An agreement has been reached between the governments of Egypt and the US for the sale of 20 F-16C/D Block 50/52 fighters and associated weapons, systems and other equipment. The sale will see the F-16 production line remain open until at least 2013, while negotiations for new or follow on orders for Greece, Iraq, Oman
The Swiss Air Force took delivery of the last of its 20 Eurocopter EC635 helicopters on December 17 at RUAG Aerospace’s Alpnach facility where all but four of the aircraft were assembled. The helicopters were ordered in April 2006 and will replace the Allouette III in Swiss service, and will be employed on light transport
The fifth generation Sukhoi PAK-FA T-50 fighter has commenced ground and taxi trials at KNAAPO’s facility at Komsomolsk-on-Amur ahead of a planned January first flight, according to reports in the Russian media. The aircraft, ostensibly Russia’s answer to the F-22 Raptor, will incorporate advanced engines allowing it to supercruise, stealth features, internal weapons and other
India is planning to issue a Request For Information (RFI) this year for a new carrier borne fighter to equip a new aircraft carrier scheduled to enter service in 2018. The RFI will not specify the exact number of aircraft required, and it has been reported that Saab and Eurofighter will also be invited to
The UK Ministry of Defence has ordered 22 CH-47 Chinooks for the RAF as it seeks to bolster its rotary wing capability. The new helicopters will allow an increase in capability in extreme conditions such as in Afghanistan, however the first 10 aircraft are not due to be delivered until 2013 at the earliest. Analysts
Northrop Grumman has announced it has successfully completed a maritime sensor demonstration of its MQ-8B Fire Scout tactical Vertical Unmanned Aircraft System (VUAS). The aircraft was fitted with a Telephonics radar and FLIR electro optical infrared system, and the demonstration was performed under a contract awarded in September by the US Coast Guard Research and
