News Briefs

The Royal Navy has successfully conducted the final First of Class firing trials of the new Sea Ceptor air defense system – completing the qualification firings of this cutting-edge new capability for the Royal Navy. With HMS Argyll having completed development testing of Sea Ceptor, the weapon system is now being rolled out to the Royal Navy’s other Type 23 Frigates. The first of a series of installation test firings have been successfully completed on HMS Westminster.

The Brazilian Air Force Embraer KC-390 achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) today. As part of the IOC, Embraer obtained a KC-390 Provisional Type Certificate from the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), According to the schedule, in 2018, the final Type Certificate will be issued. Delivery of the first series aircraft to the FAB is also scheduled to take place in 2018.

IMSAR successfully flight-tested an extended range multi-mode radar, the NSP-5 ER, for the first time. During the flight, the new sensor underwent testing to verify that image quality and impulse response metrics met IMSAR standards, delivering high-resolution imaging and coherent change detection modes.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has recently completed the installation of the first secured border crossing in La Quiaca, Argentina, as part of a project that includes four border crossings characterized by different topologies.

The German Air Force officially received the first shipment of Raytheon Enhanced Paveway II guidance kits (GBU-48), preparing its Eurofighter Typhoon to assume ground attack missions.

BIRD Aerosystems has won a contract for the installation of the AeroShield POD on a number of Airbus 320 Type aircraft Under this contract, the company will install the AeroShield POD with the AMPS-MV system on aircraft of a governmental customer in Europe. This contract follows a successful program of the AeroShield POD with a similar configuration on Boeing 737 type aircraft.

Elbit Systems J-Music Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) and PAWS-IR missile approach warning systems, comprising anti-missile self-protection systems were selected to be fitted to the new Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aerial tankers scheduled to join the fleet beginning 2020.

Williams Advanced Engineering will explore the use of lightweight composites and battery design for application with Airbus‘ Zephyr High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) programme.

The Romanian Army has completed testing of SPIKE LR (Long Range) missiles as part of the Romanian Army qualification of the man-portable Spike-LR for dismounted operations.

The special police unit in Saxony received the Survivor R transport vehicles today, equipping its counter-terror special unit. A second vehicle will follow next week. The acquisition of armored vehicles was part of an extensive €15 million anti-terror package.

A new version of an amphibious AMVXP integrated with Turra weapon system is undergoing winter testing in Finland, under a joint development program with Slovakia. Slovak Army trials are expected to continue through March. Slovakia plans to procure up to 81 IFVs as part of a military modernization program. Deliveries are expected to commence in 2018-2024.

Lebanon will soon receive six MD 530G light attack helicopters and six Scan Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles worth $120 million from the USA

Netherlands awards Boeing an upgrading contract for six Chinook helicopters, with planned to begin in 2021. Upgrading six CH-47D to the latest F-model configuration will bring the Dutch fleet to 20 F-model Chinooks.

Slovakia is evaluating eright vehicle models from five countries, preparing to buy 404 light, multipurpose tactical armored vehicles for its army.