The US Joint Program Office (JPO) has cleared seven of its F-35 JSFs to return to flight after a generator failure and oil leak on test aircraft AF-4 last Friday (March 11) saw the entire fleet grounded pending further investigation. Aviation Week and the Navy Times reports that a newer generator installed on AF-4 may
The USAF has utilised a Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk over earthquake and tsunami stricken Japan, collecting data and imagery to assist with Japanese disaster relief efforts. Bloomberg reports that the Guam based UAV has been flying aerial surveillance missions over earthquake and tsunami affected parts of Japan, with the Global Hawk’s recorded imagery set
The US military has grounded its entire fleet of F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, after a dual generator failure and oil leak on test aircraft AF-4 last Friday (March 11). Reuters and DoD Buzz report that the F-35A was completing a flight test at Edwards Air Force base when the mishap occurred, with the
Australia’s fifth Boeing C-17 Globemaster airlifter could be in service as soon as the third quarter of this year, according to Deputy Chief of Air Force AVM Geoff Brown. Defence Minister Stephen Smith announced plans to acquire the fifth C-17 on the eve of this month’s Avalon Airshow, with the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency
Airbus Military has approved the industrial launch of its A400M airlifter, signalling the start of series production. A total of four series aircraft will be produced by Airbus in 2012, with the production rate to be gradually increased to 2.5 aircraft per month by 2015. That follows a thorough review of all aspects of the
Boeing has begun final assembly of the first US Navy P-8A Poseidon production aircraft at the company’s Renton factory in Washington. The first of six low-rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft, the start of final assembly follows Spirit AeroSystems’ delivery of the P-8A fuselage via rail car to Boeing on March 7. “Our team has built
