U.S. Marines prepare to take off in a MV-22B Osprey at Norwegian Air Force Base Bodø during Exercise Cold Response 22, Norway, March 16, 2022. The Marines are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Exercise Cold Response ’22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional NATO allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

A U.S Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS), assigned to the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, flies over Alaska during U.S. Northern Command Exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2022, March 16, 2022. AE22 is a biennial homeland defense exercise designed to provide high quality and effective joint training in austere cold weather conditions. AE22 is the largest joint exercise in Alaska, with approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel training alongside members of the Canadian Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Crul)

Two U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, fly over Northern Alaska during a U.S. Northern Command Exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2022 mission, March 15, 2022. AE22 is a biennial homeland defense exercise to provide high quality and effective joint training in austere cold weather conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Trevor T. McBride)

U.S. Air Force F-15Cs from the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing Detachment 1, Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., take-off in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), March 16, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) coordinated and conducted bi-national aircraft training intercept operations while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' East Coast. This iteration of OND, involving First Air Force and Air Forces Northern assets, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern approach to North America. This particular OND provides an opportunity to exercise bi-national hand-off procedures between U.S. and Canadian fighters. A bi-national Canadian and American command, NORAD employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated command and control network to deter, detect and defend against aerial threats that originate outside or within North American airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, taxis to its parking spot at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Tsuiki Air Base while members of JASDF’s Blue Impulse perform pre-flight checks, March 17, 2022. Tsuiki Air Base is hosting the current iteration of the aviation training relocation program which increases operational readiness and improves interoperability with our Japanese allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson)

U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan land at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Tsuiki Air Base, Fukuoka, Japan as part of the aviation training relocation program March 17, 2022. ATR is a result of the May 2006 United States-Japan roadmap for realignment implementation, a bilateral program aimed at increasing operational readiness and improving interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson)


PACIFIC OCEAN (Mar. 17, 2022) A T-45C Goshawk, from the "Golden Eagles" of Training Squadron (VT) 22, executes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting routine operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliot Schaudt)

A-10 Thunderbolt II’s with the 107th Fighter Squadron, 127th Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, are staged before a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, March 16, 2022. The 107th used Cherry Point and its outlying fields for combat search and rescue operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Bertram)

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --

Published March 17, 2022
By Jamal Sutter
413th Flight Test Group Public Affairs

Just south of his home in Brooklyn, New York, a young Terrence McKenna spent much of his childhood in Prospect Park tossing around wooden gliders and flying remote-controlled airplanes, each aircraft more complex and capable than the last.

By the early 2000s, McKenna came across an ad for flying lessons which offered ground school at an office building near his high school in the city. In the 16-year-old’s mind, he was compelled by the excitement and adventure offered by flying an airplane before being 18, the legal driving age in New York. With full support from his family, the future career pilot was about to embark on his first of many aviation milestones.

Fast forward to present day, now a captain in the Air Force Reserve, Terrence McKenna has found himself involved in another momentous occasion, as he successfully flew the first U.S. Air Force-operated flight of an electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, aircraft.

The event, which took place December of 2021 in Palo Alto, California, was a collaboration of efforts between AFWERX Agility Prime—the Air Force’s electric aircraft and advanced air mobility program—and Kittyhawk, a commercial industry corporation founded to develop and explore eVTOL aircraft.

AFWERX, referred to as the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force, launched in July of 2017 with a mission of partnering with commercial technology companies to rapidly field high-value commercial and military capabilities.

“[The first Air Force eVTOL flight] was a real embodiment of all of the tenets and ethos of Agility Prime. It demonstrated the collaborative potential of these different groups when they come together,” said McKenna, the test and experimentation lead for Agility Prime and a C-5 and T-38 pilot with the 370th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS), an Air Force Reserve Command unit out of Edwards Air Force Base, California.

With Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. recognizing the need and pushing for more innovative ways of conducting business, research and development of aviation platforms like Kittyhawk’s eVTOL aircraft, the Heaviside, is a necessary line of effort to help the nation maintain air superiority.

According to McKenna, an eVTOL vehicle could be used in a number of ways within the military that are complementary to the envisioned civilian use-cases, including search and rescue, supplies and personnel transport, and logistics support across the DoD. The Heaviside in particular, being remotely piloted and around the size of a small electric car, would be very useful in areas not accessible to larger vehicles or aircraft.

“If there are new ways of flying and if those new ways of flying help us win the fight, then we need to make sure we understand those technologies and we understand what it might look like for our Airmen to operate those technologies,” said Col. Nathan Diller, AFWERX director. “Having an Airman actually start to understand what it looks like to operate these systems is really key in that overall strategy of making sure that we, as the Air Force, are staying in absolutely the leading edge of aerospace technologies.”

Leading up to flying the aircraft for AFWERX, McKenna said he spent several weeks reviewing systems documents, conducting simulation work, discussing procedures and completing other training before operating the aircraft. But the prerequisites that made him qualified to operate the eVTOL platform are something that took a career’s worth of knowledge and experience to obtain.

McKenna earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and holds a fixed wing multi-engine, single-engine commercial/instrument, seaplane, helicopter, and remote pilot's license. After MIT, he stayed in the Boston area where he joined Aurora Flight Sciences to help stand up the research and development center there and worked for seven years on the development of advanced aviation-based artificial intelligence (AI) as well as novel aircraft designs and control methodologies—both manned and unmanned.

Despite all of his hands-on involvement with technical testing and development in regular support of U.S. government and DoD programs, McKenna felt a calling to join service members with whom he respected, admired and worked with regularly. Working with recruiters and units in the New England region, he found a home with the 337th Airlift Squadron out of Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, and joined the Air Force Reserve in 2014 at the age of 27.

