THE FIRST OF 11 POLISH-BUILT W-3A SOKOL helicopters are to be delivered to the Czech air force's 6th Aviation Unit this month. The first batch will consist of three transport helicopters and will be followed by four more by the end of November. Four W-3As equipped for search-and-rescue duties will follow, with deliveries to be completed in 1997. The helicopters were exchanged for ten ex-Czech Air Force MiG-29s.
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.
