Lockheed Martin and Kaman have successfully demonstrated an unmanned variant of Kaman’s K-Max helicopter to the US Marine Corps for its unmanned cargo helicopter requirement. The K-Max, fitted with both autonomous, and line-of-sight and datalink remote control, systems, flew a series of demonstration flights at the US Army’s Dugway proving ground in Utah in late
The first upgraded CH-53GA medium lift helicopter for the German army has made its maiden flight from Eurocopter’s Donauwörth facility near Munich. The upgrade has been designed to extend the life of the aircraft out to 2030, and comprises improved digital avionics, cockpit displays and a new automatic flight control system; the addition of auxiliary
The US Navy has taken delivery of its 50th MH-60R Romeo helicopter from systems integrator Lockheed Martin during a ceremony on February 3. The aircraft will be operated by Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Zero (HSM-70) based at Jacksonville in Florida, the fourth US Navy MH-60R squadron, and is the 10th Romeo to be taken
The Northrop Grumman X-47B Navy Unmanned Combat Aerial System (N-UCAS) program has received a massive funding boost in the draft US Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), to the tune of US$2 billion over the next five years. The X-47B is a growth development of the former X-47A program, and is a stealthy B-2 like shaped aircraft
Boeing Defence Australia has signed a $1.5 million contract with the ADF’s Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) to provide engineering support services for the RAAF’s fleet of 71 F/A-18A/B Hornets. The 30 month contract will see Boeing continue to deliver repair plans at RAAF Williamtown for faults uncovered during maintenance and provide engineering repairs for the
The Pentagon’s draft FY2011 defence budget has seen funding for 26 more Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft added. The 26 aircraft will be in addition to those already on order for the US Navy, and will replace EA-6B Prowlers currently operated by four US Marine Corps expeditionary squadrons in support of joint-force strike aircraft.
