The US Navy plans to buy or lease two Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainers, "or equivalent aircraft", to use as chase aircraft for the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor flight-test programme. The aircraft will be required for five years beginning in April 1997. The Navy is calling for a level-flight speed range of 110-260kt (200-480km/h), with a dive speed of at least 280kt.
Source: Flight International
Lockheed Martin F-35C fighters from the US Marine Corps took part in recent US strikes against targets in Yemen, marking the first known combat flight for the carrier-based variant of the stealth fighter.
Bahrain’s military fleet renewal could be set to advance further, with a potential acquisition of ex-US Marine Corps (USMC) Bell AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopters still in the mix.
L3Harris is anticipating the launch of a flight-test campaign involving its Viper Shield electronic warfare (EW) system – technology that will play a key role in protecting new Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters operated by nations including Bahrain.
