Americas
According to Bloomberg News, a Pentagon testing report dated September 28 for the VH-92A Marine One helicopter says the helicopter is not effective for “contingency operation mission,” which means the rotor craft cannot be used during an emergency. For administrative missions, the helicopter is still operational effective, the internal memo said.
The Canadian government informed Boeing that its Super Hornet does not meet the country’s requirements for the fighter competition to replace the F/A-18 legacy Hornet. Three anonymous sources said that the American aerospace company was informed of the decision on November 24.
Middle East & Africa
NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian current task group arrived at the port city of Haifa in northern Israel under a Greek-led flagship for a joint exercise with the Israeli navy. Navyrecognition reported that Hellenic Navy frigate HS Spetsai and Bulgarian Navy frigate Drazki paid a visit to Haifa during their focused patrols in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. For the fourth consecutive year, NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) held exercises with the Israeli Navy to develop interoperability and to reinforce its cooperation around maritime security.
Europe
Russia has been testing a fly-by-wire flight control system on the MiG-31, it was disclosed during Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko visit to the Sokol aviation plant. The interceptor will also be getting a new canopy that will allow it to reach higher speeds. The current canopy will start melting at high Mach numbers. The plant will also replace all wiring and rubber parts during the modernization of the fighter.
Croatian Republic placed an order for a dozen Rafale fighters previously operated by the French Air Force to replace its aging MiG-21s. The selection of the Rafale by Croatia was first announced on May 28. Two contracts for the acquisition of Rafales and associated logistics support were signed at a ceremony held on November 25 in Zagreb. The ceremony was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of the Croatian Republic Andrej Plenkovi?, French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly and CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier.
Asia-Pacific
Turkish Aerospace Industries will hand over the first batch of T-129 Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK) to the Philippines next month. Manila has six T-129s on order. These rotorcraft were purchased for a total contract price of $270 million from TAI through a government-to-government mode of procurement under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the contract for the acquisition of the Turkish attack helicopters in July last year.
Today’s Video
Watch: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 “Fishbed” | SOVIET LEGACY FIGHTER
