Australian’s air force has received a C-130J Fuselage Trainer system CAE built with partners an Airbus Group subsidiary and Lockheed Martin. CAE said Friday it led the design and development of the Super Hercules FuT platform that features simulation software used in other C-130J training programs. Airbus Australian Pacific produced the trainer hardware using two airframes from the country’s C-130H aircraft, while Lockheed provided […] More

A communications satellite of Luxembourg-based SES took off Monday aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. SpaceX said Monday the rocket’s first stage used to launch the SES-12 satellite was initially deployed in September 2017 to support the Orbital Test Vehicle 5 mission. The satellite is designed to expand SES’ capabilities […] More

CAE has selected Rockwell Collins to provide a display system for a full-flight simulator the Canadian air force will implement to help aircrews operate a search and rescue aircraft platform. Rockwell Collins said Thursday it will help install the Panorama collimated display into CAE’s CC-295 FFS. The simulator for Canada’s Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue program will support flight training […] More

Airbus, Saab and Boeing plan to compete for a potential $1.8 billion program to provide maritime patrol aircraft for the South Korean navy, Jane’s 360 reported Tuesday. South Korea’s naval force intends to initially procure six MPAs with plans to expand the procurement of the aircraft once it retires its 16 Lockheed Martin-built P-3 planes […] More

Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce has said the company has launched a new program that aims to develop new spacecraft to build up its fleets of Ka– and L-band satellites in an effort to meet demand, SpaceNews reported Thursday. Pearce said Wednesday at an earnings call that the GX Flex program, which is now in the […] More

Leonardo has awarded CAE a potential $115 million subcontract to build a comprehensive NH90 helicopter training system for Qatar’s air force. CAE said Thursday it will build a facility with simulators and devices to train future Qatari pilots, aircrew and maintenance technicians of NH90 tactical transport and NH90 NATO frigate helicopters. The training center will feature CAE 3000 Series full-mission simulator […] More

ExecutiveBiz spoke with Kevin Robinson, president and chief executive officer, about MTSI’s projected organic growth, 2018 federal market positioning and unique culture as a fully employee-owned company. “Becoming a 100% ESOP allows us to not only maintain, but also improve upon a package of benefits offered to employees and talented recruits … Having a workforce […] More

Orbital ATK has showcased its side-mounted airborne gun platform to Asia-Pacific customers at the 2018 Singapore Airshow, AIN Online reported Sunday. Byron Foster, a director at Orbital ATK, said the company sees opportunities to sell the 30mm Palletized Weapon System to customers in the region. “There are threats such as those in north Asia that make it […] More

The Finnish defense forces have achieved final operational capability for a Lockheed Martin-built system designed to support airborne surveillance missions. Dragon Shield reached FOC status following a flight test that evaluated if the aircraft modified to house the surveillance technology complies with Finland’s airworthiness and system requirements, Lockheed said Friday. The company reconfigured an Airbus-built CASA C-295 […] More

Qatar’s defense minister Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah has said the country’s government looks to purchase nine BAE Systems-built Hawk trainer aircraft units, Dow Jones Newswires reported Wednesday. The report noted Qatar had planned to buy only six Hawk jet trainers. BAE closed on a potential $6.7 billion contract last month to supply 24 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar’s air force beginning […] More

QinetiQ has signed in December a five-year, $7.4 million contract with the Netherlands’ air force entailing the company’s Empire Test Pilots’ School to provide training services for Dutch pilots and engineers. ETPS has enabled multi-year contracts through the signing of a Long Term Partnering Agreement, QinetiQ said Tuesday. The company intends to further propagate multi-year options to […] More

A U.S. military official said the country is confident that there are U.S.-manufactured fighter jets that can compete to replace Germany’s fleet of 85 Tornado fighter aircraft, Reuters reported Thursday. The official’s statement came days after the German defense ministry said it considers the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft as its primary option to replace its Tornado jets by 2025. The […] More