All UK Royal Air Force articles – Page 2
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News
Tempest powers ahead with latest £250 million development contract
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has kicked off the next stage of its Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, awarding a £250 million ($350 million) contract to BAE Systems to lead the definition and initial design phase activity.
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News
Royal Air Force to buy 13 additional General Atomics Protector UAVs
The UK Royal Air Force plans to buy 13 additional Protector RG1 unmanned air vehicles from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
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News
Leonardo ramps up AW149 push for Puma replacement
Leonardo Helicopters has underscored the credentials of its 8.6t AW149 super-medium-twin as a replacement for the UK Royal Air Force’s Puma HC2 transports, particularly against what it describes as rival “paper aircraft”.
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News
RAF to receive 14 new Block II Chinooks in £1.4 billion deal, but sees fleet shrink
The UK is to become the first international customer for the upgraded Block II version of the Boeing Chinook helicopter, with the Royal Air Force (RAF) to take them in the MH-47G special forces guise.
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Analysis
Contenders for RAF Puma replacement face new procurement landscape
With the UK set to replace its Royal Air Force fleet of 23 Puma HC2 helicopters by the middle of this decade, the contenders are already lining up. But the competition will be one of the first major procurements in the country to be conducted under new rules designed to make economic and social factors a core part of the selection process, potentially tilting the field.
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News
Airbus Helicopters claims Chinese content on H175 can be replaced if offered to UK military
Airbus Helicopters insists it can overcome obstacles related to Chinese content on its H175 should the super-medium-twin be offered as a replacement for the UK Royal Air Force’s Puma fleet.
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News
UK signs Spear 3 missile production deal for F-35 fleet
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded MBDA a £550 million ($750 million), seven-year demonstration and manufacturing contract for its Spear 3 air-to-surface missile, which will arm its Lockheed Martin F-35Bs.
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News
Lockheed Martin moves to connect USAF F-35 simulators in USA and UK in 2021
Lockheed Martin plans to connect full-mission simulators in the USA and in the UK at RAF Lakenheath through a software upgrade starting in 2021, allowing US Air Force pilots to virtually train with one another across international borders.
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News
BAE Systems working on ‘Skyborg’ technology for USAF drone concept
The aerospace manufacturer expects to start working with the USAF in the first quarter of 2021 on system designs for “attritable” unmanned air vehicles.
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News
Royal Air Force’s Protector makes first flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems completed first flight of the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Protector RG1 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) on 25 September.
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News
UK aircraft carrier bulks up with 15 RAF, US Marine Corps F-35Bs
Fifteen Lockheed Martin F-35Bs from the UK Royal Air Force and US Marine Corps have embarked aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth for a major exercise.
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UK Typhoons to use ‘world’s most capable fighter radar’ from 2025
The UK Royal Air Force looks set to equip its youngest Eurofighter Typhoons with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensor offering electronic attack functionality.
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News
First simulator arrival boosts RAF Poseidon operations
Boeing has delivered a key training device to support personnel operating the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF’s) 737NG-based P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft fleet.
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News
RAF Poseidon, Shadow fleets join illegal immigration monitoring mission
The UK Royal Air Force has expanded its contribution to a national effort to counter illegal immigration across the English Channel from France.
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News
RAF receives first C-130J with replacement centre wingbox
The first of 14 UK Royal Air Force Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 tactical transports to undergo a life-extending centre wingbox replacement has been returned to squadron use.
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News
Why Tempest might need more international partnerships
Without a defence budget large enough to self-finance development of its next-generation fighter, the BAE Systems Tempest, the UK will have to forge partnerships with foreign countries to help shoulder the cost.
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News
RAF Voyager tanker to support combat cloud connectivity trials
A long-term UK effort to enhance in-flight data connectivity among multiple Royal Air Force (RAF) combat aircraft is to enter a new phase, with a series of demonstrations to be carried out later this year.
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News
Refilling orderbook is key challenge for new MD at Leonardo Helicopters UK
While the Yeovil, UK plant remains an important part of rotorcraft manufacturer’s industrial base, its new chief must overcome a familiar problem to ensure site’s longevity
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News
Leonardo stays bullish on Puma replacement despite UK’s high-speed helicopter interest
Leonardo Helicopters’ UK arm believes it can still play a part in the replacement of the Royal Air Force’s Puma HC2 fleet, despite signaling that the Ministry of Defence is keen to look at high-speed designs in future.
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News
Glass cockpit update transforms RAF Rivet Joint
A glass cockpit upgrade for the Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint electronic intelligence aircraft has secured UK certification, with a first modified example close to being returned to operational use by the Royal Air Force (RAF).