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by Gareth Jennings Airbus has demonstrated for the first time with real combat aircraft the Remote Carrier (RC) ‘loyal wingman' technology it is developing for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)/Systeme de Combat Arien du Futur (SCAF) programme. The event during the Luftwaffe's Timber Express exercise over northern Germany and the North Sea, announced by the company on 30 July, saw national Eurofighter and Panavia Tornado aircraft demonstrate interconnectivity with an RC network using the Link 16 datalink. “During the exercise, the Remote Carriers, which currently use the Compact Airborne Networking Data Link (CANDL), were successfully connected to Link 16, the operational tactical datalink of the armed forces. The Remote Carriers were not only visible to all tactical combat aircraft of the [German] Air Force, but could also receive and execute orders without the need for technical modifications to the aircraft,” Airbus said. As noted by the company, this event was followed up with a demonstration of RC interoperability with the NATO concept of Co-operative ESM Operations (CESMO); a reconnaissance network spanning several branches of the armed forces aimed at locating threat systems in the electromagnetic spectrum in real time. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/airbus-demos-remote-carrier-loyal-wingman-connectivity-with-eurofighters-and-tornados

by Pat Host Armasuisse has contracted Lockheed Martin to procure a fleet of the company's Indago 3 small Group 1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Swiss Army, according to a company statement. The deal also provides options for spares, training, technical support, and additional systems. Brandon Reimschiissel, Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies senior systems engineer, declined to specify terms of the agreement to Janes on 20 July. The first phase of Lockheed Martin's contract comprises manufacturing development to optimise the Indago 3's configuration to meet the Swiss Army's requirements. These include integration of a transponder for sense-and-avoid and installation of a Silvus Technologies radio. The first phase also includes implementation of Lockheed Martin CDL Systems VCSi Touch small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) ground control system (GCS) software. This includes access to Swiss maps, including digital terrain elevation data (DTED) and geofencing. The first set of optimised Indago 3s will be delivered to the Swiss Army later this year with the remaining systems to be delivered several months following the first delivery. These Indago 3s will support tactical level reconnaissance and surveillance to support information collection, search and rescue, disaster relief, and battle damage assessment. Depending on the payload and operating environment, the Indago 3 has a flight time of up to 50 minutes with a range of 10 km. The aircraft can operate at cruise speeds of 25 kt. The Indago 3 can operate at temperatures ranging from -34 to 49°C.

by Jon Grevatt The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has confirmed plans to continue the local production of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The move reverses a decision in late 2018 to cease local production at Japan's final assembly and checkout (FACO) facility in Nagoya and instead focus on the localised maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) of F-35s. That move was previously prompted by the high cost of building the F-35s at the facility. However, a spokesperson from the MoD told Janes that the new decision to continue building the aircraft at the Japanese FACO facility was influenced by the declining costs of producing the F-35 locally. Producing the aircraft locally, said the spokesperson, is now cheaper than importing the F-35 from the United States. The spokesperson was speaking to Janes nearly three weeks after the United States government approved a potential USD23 billion deal to sell Japan an additional 105 F-35s. This Foreign Military Sale means Japan will operate a total of 147 F-35s, becoming the second-largest operator of the aircraft in the world. These aircraft will comprise 105 conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) F-35A aircraft and 42 units of the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B. The spokesperson said, “For the acquisition of F-35As in fiscal years (FY) 2019 and 2020... the Japanese MoD has decided to use domestic manufacturing at the FACO... It is confirmed that the unit cost of aircraft produced at the domestic FACO [facility] is less, compared to the unit cost of imported aircraft.” https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/japan-commits-to-local-f-35-production

