Americas
The Lockheed LC-130 is a ski-equipped aircraft that supports US missions in the Arctic and Antarctic. The aircraft requires rocket-assisted-takeoff (RATO) rockets for take-off when carrying heavy loads over snow or ice. However, the LC-130 was upgraded with T56-8-15A 3.5 engines that negate the need for RATO rockets.
FLIR Systems won a $19.3 million deal for maintenance and overhaul of the UH-60 turret. The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is March 16, 2027.
Middle East & Africa
Sikorsky won a $52.5 million contract modification, which adds scope to procure long lead items in support of full rate production, Lot 7, CH-53K aircraft for the government of Israel. In February 2021, the Israel Ministry of Defense announced that it chose CH-53K as its next heavy-lift helicopter, over Boeing’s CH-47 Chinook. The new chopper will replace the country’s five decades-old CH-53D Sea Stallion Yasur helicopter. Work under the modification will take place in Connecticut. Estimated completion date is in December 2022.
Europe
Russia’s military has reportedly fired a hypersonic ballistic missile into Ukraine. The defense ministry in Moscow said, that it destroyed a big underground arms depot in western Ukraine. If confirmed it would be Russia’s first use in this war of the Kinzhal, or Dagger, ballistic missile launched from the air, most likely by a MiG-31 warplane.
Fincantieri said it delivered the first of seven Multipurpose Offshore Patrol ships (PPA – Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura) “Paolo Thaon di Revel.” The PPAs are built at the Integrated Shipyard of Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with deliveries expected until 2026, and they are part of the renewal plan of the operational lines of the Italian Navy vessels, approved by the Government and Parliament and started in May 2015 (“Naval Act”) under the aegis of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l’Armement, the international organization for cooperation on arms).
Asia-Pacific
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems have laid the keel beam for New Zealand’s first P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. This process, also called ‘keeling,’ was done at the Spirit AeroSystems facility where all Boeing 737 fuselages, nacelles and pylons are designed and built.
Srinjoy Chowdhury of Times Now says the Indian government will soon place an order with Russia for 12 new Su-30 fighters. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to approve the purchase during a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Council next week.
Today’s Video
WATCH: Russia Fires Kinzhal Hypersonic Missiles in Ukraine
