Saudi A330 MRTT makes inaugural flight
Airbus Military has announced that its first Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) A330 MRTT conversion has successfully completed its first flight, landing back at the company’s Getafe, Spain test site after a four hour, 15 minute long journey on March 15. The aircraft will now enter the final certification and qualification phase for this version
JPO clears seven F-35s after generator mishap
The US Joint Program Office (JPO) has cleared seven of its F-35 JSFs to return to flight after a generator failure and oil leak on test aircraft AF-4 last Friday (March 11) saw the entire fleet grounded pending further investigation. Aviation Week and the Navy Times reports that a newer generator installed on AF-4 may
Sikorsky’s X2 wins Collier Trophy
Sikorsky’s X2 Technology demonstrator team has won the 2010 Robert J Collier Trophy, six months after the X2 demonstrator set an unofficial speed record of 250kt. Sikorsky president Jeffrey P Pino said receiving the trophy was a “tremendous honour” for the company, recognising the “hard work, dedication, skill and vision of many people”. “Sikorsky has
The USAF has utilised a Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk over earthquake and tsunami stricken Japan, collecting data and imagery to assist with Japanese disaster relief efforts. Bloomberg reports that the Guam based UAV has been flying aerial surveillance missions over earthquake and tsunami affected parts of Japan, with the Global Hawk’s recorded imagery set
New head for Boeing’s South Carolina operations
Boeing has announced the appointment of Jack Jones to become vice president and general manager of the company’s South Carolina facilities. The 31-year Boeing veteran will assume overall responsibility for Boeing South Carolina, where its facilities currently fabricate, assemble and install systems for the aft fuselage sections of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and joins and
VB increases fares and international fuel surcharges
Virgin Blue Group has announced increases to both its fares and international fuel surcharges, due to rising fuel prices, with effect from March 21. “Oil prices are reaching increasingly high levels, with the average price of Singapore Jet Fuel rising by around 50 per cent since September 2010, from US$88 a barrel to US$131”, Virgin