“Joining the 337th AS felt like coming home to an extended family,” McKenna said. “It was close-knit and had such a long and rich lineage with great personalities that kept the squadron stories and traditions alive. There was such great mentorship and support from each member of the unit. After that initial interview and [unit training assembly], it all just fell into place for me.”

With the 337th AS, he flew the C-5 in worldwide operations. While there, he took part in their transition from the C-5A/B Galaxy models to the C-5M Super Galaxy, which exposed him to weapons systems upgrades and integration of new technologies into Air Force flying units. Appreciative of his time there, McKenna said he credits the 337th AS with being a major catapult to everything else that followed in his military career.

By 2019, McKenna found a new home with the 370th FLTS through which he attended test-specific T-38 training at Randolph and Edwards AFBs. Currently as the director of the 370th FLTS’s futures cell, McKenna works hand-in-hand with many Edwards AFB units, including the innovation office, to test and develop cutting edge aviation technologies such as AI and eVTOL aircraft. In this role, he also helps determine how to best utilize Air Force Reserve talent to supplement active-duty innovation and other technological-advancement initiatives. He works with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards and other units doing T-38 test support and supports the X-62A Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft upgrade program—a highly modified F-16D Block 30. All of that plus his civilian experience helping develop autonomous aerial solutions with the Air Force Research Lab, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and NASA made him the perfect fit for Agility Prime and the eVTOL mission.

“This work is right in my wheelhouse,” McKenna said. “It’s industry support. It’s interacting with industry in a different way. It’s testing technology in a different way, and it builds on all of the technologies that I had been developing—for example, autonomy, fly-by wire and triplex redundant control systems; all of these directly support making these technologies like eVTOL aircraft a reality.”

McKenna started working with AFWERX in 2019. Diller said he decided to bring him on board after hearing about him while doing flight test work at Edwards AFB. Diller and the 370th FLTS’s commander, Lt. Col. John Mikal, were roommates at the Air Force Academy. While catching up, they discussed the potential for 370th FLTS pilots to gain additional breadth in flight test within AFWERX, and McKenna’s name came up as a prime candidate.

As the test and experimentation lead for Agility Prime, McKenna must understand the current capabilities of and risks associated with available hardware. It’s also up to him to assess opportunities and logistics for conducting testing, such as what locations are ideal and what other organizations need to be involved.

“He’s the right guy for [the Agility Prime] mission at the right time,” Mikal said. “I don’t know of [another] person in the 370th FLTS, or anybody else [for that matter], that could step in and do the Agility Prime test and experimentation job. He’s doing a fantastic job, and I hear the same from everybody who works with him.”

The coordination between McKenna, the 370th FLTS and AFWERX is unique in many ways. First, and perhaps most obvious, is that the 370th FLTS is a reserve unit, while AFWERX is an active-duty entity. Second, the 370th FLTS is based in California, and AFWERX does a majority of its business out of Washington, D.C., and Ohio. With McKenna being a traditional reservist, he’s been placed on extended active duty operational support orders to accomplish his job with AFWERX whenever and wherever he’s needed, with flexibility to travel to the west coast for duty at the 370th FLTS.

“I see the squadron as being able to host … have a place for talent to reside and then, to go out and do great things for the U.S. Air Force,” Mikal said. “From my take, it’s this kind of an innovative approach to how [traditional reservists] are utilized—that they reside in the 370th FLTS for the good of both the Air Force Materiel Command and Air Force Reserve Command missions, but it’s not solely for the 370th FLTS.”

McKenna said he fully supports Mikal’s vision for the unit and furthered the idea of Air Force Reserve personnel, with their civilian experience, being crucial to teaming with commercial industry and advancing technology.

“There’s so much more that’s happening now by bringing in folks from all over the Air Force Reserve community to support test in various ways,” he said. “It’s great to see such a fruitful and collaborative relationship between active-duty Air Force, our Reserve Citizen Airmen and our industry partners. The potential for what these teams can do is limitless.”

Once eVTOL aircraft like Heaviside are fully certified, they could be brought into the force for regular operations. According to McKenna, some of Agility Prime’s next steps include developing training plans and syllabi for eVTOL aircraft.

Personally though, for the Brooklyn-native, he said he hopes to continue to support AFWERX and is excited for what’s to come. He relishes the community and mutual support of his squadron, credits his unit with making these milestones possible and aims for a long career of taking care of business with his 370th FLTS teammates. And behind it all, no matter what opportunity arises, he’ll always be a pilot.

“My heart is in the cockpit, and I love the flying that I’m doing,” he said. “Exploring the intersection between flight operations and engineering and evaluating how I bring my skills and experience to best support the mission is what keeps me going.”

During the process of being interviewed for this story, McKenna said he realized how things came full circle for him. Going back to confirm details of yesteryear, he was able to reflect on the day he pitched the idea of taking flying lessons to his family and said the sensation he got flying the Heaviside is no different from flying the Cessna 172 for the first time all those years ago.

“It felt the same, in terms of excitement for new things, which is exactly how it should feel throughout your entire career,” he said. “You should be able to approach every new challenge and every new opportunity with that level of eagerness. And the fact that it did feel the same as it did back when I started flying as a teenager, means we’re doing the right thing.”

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy takes off from Travis Air Force Base, California, March 18, 2022. The C-5M, with a cargo load of 281,001 pounds (127,460 kilograms), can fly 2,150 nautical miles, offload, and fly to a second base 500 nautical miles away from the original destination — all without aerial refueling. With aerial refueling, the aircraft's range is limited only by crew endurance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Pilch)

An F-16 fighter operated by the 121st Fighter Squadron, 113th Wing, District of Columbia Air National Guard, conducts pre-flight procedures prior to taxiing to the runway as part of an Ability to Survive and Operate operational readiness exercise at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, March 19th, 2022. The exercise simulated a contested chemical weapons environment to train aircrews and other personnel to perform their role while wearing protective suits and masks. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Enriquez)

PACIFIC OCEAN (Mar. 18, 2022) A T-45C Goshawk, from the "Golden Eagles" of Training Squadron (VT) 22, executes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting routine operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class David Rowe)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 18, 2022) An AV-8B Harrier, attached to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, prepares to take off from the flight deck aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) March 18, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are operating in the Atlantic Ocean in support of naval operations to maintain maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Taylor Parker)

AUSTRALIA, March 21, 2022 – Boeing [NYSE:BA] Australia congratulates the Australian Government and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on their selection of ‘MQ-28A Ghost Bat’ as the military designator and name for the first Australian-produced military combat aircraft in over 50 years.

