The first production Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter for the Turkish Air Force (TAF) has made its maiden flight, marking a key milestone towards its delivery. The aircraft, known as MSN9, took off from Seville, Spain, on August 9th. The A400M programme for the TAF is also making good progress at the Airbus Military
Eurocopter delivered the first NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) to the Belgium Armed Forces, providing an advanced, highly capable and fully-qualified rotary-wing aircraft for this nation’s multi-role mission requirements. In addition to being the no. 1 NH90 NFH received by Belgium, it also is the first built at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth, Germany industrial site – demonstrating
Rolls-Royce has been awarded a $195.5m contract to produce and support LiftSystems for the F-35 Lightning II program, the unique technology that provides vertical-lift for 5th-generation combat aircraft. The Rolls-Royce LiftSystem enables F-35B aircraft to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings (STOVL) and is currently in service with the US Marine Corps in Yuma, Arizona.
Vector Aerospace UK, a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for fixed and rotary wing aircraft operators around the globe, announced that its facilities in Gosport, UK has just completed its 400th major aircraft refinish project. The facility, which has four large paint and strip bays capable of taking aircraft as
GE Aviation’s adaptive cycle engine core test exceeded target temperatures by more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit, demonstrating the highest combination of compressor and turbine temperatures ever recorded in aviation history. Based on the successful core test’s proof of the durability of the hardware, the first full adaptive cycle engine test is scheduled for the fourth
Spirit AeroSystems celebrated completion of the first forward fuselage section, Section 41, destined for integration into the Boeing KC-46A tanker. In a rollout ceremony, Boeing and U.S. Air Force representatives joined Spirit leadership and employees to mark the occasion. In June 2011, Spirit was announced as a supplier on the KC-46 program. Spirit is responsible
Alenia Aermacchi delivered the first ATR72-600 TMUA (Turkish Maritime Utility Aircraft) to the Turkish Navy, the first of a total order of eight ATR72s, which consist of two TMUAs and six ATR72-600 TMPA (Turkish Maritime Patrol Aircraft) maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Compared to the ATR72-600 basic platform, the two ATR72 TMUA, modified at
AgustaWestland released that the first five AW101 Merlin HM Mk 2 helicopters have been delivered to the Royal Navy’s 824 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose in Southwest England. The delivery of these aircraft, which have been upgraded as part of a £750m AgustaWestland and Lockheed Martin led contract, marks a significant programme milestone
Northrop Grumman delivered the center fuselage for Italy’s first F-35 Lightning II to the newly commissioned Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility at Italy’s Cameri Air Base July 12. This on-time delivery to Lockheed Martin enables the first assembly of an F-35 aircraft at the FACO facility and increases international participation on the F-35
The Minister for Defence Materiel for the Commonwealth of Australia has awarded BAE Systems a £90m contract for the upgrade of their Mk127 Hawk fleet. Known as Project AIR5438, the upgrade to the Australian Hawk fleet will deliver an enhanced training capability and also encompass the supply of three Full Mission Simulators, RAAF aircrew/groundcrew training
