France receives its first A400M fitted with pods for midair refueling

France’s procurement office has revealed it received its 12th A400M airlifter, which is the first in the European program to be fitted with two underwing pods for in-flight refueling of fighter jets. The A400Ms already in service will have the fuel pod added as they undergo a retrofit over time. The latest A400M will be flown to the air base at Orleans, south of Paris, in the next few days. France is due to receive a further three A400Ms by 2019, as set out by the 2014-19 military budget law.
Pierre Tran - defensenews

First flight for Second A400M destined to Spanish Ejército del Aire

http://cadenaser.com/emisora/2017/10/23/radio_sevilla/1508762922_719293.html

Saudi Arabia orders four C295s

The Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia has purchased four Airbus Defence and Space C295W transport aircraft.
Photographs recently published on the internet by aviation enthusiasts show a C295W at Seville in the markings of the Uzbekistan Air Force, indicating this will be the recipient of the other four.
janes

First of 3 C-295 For Philippines Air Force to Arrive this March

The cargo and transportation capability of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be getting a much needed boost with the arrival of the first C-295 medium lift aircraft from Spanish manufacturer this March.
This was confirmed by Department of National Defense (DND).
The March delivery date of the first C-295 is five months earlier than its scheduled August.
With the early arrival of the first aircraft, the DND undersecretary expects the two other aircraft to follow in short order.
The PAF's medium lift capability is presently being fulfilled by its three F-27 aircraft.
defense-studies

Jordan Seeks To Convert C-295 Into Gunship

Jordan is stepping up its gunship capability following the signing of a deal with aircraft builder Airbus Military and weapons supplier ATK to convert one of the C-295 transports in service with its Air Force into an aerial enforcer.
The Jordanian state-owned King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau signed a deal at Eurosatory to work cooperatively with ATK and Airbus to develop a C-295 gunship.
The twin turboprop C-295 is best known as a transport aircraft but is increasingly being offered in special mission roles. The Jordanian deal is the first time it will be used as a gunship.
The signing comes just weeks after the Royal Jordanian Air Force took delivery of two smaller Airbus CN-235 transports converted into the gunship role, where they are known as the AC-235.
The AC-295 gunship configuration will be based on the AC-235, which includes integrated mission and fire control systems, electro-optical and radar sensors, Hellfire missiles, ATK’s side-mounted M230 30mm chain gun, an integrated defensive suite, and 2.75-inch guided rockets.
The prince would not confirm final fleet numbers but a source said it was possible a new aircraft would also be purchased from Airbus Military to round out the total Jordanian gunship capability to four aircraft.
defensenews

Brazil to acquire C295s for search and rescue

Brazil is to acquire an additional three Airbus C295 transport aircraft to complement the 12 it has operated since 2006.
The aircraft will be configured as search and rescue (SAR) platforms.
The Brazilian Air Force is to equip its new aircraft with winglets, launched by Airbus DS in 2012, and combined with enhancements to the twin-engines, are expected to give the C295 an increase of 320 km in range and 30 minutes of additional time on station.
janes

Jordan takes delivery of AC235 gunship

The Royal Jordanian Air Force has taken delivery of its first Airbus Defence & Space CN235 transport to have been adapted for a light gunship role.
The result of a collaboration between the nation’s King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau and US contractor ATK Defense, the modified AC235 is being exhibited at the 6-8 May SOFEX exhibition in Amman.
Weapons integrated with the aircraft include a side-mounted 30mm cannon, plus four Lockheed Martin AGM-114M/K Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and two pods for BAE Systems 70mm (2.75in) Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System laser-guided rockets, carried using fuselage-mounted pylons. The aircraft also has been equipped with a suite of countermeasures systems for self-protection.
Delivery of the aircraft – which was previously operated by the Jordanian service in the air transport role – followed extensive modifications, including the installation of an ATK mission suite with two onboard operator stations.
The Royal Jordanian Air Force had has two CN235 transports in storage, both originally built for the Spanish air force in 1990. The Jordanian service also currently flies two Airbus C295s in the medium transport role.
ATK is also teamed with Alenia Aermacchi on the development of a command and control and gunship variant of the latter’s Spartan medium transport. A fully-equipped MC-27J demonstrator – also equipped with a 30mm cannon – is scheduled to undergo a full firing campaign in the USA from next month. The Italian air force is to modify six of its C-27Js to the adapted configuration.
flightglobal

