Training of German Heron Turboprop (TP) medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) crews began in Israel at the end of January, the Luftwaffe said on its website. It is the first time German military personnel have been stationed in Israel, according to the Luftwaffe.
Northrop Grumman expects to deliver its first optionally manned Firebird aircraft to a US government customer before mid-2019. The company will demonstrate the aircraft in Europe and the Middle East in 2019 and in Australia in 2020.
The European Commission announced on 19 March how it will spend the remaining balance of EUR525 million (almost USD600 million) from its three-year pilot European Defence Fund (EDF) for co-financing defence capability and research projects with the member states.
Belgium’s planned procurement of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has taken a step forward after the US State Department announced on 26 March that it had approved the deal.
Spain has contracted two more General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to add to the two already ordered in 2017.