DefenceTalkGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced the procurement of its first Predator XP RPA system by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Predator XP is an updated version of the company’s flagship Predator RPA that has been licensed by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/procurement-of-first-predator-xp-system-announced-46929/

DefenceTalkAll F-35s have been grounded as a precaution after a routine engine inspection revealed a crack on an engine blade, Defense Department officials said Feb. 22 here. Officials call this a “cautionary suspension of flight.” The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps fly F-35s. Inspectors found the crack in an F135 engine installed in an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/f-35s-grounded-as-precaution-after-crack-found-in-engine-blade-46917/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman, in cooperation with Saab Aerosystems, has provided the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) for the nEUROn Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator, which recently completed a successful first flight. Northrop Grumman’s German navigation systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF, supplied the fibre-optic, gyrocompassing LCR-100 AHRS for the European UCAV demonstrator. The LCR-100 AHRS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-flight-of-neuron-uav-demonstrator-conducted-46899/

DefenceTalkThales’ I-Master radar system has successfully completed flight trials on-board a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 UAS (Unmanned Air System). The flight trials on Camcopter S-100 took place on 7 February 2013 at the Schiebel test facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The flights, each lasting several hours, successfully proved both sensor performance and the stability of data […]https://www.defencetalk.com/successful-flight-trials-for-thales-i-master-on-camcopter-s-100-46877/

DefenceTalkRaytheon and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. are working together to develop a highly autonomous, unmanned electronic warfare capability based on equipping GA-ASI’s Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) with Raytheon’s Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD). With the Ground Verification Test phase completed November 2012 at GA-ASI’s Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility in Palmdale, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/raytheon-integrates-miniature-air-launched-decoy-with-uav-platform-46864/

DefenceTalkOCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement), acting on behalf of France, and Airbus Military have signed the initial In-Service Support (ISS) contract providing an 18-month A400M support services package to the French Air Force. This is a key milestone in preparation for the delivery of the first A400M to the French Air Force. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airbus-military-win-support-contract-for-french-a400m-fleet-46839/

DefenceTalkA top French defence industry official said Sunday that talks to sell Rafale jet fighters to the UAE were “progressing well”, expressing confidence that a deal could be reached with the Gulf state. “We are confident that by the end we will succeed in selling it” to the United Arab Emirates, Christian Mons-Catoni, chairman of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/france-confident-of-selling-rafale-jets-to-uae-46867/

DefenceTalkIn another historic step for the Afghan Air Force, an AAF Cessna 208 configured for battlefield casualty evacuation successfully transported a seriously injured solider and three minor casualties from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Kabul International Airport Feb. 11. The Afghan-tasked, planned and led mission validated the recently-signed CASEVAC Concept of Operations between AAF Commander Maj. Gen. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-afghan-air-force-c-208-casevac-a-success-46851/

DefenceTalkDefence and security company Saab has signed an agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for Gripen E. The agreement includes development and modification of Gripen E for Sweden during the period 2013-2026 and a possible order for new production of Gripen E from Switzerland. FMV has today placed an initial development order of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/saab-signs-next-generation-fighter-aircraft-gripen-e-development-deal-46827/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman will help drive down costs and speed the availability of new hardware and software upgrades for the B-2 stealth bomber under a recently awarded contract from the U.S. Air Force. The contract covers Technology Development (TD) Phase 2 of a multiyear effort by Northrop Grumman to modernize the B-2’s defensive management system (DMS). […]https://www.defencetalk.com/next-phase-of-modernizing-b-2-defensive-systems-starts-46834/