Germany cancels delivery of last 37 Eurofighter jets

Germany will not take delivery of the final shipment of 37 Eurofighter jets.
The cancellation means Airbus Group, will miss out on business. In 2011 the cost of a single Eurofighter in the first shipment of jets was put at 57 million euros.
Originally, the German military wanted 180 Eurofighters but there has never been a decision or a contract for the final tranche.
reuters

Singapore Selects Airbus A330 MRTT

Singapore has signed a contract for the purchase of six A330 MRTT tanker.
Asked Airbus Defence & Space did not wish to comment on the information.
Singapore had expressed several years there is a need to replace its four KC-135R Stratotanker current. Facing the MRTT, the Israeli IAI proposed including its Boeing 767 MMTT solution which was notably used by Brazil against the A330 MRTT because of its lower price. American side, the offer was originally on the KC-135R "renovated", although it is possible that Boeing has also highlighted its new KC-46A, with deliveries to the U.S. Air Force should not begin before 2017.
Extremely secretive about its arms purchases, Singapore has never communicated on the progress of the acquisition process. The new supply will be mainly utilized to supply fuel to the few hundred combat aircraft available to the local Air Force (F-15SG and F-16C / D Block 52), in particular to deploy abroad during international exercises. Close partnerships between Australia and Singapore in the field of training could help tip the balance in favor of MRTT Airbus already delivered to the Royal Australin Air Force.
After the UK, Australia, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, the A330 MRTT could hang India to his list of conquests. New Delhi is indeed entered for more than a year in exclusive talks with Airbus for the purchase of a batch of six A330 MRTT for renovating its fleet of tanker planes. Opportunities also exist in South Korea.
In France, the MRTT folder advance, with notification of contract expected by the end of August for the acquisition of the first devices that will come to replace the C-135 Air Force. A new technical and financial proposal should be submitted Airbus these days the DGA and the Air Force and will be the subject of tough negotiations in the coming months.
defense-studies

Airbus awaits closure of contract for India air-to-air refuelling aircraft

With a year having passed since it had been selected by the Indian Government as the “preferred bidder” to supply its A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the European defence major Airbus Defence and Space on Thursday said it was confident of the deal being finalised within the current fiscal. In the meantime, the Government has urged Airbus to extend the validity of its tender bid to July 31, 2014.
Speaking during a media interaction organized to make India aware of its airlifter, the A400 M, officials of Airbus said they were confident of the contract for the supply of six A330 MRTT getting through very soon.
The aircraft, the Airbus said had been selected following a lengthy and thorough selection process including the completion of extensive flight demonstrations in India during which the aircraft refuelled multiple types of IAF fighters and operated from the high-altitude IAF base at Leh.
After the short listing of the company, detailed negotiations followed and while the final production contract for the six aircraft was expected to come through in 2013, Airbus is now banking on it happening before the elections.
At the time of selecting the A330 MRTT, India had become the fifth nation to do so – the others being Australia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom which had ordered a total of 28 aircrafts.
thehindu

French Air France Conducts First Reaper Flight

The French Air Force Thursday flew a first flight, lasting 40 minutes, of a US-built Reaper surveillance drone based in Niger.
That flight was dubbed Dress Down Six, the flight name used by World War II French pilot and author Antoine Saint-Exupery.
The flight was in a local zone and it was still in the preparation phase of the first operational flight.
France has options to buy 10 additional Reaper units, which the government wants to modify to fit French or European payloads, including sensors and datalink transmission.
The two unarmed French Air Force Reapers, dubbed Block 1, use US equipment.
On the tactical UAV front, Sagem said Jan. 15 that France ordered at the end of December three more Sperwer drones and took options for two more units, to maintain the strength of the present four systems operated by the French Army. A Sagem spokesman declined to give financial details. The order follows acquisition of four units in 2013.
defensenews