Australia’s Defence Minister, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, announced the designator and name at a dedicated ceremony held at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.

“The introduction of the new popular name is a rare and special moment in aviation history for our RAAF partners and industry team of over 35 Australian suppliers,” said Glen Ferguson, director Airpower Teaming System Australia and International.

“Selecting the Ghost Bat, an Australian native mammal known for teaming together in a pack to detect and hunt, reflects the unique characteristics of the aircraft’s sensors and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance abilities, and is a fitting name for this pioneering capability,” said Ferguson.

With a rapid development timetable of just three years from ideation to first flight, the development program leverages advancements in digital engineering, advanced manufacturing and unique Australian supply chain technologies.

While the RAAF Loyal Wingman development program name will phase out, Boeing’s product name for global customers will remain the Airpower Teaming System.

“Our enduring partnership with Commonwealth of Australia and Australian Defence Force (ADF) is fundamental to the successful development of MQ-28A’s complex technologies and capabilities, and has global export potential for Australia,” said Dr Brendan Nelson AO, president Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

During 2022, the program will continue to accelerate the development and testing of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, with a focus on sensor and missionisation capabilities to deliver on RAAF commitments. These requirements will continue to expand as Boeing moves towards the aim of delivering an operational capability for the ADF.

An F-15C Eagle begins taxiing on the Tsuiki Air Base flightline, March 22, 2022. The aircraft arrived in Fukuoka for the Aviation Training Relocation program, which increases operational readiness and improves interoperability with our Japanese allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson)

A U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, taxis on the Tsuiki Air Base flightline, March 22, 2022. Tsuiki Air Base hosted the March, 2022 iteration of the Aviation Training Relocation program, which increases operational readiness and improves interoperability with our Japanese allies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle Johnson)

U.S. Marines fly a KC-130J Super Hercules over Norwegian Air Force Base Bodø during Exercise Cold Response 2022, Norway, March 21, 2022. The Marines are assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. Exercise Cold Response ’22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

Toulouse, 22 March 2022 – Air Canada has confirmed an order with Airbus for six A321XLR aircraft, previously listed as undisclosed in the Airbus order book. With this commitment Air Canada’s A321XLR fleet will comprise 26 aircraft including 20 additional A321XLRs the carrier is acquiring through lessors.

“Air Canada is committed to further strengthen its market-leading position, especially through investments in new technology. The acquisition of the state-of-the-art Airbus A321XLR is an important element of this strategy and will drive our core priorities of elevating the customer experience, advancing our environmental goals, network expansion and increasing our overall cost efficiency. This order also shows that Air Canada is emerging strongly from the pandemic and is ideally positioned to grow, compete and thrive in a reshaped global aviation industry” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.

“The exceptional versatility and performance of the A321XLR will enable Air Canada to further develop its network expansion in a sustainable way with increased efficiencies and reduced CO2 emissions,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International. “We thank Air Canada for its confidence in us and are delighted by the step-up in our longstanding relationship.”

The A321XLR is a perfect fit for Air Canada's fleet, given its history of operating the entire A320-Family as well as Airbus' long-range A330-300 widebody and more recently, Airbus’ latest-generation single-aisle aircraft, the A220.

The new Airbus A321XLR aircraft is an ideal replacement for older and less fuel-efficient aircraft. The latest generation Single Aisle jet will allow Air Canada to add new destinations in the most sustainable way.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step in the A320neo Family of aircraft, meeting market requirements for increased range and payload in a single-aisle aircraft, and creating more value for airlines by enabling economically viable service on longer routes than any comparable aircraft model. It will allow services from Eastern Canada to a much larger selection of European destinations.

The A321XLR will deliver an unprecedented single-aisle aircraft range of up to 4,700nm, with 30% lower fuel consumption per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise. The aircraft will feature the Airbus Airspace cabin, offering a next level of long-haul comfort to passengers.

By the end of February 2022, the A320neo Family had accumulated nearly 7,900 orders from over 120 customers worldwide. A321XLR orders stood at 515 from 25 customers.

SAN DIEGO/COWES – 22 March 2022 – The first V-tail from GKN Aerospace has been received by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and installed onto an MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). SkyGuardian is the baseline RPA of the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Protector RG Mk1. The first of the advanced composite V-tails was shipped from the GKN Aerospace facility in Cowes, England to GA-ASI in Poway, Calif. and fitted onto an MQ-9B RPA, which will ultimately be delivered to the RAF as a Protector RPA.

GA-ASI and GKN Aerospace have partnered for more than a decade, first as part of the MQ-9A program and now with the MQ-9B. The GKN Aerospace V-tails are now a standard component of MQ-9B SkyGuardian and the maritime variant, SeaGuardian®.

“Our companies have worked together for many years, and we’re thrilled to have GKN Aerospace as a strategic supplier for MQ-9B,” said GA-ASI Vice President of International Strategic Development Robert Schoeffling. “V-tails from GKN Aerospace are not only for the RAF’s Protector, but the global MQ-9B fleet will use these tails manufactured in the UK as well.”

