DefenceTalkDaniele Romiti, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are proud to achieve this major milestone on schedule. The start of full scale production brings us closer to the first AW189 delivery later this year and the when customers who already operate the AW139 will start benefitting from the Family advantage.” The AW189 flight test programme […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-generation-aw189-helicopter-enters-full-scale-production-48166/

DefenceTalkRussia’s Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN) are testing a remote-controlled mine-clearance vehicle designed to let Yars mobile ballistic missile launchers travel safely through minefields, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. “The vehicle will allow the components of the missile system to breach minefields as well as reduce the threat of individually-placed explosive devices,” the ministry quoted […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-tests-mine-clearing-vehicle-for-mobile-missiles-48183/

DefenceTalkSouth Korea formally opened bidding Tuesday on a $7.3 billion deal to provide 60 advanced fighter planes, with three aviation giants vying for what is the Asian nation’s largest defence contract to date. US companies Boeing and Lockheed Martin and the European aerospace consortium EADS are in the running, and all have prefaced their bids […]https://www.defencetalk.com/south-korea-opens-bidding-on-7-3-bn-fighter-jet-deal-48154/

DefenceTalkThe Air Force inactivated the 81st Fighter Squadron June 18, here, in support of force-shaping procedures across the service. The squadron employed the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the closure signals the end of A-10 operations in Europe. “For 71 years, the men and women of this fine squadron have ensured America’s security,” said Col. David […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fighter-squadron-inactivation-signals-end-of-a-10s-in-europe-48146/

DefenceTalkRomanian helicopter manufacturer IAR Brasov has chosen Thales to supply TMS 2000 sonobuoy processors to equip IAR-330 Puma helicopters operated by the Romanian Navy. The processors will give the Romanian Navy a decisive anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability to detect submarines in the Black Sea, in particular as part of NATO missions. TMS 2000 processors offer […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thales-to-supply-sonobuoy-processors-to-romanian-navy-48142/

DefenceTalkWhat it all comes down to is keeping Soldiers’ minds on their missions in Afghanistan, rather than on their feet. That’s how Ben Cooper views the development of the Hot Weather Mountain Combat Boot, or HWMCB, at Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, which began in spring 2011. Cooper thought it was so important […]https://www.defencetalk.com/putting-new-boots-on-the-ground-48148/

DefenceTalkAir-ground fire coordination-also known as Close Air Support or CAS-is a dangerous and difficult business. Pilots and dismounted ground agents must ensure they hit only the intended target using just voice directions and, if they’re lucky, a common paper map. It can often take up to an hour to confer, get in position and strike-time […]https://www.defencetalk.com/faster-more-precise-airstrikes-within-reach-48151/

DefenceTalkPARIS AIR SHOW: Between June 10 and 13, Sagem (Safran) carried out a new series of flight tests of its Patroller drone system in multi-sensor, multi-mission configuration, incorporating an airborne communications intelligence (COMINT) system. Designed for military missions, the COMINT system was integrated by Sagem in an underwing pod. It provides interception and positioning functions, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sagem-conducts-flight-tests-of-comint-electronic-warfare-system-on-patroller-drone-48144/

DefenceTalkA mock-up of Russia’s new piloted spacecraft will be showcased in August at the MAKS airshow near Moscow, Russia’s space chief said Friday. The new craft, being developed by the Russian spaceship manufacturer RKK Energia, is expected to make its maiden flight in 2018. “At the MAKS airshow, we will soon see the mock-up of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-unveil-new-piloted-spacecraft-at-maks-airshow-48156/

DefenceTalkGermany’s foreign intelligence service plans a major expansion of Internet surveillance despite deep unease over revelations of US online spying, Der Spiegel news weekly reported Sunday. Spiegel said that the BND planned a 100 million euro ($130 million) program over the next five years to expand web monitoring with up to 100 new staff members […]https://www.defencetalk.com/german-spy-service-plans-more-online-surveillance-report-48140/