LONDON — MD Helicopters has taken the veil off of a new variant of its MD530G light attack helicopter. The MD530GII is a highly modernized variant of the MD530G, which is used by several countries as a light gunship capable of carrying a range of guns and unguided rocket ordnance. GII details were revealed at the International Military Helicopter conference in London Jan. 23.
As the Pentagon seeks to strengthen its relationship with India as part of the U.S. military’s Asia-Pacific rebalancing, Indian military investment is growing, with anticipated acquisitions of advanced aircraft and submarines, according to an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) data analysis. When it comes to defense acquisitions in the coming years for aviation and shipbuilding, no other U.S. partner or ally in the Asia-Pacific region comes close to India, according to an analysis of data provided by Avascent Analytics.
EX-IM BANK: The U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) is conducting its annual “competitiveness survey,” meaning U.S. companies that export goods and other stakeholders can offer their assessment of how the American export credit agency (ECA) compared with foreign ECAs in 2013. Surveys to known stakeholders, including numerous aerospace, defense and aviation companies, should go out Feb. 7. While somewhat perfunctory, this year’s results could play a role in a looming political fight in Washington over renewing Ex-Im’s charter come September (Aerospace DAILY, Aug. 26, 2013).
One of the longest-running military procurement disputes, involving the cancellation of the U.S. Navy’s A-12 Avenger, is finally over. The U.S. Court of Federal Claims dismissed the case Jan. 24. Late last year, the government reached an agreement with contractors Boeing and General Dynamics. The nearly $400 million deal brought the case to an end in exchange for in-kind payments from the companies to the Navy.
INTEL AUDIT: An unclassified version of a long-awaited report by U.S. congressional investigators on intelligence contractors could emerge soon. Citing an unidentified congressional official, Steven Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists tells readers of his Secrecy News that the Government Accountability Office report could be issued in the “next few weeks.” A classified version was provided to lawmakers last year.
NEW DELHI — India plans the first test launch of its newly developed interceptor missile sometime in the next six months from a defense base off its eastern coast. The Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV) will be able to intercept rival missiles to a range of 1,553 mi. and an altitude of 93 mi., an official at India’s Defense and Development Research Organization (DRDO) tells Aviation Week.
TORONTO — Bombardier has accepted its ninth Bombardier Q300 maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) for Japan’s coast guard at Field Aviation’s Toronto modification center after a one-year conversion program. The sensor package includes a Flir Systems electro-optical camera on a ball turret under the nose and a Telephonics search radar in a belly pod. Bombardier, the prime contractor on the program, will deliver the aircraft to Japan, departing Toronto on Feb. 1.
BRUSSELS — Small UAVs have represented the largest number of losses in Germany’s unmanned fleet since their introduction over the last decade. The greatest losses were of LUNA tactical reconnaissance UAVs, according to the latest figures from the Bundeswehr. LUNA losses totaled 56 — 45 destroyed, including 24 that crashed, and 11 missing. Some 23 Aladin mini-UAVs were destroyed, including six that crashed, and another 10 that went missing. Two Mikado micro-UAVs crashed, and two others went missing.
The drag-reducing benefit of flying in formation has been known for decades—far longer if you are a bird—but making it practical is the challenge. Geese join up in V formations when they migrate, but all are headed in the same direction; finding opportunities for formation flying within military and commercial air-transport networks crisscrossing the globe is harder.
Over the last several years, the tri-service F-35 fighter program has gradually retired risks and reduced costs, in the process acquiring broader political support. More than 50% of the program's flight-testing schedule has been completed, and no major problems have been identified. The fighter's F135 engine has seen similar progress. With 11 allies committed to buying the airplane, the program looks unstoppable.
Recent Chinese hypersonic missile tests have rekindled debate about the use and proliferation of such weapons, as well as concern over the U.S. ability to defend against them. Of particular concern to the U.S. Navy is what the tests mean for the development of the Chinese anti-ship ballistic missile. “Known as the DF-21D, this missile provides the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) the capability to attack large ships, including aircraft carriers, in the western Pacific,” the Pentagon says in its most recent annual report on Chinese military capabilities.
LONDON — Senior British officers have expressed a desire for a new training and support helicopter, which could be used as a surrogate training platform for more expensive types, such as the Boeing CH-47 Chinook.
OMAN BUYS: Raytheon has received a contract from Oman worth up to $1.28 billion for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams). The direct commercial sale includes ground-support equipment, training and technical assistance. Raytheon will supply the system with its partner Kongsberg. Nasams is already deployed in Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the U.S. and an undisclosed additional country.
The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship LHD-8 USS Makin Island — the first U.S. Navy ship to deploy using a hybrid-electric propulsion system — completed a nine-day scheduled sea trial earlier this month, following its 13-month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA).
LONDON — U.K. defense officials say the Boeing AH-64E Apache is the “desired” option as the country moves to update its heavily utilized Apache attack helicopter. Officials are currently examining a range of options for the Apache Helicopter Capability Sustainment Program (AHCSP), which will deal with the growing issue of obsolescence in the U.K.’s AgustaWestland-built Apaches, which are at the AH-64D Block I standard.
The U.S. Air Force is expected to decide whether to stick with Boeing’s original next-generation, secure communications terminal or opt for a competing design from Raytheon as early as March, according to industry officials.
NEW DELHI — India is preparing to conduct sea trials of its first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arihant, which the navy hopes to induct into service by the end of 2014.
