Page 32 - AirForces - Monthly (February 2020)

Intel
Report

Right: The Joint Aviation Command has fitted M134 Miniguns to several of its Twin
Otters. This aircraft also carries a FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD turret below the nose.
Below: Aquila Aerospace brought its new Challenger 650 to Dubai. The aircraft is
now set to be converted to a maritime surveillance aircraft for the UAEAF&AD.

guns. All these types have seen the F-16E/Fs, but would not Challenger 650 in the static display, to last between 12-18 months”.
action in the Yemen war against disclose details, as well as another which is set to be converted to Tensions with Iran, maintaining
the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. contract for F-16 simulator a maritime surveillance aircraft a presence in Yemen and
A grey JAC DHC-6-300 Twin systems. Back in 2017 the UAE by Bombardier’s Specialized protecting its own airspace
Otter parked behind the UH-60L announced a US$1.6bn deal for Aircraft division. A press release means the UAEAF&AD faces
was equipped with an M134 spares and support, as well as at the International Defence significant operational challenges.
Minigun and a Star SAFIRE 380- improvements to the aircraft’s Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) Modernisation is at the top of its
HD turret. The JAC operates avionics, including targeting in Abu Dhabi in February said agenda, and that has led to the
12 Twin Otters, including nine systems. Upgrades in the cockpit the aircraft will “update and local aerospace industry being
Mk400s acquired from Viking will include the BAE Systems expand the Emirates’ maritime completely overhauled. The plan
Air. The importance of aircraft Digital Light Engine (DLE) head- and airborne surveillance and is not just to work with the local
able to independently track and up display (HUD) and Digital Flight search and rescue capabilities”. armed forces but to earn revenues
target, with onboard weapons, Control Computer (DFCC), both According to Aquila vice to offset the government’s huge
is clearly very important to the on show at the company’s stand. president Samuel Danilowitsch, investment and allow the country
UAE, which refers to them as EDGE-owned Aquila Aerospace “modification of the aircraft [at to become more self-reliant. That
‘Direction Action Providers’ . exhibited a civilian-registered Al Bateen Airport] is expected is why EDGE has been formed.
Meanwhile, the new UAEAF&AD
Airbus C295 was fitted with an
L3 Wescam MX-15 EO/IR turret.
Two more UAEAF&AD exhibits
to catch the eye were a Mirage
2000-9DAD and F-16F both armed
with four Al Tariq precision-
guided munitions (PGMs).
On the second day of the
show, the UAE revealed a deal
to upgrade some of its Mirage
2000-9s at a cost of US$490m.
Days before the event opened
it was reported in France that
the Mirage work could include
the new Thales Talios targeting
pod, which is highly resistant
to jamming, a tactic frequently
used by the Houthis in Yemen.
The UAEAF&AD also awarded Above: Together with EARTH, CATIC is marketing the A-Hawk quadcopter to the
Lockheed Martin a US$20.5m deal UAE military. A full flight demo will take place in Abu Dhabi in February. Right: The
Saab GlobalEye Swing-Role Surveillance System was making its public debut at
during the show to modernise the Dubai Airshow. This is the third example.

32 // February 2020 #383 www.Key.Aero

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