Archive: News & Articles

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) will take a company-owned SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to the UK later this year to undertake a series of operational capability demonstrations for NATO allies, including the Netherlands. The UK’s PROTECTOR programme is a derivative of SkyGuardian with a range of UK modifications. For this visit, which the […]

The US Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a US$3.6Bn indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) contract for continued Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) operations, sustainment and support. This contract provides for research, development, test, evaluation, integration, operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system. It also includes associated ground stations […]

Encrypted communications for the five Embraer E-99M surveillance aircraft operated by the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) will be supplied in the form of Soveron radios from Rohde & Schwarz. The E-99Ms will be used for detection, tracking, identification of flying objects and air traffic control. They complement ground radar signals and improve […]

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has successfully completed flight testing of a newly developed Self-Protection Pod (SPP) on an MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The project was executed as part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and with the support of: the Air National Guard (ANG) […]

AeroVironment has entered into a definitive agreement under which the company will acquire Arcturus UAV for a total purchase price of US$405M, including US$355M in cash and US$50M in AeroVironment stock. The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the AeroVironment and Arcturus UAV Boards of Directors, is expected to accelerate the former’s strategy to drive […]

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc has received an additional order from a long-term international customer for 20 high-performance jet drones and support equipment to satisfy their continuing current and future missions and operations. Steve Fendley, President of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, said, “Over the last three years, in anticipation of future drone orders, Kratos […]

The Franco-German transport squadron established for the joint operation of C130-J transport aircraft in Évreux-Fauville, France will receive simulators from CAE in order to train flight crews and loaders. In early January 2021, CAE reported that the prime contractor for the C-130J, Lockheed Martin, had awarded the Canadian company a contract to design, develop and […]

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre (AFLCMC) to support the SKYBORG VANGUARD Programme. SKYBORG will become the foundation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) autonomous capabilities for a family of future USAF Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles. “GA-ASI is excited to continue working with the […]

The MRSAM, an advanced path breaking air and missile defence system that provides ultimate protection against a variety of aerial platforms, has been successfully tested. MRSAM is used by the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Israeli Defence Forces. The system includes an Advanced Phased Array Radar, Command and Control, Mobile Launchers and interceptors with advanced […]

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed the first Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) High Frequency (HF) Command and Control (C2) demonstration for an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The HF C2 capability does not require a Satellite Communications (SATCOM) link and is capable of providing BLOS connectivity up to 8,000 miles, depending on transmit […]

Collins Aerospace Systems has successfully completed modernising the E-6B Block I aircraft fleet, part of the Navy’s Airborne Command Post and Take Charge and Move Out (ABNCP/TACAMO) Weapon System missions. The upgraded aircraft features a new command and control battlestaff, communications central control, multi-enclave voice/data/video distribution system and an Internet Protocol Bandwidth Expansion (IPBE) digital […]

Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Material Administration to define what is needed to meet Sweden’s requirements for the continued, effective operation and availability of the GRIPEN C/D until 2035. The work for this order, valued at 185 MSEK, will be conducted during the period December 2020 to December 2021. Jonas Hjelm, […]

Parrot has announced that the ANAFI platform is now compatible with the professional Universal ground Control Software (UgCS) mission planning solution from SPH Engineering. ANAFI users now have access to the programme’s vast range of tools to enhance professional drone operations and streamline land surveying and mapping processes. UgCS is a tool for enhanced UAV […]

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc has announced the Kratos VALKYRIE UAS AttritableONE flight test, enabling the F-22 and F-35 5th generation fighters to fly in formation together, has been successfully completed at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The test was led by an integrated Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) acquisition team comprised of […]

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has received a US$37M award from the AFLCMC/WA Advanced Aircraft Programme Executive Office for the SKYBORG Delivery Order (DO) 2 contract to integrate, test, and deliver XQ-58A VALKYRIE aircraft. Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “Kratos is excited to announce the receipt of the SKYBORG DO 2 […]

Leonardo has announced the delivery of the first HH-139B twin engine helicopter to the Italian Air Force, a customised variant of the bestselling AW139 platform, from its facility in Vergiate. The aircraft is the first of 17 HH-139Bs with deliveries expected to be completed by 2021, in order to further strengthen the multirole capabilities of […]

BIRD Aerosystems, the leading developer of Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) and Special Mission Aircraft Solutions (ASIO), has won a contract for the delivery and installation of its AMPS-MLRD solution. This includes the patented SPREOS DIRCM, to be fitted to a customer VIP and Military aircraft in Africa. The AMPS-MLRD missile protection system provides the most […]

The US and Australian Departments of Defense have announced a bilateral effort to advance the development of air-breathing hypersonic technologies. The Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) is an Allied Prototyping Initiative (API) under the Directorate for Advanced Capabilities within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. The Department […]

In response to the crisis in aviation triggered by the coronavirus, Diehl Aviation, a leading supplier of cabin interiors and aircraft systems as well as related services, has presented a concept for its future positioning. This will assist the company in securing its leading position in the aviation industry. Diehl Aviation is commencing implementation of […]

The Swiss procurement authority Armasuisse has received a second set of bids from the candidates for the Air2030 project, respectively for a New Combat Aircraft (NKF) and a Ground-Based Air Defence System with Extended Range (BodLUV GR). This follows extensive testing and hardware demonstrations following the first bid. The candidates had to perform tasks that […]

On 12 November 2020, the fifth and final NATO RQ-4D PHOENIX UAV landed at the Main Operating Base (MOB) of the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance system (AGS) in Sigonella, Sicily, meaning the main part of the AGS has been delivered. The NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) is currently preparing for Initial Operating Capability (IOC), […]