GA-ASI and GKN Aerospace announced the V-tail collaboration for MQ-9B earlier this year. GKN Aerospace has been a global supplier to GA-ASI’s MQ-9 RPA program for a decade, with the strategic partnership on GA-ASI’s world-leading RPA systems starting in 2010. Activities began with the design and build of the “fit and forget” fuel bladder system in Portsmouth, UK, followed by the production of fuel bladders in the United States. Today, GKN Aerospace manufactures a range of products for the Predator® suite of aircraft, including fuel bladders, V-tails, and the state-of-the-art lightweight landing gear system manufactured in the Netherlands.

GKN Aerospace’s VP Defence – Europe, Rupert Dix, said: “Our partnership with GA-ASI on the MQ-9B program is an important development for our Defence business and paves the way for continued growth of advanced aerospace manufacturing in the UK. Our team at the Cowes facility has worked very hard to get the V-tail line into full production while working to ensure on-time delivery of our quality products. We look forward to affirming our commitment throughout the lifecycle of this vital platform.”

About GA-ASI

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than seven million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent flight that enables situational awareness and rapid strike. The company also produces a variety of ground control stations and sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com

Six RCAF CF-18s are on their way to the Netherlands, to take part in Exercise FRISIAN FLAG 2022.

From March 28 to April 8, RCAF members and their NATO Allies will exercise the planning and execution of a variety of simulated tactical fighter combat operations.
(Photos Courtesy of the RCAF)

ANDRAVIDA AIR BASE, Greece – U.S. Air Force F-15E Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom land at Andravida Air Base, Greece, March 21, 2022. The 48 FW will participate in INIOCHOS 22, a Hellenic air force-led exercise designed to enhance the interoperability and skills of allied and partner air forces in the accomplishment of joint operations and air defenses. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)



LATVIA
03.21.2022
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew Conner and Cpt. Si Yi, Apache pilots, assigned to Bravo Company, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, come in for a landing at the Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) at Camp Adazi, March 21, 2022. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Preston Malizia)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the "Golden Warriors" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 lands on USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) flight deck, March 22, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certification and air wing carrier qualification as part of the ship’s tailored basic phase prior operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin)

A CF-18 Hornet aircraft assigned to the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron flies away after receiving aerial refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) Operation Noble Defender (OND), March 16, 2022. As a part of OND, which is a recurring operation, the Continental U.S. NORAD Region (CONR) coordinated and conducted bi-national aircraft training intercept operations while concurrently launching jets from different locations across the United States' East Coast. This iteration of OND, involving First Air Force and Air Forces Northern assets, is an integrated air and missile defense operation designed to ensure the defense and security of the northern approach to North America. This particular OND provides an opportunity to exercise bi-national hand-off procedures between U.S. and Canadian fighters. A bi-national Canadian and American command, NORAD employs a network of aerial, ground-based, and space-based sensors, air-to-air refueling tankers, and fighter aircraft controlled by a sophisticated command and control network to deter, detect and defend against aerial threats that originate outside or within North American airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joshua Hastings)

An F-15C assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron takes off from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 15, 2022. The F-15Cs will no longer be assigned to Nellis AFB. The aircraft will be reassigned to the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by William R. Lewis)

Dallas, TX (March 23, 2022) Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced a signed purchase agreement with BAR Aviation for a Bell 412EPi to support 24/7 medical evacuation missions and the new development of oil and gas projects in Uganda.

BAR Aviation is a leading aviation operator in Uganda known for its high quality and professional air transport service in Uganda and the region. Among its many services, BAR Aviation provides air medical evacuation services to support communities and connect them to life-saving medical support.

“We are privileged to provide BAR Aviation with exceptional Bell products to service and complement their successful aerial operations,” said Lynette Loosen, regional sales manager, Africa and the Middle East, Bell. “The Bell 412 has proven its capabilities and fit for purpose to BAR Aviation and the company is growing its Bell 412 fleet in East Africa.”

In January 2021, BAR Aviation took delivery of the first Bell 505 in Uganda and the first fully equipped emergency medical service Bell 505 in Africa. The aircraft carries out medical evacuation missions in the region.

“We pride ourselves on going beyond our clients’ expectations by providing an exceptionally broad spectrum of aviation services with a robust team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals who believe in client satisfaction –- and­ we do so by operating Bell aircraft,” said Barak Orland, chief executive officer, BAR Aviation. “BAR Aviation is very excited to be adding the Bell 412EPi to strengthen its growing Rotary Wing fleet thus contributing to the success of its various missions.”

“Barak Orland is a visionary, and we are so proud to be associated with him and the BAR Aviation family,” said Sameer Rehman, managing director, Africa and the Middle East, Bell. “Bell looks forward to further strengthening our relationship with Bar Aviation to enhance its service offerings in Uganda and beyond.”

To date, there have been more than 1,100 Bell 412s delivered across the globe, logging over 6.5 million flight hours. There are currently more than 160 Bell 412s operating in Africa and the Middle East. Customers continue to rely on the rugged and reliable Bell 412, which carries operators through parapublic, offshore, emergency medical service and even VIP missions every day.

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE AMBERLEY, Australia (AFNS) --

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit flew from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Amberley, March 23, to execute training with the Royal Australian Air Force to increase interoperability with a critical ally and operate forward in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. and Australia maintain a robust relationship underpinned by shared democratic values, common interests, and cultural affinities. The alliance is an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

Once in Australian airspace, the B-2 teamed up with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard to complete aerial refueling before integrating with eight fighter aircraft — two Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs, two RAAF EA-18 Growlers, two RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and two U.S. Air Force F-16C Aggressors — to conduct training operations.

The B-2 then landed at RAAF Amberley — for the first time — and conducted a crew swap before becoming airborne, integrating with F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and returning back to Whiteman AFB.

U.S. Navy Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Royal Australian Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Joe Iervasi, Air Commander Australia, observed the B-2 aircraft on the ground at RAAF Amberley and met with the air and ground crews.

“This is the most consequential theater with the most challenging security issues…and advancing our interoperability with critical allies like Australia is critical to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Aquilino said. “There are many aspects that are going on daily to continue to move the security relationship forward in a positive way to provide deterrence, prevent war, and maintain peace and stability within the region.”

