Lockheed Martin Awarded Contract for Kuwait Air Force KC-130J Tankers

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has received a $245 million contract from the U.S. Government for the Foreign Military Sale of three KC-130J tanker aircraft to Kuwait. The program will be managed by the U.S. Navy.

The Kuwait Air Force's new KC-130Js will provide aerial refueling for its F18 fleet and augment its current airlift fleet of three Lockheed Martin L-100s. Kuwait's KC-130Js also will perform air mobility, disaster relief and humanitarian missions throughout the world.

"We are proud to add yet another country to the growing worldwide C-130J community," said Jim Grant, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 business development. "The combination of tanking and airlift missions yet again shows the tremendous versatility of this proven aircraft. KC-130Js have been used in high-tempo operations for the last five years and will provide Kuwait with an effective, efficient and reliable multi-mission capability."

Kuwait's first KC-130J delivery is scheduled for late 2013, with deliveries completed in early 2014. Using only wing and external tanks, the KC-130J has a 57,500 pound fuel offload capability. The KC-130J is configured to accept a fuselage tank, adding another 24,392 pounds of available fuel. The standard probe-and-drogue configuration of the KC-130J is suited for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. In addition to aerial and ground refueling, the KC-130J has the same airlift capability as non-tanker variants - including airdrop and paradrop.

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PAF Gets Its 3rd IL-78P Air refuelling Aircraft

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received third air to air refuelling aircraft from Ukraine, which is likely to reach here in the first week of February 2011, sources disclosed. PAF purchased a total of four IL-78P Midas tanker aircraft from Ukraine.

The third aircraft is likely to arrive in the first week of February. These aircraft are equipped with Soviet-designed UPAZs pods and refuelling kits on Mirage-III Rose-I of South African origin. In the first phase, PAF announced that 30 Mirage-III Rose-I will be upgraded with in-flight refuelling probes and this too, is being done at PAC Kamra. The IL-78s will help train Pakistani crew in mid-air refuelling techniques and once operational, will be used to refuel the Mirage-III, eventually JF-17 Thunder and Fc-20 fighter jets.













These IL-78 Midas mid-air refuelling aircraft will allow PAF to increase the range and endurance of its fighter aircraft. The capability will also allow Pakistan to hit targets deep inside enemy territory by refuelling fighter aircraft during flight. An official said that air-to-air refuelling will enhance PAF capability in military warfare allowing its aircraft long ranges. The first air to air refuelling aircraft joined the force in mid of December 2009. PAF is using IL-78 aircraft that it procured from Ukraine for refuelling purposes and immediately installed refuelling kits to save cost. It has been learnt that PAF operates around 45 F-16A/B that are being upgraded to F-16AM/BM along with 17 new F-16C/D Block 52. So far, PAF has not shown any interest in new conformal air refuel tank system for F-16s to make them capable of taking fuel from IL-78 as its old F-16A/B can not carry conformal fuel tanks.

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PAF Gets Its 3rd IL-78P Air refuelling Aircraft

  

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has received third air to air refuelling aircraft from Ukraine, which is likely to reach here in the first week of February 2011, sources disclosed. PAF purchased a total of four IL-78P Midas tanker aircraft from Ukraine.

The third aircraft is likely to arrive in the first week of February. These aircraft are equipped with Soviet-designed UPAZs pods and refuelling kits on Mirage-III Rose-I of South African origin. In the first phase, PAF announced that 30 Mirage-III Rose-I will be upgraded with in-flight refuelling probes and this too, is being done at PAC Kamra. The IL-78s will help train Pakistani crew in mid-air refuelling techniques and once operational, will be used to refuel the Mirage-III, eventually JF-17 Thunder and Fc-20 fighter jets.

These IL-78 Midas mid-air refuelling aircraft will allow PAF to increase the range and endurance of its fighter aircraft. The capability will also allow Pakistan to hit targets deep inside enemy territory by refuelling fighter aircraft during flight. An official said that air-to-air refuelling will enhance PAF capability in military warfare allowing its aircraft long ranges. The first air to air refuelling aircraft joined the force in mid of December 2009. PAF is using IL-78 aircraft that it procured from Ukraine for refuelling purposes and immediately installed refuelling kits to save cost. It has been learnt that PAF operates around 45 F-16A/B that are being upgraded to F-16AM/BM along with 17 new F-16C/D Block 52. So far, PAF has not shown any interest in new conformal air refuel tank system for F-16s to make them capable of taking fuel from IL-78 as its old F-16A/B can not carry conformal fuel tanks.

