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May 29, 2020 - A Eurofighter flight test campaign dedicated to the configuration chosen by Kuwait, with E-SCAN radar and other important enhancements, is certainly demanding and complex. Mario Mutti, Head of Project Test Pilot Fighters and Standardization of Leonardo's Aircraft Division, tells us how it is proceeding. Leonardo ISPA 6 (Instrumented Series Production Aircraft) is the most advanced Eurofighter Typhoon test aircraft with E-SCAN radar and it recently joined the other EF Typhoon test aircraft after the successful completion of an important lay-up in November last year. "The testing campaign for the new radar is particularly demanding - Mario Mutti, Head of Project Test Pilot Fighters and Standardization of Leonardo's Aircraft Division tells - there is a need for very large and dedicated work areas, the support of other aircraft that act as "smart" targets, an extremely accurate post-flight data analysis that involves multiple sites (in Italy and partner Countries) and optimizes the "set-ups" of the next flight. A very complex flight test system. The Italian Air Force contributes in a fundamental way: the aircraft available in support of test flights are always on time and offer a very consistent capability both quantitative and in terms of skill. The complex scenarios planned in flight are possible only thanks to the experience of the military pilots and our two-seater prototype that allows for synergy, even in the cockpit, between test pilot and flight test engineer." This challenging programme was completed as planned notwithstanding the difficulties created by the pandemic conditions under which the teams were operating; all flight test points were tested and all the required evidences obtained to provide final clearance on Kuwait's Typhoon. The tactical advantage given by the radar's Antenna Repositioner – allows a field of regard 50 per cent wider than conventional E-SCAN fixed plate systems - was clearly evident since the early stages of development. "The COVID emergency did not stop us, on the contrary, it strengthened us! - Mutti continues - Very stringent procedures, always in line with national and corporate protocols allowed us to operate with a motivated team that has challenged adversity with great dedication and sense of responsibility. International sharing is actually more difficult and efforts are being made to restore it to maximum effectiveness." With the above flights, ISPA6 has completed the overall P3Eb Flight Test campaign, which represent a significant step forward to allow the delivery of the Eurofighter to the Kuwait Air Force. "The Eurofighter is always an excellent platform – Mutti comments with satisfaction - and demonstrates its extensive development capability already foreseen in the design phase. Ergonomics are even more optimized and the new radar is perfectly integrated into a general growth of capabilities that includes sensors, weapons and increasingly advanced and performing functions”. The Eurofighter Typhoon ISPA 6 ISPA 6 is one of the three EF Typhoon test aircraft equipped with the Electronic Scan Radar made by the EuroRadar Consortium, led by Leonardo UK in Edinburgh, and it's currently allocated to the EF/NETMA P3Eb (Eurofighter Consortium/NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency - Phase 3 Enhancements Package b) development programme to perform E-SCAN Entry Into Service flight tests and provide final clearance to the Kuwait customer. After its first flight in the current configuration, at the end of last year, on the 3rd of March ISPA 6 started the so-called “E-SCAN XCR#1” flight test campaign and performed several sorties successfully concluded on the 27th of March. The first sorties were performed in cooperation with Leonardo's IPA2 (Instrumented Production Aircraft) test aircraft and the last ones were conducted in cooperation with Eurofighter Typhoons of the Italian Air Force. Recently ISPA 6 has flown to refine ECCM (Electronic Counter-Countermeasures) Radar capabilities, while in the next months will perform final E-SCAN software release certification flights; then will progress flying to test further E-SCAN software capabilities by the end of the year. View source version on Leonardo: https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/news-and-stories-detail/-/detail/eurofighter-flight-tests-continue-with-the-e-scan-radar

