FORT WORTH, TEXAS (February 7, 2012) – Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced that the U. S. Army’s OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter fleet have accumulated 2 million flight hours. Over 750,000 of these flight hours have been flown in combat.

“The Kiowa Warrior continues to be the workhorse of Army aviation and this recent milestone is another example of the important role this helicopter fulfills in the Army’s armed reconnaissance mission,” said Mike Miller, director of Army Business Development, Bell Helicopter.

With a Mission Capable rate of over 85%, the highest in the Army’s deployed fleet, OH-58D lives up to its well-earned reputation as the “go to” helicopter for Army operations. The mission capable rate is a critical component of a scout helicopter’s role in supporting ground troops and performing its armed reconnaissance, command and control, targeting and defensive combat missions. Further setting the standard of Army aviation, since 2003 each Kiowa Warrior is averaging more than 76 flight hours a month, achieving another distinction of having the highest operational tempo (OPTEMPO) in Army Aviation’s combat rotary wing fleet.

Due to the Kiowa Warrior’s heavy workload and combat attrition the number of aircraft available has decreased. To address this need and recognizing the critical role the helicopter plays, the Army implemented a Wartime Replacement Aircraft Program to bring the OH-58D fleet back to full strength. In this program Bell Helicopter is building new cabins, complete with new wiring harnesses. These new cabins have been delivered in record time to the Corpus Christi Army Depot for assembly completion with engines and drive train and integration back into the Army’s Kiowa Warrior fleet.

“The Wartime Replacement program has been a tremendous success in getting the Kiowa Warrior back into production and giving our Army the critical resources they need to replace attrited aircraft. As the OPTEMPO and Mission Capable rates show, I can’t overstate the role Kiowa Warrior plays in supporting our troops on the ground,” said Jim Schultz OH-58 program director, Bell Helicopter.

Future Army plans for the OH-58 include a new F model. This model will infuse technology into the Kiowa Warrior. The sensor moves from a mast mounting to the nose, the cabin receives new processors, avionics and new color displays update the control panel.

Bell Helicopter is also funding a Block II initiative focused on performance enhancements. These include a new engine, new transmission, new rotor and tailrotor. These upgrades will enable the OH-58 to meet the 6K/95F operational requirement laid out by the Army.

Source: Bell Helicopters
Photo: U.S. Army

Raytheon press release

MARIETTA, Ga., February 3, 2012 – Lockheed Martin inducted the 11th aircraft to the C-5M Super Galaxy production line on Feb. 1, 2012. Based at Dover Air Force Base, Del., this aircraft has supported the warfighter’s operations across the globe. It has delivered cargo in locations such as Iraq, Italy, Germany, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Spain and Turkey. Aircraft 86-0017 has accumulated more than 18,000 flight hours and more than 4,300 full-stop landings.

Airbus Military, via the prime contractor EADS North America, has delivered the 13th HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft to the U.S. Coast Guard from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain, two months ahead of the contractual delivery date. The HC-144A is based on the Airbus Military CN235 tactical airlifter, more than 250 of which are operated by 27 countries.

In addition to search and rescue, the Coast Guard is utilizing the Ocean Sentry’s superior endurance and flexibility for missions including maritime patrol, cargo and personnel transport, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, and disaster relief.

This is the second Ocean Sentry delivery under a contract awarded in 2010, which calls for a 14th in mid-2012 and includes remaining options for up to five additional aircraft. The Coast Guard exercised an option for a 15th in August 2011. Coast Guard plans call for acquiring a total of 36 HC-144A Ocean Sentries.

The HC-144A can remain airborne for more than nine hours, compared to just four hours for the legacy HU-25 jet that it is replacing. Airbus Military delivers the Ocean Sentry equipped with a search radar, electro-optical and infrared cameras, an Automatic Identification System for data collection from vessels at sea, and a communications suite.

The Ocean Sentry’s rear cargo ramp enables easy loading and unloading of the Coast Guard’s palletized mission system. During airlift, cargo, and MEDEVAC missions, the mission system is removed, freeing up the large cabin for additional transport capacity. The rear ramp also can be opened in flight to deploy search-and-rescue equipment.

Airbus Military press release

“We plan to upgrade about 30 strategic bombers to the M3M standard,” Drik said. Tu-22M3 (NATO reporting name Backfire-C) is a supersonic, swing-wing, long-range strategic bomber that Russia uses mainly to patrol the skies over its southern borders, Central Asia and the Black Sea region. 

The Tu-22M3 has a flight range of 6,800 km (4,300 miles) and can carry a 24,000 kg (52,910 lb) payload, including nuclear bombs and cruise missiles fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads. Aircraft of the M3M standard can be equipped with a wider range of weapons. As of 2008, the Russian Air Force had at least 141 Tu-22M3 bombers in service. Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, commander of Long Range Aviation, earlier said that Russia’s strategic aviation fleet will undergo extensive modernization while Russia’s next generation strategic bomber, the PAK DA, is being developed by the Tupolev Design Bureau. He said the modernized aircraft will be equipped with new equipment, communications systems, cockpits and avionics.

Source and photo: Russian Air Force

Aurora Flight Sciences, headquartered in Manassas, VA USA, announced that the Swiss Department of Defence has become the first customer for the Centaur Optionally-Piloted Aircraft (OPA).

Using Diamond Aircraft’s DA42 MPP, Aurora began developing the Centaur in 2009, which can be operated manned as well as unmanned.

“armasuisse”, an official procurement agency of the Swiss Department of Defence with its own Flight Test Center, will use the Centaur as a flying test bed for new sensors and Sense & Avoid equipment required to operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the entire National Air Space (NAS). The aircraft will be based in Emmen, Switzerland.