Eurofighter Typhoon flies with Taurus 350 cruise missiles

On Jan. 15, Airbus Defence and Space started the testing campaign of the Eurofighter Typhoon multirole combat plane with Taurus air-launched stand-off precision missiles.
The first flight took place at the Manching Military, north of Munich, and involved Instrumented Production Aircraft 7 (IPA7).
Taurus KEPD 350 is a German/Swedish missile that is manufactured by Taurus Systems GmbH, a partnership between MBDA Germany and Saab Dynamics. The missile has a range of +500 kilometres (300 mi), a speed of Mach 0.8-0.9 and stealth features.
According to Airbus Defense and Space concurrent testing of the two similar missiles “optimises the Storm Shadow integration and facilitates the future airframe integration of Taurus.”
theaviationist

Spain to Sell 3 C-295 to Philippines

Spanish firm Airbus Military has been declared the only eligible bidder for the supply of three new Air Force medium lift fixed-wing aircraft.
Airbus Military was the only one to meet the defense department’s technical and financial requirements. The Spanish company plans to deliver C-295 planes.
defense-studies

First Turkish A400M Going Through Acceptance Tests

The first Turkish A400M built by the multinational Airbus Military consortium arrived in Turkey in December and has been undergoing acceptance tests.
Turkey plans to receive a batch of 10 aircraft in the next two to three years.
A procurement official familiar with the program said there have been a couple of “minor problems” with the first aircraft and the acceptance tests have not yet been completed. “These are not major difficulties and we hope the tests would be completed soon”.
The aircraft arrived at the 221st Air Fleet in Kayseri in central Turkey.
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is manufacturing the main fuselage for all 174 A400Ms to be produced as part of this international program. Turkey, a 5.5 percent shareholder of the program, hopes business for local companies will increase as more aircraft are produced for export markets.
Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, Turkey and Britain joined in the program that, together with export customer Malaysia, has garnered 174 orders.
Among the other significant A400M operators, Britain is scheduled to get its first aircraft next year and German deliveries will follow in 2015.
defensenews

India May Close Interim MMRCA and MRTT Deal Soon

Speculation is growing that contracts for the long-delayed medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA), as well as the multi-role tanker transport (MRTT), could soon be signed. However, the MMRCA pact might cover only the supply of 18 Dassault Rafale aircraft from the French production line, leaving further negotiations for the remaining 108 required to be concluded by the new government. India announced its choice of the Rafale in January 2012. But negotiations subsequently stalled over offsets, the transfer of technology and the role of Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

Delays in procurement are taking a toll on military force levels as Indian Air Force (IAF) squadrons deplete. This has resulted in pressure on the Ministry of Defense to increase the pace for awarding pending contracts. A government code of conduct prevents any contracts being awarded within 45 days of an election. The national election is expected to be called by March, also the end of the financial year.

Following lengthy discussions, HAL is thought to have now agreed with Dassault on the question of Tier 1 suppliers, including aerostructures.

An IAF official said that a new refueling tanker is a priority. A meeting between the Indian MoD and Airbus on the A330 MRTT that was delayed last year has been scheduled for mid-January.

