Advertisement

Dec. 4, 2018 / 1:32 PM

Lockheed Martin, Airbus to collaborate on aerial refueling

A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport sits on the ramp at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, before taking off to support Cope North 13 in 2013. Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch/U.S. Air Force

A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport sits on the ramp at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, before taking off to support Cope North 13 in 2013. Photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch/U.S. Air Force

Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to provide aerial refueling services for current and future tankers.

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport will be the primary airframe for the program, Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday.

Advertisement

Aerial refueling is a large contract with fierce competition between firms like Lockheed, Boeing, Airbus and others. The U.S. Air Force has the most extensive fleet of aerial tanker aircraft in the world and often assists allied nations in joint operations.

"Reliable and modernized aerial refueling is an essential capability for our customers to maintain their global reach and strategic advantage," Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin's chairman, president and CEO, said in a press release.

"By combining the innovation and expertise of Airbus and Lockheed Martin, we will be well-positioned to provide the United States Air Force with the advanced refueling solutions needed to meet 21st century security challenges."

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial tanker aircraft based on the Airbus A330. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force, British Royal Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and others.

It is capable of carrying over 140,000 pounds of aviation gas while staying airborne for many hours depending on the fuel and cargo load.

Advertisement

Read More

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Defense News // 2 years ago

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine continues to have U.S. support against Russian aggression and is free to decide its own foreign policy during a visit to Kyiv Tuesday.

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Defense News // 2 years ago

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a new security agreement with Georgia Monday, seeking to buttress relations with the Black Sea nation as it continues to face Russian troops in two of its regions.

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Defense News // 2 years ago

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Monday ordered all Department of Defense civilian employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by no later than Nov. 22.

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Defense News // 2 years ago

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is investigating the suspected suicides of three soldiers based at New York's Fort Drum.

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Defense News // 2 years ago

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Four U.S. Marines remain hospitalized after an attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last month as service members were evacuating foreign nationals and refugees.

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

Defense News // 2 years ago

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

SEOUL, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion has agreed to supply its DiaTrust rapid COVID-19 test kit to the U.S. military.

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Defense News // 2 years ago

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Army has successfully tested the MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle to clear it for fielding.

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Defense News // 2 years ago

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bahraini leaders committed Thursday to partnering with a new U.S. Navy task force to ramp up new unmanned system efforts.

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Defense News // 2 years ago

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. fighter jets escorted a small plane flown by a U.S. Army soldier out of restricted air space over New York City during the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Defense News // 2 years ago

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force will take over satellite communications billets, funding and mission responsibility from the U.S. Army and Navy, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement