The US Air Force has awarded Smiths Industries Aerospace a $5.6 million contract to upgrade self-contained navigation systems on 28 Special Forces Operations Improvement Lockheed Martin HC-130P/Ns, the search-and-rescue variant of the C-130 Hercules. The work includes installation of global-positioning systems, automatic communication systems and microwave-landing systems.
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.
