Support and upkeep of world C-17 fleet continues through Boeing’s Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program Production continues at 10 C-17s per year for 22 additional new aircraft Boeing’s 2013 financial guidance unchanged Boeing will complete production of the C-17 Globemaster III and shut the C-17 final assembly facility in Long Beach, Calif. in 2015. “Ending C-17 production was an extraordinarily difficult but necessary decision,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “We need to thank the highly skilled and talented employees who’ve built this great airlifter for greater than twenty years- and those... Read More »

The B-52 Stratofortress will soon receive a software upgrade to be able to keep the aircraft on the forefront of the U.S. strategic bomber fleet. As new equipment and advanced weapons are added to the B-52 fleet, the B-52 Software Block (BSB) upgrades allow the aircraft to make use of the total potential of these new and improved systems. “Think in the case of your house,” Air Force Global Strike Command B-52 program analyst Nathan Dawn said. “This is analogous to when your cable provider will give you a brand new cable modem, so that you upgrade the software in... Read More »

The Army displayed energy-efficient technologies within the Pentagon courtyard which are used or being developed to make Soldiers more advantageous at the battlefield. The G-4 Operational Energy team hosted the development Nov. 14, showcasing technologies comparable to a rigid wall shelter, an Integrated Soldier Power/Data System, generators and transportable solar panels. Army leaders who toured the displays include Under Secretary of the military Dr. Joseph W. Westphal, Sgt. Maj. of the military Raymond F. Chandler III, and Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the military for Installations, Energy and Environment. Lt. Col. Roger D. Kuykendall, product manager for Common Engines with... Read More »

Helibras has successfully completed flight testing of a chaff and flare countermeasures dispensing system for EC725 helicopters, completing a primary-of-its-kind system integration project in Brazil and staining another key phase in Eurocopter’s contract to offer 50 of those Super Puma/Cougar family rotorcraft to the Brazilian defense force. Six flights were performed with the self-protection system – that is used to detect and identify threats to the aircraft and confuse heat-seeking and radar-guided missiles – validating its operation and integration with the helicopter’s other functions. The system was developed by Helibras’ Engineering Center under the supervision of Chief Engineer Walter Filho.... Read More »

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence has contracted with the Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf to provide it with tracked armoured vehicles, logistical support and ammunition worth roughly €216 million. The contract, which was signed in December 2012, now comes into full force following the successful completion of all legal formalities. Along with 103 thoroughly overhauled and modernized Leopard 2 main battle tanks, the order encompasses 42 upgraded Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and 11 various armoured recovery and engineering vehicles, plus associated documentation, training equipment and extra logistical support. Furthermore, the order includes an initial supply of practice and repair ammunition.... Read More »