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Last Japanese KC-767 Delivered

Boeing KC-767 for JASDF (photo : AviationNews)

Boeing delivered the last of four KC-767 tankers for the Japan Air Self Defence Force on January 8, a significant milestone for the delayed program, with Boeing partner Itochu Corp handing over the aircraft to Japanese Ministry of Defence officials.

The first Japanese KC-767 was handed over in February 2008, two years late due to development issues, the second in March 2008 and the third in March 2009. IOC was achieved in March 2009, while the KC-767 fleet continues to undergo operational evaluation by the JASDF, which should conclude early this year, according to Boeing. The aircraft are operated by the 1st Airlift Wing at Komaki air base.

Meanwhile, flight testing of three of the four KC-767s on order for the Italian air force continues. Deliveries of Italy’s four tankers (the fourth is currently undergoing its tanker conversion process) have been delayed over four years, in part due to a wing flutter issue. As well as a boom, Italy’s tankers, unlike Japan’s, are also fitted with hose and drogue wingtip pods and a centreline refuelling point.

Australia passed over the KC-767 in preference to the A330 MRTT (KC-30) in April 2004.

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Chile Will Join Brazil in Developing KC-390 Military Transport Aircraft

Chile will buy six Embraer KC-390s and will join Brazil in developing the aircraft, hoping to be assigned the production of a major component. (image : Embraer)

The defense ministers of Chile and Brazil, Jaime Ravinet and Nelson Jobim, respectively, today signed a Declaration of Intent for the participation of our country in the development of the KC-390 military transport aircraft, which is carried out by the Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer.

Bilateral negotiations will define the terms and conditions of this participation, which will be implemented through the national aeronautics company, ENAER (Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica), as stated in the declaration.

The document was signed by ministers during a visit to the facilities of the Chilean aerospace company this morning.

Brazilian Defense Minister Nelson Jobim said the project is relevant to both countries and that "there will be an integration for the construction of an aircraft that will be of major significance for the future,” as it will have a very large market when it becomes available just as the American C-130 Hercules reaches the end of its life."

The Brazilian state secretary added that ENAER was selected because "Chile has the capacity, expertise and know-how of other EMBRAER aircraft, like the Legacy, the Phenom, and the EMB-145. You will have a lot of work on that, "he said.

KC-390 Military Transport Aircraft (image : Embaer)

"We would like the project to develop, because it will bring a very important flow of technology to ENAER," stated Minister Jaime Ravinet.

The Chilean defense minister said that, along with providing job opportunities to our industry, participation in this project will "make us full partners with EMBRAER in the manufacture of aircraft for the world market."

"EMBRAER has achieved high levels of excellence and have been very large contractors and parts and these words will take on greater significance as we will make a substantial component, such as the fuselage and the ramp of the aircraft, and that's a huge challenge for ENAER that we hope to successfully meet, "he added.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the ministers is part of the good trade relations between the governments of Chile and Brazil, and of the sustained, long-term relationship between ENAER and EMBRAER since the beginning of the 90s.

Chile's participation in this program would increase Chilean capabilities in engineering and production of parts as well as contribute to the growth of the aviation industry in our country.

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KC-390 : Colombia Take Part in the Development

KC-390 (image : Embraer)

Colombia formalises Embraer KC-390 interest

Colombian officials have signed a declaration of intent with Brazil to take part in the development and production of the Embraer KC-390 military tanker/transport as well as to purchase 12 aircraft.

Along with similar arrangements in Chile, which could purchase six aircraft for the Chilean Air Force, and internal interest in Brazil for 28 aircraft with deliveries starting in 2016, Embraer's potential order count is up to 46 of the twin-jets. The airframer is discussing the program with other potential partners, including Portugal and South Africa, while continuing to evaluate suppliers.

"This is the first step toward bilateral negotiations that will establish the terms and conditions of Colombia's participation in the program," says Embraer in the 1 September announcement. Colombia's contribution to the program could also include a factory there for machined parts, Embraer adds.

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Portugal Signs MoU to Join Embraer KC-390 Program

KC-390 (photo : juniopinheiro)

Defence Ministers of Portugal and Brazil Sign Memorandum of Understanding on the KC-390

Minister of National Defence Augusto Santos Silva, will today Friday, at 11:15 hours, host his Brazilian counterpart, Nelson Jobim, for a bilateral meeting.

The meeting between the ministers and their delegations will take place in Fort St. Julian of Barra, Oeiras.

Subsequently, at about 12:30, a ceremony will be held for the signature of a Declaration of Intent concerning the participation of Portugal in the KC-390 aircraft, after which the two ministers will be available to take questions from the media.

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