Americas
Thomas Instrument won a $7.1 million deal for the depot-level overhaul of the C-5 visor door actuator. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft originally designed and built by Lockheed and now maintained and upgraded by its successor, Lockheed Martin. It provides the USAF with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsized and oversized loads, including all air-certifiable cargo. The C-5 Galaxy’s development was complicated, including significant cost overruns, and Lockheed suffered significant financial difficulties. Shortly after entering service, cracks in the wings of many aircraft were discovered and the C-5 fleet was restricted in capability until corrective work was completed. The C-5M Super Galaxy is an upgraded version with new engines and modernized avionics designed to extend its service life beyond 2040. Work will take place in Brookshire Texas. Expected completion date is July 13, 2025.
The Air Force hopes to adopt a virtual reality trainer to help B-52 Stratofortress student-pilots train for combat. The Virtual Reality Procedures Trainer, developed by Maj. Mark Budgeon of Air Force Global Strike Command, Maj. Brandon Wolf, 307th Operations Support Squadron, and Maj. Justin Stephenson, 11th Bomb Squadron chief pilot and chief of innovations, along with King Crow Studios was released earlier in July at StrikeWerx in Bossier City, La. A prototype is expected later this year. The VPRT is intended to reduce human bias in instruction, provide better access to training for student pilots and give students immediate feedback — reducing their chances of developing poor habits early in training.
Middle East & Africa
The ST-100 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) made by the Egypt-based International Marathon United Technologies (IMUT) is available in 10 modular variants, including ones armed with Chinese missiles, according to Jane’s. The magazines reported information released in a video by an unofficial source. The footage included computer-generated imagery (CGI) showing how the different mission modules can be changed in 45–60 minutes, with the powerpack being replaced in 25 minutes. The anti-tank variant has a four-round launcher that raises from the rear compartment and appeared to be armed with the Poly Technologies GAM-102 anti-tank missile that uses an imaging infrared seeker to guide itself to its target. The IMUT video showed the missile being tested from a Dongfeng CSK141 light armored vehicle but not an ST-100.
Europe
A £65 million ($81.8 million) contract has been awarded to build the UK’s first three Protector drones. Protector is the world’s first certified Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS), enabling it to fly in busy, unsegregated airspace, including civilian airspace, thanks to its ground-breaking ‘detect and avoid’ technology. The contract follows the development phase by manufacturers General Atomics Aeronautical Systems which will build the first three Protector aircraft, plus three ground control stations and other associated support equipment. It also includes an option to build 13 more aircraft and four ground control stations, which will complete the current planned fleet of 16 aircraft, more than doubling the capability currently provided by Reaper.
Asia-Pacific
An Egyptian military delegation that traveled to China on two C-130s is in the news in Thailand after a 43 year-old man on the trip had tested positive for COVID-19 while the delegation was on a stay over in Rayong province. Information released by the Thai government said the flights, EGY1245 and EGY1216, arrived at U-Tapao airport in Rayong on July 8 and they left for Chengdu, China on Jul. 9. The two C-130 then return from China on the same day at 11:30 p.m. On July 10, 27 of the 31 people in the delegation went shopping at a mall and only three were wearing masks at that time, including the person who tested positive. The local authorities had to seek help from the embassy of Egypt to get them to undergo swap tests for COVID-19. The two aircraft left Thailand on July 11. Thailand’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration admitted that an oversight had allowed the delegation to use U-Tapao airport instead of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. Foreign visitors were normally quarantined at Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport hotel. Because of this incident, Egypt’s two military flights on July 17-20 and 25-29 have been cancelled.
Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang wargames has started on July 13, delayed this year due to COVID-19. The exercise saw the military deploying a Patriot air defense missile unit to the carpark of the Taipei City Zoo. The Han Kuang Exercise is designed to maintain Taiwan’s combat readiness against a possible attack from the People’s Republic of China. Starting in 1984, the exercises have been held annually since 2011.
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