The US Army’s Extended Range/Multi-Purpose (ER/MP) Sky Warrior system, a development of the General Atomics R/MQ-1 Predator system, has been approved for low rate initial production (LRIP) and has been awarded US$195m in funding to commence the LRIP process. LRIP will see two aircraft per month delivered from December this year, while full funding is
The ADF’s current fleet of MRH 90 helicopters remains grounded nearly three months after an aircraft experienced a catastrophic engine failure near RAAF Edinburgh on April 20. “MRH 90 flying operations are suspended whilst the investigation into the cause of the engine failure continues,” a Defence spokesperson told Australian Aviation on July 8. “An Aircraft Incident
Boeing Defence Australia has announced it has completed delivery and installation of the ADF’s Project JP 2043 High Frequency Modernisation Project (HFMod). The announcement follows acceptance of the capability in May and formal notification from the DMO of the project’s completion. This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members. Login Become a Member To
For the third time in almost a decade, the USAF has received bids for its much delayed KC-X tanker program for 179 new tankers to replace 45+ year old KC-135E/Rs. Bids from three companies were delivered to the USAF’s KC-X project office at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio by the noon deadline on July 9.
Boeing’s F-15SE Silent Eagle demonstrator has made its first flight with a new conformal weapons bay (CWB). The aircraft, converted from Boeing’s F-15E1 development aircraft, flew for 80 minutes from St Louis and successfully opened and closed its left CWB, a design based on the F-15E’s conformal fuel tanks (CFT), and deployed a dummy AIM-120
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on July 7 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Australia of 24 MH-60R ‘Romeo’ helicopters. The notification says the deal, estimated to cost US$2.1bn (A$2.4bn), includes “equipment, parts, training and logistical support”, as well as 60 GE T700-401C engines (including 12 spares), “communication equipment,