Americas
SkyAlyne and KF Aerospace have procured three De Havilland Dash 8-400 regional airliners for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. Upon arrival, the planes will have their cabins reconfigured and fitted with solutions to be used for Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator and Air Combat Systems Officer courses. The selection of the locally-built systems was driven by the Dash family of aircraft’s proven performance under the Canadian Air Force, particularly the older Dash 8-100 models, the consortium explained.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has received a $34.8-million contract to continue its support services for the US Marine Corps’ XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial system development. The deal will extend the company’s assistance to the mission systems and subsystem integrations under the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio, which is transitioning into the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft program this year.
Middle East & Africa
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has finalized a procurement agreement with state-owned Rafael for additional Iron Dome interceptors, enhancing the country’s multi-layered air defense capabilities. The funding for the new contract will be sourced from the $8.7 billion US aid package approved for Israel in April 2024. This deal will enable Rafael to ramp up production of the “Tamir” interceptors, ensuring a “significant quantity” is delivered to the Israel Defense Forces.
Europe
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) has been operating a modified Airbus A320, known as the Advanced Technology Research Aircraft (ATRA), which recently completed its first flight with a unique modification: the nose of a Eurofighter combat jet. The modified A320 is being used to test and mature a new radar system destined for Eurofighter combat aircraft. The A320 ATRA is not just any commercial airliner. Airbus engineers from Manching developed and assembled the Eurofighter nose specifically for this test aircraft. The modification was necessary to house the new AESA-MK1 radar (Active Electronically Scanned Array), which is at the heart of this project.
Asia-Pacific
South Korea has completed the initial flight of its MAH Marineon amphibious assault helicopter prototype in Sacheon, Gyeongnam. The milestone is part of a $307 million contract awarded to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in 2022 to build a new attack helicopter for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. The prototype is based on the company’s MUH-1 Marineon amphibious and KUH-1 Surion transport helicopters, both of which are currently in service with the force.