F-35 dispensing flares. (Photo: USAF/Capt Kip Sumner)
Kilgore Flares and Armtec Countermeasures have obtained a $225 million IDIQ contract to manufacture IR flare countermeasures for the USAF and FMS customers, the DoD revealed on 30 August.
The two companies will produce MJU-61A/B aircraft-launched flares over a five-year ordering period with no options.
As well as USAF budget funds, the contract includes FMS purchases for South Korea (34%), Denmark (14%), Japan (5%), the Netherlands and Italy (1% each).
The MJU-61A/B decoy flare is launched from an MJU-33/A multiple flare magazine, which is installed on a D-49/ALE-47 dispenser to decoy IR heat-seeking missiles.
The flare can be dispensed by a wide range of aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II.
The use of air power by both sides in the ongoing conflict has been extensively focused on, influencing policy and procurement around the world. But are the lessons from the front line universally applicable, or should other nations be planning for very different scenarios?
Six Super Tucano aircraft were ordered in July 2024, with Paraguay the fifth South American country to add the aircraft to modernise its fleet.
The takeover of the Italian firm by Baykar solidifies the company’s efforts to forge closer ties with Italian industry, bolsters its partnership with Leonardo to produce UAVs and secures its foothold in Europe.
The F-15EX Eagle II had already been singled out for further funding in January 2025, when it was chosen to replace the A-10 aircraft for the US National Guard.
Spain’s Defence Minister told the Senate Defense Commission on 27 June of the decision to acquire Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) trainers as the country seeks to replace its Northrop F-5M aircraft.
The company has tested over 15 mission sets for the drone, with the rotorcraft used to demonstrate the viability of armed forces utilising large uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS) for autonomous missions in the future.
Connect with us on socials
