06/03/2019
Air Mission Planning and Support 2018
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
London, United Kingdom
ST JAMES' COURT Buckingham Gate
Tel.: +44 (0) 207 827 6020
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7827 6001
nboumediene@smi-online.co.uk
http://www.airmissionplanning.co.uk
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
London, SE1 7XW
SMi Group Ltd, Ground & First Floor 1 Westminster Bridge Road
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7827 6000
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7827 6001
nboumediene@smi-online.co.uk
http://www.smi-online.co.uk
SMi is delighted to announce the return of the 9th Annual Air Mission Planning and Support conference taking place in April 2018. The Air Mission Support market is active and operationally relevant as ever. With an aversion from placing boots on the ground in combat zones such as Syria and Iraq, air power is increasingly relied upon to project force. Commanders and procurers of air assets continue to seek means of enhancing the combat effectiveness of their platforms. To do so, effective mission planning, real time support, and de-briefing is required.
SMi’s conference will explore the technology and strategies necessary to take Air Mission Planning into the next generation, providing agile end to end mission support to air crews. An examination of emerging technologies in these key areas, presented by industry and research leaders shall be combined with operational case studies and key programme updates from commanders and military project leaders, to develop key requirements and solutions for enhancing air mission planning and execution.
Be a part of this unique event where you will get the opportunity to discuss with leading experts in the field from NATO, Jordan, US, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and many more!
Top military experts this year include:
Major General Youssef al-Hnaity, Air Force Commander, Royal Jordanian Air Force
Air Commodore Lincoln Taylor, Air Capability Delivery, Royal Air Force
Air Commodore Julian Ball, Air Capability Development, Royal Air Force
Colonel Michael Rider, Commander, USAFE-AFAFRICA Warrior Preparation Centre, US Air Force
Group Captain Niclas Lagerbäck, Head of Operational Team, Swedish Air Force Combat Simulation Centre, FLSC, Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Strange, Commander, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, US Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel Andries ‘Sink’ Keijzer, Head of Air Warfare Centre, Royal Netherlands Air Force
Highlights for 2018’s conference include:
1. Air capability delivery and development insights from two major air forces - UK and USA
2. Perspectives from the Royal Jordanian Air Force on air mission planning and support
3. Technological upgrades and advancements for 5th generation aircraft and systems
4. Responding to emerging global threats through maximising joint air capabilities
5. A focus on mission support training and simulation
Register by:
December 15th and save £400
January 31st and save £200
February 28th and save £100
Register online at
11/04/2018
10/04/2018
09/04/2018
SMi’s 9th annual Air Mission Planning conference will be taking place in just over a week on the 17th and 18th April in London, UK. The event will focus on how air power support systems can be maximised for airborne missions, with Commanders of operational support units, Commanders of fighter wings, Commanders of air lift wings, Air Force Intelligence, Heads of Air C2 and C3, Air C4ISTAR, Head of CIS, Heads of Marketing and Business Development for Mission Systems, Mission Support Systems, Avionics, Air Platforms, Air Systems and more, attending, speaking and presenting at the conference.
More Info...06/04/2018
The U.S. State Department has cleared a Slovak government request for the potential sale of 14 F-16 Block 70/72 V- configuration combat aircraft. A notification of the potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) was delivered by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) to Congress on April 3.
More Info...04/04/2018
03/04/2018
02/04/2018
With the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II, the U.S. has fielded two of the world’s most sophisticated, maneuverable and stealthy fighter jets. They both function as airborne shepherds of America’s flock of older combat aircraft, using their state-of-the-art systems to communicate threats and targets on the ground and in the air.
More Info...28/03/2018
28/03/2018
ROME --- Leonardo has begun deliveries of its new ‘BriteCloud’ decoy to the UK’s Royal Air Force for combat missions following the Ministry of Defence’s formal go-ahead for the new technology. The drinks-can-sized countermeasure, which protects fighter jets from modern radar-guided missiles, will be available for use by Tornado GR4 crews in the near future The RAF will be the first air force in the world to field this new protective technology.
More Info...23/03/2018
SMi reports: BAE Systems to exhibit cutting edge Mission Planning System, Sceptre With just 4 weeks to go until SMi's 9th annual Air Mission Planning & Support conference, taking place in London on 17th and 18th April 2018, SMi would like to provide insight into Gold Sponsor, BAE Systems and what they will be exhibiting in this year's exhibition space.
More Info...23/03/2018
22/03/2018
CINCINNATI, OH --- Lockheed Martin recently awarded GE Aviation a multi-million-dollar contract to upgrade the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force’s F-16 data transfer system. The contract involves a redesign of the system and an aircraft retrofit that will extend the life of this capability for the UAE Air Force’s F-16 fleet.
