A CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, a UH-1Y Venom aircraft with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 and Marines from the 3rd Marine Logistics Group execute a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel Mission, recovering an AH-1Z Viper helicopter from W-174 Joint Okinawa Training Range Complex on Feb. 11, 2019. The complex is located on Idesuna Jima, an uninhabited island off the coast of Okinawa, Japan.
CH-53E Super Stallion Successfully Recovers AH-1Z Viper
TRAP, a unique capability of the Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion, demonstrates 1st Marine Aircraft Wing’s ability to provide a relevant, robust, and flexible capability when conducting personnel and aircraft recovery. A Marine Corps mission performed by an assigned and briefed aircrew for the specific purpose of the recovery of personnel, equipment, and/or aircraft when the tactical situation precludes search and rescue assets from responding and when survivors and their location have been confirmed.
CH-53E Super Stallion Successfully Recovers AH-1Z Viper
Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 (HMH-465) is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, known as “Warhorse”, is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW).
(U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Alexia Lythos and Cpl. Dakota Heathwarr)
Interviews in order of appearance: Capt. Valerie Smith, CH-53E pilot, Sgt. Joseph Desmond, CH-53E crew chief and Capt. Sean Charvet, CH-53E Pilot, all with HMH-465.
Boeing was awarded two contracts worth $87.5 million to development, upgrades and support of the U.S. Marines’ T/AV-8B Harrier II trainer aircraft. The contracts for the two-seat trainer version of the AV-8B Harrier aircraft include engineering and avionics upgrades, according to U.S. Department of Defense. The contracts, announced Friday by the Department of Defense, includes to provide engineering and integrated logistics support to maintain the T/AV-8B Harrier during the aircraft’s post-production support phase.
T/AV-8B Harrier II trainer
Seventy-five percent of the work will be performed at the company’s plant in St. Louis with 11 percent in Warton, Lancashire, United Kingdom; 10 percent in Cherry Point, N.C.; 3 percent in Yuma, Ariz. and 1 percent in Philadelphia. Work is expected to be completed in December 2023. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Work on another contract, worth $16.2 million, will be performed in St. Louis and is expected to be completed in March 2024. The contract is for system configuration set updates, avionics and weapons integration, as well as avionics obsolescence mitigation. Naval fiscal 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2 million will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
T/AV-8B Harrier II trainer
T/AV-8B Harrier II is a two-seat trainer version of the AV-8B Harrier aircraft. AV-8B Harrier II is a ground-attack aircraft that constitutes the second generation of the Harrier Jump Jet family. Capable of vertical or short takeoff and landing (V/STOL), the aircraft was designed in the late 1970s as an Anglo-American development of the British Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first operational V/STOL aircraft. McDonnell Douglas, which was later acquired by Boeing, first produced the AV-8B aircraft in 1981. A Harrier II Plus initially flew in 1992. Production ended in 2003. In 2007, Boeing signed a $258.5 million performance-based logistics contract to support AV-8B Harriers operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, Italy and Spain. The fixed-wing plane can take off vertically, as well as zoom out of the range of enemy fire extremely quickly, making “it one of the most maneuverable combat aircraft in service,” according to Boeing.
India’s indigenous supersonic fighter HAL-Tejas recently participated in aerial displays during the five-day Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) in Malaysia. The Indian Air Force (IAF) team departed from Air Force Station Kalaikunda for Langkawi on March 22 via Myanmar, Yangon. The IAF also posted pictures and a video of the HAL-Tejas aircraft practicing. The Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Bin Mohamad & the Defence Minister of Malaysia, Mohamad Sabu also visited the Tejas aircraft & interacted with team IAF.
Indian HAL Tejas to take part at LIMA, Malaysia
The Langkawi International Maritime Aero Expo (LIMA-2019) is planned in Langkawi, Malaysia from March 26 to March 30, which will provide an opportunity to the IAF air-warriors to interact with their Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) counterparts and foster close relationship between the two services. This will serve as a foundation for any future interaction with the Malaysian Air Force.