Aquilino said through training engagements like this, we strengthen resiliency, capability and cooperation between U.S. and Australian armed forces.

Iervasi echoed the importance of the training and increased interoperability.

“This is our most important relationship that we have in the Indo-Pacific region,” Iervasi said. “We have enduring bonds extending back for decades and we share common values and interests and we will continue to collaborate and keep this partnership strong.”

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Conant, 393rd Bomb Squadron commander, led the U.S. effort on the ground and said it was missions like these that are how we exercise our global strike capabilities.

“It’s our job to get out and support our combatant commanders and we’re always excited to be in the Indo-Pacific,” Conant said. “The main pillar of the National Defense Strategy is building relationships with our allies and partners because warfighting is a team sport, and our network of alliances and partnerships remains the backbone of global security.”

While the B-2 crews were teaming up with RAAF counterparts and U.S. teammates in the air, other U.S. Airmen were conducting joint operations on the ground working side-by-side with different RAAF members such as: security forces, fuels, maintenance, and firefighters.

Operating anywhere outside of home-station can come with its own set of challenges, which Airmen overcome by working together.

“Coordination and communication is the key to overcoming any situation and we’re going to be better off in the long run for it,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Aaron Porter, 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels superintendent. “That’s what these missions are for, building relationships with our allies and partners, overcoming challenges and making things better for the future.”
(U.S. Air Force photos by Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux)

Jim Tobul, pilot of the “Korean War Hero” F4U-4 Corsair, lands at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, March 22, 2022. Tobul performs at 18 or more airshows per year and tells the story of the celebrated aircraft with not only dramatic flyover shows, but static ground displays as well. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Michael Killian)


A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 495th Fighter Squadron performs a low pass over the flightline at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England Mar. 22, 2022. The F-35A Lightning II provides the Liberty Wing with a combination of low observability and multi-mission capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dhruv Gopinath)

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron takes off on a routine training mission from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Mar. 22, 2022. The Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, allowing the Liberty Wing to provide air dominance over the United States Air Forces in Europe area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Dhruv Gopinath)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 approaches USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) flight deck for landing during flight operations, March 23, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certification and air wing carrier qualifications as part of the ship’s tailored basic phase prior operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin)

Marignane, Airbus Helicopters has begun trialing autonomous take-off and landing capabilities at sea for the VSR700, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) being developed in the frame of the SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, conducted by the DGA (Direction générale de l’Armement - the French Armament General Directorate) for the French Navy. Trials were conducted using an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) based on a modified Guimbal Cabri G2 equipped with the autonomous take-off and landing (ATOL) system developed for the VSR700. This flight test campaign paves the way for the upcoming demonstration of the VSR700, at sea, onboard a French Navy frigate.

“These tests in real-life conditions constitute a crucial step towards the campaign that we will conduct at sea with the DGA and the French Navy later this year,” explained Nicolas Delmas, head of the VSR700 programme for Airbus Helicopters. “Using the OPV, we have demonstrated the unique autonomous take-off and landing capabilities of the VSR700. We have also proved the optimal functioning of the vehicle and its command station interface on board a vessel in realistic conditions.”

The test campaign was conducted off the coast of Brest, France, onboard a civilian vessel equipped with a helicopter landing deck in the presence of experts from the DGA. Beyond demonstrating the ATOL system developed for the VSR700, the trials were also used to assess the approach procedures before landing on the vessel. The VSR700 flight envelope at sea, in proximity to a vessel, was tested in line with development objectives and was confirmed to be fully compatible with naval operations. Both the semi-autonomous and the fully autonomous modes of the ATOL system were demonstrated with success in different sea states. The VSR700 uses Airbus DeckFinder to enable autonomous ship deck take off and landings in all weather conditions, during the day or night. In total, 150 autonomous launches and recoveries took place. The handling and maneuvering of the OPV, representative of the VSR700, on the ship deck were also tested.

The OPV can carry one test pilot in order to enable safer and more agile initial testing before those systems are integrated into the fully autonomous VSR700. The OPV initially conducted piloted take-offs and landings before switching progressively to fully autonomous maneuvers.

Designed to operate alongside other shipborne naval assets, the VSR700 is a UAS in the 500-1,000 kg maximum take off weight range. It offers the best balance of payload capability, endurance and operational cost. It is capable of carrying multiple full-size naval sensors for extended periods and can operate from existing ships, alongside a helicopter, with a low logistical footprint.

The first prototype of the VSR700 performed its maiden flight in 2020 and expanded its flight envelope in 2021. In April 2021, the DGA ordered a second prototype of the VSR700 to focus on trials covering SDAM requirements and to permit broader, more rapid development towards that goal.

(Saint-Cloud, France, March 24, 2022) – Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, and Vice-Admiral Aristidis Alexopoulos, Director General of Armaments and Investments of the Greek Ministry of Defence, signed in Athens, in the presence of Mrs. Florence Parly, French Minister of the Armed Forces, and Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Greek Minister of National Defence, a contract for the acquisition of six additional new Rafale aircraft.

This new contract, which follows Greece’s acquisition of 18 Rafale in January 2021, will increase to 24 the number of Rafale operated by the Hellenic Air Force.

Following the arrival at Tanagra Air Base of the first six Rafale of the Hellenic Air Force on 19 January 2022, the 18 Rafale relating to the first contract will be fully deployed in Greece by the summer 2023.The six additional Rafale will then be delivered to the Hellenic Air Force shortly thereafter, starting from the summer 2024.

As a European country and NATO member, Greece is a major strategic ally of France. Dassault Aviation is honored by the Greek government’s decision to proceed with this new Rafale order, which extends nearly fifty years of uninterrupted partnership.

