Aircraft

BAGHDAD, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The U.S. military may be pulling out of Iraq, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is investing billions of dollars in U.S. weaponry that will maintain Baghdad's links with the United States for years to come.

That includes a nod from the White House for the purchase of a second batch of 18 Lockheed Martin F-16IQ fighter jets worth $2.3 billion.

Earlier this year Iraq ordered its first squadron of F-16s. The new buy will give it 36 of the supersonic, multi-role jets by around 2018.

NEW DELHI, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has signed a contract with India to provide spare and ground support gear for the Indian air force's Hawk training aircraft.

The jet trainers used by India are manufactured under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. BAE supplies the materials, parts and support services.

BAE said the value of the contract is nearly $92 million and brings the total value of Hawk-related contracts with India to more than $934 million.

SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, has been awarded contracts worth in excess of
33M EUR for the supply of 196 high-energy lasers to be fitted in United States prime
contractor targeting systems. Acting as rangefinders and designators, the lasers allow fighter
aircraft crews to target the enemy with exacting precision while remaining outside the range
of hostile fire.
Alastair Morrison, SVP for Radar and Advanced Targeting, said “SELEX Galileo is a market
leader in high-energy lasers. The Company has a proven track record in manufacturing and

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Visual systems in U.S. Air Force F-15C Mission Training Centers are being upgraded with Boeing's Constant Resolution Visual System under a $20 million contract.

The CRVS is central to a complete immersive training and uses standard, off-the-shelf projectors.

"A key feature of the CRVS is the ability to train with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and night vision goggles, both of which will be used in the F-15C MTC," said Mark McGraw, Boeing vice president for Training Systems and Services.

TALLADEGA, Ala., Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Elbit Systems of America LLC has been tasked by U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to upgrade wide-angle conventional heads-up displays on Block 30 and 50 F-16s.

The WAC HUD projects critical instrument panel information on a transparent surface in front of the pilot.

Under the five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite quantity award, Elbit will manufacture Reliability and Maintainability Electronic Module Assemblies for the U.S. Air Force aircraft displays.