RAAF completes last strike mission over Iraq
Royal Australian Air Force fighters have flown their last missions over Iraq, with two 1 Squadron F/A-18F Super Hornets completing the Australian Air Task Group’s final “strike mission” as part of Operation Okra on Sunday, Defence has announced. The RAAF has maintained a continuous deployment of six F/A-18 fighters, either single-seat F/A-18A ‘classic’ Hornets and dual-seat F/A-18F
Conair orders six Bombardier Q400s for conversion as airtankers
Canada-based Conair Group is bolstering its fleet of Bombardier Q400 turboprops, ordering six new-build aircraft that will be converted into multirole airtankers primarily for firefighting work. The six new production Q400s will be modified with a Conair-developed Retardant Delivery System, while their interiors will have the flexibility to operate passenger, cargo, combi and medivac missions,
Boeing reveals hypersonic research vehicle
Boeing has revealed a scale Mach 5-plus concept demonstrator that could lead to a future full-scale hypersonic strike and reconnaissance capability. Planned to ultimately be about the same size as the 33.6m long SR-71A Blackbird which was retired in 1998, and bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Blackbird through its sharply swept wing
Airbus and Naval Group awarded VTUAS development contract
The French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus and the Naval Group to develop a new maritime tactical unmanned helicopter demonstrator. The contract will initially cover de-risking studies, and will lead to the development of a demonstrator for trials of the air vehicle, mission systems and launch/recovery systems aboard ship.
Qantas names third 787-9 Quokka
Qantas has given its third Boeing 787-9 a distinctly West Australian flavour as the airline counts down to the start of nonstop flights between Perth and London. The oneworld alliance member said on Friday the third of eight 787-9s on firm order would be named Quokka, which is a native animal most commonly found on
Search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 to resume
The search for Missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will resume shortly after the Malaysian government formally accepted an offer from private company Ocean Infinity to find the aircraft on a “no cure, no fee” basis. Malaysia Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai and Ocean Infinity chief executive Oliver Plunkett officially signed the contact in Kuala Lumpur
