05 Desember 2017 A35-003 takes off from Fort Worth. (photo : AustralianAviationCarl Richards) The Royal Australian Air Force’s third F-35A Lightning II, A35-003, has completed its first flight. Photographer Carl Richards captured these images of A35-003 taking off on its first flight, from Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, on December 1. The aircraft is due to be delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona in early 2018 to be used for pilot and maintainer training, before being permanently relocated to Australia in 2020. A35-003, known to its manufacturer Lockheed Martin as AU-3, had its RAAF markings, including its 3 Squadron tail flashes, applied in early November, the final phase of the aircraft’s production process. 3 Squadron is due to become the first RAAF F-35 operational unit. ( AustralianAviation )
11 November 2017
The MoU lays the foundation for the potential purchase of AW101 helicopters in the country for Police, Army, Air Force and Navy. (photo : Frag Out)
Leonardo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand on November 8th covering technology transfer and the establishment of helicopter maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the country, should the AW101 aircraft be ordered for use by the Police, Army, Air Force and Navy. The MoU was signed by Colonel Tawiwat Veeraklaew, Acting Director General of the Defence Technology Institute (DTI), and Brian McEachen, Head of Region - Asia & Oceania at Leonardo Helicopters Division, at the Defense & Security 2017 exhibition being held in Bangkok 6th to 9th November.
John Ponsonby, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters in the UK said “It is a great honour to sign this MoU which has the potential to significantly expand our existing business with the Thai Armed Forces, to reinforce our partnership with the country and to help further develop Thailand’s helicopter MRO capabilities.”
He added “I would also like to thank the UK Government, in particular the Department for International Trade Defence and Security Organisation, for their help in facilitating this MoU and promoting the AW101, which is undoubtedly the best helicopter in its class and ideal for meeting the wide range of requirements of the Thai Armed Forces.”
Leonardo has established itself as a strong partner in Thailand in the naval, land and air domains. The company has supplied air surveillance, naval and land radar systems, helicopters and maritime patrol radars. In the civil market Leonardo has supported Thailand since the early 70s, particularly via the provision of air traffic control systems.
A number of programmes have been implemented nation-wide in the last 10 years. These also include, among others, the air defence RAT31DL system as well as the KRONOS multifunctional, scalable, C-band, solid-state radar system. Further programmes also comprise the HALO acoustic weapon locating system, and Thermal Sight System (TSS) for the Scorpion light tanks. In the rotorcraft field, Leonardo currently has several helicopter types in service with the Thai Armed Forces including the AW139 with the Royal Thai Army and the Super Lynx 300 with the Royal Thai Navy.
A number of programmes have been implemented nation-wide in the last 10 years. These also include, among others, the air defence RAT31DL system as well as the KRONOS multifunctional, scalable, C-band, solid-state radar system. Further programmes also comprise the HALO acoustic weapon locating system, and Thermal Sight System (TSS) for the Scorpion light tanks. In the rotorcraft field, Leonardo currently has several helicopter types in service with the Thai Armed Forces including the AW139 with the Royal Thai Army and the Super Lynx 300 with the Royal Thai Navy.
(Leonardo)
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