CHINA

China’s Yaoying II medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV has reached another milestone. The UAV’s manufacturer Aviation Industry Corporation of China confirmed that the UAV has conducted its maiden flight. The Yaoying II is based on the Yaoying-1, it can fly at speeds of up to 228 kmph at an altitude of 7500m and can stay in the air for 16 hours, with controllers up to 124 200km away.

IRAN

Iran is now mass producing its Fakour-90 air-to-air missile which is to be used on its fleet of 40 operational F-14 Tomcat fighter jets and is a local adaptation variant of US-made AIM-54 Phoenix missile. The new variant boosts several improvements including a smaller guidance system, increased range of 217km and a speed of Mach 5.

INSITU

Insitu Inc, Washington, has been awarded a $10,826,778 order for modification to a previously issued firm-fixedprice delivery order placed against basic ordering agreement for the procurement of 27 ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems, 37 payloads and spares in support of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Work is expected to be completed in December 2019.

Insitu has been awarded firm-fixed-price delivery order for $9 million which provides for the procurement of spares and sustainment parts needed to maintain the RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft system. Work is scheduled to be completed by January 2019.

Insitu Inc is being tapped to provide essential parts needed to keep its RQ-21A system flying. The company will procure various quantities of spare and sustainment parts in support of the UAS under this firm-fixed-price delivery order valued at $8.9 million. The RQ-21A is the Navy’s and USMC’s next generation Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System.

PEACH TO BECOME FIRST A321LR OPERATOR IN ASIA

Japan’s Peach Aviation is set to become the first Asian operator of the Airbus A321LR aircraft, following the conversion of an existing order for two A320neo aircraft.

The aircraft will be joining the fleet of the Osakabased low cost carrier (LCC) in 2020. The A321LR is the longest-range single-aisle aircraft in the world and will enable Peach Aviation to open new routes from Japan to destinations of up to nine hours flying time.

Incorporating the latest engines, aerodynamic advances, and cabin innovations, the A321neo offers a significant reduction in fuel consumption of 20 percent by 2020. With more than 1900 orders received from over 50 customers, to date the A321neo has captured some 80 percent of market share, making it the true aircraft of choice in the Middle of the Market. The LR option extends the aircraft’s range to up to 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) and brings with it a 30-percent reduction in operating cost compared to its nearest competitor.

PRATT & WHITNEY

Pratt & Whitney has congratulated JetBlue Airways on its selection of 60 firm Airbus A220-300 aircraft that are powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines. This announcement follows previous firm orders from JetBlue for GTF engines to power 85 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

RUSSIA

The Russian Ministry of Defence is issuing the largest defence contract in financial year 2018 by ordering at least 36 Su-30SM fighters from Irkut at a cost of $1 billion. The multirole Su-30SM fighter was designed in accordance with the requirements of the Russian Air Force. It can be deployed in counter air strikes, counter-land and counter sea missions. Russia had ordered a total of 116 Su-30SM fighter jets in 2012, delivery of which is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

THALES DEFENCE AND SECURITY

Thales Defense and Security has been awarded firm-fixedprice contract to provide up to 29 Deployable-Instrument Landing System (D-ILS) production units for $12.2 million. The highly mobile D-ILS units will be deployed at airfields to precisely guide pilots on their final approach during low-visibility or low-ceiling weather conditions.

TURKISH AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES

Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc has announced that the ongoing negotiations between Pakistan Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) and Turkish Aerospace have successfully been finalised and signed the contract for the procurement of 30 units of T129 ATAK Multirole Combat Helicopters within a comprehensive package including logistics, ammunition, spares, ground support equipment and training.

UTC

United Technologies Corporation, Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, Connecticut, has been awarded a $2,46,29,842 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive-fee-target contract for the procurement of F135 Low-Rate Initial Production nine non-annualised sustainment support equipment etc. The contract included FMS also. Work is expected to be completed in May 2021.

UNITED STATES

Washington agreed to sell $46.9 billion worth of weapons and military equipment in the first half of 2018, $5 billion more than what was sold in all of the previous year. Defence Security Cooperation Agency chief Lt General Charles Hooper, said on July 18 that, “Defence exports are good for national security; they’re good for our foreign policy.”