Australian Aviation

Northop Grumman and Bell Helicopter are partnering to develop a medium range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS) based on Bell’s 407 light single helicopter. To be known as Fire-X, the optionally manned VUAS will integrate the unmanned systems architecture developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout program. The Fire-X will be

The B-1B Lancer bomber, more colloquially known as the ‘Bone’ as a play on its B-1 designation, celebrated 25 years in USAF service on April 29. Originally designed and built by Rockwell (since merged into Boeing) at Palmdale north of Los Angeles, the first supersonic B-1B entered service on April 29 1985. Rockwell built 100

787 approaches delivering on its potential What a difference flutter and wing structural tests make. After more than two years of embarrassment, ridicule and a sprinkling of self doubt Boeing is rebounding with 787s –and 747-8s – flying and production lines humming. Testing is proceeding well, with talk of a 787-10, while marketers are touting

Issue Commercial Boeing to Close Bankstown Facility in 2012 Boeing Will Consolidate Its Australian Manufacturing Operations at Fisherman’s Bend in Victoria, Leading to the Closing of Its Bankstown Operations in 2012, Resulting in Some Redundancies. The Company Says That the Decision to Close the Bankstown Site Was Driven by the Exit From Loss-making Third-party Work

The arrival of the first five Super Hornets in late March was an historic occasion, the first time the RAAF has welcomed a new frontline fighter into service since the original ‘classic’ Hornets 25 years ago in May 1985. Since that time the classic Hornets have been comprehensively upgraded under the HUG program, but even

Embraer recorded a net income (profit) of US$35.5m (A$38.3m) for the quarter ending March 31, reversing a US$23.4m (A$26.2m) loss during the same time last year. The improvement in net income came as net sales for the Brazilian company declined by 14 per cent to US$990m (A$1068m) as the weaker commercial airliner market weighed down