Defence Helicopters news – Page 178
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NewsUSAF chooses 747-8 as next Air Force One
The US Air Force on 28 January announced Boeing’s four-engined 747-8 Intercontinental airliner will serve as the next Air Force One, besting the Airbus A380 as the next generation of aircraft specially outfitted to carry the US president.
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NewsHeavy types set to continue dominating Airbus Helicopters orders
Airbus Helicopters has recorded steady end-of-year results for 2014, with heavy-class helicopter orders continuing to dominate the market.
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Boeing awarded Indonesian Apache contract
The US government has formally awarded Boeing the contract to build eight AH-64E Apache attack helicopters for Indonesia.
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NewsBoeing, Lockheed move Super Hornet seeker to export market
Boeing and Lockheed Martin will seek to develop an export market for the IRST21 (infrared search and track) pod after gaining production approval from the US Navy, company officials say.
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NewsIsrael halts AH-1 sales talks with Nigeria
The USA has blocked any sale by Israel of surplus American-made weapon systems to Nigeria, and indicated that Israeli-made equipment should be exported to the country only "under strict conditions".
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CAE buys Bombardier's military training division
Simulation and training specialist CAE on 26 January announced it will buy Bombardier’s military aviation training business for $19.8 million.
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NewsFirst flight for new Australian military training helicopter
The Australian military’s first of an eventual 15 EC135 T2+ rotorcraft has made a 57min debut flight, just two months after the award of a Helicopter Aircraft Training System (HATS) deal to prime contractor Boeing Defence Australia.
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NewsDARPA invites industry to explore collaborative UAV technology
The USA’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has issued a solicitation inviting industry to be involved in the first phase of an effort to develop “collaborative autonomy” capabilities for unmanned air vehicles.
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NewsKC-46 tanker testing will begin at least a year behind schedule
Initial operational testing of the Boeing KC-46 aerial refueling tanker is expected to begin at least a year later than planned.
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NewsFinnish NH90s creep towards 50% operational serviceability rate
Ahead of the delivery of its final NH Industries NH90 transport helicopter in the coming weeks, the Finnish army is only achieving an approximate 40% operational serviceability rate on the current fleet, its chief of aviation has claimed.
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NewsPICTURES: Amphibious assault Surion makes maiden flight
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has conducted the maiden flight of a Surion transport helicopter optimised for amphibious assault operations.
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NewsAurora seeks Orion production start after record flight
Aurora Flight Sciences hopes to launch production of up to seven or eight slightly improved versions of the Orion after the medium altitude long endurance unmanned air system broke the official and unofficial records for endurance with an 80h flight.
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NewsAfghan air force to add armed MD 530F to helicopter fleet
The Afghan air force is to receive approximately 20 armed variants of the MD Helicopters MD 530F utility helicopter, an official close to the force has confirmed.
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NewsMalaysia to upgrade and arm S-61 "Nuri" fleet
Malaysia is to boost its ability to combat future militant incursions by arming its AgustaWestland AW109s and transferring some upgraded Sikorsky S-61 “Nuri” utility helicopters to army aviation control.
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NewsItalian army describes Mangusta upgrade wish list
The Italian army is seeking an enhancement package for its AgustaWestland AH-129D Mangusta attack helicopter, which it hopes will be upgraded within five to six years.
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NewsBoeing upgrades B-52s with internal smart weapons
Sixty-one years since the type’s first flight, the US Air Force is upgrading the weapons bays of the Boeing B-52 to carry satellite-guided conventional munitions.
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F-35 missed key software testing goals in 2014
A recent report by the US Defense Department’s director operation test and evaluation (DOT&E) finds that the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II missed key software testing milestones necessary for the US Marine Corps to field combat-ready jets while those already delivered remain unreliable and difficult to maintain.
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NewsNigerian rotary capability challenged by Boko Haram threat
The Nigerian air force has described how its limited rotary capability has proved detrimental in its fight against Boko Haram insurgents that have been advancing in-country.
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NewsUS Army continues to face financial challenge of rotary fleet maintenance
The US Army has warned that its rotary fleet will continue to be streamlined as US budget sequestration increases pressure to reduce costs.
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Asian deal is sweet Music for Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract from an undisclosed Asian nation to provide mini-Music directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) systems for its army fleet of Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters.