CFM International, the joint venture involving General Electric Engines and Snecma, could receive as much as $1.1 billion from the US Air Force up to 2002 to provide 267 CFM56 turbofans for Boeing KC-135 tankers and RC-135 Rivet Joint-Surveillance aircraft. As part of the re-engineing work, the joint venture received $93 million on 15 April to provide 28 more CFM56s.
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.
