US approves potential sale of F-16 equipment to Pakistan: Pentagon

Mark Rourke

US approves potential sale of F-16 equipment to Pakistan: Pentagon

By Web Desk

September 08, 2022

Pakistans F-16 fighter jet. Photo: file

WASHINGTON: In a major development, the US State Department gave its nod to the potential sale of F-16 fighter jet sustainment and related equipment to Pakistan in a deal valued at up to $450 million, confirmed Pentagon Wednesday.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corp, said the Pentagon.

"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Pakistan of F-16 Case for Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $450 million," according to a statement issued by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

It said that the release includes the US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics services to support Pakistan's F-16 fleet.

The release further said that this sale does not provide Pakistan with any new capabilities, weapons, or munitions.

The US government's agency underscored, "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by allowing Pakistan to retain interoperability with US and partner forces in ongoing counterterrorism efforts and in preparation for future contingency operations."

It further said the proposed sale would continue the sustainment of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, which greatly improves Pakistan’s ability to support counterterrorism operations through its robust air-to-ground capability. Pakistan will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces, it said.

It said the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale, it added.

F-16C/D: Details

Pentagon stops accepting F-35 jets to check for Chinese content

Scott Youmans

Pentagon stops accepting F-35 jets to check for Chinese content | Reuters

By Mike Stone

WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - The U.S. Pentagon has stopped accepting new F-35 jets after it discovered a magnet used in the stealthy fighter's engine was made with unauthorized material from China, a U.S. official said on Wednesday.

An investigation that gathered steam in mid-August found that an alloy in the engine's lubricant pump did not comply with U.S. procurement laws that bar unauthorized Chinese content, said Pentagon spokesperson Russell Goemaere.

Goemaere confirmed the magnet does not transmit information or harm aircraft, and that there are no risks involved.

Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the jets, said "the issue is related to a magnet on the F-35 Turbomachine manufactured by Honeywell that includes cobalt and samarium alloy."

Honeywell International Inc (HON.O), who makes the pump, said it "remains committed to supplying high-quality products that meet or exceed all customer contract requirements."

An alternative source for the alloy will be used in future the Joint Program Office said in its statement.

There are other Chinese-origin magnets on the jet which have received waivers from past Pentagon officials.

Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington Editing by Bernadette Baum and Josie Kao

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Iran admits plan to have Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets

Kristian Nikolic

Iran admits plan to have Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets - Air Data News

Ricardo Meier

September 6, 2022

A deal with Russia would involve the alleged sale of Iranian attack drones. Air force has not received new fighter jets since the early 1990s

The sale of Sukhoi Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets to Iran has returned to the media after the country’s Air Force Commander, Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, stated that a deal with Russia is in his plans.

“The issue is on the agenda and we hope to be able to get these 4++ generation fighters in the future,” Vahedi told Borna news agency.

Iran has not received new fighter jets since 1990 when the Soviet Union handed over 18 MiG-29 fighter jets and 12 Su-24 attack planes, in addition to some F-7 (MiG-21) having been delivered by the Chinese.

Since then, the air force has sought to modernize its fleet, which consists of numerous models, including old F-4s and F-5s, Mirage F-1s captured from Iraq and the most iconic fighter, the F-14 Tomcat, of which 79 were delivered in the late 1970s, before the Islamic Revolution.

 

Iranian F-14 along a F-4 and MiG-29

Chinese J-10C fighter jets

Months ago, Iranian media reported that the government and Russia were close to signing a comprehensive deal for the sale of 24 Su-35 fighter jets that had originally been produced to Egypt.

According to reports, Iran is also seeking to close an order for 36 Chinese-made J-10C aircraft in exchange for oil. The objective is not to depend on just one commercial partner to support combat aircraft.

Despite the Iranian Air Force commander’s plans, approval of a deal depends on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a paramilitary group close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to Forbes, the IRGC favors a strategy focused on domestically developed attack drones and ballistic missiles rather than relying on foreign aircraft.

Source Air Data News

The Arab media spread information that during President Putin's visit to Iran on July 19, a contract was signed for the purchase of 18 Su-35 fighters for the Iranian Air Force.

Su-35S Flanker-E: Details

Gripen E fighter launches Meteor air-to-air missile for the first time

Saab

Gripen E fighter launches Meteor air-to-air missile for the first time - Air Data News

Ricardo Meier

August 30, 2022

Saab conducted a BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile test in Sweden. Sweden and Brazil will use weapons supplied by MBDA

The Gripen E fighter carried out the first test launch of a Meteor long-range air-to-air missile, Saab reported.

The Meteor, of the BVRAAM type (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, is produced by the MBDA and is considered one of the most advanced in its category.

