F135 Engine Core Upgrade: Powering the Future
After Pratt & Whitney’s F135 Engine Core Upgrade solution was chosen by the USAF to enhance the F-35’s powerplant ahead of the highly anticipated Block 4 configuration, Khalem Chapman spoke with the firm about the progress being made and the benefits it will bring to not only the Lightning II family, but also future sixth-generation fighters
Argentina issues airworthiness certificate for re-engined Pucará Fénix
Argentina’s General Directorate of Joint Military Airworthiness of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces (DIGAMC) issued the airworthiness certificate for the newly upgraded IA-58H Pucará Fénix counterinsurgency (COIN) aircraft on December 29, after the type received new Pratt & Whitney PT6A-62 turboprop engines
ITPS rolls out Advanced Controls Evaluator
The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) held its 11th annual Flight Test Seminar just before Christmas at its home-base at London International Airport, Canada. The highlight of the event, which was attended by more than 150 guests from international industry and air forces, was the rollout of the Advanced Controls Evaluator (ACE) – a highly modified and substantially upgraded Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatros that features a fly-by-wire, four-axis variable stability system and in-flight simulation capability
Brazilian Air Force gains fifth modernised E-99M
Embraer Defense & Security announced it had handed over its fifth modernised EMB 145-based E-99M AEW&C aircraft to the Brazilian Air Force on November 23, marking an important milestone for the upgrade programme as it saw the first aircraft delivered in its Full Operational Capability configuration
Boeing flies upgraded AH-64E Apache gunship for the first time
Boeing completed the first flight of its enhanced AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter from its facility in Mesa, Arizona, on October 11
USAF U-2S completes first flight after avionics upgrade
In partnership with Lockheed Martin’s coveted Skunk Works division, the USAF has completed the first flight of an upgraded U-2S Dragon Lady as part of the high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft’s ongoing Avionics Tech Refresh programme
USAF unleashes the BEAST with new B-1B upgrade package
One of the USAF’s two supersonic-capable B-1B Lancer strategic bomber wings – the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB in Texas – is pioneering a package that will modernise the fleet much faster than would have otherwise been possible
US Coast Guard flies first missionized HC-27J Spartan
The US Coast Guard (USCG) conducted the initial flight of its first missionized HC-27J Spartan at NAS Patuxent River in Maryland on September 6
Greece receives tenth upgraded F-16 ‘Viper’
The Hellenic Air Force has welcomed the arrival of its tenth F-16V Fighting Falcon, following the multi-role fighter’s upgrade from the F-16C/D Block 52+/52M-standard to the new, more advanced ‘Viper’ configuration
Norway postpones helicopter fleet recap, opts to partially upgrade ageing Bell 412s
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has approved plans to partially upgrade its ageing Bell 412HP/SP utility helicopters and postpone the recapitalisation of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s special operations rotorcraft fleet by at least 15 years in a move that goes against the advice of the head of the nation’s armed forces