F-35C development aircraft CF-3 made the type’s first catapult launch on July 27, with the aircraft launched into the air from a test steam catapult at Lakehurst, New Jersey. The catapult launch is a key milestone in the carrier variant (CV)’s flight test program before it undergoes intial ship trials in 2013. US Navy test
Defence Minister Stephen Smith has told ABC Radio’s AM program that acquiring extra Super Hornets for the RAAF was a likely option should the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter be further delayed. When asked if acquiring more Super Hornets was an option, Smith answered, “Well, that’s an obvious option, but we need to take this step
RAAF F/A-18 Hornets have conducted a “familiarisation sortie” with Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) F-15 fighters, the first time aircraft from the two air arms have exercised together in a bilateral environment. The flight, conducted on July 14 during Exercise Red Flag Alaska, involved 3SQN F/A-18s and F-15s from the JASDF’s No 4 Air
BAE Systems Australia has successfully completed a Production Readiness Review (PPR) for the tail components it manufactures for the F-35 JSF program. “Achieving this key milestone of PRR means we are a step closer towards full rate production, which would involve further production readiness assessments,” according to Kim Scott, BAE System’s land and integrated systems
Embraer has selected IAE’s V2500-E5 engine to power the KC-390 military transport, the Brazilian manufacturer has announced. IAE will deliver the first V2500s for the KC-390 prototypes in 2013. Embraer says flight test will begin in 2014, ahead of first deliveries in 2015.
Six retired Australian Army UH-1H Iroquois helicopters have been reserved for sale to historical organisations, Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has announced. The helicopters will be offered to organisations “in Australia that have strong historic connections with the aircraft and can maintain the aircraft as static displays,” Clare said, adding that it was “important
