Airbus and Dassault Aviation have announced they will team to develop and produce Europe’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Designed to replace German Eurofighter and French Dassault Rafale fighters in service from 2035, the FCAS program is intended to secure European sovereignty and technological leadership in the military aviation sector for the coming decades. “Never
RAAF F-35 caught up in US F-35 delivery suspension
The Pentagon has stopped taking delivery of F-35 Lightning II fighters from Lockheed Martin, including at least one aircraft for Australia, due to unresolved corrosion issues. The corrosion reportedly resulted from a known production error in fasteners that hold composite exterior panels to the aircraft’s airframe. The issue was discovered in 2017 during depot maintenance
The RAAF in Operation Okra – "the highest levels of skill, courage and professionalism"
In this feature article which first appeared in the December 2017 issue of Australian Aviation, we look at the RAAF’s operations in the Middle East as part of Operation Okra, the ADF’s contribution to the international force to oust Islamic State – also known as Daesh, ISIS and ISIL – from Iraq and Syria. The first
CHC awarded RAAF SAR contract extension
Search and rescue (SAR) coverage for RAAF flying operations from five air force bases around the country will continue to be provided by CHC Helicopter under a 30-month contract extension announced last week. Under the extension, which came into effect last November, CHC’s Australian operation is replacing existing Sikorsky S-76A+ SAR helicopters with six Leonardo
Qantas plans to add extra services to Japan and the Philippines while scaling back its presence in Beijing and Dallas/Fort Worth as part of changes to its international network. The airline announced on Tuesday it would increase its Sydney-Osaka Kansai schedule to four flights a week from December 7, compared with three times a week
Japan to be offered F-22/F-35 hybrid – report
Lockheed Martin is reportedly in discussions with Japan about developing a new fighter which will integrate the kinematic capabilities of the F-22 Raptor with the advanced sensor and communications suites from the F-35 Lightning II. Reuters has reported the company has discussed the concept with Japan Self Defence Force officials, and, subject to approval by