22/03/2018
21/03/2018
21/03/2018
15/03/2018
The Netherlands has received approval from the U.S. State Department for the upgrade and remanufacture of its AH-64D Block II Apache attack helicopters to the AH-64E configuration. While the contract would largely entail work on the helicopter itself, it would also include the replacement of many of the helicopters’ primary electronics systems. The overall deal carries an estimated value of $1.191 billion.
More Info...14/03/2018
13/03/2018
Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $1,463,152,389 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-17-C-0001) for long lead material and parts for low rate initial production (LRIP) of F-35 Lightning II air systems in support of the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, non-U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) participants; and foreign military sales (FMS) customers.
More Info...12/03/2018
06/03/2018
SMi Reports: Group Captain Richard J Yates MBE, Chief of Staff Air Battle Staff, RAF to discuss the future of British Air Power at a conference held this April in London. In recent news, UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson announced “Britain set to launch Combat Air Strategy” in an effort to maintain world-leading combat air capability and power. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier stated that this strategy will “ensure that the RAF can continue to remain at the forefront of the high-end airpower technology and innovation we need to deal with future threats” [GOV.UK].
More Info...06/03/2018
05/03/2018
02/03/2018
Boeing was recently awarded a $60.9 million hybrid (fixed-price-incentive-firm, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive-fee) contract to perform the mission computing upgrade installation and checkout on four Japanese E-767 aircraft and associated ground systems. Work will be performed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; and Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed by December 31, 2022.
01/03/2018
ARLINGTON, Va. --- Boeing has been awarded a contract to modernize the U.S. Navy F/A-18 fleet, extending the life of existing Super Hornets from 6,000 to 9,000+ flight hours. In the early 2020s, Boeing will begin installing initial updates to the aircraft that will convert existing Block II Super Hornets to a new Block III configuration.
01/03/2018
27/02/2018
BENGALURU --- Inching close to Final Operational Clearance (FOC), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited carried out a hot refueling on indigenous Light Combat Aircraft-Tejas followed by a sortie at HAL airport, Bengaluru yesterday. The system performance during the refueling session was in-line with design requirements and was satisfactory.
26/02/2018
26/02/2018
21/02/2018
FORT WORTH, Texas --- Elbit Systems of America, LLC announced that its joint venture with Rockwell Collins, Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems, LLC (RCEVS) will incorporate the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II (JHMCS II) helmet-mounted display into Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-16 aircraft.
21/02/2018
20/02/2018
19/02/2018
WASHINGTON DC / AARHUS, Denmark --– US Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve (ANG/AFRC) recently awarded Terma North America, a subsidiary of Terma - a Denmark based aerospace, defense and security group a $44.3M indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for a 3D-Audio System (3DAS) for their F-16 aircraft. Work will be performed at Terma’s facilities in Denmark, and is expected to be complete by January 2024.
16/02/2018
Intended to replace older models of aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, the F-35 is a fighter aircraft with stealth capabilities that reduce the chance of detection by radar and heat-seeking missiles. The Department of Defense (DoD) plans to spend almost $350 billion (in fiscal year 2017 dollars) from 1994 through 2044 to develop and procure F-35s. The department expects to spend almost twice as much to operate and support the aircraft over their lifetimes; a sizable portion of that spending will go toward the aircraft’s depot-level maintenance.
More Info...14/02/2018
BRUSSELS --- The Government is committed to both the security and safety of Canadians and the protection of their rights and freedoms. Canada is playing a strong and constructive role in the world by making concrete contributions to international peace and security – including at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
14/02/2018
It’s official: The U.S. Air Force has taken formal steps to implement its stated intention to abandon the JSTARS Recap program. In the Department of Defense’s recently released [financial] year 2019 budget documents, all requests for funding related to JSTARS Recap research, development, testing, and evaluation were dropped, with FY18’s budget of $417.2 million reduced to nothing.
13/02/2018
BAE Systems has developed automated, on-board software that enhances mission effectiveness. Today, combat missions are a manual, coordinated effort by operators and pilots using a combination of manned and unmanned vehicles, sensors, and electronic warfare systems that all rely on high-availability networks such as satellite communications and tactical data links. When those networks are interrupted, it leaves warfighters with the inability to effectively communicate and avoid threats during their missions.
More Info...13/02/2018
GRAND RAPIDS, MI --- GE Aviation recently received approval for its flight management system from the Boeing KC-46 tanker program. The approval is a result of Boeing securing an amended type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 767-2C aircraft configuration of the KC-46 aircraft.
13/02/2018
The Spanish Army Aviation (FAMET – Fuerzas Aeromóviles del Ejército de Tierra) and the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) which have been involved in different UN-peacekeeping missions and are currently deployed in Mali with Tiger helicopters, are increasing their capabilities with Thales’s rockets to meet their ambitions.
