Stratobus, developed by Thales Alenia Space, is a non-rigid stratospheric airship with fully autonomous electric propulsion. The concept has been optimised around a 140 m long airship that operates at altitudes of 18–20 km and has more than 1,000 m
2
of solar cells. The aim is for the system to carry 250 kg payloads.
(Thales Alenia Space)
Thales Alenia Space, along with a consortium of 21 partners, will develop high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) following investment from the European Commission.
Author: Michael
Japan’s acquisition of Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft will improve its situational awareness in the Pacific. This photo shows a new E-2D for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force being unloaded at Iwakuni, Japan, on 18 October 2022. (US Marine Corps/Lance Cpl David Getz)
The US State Department has made a determination, approving a possible sale of Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to Japan.
In an announcement on 7 March, the State Department said that the estimated USD1.
Saab’s AEW&C offering, which incorporates the Saab 2000 Erieye system. Indonesia has obtained approval to seek foreign loans for its AEW&C programme and is considering the Erieye system as one of its candidates. (Saab)
The Indonesian Ministry of Finance (MoF) has approved plans for the country to acquire two new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, with loans sourced from a foreign lender.
H. Mongilio, USNI N.
Joseph DeTrani, The Cipher Brief
OPINION — Although bilateral trade with China in 2022 increased to a record $690.
NDM
AURORA, Colorado — Given that U.S.
Ken Allen, Warrior Maven
China’s Air Attack Strategy — Overview of the PLA Air Force’s Kongtian Yiti Strategy
Elbridge Colby, Proceedings
China aspires to dominate the Indo-Pacific region—the impact of which would dramatically undermine Americans’ security, freedom, and prosperity.
Romania plans to submit a request for the F-35 by the end of 2024, with the first operational squadron after 2030. (US DoD)
Romania has firmed up plans to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), with a senior official saying the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will submit a formal letter of request to the US government before the end of 2024.
France-based defence and security company Thales has reported sales of €17.6bn for fiscal year (FY) 2022.
This represents an ‘organic’ (with fixed scope and exchange rates) increase of 5.5%, from €16.1bn in sales in FY2021.
The company said this growth in sales was specifically driven by its Digital Identity and Security businesses.
Order intake for the reported FY, which ended on 31 December 2022, was up 16% on an organic basis to €23.5bn, from €19.9bn in FY21.