The Defence industry briefing
The month in defence in news, views and numbers
In numbers
£333,400
Cost to train an air observer in the UK’s Merlin Crowsnest airborne early warning helicopter, which will leave service by 2029.
3,800mph
Speed of the planned Hypersonic Air Vehicle Experimental (HVX) programme, being developed by UK industry and government agencies.
$4.8bn
The US has approved the sale of fifth-generation aircraft and munitions to Germany, comprised of 35 F-35A fighters and 37 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines.
3
The number of French air bases where the Indra radar system will be installed
13%
Elbit Systems’s annual revenue increase
FARNBOROUGH AIRSHOW HIGHLIGHTS
Tempest demonstrator aircraft to fly in next five years
The UK has already begun work on a technology demonstrator aircraft for its landmark Tempest Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) programme, with a first flight test due within the next five years. Designed as a sixth-generation stealth combat air platform, Tempest is intended to begin entering service from 2035 and gradually replace the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet. It is not known how many Tempest aircraft are expected to enter service.
Read more at Army Technology
Aerospace sector continues to be hit by supply chain issues
Supply chain issues, partly caused by the long shutdowns by industry during the Covid-19 pandemic and the crucial loss of key workforces, continues to have a significant effect on industry and operators alike in the defence aerospace sector. In addition, a chronic shortage of employees being exacerbated by a transition from a hardware-centric industry to a software one presents additional recruitment challenges, according to a report by US-based McKinsey & Company.
Read more on Naval Technology
NMH contenders make their presence felt at Farnborough
Showcasing their platform solutions for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement at his month’s Farnborough International Airshow were a number of the major bidders, including Airbus Helicopters with the H175M, Leonardo with the AW149, and Lockheed Martin with the S-70M Black Hawk. The NMH requirement, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), is for up to 44 aircraft in a contract worth £0.9-1.2bn ($1.09-1.45bn).
Read more on Air Force Technology
In quotes
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We live in an increasingly dangerous world where the threat level is higher than a decade ago. As Prime Minister, I will get defence spending to 3% by 2030 to keep this country safe. People can trust me to do that.
UK parliamentarian Liz Truss, who is running to become the next leader of the UK Conservative Party and next Prime Minister
// Credit: NIDS/NATO Multimedia Library
Credit: U.S. Air Force
Only yesterday, an agreement was reached on the unblocking of our ports for the export of Ukrainian grain. Today Russian war criminals attacked the port of Odesa.
Ukraine Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov, commenting on 23 July after Odesa was struck by missiles hours after a UN-backed deal was agreed
On TWitter
In Pictures
// Embraer and BAE Systems have signed a deal to market the C-390 transport aircraft in the Middle East. Credit: Richard Thomas
// Turkish Aerospace showcased a mockup of its planned TF-X next-generation fighter at Farnborough Airshow. Credit: Richard Thomas
// Leonardo is pushing its AW149 helicopter as a solution for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter requirement. Credit: Richard Thomas
A US Army UH-60 Black Hawk of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wings of Victory, flies over the Black Sea for maritime operations crew certification flights off the coast of Bulgaria on May 5, 2021, during Exercise Swift Response 21, part of DEFENDER-Europe 21. Credit: US Army
The British Army has sent almost 2,000 troops to Liverpool to help with the mass testing of residents for Covid-19. Image: Crown Copyright / MOD