The World of Aviation

The US Army has awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to deliver three slightly heavier-than-air-aircraft for operational use as persistent sensor platforms in Afghanistan. The long-endurance multi-intelligence vehicle (LEMV) contract will see the 90m long aircraft, based on an airship but with a rigid airframe and able to land on the ground rather than be tethered

Broome Airport will receive a new $20 million integrated fire station and air traffic control tower which is expected to become operational in 2011. “As the first combined facility of its kind in Australia, the new, state-of-the-art Aviation and Rescue Fire Fighting service and air traffic control tower will bring together the major safety infrastructure

China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force retired the last of its Shenyang J-6 fighters at a ceremony on June 12. A licenced copy of the MiG-19 ‘Farmer’ fighter, the Soviet Union’s first supersonic fighter, more than 4000 J-6s were built for the PLAAF between 1958 and the early 1980s, and hundreds more were exported as

Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has had its FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certificate expanded to allow it to repair and overhaul wheels on 737NGs at its Amberley facilities. The new approval will enhance BDA’s existing 737NG commercial and commercial-derivative aircraft (including the Wedgetail AEW&C) maintenance and repair services capability, and also benefit local and international

Virgin Blue CEO John Borghetti is reportedly set to present a new business plan for the airline to its board this week, which will include plans to introduce business class and possibly widebody aircraft on short haul services and the adoption of a new name as the airline group plans to increase its share of

Briton Paul Bonhomme has won the New York leg of the Red Bull Air Race over the June 19-20 weekend, while Australian pilot Matt Hall was forced to sit out the event following his near miss in Windsor. Bonhomme edged out compatriot Nigel Lamb while Kirby Chambliss took out third place. Austrian Hannes Arch, who