Americas
* Issues with weapons integration on the F-35 have been found and could hinder an operational capabilities declaration, according to the Pentagon’s director of operational test and evaluation (DOT&E) . Challenges include the possibility, when the jet fires its 25mm cannon, that the aircraft could yaw as the gun door opens, reducing accuracy. Testing last December also threw up issues with AIM-9X missiles on the F-35C. Here testers found excess stress on the carrier-variant’s wing structure during landings and certain maneuvers. This could have an impact on the wing structure and might warrant a redesign on that part of the wing.
* $313 million is the price that Canada would have to pay if it is to exit from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The calculations were made by the Liberal government, and accounts for the difference of what Ottawa had contributed so far since 2006 and the $551 million it pledged to commit when it enrolled into the program. A Canxit from the program could occur with just 90 days written notice given to other partner nations.
Middle East & North Africa
* Kazakhstan and Israel have come to an agreement over the provision of UAV systems. While the exact nature of the deal remains unknown, it is believed that Kazakhstan will acquire an undisclosed number of medium-altitude, long-endurance platforms such as the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron 1 and Elbit Systems Hermes 450. Early deliveries will see completed systems come straight from Israel, but long term plans will see an assembly facility open in the Kazakh capital, Astana.
Europe
* Russian efforts to improve their capabilities in combatting terrorism have seen their Navy receive unprecedented funds to be invested in the construction of new ships, bases and infrastructure. In the decades following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian naval modernization stagnated, and efforts are only now being raised to improve their aging fleet. Naval bases will also get a major upgrade in order to better accommodate the new vessels.
* Leaked documents in relation to a new naval submarine for the Indian Navy were stolen from French manufacturer DCNS. The French government made the statement; adding that the information so far showed only operational aspects of the submarines. Both France and India have downplayed the security risk of the leak which has caused concerns over the future of a recently agreed upon $38 billion deal with Australia.
Africa
* Thales UK is now operating three Hermes 900 as part of the United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali. A three year contract had been signed back in December and holds options for a further two years. The contract covers the deployment of three aircraft (two for operational duties, the third as a spare) with two control stations and flight crews to enable the simultaneous use of both aircraft.
Asia Pacific
* A North Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has flown 500km towards Japan. Wednesday’s test marks a growing improvement in North Korean missile capabilities, with sources believing the SLBM could potentially reach 1,000km when fired from a normal trajectory. Pyongyang’s push to increase its offensive missile threats also include claims that it has miniaturised a nuclear warhead to fit on a ballistic missile, but outside experts have said there is yet to be firm evidence to back up the claim.
* An Asian military has ordered an undisclosed but significant number of RADA Electronic’s Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radar (MHR) based RPS-42 aerial surveillance radar systems. Delivery of the systems is expected to be completed by mid-2017, and the company stated that the sale will generate significant income for profits in both 2016 and 2017. The customer selected the system after a thorough and competitive evaluation process in comparison to various other competing radar systems.
Today’s Video
GoPro Footage from the MiG-29 SMT:
