RAAF’s KC-30 service ready
Minister for Defence Stephen Smith has announced the achievement of initial operating capability (IOC) for the RAAF’s KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) platform as part of his speech opening the 2013 Avalon Airshow. Speaking at the opening address for the Airshow, Smith highlighted recent advances in the RAAF’s airlift capability, saying Australia now boasts the
“Make no mistake about it, we are still in development” – JPO chief on F-35 grounding
Head of the F-35 program Lt Gen Chris Bogdan has played down concerns over the engine problem that has grounded the F-35 fleet, instead seeking to highlight what he sees as the program’s achievements. The Joint Program Office chief was keen to move on from negative press coverage of the F-35 and what he described as the
F-35 grounded after engine blade crack discovery
The discovery of a crack on an engine blade has led the US Department of Defense to ground its fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The “cautionary suspension of flight” follows the discovery of the crack on an F135 engine installed in an F-35A test aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base during a routine engine
CAE completes upgrade of RAAF C-130J simulator
CAE Australia has completed a comprehensive visual system upgrade for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-130J full-flight and mission simulator (FFMS) located at RAAF Base Richmond. The simulator re-entered service ahead of schedule last month and is providing the RAAF with an enhanced and more realistic virtual environment to conduct flight and mission training.
Auckland Airport lifts profit
Auckland Airport has reported a increase of 11.3 per cent in the company’s profit after tax to NZ$76.9 million. The result, which equates to an underlying profit after tax of NZ$76.1 million (up 7.5 per cent), was based on revenues of NZ$223.5 million, an increase of 3.6 per cent. This represents the third consecutive year
A400M undergoes cold weather tests
As Airbus Military prepares to deliver its first A400M airlifter, production-representative Grizzly 5 has undergone five days of cold weather tests at Iqaluit in Canada. The week-long deployment involved engine runs after a 24-hour cold soak to -32C, use of cargo bay equipment, taxiing and flight testing.
