The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has notified Dassault Aviation and Lockheed Martin that their Rafale and F-16, respectively, are the finalists in the country's competition for up to 80 new fighters. The McDonnell Douglas F-15 has been officially eliminated from the contest. Lockheed Martin, which is offering the UAE an advanced "Block 60" F-16, says that a decision is expected "within a few months".
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
