Aviation News
Despite plans for a grand farewell, the U.S. Navy’s EP-3E Aries II spy planes are seeing their planned retirement put on hold due to heightened operational demands. A report by Seapower magazine says the planned homecoming ceremony for the crews at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, has been delayed indefinitely. The squadron operating the aircraft, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1), was scheduled for deactivation.
Balon Greyjoy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
In a move aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s maritime security and sovereignty, the United States has gifted a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). The official handover ceremony, held at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake, underscored the enduring partnership between the two nations and their shared commitment to regional stability in the Indian Ocean.
Photo: U.S. State Department
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The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) is set to perform a series of groundbreaking manoeuvres known as aerobraking. This technique, which utilises the drag of the Earth’s atmosphere to alter the spacecraft’s orbit, marks a first for the U.S. Space Force and the X-37B program.
Graphic: Boeing
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The U.S. and Japan are set to begin a feasibility study to co-produce the American AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, known as AMRAAM. This follows an agreement made in late July at a “two-plus-two” meeting of foreign and defence ministers in Tokyo, where Japan and the United States agreed to explore “co-production opportunities” for both AMRAAMs and Patriot PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement. This decision, reported by Nikkei Asia, a prominent Asian business publication, stems from concerns over diminishing American stockpiles due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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In the high-stakes world of air defense, Anduril Industries has just raised the bar—and secured a quarter-billion dollar vote of confidence from the Department of Defense (DoD).
The Pentagon recently awarded Anduril a $249,978,466 contract to deliver next-generation air defense capabilities. The deal includes over 500 Roadrunner-M interceptors and additional Pulsar electronic warfare systems, aimed at countering the escalating threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) attacks on U.S. forces.
Continue reading “Anduril Industries lands $250 million contract for Counter-UAS Systems”