David Donald
Contributor - UK

Contributor - UK

Latest from David Donald

Aircraft

Super Hornet Demonstrates Ski Jump Capability

Tests have been undertaken to validate the F/A-18E/F’s ability to launch from the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers.
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Aircraft

Special-mission Gulfstreams Approved for Italy

The two reconnaissance Gulfstreams are believed to be the first of a fleet that could number as many as eight aircraft.
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Aircraft

U.S. Air Force Conducts Advanced Connectivity Trials

For the first time the F-22 and F-35 fifth-generation fighters “talked” to each other securely via datalink.
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Eurodrone Looks to Development and Production Contract

The four-nation program for a MALE UAV is awaiting a contract to launch the development and production of 60 air vehicles for service-entry in 2028.
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Aircraft

Airbus Enhances Safety for Boom and Drogue Refueling

Automatic refueling for boom receivers is slated for certification trials next year, while probe receivers are getting a new traffic light system.
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Aircraft

Spain Now Fully Onboarded to FCAS Program

Having been left out of the February 2020 launch of the Phase 1A demonstrator phase for FCAS, Spain’s industry is now fully integrated into the program.
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Aircraft

U.S. Air Force Begins B-1B External Carriage Weapons Tests

Boeing B-1Bs bombers are slated to become carriers for large hypersonic missiles such as the Lockheed Martin AGM-183A ARRW.
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Rotorcraft

Germany Orders NH90 Sea Tiger Helicopters

The shipborne Sea Tiger helicopter will defend the German navy’s frigates against both submarine and surface attack.
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Aircraft

French Navy To Receive Falcon 2000 Albatros Patrollers

The French navy—which currently flies Falcon 200s and 50s—is to continue its tradition of operating Falcon models in the maritime surveillance role.
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Aircraft

Hungary Signs for Two KC-390 Tanker/Transports

The KC-390s will provide tactical transport, refueling for Gripen fighters, and medical evacuation capability.
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Aircraft

Leonardo Unveils Next-generation Spartan

The new version of the C-27J military transport aircraft has aerodynamic and avionics improvements that enhance performance and mission capability.
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Aircraft

Germany Orders More Eurofighter Typhoon Fighters

The new batch of aircraft will replace the aging Tranche 1 aircraft in Luftwaffe service under the Quadriga project.
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Aircraft

UAE Cleared to Buy F-35A Fighters and MQ-9B Drones

The United Arab Emirates has long sought the F-35 fighter in order to maintain its qualitative edge over its neighbor Iran.
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Aircraft

Brazilian Air Force Flies First Modernized Tucano Trainer

Brazil’s air force is upgrading some of its Embraer Tucano trainer fleet so that they are more suited to training pilots for modern aircraft.
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Aircraft

Belgium Considers Dart-550 Basic Trainer

The Belgian Air Force is looking for a new basic trainer to replace its SIAI-Marchetti SF-260s.
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Rotorcraft

Sikorsky to Supply Military Helicopters to Greece and U.S. Marines

Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky have landed $730 million of new work in one day through Navair contracts for 10 new “Romeo” and King Stallion helicopters.
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Rotorcraft

First Airbus H145s for Ecuador

Following an unhappy experience with the Dhruv, the FAE is receiving H145s equipped for military, search and rescue, and disaster relief operations.
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Aircraft

Airbus Lifts Lid on New Jet Trainer Project

The new advanced trainer is initially aimed at a Spanish air force requirement for a lead-in fighter trainer.
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Aircraft

Swedish Defense Bill Extends Gripen, Adds New AEW Aircraft

Sweden’s government is planning a major increase in the defense budget that will see the air force keeping JAS 39Cs in service for at least a decade.
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Rotorcraft

France Orders NH90 Helicopters For Special Forces

The final ten NH90 TTHs helicopters on order for the French army will be delivered to a new standard optimized for special forces support.
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Aircraft

UK’s Carrier Strike Group Faces Its First Test

The HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier is currently at sea in Europe’s largest exercise, with UK and U.S. Marine Corps F-35B fighters on board.
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Draken Buys Cobham's Falcon Fleet; ATAC Lands Eglin Deal

With its purchase of Cobham’s Aviation Services division, Draken has gained a foothold in the European contractorized training services market.
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Aircraft

Swiss Fighter Program Clears Referendum Hurdle

Although it may face further political opposition, Switzerland’s new fighter procurement has received public approval, albeit by a slim margin.
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Aircraft

NATO Adds Ninth A330 Tanker/Transport

The latest order comes as a result of Luxembourg deciding to expand its participation in the program by 1,000 hours annually.
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Aircraft

Gripen E Flies in Brazilian Skies

The first of 36 F-39 Gripen E/Fs for the Brazilian air force has been delivered for trials at the Gripen Flight Test Center at Gavião Pexioto.
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Aircraft

Greece to Buy Rafale Fighter in Defense Spending Spree

Greece's announcement that it will acquire a squadron of Rafales coincides with a period of increasing tensions with its neighbor Turkey.
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Aircraft

Saab Makes New Gripen Fighter Offer to Croatia

Sweden and Saab are pitching new-build Gripen C/Ds as the answer to Croatia’s long-running search for a new fighter.
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Rotorcraft

First Block II Chinook for Special Operations Command

The latest special forces version of the Chinook is lighter and better-performing than its predecessor.
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Rotorcraft

Russian Helicopters Unveils New Mi-171Sh-VN ‘Hip’ Troop Carrier

Russian Helicopters is displaying an impressive range of its military products at the Army 2020 International Military-Technical Forum.
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Aircraft

First A350 Handed Over to German Armed Forces

Inevitably dubbed by the press as “Merkel One,” the aircraft is due to take over long-haul governmental transport duties from the A340.
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