Americas
* A Boeing and US Air Force (USAF) test team has successfully completed the first mid-air refueling involving two KC-46A aerial tankers. The demonstration took place during a recent four-hour flight, during which the two aircraft transferred 38,100 pounds of fuel to each other at 1,200 gallons of fuel per minute. Manufacturer Boeing hailed the demonstration as a “milestone” that opens the door to additional certification and specification compliance testing. More than a dozen KC-46s will be delivered to the USAF next year and will begin replacing the service’s ageing fleet of KC-135s. So far, KC-46 test aircraft have had more than 1,300 contacts during refueling flights with a number of aircraft, including the F-16, F/A-18, AV-8B, C-17, A-10 and KC-10.
* Last Thursday, a modified Royal Norwegian Air Force F-35A Joint Strike Fighter touched down at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska for the next phase of testing for the type’s drag chute. The aircraft was flown by the RNAF’s test pilot, Major “Taz” Amdal, who will now will help certify the Norwegian drag-chute and demonstrate that the entire fleet of F-35As are capable of landing at a runway condition reading (RCR) of 7. The RCR scale is based on how wet and dry each runway is, with a RCR 23 considered a dry runway while an RCR 5 is compared to landing on ice. Amdal’s F-35 is the first to touch down at Eielson AFB ahead of the base hosting two squadrons of USAF F-35As from 2020.
* Scaled Composites, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, has announced the first flight of its secretive Model 401 prototype aircraft. The aircraft is one of two developed in service of an undisclosed customer to demonstrate advanced, low-cost manufacturing techniques and provide aircraft for research flight services. While scant details have emerged about the planes, each measures 38 feet long with a 38-foot wingspan, and have an empty weight of 4,000 pounds. They are powered by a Pratt & Whitney JTD15D-5D engine and can reach Mach 0.6 and fly up to three hours at a time. Its maximum takeoff weight is 8,000 pounds.
Middle East & Africa
* The US State Department has approved the possible continuation of C-17 logistics support services and equipment for the government of Kuwait. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcement estimated the value of the contract at $342.6 million, and calls for three years (with option for two additional years) of follow-on support of two C-17 aircraft, which includes participation in the Globemaster III Integrated Sustainment Program (GISP), contract logistic support, Class I modifications and kits support, in-country contractor support, alternate mission equipment, major modification and retrofit, software support, aircraft maintenance and technical support, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, additional spare and repair parts, technical orders and publications, airworthiness certification support, engine spares, engine maintenance and logistics support, inspections support, on-site COMSEC support, Quality Assurance and other US Government and contractor engineering, logistics, and program support. Upgrades to the C-17s also include fixed installation satellite antenna, Mode 5, plus installation and sustainment, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out, and other related elements of logistics and program support. Boeing is act as lead contractor.
* It’s been reported that the Israeli military has stopped its evaluation of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, with defense officials saying that the platform is unable to perform some missions currently conducted using the Sikorsky CH-53 transport helicopters—the platform the Osprey was potentially due to replace. Six V-22s were approved by the US Department of Defense (DoD) back in January 2014, which was then followed by an evaluation conducted by Israeli air force personnel, which led to the service seeking a rapid acquisition to support special operations. However, the proposed procurement was met with opposition from elsewhere in the ministry. Israel hopes to start phasing out its CH-53s by 2025 with alternative options including Sikorsky’s new CH-53K and the Boeing CH-47 Chinook.
Europe
* Norway’s minority government is to send an armored battalion to the Arctic near its border with Russia and plans to up tank and artillery procurement in order to combat future threats. The plan, announced by Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soereide, will see the battalion stationed in the remote Porsanger district, in the far north on the edge of a long fjord leading into the Barents Sea, which also borders Russia. Oslo will also invest in additional tanks, artillery and long-range precision weapons in the area and other locations further south, together with an extension of the time people have to spend in some national service positions to 16 from 12 months. While the proposals will require opposition support in order for funding to be cleared through parliament, the boosting of Arctic defenses has a broad political consensus.
* Airbus’ Chief Executive Tom Enders warned Friday that the firm could face significant fines as a result of French and British corruption investigations. Already under fire in Austria over corruption linked to its 2003 Eurofighter Typhoon sale, the fresh investigations stem after Airbus disclosed anomalies last year in past filings on the use of agents, or middlemen, in plane sales. Speaking to Le Monde, Enders said “I cannot predict the outcome of this investigation but it is not impossible that the fine will be significant.” Legal experts say any settlement could cost significantly more than the roughly 700 million pounds paid by Rolls-Royce under a similar deal earlier this year. If found guilty, it could cost Airbus access to public markets
Asia Pacific
* The Bangladesh Navy has ordered two additional Dornier Do-228 maritime patrol aircraft bringing to four the number that will be operated by the service. Manufacturer RUAG said in a statement that the sale will “build on [the navy’s] existing capabilities in the patrolling of the sea routes, territorial waters, coastal areas, and wetlands, essential to secure fishery operations, and critical vessel tracking,” adding that the aircraft will extend Dhaka’s reach and endurance options for search and rescue (SAR) and natural disaster missions. Initially developed by Dornier in the 1970s, the new Do-228 NG (Next Generation) was built by RUAG by integrating modern technologies such as a new five bladed composite propeller, advanced Honeywell TPE 331-10 engines, retractable landing gear, Unique TNT wing unit, reduced weight, glass cockpit, digital avionics and displays and extended range. RUAG carries out aircraft final assembly, payload integration, production compliance inspection and deliveries while HAL manufactures wings and tail units in Kanpur, India.
Today’s Video
* First flight of Scaled Composites’ Model 401 protoype:
