Aircraft & Propulsion

T-7A simulator production begins; Greek F-35 interest confirmed; Russia’s reusable rocket engine, and Spain to convert airliner to tanker.

The declaration means the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA)-314 at the Miramar air station in California is on track to deploy with the F-35C on a U.S. Navy carrier in early fiscal 2022.

Italy is planning to grow its Gulfstream G550 business jet-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

The two companies say they have developed a compact system that can be retrofitted into light single-engine aircraft, and the first target for their efforts is Airbus’ H125/AS350 Ecureuil/AStar light helicopter.

Spain is planning to purchase a trio of former Iberia Airbus A330-200s to convert them into Multi-Role Tanker Transports for the country’s air force.

Defense unmanned systems provider Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has acquired 5-D Systems.

U.S. officials have confirmed Greek interest in acquiring the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but insist that any purchase of the fifth-generation combat aircraft will be a “multiyear process.”

Hungarian officials say the country’s purchase of Embraer’s KC-390 airlifter “represents a gap-filling development” for NATO in Eastern Europe.

The French Air Force has taken delivery of the first of two second-hand Airbus A330-200s which will be converted into Multi-Role Tanker Transports (MRTT).

The German Navy has turned to private contractors to train pilots for its Lockheed P-3 Orion maritime patrollers.

The British Army has taken delivery of its first two remanufactured AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.

Germany has formally placed orders for 31 NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopters (NFH) to replace its Westland Sea Lynx fleet.

Pilot training and simulator leader CAE of Canada is buying the Canadian-based assets of TRU Simulation + Training from Textron for $40 million in cash, the companies announced Nov. 25.

A human pilot dogfighting against an AI-controlled adversary takes the step from virtual simulation to live flight.

The U.S. Air Force has completed its evaluation of the interim KC-46 Remote Vision System upgrade and will integrate “a few capabilities” while waiting for the full replacement, the service acquisition executive says.

Lockheed Martin is to develop a schoolhouse for aircrew and maintainers serving with a new Franco-German C-130J Hercules unit.

Lockheed Martin is to develop a schoolhouse for aircrew and maintainers serving with a new Franco-German C-130J Hercules unit.

Croatia is to purchase three multimission helicopters for civil protection missions with the help of grants provided by the European Union.

The Army’s construction branch is gearing up to support a $245 million to $385 million project to establish a maintenance and operations complex for the first operational squadron.

Helicopter operations have managed to resist the affects of the coronavirus pandemic, but customers are delaying investment decisions for new rotorcraft, according to Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even.

The long-awaited contract signature for the development of the European Medium Altitude, Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Air System, or EuroDrone, should come in early 2021 after the program passed a key negotiation hurdle.

Germany has approved the acquisition of new shipborne helicopters to replace the Lynx in the latest multibillion euro purchase announced by Berlin this year.

Will Greece buy the F-35?; Missile defense milestone; U.S. Navy considers new trainer; and Raytheon employee disciplined.

Airbus Helicopters says it is ready to partner and cooperate in the development of a new rotorcraft for NATO allies.

Airbus Helicopters hopes to launch development of a midlife upgrade for the Tiger attack helicopter by year's end.