February 21, 2024 | International, Aerospace
Japan sends companies to Singapore Airshow with eyes on foreign market
This is the largest industrial contingent outside Japan after the government relaxed post-war arms exports in 2014.
October 11, 2018 | International, Aerospace
Air Force hopes to train 1,500 new pilots each year by 2022 to help solve shortage
By: Stephen Losey
The Air Force hopes to be able to train 1,500 new pilots each year by fiscal 2022 as part of its effort to solve its troubling shortage of aviators.
Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said at a Senate Armed Services readiness and management support subcommittee hearing Wednesday that the Air Force trained 1,160 new pilots in fiscal 2017, and expects to train 1,311 in fiscal 2019, before expanding further.
The Air Force has taken several steps to try to improve air crew's quality of life and quality of service, and solve problems that might be leading some to choose to leave the Air Force. Wilson highlighted efforts to reduce operating tempos, revitalize squadrons and restore support staffs so air crew can concentrate on flying, as well as generous incentive pay and bonuses.
The Air Force is also working on testing a “fly-only” technical track for interested airmen, and giving air crew greater input on assignments.
But, Wilson said, “retention efforts alone will not solve the aircrew shortage," leading the Air Force to beef up its training capacity.
Increased pilot training capacity could become even more important as the Air Force seeks to increase its number of operational squadrons from 312 to 386 by the end of 2030.
Wilson told lawmakers that restoring readiness must be a top priority of the Air Force. The service is focusing on fixing readiness in the 204 operational squadrons that would be most important in a high-end fight. By the end of 2020, she said the Air Force hopes 80 percent of those units will have the right number of properly trained and equipped airmen. And two years after that, Wilson hopes 80 percent of all 312 operational squadrons will be ready.
The Air Force has already made significant progress in cutting the maintainer shortage, Wilson said. Two years ago, the Air Force was short 4,000 maintainers, but by December, that gap is expected to be completely eliminated.
But the Air Force's work on maintenance isn't done. Wilson said these new, green maintainers must be seasoned until they have enough experience to do more complicated or unsupervised work.
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July 24, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Défense européenne : entretien avec Dirk Hoke, CEO d’Airbus Defence and Space
Dirk Hoke, CEO d'Airbus Defence and Space, accorde une interview à Aviation Week. Il souligne la volonté de «maintenir l'élan» des initiatives européennes en matière de défense, en dépit des conséquences liées à la crise de la Covid-19. «L'utilisation étendue des A440M et des MRTT durant la crise de la Covid-19 est un exemple parfait de l'importance des ressources militaires dans les missions humanitaires», souligne-t-il notamment. Concernant le programme SCAF, «il y a un énorme élan dans le projet. Tous les partis, tant du côté politique que du côté industriel, font pression pour progresser et peuvent être fiers de ce qui a été réalisé en moins de trois ans après avoir été mentionné pour la première fois dans la déclaration franco-allemande du 13 juillet 2017», déclare-t-il. Au sujet de l'Eurofighter, il indique : «il y a de bonnes opportunités à venir», «récemment, nous avons signé le contrat pour l'équipement de 115 Eurofighters avec le nouveau Captor E-Radar», rappelle-t-il entre autres. Aviation Week du 13 juillet
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August 14, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Boeing Delivers Next Generation Interceptor Proposal to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency
Huntsville, Ala., August 12, 2020 - Today, Boeing [NYSE: BA] submitted its offer to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) competition, proposing a design that leverages the company's more than 60-year track record and expertise in strategic missile and weapon systems. “Boeing's NGI proposal delivers unmatched performance, affordability and reliability for the nation and the warfighter,” said Norm Tew, Missile and Weapon Systems vice president and general manager, and Huntsville site senior executive. “Building upon our prior investments and proven technologies, our innovative proposal offers a creative, compelling and game-changing technical approach to outpace, out-innovate, deter and defeat rapidly evolving advanced threats.” If selected, Boeing will utilize its proven capabilities along with a best-of-industry team to ensure its unique offering is delivered to the warfighter on time. “Boeing is well-positioned to deliver innovative solutions that greatly expand this key missile defense capability, ever focused on supporting the warfighter,” said Tew. “We are leveraging our unparalleled mission knowledge to design, develop and deliver a low-risk, highly-effective solution for the MDA.” The NGI will be used to maintain ready deterrence and ensure the continued protection of the U.S. homeland from intercontinental ballistic missiles. A contract award is expected later this year. For more information on Boeing's NGI offering, visit http://www.boeing.com/defense/missile-defense/ngi. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace. # # # Contact Megan Gessner Defense, Space & Security Mobile: +1 256-640-3036 Megan.Gessner@Boeing.com Jerry Drelling Defense, Space & Security Mobile: +1 714-318-7594 Jerry.a.Drelling@Boeing.com The views expressed are those of The Boeing Company and do not constitute an endorsement by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). View source version on Boeing Newsroom: https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-08-12-Boeing-Delivers-Next-Generation-Interceptor-Proposal-to-the-U-S-Missile-Defense-Agency