Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) made the first flight of the Rolls-Royce Allison AE2100-powered C-27J on 25 September from Alenia's Caselle plant near Turin. It lasted 1h 32min. The flight was three weeks later than scheduled. A750h flight test programme is expected to lead to civil certification by the end of next year with military qualification following in early 2001.
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.
