The Alenia/Lockheed MartinC-27J Spartan tactical transport has been awarded military type certification by the DGAA, the Italian defence ministry's certification organisation. Authorisation follows an 800h flight-test programme using three prototypes. The Italian air force is expected to sign the first C-27J contract - for 12 aircraft - by the end of this month.
Source: Flight International
The US government has blacklisted more private companies over alleged connections to the training of Chinese military aviators, including two firms operated by former test pilots in the UK Royal Air Force and South African Air Force.
The troubled aerostructures manufacturer has become an important supplier of several key US defence programmes, including the air force’s new stealth bomber and the army’s next-generation tiltrotor.
With Boeing having delivered the first operational example of its latest F-15EX multi-role fighter, US Air Force pilots who previously flew the F-15C are beginning the process of transitioning to the new jet.
