In March of 2015, the United States Army took delivery of the first training version of Airbus Group’s UH-72A Lakota light utility helicopter at its production facility in Columbus, Mississippi. This helicopter will join seven others that have already received the training configuration modifications and have been deployed to Fort Rucker in Alabama in preparation for the Lakota’s formal introduction into the training curriculum that will take place in early 2016. To date, 411 Lakota helicopters have been ordered by the US Department of Defense - 400 of which will be used by the Army.
Learn MoreNASA has been awarded the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Trophy for Current Achievement for its Kepler planet-hunting mission. It is the museum’s highest group honor, and was awarded to the Kepler mission team in a ceremony in Washington DC. NASA continues to lead the way in space exploration, and the Smithsonian specifically wanted to recognize Dr. Stamatios “Tom” Krimigis for his efforts.
Learn MoreAnnounced on March 23rd, NASA awarded Orbital ATK a USD$253 million contract to build a U.S. civilian polar-orbiting weather satellite. They expect to allocate another $240 million for the construction of two additional satellites in the near future. This Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-2 is expected to be built by July 31, 2021 and launched seven years later on July 31, 2028. Several variations of the JPSS is still being discussed. The $130 million JPSS-3 will launch in 2024, while the JPSS-4 is only worth $87 million and has an expected launch date of 2026. In general, the JPSS has the functionality to record and provide global weather coverage. This can be essential in preparing for natural disasters and harsh weather conditions, thus, saving lives, money, and resources.
Learn MoreIn March of 2015, two test F-35Bs were flown testing the efficacy of a recent installation of software patches meant to address issues with the fighter jets’ communication avionics systems. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is undergoing its final development stage. The F-35 program is the most expensive project in the most recent military procurement budget, accounting for 20% of the Department of Defense’s total acquisition costs (which is currently at $1.6 billion USD). Fraught with multiple delays and technical difficulties, the F-35 will cost approximately $1.5 trillion over its lifetime.
Learn MoreChuck Norris roundhouse kicked his way into the debate involving the pending retirement of the Warthog, the nickname for the A-10 Thunderbolt, a close air support jet originally manufactured by Fairchild and, subsequently, Northrop Grumman. The Warthogs are planned for retirement in 2015 in favor of the developing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, one of the most expensive procurement projects ever undertaken by the United States military. In an online exclusive for WND (formerly WorldNet Daily), the frequently “meme-d” action star argued that the Warthog’s low-flying and tactical close air support accuracy is not replaceable by other high-performance, high-altitude, and technologically advanced models in the military’s aircraft fleet.
Learn MoreFinal assembly on the first prototype of Saab’s Gripen fighter is “well under way.” The fuselage sections for the Gripen E/NG fighter test aircraft 39-8 have already been assembled. There was much rejoicing when the pieces fit together immediately without any modifications. It shows that Saab is on schedule to roll out the aircraft in 2016. The deal with Brazil is worth $4.55 billion USD and was finalized on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Under the contract, 36 Brazilian next-generation Gripen fighter aircraft will be delivered. Covered in the order are 28 single-seat Gripen NG aircraft and 8 two-seater aircraft. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2019. The contract expires in 2024. Included in the contract is the complete turnkey weapon system, training, spare parts, support, planning and maintenance.
Learn MoreIn March of 2015, Northrop Grumman announced that they have awarded a contract to the Intel subsidiary Wind River to deliver its VxWorks 653 platform for integration onto the Black Hawk UH-60V helicopter. This commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platform belongs to Wind River’s product portfolio of safe and secure operating systems and was ordered as part of Northrop Grumman's latest helicopter digitization avionics mission equipment package. The platform which was recently updated is designed to support delivery of safety-critical, integrated modular avionics (IMA) applications.
Learn MoreThe United States State Department has approved the sale of three Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters to Mexico to help in the war against drugs. The proposed deal would be worth USD$110 million for the three helicopters plus communications, radar, weaponry, training, and logistical services. This deal would help Mexico’s ability to fight against drug cartels, organized crime, and perform other counter-narcotics operations. Mexico has a notorious drug problem, and with drug dealers running rampant help from a foreign supplier was necessary.
Learn MoreAt the end of last week, the United States Air Force announced their completion of a new aircraft coating for fighter aircraft including Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II. With funds from the USAF’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, the Texas Research Institute worked closely with the Air Force to develop the new coating called Proteckt. It offers improved high temperature abrasion resistance that could directly improve the reliability and maintainability of weapon systems.
Learn MoreThe United States Army is set to acquire nineteen Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in Poway. According to the Defense Department, the deal is worth nearly USD$133 million and includes a variety of support equipment. The MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV. It can fly continuously for twenty-five hours at up to 167 KTAS at altitudes of up to 29,000 feet. It carries over half a ton of internal and external payload, and is able to fire four Hellfire missiles. According to General Atomics Aeronautical, the aircraft has a wing span of 56 feet, a length of 28 feet, and its powerplant is a Thielert 165 HP heavy-fuel engine. Its objective is to provide long-endurance, persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical strike capabilities.
Learn MoreIn March of 2015, Sierra Nevada Space System announced its formal entry into the running for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services 2 (CRS-2) contract. The CRS-2 competition, seeking proposals for an unmanned cargo supply carrier servicing the International Space Station, is currently undergoing its second round of bids. Sierra Nevada will offer a supply carrier-modified Dream Chaser spacecraft, a variant of their submission for the NASA Commercial Crew Program’s “space taxi” contract, decided in 2014. Although Sierra Nevada lost out to Boeing and SpaceX for the manned spacecraft contract, the company hopes their cargo version will prevail in the new contract.
Learn MoreIn the 1990s, the United States Coast Guard enacted a covert program, dubbed “New Frontier”, to create an advanced helicopter which could keep up with speedboats used by drug cartels for smuggling illicit goods. Towards this purpose, the Coast Guard intended for these new helicopters to be weaponized with machine guns and sniper rifles, have sufficient cabin space, an integrated avionics suite, high speed ability, and have takeoff and landing capabilities on the USCG’s Medium Endurance Cutters (WMEC), commissioned vessels longer than 65 feet with a permanent crew aboard.
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