Defense

RUAG MRO SWITZERLAND was selected by RNLAF for PC-7 maintenance.

The contract for four sensors appears to be the most significant Japanese arms export contract since the country’s 2014 decision to lift its self-imposed ban on selling military equipment abroad.

A type certificate has been granted for the South African/Brazilian Denel V3E A-Darter infrared homing short-range air-to-air missile (SRAAM), marking the conclusion of the missile’s development, qualification and certification programme. Jon Lake reports.

At least two verification flights were planned for January, but Aerospace DAILY understands no RQ-4 flights have taken place from Sigonella.

The terse reference in a written submission by Navy officials to the House Armed Services Committee on March 11 also likely offers the first proof that the SM-6 Block 1B remains in development.

Gen. Mark Milley told reporters March 12 at the Pentagon if he considered COVID-19 a threat he would inform Defense Secretary Mark Esper and President Trump in a “nanosecond.”

The annual Frisian Flag exercise was planned to take place from March 23 to April 3 at Leeuwarden.

The decision to delay came after it appeared the full test program could not be conducted before this summer’s launch window.

The U.S. Air Force is looking to complete the EC-37B Compass Call acquisition program in advance of a possible production line shutdown.

ROLLS-ROYCE began manufacturing electronic engine controllers at its facility near Purdue University, IN to support its US defense business, including

Ongoing problems with NASA’s Space Launch System may delay efforts to return to the Moon with human explorers by late 2024, according to the NASA inspector general.

The Saudi Airshow- due to take place in February - has been postponed.

AVIATION WEEK NETWORK estimates that at the start of 2020, there were 871 Western-designed aircraft performing air-refueling missions. A total of 442

Where weapons exports are going; Russian mercenaries hit U.S. UAS; Rocket Lab’s next NRO launch; and a Sea Venom Trial.

Pratt & Whitney, a former opponent of fighter engine competitions, seeks to overturn the sole-source award for the F-15EX.

North America The U.S. military is requesting an additional 17 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and U.S. Transportation Command is pushing

News in brief

Brief news items of interest to aerospace & defense professionals.

Canada’s Longview Aviation Services has flown the first Canadair CL-215 amphibious aircraft upgraded to CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter configuration.

The British government plans to create a DARPA-like agency to fund “high-risk, high-reward” science capabilities.

A series of requests for information to industry since last fall has generated proposals to accelerate the current, 10-year schedule.

Exercise Cold Response 2020, planned for March 2-18, was to involve some 14,000 troops from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, UK and U.S

The first change to the aircraft removes the skin and structural material in lower lobes of the forward and aft fuselage, the Air Force said.

Italian aerospace and defense company Leonardo says operations are continuing normally despite the national lockdown.

The Blue-Ribbon Future Carrier 2030 Task Force is seen as complementary to a broad review of shipbuilding requirements being led by Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist.