KIHOMAC’s Post

Patria and Lockheed Martin signed their second Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for direct work within Finland´s F-35 industrial participation programme. This MoA provides the contractual framework for the stand-up and qualification of a landing gear doors production line at Patria’s Halli facility in Jämsä, Finland. The production line will deliver landing gear doors for the F-35 global fleet. The landing gear doors project is a key element of the F-35’s industrial participation solution in Finland to transfer technical and manufacturing experience in 5th Generation aircraft production. This project will provide decades of high technology manufacturing work and enable Finnish industry to prepare for future operational and sustainment opportunities. The agreement is one of many projects Lockheed Martin is partnering on with Finnish industry, universities, and research groups, focused on F-35 production, sustainment and defence-related technologies. The F-35’s industrial participation solution in Finland creates strong competences via security of supply and is also significant for national economy. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/g73F-5nB

What Might Have Been - An inflight view of a conceptual operational Boeing F-111D Aardvark: The TFX (Tactical Fighter Experimental) was a controversial competition. Primarily to promote commonality and save funds, on February 14, 1961 Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara formally directed the USAF and Navy to study the development of a single aircraft design that would meet both services requirements. Despite numerous objections by Air Force and Navy officials to blend the unique requirements, McNamara ordered the TFX to go forward as a single aircraft type in June 1961. Six major airframers submitted proposals that was narrowed down to General Dynamics and Boeing. Both contractor designs featured variable-sweep wings but, the Boeing Model 818 featured unique inlets on top of the fuselage. The Boeing Model 818 was recommended by the selection board in January 1962. Per request, both companies provided several updated proposals and Air Force reviewers still favored Boeing. The Navy evaluators found both contractor submissions unacceptable for carrier ops. Nevertheless, in November 1962, McNamara selected General Dynamics' proposal due to its greater commonality between its Air Force and Navy versions. General Dynamics was awarded the TFX contract in December 1962. A Congressional investigation followed but could not reverse the selection. The winning TFX proposal became the General Dynamics F-111A for the USAF and F-111B for the Navy. In 1968 the F-111B was canceled by the Navy due to excess weight and low performance issues. The USAF F-111 and FB-111A variants became successful attack aircraft.  Erik Simonsen illustration

🌟 Achieved: Aerospace & Defense L1 Certification! Embarking on a journey that goes beyond limits ✈ The Aerospace & Defense L1 certification isn't just a milestone; it's a testament to understanding the intricate dynamics of an industry that shapes the future. Ready to soar higher? 🏔 Stay tuned for the next ascent: Certification Aerospace & Defense L2.

U.S. Navy Considering Turkey’s #HÜRJET as an Alternative Will HÜRJET Replace the T-45 Goshawk? Sierra Nevada has announced that it has proposed HÜRJET to the U.S. Navy. This proposal comes as part of the U.S. Navy’s search for a new aircraft to replace the current T-45 Goshawk trainer jet. HÜRJET is a jet trainer and light attack aircraft developed by TURKISH AEROSPACE INDONESIA (#TUSAŞ). It is a single-engine aircraft with a tandem cockpit, featuring modern avionics systems and superior performance characteristics. HÜRJET is competing with other options such as Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk, Lockheed-Martin’s adaptation of the Korean T-50, and the Textron-Leonardo M-346 for the U.S. Navy’s selection. Sierra Nevada’s proposal involves a customized version of HÜRJET tailored for the U.S. Navy. The contract in question has been reported to be delayed by two years. The delay is due to the need to evaluate the suitability of the new training aircraft for safe carrier landings. Additionally, there is a consensus within the U.S. Navy that the avionics systems of existing training aircraft reduce the need for pilot training, and this need can be met through simulations. HÜRJET’s notable features include its long service life, wide range of missions, and ability to support configurations suitable for 5th generation aircraft. These capabilities indicate that HÜRJET could play a significant role not only as a training aircraft but also as a key asset in combat scenarios.

Did you know Samsung made F-16s? 👇 Samsung Aerospace, now known as Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), played a significant role in producing F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Republic of Korean Air Force. This involvement was part of a larger initiative, the Korean Fighter Program, which aimed to bolster South Korea's air defense capabilities while also developing its domestic aerospace industry. Under this program, Lockheed Martin, the original manufacturer of the F-16, produced the initial batch of 12 aircraft. The subsequent phase involved Samsung Aerospace, where 36 units were delivered in kit form for assembly in South Korea. The final and most significant phase of the program saw Samsung Aerospace manufacturing the last batch of 72 aircraft entirely in South Korea. This production was not just about assembly; it involved significant technology transfer and the development of local aerospace capabilities. Samsung Aerospace, in collaboration with other Korean companies, was responsible for a large portion of the manufacturing process, including major assemblies and system integrations. The F-16s produced under this program were designated as KF-16 to denote their production in Korea. The KF-16s were tailored to meet the specific needs of the Republic of Korean Air Force, featuring advanced avionics and other combat capabilities. By the completion of the program, South Korea had not only bolstered its defensive capabilities but also established a robust aerospace sector capable of complex military aircraft production, one that still thrives today. In 2023, there were at least two notable crashes of F-16s in South Korea. One crash occurred near Osan Air Base, where the pilot safely ejected and was in stable condition following the incident. This crash happened during a routine training flight, and the aircraft was largely destroyed. Another incident involved an F-16 crashing into the sea off South Korea’s southwestern coast, with the pilot also safely ejecting and being in stable condition. Despite these incidents, the F-16 remains a critical component of air power in the region. I'm sure they'll get some action in the upcoming Pacific conflict. /// HOLDEN SENDS

Pratt & Whitney, under RTX, clinches a significant $355 million contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for F100 engine performance-based logistics (PBL) sustainment. ✈ This marks their third consecutive PBL contract with DAPA since 2012, reinforcing a decade-long partnership aimed at enhancing the readiness of ROKAF's F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons. Chris Johnson, Vice President of Fighter and Mobility Programs at Pratt & Whitney, emphasizes the strategic importance of these contracts in delivering efficient affordability and availability for both customers and the industry. 🤝💼 This initiative underscores the enduring collaboration between Pratt & Whitney, DAPA, and ROKAF, with a focus on enhancing fleet readiness and long-term material forecasting. 🛠📈 Sustainment activities commenced in December 2023 and are set to continue until the latter half of 2027. #PrattAndWhitney #RTX #Aerospace #Defense #Partnership #ROKAF #AviationExcellence 🛫🔧 https://lnkd.in/e_4VMFHz

The US DOD has established strict MIL-DTL testing protocols and only products that pass these rigorous tests earn MIL-DTL certification. APEM says that some companies claim MIL-DTL certification without undergoing the actual testing, and recommends verifying such claims by requesting the specific testing procedures and results. Astute Electronics Ltd is an expert design partner for APEM switches. For help contact Bradley Turner Kasey Sweetlove Kevin Baker Astute E-Design #defense  #defence  #defenceindustry  #defenceforces  #britisharmy  #armedforces  #armedforcescommunity  #armedsecurity  #drones  #dronetechnology  #defencetechnology  #defencetech  Boeing Northrop Grumman Raytheon Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Defence Technology Review UK Ministry of Defence Thales Defence BAE Systems Babcock International Group MBDA Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) Thales L3Harris Technologies Leonardo Elbit Systems Airbus Airbus Defence and Space Lockheed Martin Leidos Electronics Weekly EPS News CIE (Components in Electronics) New Electronics Electropages: Electronics News Electronics For You Electronics Sourcing Read more here >>> https://lnkd.in/eu2Ysjej

The Pentagon has decided to abandon its pursuit of a next-generation adaptive engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Instead, they will continue using and upgrading the F-35’s current engine, a victory for Pratt & Whitney, the maker of the F135 engine. The Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), which aimed to develop an enhanced engine with improved thrust and cooling capabilities, will not proceed. Despite designs from both General Electric Aviation and Pratt & Whitney, only GE’s XA100 engine was proposed as an F-35 replacement. The military prioritized affordability and compatibility with all F-35 variants, leading to the decision to stick with the F135 engine. This move comes after concerns about rising costs and the need for a reliable engine across F-35 variants. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g5PfwSHp.

Partnering with PEO Aviation’s project offices, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center conducts government-executed Crew Station Working Groups to assess the avionics requirements through human-factors engineering, utilizing early #Soldier evaluations. The key mission of the DEVCOM AvMC Aviation Crew Stations Branch is conducting CSWGs comprising Army and industry partner stakeholders, all with a vested interest in ensuring that Army aviators have the best solution at their fingertips. “We support the end user,” said Jena Salvetti, lead human factors engineer for the Crew Stations branch. “We evaluate prototype interfaces, with users-in-the-loop, while addressing human factors principles, aviation mission tasks, and sub-system conventions to ensure that final designs are intuitive. The CSWG process was designed to ensure aviators have a say in their interfaces rather than pushing an interface to the field and saying, ‘You’ll figure it out.’ One of the things we hear from the field is that systems are not being used because they’re too hard to use. The CSWG was created to mitigate this issue.” #Partnership | #WeAreAvMC