Full-pace, full-scope testing of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototypes began Sept. 3 and could last for 14 months. Each of the 3 vendors — Oshkosh Defense, Lockheed Martin and AM General — delivered 22 vehicles and 6 trailers for testing to 3 sites — Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; Yuma, Ariz.; and Redstone Arsenal, Ala. Rigorous reliability testing over various terrains and in several climatic conditions and protection-related testing is being conducted, said Col. John Cavedo, the Joint Program Office manager, who spoke Sept. 4, during a JLTV webcast. The program continues to be on course despite this year’s sequestration... Read More »

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is prepared to achieve capability of keeping its indigenously developed fighter aircraft “JF 17 (Thunder) airborne for longer haul, said Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt. “The ground tests had been very successful and i’m satisfied. The air to air refueling test) would be done successfully by end of this summer, Air Chief Marshal Butt said in an interview with Defence Jane’s Weekly. Pakistan had acquired the refueling air tankers Ilyushin II-78 from Ukraine back in 2010 and these are being synchronized with Medium to High Tech multi-role aircraft thus giving it... Read More »

All 66 Joint Light Tactical Vehicle prototypes were brought to the army in order that 14 months of testing can begin at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. Full-scale testing is scheduled to start next week, in accordance with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle joint program office. Each of the 3 vendors competing within the current research and development program delivered a complete of twenty-two vehicles and 6 trailers to both locations, said Col. John Cavedo, the joint project manager. The vendors are Oshkosh Defense, which builds the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle and others; Lockheed Martin, which produces... Read More »

France will about halve its purchases of Dassault Rafale jet fighter planes over the subsequent six years, under defence estimates on Friday, and is looking on eventually clinching the primary sales abroad to maintain production lines going. French officials say that among potential clients are India, Qatar, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil. The government, struggling to curb public spending, also made clear that there’ll be no change to the French independent nuclear deterrent which successive governments have treated as a very important issue of national defence. Dassault Aviation, which builds the Rafale fighters, used to high-profile effect in... Read More »

Soldiers facing rugged terrain and extreme temperatures are continually are seeking for the way to reduce the load in their gear. In a seek for solutions to this persistent issue, U.S. Army scientists and engineers have preliminarily demonstrated body armor this is 10 percent lighter through new manufacturing processes. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, often known as RDECOM, along side its industry partners, has leveraged the Army’s Manufacturing Technology Program to spur the Advanced Body Armor Project. Shawn Walsh, Ph.D., leads the project at RDECOM’s Army Research Laboratory, or ARL, where his team has reduced the burden... Read More »