South Africa has become the first customer nation to cancel its order for the troubled Airbus Military A400M airlifter. The decision to cancel the order for eight aircraft was taken by the South African government on November 5 due to the more than three year delays with the project and rising costs, and the state
Boeing announced on November 5 that it delivered the RAAF’s third F/A-18F Super Hornet, A44-203, on September 30, three months ahead of schedule. “We look forward to continuing to deliver Australia’s newest combat aircraft on budget and ahead of schedule, as promised,” said Carolyn Nichols, Boeing F/A-18F program manager for Australia. “Successful early delivery of
The final F-111 to undergo deeper level maintenance with Boeing Defence Australia has exited the company’s Amberley facility, ending 35 years of F-111 heavy maintenance in Australia. F-111C A8-135 was delivered to 82WG for the final time at a November 4 ceremony attended by RAAF and Boeing officials. The F-111 fleet is scheduled to be
The General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 alternative engine for the F-35 JSF requires a minor redesign of a diffuser which directs air into the engine combustor. The redesign became necessary after an investigation into why a nut broke off during testing last month and damaged a test engine. A GE spokesman told Reuters that the redesign should
Rex subsidiary Pel-Air has been awarded a tender by the ADF for the Commonwealth Air Transport Deed of Standing Offer. Pel-Air joins a number of other companies including Adagold and Strategic Aviation as an authorised ADF air transport provider for personnel and equipment for three years from November 2, with an option to extend for
Three Australian companies have signed two MoUs for additional work on the F-35 JSF program. Perth based Quickstep Holdings has signed an MoU with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to manufacture as much as $700 million worth of work comprising lower side skins, maintenance access panels, F2 fuel tank cover, lower skin and in-board weapons
