QUICKROUNDUP

contract for future sustainment support of military services across multiple Boeing military platforms, enabling Boeing and DLA to continue support through the extension of existing programmes up to a ceiling value of $15 billion over 10 years.

GE AVIATION

On October 29, 2021, GE Aviation announced that the US Air Force has awarded it a $1.58 billion firm-fixed-price contract to supply F110 engines for the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II. This selection makes GE the sole propulsion provider for the US Air Force’s entire planned F-15EX fleet.

On October 27, 2021, GE Aviation announced that as part of NASA’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project, it has been awarded multiple cost-share contracts for engine core development valued at more than $20 million including investments by both NASA and GE. Plans are to ground test a new compact engine core by the middle of the current decade. This is a part of GE Aviation’s pursuit to develop technologies for more sustainable commercial flight.

GLOBAL AEROSPACE SUMMIT

On October 23, 2021, it was announced that the Global Aerospace Summit will be held from May 24 to 26, 2022 at Abu Dhabi, hosted by Mubadala, in which leading aviation, aerospace, space and defence agencies from across the world will participate. The Summit will demonstrate the road to recovery for the global aviation industry post the pandemic. The summit is being hosted by Mubadala.

IAI

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) innovative ADA Anti-Jam

GPS System, designed to protect GPS/GNSS navigation from jamming, has been integrated into advanced platforms used by the Israeli Air Force and various types of UAS. Most navigation, communication and warfare systems integrated into modern platforms depend on the continuous availability of GPS/GNSS satellites. The ADA product portfolio, developed by IAI, is compatible with a broad range of satellite navigation systems (GNSS).

IAF

The Indian Air Force (IAF) Contingent has been inducted for participation in the biennial Dubai Air Show to be held at the Al Maktoum International Airport from November 14 to 18, 2021. The IAF has been invited by the Government of UAE to participate with the Sarang and Suryakiran Aerobatic Teams. In addition, the IAF’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas shall be part of the aerobatics and static displays during the show.

RAYTHEON

Raytheon Missiles & Defence in partnership with Northrop Grumman, successfully completed the first flight test of a scramjet-powered Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) on September 27, 2021 for DARPA and the US Air Force. During the test, HAWC was carried under the wing of an aircraft before it was released. Scramjet engines enable sustained flight at hypersonic speeds – Mach 5 or greater – which is five times the speed of sound.

To further encourage US and Indian industries to develop niche technologies under the DTTI Group, the Defence Industry Collaboration Forum (DICF) Virtual Expo was conducted a day earlier on November 8, 2021.

AMERICAS USMC ACQUIRES 2 MQ-9A REAPERS

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed the transfer of two MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to the US Marine Corps on October 15, 2021. The two aircraft have been operated by the USMC since 2018 under a Company Owned/Company Operated (COCO) lease agreement in support of an Urgent Operational Need. The Reapers represent the first increment of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) Program of Record (POR). The transfer of aircraft includes two Ground Control Stations and associated support equipment.

The two COCO MQ-9As, using remote split operations from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, have been in operation for the USMC as part of a lease agreement between GA-ASI and Naval Air Systems Command, accruing over 12,000 flight hours supporting operations in the Middle East and informing the requirements and expectations for the MUX POR. The MUX POR will include an additional 16 new MQ-9As, which the Marine Corps will begin procuring in 2022 to support an Early Operational Capability in 2023 and Initial Operating Capability in the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) by 2025. l