September 2012 Air Force Military Aviation Defence Industry News
 
 

United States Air Force confirms a third mission for the X-37B robotic space plane 2709121

United States Air Force confirms a third mission for the X-37B robotic space plane
 
The US Air Force confirms that they will once again launch its mysterious X-37B spy plane back into the sky, but what it will do there remains a mystery. For the third time ever, the Boeing-made unmanned aircraft will be put into orbit.
The US Air Force confirms that they will once again launch its mysterious X-37B spy plane back into the sky, but what it will do there remains a mystery. For the third time ever, the Boeing-made unmanned aircraft will be put into orbit.
 

United States Marine Corps begins test flight of MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in Japan 2609121

United States Marine Corps begins test flight of MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in Japan
 
The U.S. Marine Corps have begun test flights of the controversial MV-22 Osprey at its air base in western Japan Friday morning, local media reported. The flight trial kicked off at 9:24 a.m. local time in the U.S. military training airspace codenamed R134 off the coast of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi prefecture, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
The U.S. Marine Corps have begun test flights of the controversial MV-22 Osprey at its air base in western Japan Friday morning, local media reported. The flight trial kicked off at 9:24 a.m. local time in the U.S. military training airspace codenamed R134 off the coast of Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi prefecture, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
 

Eurocopter delivery of four upgraded helicopters Tigre for deployment in Afghanistan 1609121

Eurocopter delivery of four upgraded helicopters Tigre for deployment in Afghanistan
 
A significant milestone in Eurocopter’s Tiger support helicopter program has been reached following the delivery of the first four helicopters to be upgraded for deployment to Afghanistan. This now leaves the German Army in possession of a complete batch of ASGARD helicopters – a vital prerequisite if the Tiger is to be deployed in theater by the end of the year.
A significant milestone in Eurocopter’s Tiger support helicopter program has been reached following the delivery of the first four helicopters to be upgraded for deployment to Afghanistan. This now leaves the German Army in possession of a complete batch of ASGARD helicopters – a vital prerequisite if the Tiger is to be deployed in theater by the end of the year.
 

United States Air Force begins their their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation 1209121

United States Air Force begins their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation
 
United States Air Force officials begin their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation Sept. 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, Fla., along with two Air Force test pilots, will conduct the review expected to last approximately 65 days.
United States Air Force officials begin their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation Sept. 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, Fla., along with two Air Force test pilots, will conduct the review expected to last approximately 65 days.
 

Rosoboronexport of Russia and Poly Technologies of China signed a contract for Mi-171E delivery 0809122

Rosoboronexport of Russia and Poly Technologies of China signed a contract for Mi-171E delivery
 
Rosoboronexport and Chinese company Poly Technologies, Inc. in August signed a contract for delivery of 52 Mi-171E transport helicopters to China in 2012-2014. The first eight Mi-171Es are scheduled for delivery in 2012, with the rest slated for 2013 and 2014. The contracts follow on from agreements signed in 2009 by Russian Helicopters and Poly Technologies for delivery of 32 Mi-171Es to China.
Rosoboronexport and Chinese company Poly Technologies, Inc. in August signed a contract for delivery of 52 Mi-171E transport helicopters to China in 2012-2014. The first eight Mi-171Es are scheduled for delivery in 2012, with the rest slated for 2013 and 2014. The contracts follow on from agreements signed in 2009 by Russian Helicopters and Poly Technologies for delivery of 32 Mi-171Es to China.
 

Oman accepts the first delivery of military transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules 0809121

Oman accepts the first delivery of military transport aircraft C-130J Super Hercules
 
The first C-130J Super Hercules for the Sultanate of Oman was formally accepted at ceremonies, Aug. 30, at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility. This is the first of three C-130Js on order for Oman and is scheduled for delivery later this year.
The first C-130J Super Hercules for the Sultanate of Oman was formally accepted at ceremonies, Aug. 30, at Lockheed Martin’s Marietta facility. This is the first of three C-130Js on order for Oman and is scheduled for delivery later this year.
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