Air

The US Navy has awarded a contract to Avidyne Corporation to field a traffic collision avoidance system for the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor out of concerns Osprey crews are having in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defence has launched the New Air Combat Capability Industry Support Program providing $8.2 million to support Australian industry and research organisations involved in the JSF Program.

Lockheed Martin's JSF program manager told media correspondents that the current fly-away price of the first 14 Australian aircraft would average out at $65 million.

BAE Systems reports that ADF pilots who took the controls of the AgustaWestland GrandNew helicopter at Nowra last week were enthusiastic about its handling and performance.

Insidedefense.com reports that the Pentagon's tethered-aerostat program, an $8.5 billion effort to detect cruise missiles and fast-moving aircraft, successfully completed its first endurance test last month.

The Royal Australian Air Force has successfully completed a series of bilateral flying operations with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force for the first time.

BAE Systems has completed a successful Production Readiness Review for manufacturing critical airframe components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.

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Stick with the Kiowa

Loren B. Thompson of the Lexington Institute says the US Army has been seeking a successor to the OH-58 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopter for over a decade, and it has been a frustrating experience.

Harris Corporation has signed a long term agreement with TAE for the manufacture and supply of advanced liquid cooled electronics enclosures for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

BAE Systems has completed a successful Production Readiness Review for manufacturing critical airframe components for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.

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F-35 termination - a big 'what if'

Senator John McCain has written to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta regarding the Armed Service Committee's concerns over the reallocation of US$264 million to pay for cost growth on the first three F-35s.

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Russia to get more Su-30's

Russia's Irkut aircraft holding is in talks with the Defense Ministry on the delivery of up to 40 Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighters to the Russian Air Force, the company said, according to RIA Novosti.

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Is the effort really worth it?

Writing in The Australian, Peter Leahy, who was Chief of Army from 2002-2008, has warned that there is confusion over the nation's mission in Afghanistan and what it wants to achieve.

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Exercise Talisman Sabre begins

The start of joint United States and Australia military training exercise, Talisman Sabre 2011, was marked with a successful Open Day event at the Rockhampton showgrounds.

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Heron contract extended

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced the extension of the contract to provide Heron Remotely Piloted Aircraft to Australian troops in Afghanistan to the end of 2012.

Royal Australian Air Force fighter jets and personnel have begun their most advanced international air combat training activity, Exercise Red Flag in Alaska.