12/02/2018
The Boeing Co., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has been awarded a $60,903,323 hybrid (fixed-price-incentive-firm, firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost-plus-incentive-fee) contract for the mission computing upgrade installation and checkout of four Japanese E-767 aircraft and associated ground systems.
12/02/2018
11/02/2018
09/02/2018
09/02/2018
DENVER --- A vigilant “Dragon Shield” airborne surveillance system developed by Lockheed Martin for the Finnish Defence Forces has achieved final operational capability. The milestone was achieved after the final flight test of the system, which evaluated compliance of the aircraft to civilian and military airworthiness requirements as well as system requirements verification.
08/02/2018
BAE Systems has been selected by Lockheed Martin to modernize head-up displays (HUD) on F-16 aircraft for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces, replacing the fleet’s analog system with advanced digital technology. The HUD, which sits directly in a pilot’s line of sight, is a see-through display that presents real-time, flight-critical information without obstructing his or her view of the outside world.
07/02/2018
06/02/2018
SMi reports: Hear from Belgian Air Component at SMi’s Air Mission Planning conference as they take strategic step towards increased air power The US has approved the potential sale of 35 F-35A Lightning IIs to Belgium, thereby improving their presence in the air power community and increasing future operations with their allies. Belgium will be well represented at the upcoming Air Mission Planning conference, with Lieutenant Colonel Erik Vandebroek from the Belgian Air Component presenting on day 1. Lt. Col. Vandebroek will expand upon the importance of mission planning and air power in the 21st century, accentuated by the latest move step towards 5th generation air power [Defense News].
More Info...06/02/2018
Like a prizefighter needing a sparring partner between bouts, next-generation fighter aircraft and their operators require constant testing and training. They simply cannot wait until they face a real air-to-air engagement to find out if critical self-defense systems actually work. This is especially true for the many advanced electronic warfare systems being installed on the latest aircraft. Accurate simulation is the only way to provide that much-needed sparring partner.
06/02/2018
05/02/2018
05/02/2018
02/02/2018
WASHINGTON --- Following the Light Attack Experiment conducted in August 2017, the Air Force announced its intention to continue experimenting with two non-developmental aircraft, the Textron Aviation AT-6 Wolverine and the Sierra Nevada/Embraer A-29 Super Tucano, from May to July 2018 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
02/02/2018
XI(F) Squadron Typhoons, from RAF Coningsby, are taking part in Exercise Red Flag 18-1, the world’s largest and most complex air combat exercise. Based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, XI(F) Squadron will operate alongside participants from the U.S Air Force, U.S Navy, U.S. Army, U.S Marine Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force.
31/01/2018
30/01/2018
So far, the story of the US F-35 fighter aircraft in Norway has been a drama of epic proportions. Soon after the first jets landed on Norwegian soil, it was discovered that the expensive warplanes designed to be the backbone of Norway's defense lack adequate protection and will have to be stored in tents for lack of hangars.
29/01/2018
On Thursday, 25 January 2018, the Director of OCCAR signed a Letter of Intent concerning the joint optimisation and development of the A400M capability within the remit of EATC with the EATC Commander, MG Pascal Chiffoleau and the EDA CE, Mr Jorge Domecq at EATC headquarters in Eindhoven.
26/01/2018
SMi reports: SMi's Air Mission Planning and Support conference 2018, which will have a unique focus on F-35 air power capabilities. The UK, US and Norway are continuing to move forward with F-35 air power projection. The Lightning II is continuously being tested in the harshest conditions, being able to operate the F-35A in these situations enables operators to have complete superiority in the air. Together, the Norwegian and US Air Forces recently tested out the handling qualities of the F-35A with a Norwegian-made drag chute, ensuring the operational stealth capabilities of the jet in extreme conditions [f35.com].
More Info...23/01/2018
22/01/2018
CHERRY POINT, N.C. --- The F-35 Patuxent River Integrated Test Force team brings the U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35B one step closer to initial operational test and evaluation as they wrap up testing of the F-35B STOVL envelope with sloped surface vertical landing tests January and February at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field (MCALF) Bogue, N.C.
22/01/2018
22/01/2018
19/01/2018
On November 14, 2017, four decades of continuous production of the Fighting Falcon (F16) ceased at Fort Worth, Texas. The facilities are being relocated to South Carolina and would take approximately two years to become fully functional. They will provide maintenance support for the existing fleet of F16s till their phase out. So far, Lockheed Martin, the company that now owns the F16, in conjunction with multiple production lines in Belgium, the Netherlands, Turkey, Japan and South Korea, has delivered 4588 F16s to 26 countries.
More Info...18/01/2018
SALZBURG, Austria --- The highest level of security in Davos: US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to this year's World Economic Forum. In total, around 3,000 decision-makers from politics, business and science are expected in the Swiss canton of Graubünden next week. The security of the Davos conference near the border is shared by the Swiss and Austrian Air Forces.
