Japan has said it may cancel its F-35 orders if the jets rise in price or face further delays, as fallout continues over US plans to put off its own orders for the fighters. Japan has agreed to pay about US$123 million per plane under an initial order for four of the jets, which are
Likely seeking to tramp down concerns over its ability to support any C-27J transports purchased by Australia, Alenia Aermacchi and longtime partner L-3 Communications issued a statement today reiterating their commitment to “meeting the needs of the Commonwealth.” “The capability that the C-27J can provide for the Commonwealth is well suited to its operational requirements,”
Concerns over the procurement process have led the US Air Force to cancel a US$355 million contract to supply light attack aircraft to the nascent Afghan Air Force. The Light Air Support (LAS) contract was awarded in December to Embraer and California’s Sierra Nevada Corp for 20 Embraer AT-29 Super Tucanos. Rival Hawker Beechcraft filed
A refusal by Alenia Aermacchi to support existing C-27J transports sold by the US to other countries will likely complicate Australia’s long search to replace its retired Caribou airlifters. In what were seen as surprising comments, Alenia CEO Giuseppi Giordo has been quoted saying the company will not support the 21 C-27Js it has delivered
International partners in the F-35 JSF program are set to meet with US Defense officials in Washington next week to express their dissatisfaction at the continual slowdown in US service acquisition numbers. Many of the partners slated to buy F-35s early in the production run – including Canada, Australia and Italy – reportedly are disappointed
Lockheed Martin says it is preparing to dramatically increase flight testing of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter this year, with plans including the first firing of live weapons. In a progress report released today, Lockheed said the F-35 had conducted 114 flight tests for the year through to February 20, with plans for at least
