2013 delivery planned for first Australian Romeos
The first two of 24 Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin MH-60R naval helicopters being acquired for the Royal Australian Navy under Air 9000 Phase 8 could be delivered as early as December 2013, according to Lockheed Martin. Under Air 9000 Phase 8 the RAN requires delivery of its first MH-60R ‘Romeos’ from mid 2014, but Australia has requested
Lockheed Martin prepares for unmanned K-Max trial
Lockheed Martin is preparing for the deployment of two unmanned Kaman K-Max helicopters to Afghanistan this month to begin operating a six month trial resupplying US Marine Corps forward operating bases there. The contract was awarded earlier this month to Lockheed Martin ahead of Boeing’s competing Hummingbird unmanned helicopter, after a five day evaluation of
ANA completes first 787 commercial service
All Nippon Airlines (ANA) has completed the first commercial service by a Boeing 787, operating a charter from Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong on October 26. The flight – appropriately designated flight 7871 – was conducted by JA801A (ZA101), the eighth 787 built and the first delivered to ANA about a month ago. The aircraft
JSF completes first sea trials
Two F-35B JSFs completed an 18 day sea trials period aboard the USS Wasp on October 21, the first time the F-35 has operated from a ship. The trials, which comprised a total of 72 vertical landings and 72 short takeoffs under various but generally benign conditions, saw the two jets – BF-2 and BF-4
Virgin Australia ramps up to meet demand
Virgin Australia has announced plans to add capacity to its domestic services over the next few weeks. The airline says it will add 64 domestic services offering 9000 additional seats between Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide from October 31 and November 13 to meet increased demand for flights, following Qantas cutting back on flights due to
F-22s return to the air
USAF Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors based at JB Langley-Eustis in Virginia and JB Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska have been cleared to return to the air after a four day grounding. The aircraft were grounded on October 21 after a pilot experienced hypoxia-like symptoms on a recent flight. The issue is the same as that which forced
