to Turkish Airlines. The latest device an Airbus A320 full flight simulator, which was delivered and installed in May 2024 and is currently undergoing site acceptance test, is the second Airbus A320 full flight simulator HAVELSAN has delivered to Turkish Airlines in 2024 and forms part of the airlines procurement contract for a total of eleven Airbus A320 ceo/neos and Boeing B737MAX full flight simulators and FTDs.
Europe
According to Defense News, Italy has confirmed it will send a second SAMP/T air defense battery to Ukraine in response to urgent appeals by Kyiv to help defeat Russian missile attacks. “It is known that we will send SAMP/T, which is an instrument of air defense, therefore of protection, that Ukraine itself asked us for,” Italy’s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said late on June 3.
Asia-Pacific
The Taiwanese Air Force has unveiled plans to spend billions of New Taiwan dollars in modernizing its fleet of C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Starting next year, 19 of the Lockheed Martin-manufactured planes will have new integrated cockpit interfaces, as well as enhanced global positioning and collision avoidance systems. There will also be upgrades to the aircraft’s chassis to ensure it can fully support a variety of military missions.
