Australian Aviation

Virgin Blue’s emerging fleet plans go a long way to painting a picture as to how the airline will look in coming years. At one end of the scale the airline has announced plans to lease two Airbus A330-200s for domestic transcontinental flights, while at the other it is planning to sell off its six

Brisbane based aviation training centre, Aviation Australia, has a new acting CEO following the sudden departure of founding CEO, Paul Bredereck in late September. “I wish to inform you that after more than nine years as CEO, Mr Paul Bredereck has left Aviation Australia,” said Aviation Australia chairman Jim Walker in a statement. This content

The Bell AH-1Z Cobra helicopter has successfully completed its operational evaluation and has been deemed “operationally effective and suitable”. “This marks a significant milestone for the program,” said COL Harry Hewson, program manager for US Marine light and attack helicopters. “The AH-1Z has come a long way through development and it has finally proven itself

The USAF has awarded Boeing a contract to modernise the service’s B-52H fleet so that it may remain viable. The contract, which could total as much as US$11.9bn (A$12.2bn), doesn’t specify any particular upgrades at this stage, although Boeing says it expected the first delivery order to be awarded soon. This content is available exclusively

Boeing has successfully conducted two tests of a precision guided Laser JDAM version of the M-84 2000lb bomb. Already cleared for the 500lb Mk-82 and 1000lb Mk-83, the same Laser JDAM kit will allow the massive Mk-84 to hit moving targets as well as the fixed and relocatable target capability offered by the standard non-laser

A GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine was damaged during testing on September 23. According to an F136 Fighter Engine Team release, engine ‘008’ suffered damage to its front fan and compressor area but was shut down in a “controlled manner” after a near maximum speed test on a stand. A detailed inspection will be carried out but