Marietta, Ga., May 29, 2020 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) recently delivered the first KC-130J Super Hercules tanker assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 (VMGR-452), the Marine Forces Reserve squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York. A U.S. Marine Corps crew ferried the aircraft from Lockheed Martin's facility here on May 28 to the aircraft's new home. VMGR-452 is the second Marine Reserve squadron to operate KC-130Js and this delivery signifies the recapitalization of the squadron's existing KC-130T fleet. VMGR-452 — known as the Yankees — has operated Hercules tankers for more than 30 years, flying KC-130s in support of Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. “The KC-130 Hercules tanker has been a pivotal part of Marine Corps aviation operations since 1960, a relationship that began with the KC-130F and R-models, transitioned to the KC-130T and continues now with the KC-130J Super Hercules,” said Rod McLean, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions line of business. “Our C-130 team knows this delivery is significant and represents increased capability for VMGR-452. We are proud to support our Marine aviation partners as they continue to be ‘first to fight'." KC-130s are operated in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) commander by providing tactical in-flight refueling for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and tilt-rotor aircraft; aviation delivered ground refueling of aircraft or tactical vehicles; assault air transport or air-landed or aerial-delivered (parachute) personnel and equipment; pathfinder support, battlefield illumination; tactical aeromedical evacuation; and tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel support. The proven and battle-tested KC-130J builds on the Hercules' proven tanker refueling system while taking full advantage of the tremendous technological and performance enhancements found only in a Super Hercules. Compared to legacy models, the KC-130J delivers increased speed and fuel efficiency, improved payload/range capabilities, an integrated defensive suite, automated maintenance fault reporting, high-altitude ramp and door hydraulics, and unmatched situational awareness with its digital avionics and dual Head Up Displays. The KC-130J is one of nine production variants of the C-130J Super Hercules, the current production model of the legendary C-130 Hercules aircraft. With 460+ aircraft delivered, the C‑130J is the airlifter of choice for 20 nations. The global Super Hercules fleet has more than 2 million flight hours of experience supporting almost any mission requirement — anytime, anywhere. The U.S. Marine Corps has the distinction of operating the largest KC-130J Super Hercules fleet in the world. This delivery continues the U.S. government's transition to the C-130J as the common platform across Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard. For additional information, visit: www.lockheedmartin.com/c130 About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services View source version on Lockheed Martin: https://news.lockheedmartin.com/lockheed-martin-delivers-first-kc-130j-super-hercules-tanker-us-marine-corps-reserve-squadron-stewart-angb-new-york

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 1, 2020 – The Royal Air Force (RAF) has selected the Collins Aerospace Systems FasTAK™ Gateway to advance its tactical data link capabilities on the ground as part of the RAF's Air Support Operations Squadron Digital Command and Control experimentation program. The FasTAK Gateway makes it possible to share a tactical view to all connected air, ground and maritime units. Collins Aerospace is a unit of Raytheon Technologies Corp. (NYSE: RTX). “The FasTAK Gateway provides an affordable, complete Link 16 data link picture to tactical ground users and its modular design and software-driven integration approach enables Collins to reconfigure the system to add new data links in the future,” said Heather Robertson, vice president and general manager, Integrated Solutions for Collins Aerospace. The FasTAK Gateway features the Collins Aerospace TacNet™ Tactical Radio Link 16 terminal along with data link processor software, running on mainstream laptop hardware, that manages the data links, radio frequencies and data forwarding for the equipment in a lightweight, transportable container. The ruggedized system transitions from transport to operational in 20 minutes. It delivers certified Link 16, Variable Message Format (VMF), Situational Awareness Data-Link (SADL) and Cursor on Target (CoT) communications with growth to integrate with a future all-domain operational environment. For more than 20 years, Collins Aerospace has provided data link and integrated system solutions for the U.S., NATO and coalition forces that have improved communication and speed for successful tactical operations. About Collins Aerospace Collins Aerospace Systems is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and expertise to solve customers' toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. With 2019 net sales of approximately $26 billion, the business has 78,000 employees across more than 300 locations globally. It is one of the four businesses that form Raytheon Technologies. 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 Robert Edilson Mission Systems Email Robert Edilson View source version on Collins Aerospace Systems: https://www.collinsaerospace.com/newsroom/News/2020/06/Royal-Air-Force-enhance-tactical-air-command-control-capabilities-on-ground-Collins-FasTAK-gateway