This additional order reflects the Greek government’s great satisfaction with the Rafale’s operational qualities, as well as its determination to strengthen the combat capabilities of the Hellenic Air Force in order to guarantee the country’s sovereignty and ensure the security of its population in an increasingly unstable geopolitical context.

“This new contract demonstrates the Greek government’s confidence in the Rafale, which is already actively contributing to guaranteeing Greece’s sovereignty and operational independence. Once again, I am honored by the Hellenic Air Force’s renewed trust in Dassault Aviation, reflecting nearly half a century of unwavering partnership. I would also like to assure the Greek authorities of our full commitment to fully meet their expectations,” said Eric Trappier after the signing ceremony.

This week, two Typhoons from IX (B) Squadron, flown by pilots from 1 (F) Squadron RAF Lossiemouth, flew to #Latvia to conduct training with Latvian land forces.

Arriving at Lielvarde Air Base, the crew were welcomed by the UK Defence Attaché and the Deputy Head of Mission Ruth Rajavejjabhisal before taking part in Joint Terminal Attack Control Training with Latvian Forces. This provided valuable air-land integration training with our Joint Expeditionary Force partners.
(Photos by Andis Stefanovičs Latvijas armija)

A U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18E Hornet flies over MacDill Air Force Base, Florida upon arrival for the Tampa Bay AirFest, March 23, 2022. The air fest aims to promote relations between the local Tampa Bay community and MacDill’s service members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Cook)

U.S. Marine Maj. Frank Zastoupil, a pilot for the Blue Angels, lands an F/A-18 Hornet on the flight line at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, March, 24, 2022. The Blue Angels are scheduled to headline the Tampa Bay AirFest, which will include performers and aircraft from all other branches of the military. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Cobin)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 24, 2022) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Javier Reyes)


CF-18 Hornet fighters have landed in Holland and are ready to take part in Exercise FRISIAN FLAG 2022 alongside our NATO Allies.
(Photos courtesy of the RCAF)

An AV-8B Harrier and an F-35B Lightning II are staged during the change of command and redesignation ceremony for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 214 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, March, 25, 2022. As part of the transition from the AV-8B Harrier to the F-35B Lightning II, Marine Attack Squadron 214 was re-designated as VMFA-214. The F-35B Lightning II is replacing the AV-8B Harrier to introduce unmatched capabilities to the Marine Corps. The F-35B Lightning II represents a leap forward in air dominance by providing the operational agility and tactical supremacy Marines need to provide expeditious and lethal support.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz)

A formation of 42 F-35A Lightning IIs during a routine readiness exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 25, 2022. This capabilities demonstration represented the culmination of the dedicated efforts of the 354th Fighter Wing, with each Airman providing vital contributions to ensure Team Eielson’s readiness to deliver airpower anytime, anywhere. (Courtesy photo)

A B-2 Spirit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, flies alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard during a training mission with the Royal Australian Air Force in the Indo-Pacific region, March 23, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux)

Toulouse, 28 March 2022 – Airbus has performed a first A380 flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Airbus’ A380 test aircraft MSN 1 took off from Blagnac Airport, Toulouse, France at 08h43 on Friday 25 March. The flight lasted about three hours, operating one Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine on 100% SAF.

27 tonnes of unblended SAF were provided by Total Energies for this flight. The SAF produced in Normandy, close to Le Havre, France, was made from Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA), free of aromatics and sulphur, and primarily consisting of used cooking oil, as well as other waste fats. A second flight, with the same aircraft, is scheduled to take place from Toulouse to Nice Airport, on the 29 March to test the use of SAF during take-off and landing.

This is the third Airbus aircraft type to fly on 100% SAF over the course of 12 months; the first was an Airbus A350 in March 2021 followed by an A319neo single-aisle aircraft in October 2021.

Increasing the use of SAF remains a key pathway to achieving the industry’s ambition of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Key statistics outlined in the Waypoint 2050 report indicate that SAF could contribute between 53% and 71% of required carbon reductions.

All Airbus aircraft are currently certified to fly with up to a 50% blend of SAF mixed with kerosene. The aim is to achieve certification of 100% SAF by the end of this decade.

The A380 aircraft used during the test is the same aircraft recently revealed as Airbus’ ZEROe Demonstrator - a flying testbed for future technologies instrumental to bringing the world’s first zero-emission aircraft to market by 2035.
@Airbus #A380 #SAF #SustainableAviation

SAN DIEGO – 28 March 2022 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently completed a series of test flights for the FAA to demonstrate mature Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). DAA systems are needed for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operation of UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS), which will unlock a wide range of commercial aviation services that are not performed by UAS today.

Data from these DAA test flights will help the FAA continue to build the evidence that it needs to allow for the safe and efficient integration of UAS operations in the NAS.

The test flights were conducted by GA-ASI in partnership with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) on Jan. 24-25, 2022. GA-ASI flew a company-owned SkyGuardian UAS from GA-ASI’s Flight Test and Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, N.D. The SkyGuardian was equipped with an airborne DAA system developed by GA-ASI and Honeywell, which meets the key requirements of the FAA-accepted performance standards and has previously been used by NASA for DAA testing and BVLOS demonstrations. The DAA system features GA-ASI’s Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar to locate aircraft that are not broadcasting flight information.

NPUASTS, one of seven FAA test sites charged with safely incorporating UAS into the NAS, provided consultation, observation, and data collection for the test scenario flights. NPUASTS also collaborated with partners to provide a manned aircraft that flew a series of flight paths coordinated with the SkyGuardian’s, to test the performance of its onboard DAA sensors. Both aircraft carried survey-grade GPS receivers and data recorders to compare the actual positions of both aircraft with the relative position measured by the DAA system’s sensors.

The test flightpaths were designed to create close encounters between aircraft that could occur during route flying, airport approaches, or while the unmanned aircraft is flying a survey pattern.