“It feels very good that we have now completed the first test firing with Meteor from Gripen E. It is a very important milestone both for the program and for Saab. It shows that the weapon capability of Gripen is at the absolute forefront,” said Mikael Olsson, Head of Flight Test & Verification, Saab.

Saab had already transported the Meteor on the new generation Gripen in 2018, but has only now carried out a test launch, at 16,500 ft altitude at the Vidsel test range in northern Sweden.

“This success is a great demonstration of the close partnership between MBDA and Saab, which after many years of active co-operation continues to go from strength to strength. This trial also excellently shows off our joint ability to rapidly integrate weapon capabilities onto the all new Gripen E,” says Jim Price, MBDA Vice President Europe.

 

The Gripen with Meteor and Iris-T missiles (Saab)

Meteor is a project involving several partners in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden – Saab itself supplies components for its final assembly. The missile is used by fighter jets such as the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.

Sweden and Brazil, customers of the Gripen E/F, will equip their fighters with the Meteor. One of the differentials of the long-range missile is the “ramjet” propulsion, which allows it to maintain high speed throughout its trajectory, up to 200 km.

Source airdatanews.com

Gripen E as a series enters the delivery phase for the Brazilian and Swedish Air Forces - YouTube

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AG600M made its maiden flight at Zhanghe Airport in Jingmen, Hubei

Ryan Chan 陳家翹 on Twitter: "2022年8月29日，中國自主研制的「鯤龍」全狀態新構型滅火機AG600M在湖北荊門漳河機場水上首飛成功。 全新消防塗裝的AG600M從機場滑行入水，隨即從水面騰空而起，在空中平穩飛行18分鐘，完成既定一系列試飛科目後，順利降落漳河水庫。 https://t.co/hiFQIuuv8a" / Twitter

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HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded DDG 1002 Combat Systems

USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) / Chuck Stephens

HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded DDG 1002 Combat Systems

August 29, 2022 18:15 ET | Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

 

PASCAGOULA, Miss., Aug. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global defense and technologies partner HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy to begin the combat systems availability for the Zumwalt-class destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). During this availability, Ingalls will complete the installation, activation and testing of the combat systems to ensure a fully functional system is ready to operate in the Navy fleet, as part of the Navy’s phased delivery approach.

“HII is excited to support our Navy colleagues in bringing this new capability to the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “As a dedicated partner in the construction and system activation of Navy destroyers, Ingalls is eager to leverage our shipbuilders’ expertise and modernized facilities in supporting the Navy’s future generation systems and platforms.”

The $41.6 million cost-incentive-fee contract allows Ingalls to begin program management, labor, materials, and facilities to accomplish industrial efforts and fleet industrial efforts to support the ship’s combat system.

The DDG 1002 features a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and is equipped with the most advanced warfighting technology and weaponry. This ship will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing Navy to evolve with new systems and missions.

Zumwalt-class destroyer, Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002) is seen docked at HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding where work will begin on the Combat Systems Availability.

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Embraer advances in test campaign of the first KC-390 of the Portuguese Air Force

Embraer

Embraer advances in test campaign of the first KC-390 of the Portuguese Air Force

Photo: Embraer

Embraer continues to advance in the test campaign of the first KC-390 aircraft for the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). Currently, the activities carried out at the Embraer unit in Gavião Peixoto, in the interior of the State of São Paulo, focus on flight tests with the objective of meeting the specific requirements of the Portuguese State and which are under certification by the National Civil Aviation Agency. (ANAC) and the Institute for Industrial Development and Coordination (IFI).

This phase precedes the departure of the aircraft to Portugal, where the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standard equipment will be integrated to be certified by the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN), of Portugal and with the involvement of OGMA, a subsidiary of Embraer in Portugal. All activities are being monitored by FAP. First deliveries to FAP are scheduled to begin in 2023.

As part of the process of modernizing the capabilities of the FAP to support the operations of the Armed Forces of Portugal, increasing the readiness for missions of public interest, the Government of Portugal signed, in August 2019, a contract with Embraer for the acquisition of five aircraft KC-390 Millennium. The contract also includes support and services and a flight simulator.

The aircraft meets all FAP requirements, being capable of performing a variety of civilian missions, including humanitarian support, medical evacuation, search and rescue and wildfire fighting, adding superior cargo and troop transport and launch capabilities, and in-flight refueling.

Portugal is the largest international partner of the KC-390 Program and its participation in the development and production of the aircraft is recognized as having had a positive economic impact on job creation, new investments, increased exports and technological advances.

The C-390 Millennium and its aerial refueling configuration, the KC-390, are the new generation of multi-mission military transport aircraft that offer unparalleled mobility and cargo capacity, rapid reconfiguration, high availability, enhanced comfort and flight safety, as well as as optimized management of reduced operational costs throughout its lifecycle, all on a single platform.

 Embraer information

The article is in Portuguese

Source portugal.postsen.com

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