US looking to upgrade ISR kit on Niger Diamond DA42MPP aircraft

The US government is seeking a supplier to upgrade the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities on two aircraft operated by Niger.
The draft statement of work (SOW) issued by the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) covers the upgrade of ISR equipment on a pair of Diamond DA42MPP (Multi-Purpose Platform) aircraft currently fielded by the Niger Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Niger).
Niger took delivery of its two DA42MPP aircraft in October 2008 as part of a wider enhancement of the African nation's airborne surveillance capabilities that included the provision by France of eight Humbert Tétras microlights. The DA42MPPs are primarily tasked with counter-narcotics, -people, and -arms smuggling.
The DA42MPPs are equipped with the Airbus Defence and Space Electronics Goshawk 350 airborne observation system incorporating day and night sensors, as well as a Scotty satellite datalink allowing real-time relay of video, voice, and data to ground stations.
janes

Nine Companies to Compete for Turkish Basic Trainers

Nine local and foreign companies have purchased competition dossiers from Turkey’s procurement agency, indicating their intention to bid on providing new basic trainer aircraft.
Likely bidders in the race are: GATE Elektronik San. ve Tic. A.S., Nurol Makin eve Sayani A.S., THK Uçak Imalat San.ve Tic. A.S. and Kocoglu Havacilik A.S.; Austria’s Diamond Aircraft Industries; Czech Republic’s ZLIN Aircraft; Germany’s Grob Aircraft; Pakistan’s Aeronautical Complex Board; and the US Discovery Aviation.
Last month, was opened new competition for the acquisition of 52 new basic trainer aircraft.
The planned screeners will replace an aging fleet of SF 260 primary trainers assembled in the early 1990s under Italian license by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
Recently, an indigenous basic trainer aircraft that Turkey designed and developed won an initial flight certificate from local authorities. Immediately after that, on Sept. 26, Turkey’s top body that oversees procurement decisions, the Defense Industry Executive Committee, approved serial production of the Hurkus, also developed by TAI.
Military officials say that by 2017 the Turkish trainer fleet will comprise the screeners Ankara intends to buy, KT-1 trainers supplied by Korean Aerospace Industries under a 2007 contract, the Hurkus, the upgraded T-38s (T-38Ts) and the F-16s. By 2025, the fleet will have the screeners, the Hurkus, an indigenous trainer to be designed and developed for the fighter jet Turkey intends to build, the TF-X and a combination of the F-16s, TF-Xs and the F-35s.
defensenews

Turkey launches new bid for light trainer aircraft

Turkey has issued a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the contract that foresees the off-the-shelf purchase of a small fleet of trainers to replace the fleet of ageing SF 260s used in the Turkish Air Force for preliminary training.
Turkey still operates with nearly 40 SF 260s assembled by TAI in the early 1990s. For preliminary training purposes the Air Force operates Cessna 172s.
Potential bidders are the U.S. Beechcraft and Cirrus, Austria’s Diamond, Germany’s Grobe, Czech Zlin and Italy’s Aermacchi.
Meanwhile, Turkey has silently phased out a fleet of 48 F-5 lead-in trainer aircrafts, which Israel’s Elbit upgraded and delivered in the early 2000s.TAI is upgrading nearly 60 T-38 basic trainers to replace the F-5s and the older T-38s.
The Defense Industry Executive Committee, the ultimate decision-maker in defense procurement, decided Sept. 26 to make an order for the serial production of the Hürkuş, Turkey’s first indigenous basic trainer aircraft.
Turkey’s first indigenous basic trainer aircraft has been approved for flight testing, with the maiden flight planned within the next year.
The Hürkuş, also developed by TAI, has been undergoing tests for runway-holding, steering and braking time limits.
TAI is manufacturing four prototypes of the Hürkuş for a round of tests. The first prototype successfully went through engine tests in February, the second is being tested for static durability and cabin pressure, the third is being assembled, and the fourth will be tested for metal fatigue.
The two-seat Hürkuş will have a 35-year service life, or 10,500 flight hours. The turboprop aircraft has a 1,600-horsepower engine that can fly at an altitude of 10,577 meters at a maximum speed of 574 kilometers per hour.
The Hürkuş will come in four variants:
Hürkuş-A: A basic version that has been certified with EASA, according to CS-23 requirements and is intended for the civilian market.
Hürkuş-B: An advanced version with integrated avionics, including a mission computer and cockpit avionics layout similar to F-16 and F-35 fighters. The Turkish Army is considering an initial order of 15 aircrafts.
Hürkuş-C: An armed version for close-air support, which will have a maximum weapons load of 3,300 pounds. The Turkish Army has expressed interest in the Hürkuş-C to provide support for its attack helicopters.
The Coast Guard version: TAI plans to offer another version of the Hürkuş to support the Turkish Coast Guard’s maritime patrol activities. The aircraft’s back seat would be occupied by an operator for a forward-looking infrared sensor.
hurriyetdailynews

Fuerza Aérea Venezolana adquirirá 36 aviones de entrenamiento Diamond DA40

El comandante general de la Aviación Militar de Venezuela, informó que fueron aprobados los fondos para la compra de 36 aviones de entrenamiento primario Diamond DA40, fabricado por la austriaca Diamond Aircraft Industries.
Los DA40, al igual que 16 helicópteros de entrenamiento Enstrom 480B, producidos por la firma de propiedad china y de origen estadounidense Ernstrom Helicopter Corporation, también en proceso de adquisición, van a ser destinados para cursos de vuelo primario.
podermilitar