Defense Projects and News

Rockwell Collins has been selected for the Mexican Air Force C-130 avionics upgrade program.

Beechcraft Corporation, part of the Textron Aviation segment of Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), announced today it has received an initial order from the Mexican Navy Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) for two T-6C+ military trainers.

Boeing wins contract to design DARPA Airborne Satellite Launch


What Boeing vehicle would hitch a ride on an F-15E, drop from the aircraft, fire its engines and deploy microsatellites into space?

It’s a new satellite launch vehicle concept designed by Phantom Works Advanced Space Exploration for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) called the Airborne Launch Assist Space Access or ALASA.

Under an 11-month, $30.6-million contract with options to build up to 12 of the 24-foot vehicles, Boeing and DARPA intend to test the ability to cut the cost of routinely launching microsatellites into orbit by 66 percent. According to DARPA, ALASA aims to develop and employ radical advances in launch systems, leading to more affordable and responsive space access compared to current military and U.S. commercial launch operations.

South Korea on Monday launched the process to buy four in-flight refuelling tanker aircraft, in a deal seen to be worth around KRW1.4 trillion won (USD$1.31 billion), with Boeing and Airbus expected to compete, sources said. The purchase is part of South Korea's attempts to bolster its air defence in the face of rising tension in Northeast Asia over the maritime interests of neighbours such as Japan and China, as well as against an unpredictable North Korea.

The purchase will be made through a competitive bid process and bids will be accepted by June 30, arms purchase agency the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) said in a statement. Boeing is expected to bid with a model that is based on a Boeing 767-level aircraft such as the KC-46 Pegasus, while Airbus is expected to enter its A330 multi-role tanker transport. Other firms could also decide to compete with commercial aircraft overhauled as tankers, the sources said.

DAPA will hold a closed briefing on April 8 to explain its requirement to interested companies. South Korea seeks to close a deal by the end of this year, a source with direct knowledge of its requirements said. South Korea expects the purchase will boost its fighter jets' airborne operation time by more than an hour, the source added. All the sources declined to be identified, citing the confidentiality of the procurement process.

(Reuters)

Boeing 707-385C Phalcon...

Boeing [NYSE: BA] adjusted slightly the timing for ending C-17 Globemaster III production and closing its Long Beach, Calif., C-17 final assembly facility after a successful two-decade production run of the world’s premier airlifter. Based on current market trends and the timing of expected orders, Boeing anticipates completing C-17 production in mid-2015, an adjustment of approximately three months from an initial estimate of late 2015. The company announced plans to end C-17 production in September 2013. Boeing expects inventory–related charges of approximately $50 million, which will be recorded in the first quarter, as a result of this announcement.

Airbus Military A330 Inflight Fuel Tanker...

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=623821431029764&set=vb.508955195849722&type=2&theater

When is the last time you saw one of these...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNAqlsHESuY

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has delivered the fourth P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to India on schedule, fulfilling the first half of a contract for eight aircraft. The aircraft departed from Boeing Field in Seattle and arrived May 21 at Naval Air Station Rajali, where it joined three P-8Is currently undergoing operational evaluation. “This marks an important milestone – the halfway point for P-8I deliveries to India,” said Dennis Swanson, BDS vice president in India. “The program’s success the past year is really a testament to the great work between Boeing, the Indian Navy and industry.”

Based on the company’s Next-Generation 737 commercial airplane, the P-8I is the Indian Navy variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing has developed for the U.S. Navy. “The Indian Navy is putting the first three P-8Is through their paces operationally, and the P-8I delivered today will begin flight trials in the coming months,” said Leland Wight, Boeing P-8I program manager.

Fighter Jet crashes in California...

