Aussies tap Lockheed for 20 C-130s for AUD $9.8B, boosting reach, flexibility

Aussies tap Lockheed for 20 C-130s for AUD $9.8B, boosting reach, flexibility
Aussies tap Lockheed for 20 C-130s for AUD $9.8B, boosting reach, flexibility

“They’ve got better electronic warfare self protection, they’ve got better performance and they’ve got stronger airframes,” said defense procurement minister Pat Conroy about the C-130Js. “So, while it’s got the same name, it’s a better aircraft.”

Sweden to investigate C-130H replacement options after ‘quotation from industry’ thrown out

Sweden to investigate C-130H replacement options after ‘quotation from industry’ thrown out
Sweden to investigate C-130H replacement options after ‘quotation from industry’ thrown out

Stockholm had previously planned on carrying out a mid-life upgrade to extend the life of the C-130H fleet out to 2030, before deciding on the Italian second hand aircraft plan.

RAF defends decision behind 2-year tactical airlift capability gap, plans additional A400M buy

RAF defends decision behind 2-year tactical airlift capability gap, plans additional A400M buy
RAF defends decision behind 2-year tactical airlift capability gap, plans additional A400M buy

Elsewhere in a UK defense committee hearing, a military official said he wouldn’t put high-dollar, exquisite drones over Ukraine.

Germany looks to close ‘peacetime’ capability gaps, targets €15B procurement budget by 2024

Germany looks to close ‘peacetime’ capability gaps, targets €15B procurement budget by 2024
Germany looks to close ‘peacetime’ capability gaps, targets €15B procurement budget by 2024

“What this tells us is that those projects once in the annual defense budget were not properly funded before transferring to the special arms fund,” said Christian Molling, research director at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

Australia stays with C-130, but size, timing of buy uncertain

Australia stays with C-130, but size, timing of buy uncertain
Australia stays with C-130, but size, timing of buy uncertain

“I don’t know if it’s somehow a sign of greater transparency or why, but normally, defence steadfastly resist saying what options it’s taking up to government,” Marcus Hellyer of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said. “It’s quite unusual that they’re flagging they are only taking one option to government before they’ve actually even done it.”

presented by
How this SOCOM aircraft-mod specialist uses data to break vendor lock

How this SOCOM aircraft-mod specialist uses data to break vendor lock
How this SOCOM aircraft-mod specialist uses data to break vendor lock

With the right tools to fill in gaps in data when it’s not available, or when the aircraft OEM is unwilling to participate, it’s possible to generate technical data packages that become the property of the customer.

Qatar’s Massive Increase In Military Power Comes With Political, Logistical Headaches

Qatar’s Massive Increase In Military Power Comes With Political, Logistical Headaches
Qatar’s Massive Increase In Military Power Comes With Political, Logistical Headaches

As Qatar awaits permission from Paris to base Rafales and Mirages in Turkey, it grapples with the challenge of finding manpower and training them to use dozens of planes it has purchased.

Appropriators Increase Air Force Aircraft Procurement, Cut Missiles And Ammo

Appropriators Increase Air Force Aircraft Procurement, Cut Missiles And Ammo
Appropriators Increase Air Force Aircraft Procurement, Cut Missiles And Ammo

The HAC report rebukes the Air Force for a lack of transparency in shifting spending on prototyping of hypersonic missiles.

presented by Rolls-Royce
Applying Risk Reduction And Digital Engineering: The Air Force’s B-52 Re-Engining Program

Applying Risk Reduction And Digital Engineering: The Air Force’s B-52 Re-Engining Program
Applying Risk Reduction And Digital Engineering: The Air Force’s B-52 Re-Engining Program

With hundreds of thousands of hours of digital engineering work done, Rolls-Royce is well ahead of schedule for the F130 engine development.

UK All In On FCAS Fighter In New Defense Plan

UK All In On FCAS Fighter In New Defense Plan
UK All In On FCAS Fighter In New Defense Plan

“We’ve committed to 48, we’ll buy 48” F-35s, UK Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, said. The original plan was to buy 138 fifth-generation fighters, but British officials in recent months have declined to say that number is still the target. 

NDAA Adds 14 F-35s, OKs $9.1B; Fully Funds B-21

NDAA Adds 14 F-35s, OKs $9.1B; Fully Funds B-21
NDAA Adds 14 F-35s, OKs $9.1B; Fully Funds B-21

Authorizers want CAPE to assess costs and risks of the “aggressive and uncertain plan” Digital Century Series approach to acquire NGAD aircraft.

Eye On Arctic, Congress Pushes More C-130Js; Including Ski Planes

Eye On Arctic, Congress Pushes More C-130Js; Including Ski Planes
Eye On Arctic, Congress Pushes More C-130Js; Including Ski Planes

“The C-130 has been the most plus-upped aircraft in history,” says Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia.

Trump Strips $3.8B For Border Wall From F-35s, Navy Ships, National Guard

Trump Strips $3.8B For Border Wall From F-35s, Navy Ships, National Guard
Trump Strips $3.8B For Border Wall From F-35s, Navy Ships, National Guard

Rep. Thornberry, the senior Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, said the White House move to repurpose military procurement money “is in violation of the separation of powers within the Constitution… and I believe that it requires Congress to take action.”

Acting SecAF & Roper Likely Head To Paris Show, With F-35A

Acting SecAF & Roper Likely Head To Paris Show, With F-35A
Acting SecAF & Roper Likely Head To Paris Show, With F-35A

Amid chatter about what aircraft will make their way to Paris, the Air Force going all in.