“The DAA system must identify any potentially hazardous situations, alert the remote pilot and help the pilot keep the unmanned aircraft well clear of any other aircraft,” said Brandon Suarez, technical director of UAS Civil Airspace Integration for GA-ASI.

GA-ASI was awarded a contract to work with NPUASTS to develop, test, and mature technologies needed for the FAA’s goal of safely expanding UAS operations in the NAS. GA-ASI has a long-standing relationship with NPUASTS, which provides infrastructure and services to facilitate access to large areas of North Dakota’s airspace for UAS experimentation and development.

GA-ASI and Honeywell have been at the forefront of developing and testing DAA system equipment and technical safety standards for nearly a decade in collaboration with the FAA, NASA, and many others in the aviation community. GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian N190TC received the first experimental approval issued by the FAA for use of an onboard DAA system to operate BVLOS of the remote pilot or a safety observer. The aircraft has since demonstrated this capability in Japan, the UK, and the Netherlands. GA-ASI is currently developing an updated version of its DAA system to be certified by the FAA for use on any large UAS.

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers, assigned to the “Garudas” Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134, taxis at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, March 28, 2022. The VAQ 134 traveled from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, to Spangdahlem to provide additional NATO Air Policing support. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Chance Nardone)


U.S. Air Force Thunderbird No. 8 and No. 11 arrive at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB), South Carolina, March 28, 2022. The Thunderbirds advance pilot and maintenance officer arrived at Shaw AFB a few days before the Shaw Air & Space Expo April 2-3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Madeline Herzog)

An AV-8B Harrier II flies over Norwegian Air Force Base Bodø during Exercise Cold Response 2022, Norway, March 28, 2022. The Harrier is assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. Exercise Cold Response ’22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

U.S. Marines prepare to use a KC-130J Super Hercules to refuel an AV-8B Harrier II over Norwegian Air Force Base Bodø during Exercise Cold Response 2022, Norway, March 28, 2022. The Super Hercules is assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252 and the Harrier is assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 223, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Exercise Cold Response ’22 is a biennial exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional North Atlantic Treaty Organization allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Elias E. Pimentel III)

Fort Worth, TX (29 March 2022) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the delivery of the Bell 505 to Omaha Police Department (OPD). Bell completed this delivery to OPD in February and the aircraft is now in operation by the Air Support Unit.

“Complete with the latest law enforcement equipment, the Bell 505 will enhance OPD’s air support operations,” said Lane Evans, managing director, North America. “We continue to see strong demand for the Bell 505 by law enforcement agencies around the globe, and Bell is proud to support this critical mission.”

Omaha Police Department marks the ninth municipality in North America to rely on the Bell 505 to support law aerial enforcement operations since the first law enforcement configured Bell 505 delivery to Stockton Police Department in 2019.

“OPD has operated Bell aircraft for 25 years,” said Frank Peck, Chief Pilot for the Omaha Police Department's Air Support Unit. “In addition to our current fleet, the Bell 505 will add enhanced capabilities, specifically night vision capabilities, performance and safety, while also decreasing direct operator and maintenance cost.”

The Bell 505 combines the latest avionics and engine control technology with a large open cabin that provides panoramic views for all passengers. A fully integrated Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and dual channel FADEC controlled Safran Arrius 2R engine provide pilots of all skill level with maximized situational awareness and workload reduction to fly successfully in a multitude of scenarios. Combined with its cabin versatility and impressive performance, the 505 is relied on for missions ranging from private owners to public safety and training entities around the globe.

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 533 is staged at the combat aircraft loading area for a loading exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 28, 2022. VMFA(AW)-533 conducted the exercise to practice loading, checking, and troubleshooting live ordnance in order to increase operational readiness and better prepare the air station to quickly respond to contingencies within the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance
Cpl. Calah Thompson)

A CH-53E Super Stallion is staged during an air-delivered ground refueling operation during Exercise Cold Response 2022, Setermoen, Norway, March. 28, 2022. The U.S. Marines are assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing. Exercise Cold Response '22 is a biennial Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise that takes place across Norway, with participation from each of its military services, as well as from 26 additional NATO allied nations and regional partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Meshaq Hylton)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors fly alongside a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress above the Arabian Gulf, March 29, 2022. The presence of the B-52H and F-22s showcased U.S. Central Command's ability to deliver combat airpower at a moment's notice, as well as its commitment to partners and regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jerreht Harris)

An Italian Air Force Eurofighter escorts a B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, as a part of the pre-planned Bomber Task Force Europe series of missions, March 29, 2022. The 69th EBS flew to Romania and The Czech Republic to integrate with U.S. Allies for bomber familiarization. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Zachary Wright)


Two Czech Air Force Saab JAS-39 Gripen fly in formation alongside a B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at RAF Fairford, England, as a part of the pre-planned Bomber Task Force Europe series of missions, March 29, 2022. B-52s from the 69th EBS flew to the Czech Republic to integrate with U.S. Allies in an effort to strengthen fighter-bomber interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Zachary Wright)


An F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing renders a squadron salute upon initial delivery to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 29, 2022. The 354th FW stood up two combat-coded F-35A squadrons, the 355th and the 356th Fighter Squadrons, and is slated to have a total of 54 F-35As by April 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, launches from USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) flight deck, March 28, 2022. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certification and air wing carrier qualification as part of the ship’s tailored basic phase prior to operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Melvin)

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1 Viper assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369 (HMLA-369) conduct flight operations after refueling at a forward arming and refueling point during Balikatan 22 at Cagayan, Philippines, March 30, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for ‘shoulder-to-shoulder,’ is a longstanding bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Diana Jimenez)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Aimee “Rebel” Fiedler, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team pilot and commander, takes off for a practice demo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, March 30, 2022. The VDT travels to roughly 20 air shows across the United States each year where they engage with local media and members of the community in which they are performing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Madeline Herzog)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing takes off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, in support of Polar Force 22-4, March 30, 2022. This is the first Polar Force to be led by the 3rd Wing, with the primary focus on developing Agile Combat Employment and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ ability to fight in a contested, anti-access area denial environment. Operationalizing readiness-enhancing concepts like ACE is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photos by Alejandro Peña)


