Lockheed Martin has delivered the first US Air Force U-2s upgraded with new cockpit displays under the Reconnaissance Avionics Maintainability Programme (RAMP). All 31 aircraft and four two-seat trainers are to be modified by 2007. The new cockpit features three flat-panel displays. Lockheed Martin has also handed over the ninth and final F-22 development aircraft to the USAF.
Source: Flight International
In addition to the array of civil firefighting aircraft operating on the frontline of the historic wildfires in the Los Angeles area, military aircraft equipped with firefighting systems have also been deployed to support the effort.
Uruguay has firmed up an option for five Embraer A-29 Super Tucanos, taking its total acquisition of the Brazilian-built type to six aircraft.
The UK aerospace industry faces a major challenge in preventing a skills gap between production of the Eurofighter Typhoon and a future manned type via the trinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a cross-party parliamentary group has warned.
