US Navy classic Hornets grounded
The US Navy has grounded 104 F/A-18A-D ‘classic’ Hornets after airframe cracks were discovered during an inspection. The grounding affects 77 Hornets currently in flight status, while the remainder are currently undergoing maintenance periods. Of the 77 aircraft, 28 are currently forward deployed aboard aircraft carriers or in Japan, five belong to the Blue Angels
Super Galaxy rated suitable for service
The C-5M Super Galaxy has been rated as “effective, suitable, and mission capable” by the USAF Operational Test and Evaluation Center. The C-5M upgrade has seen the TF39 engines of the C-5B replaced with substantially more powerful, efficient and reliable GE CF6 engines, and a comprehensive avionics upgrade performed. Currently three C-5Ms, two converted C-5Bs and
India orders 12 AW101s
India has ordered 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for VIP government transport duties in a contract valued at €560m (A$841m). The contract also includes a five year logistics package and initial aircrew and technical training. “Several years ago we identified India as one of the pillars of our expansion strategy, from both the market and the
USAF ups JDAM order
The USAF has awarded a contract modification to Boeing for 6000 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) kits valued at US$229m (A$250m). The kits, comprising GPS guidance units, aircraft interfaces, body strakes and moving tail fins, will be delivered from 2011 for installation on 500, 1000 and 2000lb unguided freefall bombs. The latest order is the
South Korea receives first P-3CKs
The South Korean Navy has taken delivery of its first three of eight Lockheed P-3CK Orions from Korea Aerospace Industries to add to the eight P-3Cs it already has in service. The aircraft are remanufactured ex-US Navy P-3Bs and have been upgraded by KAI and L-3. The delivery was delayed by nearly four years due
US Army takes 100th UH-72A
EADS North America has delivered the 100th UH-72A Lakota (EC145) to the US Army during a ceremony held at the aircraft’s production facility in Columbus, Mississippi. “The UH-72A Lakota program has progressed on schedule and within budget constraints,” said COL L Neil Thurgood, the US Army’s project manager of the Utility Helicopter office. “The aircraft
