LONDON — European missile manufacturer MBDA says it has successfully tested its Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB) air-to-ground missile against fast-moving ground targets. In a series of trials conducted by the company in October, five Brimstones were fired at a range of targets moving at speeds of up to 70 mph., from different launch conditions including long-range and off-boresight positions. The company claims every one of the firings achieved a direct hit.
NEXTGEN HIT: Under continuing resolution funding levels for fiscal 2014, FAA’s NextGen program could see impacts from sequestration cuts to the U.S. military. Beverly Pheto, chief of staff for Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-Conn.), says defense agencies would likely see about $20 billion in cuts if Congress does not act to change cap levels. The cuts to the military could have an impact on the FAA’s NextGen program in terms of achieving critical mass of participating aircraft.
The U.S. Navy is defending its long-term shipbuilding plan in the wake of a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report that says the strategy would fall short on ship deployment and funding needed for service requirements and acquisition.
The U.S. Navy’s new long-term shipbuilding plan calls for buying fewer ships than a year ago and would fall short on ship deployment and funding needed for service and acquisition requirements, a recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report says.
After a series of Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) annual conventions where the main battle tank was conspicuous by its absence, a General Dynamics Land Systems M1 tank is back on the show floor this year, albeit missing two features — its turret and its turbine engine. The vehicle shown by GD is a turretless propulsion technology demonstrator for a diesel-powered M1, and the manufacturer says that dynamometer tests performed by the Army in August and September showed a 49% improvement in fuel consumption over the turbine-engined vehicle.
Saab is rolling four of its U.S.-based business units into one, Saab Defense & Security USA, company officials told reporters at the Association of the U.S. Army conference Oct. 22. The change brings four Saab units — Saab Training USA LLC, Saab Barracuda LLC, Saab Support and Services LLC, and the defense elements of Saab Sensis — into one that is based in the U.S.
TEL AVIV — The Israeli air force is in the midst of its first major reorganization since 1973, continuing to modernize its fighter force and overhauling its long-held command structure to cope with the region’s changing dynamic and with an eye toward the Iranian nuclear threat. Although the air force may not have the ability to destroy the entire Iranian nuclear program, it could cause considerable damage and delay it.
The FAA has given Applied Research Associates Inc.’s (ARA’s) Nighthawk IV micro-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) a special airworthiness certificate, which will allow potential customers to apply for agency approval to operate the 2-lb. aircraft in the national airspace. “This special airworthiness certificate is supported by extensive safety, manufacturing, inspection, maintenance and crew training procedures that were reviewed and accepted by the FAA as part of a recent visit to witness post-certification maiden flights,” ARA says in an announcement.
Under continuing resolution funding levels for fiscal year 2014, the FAA would not see any additional budget impacts from a second round of sequestration cuts set to go into effect in January, but its NextGen program could see impacts from sequestration cuts for the U.S. military.
Flir Systems is pushing toward a goal of “infrared everywhere” by combining its defense and commercial market access and technology, according to new president and CEO Andrew Teich. A 14-year veteran of the company, Teich moved into his current job in May.
This week marks the beginning of the endgame for how Washington will deal with budgets, taxes, entitlements and other federal spending through next year, as lawmakers, lobbyists and their constituents and clients rush to influence the outcomes of a new round of bipartisan spending negotiations pegged for the end of 2013.
The U.K. defense ministry says it will use a £1.8 billion ($2.46 billion) budget surplus to bring the Crowsnest helicopter-borne radar system into earlier service. Secretary of State for Defense Philip Hammond said the money, the result of defense underspending in fiscal 2012-2013, would also be used to bring several urgent operational requirements purchased for Afghanistan into the core budget. This will allow them to be utilized after combat operations are completed in late 2014.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has cleared the BAE Systems APKWS-II guided rocket system for use on fixed-wing aircraft following completion of technology demonstration trials.
Continuing funding uncertainty due to the government shutdown, sequestration and funding levels frozen at 2012 levels could hurt the Ground Combat Vehicle and network-centric programs, the Army’s top uniformed and civilian officials said Oct. 21.
In the wake of the Joint Tactical Radio System’s (JTRS) troubles, Harris Corp. is testing a company-funded communications device designed to link helicopters, unmanned aircraft and soldiers.
LONDON — The British army is expanding the capabilities of its new AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat as the helicopter progresses toward operational service. The army’s Wildcat Fielding Team is responsible for the tactical development of the aircraft and writing the doctrine for its use, as well as training the first group of its pilots and instructors. Earlier this year, army Wildcats recorded their first 1,000 hr. of flight operations, taking part in a series of small exercises and familiarizing ground troops with the helo’s capabilities.
