Lockheed Martin is to support integration of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles onto additional Polish Air Force F-16C/D aircraft.

The award from the U.S. Air Force stems from a recent Foreign Military Sales deal and is worth $7.9 million.

It is also the second JASSM contract for Poland under the FMS program and includes support for a broad range of certification and flight activity, logistics support and program and technical oversight until 2018.

"Our airworthiness efforts expand and refine JASSM's employment flexibility on Polish jets, ensuring the Polish Air Force has this vital cruise missile capability," said Bob Adams, long-range strike systems international program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"JASSM's high reliability and effectiveness allows the missile to defeat current and future threats in challenging environments."

JASSM, armed with penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead, is cruise missile that uses an infrared seeker and enhanced digital anti-jam Global Positioning System receiver.

Italian Air Force brings AW-101A helicopter into service
Rome (UPI) Feb 26, 2016 –

AgustaWestland's AW-101A medium lift helicopter has entered into operational service with the Italian Air Force for search-and-rescue operations, recovery of personnel and special forces missions.

The aircraft is the first of four delivered to the service, designated the HH-101A Caesar. The Italian Air Force ordered 15 of the helicopters from AgustaWestland, which is part of Finmeccanica.

The AW-101 is known as the Merlin and is operated by at least seven countries. It has a cruise speed of 167 miles per hour, a range of 517 miles and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet.

It comes in a number of variants, most equipped with self-defense systems, and can be outfitted with torpedoes.

"With the HH-101A CAESAR, the Italian Air Force is introducing into service the most advanced and capable aircraft available today for this demanding operational requirement, developed and tailored to meet specific customer needs in the framework of its helicopter fleet modernization program," said Finmeccanica.