The US Navy has awarded a US$5.297bn (A$5.5bn) contract to Boeing for the delivery of 66 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and 58 EA-18G Growlers under a Multi Year Procurement (MYP) from FY2012 to 2015. Separate contracts are expected to be announced for the supply of F414 engines from GE, and radars and other sensors from Raytheon.
Boeing has successfully conducted two tests of a precision guided Laser JDAM version of the M-84 2000lb bomb. Already cleared for the 500lb Mk-82 and 1000lb Mk-83, the same Laser JDAM kit will allow the massive Mk-84 to hit moving targets as well as the fixed and relocatable target capability offered by the standard non-laser
A GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine was damaged during testing on September 23. According to an F136 Fighter Engine Team release, engine ‘008’ suffered damage to its front fan and compressor area but was shut down in a “controlled manner” after a near maximum speed test on a stand. A detailed inspection will be carried out but
The Singapore Ministry of Defence has ordered 12 Aermacchi M346 Master trainers under the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) replacement program. The aircraft will be supplied by Alenia Aermacchi and the training system by Boeing, both under contract to Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero), and will replace the RSAF’s ageing A-4SU
Key JSF partner nation, Norway, has announced it will delay its planned acquisition of the aircraft for about two years so it can order a more mature aircraft. Norwegian defence minister Grete Faremo announced the delay to “ensure operational maturity and optimum cost of production on the Norwegian aircraft.” Whilst previous plans were for deliveries
The USAF took delivery of its first HC-130J Hercules on September 23. The aircraft was the 200th C-130J to be delivered by Lockheed Martin, and the 1500th C-130 to be taken by the US military since production of the original C-130A commenced in 1956. Australia has operated four versions of the C-130; 12 C-130As which
