THE FIRST BOEING 767 AIRBORNE Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft had its maiden flight on 9 August, with a 2h 55min sortie from Everett, Washington. The flight marks the start of a seven-month test programme, before the installation of the aircraft's prime mission equipment (Flight International, 14-20 August, P4). The aircraft is one of four, which will be delivered to the Japan Air Self-Defence Force in 1998.
Source: Flight International
More than a year after a fatal V-22 crash killed eight US Air Force personnel, a recent “near-crash” has prompted the Pentagon to order fleet-wide inspections of a problematic component, while plans for a long-term mechanical fix remain uncertain.
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration has awarded Saab a SKr466 million ($42 million) contract to support further development of the nation’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
Madrid has signed a project Halcon II contract covering the production of a further batch of 25 Eurofighter combat aircraft.
