The World of Aviation

The General Atomics Predator family of unmanned aerial systems logged its one millionth flight hour during operations over the Easter weekend. Comprising the Predator A, the I-Gnat, the ER/Sky Warrior and Predator B/Reaper UAVs, the milestone was recorded in just under 80,000 missions, 85 per cent of which have been flown on operations. GA-ASI estimates

A group of 10 maintenance engineers from All Nippon Airlines as well as two regulators from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau have completed the first maintenance training course for the Boeing 787. The engineers spent over a month learning how to maintain the 787, including 20 days of theoretical training, two days of engine runs

The RAAF has formally re-formed 460SQN as a subordinate unit within the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation. Falling under the Aerospace Operational Support Group (AOSG), 460SQN will provide geospatial imagery analyst (GIA) support to the ADF with intelligence sources such as imagery and geospatial information to support operations. The squadron has a long and proud

Lockheed Martin successfully test fired its direct attack guided rocket (DAGR) from an OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter on March 29. Two DAGRs were launched from the OH-58D Kiowa in airborne tests at ranges of 3.5 and 5km. Both rockets hit within 1 metre of the laser aimpoint. DAGR is a laser guidance kit designed for

Work is underway on Boeing’s 787 final assembly line and delivery centre at its Charleston, South Carolina facility, with the placing of the first steel column on Monday. “This new facility will expand our production capability and strengthen the 787 program as we work toward rate,” said Marco Cavazzoni, vice president and general manager of

The Pentagon has offered to extend the bid deadline for the USAF’s drawn out KC-X tanker replacement program by 60 days from May 10 to July 9 in order to give EADS time to prepare a stand-alone proposal for the contract. EADS had asked for 90 days in order to prepare a bid based on its