OTTAWA — Fighter-jet makers are leading with promises of jobs and other economic spinoffs as they make their final pitches for why Canada should buy their planes to replace the military's aging CF-18 fleet. Friday marks the deadline for U.S. aerospace companies Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as well as Swedish firm Saab, to submit their bids in the current fighter-jet competition, which will see Canada spend up to $19 billion on 88 new planes. The closing of the competition marks a major milestone in Canada's decade-long effort to buy new fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force, which has been plagued by government mismanagement and political controversy. While the combat capability of each of the three competing planes — Lockheed Martin's F-35, Boeing's Super Hornet and Saab's Gripen — will be the main focus as the government evaluates each bid, there will also be a lot of focus on the economic benefits of buying each plane. To that end, Lockheed Martin commissioned a report in February that found up to 4,200 jobs will be created or sustained each year if Canada buys its F-35 stealth fighter, which the company equated to more than 150,000 new jobs over the life of the plane. The analysis provided to The Canadian Press, which was compiled by Toronto-based OMX, also predicted the Canadian economy will see roughly $15 billion in additional activity between now and 2058 if the F-35 is selected to succeed the CF-18 as Canada's primary fighter jet. That is in addition to the $2 billion in economic benefits that Canada has already received since 2007 as one of nine partner countries in the development of the F-35, which lets Canadian companies compete for work associated with the stealth fighter. Canada has contributed US$541 million since 1997 to be a partner in the F-35 program. "Lockheed Martin has prepared a comprehensive proposal," the company said in a statement on Thursday. "The F-35 is the most capable, best-value fighter to strengthen defence, enhance ally partnerships and contribute to economic growth in Canada with significant, long-term industrial opportunities." Lockheed Martin isn't the first to toot its own horn on the potential economic benefits of its fighter. Boeing last month released its own commissioned report showing its existing operations in Canada created $5.3 billion in economic spinoffs last year and supported 20,000 jobs. Boeing says the numbers will go up if the Super Hornet wins, though it has not revealed its exact estimates. The emphasis on jobs and money — rather than combat capability — comes as Canada's economy has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the federal government to spend tens of billions in financial support for Canadians. Defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute said it makes sense for companies to highlight the potential economic benefits of their bids. He said it helps to make the cost more palatable to the public and is also important in determining the winner. "In any competition like this, you're always looking for any potential partial point that you can get," Perry said. "Companies, if they're going to invest this significant time and significant amount of money preparing a bid like this, then they don't leave anything to chance. You make sure you try to wring every single last partial point you can get out of your proposal." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2020. Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press

East Hartford, Conn., July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- JetBlue Airways ("JetBlue") and Pratt & Whitney, a Raytheon Technologies business (NYSE: RTX), through its affiliate, IAE International Aero Engines AG ("IAE"), announced that the airline has signed a 13-year EngineWise® fixed-price agreement for 230 V2500® engines that power the airline's A320ceo family fleet. "The V2500 engine has been the workhorse of the JetBlue fleet since the airline's inception," said Steve Priest, Chief Financial Officer at JetBlue. "This agreement provides predictable maintenance and supports efficient operations needed to serve our customers for many years to come." The highly reliable and fuel efficient V2500 engine is offered through IAE, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation and MTU Aero Engines. JetBlue operates a fleet of 193 Airbus A320ceo family aircraft powered by the V2500 engine. The airline has also ordered 85 GTF-powered Airbus A320neo family aircraft, of which 10 have already been delivered. In addition, JetBlue has 70 GTF-powered Airbus A220 aircraft on order, with deliveries scheduled to begin later this year. "We truly appreciate our long-standing and successful relationship with JetBlue," said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer at Pratt & Whitney. "We are committed to partnering with the airline on V2500 engine maintenance to optimize fleet performance well into the future." The V2500 engine is backed by an established global network of 18 facilities for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including nine IAE partner facilities, of which three are managed by Pratt & Whitney and its joint ventures: the Turkish Engine Center in Istanbul, the Shanghai Engine Center in China and the Christchurch Engine Center in New Zealand. Pratt & Whitney's EngineWise service portfolio provides engine operators with a variety of aftermarket services to maximize engine performance and fleet availability. Visit http://www.EngineWise.com for more information About Pratt & Whitney Pratt & Whitney, a unit of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX) is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft and helicopter engines, and auxiliary power units. Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. To learn more about RTX, visit its website at www.rtx.com To receive press releases and other news directly, please sign up here. About Raytheon Technologies Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. With 195,000 employees and four industry-leading businesses ― Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles & Defense ― the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion, hypersonics, and quantum physics. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Media Contact Jenny Dervin O: (860).557.1918 C: 860.308.50645630 Jennifer.Dervin@prattwhitney.com View source version on Pratt & Whitney: https://newsroom.prattwhitney.com/2020-07-30-Pratt-Whitney-and-JetBlue-sign-long-term-service-agreement-for-230-V2500-R-engines#assets_all

