June 19, 2019 | International, Aerospace
The US Navy has awarded a $234m initial low-rate production contract to Raytheon to manufacture 23 joint precision approach and landing systems (JPALS).
The global positioning system (GPS) enabled precision landing systems will be outfitted on all of the navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.
JPALS has the capability to guide aircraft to precision landings in all weather and surface conditions.
The US Marine Corps' F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft use Raytheon's JPALS to land on USS Wasp amphibious assault ship.
Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services business vice-president Matt Gilligan said: “The US Navy understands how JPALS contributes to their mission success and safety of its people.
“Other military services could also benefit from the system's ability to safely land both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft in almost any low-visibility environment.”
Last year, the F-35B pilots began using the system to guide them onto USS Wasp during a deployed operation.
In April this year, Raytheon demonstrated land-based deployable version of the JPALS system. The version is designed to provide the same precision capability offered in ship-landings.
As part of the demonstration, F-35B pilots used the GPS-based system on the jet to connect with the expeditionary system on the ground from 200nm away.
Raytheon used the proof-of-concept event to showcase how the JPALS system could be reconfigured into a mobile version to guide aircraft to land in a traditional airport setting.
The expeditionary JPALS version currently fits in five transit cases. The company noted that the system could be repackaged for small, transit vehicles that are transportable by C-130.
It can be set up in less than 90 minutes, once on the ground. The technology will help US Air Force pilots to perform landings on austere runways in remote regions.
September 18, 2024 | International, Aerospace
Under the terms of the contract, KBR will continue to actively assist the F-16, A-10 and T-38 System Program Offices on their digital transformation journeys under digital material management initiatives
September 21, 2020 | International, Aerospace
Gareth Jennings Germany is establishing a new multinational unit to operate the Airbus A400M transport aircraft, with Hungary committed as its first partner. The Bundeswehr announced on 17 September that the Multinational Air Transport Unit (MNAU) was being established at Wunstorf Air Base in northern Germany, home to the Luftwaffe's A400M force. This new international unit will relocate to Lechfeld Air Base in the far south of the country with 10 of the Luftwaffe's 53 contracted A400Ms, as well as additional A400Ms that might be provided by partner nations. Lieutenant General Ingo Gerhartz, inspector of the German Air Force, was quoted as saying, “The establishment of the implementation team of the Multinational Air Transport Unit is another milestone in multinational, military air transport. With the integration of the first technical officer of the Hungarian Air Force [HuAF], the cooperation with our Hungarian partners begins.” As noted by the Bundeswehr, the genesis of the MNAU dates back to 2017, when the Federal Ministry of Defence enabled the Luftwaffe to set up a new air transport association with multinational participation. With the Luftwaffe planning to field 40 A400Ms, this new multinational unit would operate all or some of the remaining 13 contracted to Germany. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/germany-to-form-a400m-multinational-air-transport-unit-with-hungary
June 29, 2021 | International, Aerospace
Thermal management for military aircraft Raytheon Technologies is working to take the heat off a new generation of fighters June 22, 2021 The U.S.... | June 29, 2021