MH-60R training milestone achieved
The first Australians have complete their initial MH-60R Romeo qualifications, marking a milestone in the AIR 9000 Phase 8 Project. Members of the Integrated Test Team (ITT) LCDR Simon Lam, LCDR Joshua Carey and LEUT Timothy Clerke form the MH-60R test... [Continue reading]
F-35B demonstrates vertical takeoff ability
An F-35B test aircraft has demonstrated the STOVL jet’s ability to conduct a vertical takeoff (VTO). The May 10 flight took place from Naval Air Station Patuxent River and demonstrates a required capability for fielding the F-35B. “While not... [Continue reading]
X-47B makes first carrier launch
Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator has been successfully catapulted from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H W Bush. Following the May 14 launch off the coast of Virginia, the aircraft flew autonomously... [Continue reading]
C-130E reunion to coincide with 37SQN 70th anniversary
A reunion will be held on July 19 bringing together past members of the RAAF’s C-130E community. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the formation of 37SQN, the event will be held at the Windsor RSL and is being organised by former C-130E loadmaster... [Continue reading]
P-8I arrives in India
Boeing has delivered India’s first P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The P-8I is one of eight aircraft being produced by Boeing for the Indian Navy under a contract awarded in 2009. India is due to receive... [Continue reading]
F-35A completes high AOA testing
The F-35A Lightning II has completed the latest in a series of high angle of attack (AOA) tests, manufacturer Lockheed Martin reports. “The testing accomplished high AOA beyond both the positive and negative maximum command limits, including intentionally... [Continue reading]
Boeing awards new V-22 contract to Lovitt Technologies
Boeing has awarded Lovitt Technologies Australia a new contract to supply subassemblies for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Lovitt, based in Melbourne, has been manufacturing subassemblies and other parts for the V-22 since 2012. “This... [Continue reading]
Australia issues Triton Letter of Request
The Australian government has confirmed its interest in acquiring the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft by announcing the issuance of a Letter of Request (LOR) seeking further information from the US. Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence... [Continue reading]
Budget reveals RAAF Orion retirement
The Australian Defence budget for 2013-14 released on Tuesday night reveals that a single RAAF P-3C Orion has been retired, with the operational fleet now at 18 aircraft. “One AP-3C has been retired”, a footnote to the ‘Air Force Deliverables... [Continue reading]
Stopwatch reset – again – for MRH90
The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has signed an agreement with Australian Aerospace and its industry partners the Defence Minister says will “help put the MRH90 helicopter program back on a positive footing”. The agreement “re-baselines the... [Continue reading]
Heron moves to SRG
Control of the RAAF’s 5 Flight, which operates the Heron surveillance UAV in Afghanistan, has been transferred from Air Combat Group to Surveillance and Response Group (SRG). At the time the Heron capability was stood up in January 2010, Air Combat... [Continue reading]