Indian HAL Tejas to take part at LIMA, Malaysia
The HAL Tejas, which received its final operational clearance earlier this year, is a possible contender for Malaysia’s light fighter jet procurement project. The Indian jet is in competition against the Chinese-Pakistani JF-17, South Korean F-50 and Russian YAK-130. With an initial purchase of 12 units, Malaysia is also looking to have an option for additional 24 units in the future.
Indian HAL Tejas to take part at LIMA, Malaysia
The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It came from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India’s ageing MiG-21 fighters. In 2003, the LCA was officially named “Tejas”. Tejas has a tail-less compound delta-wing configuration with a single dorsal fin. It is the smallest and lightest in its class of contemporary supersonic combat aircraft.
The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation released a video recorded from one of the heavy Su-30SM (Serial Modernized or Flanker-H by NATO classification) fighters of the Russian Knights aerobatic team of the Russian Air Forces, while the team performed demonstration flights on the first day of the 15th Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’2019) now taking place in Malaysia. The renowned aerobatics team ‘Russian Knights’ performed in tight formations and head-spinning stunts. The pilots demonstrated capacities of their aircraft in aerobatic flights done individually and in a group.
Russian Knights team perform aerobatic maneuvers at LIMA-2019
The Russian Knights (Russkkiye Vityazi) is an aerobatic demonstration team of the Russian Air Force. Originally formed on April 5, 1991 at the Kubinka Air Base as a team of six Sukhoi Su-27s, the team was the first to perform outside the Soviet Union in September 1991 when they toured the United Kingdom. Until 2016 Russian Knights flew Su-27 jets, Su-30SM have been flown afterwards. According to Andrei Alexeev, Russian Knights’ commander, the team may soon start using 4++ generation Su-35 aircraft. The Russian Knights is the only team in the world which flies heavy jet fighters.
Russian Knights team perform aerobatic maneuvers at LIMA-2019
The LIMA-2019 exhibition is taking place on the Langkawi Island on March 26-30. Russian Knights regularly take part in the annual show. Two years ago, the group chose the LIMA air show to stage its first-ever foreign aerobatic performance aboard the new Su-30SM planes. It has been held biennially since 1991 and is considered one of the largest shows of military equipment in the Asia-Pacific region. The event is co-organized by the Malaysian Defence Ministry.
Textron Systems, a business of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), and IMSAR announced today the successful integration and demonstration of IMSAR’s NSP-3 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) system on Textron Systems’ Aerosonde® Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS). The combination of the expeditionary Aerosonde platform with the all-weather, day-and-night NSP-3 radar system enables advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in a variety of austere locations and extreme weather conditions. “Textron Systems has spent the past several months conducting various Aerosonde demonstrations, as part of our commitment to continuously upgrading and advancing the system,” said Textron Systems Senior Vice President & General Manager David Phillips. “This latest integration demonstrates an added SAR capability, which we are excited to offer to authorized customers, and further extend the system’s flexibility and capability.”
Integrating the IMSAR NSP-3 on the Textron Systems Aerosonde SUAS
Textron Systems and IMSAR quickly and easily performed the mechanical integration of the NSP-3 radar system into the Aerosonde aircraft, with radar electronics in the fuselage payload bay and an externally mounted antenna pod. Software integration included the ability to send radar flight plans directly to the Aerosonde operator. During multiple flights, the fully integrated system demonstrated day-and-night operations, collecting high-resolution SAR, Coherent Change Detection (CCD) imagery and Moving Target Indication (MTI) detections and tracks. The demonstration included precise cross-cueing of the Aerosonde platform’s full-motion video system from MTI targets that were detected and tracked by the radar system, highlighting the NSP-3 radar system as a sensor and platform multiplier.
Integrating the IMSAR NSP-3 on the Textron Systems Aerosonde SUAS
Textron Systems Aerosonde SUAS, which has accumulated more than 300,000 flight hours of operational maturity, offers proven multi-mission performance in land- and sea-based applications. The Aerosonde is equipped for real-time, full-motion video and communications relay within a single flight, day or night. The Aerosonde system features a range of 75 nautical miles, 200 watts of available payload power, more than 14 hours of endurance, distributed manned/unmanned teaming capability and is deployable in 20 minutes or less. Further, incorporating a Lycoming® EL-005 heavy fuel engine, the Aerosonde is the only system in its class with a propulsion system completely supported by a manufacturer with unmatched manned aviation expertise, including a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Production Certificate.
