Tempest Unleashes New UK Combat Aircraft Era - A full-scale concept model of a future combat aircraft was unveiled in the BAE Systems Farnborough Airshow pavilion (Outside Exhibit 11) on Monday morning by British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. His message was that the UK already had the best sovereign capability in the world. It
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July 20, 2018
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Tempest Unleashes New UK Combat Aircraft Era

A full-scale concept model of a future combat aircraft was unveiled in the BAE Systems Farnborough Airshow pavilion (Outside Exhibit 11) on Monday morning by British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. His message was that the UK already had the best sovereign capability in the world. It could, therefore, lead such a development, but international partners would be sought.

BAE Systems chief executive Charles Woodburn said the UK government’s new Combat Air Strategy—released Monday—“is a powerful statement of intent to invest.” Royal Air Force (RAF) chief sir Stephen Hillier said his service is “taking ownership of our next-generation capability.” Read More

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Turkish Supersonic Trainer Breaks Cover

Turkish Aerospace has revealed a full-scale mockup of its Hürjet advanced supersonic trainer/light attack platform. The company officially launched development of the jet-powered aircraft in August 2017 with the primary aim of replacing the Turkish Air Force’s fleet of around 70 Northrop T-38A Talons, although Turkish Aerospace (Chalet A31; Outdoor Exhibit OE29/30) expects the ultimate requirement to be higher and will offer the aircraft for export. First flight is planned for 2022 or 2023.

Intended primarily for advanced/lead-in fighter training duties, the Hürjet is also to be employed on “Red Air” adversary, light attack/close support and border surveillance missions, augmenting the air force’s fleet of F-16s. The mockup on display this week at the Farnborough Airshow is depicted with L-UMTAS laser-guided air-to-surface missile, Teber-81 and -82 laser/GPS-guided bombs, and the HGK-82 GPS/inertially-guided bomb. Read More

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Leonardo, Poland Sign LOI on AW249 Development

Leonardo (Outdoor Exhibit  L1) and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) this week at the Farnborough Airshow to collaborate on the AW249, the in-development combat helicopter slated to replace Italy’s fleet of AW129 helicopters. Under the LOI, the two companies will work together on design, manufacturing, final assembly, marketing, and aftermarket support for the rotorcraft.

The Polish army is seeking a new combat helicopter and a variant of the forthcoming AW249 was being considered under Poland’s Kruk procurement before the LOI, a course that the agreement strengthens. Leonardo Helicopters managing director Gian Piero Cutillo called it “a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Italian and Polish defense industries.” Read More

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L3 Longsword Sports New Sensors at Farnborough 2018

The L3 Longsword is evolving from a rugged light attack aircraft into a multi-sensor, multimission platform, as can be seen in the static park this week at Farnborough 2018. L3 Aerospace Systems (Chalet A15) flew this aircraft, which is based on the Air Tractor AT-802U cropduster, from Texas to Farnborough in six hops, and then hung some new equipment beneath it.

For instance, a new plug-and-play ISR pod from British company Horizon Technologies can monitor satellite telephone calls, as well as ship movements via the automatic identification system (AIS). Named the XPOD, it also houses an L3 Wescam MX-15D EO/IR imaging turret. The MX-15D was previously installed beneath the nose of the Longsword, but now a Thales I-Master surveillance radar can be found there, also in a 15-inch turret. Meanwhile, the left outer wing station houses a “Cobra” SIGINT and electronic warfare pod from BAE Systems. Read More

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Elbit StarLiner Ready For Unsegregated Airspace

Elbit Systems of Israel has begun a global marketing campaign for a certifiable version of its Hermes 900 MALE unmanned aircraft system (UAS). A variant known as the Hermes 900 heavy fuel engine (HFE) has already been purchased by Switzerland, which has ordered six to replace its RUAG Ranger UAVs. They are currently being assembled for delivery next year.

Being marketed as the Hermes 900 StarLiner, the certifiable version has been adapted to be fully compliant with NATO STANAG 4671, allowing it to be operated alongside manned aircraft in non-segregated airspace. Along with all elements of the air vehicle being designed in accordance with certification requirements, the StarLiner includes advanced sense-and-avoid technology with both cooperative and non-cooperative capabilities, terrain avoidance warning, and automatic takeoff and landing in near-zero visibility. The UAS is equipped with de-icing and lightning-strike sustainment capabilities, and has redundant broadband line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight datalinks. Read More

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Red Bull’s Douglas DC-6B Thunders Over Farnborough

Before the start of the 2018 Farnborough Airshow, the Red Bull’s DC-6B is validating its flying display. The aircraft was built in 1958, and was ordered for Yugoslavia’s Premier Marshal Josip Broz Tito. It is powered by four Pratt and Whitney R-2800-CB3 18-cylinder double-row radial piston engines, producing 2400-hp each.

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