Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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24 Jul 25. Airbus Helicopters has started flight-testing the H160M Guépard. This militarised version of the H160 is being developed for the French Armed Forces as part of the Joint Light Helicopter programme. The flight test crew consisted of Samuel Chartier, H160M flight test pilot, and flight test engineers Nicolas Certain, Laurent Maruejols, and Alban Corpron. The H160M’s maiden flight was celebrated during an official ceremony at the Company’s headquarters in France. The H160M was chosen by France as a single platform to equip all three branches of the armed forces—the Army, Navy, and Air and Space Force. The French Ministry of Armed Forces plans to order 169 H160Ms to replace five types of helicopters currently in service with the French Armed Forces or recently retired. The H160M builds on the civil H160 platform, which has been in service for over three years. Named “Guépard” by the French Armed Forces, the H160M features significant developments to make it one of the most modern military aircraft in the world. Airbus has opted to produce three prototypes to accelerate the H160M’s development. A second prototype is currently in final assembly. The first prototype will primarily be used for validating the H160M’s flight performance and will conduct firing campaigns in 2026. The second prototype will be used for hot and cold weather campaigns, among other tests.
“The start of the flight test campaign is a major milestone for the H160M programme. We have received excellent feedback from the French Navy on the performance of their six H160s, which have proven themselves with a high availability rate. Deployed for over two years on search and rescue missions at sea, these aircraft have demonstrated outstanding performance and reliability levels in a demanding environment,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H160M is an aircraft tailored for tomorrow’s military operations: reliable, agile, highly connected, and equipped with the latest generation of sensors and weaponry. Most importantly, it is highly scalable and can adapt to changing operational contexts.”
The H160 is a 6-tonne class aircraft equipped with the Safran Arrano engines. It has benefited from 68 patents aimed at increasing its efficiency, safety, environmental footprint, maintenance, and operating costs compared to previous generation aircraft. The military version, the H160M, destined for the French Armed Forces, is equipped with Thales’ FlytX avionics and a unique mission system developed by Airbus. These systems allow the crew to carry out complex missions in degraded environments with perfect tactical situational awareness. Numerous communication systems allow the H160M to be fully integrated into air, naval, and land-air operations. The H160M is the first helicopter in the Airbus range to be natively equipped with a drone cooperation system. The H160M also benefits from new-generation sensors such as Safran’s Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and Thales’ AirMaster C radar. The self-protection system is designed to operate across the entire electromagnetic and optical spectrum with automatic threat decoy capabilities. Airbus’ HForce weapon system allows for the integration of a wide range of effectors. The H160M will have the capability to carry 12.7 mm machine guns in pods and guided rockets. The H160M can also be equipped with 7.62 mm machine guns in a pintle mount or an articulated arm for a precision shooter. Delivery to the French Armed Forces will begin in late 2028. Airbus will provide maintenance and operational support for the H160M for an initial period of ten years.
18 Jul 25. Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center Magnifies the Microscopic.
Manufacturing Microelectronics.
Today’s dynamic global security threats require solutions both big and small – solutions living within Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center. A radar system which once required as many as eight transmit-receive modules for certain functions, each the size of a stick of gum, now is made possible with one tiny chip measuring less than a square inch. This is just one example living across the hundreds of systems, leveraging microelectronics. Our quest to improve performance, reduce size weight and power and provide a broader variety of materials for overall survivability have been accomplished because of the technological might of this center.
“The Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center produces the most advanced solutions for multifunction sensing, security and computing because of the incredible technologies and vast material sets we are working with,” said Vern Boyle, vice president of the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center. “Not only can we provide onshore solutions to preserve the national interest, but we can also scale to accommodate the unique needs of the defense industrial base and commercial industries.”
From satellites and telescopes currently in orbit, to radars used in combat today – all are powered by our microchips, designed and developed within Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center.
“We keep out-inventing ourselves,” said Matt Hicks, director of foundries, test and advanced packaging, Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center. “We’re pushing the boundaries of what physics and chemistry allow for our next-generation systems- both defense and commercial.”
