F-35 achieves major production, nuclear milestones
The Pentagon’s Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, William A LaPlante, formally approved the US-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program – the development project behind the F-35 Lightning II – to finally move into full-rate production (FRP), following the attainment of the type’s Milestone C landmark, writes Tom Kaminski.
First German KC-130J heads to Évreux
The Luftwaffe’s (German Air Force’s) first KC-130J Hercules (55+05) departed Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Marietta, Georgia, on February 28 on its delivery flight to Évreux-Fauville Air Base (BA105), France, where it will join the Franco-German Bilateral Air Transport Squadron (BATS).
First Royal Canadian Air Force CE-145C Vigilance arrives
The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF’s) No 8 Wing celebrated the arrival of the first of three new King Air 350ER manned airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (MAISR) aircraft to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton in Ontario on February 23, writes Tom Kaminski.
‘Buzzards’ F-16CM pays homage to 31st FW
The 31st Fighter Wing (FW) at Aviano Air Base in northern Italy – a part of US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces-Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) command – has rolled out new special tail art for its flagship F-16CM Fighting Falcon.
‘Wolf Pack’ honours Op Bolo
An F-16CM (89-2060/WP) assigned to the 35th FS ‘Pantons’ – part of the USAF’s 8th FW ‘Wolf Pack’ at Kunsan AB, South Korea – has received special two-tone South-East Asia (SEA) camouflage tail.
Repercussions from Boeing 737 MAX delivery delays
Airlines are having to change fleet plans to cope with delivery delays of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Royal Jordanian inducts inaugural E2s
Royal Jordanian Airlines’ first two Embraer E195-E2s have joined the fleet. In total, eight examples are expected to operate on RJ’s short and medium-range routes.
Airlander 10 starts certification
Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has formally begun the process of applying for a type certification for its in-development Airlander 10 aircraft, which it says is “designed to be the world’s most efficient large aircraft”.
Qantas welcomes Airbus A220
Qantas introduced the carrier’s first two Airbus A220-300s on March 1, 2024. The carrier’s QantasLink subsidiary operated aircraft, VH-X4A (c/n 55253) and VH-X4B (c/n 55269), from Melbourne to Canberra and Brisbane.
Sikorsky to flight-test HEX
Sikorsky plans to flight-test a distinctive new aircraft called HEX – a hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) demonstrator with a tilt-wing.