DefenceTalkThe Eurofighter IPA 8 (Instrumented Production Aircraft 8) test aircraft has achieved an important production milestone at Cassidian in Manching: with the mounting of the right wing, the connection between the cockpit, vertical tail unit and wings with the fuselage has been completed. “IPA 8 is based on the latest Eurofighter Tranche 3 construction standard […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cassidian-produces-the-worlds-most-advanced-eurofighter-47277/

DefenceTalkThe Brazilian Air Force (FAB) and Embraer Defense & Security have successfully concluded the Critical Design Review (CDR) of the KC-390 military transport aircraft. The contract event, which is one of the main landmarks of the program, took place at Embraer’s facilities in the Eugênio de Melo district of the city of São José dos […]https://www.defencetalk.com/brazilian-and-embraer-conclude-critical-design-review-of-the-kc-390-project-47275/

DefenceTalkChina has agreed to buy two dozen fighter jets and four submarines from Russia, state media reported Monday, the country’s first large-scale weapons technology purchases from Moscow in a decade. The agreement to buy the 24 Su-35 fighters and four Lada-class submarines was signed just before President Xi Jinping’s weekend visit to Russia, said the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-to-buy-russian-fighters-subs-state-media-47271/

DefenceTalkLockheed Martin’s Extended Area Protection and Survivability (EAPS) program successfully conducted the first Guided Test Flight to characterize the seeker, guidance, navigation and control systems of its Miniature Hit-to-Kill (MHTK) interceptor. The very small and agile interceptor is designed to defeat Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (RAM) targets at ranges greatly exceeding those of current systems. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eaps-completes-miniature-hit-to-kill-interceptor-flight-test-47269/

DefenceTalkThe Army is one step closer to marrying body armor and parachutes thanks to recent test jumps with a select few paratroopers here. In February, the Bragg-based Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate trained two-dozen scout paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, how to properly wear the new T-11 parachute […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-tests-new-parachutes-with-latest-body-armor-47266/

DefenceTalkThe Navy’s first Mobile Landing Platform, USNS Montford Point (MLP 1), successfully completed builder’s sea trials March 20, in San Diego. Builder’s trials test the vessel’s propulsion, ballasting, communications, navigation and mission systems, as well as related support systems. General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) constructed MLP 1. “This first-of-class ship performed very […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mlp-1-successfully-completes-builders-sea-trials-47262/

DefenceTalkThe 2nd Bomb Wing made its first live run with a new addition to the aging bomber. With constant upgrades bringing the more than 60 year-old bomber into the 21st century, the addition of the sniper pod gives the B-52H Stratofortress better integration with ground forces and laser-guided bombs for precision strike capability. “This flight […]https://www.defencetalk.com/b-52-gets-new-sniper-pod-47258/

DefenceTalkSenior Army and Air Force leaders for the Reserve and National Guard were on Capitol Hill to testify March 19 and answer questions about updating and replacing their combat-worn equipment. Chairman Michael Turner, R-Ohio, and Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., led the hearing at the House Armed Services Committee’s Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee. They […]https://www.defencetalk.com/congress-reviews-reserve-forces-equipment-needs-47264/

DefenceTalkThe Army learned the art of adaptation throughout the last 12 years of war, but is now moving into a period of innovation that will require critical investments for the force of the future. “Adaptation is driven by some emergency and arguably what we’ve done for the last dozen years at war,” said Lt. Gen. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-entering-period-of-innovation-critical-investments-47260/

DefenceTalkEurocopter, the world’s leading maker of civil helicopters, will sign an agreement next month aimed at setting up production in Poland, putting it in the running for a Polish chopper deal, a factory president said Monday. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced in September that Warsaw was seeking 70 helicopters for its army and that […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eurocopter-enters-race-for-polish-chopper-deal-47273/