“Reliability, safety, efficiency, and low noise are essential features of Centaur,” said “armasuisse” program manager Roland Ledermann. “This hybrid aircraft is uniquely suited to the needs of customers who seek the advantages of a remotely piloted aircraft but must also operate in crowded skies.”

Centaur burns less than 40 pounds of jet fuel per hour, and can stay airborne for up to a day at a time. It has extensive noise suppression, making the aircraft virtually undetectable at altitudes more than 3000 feet above the ground.

Source and photo: Diamond Aircraft

NEW DELHI – A top Indian government official says India has decided to buy 126 French-made Rafale combat aircraft for the Indian air force.

The official says the French aviation company Dassault snapped up the $11 billion deal after emerging with the lowest bid in a two-way race against the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.

The official was speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters about the sensitive defense deal.

Planes from Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin of the United States and from Russian and Swedish makers already had been dropped from consideration earlier for technical reasons.

Photo: Rob Vogelaar, Z.A.P.P.

Earlier today, the Swedish Defence and Security Export Agency, FXM, confirmed that Sweden and Hungary have chosen to extend their Gripen partnership for a further 10 years. Negotiations have been taking place in recent months and today, Monday 30 January, the new contract was signed by FXM’s Director General, Ulf Hammarström, and Gyula Keszthelyi who is the Director General for Hungary’s Armament and Quartermaster Office.

“We are delighted that Hungary has taken a long-term strategic decision to continue operating Gripen and has thereby chosen to continue in partnership with Sweden and other Gripen operators,” said Ulf Hammarström after signing the contract.

“The news that Hungary extends the Gripen contract by ten years is extremely positive. Once again it confirms that Gripen is one of the world’s leading fighter aircraft that meets the operational, technical and cost requirements of the market,” says Lennart Sindahl, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Area Aeronautics, Saab.

The partnership is a contract between two governments, where Saab act as a sub-contractor.

In 2001 the Swedish and Hungarian governments entered into a lease-purchase agreement, with a further modification in 2003 that included 14 Gripen C/D (12 single-seater and 2 two-seater aircraft). All aircraft were delivered in 2006 and 2007, and all 14 aircraft were in operation with the Hungarian Air Force by the end of 2008. The current contract was due to expire in 2016, but the countries have now decided to extend the partnership by another ten years.

SAAB press release

NHI

The NH90 TTH delivered is the first FOC (Final Operational Capability) qualified standard delivered to a NAHEMA member. It is the first aircraft of a batch of 34 helicopters ordered in 2007 to replace the venerable Pumas in the ALAT (French Army Aviation).
When delivered, the NH90 TTH Caiman will join the Gamstat unit in Valence, where it will be used for training and evaluation.
For the French Army, the NH90 represent quantum leap in terms of versatility and technology. They will cover a wide spectrum of missions such as Utility, transport, Combat Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuation, special operations and counter terrorism operations.

The NH90 features a fully integrated weapon system enabling the helicopter to fly in the most demanding operational conditions by day or night. The NH90 TTH is fitted with a complete self protection suite and a NATO interoperable communication system for international operations. It can operate from ground bases or military ships.

Source and photo: NHI

MARIETTA, Ga., Jan. 30, 2012 – Lockheed Martin’s [NYSE: LMT] C-130 Hercules program has reached yet another historic milestone with the delivery of its 2400th aircraft. The aircraft is an MC-130J Combat Shadow II assigned to U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command and will be operated by the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

The delivery of this aircraft follows a record year for C-130J production at the company’s facility in Marietta, Ga. In 2011, 33 C-130J Super Hercules were delivered ? a new production record for the C-130J model. Aircraft were delivered in six different configurations for six operators: the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, U.S. Marine Corps, Canada, India and Qatar.

The C 130 production line in Marietta is the longest continuously operating military aircraft production line in history.

“As we start a new year it is only fitting that the C-130 breaks yet another record and sets a new milestone,” said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. “The C-130 is the benchmark for airlift around the world and we look forward to this year being another year of excellence for our world-wide customers.”

C-130J aircraft are currently in production for the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps, Iraq, Israel, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Oman and Tunisia. C-130Js are also flown by Australia, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Source: Lockheed Martin
Photo: Rob Vogelaar, Z.A.P.P.

Marignane, 30 January 2012

This initial on-time delivery comes on the heels of the qualification issued by the NAHEMA countries last November for the French NH90 TTH in its final operational configuration. The helicopter delivered today to the DGA will be handed over to the French Army Air Corps (ALAT), which will be using it for the tactical transport missions it was specifically designed to perform.

“The delivery of the first NH90 TTH in its final operational configuration is the culmination of the most important helicopter program ever launched in Europe,” declared Lutz Bertling, president and CEO of Eurocopter, which is one of the companies that make up the NHI consortium responsible for managing the NH90 program. “Eurocopter and its partners are extremely proud of this achievement. With its exceptional operational capabilities, we are convinced that this helicopter will successfully meet the needs of the French armed forces.”

France has ordered a total of 34 NH90 TTH helicopters, with an additional 34 on option, to progressively replace the Pumas currently in service for the ALAT. The next-generation NH90 TTH has been designed to perform a wide range of missions – even the most demanding, such as utility transportation and logistics, combat search and rescue (RESCO), medical evacuations, special forces operations and anti-terrorism.

In its final operational configuration, the NH90 is equipped with field-tested avionics that enable the helicopter to carry out its missions both day and night with no major restrictions. It also has high-performance self-protection equipment, an interoperable military communication system for international operations, and equipment for ship-based deployment.

Source and photo: EADS