New F-16V Viper

Upgraded Lockheed Martin New F-16V Unveiled

Lockheed Martin unveiled a new version of the F-16 today at the Singapore Airshow.

The F-16V will feature enhancements including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, an upgraded mission computer and architecture, and improvements to the cockpit – all capabilities identified by the U.S. Air Force and several international customers for future improvements.

Here’s Why The F-35 Is Going To Be The Allied Fighter Of The 21st Century

It’s no secret that spiraling F-35 development costs have made the aircraft the most expensive weapons project ever; it’s a project that’s become almost too big too fail.
Japan’s announcement that it is buying 42 F-35s gives a much needed credibility boost to Lockheed, which continues to reel from a string of serious problems outlined by in a November 2011 Pentagon report obtained by the Project on Government Oversight.

All told, for 20-years of service, Japan expects to pay about $1 billion a year for its fleet of F-35s, and many potential buyers are questioning whether it’s worth it. The Lockheed fighter is great for penetrating enemy defenses undetected, doing its thing and getting back to base safely — all reasons that make the jet a sensible purchases for potential buyers like South Korea and India.

But Australia has committed to the F-35, and Singapore is slated to give its final decision in October, and as Trefor Moss at The Diplomat points out, both countries have far greater defensive needs than the F-35 may provide.

Canada has signed on for the F-35 to replace its fleet of CF-18s, with Britain, the Netherlands, Italy and Israel also vocalizing their intentions to snatch up the fighter for their troops.

With the list of buyers and potential buyers continuing to grow, the threat of a budget cut on the program from the U.S. is diminished and the likelihood that Lockheed will remedy the planes faults improves. The only question that remains is how long this will take.

Alenia Aermacchi participates in the Singapore Air Show 2012

Finmeccanica’s aeronautics sector, led by Alenia Aermacchi, is to exhibit at the Singapore Air Show, to be held at the Changi Exhibition Center from 14 to 19 February 2012 (stand J-39).

The Singapore Air Show is today Asia’s largest showcase for aerospace and defence, and Alenia Aermacchi, the largest Italian aeronautics company to operate worldwide in the design, development, production and integrated support of civil and military aircraft, trainers, unmanned aircraft and aerostructures, is there to exhibit its main products and those of its subsidiaries.

Over the years, Italy has developed a solid industrial alliance with Asia, and Finmeccanica’s aeronautics division has built partnerships in the defence sector, taking part in a variety of successful programmes. Most recently, in 2010, Alenia Aermacchi was awarded its first international contract to supply 12 M-346 advanced trainers for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), through the consortium formed by ST Aerospace (prime contractor) and Boeing.

Furthermore, in June 2011, Alenia Aermacchi finalised contracts with ST Aerospace to provide logistics support for the RSAF’s fleet of M-346s, again as part of the Fighter Wings Course (FWC) programme.

For the Finmeccanica group company, Singapore and the Asia region are a fundamental part of its growth strategy, offering business opportunities in the short and medium term. Through the Italo-French joint venture ATR (Alenia Aermacchi/EADS), the company has formed a close relationship with Singapore, and more generally South East Asia, not only by selling a large number of regional transport aircraft, but also by opening a customer support centre in Singapore and training facilities in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. Furthermore, it has some exciting prospects in relation to the replacement of the Singapore Navy’s patrol aircraft and the supply of ATR 42 and ATR 72 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and the Philippines’ Air Force.

There are also some interesting opportunities for the C-27J in Asia, and Indonesia in particular.

Two Italian Air Force’s M-346 aircraft (T-346A) and a C-27J will be displayed At the Singapore Air Show.

On stand J-39 Alenia Aermacchi is exhibiting models of its own aircraft: the M-346, an advanced trainer, designed to train pilots to fly next-generation, high-performance military aircraft, and the C-27J Spartan, a tactical transport aircraft that offers high levels of operational efficiency, flexibility and excellent performance in all environmental conditions. Other exhibits include a model of the ATR 42 MP, the maritime patrol version of the ATR 42 developed by Alenia Aermacchi; the Eurofighter Typhoon, the supersonic twin-engine aircraft developed and produced in partnership by Alenia Aermacchi for Italy, BAE Systems for the UK and EADS for Germany and Spain; and a model of the Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional transport jet, which Alenia Aermacchi, as part the Superjet International joint venture with Sukhoi Holding, markets, sells and customises in Europe,

The US, Africa, Japan and Oceania, as well as providing pilot training and after-sales support worldwide.

Source: By Rob Vogelaar, 10 February 2012 – Alenia Aermacchi News (http://www.aviationnews.eu) and http://www.xairforces.net

Photo: Italian Air Force M-346 (T-346A) aircraft (Photo by Alenia Aermacchi)

Taipei cuts budget for F-16 upgrades

With less money than is needed to acquire everything released by the US in September, Taiwan’s air force will have to make some tough choices

The Executive Yuan is only giving the Ministry of National Defense US$3.7 billion for the upgrade of the nation’s ageing F-16 aircraft, the Taipei Times has learned. As a result of that decision, the ministry has told the air force that it cannot afford to spend US$5.1 billion on the upgrade package, notified to US Congress in September last year, for its 145 F-16A/Bs.

The Times was also informed that a decision has been made not to replace the aircraft’s F-100-PW-220 engines with F-100-PW-229, work that would have cost an estimated US$1.35 billion.

Rafale Price Undercuts Eurofighter by 25 Percent: Report

India’s selection of Dassault Aviation as the preferred bidder for a 126-fighter jet deal was largely based on a price tag 25 percent cheaper than the French firm’s Eurofighter rival, a report said Feb. 10. 2012

Gripen Propels Saab’s Strong 2011 Earnings

Swedish weapons and aeronautics manufacturer Saab reported on Feb. 10 a five-fold increase in its 2011 earnings after clinching several major contracts, and said it hoped to increase sales this year.

POSSIBILITY OF MAKING High medium range missiles in the hands of Hezbollah, the Syrian army