Brussels, 31 July 2020 – ILIAS Solutions is proud to announce Lockheed Martin have, once again, chosen them and their defense logistics software to support the implementation and sustainment of the new F-16 Block 70 fleet of the Slovak Republic. ILIAS Solutions will work with the Slovak Air Force to implement its defense logistics software into the Sliač Air Base IT platform. Prior to the fleet's arrival, the staff will be fully trained to manage and sustain the new fleet of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets with the ILIAS Defense Platform. Jean-Pierre Wildschut, Managing Director ILIAS Solutions says, “I'm excited to extend our cooperation with Lockheed Martin and start working with the Slovak Air Force; providing the capability to manage their F-16 fleet at Sliač Air Base. The ILIAS Defense Platform will minimize the logistics footprint of their F-16 fleet while assuring mission readiness at all times.” The ILIAS Solutions-Lockheed Martin collaboration already lead to significantly improved sustainment performance of multiple F-16 fleets and other weapon systems. By bringing together decades of expertise, ILIAS Solutions and Lockheed Martin merge military sustainment know-how via the ILIAS commercially available off-the-shelf software into a long-term capability for the customer. The combined expertise of ILIAS Solutions and Lockheed Martin will provide Sliač Air Base a proven solution to assure mission readiness for their F-16 fleet. Danya Trent, vice president of Lockheed Martin's F-16 program added, “ILIAS Solutions will be instrumental in providing the Slovak Republic first class capabilities for the sustainment and fleet management of these advanced F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. I'm confident in their capabilities, and welcome them on board the Lockheed Martin team that is already working closely with the Slovak Air Force preparing for the arrival and deployment of the F-16 at Sliač Air Base.” The ILIAS software platform will provide the Slovak Air Force with total asset visibility. This will allow them to asses mission readiness and plan deployments of the F-16 for military missions or training. If you would like to know more about the new F-16 Block and the ILIAS implementation, do not hesitate to contact us. View source version on ILIAS Solutions: https://www.ilias-solutions.com/news/ilias-solutions-signs-deal-lockheed-martin-sustainment-and-fleet-management-slovak-air-force-f

Rolling Meadows, Ill. – July 29, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has been selected to provide the prime mission equipment for the Sierra Nevada Corporation-led AC/MC-130J Radio Frequency Countermeasure (RFCM) program. Northrop Grumman's RFCM system utilizes the latest in antenna, amplifier and electronics technology. This technology provides superior situational awareness and better enables aircraft survivability in operationally relevant environments. “With the radio frequency threat growing, modern electromagnetic spectrum protection for AC/MC-130J operators worldwide is essential,” said Jim Conroy, vice president, navigation, targeting and survivability, Northrop Grumman. “Our product line approach to the RFCM program is mature and in use throughout our electronic warfare systems.” The modular, open systems approach to the suite is designed to provide radar warning, threat identification and countermeasure capabilities today, while allowing for the flexibility to adapt to future threats. The system is applicable to both U.S. and international customers and represents the latest upgrade to Northrop Grumman's RFCM product line. Northrop Grumman has deep expertise in electronic warfare systems for land, sea and air. Covering the full spectrum of operations from self-protection to electronic attack, the company's systems are preparing warfighters for multi-domain operations. Among these systems are the F-16 electronic warfare suite, AN/APR-39 family of radar warning receivers and pod-based self-protection. Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Media Contact Ellen Hamilton Director, Navigation, Targeting & Survivability Mission Systems 847-815-0753 ellen.hamilton@ngc.com View source version on Northrop Grumman: https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-to-provide-key-electronic-warfare-capabilities-for-acmc-130j-aircraft

