Leonardo and Baykar join forces to develop uncrewed aerial systems
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
USAF T-1A Jayhawk. (Photo: USAF/Airman 1st Class Jacob Thompson)
DynCorp International has been awarded a $301.37 million task order from the US Air Force Installation Contracting Center for aircraft maintenance flight operations support.
This contract will provide all Organizational (O-level), Intermediate (I-level) and maintenance support services for all T-1A Jayhawk, T-6A Texan II and T-38C Talon training aircraft at Vance AFB in Oklahoma.
The work, to be carried out under the Aircraft Maintenance Enterprise Solution (ACES) IDIQ contract, has an expected completion date of 31 July 2026.
Baykar’s AKINCI drone will be the first focus platform for the joint venture, with the first prototype targeted for development in 12 to 18 months.
Europe’s capacity to fill the capability gaps created by the US pause on military aid to Ukraine is uncertain, according to analysts, but European defence industry leaders have stressed their readiness to meet demand.
The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.
The helicopters have been remanufactured using common parts from the British Army AH-64 MkI fleet with the 17 not being converted going for a range of uses such as engineering, ground handling and other training.
The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.
The test is a first for the kit, developed via a partnership between Aselsan and Tübitak SAGE, to hit a high-speed moving target.