The World of Aviation

Northrop Grumman has recorded two major manufacturing milestones of F/A-18 components at its facility at El Segundo in Los Angeles. The company, which is a major sub contractor on the Hornet and Super Hornet programs completed its 500th rear fuselage shipset on December 16, and also completed its 300th classic Hornet centre barrel. The Super

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has put the JSF program on notice during a media briefing at the Pentagon. Gates has said while testing and development of the F-35A CTOL and F-35C CV variants “are proceeding satisfactorily,” the F-35B STOVL version “is experiencing significant testing problems.” He added that, “These issues may lead to a

Korea’s Asiana Airlines has given Airbus a late Christmas gift with its signature of a firm order for six Airbus A380s. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2014, with the airline to place the aircraft into service on routes to Europe and US. An engine selection is expected in the near term. “With the A380

A woman was detained on January 5 after she climbed the fence at Sydney Airport and walked across two active taxiways towards the airport’s main runway. Witnesses have told Australian Aviation that the woman was seen sitting on top of the fence near a popular aircraft viewing area known as ‘the mound’ next to the

Qantas is reportedly planning a January 17 return to the Pacific route for its A380 fleet after receiving assurances from Rolls-Royce that the aircraft’s Trent 900 engines can be operated at full thrust settings. While the carrier is yet to confirm the date, media reports say global ticketing systems have the A380 loaded on the

Ruslan International’s fleet of 17 Antonov An-124 commercial airlifters operated by Antonov Airlines and Volga Dnepr Airlines have been cleared by the Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transportation to operate from Australian airports. The clearance comes after Ruslan was able to provide certification that the aircraft meet ICAO Chapter 3 noise standards. “Throughout the period