Worsening centre wing-box structure cracks have prompted the US Air Force to ground 30 of its oldest Lockheed MartinC-130E Hercules and put a further 60 aged examples of the transport on restricted flight status. Programme officials have not determined whether to address the problem or retire the grounded aircraft.
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.
