The US Navy has awarded Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) a contract worth $600,000 for an initial batch of crashworthy troop seats for the Sikorsky Aircraft CH-53D heavy-lift helicopter. Options in the contract call for procurement of a large number of the energy-absorbing seats made by IAI's Mata Division. The US Congress has earmarked $14 million for improved CH-53 passenger seats.
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.
