UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement
Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
Raytheon Technologies company Pratt & Whitney was awarded a contract on 5 February to produce F135 engines for three F-35 Lightning II Block Four developmental testing aircraft.
One of these engines will be a conventional take-off and landing variant for the F-35A and F-35C; the other two will be two-cycle engines (each with a forward lift fan) for the F-35B STOVL aircraft.
Work on the $49.19 million contract modification from US Naval Air Systems Command will be completed by January 2023.
The developmental test programme for the F-35 Lightning II Block Four (the most advanced standard) will support the USAF, USN, USMC and non-DoD participants.
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Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.
Contracts for the procurement of two platforms have been signed, and will be tested by the German armed forces.
The company has been negotiating the supply of TCTS II to US allies and partners.
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air Force have been undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid.
The two countries have already signed defence industrial partnerships in recent years, most recently between Republikorp and Turkish firm Baykar in February 2025.