Posted on June 3, 2020; Aerospace Industries Association of Canada Press Release The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC) released six key recommendations that build on the Vision 2025 plan; while repeating the call for the federal government to recognize aerospace as a strategic sector in urgent need of a long-term sectoral strategy. “The impact of COVID-19 on Canada's aerospace industry has been unprecedented. The consequences of aircraft being grounded cascade down to our industry — to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), maintenance, repair and overhaul workers (MRO) and ongoing work relating to Canada's assets in space. With longer lead times in supply chain slowdowns, the devastating economic effects of this crisis are going to reverberate across our industry for years to come,” said Mike Mueller, senior vice-president, AIAC. “Competitor countries are making aerospace a key part of their economic recovery plans. Canada needs to take similar steps — not only to retain our current position but also to be ready for the global market opportunities that will emerge when the industry recovers,” said Mueller. AIAC recommends the following actions the Government of Canada can take immediately to help ensure best possible outcomes and long-term stability for Canada's aerospace sector: 1. Develop a pragmatic and proportional plan to allow people to begin flying again. 2. Adapt Canada's job retention program and liquidity measures to support employees in industries that will take longer to recover. 3. Rapidly expand government support for green technologies to enable the decarbonization of key sectors, particularly transportation and aviation. 4. Establish a new long-term investment bank to support and foster essential manufacturing supply chains through the market transformation ahead. 5. Advance public procurement projects, particularly in defence and space projects, to help stimulate and sustain high-tech supply chains through the difficult months ahead. 6. Establish a Canadian sector strategy for aerospace that includes civil, defence and space. “There is a need now, more than ever, for the Federal Government to work with us on a long-term sectoral strategy for Canada's aerospace industry. Ensuring a strong Canadian aerospace sector will be crucial to rebuilding Canada's economy given aerospace's substantial contributions to our nation's economic health on an annual basis — $31 billion in revenues, over $25 billion to GDP and nearly 215,000 jobs,” said Mueller. Find the letter in its entirety here near the bottom of the page. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/aiac-releases-aerospace-recommendations-and-calls-on-federal-government-to-implement-long-term-sectoral-strategy

The Canadian Forces CF-18 Demo Team recently issued the following statement regarding the status of the team's 2020 scheduled season: Unfortunately, due to uncertainty regarding COVID-19, the cancellation of most air shows on our 2020 schedule and to protect the health and safety of spectators and our team members, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 CF-18 Demo Team season. We are disappointed that we won't get to see any of our amazing and supportive fans this summer. We know that this is a difficult year for our airshow community and want to say thank you to the organizers and countless volunteers who worked so hard to prepare to host us at their shows this year. We truly appreciate your efforts and can't wait to work with you again in the future. While we won't be able to bring you imagery and video of a new paint scheme and team, we will be looking at other ways of interacting with all of you throughout the next year. Stay tuned and stay safe! https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/2020-cf-18-demo-team-season-cancelled-due-to-covid-19

