Hybrid Air Vehicles secures first defence order for Airlander 10
The undisclosed customer, described as an “innovative defence contractor”, has reserved three Airlander 10 aircraft for military use.
Three US contractors will provide engine MRO and aircraft maintenance services for the P-8A Poseidon on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force and other operators. (Photo: RAAF)
US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has awarded three contract modifications for P-8A Poseidon aircraft and depot-level engine MRO.
Two of the modifications ($131.66 million for the OEM Boeing and $101.4 million for Standard Aero) exercise options to provide maintenance and repair services for CFM56-7B27A/3 and CFM56-7B27AE engines powering Poseidons for the USN, Australia and FMS customers.
Shephard Defence Insight lists India, New Zealand, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the UK as FMS customers for the multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.
Each contractor will complete the work by October 2022, the DoD announced on 14 October.
Meanwhile, AAR Government Services received an $85.03 million modification to a previously awarded IDIQ contract from NAVAIR, to provide scheduled and unscheduled depot maintenance for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft on behalf of the same customers.
Additional services include airframe modifications, aircraft on ground support and ‘removal and replacement of engines’, the DoD added.
Work will be performed in Indianapolis for completion by October 2022.
The undisclosed customer, described as an “innovative defence contractor”, has reserved three Airlander 10 aircraft for military use.
A significant effort is now being made to focus on showcasing prototypes directly to demonstrate various capabilities to the US government.
The letter of intent, signed on 22 October, is the first move in a “long road” towards Sweden strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force with up to 150 Gripen aircraft.
Named X-Bat, the AI-controlled vertical take-off and landing drone is expected to enter production by 2029, with first flight tests estimated to take place a year earlier.
"Speed is the key advantage and accuracy is the key outcome": Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions’ Rick Freeman talks to Shephard’s Georgia Lewis about how space-as-a-service is transforming defence connectivity and access to satellite capabilities.
Boeing has delivered six Chinook CH-47F Block II production helicopters to the US Army, with the helicopters now undergoing a series of evaluations to demonstrate their enhanced capabilities. The company is working with the army on a path forward for Lot 6.