Airbus Military and missile manufacturer MBDA have successfully demonstrated the release of an inert Marte MK2/S anti-ship missile from a C295 maritime patrol aircraft. The flight was the last of a series of trials performed in a collaboration between Airbus Military and MBDA to validate the aerodynamic integration of the Marte on the C295, its
ATSB urges replacement of R44 tanks
The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) chief commissioner Martin Dolan has urged owners of 100 Robinson R44 to replace the aircraft’s aluminium fuel tanks with bladder tanks before they face grounding by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) at the end of April. The ATSB recently released a preliminary investigation report into the fatal
X-48C wraps up blended wing body tests
Boeing’s X-48C research aircraft has completed an eight-month flight-testing program evaluating the aerodynamic characteristics of the Blended Wing Body (BWB) design concept. The 30-flight test program was carried out at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. The X-48C is a scale model of a subsonic heavy-lift aircraft with a triangular, tailless shape that merges the body
Jetstar Group celebrates 100 aircraft
The Jetstar Group has marked reaching 100 aircraft across its fleet with the unveiling of a specially-painted A320. The newest of the airline’s Sharklet-equipped A320s features 132 people from across the five Jetstar branded airlines doing the ‘Jetstar star jump’. The aircraft – VH-VFN – will operate on domestic routes in Australia and will visit New
Quickstep receives largest JSF purchase order to date
Australian carbon composites manufacturer Quickstep has received more F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) orders from Northrop Grumman. Quickstep will manufacture parts for the JSF program at its new Bankstown Airport facility under long-term agreements already signed with Northrop Grumman. Delivery of most of these parts is anticipated before the end of 2014. Quickstep managing director, Philippe Odouard said:
Asia Pacific passenger traffic continues steady growth
Passenger traffic in the Asia Pacific region has continued to increase steadily, with a year-on-year increase of 6.7 per cent recorded at airports in the region during February. The data released by the Airport Council International (ACI) showed a more modest year-to-date increase of 4.3 per cent when compared to same period last year, taking into account