Pour compenser l'annulation d'Eurosatory 2020, la COGES, filiale du GICAT, va organiser des rendez-vous B2B sous forme de visio-conférences les 14 et 15 septembre prochains. Une première pour Eurosatory Contrainte d'annuler le salon Eurosatory 2020 pour cause de coronavirus, la Coges, filiale du Gicat, va organiser, les 14 et 15 septembre prochains, des rendez-vous B2B sous la forme de visio-conférences organisées par Proximum, un prestataire que Coges connaît déjà bien pour avoir organisé de tels rendez-vous dans ses propres salons, à Eurosatory notamment. A ce niveau, et dans l'armement, où la confidentialité incite à des rencontres directes plutôt qu'à des visios sans garantie totale d'interception, cette initiative est une première que forcément les organisateurs de salon vont regarder de près. Les PME et ETI, qui sont représentées dans les salons (qui représentent une énorme effort rapporté à leurs moyens) vont aussi devoir se positionner. Le Gicat à l'initiative Autre difficulté, des problèmes de compatibilité entre créneaux horaires risquent de se produire d'un continent à l'autre. Mais manifestement, le GICAT veut montrer à ses adhérents et à ses clients du salon qu'il est conscient de son rôle d'animation du secteur. D'ores et déjà, la campagne de remboursement d'Eurosatory 2020 est aussi engagée. L'annulation d'Eurosatory a forcément un gros impact pour les rentrées de la Coges, mais aussi pour un écosystème de fournisseurs qui travaillent autour (fabricants de stands, restauration, limousines, etc). Au cabinet de la ministre des Armées, Florence Parly, on mesure amplement l'impact sur les industriels de la filière terrestre. Au GICAT, on rappelle que 50 % du chiffre d'affaires des adhérents proviennent de l'exportation. Et qu'évidemment Eurosatory y concourt à son échelle. Des formules de salons à revoir ? Cette dématéralisation des salons professionnels est une tendance encore faible, mais réelle. Le coronavirus ou covid-19, et son caractère potentiellement récurrent oblige à se poser les bonnes questions pour les salons. D'autres organismes français vont forcément devoir se poser de telles questions, rassembler les rendez-vous, digitaliser. Ceci alors que les dépenses de communications connaissaient déjà de très fortes baisses tendancielles et/ou conjoncturelles avant-même le covid-19, comme chez Thales et Dassault Aviation. La multiplication des salons régionaux et thématiques fragilise aussi les gros salons, et assèche les trésoreries des exposants. Report de trois autres salons Le covid-19 impacte aussi clairement les trois autres salons professionnels détenus par la COGES : le salon Platinum à Monaco (sécurité privée et intérieure) prévu en mai et repoussé aux 2 et 3 février, Shield Africa à Abidjan est décalé de fin janvier aux 7-10 juin (également pour prendre en compte les élections). Enfin, ExpoDefensa à Bogota se tiendra du 29 novembre au 2 décembre. A ce stade, Euronaval 2020 est maintenu et le Sofins reste programmé pour 2021.

Le ministère des Armées a annoncé que l'avion de transport A400M est désormais apte à larguer des parachutistes par une porte latérale. Afin de valider cette capacité, un entraînement opérationnel a eu lieu, «avec un A400M de l'armée de l'Air et des parachutistes de l'armée de Terre», rapporte le ministère. «L'Airbus A400M de nouvelle génération a obtenu la certification de la capacité de déploiement simultané de parachutistes et a achevé le développement industriel complet de la capacité de déploiement de parachutistes, avec un maximum de 116 parachutistes répartis sur les deux portes latérales», déclare Airbus Defence and Space dans un communiqué. «Cette réalisation renforce la valeur stratégique que l'A400M offre déjà aux opérateurs de l'armée de l'Air et à la société, comme cela a été démontré à l'occasion du Covid-19», a souligné Dirk Hoke, CEO d'Airbus Defence and Space. Air & Cosmos, Aerobuzz et Aeromorning du 3 juin

En 2019, 45 % des commandes d'exportations françaises d'armement, soit 3,47 milliards d'euros, ont été réalisées avec des partenaires européens (42% avec un pays membre de l'Union) contre 25% en 2018 et de 10% à 15% les années précédentes. «Nous avons fait le choix de l'Europe», écrit la ministre des Armées, Florence Parly, dans le rapport au Parlement sur les exportations d'armement rendu public mardi. «Il s'agit de créer des partenariats, de favoriser les coopérations et l'interopérabilité de nos armées avec en ligne de mire la volonté d'agir ensemble. C'est cela l'Europe de la défense». Les Echos, Le Figaro et Le Monde du 3 juin

By: Joe Gould WASHINGTON ― The Pentagon plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in coronavirus relief funding to support vulnerable manufacturers of submarine torpedo tubes, aircraft engine parts and hardened microelectronics that were hit by closures or other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $688 million defense-industrial base fund is just one category within the $10.5 billion the Department of Defense received from Congress' $2.1 trillion CARES Act package. The department submitted its 54-page spending plan to Congress on Friday amid pressure from lawmakers after DoD had spent only 23 percent of that money weeks after it was signed into law in late March. The Pentagon has thus far obligated $167 million of the $1 billion Congress