Back to news

February 9, 2023 | International, Aerospace

Small drones launched from ‘wherever’ excel in US Army experiment

Air-launched effects are considered a critical piece of the U.S. Army's overhaul of the helicopter fleet.

https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2023/02/09/small-drones-launched-from-wherever-excel-in-us-army-experiment/

On the same subject

  • Japan unveils timeline for indigenous fighter jet program

    July 10, 2020 | International, Aerospace

    Japan unveils timeline for indigenous fighter jet program

    By: Mike Yeo   20 hours ago MELBOURNE, Australia — Japan has created a timeline for the development and fielding of its locally made next-generation fighter jet, with serial production set to start at the beginning of the next decade. The Japanese Ministry of Defense presented the draft development plan for the fighter program to a group of lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday, which showed that full-scale production is due to begin in 2031. The ministry added that the prime contractor for the program will be selected by early next year, although it could happen as soon as October 2020. This is to allow for the basic design for the airframe and engine to be launched before the end of the current Japanese fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2021. The next step would be the production of the first fighter prototype, which is planned to begin in 2024, with flight tests earmarked to start in 2028 following finalization of the design and production plans. The new fighter is slated to replace about 90 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries F-2 fighters, which are due to be phased out in the mid-2030s, as its replacement is to be formally introduced into service in 2035. Japan previously said the new fighter will be stealthy and interoperable with the U.S. military. Japan has researched and developed fighter technology over the past decade, including work on stealth designs and materials, active electronically scanned array radars, and afterburning turbofan engines. In addition, the U.S. ally also conducted a series of test flights of a locally designed and built fighter technology demonstrator between 2016 and 2018 in order to validate its work. The country used the data gleaned from the test program to further refine its indigenous capabilities. Despite these efforts, the country is still the largest customer of the American Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet, with plans to eventually operate 157 F-35s, including 42 of the short-takeoff-and-vertical-landing F-35B variant. These will be used to equip the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's anti-submarine helicopter destroyer Izumo, which is being refurbished to accommodate F-35B operations. https://www.defensenews.com/air/2020/07/09/japan-unveils-timeline-for-indigenous-fighter-jet-program/

  • BAE awarded $90M to upgrade, maintain Navy's communications and combat systems

    June 25, 2019 | International, C4ISR

    BAE awarded $90M to upgrade, maintain Navy's communications and combat systems

    By Allen Cone June 24 (UPI) -- BAE Systems was awarded a five-year, $90 million contract to modernize and maintain critical communications and combat systems. The systems, which are embedded within vehicles, watercraft, and specialized communications platforms, integrate command, control, computers, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems and are called C5ISR. Work will be performed in St. Inigoes, Md.; Little Creek, Va.; and Fayetteville, N.C., BAE said in a news release. The systems are integrated and networked to improve the situational awareness of military operators and decision-makers, according to BAE. "Technology is constantly evolving and the mission needs of our customers can change," Mark Keeler, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems' Integrated Defense Solutions business, said in a news release. "As systems integrators, we are providing agile engineering, testing and field support to help our military customers adapt and maintain a tactical edge." For more than 25 years, BAE Systems has been supporting Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division's Special Communications Mission Solutions Division with mobile deployable systems. These systems are also used by Special Operations Forces, Homeland Security, and other Department of Defense and non-defense agencies. "Our engineers specialize in providing custom, tailor-made C5ISR solutions to help close communications capability gaps for the U.S. military," Keeler said. "BAE Systems takes pride in keeping the lines of communication open for those on the front lines of national security." Navy Information Dominance Forces team ensures those systems work and are ready to go to sea as part of the Deploying Group System Integration Testing. "The best way to validate performance of C5I systems is to test interoperability and integration in a stressed operational environment," Mike Caldwell, the DGSIT Atlantic program manager, said in a Navy news release. "The systems and sailors are under pressure because of the tactical exercise demands. It is probably the first time that collection [of sailors] has worked together, and it may be the first time those ships have worked together. But the team is there to make sure everything works for both advanced training and deployment." https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/06/24/BAE-awarded-90M-to-upgrade-maintain-Navys-communications-and-combat-systems/2191561386249/

  • U.S. Air Force selects Electra for ultra-short takeoff aircraft development | Aerotech News & Review

    June 28, 2021 | International, Aerospace

    U.S. Air Force selects Electra for ultra-short takeoff aircraft development | Aerotech News & Review

    The U.S. Air Force has signed a contract with Electra to strengthen advanced air mobility markets through the development of hybrid-electric propulsion...

All news