The World of Aviation

The long running program to replace Switzerland’s ageing fleet of F-5E/F Tiger II fighters has again been postponed due to budgetary constraints. The decision was announced just days before the decision on the successful replacement was due, with the Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale in contention to fulfil the 22 aircraft requirement.

The USAF has inducted the first of 20 C-130s into its Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Georgia to be upgraded under the Avionics Modernisation Program (AMP). The AMP includes glass cockpits that include a head-up display, six flat panel full colour displays, and night vision capability based on off-the-shelf components common to the commercial

The US Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) version of the Global Hawk UAV has been given the designation MQ-4C. Based on the Block 20 RQ-4B airframe, the MQ-4C features a 360 degree maritime radar and other sensor and communications enhancements for the maritime mission. The RAAF plans to acquire between six and eight Global

The USAF has converted the first of up to six options it was holding for a Block II Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite to add to the six already under contract. The first five WGS satellites were procured by the USAF while the sixth was paid for by the ADF under Project JP2008 in exchange

Lockheed Martin has been selected as the winner of the US Army/Marine Corps Autonomous Technologies for Unmanned Air Systems (ATUAS) program for an unmanned cargo delivery helicopter with an unmanned version of Kaman’s K-Max helicopter. The Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) announced the selection on August 16, citing the K-Max’s 3000kg payload capability, the

The General Atomics MQ-1C Extended-Range Multi-Purpose (ERMP) UAS has been dubbed Grey Eagle by the US Army. A derivative of the Predator family, the MQ-1C features a heavy fuel engine and different sensor and communications payloads.