DEFENCE

Boeing halts CH-47 assembly pending investigation

Tue, 13 May 2008 22:11:00 GMT

Boeing indefinitely ceased all assembly work today on the Philadelphia-based production line for the H-47 Chinook helicopter.

Australia launches defence procurement review

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Australian government has launched a review of the country's defence procurement activities, following a number of controversial acquisitions including...

Dutch report: F-35 faces one-year delay

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:29:00 GMT

A letter by the Dutch military chief to Parliament, dated 7 May, says JSF programme executives are considering a one-year extension, but no reasons for the potential delay were cited.

Turkey talks Chinooks with USA

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Turkey has initiated talks with the USA following its recent request to purchase 10 Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters for around $500 million,...

UAE, Raytheon partner on laser-guided rocket

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT

An Abu Dhabi-based firm has signed a co-operative development agreement with Raytheon to develop a laser-guided rocket for military customers in the United...

PICTURE: P-8A takes wing

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:30:00 GMT

ASSEMBLY P-8A takes wing Boeing has joined the wing assembly and fuselage of the first P-8A Poseidon long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface...

US Congress debate whether to continue funding for Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin F-22

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Battle lines are forming in the US Congress over whether to add funds to next year's budget to keep alive production lines for the Boeing C-17 and the Lockheed...

Raytheon, Marlborough land Nimrod R1 support deals

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The UK Ministry of Defence has placed two new contracts to support Royal Air Force operations of the Nimrod R1 reconnaissance aircraft ...

European-based consortium in talks to buy 2 C-17s

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:16:00 GMT

The US Defense Dept. on Friday notified lawmakers of a possible sale of two Boeing C-17A airlifters to a European-based consortium that includes the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Sweden and Finland.

Israel's Code Positive pilot security trial moves to second phase

Fri, 09 May 2008 11:30:00 GMT

The Israeli ministry of transport is to launch the second and final phase of a trial to test the "Code Positive" security system that will identify pilots...

Lockheed looks for export benefits from USAF JASSM decision

Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

US Air Force approval for continued production of the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile could open the door for Lockheed Martin to secure orders...

Pratt & Whitney, Honeywell win Army engine demonstrator contract

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:19:00 GMT

The US Army has awarded a $108 million contract to a joint venture between Honeywell and Pratt Whitney to develop the companies’ HPW3000 next-generation turboshaft engine. Under the contract, the Advanced Turbine Engine Company (ATEC) will build a technology demonstrator as part of the Army’s Advanced Affordable Turbine Engine (AATE) program. The objective is to produce a 3,000 SHP (2,250kW)-class turboshaft engine designed as a drop-in replacement for the General Electric T700 engine used in the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters. Goals for the AATE include a 65% improvement in shaft horsepower / weight ratio and a 25% improvement in specific fuel consumption over the T700. GE is already under contract to demonstrate an improved version of its engine. Demonstrators are expected to be completed in the 2012-2013 timeframe. Hone

South Africa fields first Gripen fighter

Thu, 08 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

South Africa's first of 26 Saab Gripen fighters was accepted into squadron service on 30 April ...

Lockheed’s Sniper hits target in Singapore contest

Thu, 08 May 2008 22:45:00 GMT

Lockheed has expanded its Sniper targeting pod business with Singapore, with a fresh order to equip its F-16 fighters ...

PICTURE: Afghanistan receives US-acquired An-32 transports

Thu, 08 May 2008 20:30:00 GMT

The Afghan National Army Air Corps has received its first two An-32 transports purchased via the US Navy ...

Thales UK releases first images of Watchkeeper UAV flight

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:30:00 GMT

Thales UK has published the first images of the 16 April first flight of its Watchkeeper UAV in northern Israel ...

Flight Interview: Malaysian air force chief sets strategic focus

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Malaysia's air force chief says additional multirole fighters and airborne early warning aircraft head the service's spending priorities ...

US oversight lapses 'may have compromised F-35 secrets'

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:00:00 GMT

A US Department of Defense internal audit into its own oversight of sensitive technology related to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has concluded...

Lockheed protests USN BAMS award

Mon, 05 May 2008 22:02:00 GMT

Lockheed Martin has decided to appeal the US Navy’s decision to award a $1.1 billion contract to Northrop Grumman to develop the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance system ...

USAF re-certifies JASSM programme after 11-month hiatus

Fri, 02 May 2008 21:42:00 GMT

The US Air Force today re-certified the acquisition programme for a stealthy cruise missile after an almost 11-month hiatus while Lockheed Martin worked to resolve chronic reliability problems. The USAF will award the Lot 7 procurement contract in June for about 115 AGM-158 joint air-to-surface standoff missiles (JASSMs). The USAF also has negotiated a price limit for the Lot 8 contract.