All articles by Greg Waldron – Page 111
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NewsTu-160M takes flight with updated engines
The Tupolev Tu-160M strategic bomber has conducted its first flight using updated United Engine Corporation NK-32-02 engines. The flight lasted for 2h 20min and the aircraft reached an altitude of 19,700ft, according to Russian defence holding company Rostec. Source: United Aircraft Corporation The Tu-160M flying with updated NK-32 ...
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NewsAirAsia X makes creditor status concession to Malaysia Airports
AirAsia X (AAX) has agreed to classify Malaysia Airports as a secured creditor, as it seeks to expedite its massive debt restructuring programme. “After consultation, AirAsia X has accommodated [Malaysia Airports] and made certain clarifications and revised the scheme under two separate classes ’A’ and ‘B’,” says the carrier in ...
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NewsQantas, Jetstar gear up for Sydney-Melbourne reboot
Qantas and low-cost unit Jetstar plan to operate “thousands of flights” following the decision by the New South Wales state to open its borders from 23 November. The border opening to Victoria state will see the two carriers operate over 250 flights across five routes, to Victoria’s capital Melbourne and ...
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NewsCanberra eyes opportunities, risks of future drone, eVTOL operations
Canberra has published a discussion paper exploring the opportunities and challenges involved with the increased adoption of drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The 68-page report explores issues ranging from airspace integration to security, noise, and infrastructure. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications calls ...
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NewsNew images of Z-20 helicopter variants highlight China’s ASW efforts
Fresh pictures have emerged of the two naval variants of the Harbin Z-20 helicopter, highlighting the Chinese type’s similarity to the Sikorsky S-70 family.
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NewsUK shoots down Argentine FA-50 deal
The UK has stopped a long-running plan for Argentina to obtain eight Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) FA-50 light-attack jets.
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NewsBoeing lands contract for two more JASDF KC-46s
Boeing has secured a contract for the third and fourth KC-46 aerial tankers for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF).
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NewsMHI confirmed for F-X fighter development
The Japanese Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for development of the new F-X fighter. “We have signed a contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,” says the ministry. “In the future, we will steadily proceed with the development of the next fighter (F-X) together with ...
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AnalysisTokyo weighs options for overseas participation in ambitious F-X future fighter programme
As Tokyo advances its ambitious F-X future fighter programme, it must weigh a number of factors – including concerns around intellectual property (IP) and ease of upgrade – as it decides which nations to partner with for the effort, according to two leading airpower experts.
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NewsMi-8AMTs dispatched to Borneo for firefighting work
Russian Helicopters has launched a test programme to assess operations of the Mi-8/171 family of helicopters in Indonesia. The company has already dispatched rotorcraft to the Indonesian section of the of the island of Borneo, where they have been used in firefighting operations. Deployed assets include a pair of the ...
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NewsSmall aircraft carriers pick up steam in Asia-Pacific
South Korea and Japan continue to progress their plans for small aircraft carriers, while the Republic of Singapore Air Force has operated Boeing CH-47Ds to the Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Adelaide. A key element of South Korea’s defence posture in the 2030s will be a 30,000t aircraft carrier, according ...
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NewsNorthrop starts production of first Australian MQ-4C Triton
Northrop Grumman has commenced production work on the first MQ-4C unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The company marked the production start in a broadcast to a virtual audience that comprised key American and Australian stakeholders in the programme. Assembly of the aircraft kicked off ...
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NewsANA Group plans new airline, big fleet cuts
The All Nippon Airways (ANA) Group will conduct a major revamp of its business model that involves launching a new airline brand and retiring far more aircraft than originally planned. The group will make these and other significant changes as part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic that has ...
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NewsRAAF F/A-18A ‘Classic’ Hornet makes final journey to museum
A Boeing F/A-18A ‘Classic’ Hornet formerly operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has made its way by road to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
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NewsHoneywell sees behaviour shift among Asia-Pacific airlines
Honeywell’s airline support business has observed significant changes among its Asia-Pacific customers as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic ripple through the industry. One major change relates to spare parts, with airlines electing to keep parts ‘on wing’ for longer, and showing greater openness to relying on used parts. ...
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NewsMalaysia Airports justifies AirAsia X lawsuit
Malaysia Airports (MAHB) has defended its decision to sue AirAsia X (AAX) for RM78.2 million ($19 million) in unpaid charges, stating that it is only defending its core interests. The airport operators’ defence follows a 24 October report in The Star newspaper, which suggested that the airport operator is seeking ...
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NewsMHI denies reports of SpaceJet development freeze
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has denied reports that it will freeze development of the Mitsubishi Aircraft SpaceJet, but is looking at “possibilities” for the regional jet programme. “MHI is continuing a detailed review of the schedule of the SpaceJet program, in view of the impact of COVID-19, and is moving ...
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Airline BusinessResilient Philippine Airlines fights the odds against coronavirus
The Philippines has had a tough run during the coronavirus pandemic, but Philippine Airlines (PAL) is determined to keep fighting to preserve the island nation’s connectivity.
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NewsBoeing Australia ‘loyal wingman’ conducts first taxi test
Boeing has conducted the first taxi test of the Airpower Teaming System (ATS) loyal wingman aircraft being developed in Australia. Boeing Australia notes that this is the first time the unmanned aircraft has moved under its own power, and reiterated that a maiden sortie is planned by the end of ...
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NewsVietjet A321 suffers 4.27g hard landing at Dong Hoi
One of Vietjet Air’s Airbus A321s has apparently suffered structural damage after a hard landing at Dong Hoi airport in central Vietnam. FlightGlobal understands that the accident occurred in the early evening on 16 October as the aircraft, VN-A639, landed on a wet runway in Dong Hoi after operating flight ...