By Agence France-Presse on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 France desires to buy 12 Reaper drones from the us, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday, as ministry officials put the value at 670 million euros ($889 million). Le Drian said he wanted two Reapers to be deployed in sub-Saharan Africa, where France is battling Islamist militants in Mali. The 10 others can be deployed in French and European skies. The deal needs the approval of Congress. Le Drian said that if it didn’t give a go-ahead, France could buy the drones from Israel. The Reapers are made by California-based... Read More »

By Agence France-Presse on Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 US aerospace giant Boeing announced Tuesday it has received a multi-year $4 billion order from the united states Army for 177 more CH-47F Chinook helicopters. The five-year deal includes an option for the military to shop for 38 additional Chinooks, a multi-mission, twin-engine transport helicopter, Boeing said in a press release. “This order would eventually bring the Army’s CH-47F total procurement as regards to its target of 464 aircraft, including 24 to interchange peacetime attrition aircraft,” the Chicago-based company said, noting the military currently has 241 of the F-model aircraft. Deliveries are... Read More »

By Boeing Company on Thursday, June 13th, 2013 The Indian Air Force (IAF) flew its first Boeing C-17 Globemaster III to India today, becoming the most recent operator of the leading airlifter. “The C-17 will equip the Indian Air Force with amongst the world’s most advanced humanitarian and strategic capabilities,” said Air Vice Marshal SRK Nair, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Transport and Helicopters). “We have looked forward to this present day when our Indian Air Force flies the 1st C-17 to its new home in India.” Boeing is heading in the right direction to deliver four more C-17s... Read More »

By Army News Service on Thursday, June 13th, 2013 A new study by Army researchers looks at inserting carbon nanotubes into the structural design of helicopter rotor blades to enhance performance. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s research laboratory hopes this approach could lead on to the design and fabrication of a better generation of rotor blades and stuck wings. Bryan Glaz, Ph.D., Jaret Riddick, Ph.D., and Ed Habtour, research engineers from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory Vehicle Technology Directorate, lead this effort. Glaz and a team of structural, mechanical and aerospace engineers are embedding carbon nanotubes contained... Read More »

By Army News Service on Monday, June 10th, 2013 A loudspeaker blared “incoming, incoming, incoming” and Soldiers immediately dropped to the bottom. A Counter — Rocket, Artillery and Mortar gun whirred because the weapon system tracked the threat. A four-second burst from the Gatling-type gun filled the air with tracer fire. Then the 300 rounds crackled as they exploded looking like a fireworks show that created a wall of flack which intercepted and destroyed the incoming mortar. The warriors scrambled to their feet and headed toward a bunker. This was the scene May 26, at Thompson Hill Range here as... Read More »