BULGARIAN JAVELIN
The Bulgarian and US air forces have completed their largest ever bilateral exercise, with the latter having sent 16 Lockheed Martin F-16s, four Lockheed C-130 transports and around 250 personnel from Aviano air base, Italy, to participate in "Rodopi Javelin 2007". Conducted from Graf Ignatievo air base from 5-26 October, the manouevres also involved six Bulgarian RSK MiG-29s, plus Aero Vodochody L-39ZAs, Pilatus PC-9Ms and Sukhoi Su-25s.
LISTENER DEALS
The UK Ministry of Defence has launched the 10-month assessment phase of its Project Listener network-centric warfare initiative, awarding two industry teams definition contracts worth £1 million ($2 million) each. General Dynamics UK is teamed with EADS Defence & Security UK, Marshall Solutions, SCS and Vega for the requirement, while the L-3 Communications-led Kairos consortium also comprises LogicaCMG and Qinetiq. The project is expected to advance into its development and manufacturing phase in 2009.
SYNTHETIC C-17
The US Air Force's Boeing C-17 strategic transport fleet will early next year receive certification to fly with a synthetic fuel blend, following a successful test from Edwards AFB, California. Carrying a Fischer-Tropsch/JP-8 blend in all four fuel tanks, the C-17 conducted a 4h flight on 22 October. Service evaluations will continue at McChord AFB, Washington.
Source: Flight International
