All articles by Greg Waldron – Page 123
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NewsL-39NG passes key fuselage strength test
Aero Vodochody’s L-39NG has passed fuselage strength tests, as the company works towards certification of the advanced jet trainer. Using the fuselage of aircraft 7002, which is earmarked for static trials, the test saw the structure initially taken to the limit load, which corresponds to the maximum possible load during ...
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NewsAC-130W demonstrates maritime attack role
The US military has demonstrated the use of a Lockheed Martin AC-130W Stinger II gunship in a new naval support role. The work took place from 8-9 March in the Arabian Gulf and involved AC-130Ws, a Boeing P-8A Poseidon, and a US Navy Cyclone class patrol vessel, says the US ...
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NewsVietnam Airlines to take major precautions on European services
Vietnam Airlines has decided it will carry passengers from Europe, but will take significant precautions amid the global coronavirus outbreak. Passenger services from London, Paris, and Frankfurt are part of what the carrier says is an effort “to uphold its national responsibilities.” Source: Vietnam Airlines A Vietnam Airlines ...
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In depthBeijing plugs away at naval airpower ambitions
While Beijing’s anti-access/area-denial strategy will shape the USA’s aircraft carrier operations in the decades to come, the People’s Liberation Army Navy remains committed to building a viable capability of its own. The commissioning of CNS Shandong in December 2019 saw China join the elite group of countries to have built ...
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NewsUK still in the game for Japan fighter partnership
Tokyo has yet to decide on its future international partner for the country’s ambitious FX Future Fighter programme to replace the Mitsubishi F-2. “The [Japanese Ministry of Defense] is in discussion with the U.S. and the UK from the viewpoint of ensuring interoperability, cost effectiveness and technical reliability,” says Japan’s ...
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NewsAsia-Pacific February deliveries collapse amid coronavirus
Deliveries of new aircraft to Asia-Pacific collapsed in February, with only 11 aircraft delivered to the region out of the global total of 77. According to Cirium fleets data the Asia-Pacific, consistently the leader in aircraft deliveries, trailed both Europe, which saw 29 new aircraft delivered, and North America, where ...
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NewsKorean Air grounds A380 fleet until 25 April
Korean Air has grounded its entire fleet of 10 Airbus A380s amid the traffic slump caused by the coronavirus outbreak. The 10 A380s will be grounded until 25 April, says the airline. Out of the airlines’ 145 aircraft, 100 grounded. South Korea has emerged as a major ...
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NewsCoronavirus to keep M90 FTV10 first flight a quiet affair
Mitsubishi Aircraft is planning for a low-key first flight of the SpaceJet M90 Flight Test Vehicle 10 (FTV10), owing to government policy to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The company adds that the aircraft is “in final preparations for its first flight, which we will announce in the coming weeks.” ...
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NewsThai A330 shears tail off Gulfstream IV in Vientiane
A Thai Airways A330-300 has nearly ripped the tail off a Gulfstream IV private jet during a taxiing accident in Vientiane, Laos. The accident occurred in darkness on 9 March as the A330 (HS-TEU) prepared to operate flight TG575 on the Vientiane-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route, according to Thai Airways. ...
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NewsNorthrop turns to Canberra to shore up Triton production
Northrop Grumman says Australia should consider advancing its acquisition of the US Navy’s MQ-4C Triton UAV following the Trump administration’s proposal to pause production for the programme in FY2021 and FY2022. While pausing production, the administration wants instead to focus on the MQ-4C’s improved multi-intelligence configuration, designated IFC-4. The budget ...
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NewsCanberra to sell remaining “Classic" Hornets to US training firm
Canberra plans to sell 46 Boeing F/A-18 A/B “Classic” Hornets to Air USA, a firm that provides tactical airpower training services to the US military and international customers. The aircraft are being retired as Canberra takes delivery of up to 72 Lockheed Martin F-35As, which are replacing the Hornet in ...
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NewsLockheed delivers 500th F-35
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 500th F-35 fighter, with the fleet also surpassing the 250,000 flight hour mark. The 500th example delivered is an F-35A that will serve with the Vermont Air National Guard, says Lockheed. An image of the jet shows it bears the registration number AF5343. ...
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NewsSaab announces team for Canada Gripen E campaign
Saab has announced a slate of partners who will participate in its Gripen E campaign for Ottowa’s requirement for 88 new fighters. The company says that the “Gripen for Canada Team” will comprise IMP Aerospace & Defence, CAE, Peraton Canada, and GE Aviation. “Over the past two years, Saab and ...
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NewsUS Navy F-16A aggressor jets receive structural upgrade
The US Navy has completed update work on 10 Lockheed Martin F-16A fighters that are used in the aggressor role. The work was undertaken by the Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program office, says the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Source: US Navy The FalconUp programme extends the F-16As ...
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NewsUK and Australia open F-35 reprogramming lab in USA
The UK and Australia have opened a joint facility related to the Lockheed Martin F-35 at Eglin AFB, Florida. The “Reprogramming Laboratory” produces mission data files that include details about the operating environment and assets in an area, which are then loaded onto aircraft using a portable hard drive. “Combined ...
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NewsATSB issues preliminary report on C-130 firefighting crash
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its preliminary report into the fatal crash of a Lockheed Martin EC-130Q during firefighting operations. The crash occurred at 13:16 local time on 23 January near Peak View, New South Wales, killing all three crew members. The aircraft involved was operated by ...
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NewsBoeing conducts air start test with T-7A
Boeing has conducted an engine air start with the T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainer as part of the type’s testing programme. The aircraft’s single General Electric F404 engine was shut off at an altitude of 20,000 feet during a sortie from the company’s St. Louis production site. After 44 ...
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NewsUS government approves Tunisian AT-6C sale
The US government has cleared the sale of four Textron Aviation Beechcraft AT-6C Wolverine light-attack aircraft to Tunisia, with the deal worth $326 million.
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NewsTanker variant of China’s Y-20 set to emerge: report
New variants of the Xian Y-20 strategic transport look set to make their public debut, as the four-engined type assists relief operations related to the Coronavirus outbreak in the city of Wuhan. In addition to the transport variant, a tanker variant and an airborne early warning (AEW) variant are planned, ...
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NewsSojitz unit Atlantis revealed as 'undisclosed' 787-9 buyer
A special purpose company of Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, Atlantis Aviation Corporation, has been revealed as the party behind three Boeing 787-9 orders that were previously attributed to an undisclosed customer. Boeing made the disclosure following a query from FlightGlobal regarding a 26 February announcement from All Nippon Airways (ANA). ...