An MV-22B from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit takes off in the Philippine Sea on 2 June 2021. (US Navy)
The US Air Force (USAF) and US Marine Corps (USMC) grounded an undisclosed number of Bell-Boeing MV-22 and CV-22 Ospreys on 3 February, citing hard clutch engagements because of worn input quill assemblies within the Rolls-Royce AE1107C engine gearboxes. Hard clutch engagements occur when the engine’s clutch disengages uncommanded and then rapidly re-engages, sending an impulse through the assembly and causing the aircraft to lurch.
Author: Michael
On 6 February, two Puma HC2s departed from RAF Benson in England to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus to begin a long-term detachment. (Crown Copyright)
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has despatched two Westland-Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC2 medium-lift helicopters from the UK to take over search-and-rescue (SAR) duties in Cyprus.
The service announced the deployment on 6 February, saying that a third Puma helicopter will soon be sent to join the two that have now begun their 3,500 km flight from RAF Benson in England to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
The conclusion of 12 Squadron’s deployment to Qatar will see the joint unit shortly revert to being a UK-only unit. (Crown Copyright)
The joint UK and Qatari Eurofighter Typhoon squadron is shortly to become a UK Royal Air Force (RAF)-only unit, following the conclusion of its deployment to protect the FIFA World Cup event in Doha.
The space economy is booming. In fact, the industry was valued at $424 billion in 2020, representing a colossal growth of 70% over the last decade. Not surprisingly, the industry’s growth is predicted to continue increasing and potentially reach up to $1tn in annual revenue by 2040.
Businesses small, large, public, and private are looking to invest while the industry is on the rise. China’s Tiangong space station became operational in December 2022 following three decades of preparation.
US Navy officials plan to use littoral combat ships for more operations as the Pentagon calls for more testing. (Michael Fabey)
US Navy (USN) officials say they are now gaining understanding of the operational flexibility of their littoral combat ship (LCS) fleet, even as the service plans to cut LCS anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, decommission several of the ships, and address testing needs recently identified by the Pentagon Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E).
Kristin Ven Bruusgaard, Foreign Policy
Deciphering the Way Moscow Handles Its Ultimate Weapon
Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine last February, there has been a near-constant debate…
A UK student pilot training on a Hawk T2 simulator at RAF Valley. The UK has offered to train Ukrainian pilots on the use of “NATO-standard fighter jets”, although it is unclear if this would be synthetic or real-world training, or a combination of the two. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
The UK is offering to train Ukrainian pilots on the use of “NATO-standard fighter jets”, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on 8 February.
This was done as part of a wider pledge of support for Kyiv timed to coincide with the first visit to London of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has notified Congress of a potential foreign military sale (FMS) of M142 launcher systems to Poland.
The proposed deal has already received approval from the US State Department.
Estimated at approximately $10bn, the FMS deal involves the delivery of 18 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, along with the related equipment and support.
Japan is acquiring the Raytheon Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems (JPALS) system for its
Izumo
helicopter carrier. The system will strengthen Japan’s efforts to employ the ship as an aircraft carrier with Lockheed Martin F-35Bs. This photograph shows a US Marine Corps F-35B taking off from the
Izumo
during interoperability trials in October 2021.
Understand the impact of the Ukraine conflict from a cross-sector perspective with the Global Data Executive Briefing: Ukraine Conflict
The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark have collaborated to refurbish and supply 100 Leopard-1A5 tanks to Ukraine.
The effort involves the three nations jointly purchasing refurbished Leopard-1A5 main battle tanks (MBTs) directly from existing German industrial stocks.