Dillon Aero awarded Navy contract for mini-gun flight demonstrations

The Naval Air Warfare Center at Patuxent River, Md., has awarded a $52,300 sole source contract to Dillon Aero, Inc., to provide helicopter flight demonstrations for students and instructors within the Navy Test Pilot School.

“The contractor shall provide a total of eight flight hours in the UH-1H or Bell 407/412 aircraft, including firing mini-guns, totaling 30,000 rounds to United States Navy Test Pilot School (USNTPS) student and instructor personnel in support of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School Qualitative Evaluation Program.”

The USNTPS trains engineering flight test pilots and flight test engineers for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and international flight test organizations.

Currently employed by all branches of the U.S. military and in more than 30 countries, Dillon Aero's M134D Minigun is one of the most reliable weapons in the world given its capacity, simplicity in loading and ease of maintenance.

The mini-gun flight demonstrations under the Navy contract will take place between Sept. 15 and Sept. 30, officials said in contract documents released Monday.

Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Dillon Aero has fielded more than 6,500 weapons systems in more than 35+ countries.

Indonesia signs MoU to acquire Boeing F-15EX fighter jets

During a visit of Indonesia’s Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto to the United States, the Republic of Indonesia and Boeing shared their commitment to finalize the sale of 24 F-15EX aircraft to Indonesia. The sale is subject to U.S. government approval.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday by Air Vice Marshal Yusuf Jauhari, Head of Defense Facilities Agency, Indonesia Ministry of Defense, and Mark Sears, Boeing Fighters vice president and program manager. The signing was held at Boeing’s St. Louis facility following a tour of the F-15EX production line.

Subianto said the F-15EX fighter capability is “critical” for Indonesia.

The F-15EX is the most advanced version of the F-15 ever built, with digital fly-by-wire flight controls, a new electronic warfare system, an all-glass digital cockpit, and the latest mission systems and software capabilities, which will all be leveraged in delivering the new F-15IDN.

“There is no other fighter like the F-15 in the world, and this platform will put Indonesia at the top of air dominance capabilities,” Sears said in a Boeing press release. “Boeing is ready to support this effort and remains a committed partner to the U.S. government in advancing international security objectives with allies and partners around the world.”

Boeing and Indonesia have worked in partnership for nearly 75 years to support the development of aerospace and defense capabilities in the country through training, supply chain development and collaborations. Today, Boeing’s presence in Indonesia covers commercial aviation, defense, space, supply chain, academia partnerships and talent development efforts across the local industry.

Currently, the F-15 is operated by seven countries around the world.