A Marine jet crashed into a residential area in a Southern California desert community Wednesday, exploding and setting two homes on fire. The pilot ejected safely, and there was no immediate word of any injuries on the ground.

http://news.yahoo.com/military-jet-crash-sets-homes-ablaze-california-014917028.html

Boeing looking to Nature to help 'save' fuel burn...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srNTtuTqUBE

The pilot of a Spanish Air Force Eurofighter was killed when his combat aircraft crashed at Morón air base near Seville on 9 June. Spain’s defence ministry named the deceased pilot as 30 year-old Capt Fernando Lluna Carrascosa, who it said had accumulated more than 600 flight hours’ experience on the Eurofighter. The cause of the accident – which happened as the aircraft was approaching the base to land – has not yet been determined, it says. (FG)

The third of six US test sites chosen to perform research on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, has started operations in Nevada, the US Federal Aviation Administration said. The main focus of the Nevada site will be on UAS standards and operations, including how air traffic control procedures will evolve as civilian drone use expands. Tests will involve an Insitu ScanEagle craft flying out of the Desert Rock Airport in Mercury, Nevada, about 65 miles (105 km) northwest of Las Vegas. Insitu is a subsidiary of Boeing.

(Reuters)

German fighter and Learjet collide - two feared dead

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27979964

Some history here this month...

A second flying example of the World War II-era de Havilland Mosquito flew for the first time in 48 years as Reno race pilot Steve Hinton lifted off in the restored bomber on June 16 from Victoria International Airport on Vancouver Island in far western Canada. (Flying)

Boeing and Airbus were among three bidders in South Korea's KRW1.4 trillion won (USD$1.38 billion) plan to buy four aerial tanker aircraft, according to two people briefed on the matter. South Korea launched the acquisition process in March to increase the range of its airborne operations amid rising tensions in the region and with North Korea. The bids, due Monday, saw the Boeing 767-based KC-46 pitted against Airbus's A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and Israel Aerospace Industries' entry of an overhauled B767-300ER, the people said.

South Korea expects to close the deal by end of this year.

Boeing and Airbus are in a global competition to fill various requirements for refuelling planes. Airbus's A330 MRTT has been selected by six countries including Australia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom, with the latest choice by Singapore for six planes in March, according to the company. In 2011, the US Air Force chose Boeing's KC-46 to start replacing its fleet of ageing KC-135 tankers, and plans to spend USD$52 billion to develop and buy 179 of the planes.

(Reuters)

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the Royal Canadian Air Force today celebrated the delivery of the 15th CH-147F Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter, ensuring advanced operational capability for the Canadian Chinook fleet.

“The Medium-to-Heavy-Lift Helicopter project is making an exemplary contribution to the Canada First Defence Strategy,” said Col. Andrew Fleming, program manager for the Medium Heavy Lift Helicopter Project Management Office. “The combined efforts of the Government of Canada, Boeing and all partners involved in delivering this new capability, on time and an on budget, serve as a model for future Canadian Defence acquisitions.”

The Canadian CH-147F is an advanced, multi-mission helicopter that features a modernized airframe with a long-range fuel system allowing it to fly twice as far as standard range models. An upgraded electrical system provides additional power and redundancy, while a fully integrated Common Avionics Architecture System cockpit and Digital Automatic Flight Control System reduce pilot workload and provide greater situational awareness.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today formally offered to the Republic of Korea (ROK) the KC-46, the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation tanker, as Korea prepares to acquire four aircraft for its first tanker squadron. “We’ve been a strategic and industrial partner with the Republic of Korea for more than six decades and remain committed to helping Korea strengthen its defense capabilities and aerospace industry,” said Eric John, president of Boeing Korea. “With the KC-46, Korea will acquire a force-multiplier and the ability to operate seamlessly with the U.S. Air Force during combat and humanitarian relief operations.” Boeing made the offer in response to Korea’s request for proposals for an aerial refueling tanker. Korea’s Defense Acquisition and Program Administration is expected to complete its competition by the end of this year.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently helped expand the U.S. Navy’s maritime patrol capabilities with delivery of the 14th P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The P-8A, delivered on schedule, is now with its squadron at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. Boeing will deliver seven more of the maritime patrol aircraft this year.

“We’re putting P-8A aircraft through their paces out in the field and appreciate all the reliability, capabilities and improvements the Poseidon brings to the table,” said U.S. Navy Commander Tony Rossi, P-8A deputy program manager. “The next squadron is trained, ready to go and will begin conducting missions in the near future.” The first P-8A squadron deployed to Kadena, Japan, in December and has been conducting operational missions ever since. The second squadron will deploy this summer.

F-35 family of aircraft...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUZ6SMmTKns