With access to more than 800 materials, Northrop Grumman has multiple facilities well-positioned to create the most leading-edge, mission-critical solutions in the microelectronics industry. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
From then to now
Initiatives used in Northrop Grumman foundries helped the United States level the playing field in Microelectronics fabrication using silicon and compound semiconductor devices. Our chips have been used to support the technology in the Lunar Camera that captured man’s first steps on the moon, the development of cell-phones and in-flight wi-fi, the most advanced military radars and satellites, and the needs of next-generation systems. These have all been part of Northrop Grumman’s microelectronics story linking back to decades of expertise in designing advanced solutions.
With current programs, the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center is testing and perfecting transistor technology, working across the defense industrial base and commercial landscape to develop key technologies that will be integrated into ground breaking systems. “We are working to create the very best microelectronics solutions for systems and platforms to deliver success for the warfighter time and time again,” said Ben Heying, director of microelectronics at Northrop Grumman’s Space Park foundry. “Our solutions support battlespace missions but also link to our everyday lives in many of the more advanced commercial applications that we produce.”
Differentiating microelectronics capabilities are pioneering technological solutions in Northrop Grumman’s accredited foundries and advanced packaging facility. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)
“For future missions, microelectronics expertise is critical to developing emerging capabilities and improving the size, weight and power of future systems. Our advanced packaging expertise enables us to fit more functionality into a smaller form factor for those smaller platforms that we know are needed in the military world,” said Dave Shahin, manager of the advanced packaging business unit for the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center. “We are well-positioned to provide many of these capabilities, and even expand them here on U.S. soil to meet our customers’ needs across the domestic industrial base.”
Drive toward mission success
Today, Northrop Grumman’s secure microelectronics facilities produce ms of microchips a year, with the critical, advanced and mission-tailored manufacturing process from design to deployment. Northrop Grumman continues building on successful internal fabrication and packaging, most recently including a major capability and capacity expansion of our proven wafer post-processing facility in Florida, planning to more than triple volume in the coming years. Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center is defining possible every day. What comes next is immeasurable.
18 Jul 25. UK’s Pioneering Combat Air Flying Demonstrator Revealed. Industry partners, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and MBDA UK, together with the Ministry of Defence, have revealed the design of the UK’s flagship Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, as the aircraft reaches a major milestone, with two thirds of its structural weight now in manufacturing. The piloted supersonic aircraft is the first of its kind to be developed in the UK in 40 years. The aircraft’s main structure, wings and tail fins are all taking shape using pioneering robotic and digital manufacturing and assembly technologies at BAE Systems’ sites in Lancashire, signifying the advanced stages of its development. Designed to test a wide range of new technologies, including the integration of stealth compatible features, the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is a crucial part of the work to develop manufacturing processes and de-risk the next generation combat aircraft that will be delivered through the Global Combat Air Programme with the UK, Italy and Japan.
“This significant and challenging project will deliver the UK’s first crewed combat demonstrator aircraft in four decades. The programme is accelerating the development of advanced design approaches and manufacturing techniques, helping to sharpen the UK’s industrial edge and deliver benefits beyond the production of the aircraft.”
“As well as developing a unique aircraft, we’re building the technical foundations, workforce readiness and digital maturity essential to deliver the next generation of combat air capability.” Said Tony Godbold, Future Combat Air Systems Delivery Director, BAE Systems
“I am delighted that today, BAE Systems and the Ministry of Defence, can share this important update on the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator. For the first time, people can see how this cutting-edge demonstrator aircraft will look when it takes to the skies. Manufacturing of the aircraft continues at pace, which is testament to the ingenuity and collaboration of Government and industry teams.”
“The Combat Air Flying Demonstrator is providing invaluable lessons on future combat air delivery and equipping our people with the skills they will need to deliver GCAP.” Said Richard Berthon, Director Future Combat Air, UK Ministry of Defence
By applying advanced new solutions and digital manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing, cobotics, digital twins, model-based systems engineering and virtual simulation, BAE Systems engineers are at the forefront of the revolution in aircraft design and manufacture. Test pilots from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and the Royal Air Force (RAF) have now flown more than 300 hours of the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator in a bespoke simulator. Using simulated flight trials, pilots and engineers can rapidly assess the flight control systems during more complex flight manoeuvres, capturing crucial data about how the jet will handle and perform, years before its first flight. Collectively, this important work aims to dramatically reduce the time and costs involved in producing military jets, while maintaining the sovereign design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities needed to keep the UK at the forefront of global aerospace innovation. (Source: ASD Network)
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Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-r/
The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-y/
Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
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