The US Navy has successfully completed the first guided launch of the new Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile at China Lake. The missile was fired from a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter and intercepted a McDonnell Douglas QF-4 drone. The launch was the first of 40 guided test firings scheduled to be completed by the end of 2001. Three separation and control launches have been made, including the first from a US Air Force Boeing F-15 Eagle.
Source: Flight International
The January incident at Ellsworth AFB resulted in the destruction of the $450 million bomber and a rare quadruple ejection of the crew, who were attempting to execute an instrument landing during poor weather.
Athens signed a long-sought letter of offer and acceptance with airframer Lockheed Martin covering 20 F-35 stealth fighters, with options for a further 20 jets.
The joint North American Aerospace Defense Command dispatched fighter aircraft from both the USA and Canada on 24 July to intercept a combined flight of bombers from Russia and China operating in international airspace around Alaska.
