The World of Aviation

Raytheon and Boeing have successfully completed test flights of a Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) fixed wing launcher and instrumented representative missiles on a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet. Boeing says the test flights are the first step in qualifying the missile for the Super Hornet. “The JAGM fixed-wing launcher is based on the

Production of the Robinson R66 five seat turbine helicopter commenced on October 26 after the helicopter was certified by the US FAA on October 25. The R66, powered by the Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine, is Robinson’s first foray into turbine powered machines, and examples are available to Australian customers from the first quarter of 2011

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called for a slowdown in the decision making process for low rate production for the Lockheed Martin JASSM-ER. The decision on whether to commence low rate production of the 1000km range stand off weapon is due to be made in November, but the call comes amid claims the

The second A330 MRTT Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) for the RAF took flight from the Airbus Military facility at Getafe near Madrid on October 26. The aircraft, one of 14 aircraft for the RAF, joins the first aircraft in the flight test program. The FSTA aircraft, reportedly to be designated KC-30 in RAF service,

Virgin Blue CEO John Borghetti has said that he expects conditions across the carrier’s domestic and international markets to improve next year, while he will also reveal more of the carrier’s plans for the Asian market over the next year. “I think that next year should be a reasonably, you know, I’m not saying a

Qantas has rejected claims by the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association (ALAEA) that QantasLink is flying aircraft with faulty locks on cockpit doors. The ALAEA says that locks on the cockpit access doors of its Bombardier Q400 fleet can be easily opened, and despite management being aware of the issue, the aircraft continue to fly.