SOFEX 2014

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has completed the latest series of trials of its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ahead of weapons certification in the coming months, the company announced on 14 March. Pre-production helicopter TD-3 fired a number of FZ 70 mm (2.75-inch) rockets during the trials,

The US Air Force (USAF) has chosen BAE Systems to provide aircraft survivability for its Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter, BAE Systems announced on 9 March. The company will supply its Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and its AN/DPX-7 Reduced Size Transponder (RST) for Identification

US government auditors have denied General Dynamics Land Systems' December 2015 protest of the US Marine Corps' (USMC's) awarding development contracts for a new amphibious tractor. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) on 15 March denied the protest, which challenged the USMC selecting SAIC

The British Army is to review the use of belt-fed weapons by dismounted infantry platoons, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) official responsible. The justification for the review is because of the existing variety of the weapon systems in use within a rifle platoon, Lieutenant Colonel Ian

The United Kingdom's military Bowman radio and battlefield management system is to be upgraded under a GBP175 million (USD249 million) contract announced on 10 March. The contract, principally with General Dynamics UK (GDUK), covers the production of 12,000 new hard-wearing Bowman data terminals

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) has placed an order for six air traffic control (ATC) systems from Finmeccanica, the company announced on 9 March. Finmeccanica did not say how much the contract is worth but said three of the systems will be fixed and three will be transportable. All six will be

Hydroid has developed a new variant of its REMUS 100 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), introducing a range of capability and performance enhancements to the manportable system. Company representatives told IHS Jane's that the development of the system commenced at the start of 2014 and that key

Key Points A US Navy DDG 51 destroyer based in Spain has conducted a first live-fire test of the Raytheon Mk 15 Mod 31 SeaRAM ship self-defence system The raising of an Urgent Operational Needs Statement for this capability reflects the risk from the proliferation of anti-ship cruise missile

Key Points Saab has introduced the Swordfish MPA system on a turboprop and a business jet platform Introduction aims to provide a better variety of platforms upon which the Swordfish MPA system can be delivered Swedish defence company Saab announced on 17 February that it will now be offering the

The first Russian combat aircraft began leaving Syria on 15 March a day after President Vladimir Putin announced the withdrawal of some Russian forces in Syria. Videos released by the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and various media channels showed three Su-34 strike aircraft, eight Su-25s in

Islamic State claimed its fighters downed an Iraqi Air Force (IQAF) Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in the Al-Hawijah in Al-Tamim province on 16 March. One of the group's media organisations released a video showing the aircraft crashing, as well as the resulting wreckage and the remains of its crew on