San Diego – July 28, 2020 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is pleased to announce the recent award of an indefinite-delivery / indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for the Skyborg Vanguard Program. Skyborg is an autonomy-focused capability that aims to integrate attritable, autonomous unmanned aircraft with open mission systems to enable manned-unmanned teaming. According to the AFLCMC's press release, this program will provide a “game-changing capability to the warfighter.” “We appreciate the opportunity to continue work on the Skyborg Vanguard program,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “We are always looking for innovative, affordable ways to significantly increase USAF capabilities that address new mission challenges.” GA-ASI was one of four companies selected for further support to the program. These initial awards establish a vendor pool that will continue to compete for up to $400 million in subsequent delivery orders under the Skyborg Vanguard Program. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than six million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian, Predator and Lynx are registered trademarks and SkyGuardian is a trademark of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. For more information contact: GA-ASI Media Relations General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. +1 (858) 524-8108 ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com View source version on GA-ASI : https://www.ga-asi.com/ga-asi-selected-for-further-skyborg-vanguard-development https://www.epicos.com/article/607305/ga-asi-selected-further-skyborg-vanguard-development

Davidson, N.C.— July 28, 2020 - (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) today announced that it has been awarded contracts valued in excess of $220 million to provide propulsion valves, pumps and advanced instrumentation and control systems for the U.S. Navy's Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine, Columbia-class submarine and Ford-class aircraft carrier programs. The awards were received from Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. (BPMI) and General Dynamics Electric Boat to support ship construction, spare parts and submarine back-fit procurements. “Curtiss-Wright is proud to have been awarded these important naval defense contracts, building upon our long-standing relationship with the U.S. Nuclear Navy and reflecting our ongoing support of these critical naval defense platforms, which continue to receive strong Congressional support,” said David C. Adams, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation. “We look forward to delivering the most advanced, reliable and vital technologies and remain well-positioned to benefit from the continued expansion of our U.S. naval fleet.” Curtiss-Wright is performing this work at its facilities in New York and Pennsylvania within the Company's Defense and Power Segments. Engineering and manufacturing has commenced and will continue through 2024. For over 60 years, Curtiss-Wright has ensured safe, reliable operations by supplying innovative, high-performance products for every nuclear submarine and aircraft carrier commissioned by the U.S. Navy. In addition, Curtiss-Wright technologies, such as power-dense motors and enhanced valve designs, enable more efficient operations, reduce manpower and cost, and increase safety. For more information on Curtiss-Wright's Defense Segment and Power Segment products for the U.S. Navy, please visit www.cwdefense.com or www.cw-ems.com, respectively. About Curtiss-Wright Corporation Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) is a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright has a long tradition of providing reliable solutions through trusted customer relationships. The company employs approximately 8,900 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements, including statements relating to Curtiss-Wright Corporation's expectations of future performance of our pump and valve products, the continued relationship with an existing customer, the continued funding of these programs by the U.S. Navy, the successful implementation of our products into these naval defense programs, the overall success of these naval defense programs and future opportunities associated with these programs, are not considered historical facts and are considered forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: a reduction in anticipated orders; an economic downturn; changes in competitive marketplace and/or customer requirements; a change in US and Foreign government spending; an inability to perform customer contracts at anticipated cost levels; and other factors that generally affect the business of aerospace, defense contracting, marine, electronics and industrial companies. Please refer to the Company's current SEC filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for further information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200728005570/en/ Jim Ryan (704) 869-4621 jim.ryan@curtisswright.com Source: Curtiss-Wright Corporation View source version on Curtiss-Wright Corporation: https://www.curtisswright.com/news/press-releases/news-release-details/2020/Curtiss-Wright-Awarded-Contracts-Valued-in-Excess-of-220-Million-to-Support-Critical-U.S.-Naval-Defense-Platforms/default.aspx