News Story: Vendors wait for Philippine CAS relaunch

A-29/EMB-314 Super Tucano

by Gordon Arthur

A requirement for six close air support aircraft (CAS) for the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is in limbo right now, but vendors hope a competition might kick off again in the not too distant future.

RfIs for a CAS platform have been launched three times in recent years but with no result. Aircraft manufacturers are now waiting for a fourth tender. The PAF currently relies mainly on the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco and Alenia Aermacchi SF-260TP for this role.

Reflections at the ADAS 2016 exhibition in Manila were that the PAF set its specifications too high, which ruled out some contenders and resulted in bids that were more expensive than the air force could afford. 

The requirement currently seems tied up in bureaucracy, although the PAF may be adjusting its requirements to a more realistic level. President Rodrigo Duterte has prioritised this CAS requirement, which may give the project greater impetus.

Read the full story at Shephard

News Story: New Zealand Boosts Defense Spending

ANZAC class Frigate; HMNZS Te Kaha (File Photo)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced the government will invest NZ $100.9 million (US $86 million) of operating funds in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in 2014/2015. Further details will be revealed when the budget is released May 15.

It is the first stage of an allocation of NZ $535.5 million in operating funds for the NZDF over the next four years, Coleman said.

“This … means the government is addressing the long-term funding gap which we inherited,” he said.

Although a lot of money had been spent ordering new kit, including new Seasprite SH-2G(I) naval helicopters, MAN Army trucks and a PT-6 pilot training package, Coleman said there is not enough funding to enable personnel to run them properly.

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Industry: INTEGRATED PILOT TRAINING SYSTEM OFFERED FOR AIR 5428 PROJECT

Williamtown, Australia: BAE Systems, Beechcraft and CAE have developed an integrated pilot training system (PTS) that fully meets the Australian Defence Force’s requirements by delivering highly cost-effective training for its AIR 5428 project.

The team has offered a proven system that focuses on delivering advanced skill levels, reducing training times and improving productivity. It would be delivered using a flexible learning environment, the renowned T-6C military training aircraft and a state-of-the-art suite of synthetic flight training devices.

BAE Systems Australia General Manager Aviation Solutions John Quaife said the team was ready to deliver the ADF’s future pilot training.

“We’ve drawn on decades of global military flight training experience to develop a solution focused solely on producing the very best military aviators at a location of the ADF’s choosing,” Mr Quaife said.

News Story: New Pilot Training Scheme for New Zealand

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — Beechcraft’s T-6C aircraft has been chosen to provide new pilot training capability for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).

New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman announced the NZ $154 million (US $127 million) package, which includes 11 T-6C turboprop aircraft, together with simulators, classroom and computer based training packages to complement practical flying experience.

Infrastructure improvements will include a new training/simulation center and an upgraded hangar at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF’s) Ohakea base.

The capability is expected to produce up to 15 graduate pilots and 12 qualifying flying instructors per year over the next 30 years, Coleman said.

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News Story: Asian States Close In on Fighter Deals

By WENDELL MINNICK

TAIPEI — As regional powers gather at the Singapore Airshow this week, two issues will be at the forefront: upgrading their F-16s and/or buying F-35s.

The biggest beneficiary in these fighter jet programs is Lockheed Martin, which has been selected by the US Air Force as the system integrator for the Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES) program that will upgrade the radar and avionics on 300 F-16s.

Singapore and Taiwan will be hitching their own F-16 upgrades to the CAPES program as well, depending largely on whether the US decides to continue funding CAPES, which is in doubt. However, Lockheed still benefits by being the only fifth-generation fighter maker on the market. Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and even Taiwan have plans to procure the F-35.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: New Zealand Picks T-6C for Pilot Training

T-6 (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON

WELLINGTON — New Zealand will buy 11 T-6C turboprop aircraft to be used for pilot training, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman announced.

The NZ $154 million (US$127 million) purchase “includes ground simulators, classroom and computer-based training packages to complement practical flying experience,” Coleman said Jan. 27 in a Defence Ministry news release.

The aircraft will be assembled in Wichita, Kan., and are expected to enter service with the Pilot Training School and the Central Flying School at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) Ohakea base in early 2016.

Flight simulators and other ground-based training devices will be installed at Ohakea by CAE Simulation (USA).

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Lockheed Martin, Pilatus Team For Australian Trainer Bid

PC-21 (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons)

By NIGEL PITTAWAY

SYDNEY — A second team has revealed its intentions to bid for the Australian Defence Force’s fixed-wing Pilot Training System contest, along with the Oct. 3 announcement that Lockheed Martin and Pilatus will join forces to exclusively offer the PC-21 platform.

The Lockheed-Pilatus team, known as ‘Team 21,’ will also be supported in Australia by Hawker Pacific.

“It became very clear after a thorough review of potential partners that the existing alignment of Lockheed Martin, Pilatus and Hawker Pacific would deliver the best overall customer outcome, not only for the Australian Defence Force, but also for ongoing operational budgets and taxpayers, to deliver the best value for money,” said Pilatus chief executive Markus Bucher.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Teams Form for Australian Trainer Contest

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II (Image: Wiki Commons)

By NIGEL PITTAWAY

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA — BAE Systems announced on Sept. 11 that it has teamed with Beechcraft and CAE to bid for the Australian Defence Force’s fixed-wing pilot training system.

John Quaife, BAE’s general manager for aviation solutions, said the team will provide a total flight training solution, based on Beechcraft’s T-6C Texan II turboprop trainer.

“Designed to meet the needs of undergraduate pilot training for the United States, Canada and other NATO air forces, the T-6C has amassed more than 2 million flying hours and has proven its ability as a versatile, cost-effective platform,” he said.

BAE Systems has provided services to Australia’s forces for flight screening and basic flying training since 1992 and won an AUS $88.8 million (US $83 million) Interim Basic Flying Training (IBFT) contract for a further six years in 2011. It also provides flying training and support in Australia for the Republic of Singapore Air Force, Royal Brunei Air Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: BAE SYSTEMS TEAMS WITH BEECHCRAFT AND CAE FOR AIR 5428 SOLUTION

Williamtown, Australia: BAE Systems has teamed with Beechcraft and CAE in a bid to deliver the Air 5428 project – the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF’s) new pilot training system.

The team will provide a total flight training solution that brings together BAE Systems’ extensive training, systems integration and sustainment capabilities; CAE’s leading simulation, training and support services; and Beechcraft’s renowned T-6C mission system. 

BAE Systems General Manager Aviation Solutions John Quaife said BAE Systems, Beechcraft and CAE will offer the ADF a strong, experienced and complementary team that understands the Australian environment and the training requirements of the Navy, Army and Air Force. 

“Since 1992, BAE Systems’ training specialists have helped deliver flight screening and basic flight training for the ADF,” Mr Quaife said.