granted under the Defense Production Act, a Korean War-era law that the president recently invoked, to have industry produce key items such as N95 respirator masks and swabs needed for coronavirus testing, ventilators and other items. Under the same law, the Pentagon's spending plan says it would use $688 million to address impacts to the defense-industrial base caused by COVID-19, "by directly offsetting financial distress in the DIB and providing investments to regions most severely impacted to sustain essential domestic industrial base capabilities and spur local job creation.” The plan calls for $171 million for the aircraft propulsion industrial base; $150 million for shipbuilding and submarine launch tubes; $150 million for the space launch industrial base; $80 million for the microelectronics base; $62 million for body armor suppliers; and $40 million for high-temperature materials used in hypersonic weapons. The priorities likely overlap with vulnerable industrial base areas previously identified by the Pentagon's assessment last year, said Wesley Hallman, the National Defense Industrial Association's senior vice president of strategy and policy . “It makes sense given what's going on now economically to ― under the [coronavirus aid] legislation ― reinforce some of the critical vulnerabilities that were identified in that report,” Hallman said. The Pentagon plans $171 million to sustain and preserve the aircraft propulsion industrial base, as many military aviation suppliers have been hard hit from the commercial side by coronavirus travel restrictions. Some would preserve an "essential workforce through support to sustained operations at key repair facility and stabilizing sub-vendors essential to a healthy propulsion industrial base,” according to the department. What that means is the DoD may have to absorb some of suppliers' overhead costs to keep vital suppliers in business, said Teal Group aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia. “Commercial aviation is in the worst crisis it's ever faced, and aviation propulsion aftermarket is the single part of the industry most hit by COVID-19,” Aboulafia said. “It could be [that] if there's a part like a combustor, DoD could be saying: ‘What do you need by way of guaranteed orders to keep that line open?' ” The department, which relies on a vulnerable network of suppliers for parts for the venerable TF33 engine, hopes to “support initiatives to certify and approve new parts sources for” the engine and “catalyze the sub-tier vendor base and mitigate risk of sub-tier vendors exiting the propulsion business.” Pratt & Whitney hasn't made the TF33 in more than 40 years, but it's still used by the B-52 bomber, and no replacement is due for years. The DoD also planned $150 million for the shipbuilding industrial base in areas such as castings, forgings and submarine launch equipment, as well as to support continuous production of essential components such as missile tubes. (Shipbuilding overall has contracted over the last decade, and there were only four suppliers with the capability to manufacture large, complex, single-pour aluminum and magnesium sand castings, according to the DoD's 2019 industrial capabilities report to Congress.) The CEO of Virginia-based military contractor BWXT, Rex Geveden, said on an earnings call last year that the company ― which makes missile tubes for the Columbia-class submarine ― was mulling an exit from the missile tube business. The Navy and its Naval Sea Systems Command, he said, were seeking more than one supplier, adding: “We're not interested in the future orders unless we do have a way to make money on these orders.” The DoD planned another $150 million to maintain a competitive space launch industrial base. DoD relies on a small pool of companies to launch satellites into orbit, but there are numerous companies of all sizes that support those launches, and the DoD has sought to reintroduce more competition over the enterprise in recent years. The department would also spend $80 million to support several critical suppliers of radiation-hardened microelectronics ― products vital to DoD but with limited commercial applications. The funding would “protect the domestic capacity to ensure radiation hardened microelectronics testing capability, and key subcompacts such as substrates and wafer, are available for DoD weapon systems," according to the spending plan. The $40 million would protect suppliers of high-temperature materials used in potentially game-changing hypersonic weapons. “An expanded, sustainable domestic production capability for hypersonic systems is essential to the Department achieving its modernization priorities,” the plan states. https://www.defensenews.com/congress/2020/06/02/688m-in-covid-aid-helping-defense-firms-per-dod-plan/