THE US AIR FORCE RETIRED the General Dynamics F-111 fighter-bomber on 27 July - but only after officially naming the aircraft the Aardvark, its long-time nickname. The Grumman-modified EF-111 electronic-warfare version of the aircraft will continue in USAF service until 1999, and Australia (the only other operator) plans to keep its F-111s in service until 2020. Rockwell is upgrading 21 Australian F/RF-111Cs with new avionics and flight controls.
Source: Flight International
Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration has awarded Saab a SKr466 million ($42 million) contract to support further development of the nation’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
Madrid has signed a project Halcon II contract covering the production of a further batch of 25 Eurofighter combat aircraft.
The German air force’s three Airbus A350 VIP transports are to be protected by Elbit Systems-supplied directed infrared countermeasures equipment.
