THE YEAR HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY EVENTFUL, WE LOOK AT some major milestones achieved in the military aviation domain.
GERMAN AIR FORCE DECIDES ON F-35S
Lockheed Martin's F-35 undoubtedly seems to be the fighter aircraft of the year 2022. Germany in March 2022 put to rest its long raging debate about the best aircraft to replace its ageing Tornado strike fighters. F/A-18E/Fs and EA-18Gs so far was a strong contender, the German government decided to buy 35 Lockheed Martin F-35, at an estimated cost of Euro 7.6 billion, and additional Euro 2.4 billion for weapons and infrastructure at its operating base.
In 2021, Finland and Switzerland selected the F-35, thereafter, the Czech Republic opted for F-35As and Greece submitted a request to purchase the US built fighter.
The F-35 is a $412 billion programme, started in 2019, and is yet to enter full rate production, owing to testing delays and other issues. The US Air Force (USAF) plans to buy 1,763 of these, although it has hinted it may cut that to 1,050; the US Navy wants 273; and the US Marines want 420. Under current plans, the Pentagon will buy one third of its 2,470 aircraft F-35 fleet (including 14 test models) before green lighting full rate production. 2022 was also the year when, delivery of new F-35s was temporarily halted when it was discovered that there were Chinese made materials in the aircraft.
AUTOMATED REFUELING
In July 2022, Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) became the first tanker to be certified for automatic air-to-air refueling (A3R) without a boom operator. Spain's National Institute of Aerospace Technology signed off on the A3R capability to refuel the F-16 during daylight following a test campaign in collaboration with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
This story is from the Issue 2, 2023 edition of SP’s Aviation.
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This story is from the Issue 2, 2023 edition of SP’s Aviation.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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CHARTINGA SUSTAINABLE COURSE
India's aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth accompanied by an inevitable surge in carbon emissions. To counter this environmental challenge, collaborative initiatives between airlines and the MoCA need to taken shape for the integration and adoption of SAF.
MARY ELLIS (1917-2018)
At one RAF base where Mary Ellis landed a Wellington bomber, the ground crew flatly refused to believe that she was the pilot. They even searched inside the bomber convinced that its male pilot was lurking somewhere.
INDIA TO LEAD COMMERCIAL AVIATION RECOVERY IN SOUTH ASIA
According to Boeing’s 2023 Commercial Market Outlook, India and South Asia are expected to have over 2,705 new airplane deliveries until 2042
BOEING 777X (777-9) MAKES ITS INDIA DEBUT
Boeing’s latest widebody 777-9 takes center stage at Wings India 2024, poised to redefine travel experience
SCRIPTING THE INDIAN AVIATION STORY
Connecting India to the world in Amrit Kaal and setting the stage for India Civil Aviation @2047
GOVERNMENT APPROVES BIG-TICKET MILITARY ACQUISITION WORTH ₹84,560 CRORE ($10.57 BN)
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to ₹84,560 crore ($10.57 billion). The DAC also notified amendments in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, reducing the overall procurement cycle for Start-Ups & MSMEs.
DEFENDING DRDO - RESTRUCTURE THE RESPONSIBILITIES
A strategic transformation of DRDO is needed to chart a course for excellence in defence technology and a more agile and responsive future
NETRA - EYES IN THE SKY
Indian AEW&C Platforms to Bolster Network-Centric Air Operations
FORCE MULTIPLIERS – ACTION UNFOLDING INDIA
Force multipliers play an undeniable role in amplifying air dominance, demanding continued investment and strategic implementation
IAF MODERNISATION ROADMAP
IAF’s pursuit of Air Space Supremacy amid a surfeit of challenges