November 25, 2013
Here are the programs that made the biggest news this past week:
F-35 scores big international victory — In a dramatic turnaround in what was a crushing defeat for Lockheed Martin just a few months ago, multiple news outlets have reported that the South Korean government will purchase 40 F-35s with the possibility of an additional buy of 20 jets. South Korea had originally decided on Boeing’s F-15 due to price concerns, but officials revisited the decision in September and ended up rejecting Boeing’s offer due to a perceived need for more enhanced technological features that the F-35 provided.
V-22’s profile rising — The recent tragedy that resulted from a hurricane striking the Philippines allowed the V-22 to showcase its abilities to assist in humanitarian efforts, with the Military Times reporting that it had played a “critical role” in the relief effort. In addition, National Defense Magazine noted that a Marine Corps official had endorsed the possibility of expanding the V-22’s role to conducting aerial refueling missions.
JPALS finishes at-sea testing — The Navy wrapped up shipboard testing of the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System, which will use satellites to guide aircraft in landing aboard ship and will serve next-generation aircraft such as the F-35 and the UCLASS unmanned system. The aim of the most recent testing was to demonstrate that the system can support automatic “hands-off” landings aboard ship, USNI News reported.
Dutch buy Reapers — General Atomics scored a new international order this past week, with the Netherlands signing up for four MQ-9 aircraft and related ground stations. According to IHS Jane’s, the first Reaper will be operational in 2016, and the last a year later. This particular version of the MQ-9 will not be armed, at least at first.