A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 flies above the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, March 29, 2022. The bomber’s flight originated at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, and flew over the East Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula, and Red Sea before departing the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor flies above the Arabian Gulf, March 29, 2022. The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation aircraft that combines stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, integrated avionics, and is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and deter regional aggressors while deployed in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 flies with a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress above the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, March 29, 2022. The bomber’s flight originated at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, and flew over the East Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula, and Red Sea before departing the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

SOUTH CHINA SEA (March 30, 2022) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Aleksandr Freutel)

An F-16C Fighting Flacon assigned to the 64th Aggressor Squadron participates in a routine training mission March 23, 2022, over the Nevada Test and Training Range at Nellis Air Force Base. The F-16 is the first production fighter aircraft intentionally designed to be slightly aerodynamically unstable, also known as relaxed static stability, to improve maneuverability. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Zachary Rufus)



ADRIATIC SEA (March 30, 2022) An E/A-18G Growler attached to the "Rooks" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 37 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), March 30, 2022. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jibreel Uddin)

NASHVILLE March 31, 2022 — After three years of proving its transformational flight capabilities, the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 DEFIANT® helicopter arrived in Nashville this week to give U.S. Army Aviators a first-hand look at this impressive aircraft at the Army Aviation Association of America’s annual summit.

Army aviators at the summit will be able to see how Team DEFIANT is revolutionizing Future Vertical Lift, one of the Army’s top modernization priorities, with a focus on transforming the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program’s capabilities, production and sustainment resulting in lower-life cycle costs. The result is DEFIANT X® a complete weapon system that builds on the handling qualities and capabilities proven by the team’s technology demonstrator, SB>1 DEFIANT®.

“When Sikorsky and Boeing embarked on the DEFIANT journey, we were mission focused and thinking ahead to creating a holistic weapon system that would give America’s Soldiers a strategic advantage to deter and defeat threats well into the 21st century,” said Sikorsky President Paul Lemmo. “DEFIANT ensures our aviators are confident and prepared for what’s ahead and gives them the agility to adapt to evolving threats.”

“This monumental flight further proves the maturity of the DEFIANT design and that it is ready to support the Army’s future long-range assault missions,” said Mark Cherry, Boeing Vice President and General Manager of Vertical Lift. “Just as SB>1 DEFIANT flew safely over multiple states from Florida to Tennessee, DEFIANT X will safely fly and meet all of our customer’s objectives.”

Sikorsky’s Bill Fell and Boeing’s Ed Henderscheid piloted SB>1 DEFIANT’s momentous 700-nautical miles trip from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Nashville. This is the first time the helicopter has traveled outside of the state of Florida.

“On the trip from West Palm Beach to Nashville, DEFIANT used less than 50 percent of the engine power available and less than 50 percent of the propulsor torque,” Fell said. “There’s a lot more that this machine has to offer. This is the future of Army aviation.”

“DEFIANT behaved flawlessly. Fuel burn was at or even less than what we expected,” Henderscheid said. “This 700-nautical mile trip is the culmination of three years of hard work on this program.”

Also this week, Team DEFIANT announced the newest members of its team:

ATI, Cudahy, Wisconsin: gearbox forgings
Collins Aerospace, Windsor Locks, Connecticut: PerigonTM flight control and vehicle management computer; and Colorado Springs, Colorado: aircraft seats
Elbit Systems of America, Fort Worth, Texas: mission system computer
Parker Aerospace, Irvine, California: flight controls; and Kalamazoo, Michigan: hydraulic pumps and modules
Magnaghi Aeronautica, Medford, New York: landing gear
Marotta Controls, Boonton, New Jersey: electrical power system components

The team previously announced that Honeywell will provide its new HTS7500 turboshaft engine to power DEFIANT X.

For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/defiantx, view our Team Defiant videos on YouTube and watch our video series about how DEFIANT delivers the edge at https://www.lockheedmartin.com/delivering-the-edge.

BAE Systems has been awarded an 11-year contract to continue its support for the UK’s Royal Air Force Hawk fleet.
The £590million contract secures hundreds of engineering jobs in North Wales, home to No. 4 Flying Training School, responsible for training the UK's next generation of world-class fighter pilots.

As well as providing availability support to the RAF’s Hawk T2 fleet, BAE Systems will provide depth maintenance to the RAF’s iconic Red Arrows display team from RAF Valley in Anglesey, ensuring the Hawk fleet continues as a global ambassador for the UK.

The Hawk aircraft is heralded by the RAF as its chosen jet trainer to train its student pilots who will ultimately go on to operate aircraft including the Typhoon, F-35 and next generation combat aircraft.

BAE Systems has provided support to the Hawk fleet for 12 years. The new contract will deliver efficiencies through new ways of working and harnessing the use of technology to drive savings which will be reinvested into the RAF’s training capability.

Speech marks Andrea Thompson, Managing Director – Europe & International, BAE Systems’ Air sector, said:

“As the UK’s sovereign combat air capability provider, we pride ourselves in our close work with the RAF to understand its training and operational requirements; supporting the RAF to equip pilots with the skills, capabilities and equipment they need to safeguard national security.

“Through this collaborative approach with the RAF and our industry partners, we have secured the long-term continuation of Hawk support, which will deliver improved value for money and allow savings to be reinvested which will ultimately benefit the UK’s air power talent and capability.”

As part of the contract, BAE Systems and Babcock will also carry out depth maintenance to the Hawk TMk1 aircraft flown by the Red Arrows from RAF Valley, ensuring the team continues to represent the speed, agility and precision of the RAF at air shows across the globe.