Flight testing of C-27J with winglets completed
Alenia Aermacchi has completed flight testing of the C-27J with winglets and results show that it had improved the lift-drag ratio of the medium turboprop airlifter.
Photo: Alenia Aermacchi
In-service benefits include improved hot and high runway performance, increased payload, range, endurance and the overall deriving reduction in operating costs, the company wrote.
Source: Flight testing of C-27J with winglets completed
Final USMC CH-46 flight
The U.S. Marine Corps will fly its last CH-46 flight at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Virginia on Aug. 1.
Photo: Boeing
This aircraft will eventually go on display at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Source: Final USMC CH-46 flight
Saudi Arabia cleared to buy 600 PAC3 missiles
The U.S. Congress has been notified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency of a potential foreign military sales case of 600 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles to Saudi Arabia.
By U.S. Army [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The DSCA says the “proposed sale will modernize and replenish Saudi Arabia’s current Patriot missile stockpile.”
Source: Saudi Arabia cleared to buy 600 PAC3 missiles
India’s Kalyani Group will enter a joint venture with Rafael to produce the Spike anti-tank missile locally.
By Silar (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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A senior Russian Navy officer told RIA Novosti that plans are underway to build a fleet of ground effect vehicle aka ekranoplan starting from 2020.
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DOT&E says F-35B had poor reliability during operational testing at sea
Bloomberg has obtained a memo written by Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, Michael Gilmore, in which he criticized the poor reliability of the F-35B during its operational testing on board USS Wasp.
By Cpl. Anne Henry (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/1952086) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
In the memo, written on Jul. 22, Gilmore said Marines were struggling “to keep more than two or three of the six embarked jets in a flyable status on any given day.”
Maintainers were able to get spare parts quickly from shore and Lockheed Martin was quick to provide assistance. However, the service will be challenged when the jet deploys on an operational mission under more trying conditions, he wrote.
Source: DOT&E says F-35B had poor reliability during operational testing at sea
U.S. Navy restrict SM-2 Block IIIA missiles on “Wartime Use Only” status
After the failure of a SM-2 Block IIIA missile during a test firing this month, the U.S. Navy has place the weapon on “Wartime Use Only” status.
Photos: U.S. Navy
New versions of the SM-2 are not affected by the suspension.
Source: U.S. Navy restrict SM-2 Block IIIA missiles on “Wartime Use Only” status
Selex ES to fit RAF Pumas with new RWR
The Royal Air Force wants to swap out the Sky Guardian 200 radar warning receiver (RWR) on the Puma helicopter and replace with a variant of SEER RWR from Selex ES.
By Sgt Jack Pritchard RAF (http://www.defenceimagery.mod.uk) [OGL], via Wikimedia Commons
The Seer RWR is E-J band, but can be configured with extensions to operate in the C-D and K bands, according to Flight Global.
Source: Selex ES to fit RAF Pumas with new RWR
German Navy to re-wing P-3Cs
The German Navy has contracted Airbus Defence and Space together with Lockheed Martin Overseas Services Corporation (LMOSC) to re-wing its P-3C fleet.
By Mike Freer – Touchdown-aviation [GFDL 1.2 or GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: German Navy to re-wing P-3Cs
U-2, F-16 and A-10 aircraft moving out of Osan Air Base temporarily
In order to facilitate runway repair works at Osan Air Base, South Korea, all U.S. Air Force aircraft based there will operate out of Suwon Air Base for approximately six weeks, starting Aug 1.
By U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Judd Fancher [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Source: U-2, F-16 and A-10 aircraft moving out of Osan Air Base temporarily