Bahrain has recently been considering whether or not to launch a major program in order to modernize their fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s. The country is also considering the acquisition of an additional batch equipped with the advanced V-model configuration. The regional vice-president of the Middle East for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Rick Groesch, has suggested that the Royal Bahraini Air Force is seeking for a boost in capabilities, as the country faces increasing operational demand due to its involvement in the Middle East in the coalition campaign against Islamic State militants. Read more >>

Russia recently struck a deal with Egypt to supply the Egyptian Navy with 46 Ka-52K naval attack helicopters to equip the two Mistraal-class helicopter carriers acquired from France. The Ka-52K is a naval attack variant of the Ka-52 alligator attack helicopter. It has distinguishing features such as a folding stub-wings, folding rotor head and reinforced landing gear. In addition to that the Ka-52K has weapons pods which are capable of holding and launching Kh-38 and Kh-35 cruise missiles. Read more >>

Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems have agreed on developing radio frequency countermeasures systems, also known as RFCM systems, for U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command AC/MC-130J turboprops. The development is scheduled to take place later in 2016 and the contracts represent the first phase of a multi-phase program to upgrade survivability of this aircraft. Read more >>

Clean Sky Technology, Europe’s aerospace research venture has been working on a joint technology initiative to reduce air transport’s environmental footprint and recently took a huge leap in accomplishing one of its goals. This leap was seen in its completion, via Saab in Sweden, of a natural laminar flow wing section. With its innovative design this wing section is supposed to reduce air drag and if applied to the entire wing, could bring a 5-10 percent improvement in fuel consumption. As part of the Blade (Breakthrough Laminar Aircraft Demonstrator in Europe) flight demonstrator this wing section will soon arrive at Spain’s Aernnova plant for assembly. It will eventually be installed on an Airbus A340-300 aircraft for testing purposes Read more >>

Montreal, Canada-based Bombardier announced that it has delivered a pair of specialized Challenger 605 business jets to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service. The Hong Kong Government Flying Service is tasked with search and rescue (SAR), air ambulance, firefighting, and police missions. The Government Flying Service plans to replace its aging search and rescue fleet used for long-range missions with the new Challenger 605 jets. Read more >>