Global Military ​Updates: September 18, 2024

Stay up-to-date with the latest developments ‍in the‌ world of military aviation and defense ⁣technology.

Russia​ to Showcase Su-75 Fighter Jets in India

Russia’s Sukhoi corporation will display the⁣ fifth-generation stealth fighter Su-75 Checkmate at the⁤ Aero India 2025 air⁢ show, scheduled to take place from February 12 to 16, 2025, in Bengaluru, India.

The manufacturer is also willing to provide ⁢an exclusive technology transfer contract for the Indian partner to produce Su-75 fighters in the country. This deal could ⁣enable New​ Delhi to become ⁣self-sufficient in modern fighter ⁤aircraft production and potentially export to ‌other⁣ countries.

Russia believes that the Su-75 ‌fighter is a cost-effective solution for countries seeking to own a ​fifth-generation ‌stealth aircraft, with an⁣ estimated cost of $30-35 million per aircraft.

The Su-75 fighter⁤ is a light⁣ tactical⁣ aircraft developed from the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter. ​It features a ‍compartment for air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons with a payload of approximately 7 tons, a high-performance engine, and advanced systems,‍ including artificial intelligence (AI) and‌ radar⁣ that can track 30⁤ targets‍ simultaneously.

US Army Selects UAVs for Company-Level Operations

The US Army has chosen ​two small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Ghost X developed by Anduril⁣ Industries‍ and the ‍C-100 supplied by Performance Drone Works (PDW), for deployment at the ‌company level.

The initial contract‌ value is $14.4 million, ⁢with the number⁢ of‍ each type and delivery time undisclosed. These ⁣UAVs will serve reconnaissance, ​surveillance, and target acquisition missions in training and field deployments.

The Ghost ⁤X UAV has a‍ continuous flight time of approximately 75 minutes, a range​ of 25km,‌ and a maximum payload of about 9kg. The C-100 UAV features a maximum payload ​of about 4.5kg, an operating range of 10km, and a continuous​ flight time ‌of about 60-75 minutes.

New Zealand Receives First C-130J-30 Transport Aircraft

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) has ‍taken delivery of the‌ first of ‌five C-130J-30 Super Hercules tactical transport‍ aircraft, part of a ⁢plan to retire the C-130H Hercules transport ⁢aircraft⁣ fleet that‍ has⁤ been in service‌ since the 1960s.

The US will provide accompanying support ‍equipment, including⁤ engines, navigation systems, communications systems, and ⁤sensors. Washington will​ also assist in training pilots and ⁤maintenance technicians for ⁣the C-130J, with New Zealand expected to train its own personnel from 2026.

The C-130J-30 Super Hercules is⁢ the‌ most advanced variant of the C-130 aircraft, manufactured ⁢by​ Lockheed⁣ Martin.⁢ It features four turboprop engines, a speed of over⁢ 670km/h, and a range of over 5,200km, with a maximum payload of⁣ nearly 20 ⁤tons.