17/01/2018
Congress wants to keep the A-10 flying. Lawmakers have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to maintaining a dedicated ground attack aircraft and, more importantly, an effective close air support capability. They have done so through legislation in successive National Defense Authorizations Acts since 2013. In the most recent NDAA, Congress authorized $103 million for the Air Force to complete the job of installing urgently needed new replacement wings on the A-10 fleet.
17/01/2018
17/01/2018
16/01/2018
15/01/2018
ORLÉANS, France --- Florence Parly, France's minister of the Armed Forces, officially welcomed the country's first C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to the Armée de l'Air's 62st Transport Wing with a ceremony at Orléans-Bricy Air Base today. Government officials from France and the United States also attended the ceremony, along with representatives from Lockheed Martin.
15/01/2018
Today (Mon 15 January), RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor two Russian planes approaching UK airspace. The Russian Blackjack Tupolev Tu-160 long-range bombers were not talking to air traffic control, making them a hazard to all other aviation.
11/01/2018
ABBOTSFORD, BC --- Cascade Aerospace Inc. has been awarded a contract for the avionics modernization of one Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (FAM) L-100 (C-130) Hercules aircraft. This contract follows on the recent delivery of two modernized C-130K Hercules aircraft delivered to the FAM and fitted with advanced digital avionics from Rockwell Collins.
11/01/2018
SMi reports: Discuss, debate and learn from NATO partners & allies at SMi’s Air Mission Planning & Support conference 2018 As NATO partners & allies ended 2017 by taking steps to improve air power superiority, as illustrated by exercises Blue Flag, Optic Windmill and the Spartan Series, SMi invites attendees to discuss, debate and learn from these experts at Air Mission Planning & Support in London on 17th & 18th April 2018. The conference this year will have a unique focus on the complexity of managing varied air mission planning and support systems and key strategies, not only to procure and acquire new systems, but also how to best upgrade, modernise and improve existing platforms for modern day warfare and operations.
More Info...11/01/2018
10/01/2018
Demark and Italy are to keep the skies of the Baltic safe as part of NATO’s Air Policing mission in the region. Danish F-16 jets will fly from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, while Italy’s Eurofighters will operate in a supporting role from Ämari in Estonia. Allies have been taking turns to police Baltic airspace since 2004, when Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania joined NATO.
08/01/2018
“5th Generation Air C2 and ISR” provides tangible recommendations about improving Air C2 and ISR systems, their integration, collaboration and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) at the tactical level, including the possible application of a combat cloud, and towards F-35 employment and follow-on development.
18/12/2017
13/12/2017
SMi Reports: USAFE-AFAFRICA Warrior Preparation Centre and US Air Force to discuss the F35 amongst their European Allies at SMi’s Air Mission Planning and Support conference U.S. Air Forces in Europe this week brought together about 50 senior military fliers and planners from eight nations, all with a stake in the newest and most expensive fighter aircraft on the block. The two-day forum, on the F-35 fighter jet, served to enable those to share lessons learned and build common approaches that will support integrated flying operations…. “It’s been a long time since the U.S. and some of its European allies and partners gained a new aircraft system around the same time” said Maj. Gen Timothy Fay, USAFE-AFAFRICA vice commander. SMi’s Air Mission Planning and Support conference taking place on 17th and 18th April 2018, in London, will bring together USAFE-AFAFRICA Warrior Preparation Centre and US Air Force where they will discuss the F-35 fighter jet amongst their European Allies.
More Info...01/12/2017
GDC Middle East was recently awarded a contract by Sierra Nevada Corporation to upgrade two King Air 350 aircraft to Special Mission (ISR) aircraft. The two King Air 350s will receive radar, secure communications, datalinks, and optical sensors as part of the upgrade. Further modifications will be made to the aircrafts’ cabins, wiring harnesses, and cockpits.
29/11/2017
SMi reports: UK RAF to provide strong host nation support at SMi’s Air Mission Planning and Support conference in April 2018 SMi's Air Mission Planning and Support conference, taking place on 17th and 18th April 2018 in London, will explore the technology and strategies necessary to take air mission planning into the next generation, providing agile end-to-end mission support to air crews. The conference will deliver an examination of emerging technologies in key areas, presented by industry and research leaders. This will be combined with operational case studies and key programme updates from commanders and military project leaders, to develop key requirements and solutions for enhancing air mission planning and execution.
More Info...24/11/2017
SMi reports: The agenda has been released for SMi’s Air Mission Planning and Support conference, taking place in London on 17th and 18th April 2018 The Air Mission Support market is active and operationally relevant as ever. With an aversion to placing boots on the ground in combat zones such as Syria and Iraq, air power is increasingly relied upon to project force. Commanders and procurers of air assets continue to seek new means of enhancing the combat effectiveness of their platforms. To do so, effective mission planning, real time support, and de-briefing is required.
More Info...