European aerospace companies Airbus Defence and Space, Dassault Aviation, and Alenia Aermacchi have joined forces to develop a next generation medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system. The three companies say they have delivered the ‘MALE2020’ proposal to further define a European UAS to France, Germany and Italy. The offer proposes a definition phase
The Navy has celebrated 30 years of service of 723 Squadron’s AS350 BA Squirrels, marking the arrival for the first ‘Battle Budgie’ at HMAS Albatross, Nowra on May 14 1984. The white and navy blue AS350 B Squirrels were part of an initial buy of 24 helicopters for the ADF, with an original six Squirrels being
Switzerland’s plan to buy 22 SAAB Gripen fighters has been voted down in a public referendum. Held on May 18, 53.4 per cent of respondents voted to reject the proposed Gripen Fund Law, effectively bringing to a halt Swiss plans to replace its F-5E/F fleet with the Gripen. “This decision will cause a security gap,”
Defence Minister Senator David Johnston has again raised the possibility of Australia acquiring a number of Lockheed Martin F-35B short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) versions of the Joint Strike Fighter for operation from the RAN’s new Canberra class LHD vessels. Speaking to The Weekend West on May 17, Senator Johnston said the acquisition
The next Pacific International Maritime Exposition is due to be held in Sydney on October 6-8, 2015, at the Sydney Exhibition Centre @ Glebe Island. “The change in dates from the traditional January-February timeslot is a result of the success of Pacific 2013, which was held in October 2013 to coincide with the Royal Australian
The RAN’s NUSQN725 MH-60R Romeo Seahawk training unit embedded with US Navy training squadrons at NAS Jacksonville in Florida has started dipping sonar operations. The unit has received, installed and calibrated its first Airborne Low Frequency Sonar System (ALFS), and has been conducting trials in an exercise area off the Florida coast. The ALFS comprises the