Airbus A400M tactical airlifter makes combat debut in Mali

L'Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) has released images showing the Airbus A400M Atlas tactical airlifter during its first combat sortie in support to Operation Serval in Mali.
The Atlas “F-RBAB” carrying 22 tons of material, took off from Orléans-Bricy airbase on Dec. 29 at 10.30 LT and arrived at Bamako, Mali, after 6 hours and 40 minutes. On Dec. 31, the aircraft flew from Bamako to Gao.
The first A400M was taken on charge by the Multinational Entry into Service Team (MEST) at Orléans on Aug. 2, 2013. The first operational mission therefore came only five months after the induction of the aircraft into active service.
Currently, two A400M Atlas are assigned to the MEST. The first operational mission is a step towards the type full operational capability of the type, expected in late 2014.
theaviationist

First UK A400M enters final assembly

The UK’s first A400M has entered final assembly at Airbus Military’s San Pablo site in Seville, Spain, ahead of the type’s scheduled delivery to the Royal Air Force from September 2014.
The main fuselage for MSN16, entered the join-up stage in late November. The nose section for the RAF’s second of 22 examples, MSN17, has also arrived at the site, with its fuselage due to arrive by late this month or early January.
Ordered to replace part of the RAF’s now-retired fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130K tactical transports, the UK’s A400M will be flown from RAF Brize Norton air base.
flightglobal

Airbus Military reveals more details of C295 firefighter programme

Airbus Military has completed a second round of tests of its prototype C295 firefighting aircraft which will provide detailed data on the performance of its water dropping system.
Following earlier testing of the system, the company conducted seven water drops at a special range near Cordoba, Spain using ground equipment designed to measure the dispersal pattern of the water.
The trials were successfully completed and showed good initial promise. In the coming weeks the data will be examined in detail to enable decisions to be taken on the final configuration of the C295 firefighter.
In the trials the aircraft carried one 3,500 litre tank and the water was gravity-ejected through two dispensers in the belly.
The planned configuration would offer double that capacity with two 3,500 litre tanks being deployed using a roll-on/roll-off system which would permit the aircraft to be used for transport purposes when not required for firefighting duties.
airbusmilitary

U.S. Government Agencies Fighting Over Who Gets C-27J Aircraft/C-295 offerd to Canada

The C-27J tactical airlifter, once a castoff from the USAF, has become a hot commodity in the U.S. government’s aircraft fleet.
The USAF’s decision early this year to mothball its 21 brand-new, twin-engine C-27Js—labeling the Alenia Aermacchi transports a niche capability too expensive to sustain alongside its other airlifters—triggered an interagency squabble between the U.S. Forest Service, bent on using them as much-needed firefighting tankers, and the U.S. Coast Guard, which was intent on employing them to plug a gap in maritime patrol capability.
Seven of those aircraft have are going to be dedicate to Army Special Operations Command for use in parachute-aided free-fall training, replacing aging CASA C212.
With the Coast Guard seeking 14 aircraft and the Forest Service seven, officials at the Pentagon, the Homeland Security Department and the Agriculture Department were left haggling over the allocation.
Meanwhile, Airbus Military has put out this news release on its C295 aircraft, which like the C-27J, is a contender for the RCAF’s FWSAR program. The company noted that it had completed a second round of tests of its prototype C295 firefighting aircraft which will provide detailed data on the performance of its water dropping system.
Following earlier testing of the system, the company conducted seven water drops at a special range near Cordoba, Spain using ground equipment designed to measure the dispersal pattern of the water.
The trials were successfully completed and showed good initial promise, confirming the aircraft’s highly satisfactory handling during the drop procedure. In the coming weeks the data will be examined in detail to enable decisions to be taken on the final configuration of the C295 firefighter.
In the trials the aircraft carried one 3,500 litre tank and the water was gravity-ejected through two dispensers in the belly.
ottawacitizen

Germany may get full-spec A400M airlifter later than planned

The German army may have to wait another half a year to get its first fully kitted-out Airbus A400M military airlifter.
While the army will receive a plane from Airbus Military, part of aerospace and defence group EADS, in November 2014 as planned, it will not have the full military capabilities the army has ordered.
Airbus Military will then add the capabilities, meaning the plane will reach the original army specification in mid-2015.
Airbus Military said it was confident the first plane would be delivered in November 2014, and that it was working to develop and qualify the additional military capabilities.
reuters