Boeing wins $2.1bn for 15 more KC-46A tankers, points to battle communications role
Boeing has won its second contract in 2021 for KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers from the US Air Force.
US Marine Corps commits detachment of F-35Bs to HMS Queen Elizabeth
The US Marine Corps has committed a detachment of Lockheed Martin F-35Bs to the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier for its first overseas deployment this year.
Slovenia nears C-27J Spartan buy
Slovenia is to buy at least one Leonardo C-27J Spartan as its government moves to make up for a shortfall in transport aircraft that became evident at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak last year.
Lockheed Martin F-35 deficiencies: two fewer in 2020, 871 issues remain
Lockheed Martin managed to reduce the total number of identified problems with its F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter by two in 2020 – though 871 deficiencies remain.
Ukrainian armed forces to take three An-178s
Antonov is to embark on production of three An-178 airlifters for the Ukrainian military, under a newly-agreed memorandum of co-operation.
Northrop Grumman to add new electronic warfare capabilities to F-35
Lockheed Martin has granted a contract to Northrop Grumman to increase integration between the F-35 stealth fighter’s communications, navigation and identification system and its electronic warfare systems.
Boeing delivers 14 KC-46A tankers in 2020, receives contract for a dozen more
Boeing delivered 14 KC-46A in-flight refuelling tankers in 2020 to the US Air Force, exactly half of what it delivered the year before.
USAF says it’s conducted first hot refuelling of a KC-135 Stratotanker
The US Air Force (USAF) says for the first time ever, in September 2020, it conducted an on-the-ground hot refuelling of the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker at Al Udeid air base in Qatar.
US Air Force F-16 fleet to get electronic countermeasures from Northrop Grumman
The US Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to provide a new electronic countermeasures system for its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16C/D fighters.
First UK Wedgetail arrives for conversion by STS
A former Deer Jet-operated Boeing 737NG which will be modified into an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning aircraft for the Royal Air Force arrived at its UK conversion site earlier this month.