Raytheon Awarded $23.5 Million Risk Reduction Contract for Next-Generation GPS Ground Control Segment

AURORA, Colo., April 21, 2009 — Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) received a contract extension to perform additional risk-reduction activities for the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation Global Positioning System Operational Ground Control Segment, or GPS OCX. Raytheon will identify and mitigate program risk to create a roadmap to keep the program on budget and on schedule.
“We [...]

Boeing, Dassault and Saab court Brazil plane deal

RIO DE JANEIRO, Apr 19, 2009 — Aviation giants Boeing, Dassault and Saab were locked in quiet but fierce competition at a trade show here for a multi-billion dollar deal later this year with the Brazilian Air Force.

A model of a fighter from French aircraft maker Rafale International at the Latin America Aerospace & Defence [...]

Indian Air Force builds 3rd airbase in India-controlled Kashmir

NEW DELHI, April 7 — The Indian Air Force (IAF) is building its third airbase in Ladakh, India-controlled Kashmir, the semi-official Press Trust of India reported on Tuesday.

Indian air force Jaguar aircraft fly during the inauguration ceremony of the “Aero India 2009″ at Yelahanka air force station on the outskirts of the southern Indian city [...]

Gridlock stalls replacement of aging air tankers

WASHINGTON, Apr 06, 2009— After more than 50 years as the military’s gas station in the sky — and a decade of attempts to replace it — the KC-135 is showing its age.
At a base outside the nation’s capital, the cockpit of a 1957 aerial refueling plane still has a quarter-sized hole in the ceiling [...]

Saudi Arabia buys Sidewinder missiles

TUCSON, April 3 —  The Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force has contracted Raytheon for the company to deliver AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles.

The AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided missile (Image:fas.org)
U.S. company Raytheon was awarded the contract after an agreement between Saudi Arabian authorities and the U.S. government. Under the deal, Raytheon will deliver an undisclosed number of tactical and [...]

U.S Air Force picks Louisiana base for strike command

WASHINGTON, Apr 03, 2009  — Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana has been selected to house the Air Force’s new Global Strike Command, a decision that will create some 900 jobs in a state still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

A B-2 and B-52 fly in formation over Shreveport, La., on May 10, 2008 during the Defenders [...]

N.Korea deploys fighter planes to protect rocket launch

BEIJING, April 2 — North Korea has deployed a fleet of fighter jets to defend against any attempts to shoot down its rocket, set to be launched in the coming days, South Korea’s Yonhap agency reported on Thursday.

MiG-23 Flogger (fas.org)
The announcement came as Japan opened an emergency center to prepare for the launch. Japan, which [...]

India to begin fighter jet trials soon

NEW DELHI, Apr 2, 2009 – India will soon begin trials of fighter jets competing for one of the world’s biggest arms deals, a defense ministry official said Thursday, brushing aside speculation the upcoming election could affect the deal.

Lockheedmartin’s Super Hercules C-130js (Lockheedmartin)
Last year, six international companies submitted bids to supply India with 126 [...]

Iraqi Air Force chief says US officials supportive

WASHINGTON, March 31  - Iraq wants to buy an initial squadron of Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter aircraft this year to help guard against perceived threats from Iran and Syria after U.S. forces leave, the head of the Iraqi Air Force told Reuters on Tuesday.

An Iraqi Air Force C-130 Hercules taking off from the runway [...]

U.S. space industry not yet seeing economic slowdown

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – The U.S. economy is in recession, but the satellite industry’s prospects are still flying high — at least for now, military officials and industry executives said on Tuesday.

The space shuttle Discovery returns to earth at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, March 28, 2009. The landing ends mission [...]