Lockheed’s deal to triple PAC-3 MSE production opens doors to portfolio boost
The framework agreement with the US Department of Defense would see Lockheed Martin increase production capacity from 600 to 2,000 interceptors per year.
Canada’s Fixed Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) programme has progressed with the Aircraft Maintenance Trainer (AMT) aircraft travelling to the country.
The aircraft is not one of the 16 aircraft procured under the FWSAR project; it will be used to instruct technicians on the removal and installation of various aircraft parts and components, and other aspects of hands-on maintenance before they conduct work on operational aircraft.
The first standard Canadian version of the aircraft, which will be fully equipped to perform search and rescue (SAR) missions, will begin arriving in Canada later this year. The fleet will be based out of the future SAR training centre at 19 Wing, Comox, BC.
When the maintenance trainer arrives in Comox, it will be disassembled and reassembled inside the new training centre, which is a keystone step in building the maintenance training programme.
In addition to the aircraft maintenance trainer, the new SAR training centre will house a variety of training devices including full-motion flight simulators and sensor station simulators.
The framework agreement with the US Department of Defense would see Lockheed Martin increase production capacity from 600 to 2,000 interceptors per year.
The US Army plans to award a contract through its Flight School Next competition to replace its UH-72A Lakota by late 2026.
The NATO country continues to focus on building up its maritime surveillance and enforcement capabilities as part of a major investment in its Arctic defences.
Confirming its C295 order in late December, the Spanish Ministry of Defence also awarded Airbus with its Hurjet procurement contract and both Airbus and Indra with a contract to investigate a proposed Signals Intelligence aircraft solution by 2028.
One of the key trends seen in December has been the rise in indigenous investment within the UAV market, particularly across certain countries, with Germany, Australia and the US focusing on their commitments to sovereign development.
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.