Integrating the IMSAR NSP-3 on the Textron Systems Aerosonde SUAS
IMSAR’s NSP-3 multi-mode radar system combines operationally proven NanoSAR technology with a revolutionarily small size, weight, and power form factor at a low cost. The NSP-3 can produce high-resolution SAR imagery, CCD, MTI, as well as maritime surveillance in all weather, day or night. IMSAR LLC is a privately owned research, development, and manufacturing company located in Springville, UT, that specializes in lightweight, low-power SAR devices and radar image processing. The first version of IMSAR’s NanoSAR system was developed in 2008. Since then, IMSAR has continued to enhance the capability and reduce the size of its flagship radar system.
Huntington Ingalls Industries announced on March 26 that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $US 1.47 billion, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the U.S. Navy for the detail design and construction of the amphibious transport dock Landing Platform Dock (LPD) 30. The ship will be the 14th in the San Antonio class and the first Flight II LPD. LPD 30 is the evolution of the dock landing platform that strengthens the Navy and Marine Corps’ needs in future warfare. Utilizing the LPD 17 class’ proven hull, this LPD derivative is highly adaptable and, like the first 13 ships in the class, will be used to accomplish a full range of military operations—from major combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The ship’s versatility—from its well deck, flight deck and hospital facilities to its self-defense and survivability features—provides a viable platform for America’s global defense needs.
“Ingalls looks forward to continuing our strong legacy of providing the men and women of our naval forces with the capable and survivable warships they need and deserve,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “The LPD Flight II builds upon the significant investment that has been made in this platform to improve the capability and flexibility of our deployed Navy-Marine Corps team. LPD 30 will leverage a hot production line and further benefit from the investments we continue to make in our shipbuilders and facilities. We are honored to be a part of the team that will provide this next-generation platform today.”
Huntington Ingalls secures $1.47 billion deal for US Navy LPD 30
Ingalls has delivered 11 San Antonio-class ships to the Navy and has two more under construction. Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) will launch in 2020 and deliver in 2021; the keel for Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) will be laid later this year. Start of fabrication on LPD 30 is scheduled for 2020. The San Antonio class is a major part of the Navy’s 21st century amphibious assault force. The 684-foot-long, 105-foot-wide ships are used to embark and land Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey. The ships support a Marine Air Ground Task Force across the spectrum of operations, conducting amphibious and expeditionary missions of sea control and power projection to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the first half of the 21st century.
BAE Systems will offer the CV90, a combat-proven Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), to the Commonwealth of Australia in response to the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability Request for Tender. BAE Systems today confirmed it is offering the CV90, a combat-proven Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), to the Commonwealth of Australia in response to the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability Request for Tender. The project team will be led by BAE Systems’ Sweden-based combat vehicles business and supported by BAE Systems Australia.
Advanced and highly-versatile, the CV90 uses the latest technology to keep soldiers safe. BAE Systems has continuously developed the CV90 to meet new customer requirements and future operational threats. A total of 1280 CV90s are in service with seven nations – including four NATO members – and the vehicle is available in 15 variants, designed to deliver the best capability for the Australian Army. CV90s are already operational with militaries in Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Most recently, BAE Systems successfully completed the latest delivery of 144 CV90s to the Norwegian Army on time in 2018.
BAE Systems offers combat-proven CV90 for Australian Army’s Land 400 Phase 3 bid
“The CV90 has a combat-proven track record, established customer base, and future growth potential that will more than satisfy the Commonwealth’s requirements for years to come,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, vice president and general manager for BAE Systems Hägglunds, the designer and manufacturer of the vehicle. “We look forward to demonstrating the vehicle’s unparalleled capabilities and our breadth of operational experience as the Australian Commonwealth considers the LAND 400 Phase 3 competition.”
“We’re proud to continue our support of the Australian Defence Force with a commitment to the largest land vehicle upgrade in the Army’s history,” said Gabby Costigan, CEO of BAE Systems Australia. “We look forward to working closely with businesses across the country to increase sovereign Australian Industry Capability as important national projects like this develop.”
