QUICK ROUNDUP

AERO VODOCHODY

Czech Republic’s Aero Vodochody will team up with Israel Aerospace Industries to improve and market the light attack and trainer aircraft L-159. According to the technical and marketing cooperation agreement, the team will integrate new avionics and other solutions on the L-159 platform as well as jointly market the aircraft.

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS

Airbus Helicopters has secured an additional order for one H-225 helicopter from the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), bringing JCG’s H-225 fleet to ten units. JCG currently operates three AS-332s and five H-225s, both from the Super Puma family. With this order, the customer’s Super Puma fleet will grow to 13 units by March 2021.

CHINA

China’s new weapon system is said to be analogous to the Kinzhal, a new, highly maneuverable, hypersonic air-launched Russian missile system whose existence was unveiled last month. It was reported that China has conducted five flight tests of a new nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) and a modified longrange strategic bomber to go along with it. The missile has been classified by US intelligence as the CH-AS-X-13, is a two-stage, solid-fuel ballistic missile with a 3,000km range.

China has entered its Dong-Feng 26 (DF-26) IRBM into service with the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force. A statement by the Ministry of National Defense said the missile is capable of nuclear, conventional and anti-ship roles. Dubbed the “Guam-killer” by US military officials for its ability to potentially reach the island chain, is thought to have a range of around 4,000km and is capable of delivering both nuclear and conventional payloads.

New Images of underdevelopment Chinese ten tonne Z-20 Medium Lift Utility Helicopter suggest that it is in final stages of testing and will soon be ready for operational testing by China’s People’s Liberation Army. Z-20 Medium Lift Utility Helicopter has already completed its high altitude tests at Xiahe airfield in China’s Gansu Province.

DASSAULT AVIATION AND AIRBUS

Dassault Aviation and Airbus have decided to join forces for the development and production of Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which is slated to complement and eventually replace current generation fighters, the Eurofighter and Rafale, between 2035 and 2040. FCAS will be developed as a system of systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles, connectivity and secure communications

EMBRAER

Embraer and American Airlines have signed a firm order for 15 E-175 jets with a 76-seat configuration. The contract valued at $705 million based on current list prices, will be included in Embraer’s 2018 second-quarter