Unlike traditional weapons-firing platforms, most mobility aircraft lack onboard targeting systems. Two new organizations may form at least part of the enterprise needed to make the MC-130s and C-17s credible as weapons platforms.
The 48-page report sheds new light on the causes of a deeply flawed refueling boom that now must be redesigned for $100 million and replaced on all KC-46s that will be delivered through 2023.
Startup Merlin Labs has emerged from stealth mode with a contract from special mission operator Dynamic Aviation to modify 55 Beechcraft King Airs to autonomous operation.
An “amphibious MC-130J” appeared on a slide of research and development initiatives now underway within SOCOM’s program executive office for Fixed Wing aircraft.
The Australia Department of Defense has revealed plans to upgrade its Aegis-equipped, Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer and is also preparing to introduce its new Gulfstream MC-55A Peregrine long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare aircraft.
Korea Aviation Engineering & Maintenance Service (KAEMS) has signed an MoU with Airbus Defense and Space as it positions itself to support the Republic of Korea Air Force’s Airbus CN-235 transport aircraft maintenance and future upgrade requirements.
The UK Royal Air Force is looking to deploy its Eurofighter Typhoons as well as the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Voyager to Southeast Asia in October to participate in a milestone edition of Exercise Bersama Lima.
Virgin Orbit has awarded the UK division of Spanish-based space system supplier AVS a contract to build the portable ground operating system to support satellite launches from Spaceport Cornwall starting in 2022.
Sweden is proposing to replace Finland’s F/A-18 Hornets on a virtual one-for-one basis by offering 64 Gripen fighters for Helsinki’s €9 billion ($10.9 billion) HX fighter requirement.
The VC-25B program took a $318 million write-off in the first quarter of 2021 because of supplier challenges related to the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to Boeing.
