Word broke that the United States Department of Justice is supposedly launching a criminal investigation against United Technologies Corp’s (UTC) Sikorsky division for allegedly overbilling the Navy for a contract almost a decade ago. Back in 2006, Sikorsky Support Services (SSSI) won a navy contract in which they were to support T-34 and T-44 fixed wing turboprop training aircraft and as a part of this contract, SSSI subcontracted another Sikorsky unit Derco Aerospace to procure spare parts.
Learn MoreJapan’s Ministry of Defense has selected Fuji Heavy Industries, a Japanese multinational conglomerate and corporation primarily involved in ground and aerospace transportation manufacturing, as the primary developer of the UH-X, a next-generation multipurpose military helicopter. Fuji Heavy Industries, alongside the collaboration of Bell Helicopter of the United States, will be developing a commercial helicopter with the Japanese ministry. This commercial helicopter will then be customized in order to meet the requirements of Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. This “commercial-to-military” approach is believed to help cut development costs.
Learn MoreLockheed Martin announced that they are planning to deliver the first two US Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to the Royal Danish Navy later on in the year. On July 9th, digital cockpits, integrated mission systems, and sensors were installed in the first two aircraft, which arrived at its Owego facility earlier in the month. According to a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman, they are anticipated to be delivered to the Navy later this year.
Learn MoreIn July 2015, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO Marillyn Hewson announced her decision to purchase the Sikorsky helicopter operations of United Technologies for USD$9 billion while putting $6 billion in Lockheed’s existing services businesses under review for potential sale or spinoff. She believes this big move will strengthen company financials over time by substituting higher-margin rotorcraft work for commodity IT and technical services.
Learn MoreThe United States Army announced that they have retired their Northrop Grumman MQ-5B Hunter UAV aircraft after the last flight took place at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. This aircraft has been in service since 1996 and has received multiple upgrades including a USD$91.2 million reset back in 2011. It is being replaced by another Northrop Grumman model, the MQ-1C Gray Eagle.
Learn MoreNews broke that FedEx is reportedly planning on purchasing at least 27 Boeing 767 cargo aircraft in the coming years. The deal was discussed in Seattle this past weekend and though the details of the meeting are private, the deal is said to be worth around USD$5 billion.
Learn MoreKawasaki Heavy Industries has developed a new maritime patrol aircraft, named the XP-1 (previously known as P-X), with intentions of using this aircraft to replace the P-3C maritime patrol aircraft operated by the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). The initial prototype aircraft of the XP-1 was first revealed in July 2007, with this aircraft completing its maiden flight in September 2007. By March of 2010, Kawasaki had delivered four XP-1 aircraft to the Ministry of Defense for ground testing, during which the Japanese defense ministry discovered tears in various sections of the test aircraft. As a result of this, repairs to the aircraft included reinforcement of the fuel tank and central parts of the fuselage.
Learn MoreOrbital ATK announced that it had secured a $23.6 million contract to launch the US Air Force’s ORS-5 satellite on its Minotaur 4 rocket. With an anticipated launch date set for the second quarter of 2017, the US Air Force’s ORS-5 space surveillance satellite, also known as the SensorSat, is currently being designed and produced by MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory. The MIT team plans to use the satellite to scan and survey the geosynchronous-orbit belt from a low-Earth orbit vantage point.
Learn MoreJust recently, Japan has demonstrated its growing power in the global space industry. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has unveiled on July 1, 2015, their next automated HTV (H-II Transfer Vehicle) spacecraft. This vessel will be designed to specialize in cargo transportation to deliver payloads to the International Space Station. This freighter, named Kounotori-5 (HTV-5), is being prepared to resupply the International Space Station on its upcoming launch date of August 16th. Kounotori-5, which in Japanese means “white stork,” is anticipated to lift off from Tanegashima Space Center to dock on the International Space Station on August 22nd.
Learn MoreBell Helicopter’s 525 relentless model recently completed its first flight at its assembly center in Amarillo, Texas.
Learn MoreAirbus has beaten Boeing in a bid from South Korea as the country has decided to purchase 4 military airborne refueling tankers. The purchase grants $1.3 billion to the European aerospace company. In addition to beating Boeing, Airbus also outbid Israel Aerospace Industries in the tanker aircraft bid. The four A330 MRTT tankers will be delivered from 2018 to 2019 and will have the capability to fuel all fighter jets in the South Korean Air Force.
Learn MoreBoeing Company has announced that they have chosen a new chief executive officer, Dennis Muilenburg, to succeed McNerney, who is retiring after ten years as CEO. Muilenburg already has a long to-do list of decisions that he hopes will help reshape the world’s largest aircraft maker. Two of the biggest decisions he’ll have to make are right around the corner. He will have to decide whether or not to pursue a USD$10 billion takeover of Sikorsky Aircraft as well as deciding if the company will move forward on a brand new jetliner and either keep or cancel the well-known 747 jumbo, the model nicknamed the “Queen of the Skies.”
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