KC-X winner to be announced Thursday 24th February

The scuttlebutt from the past few days is correct; the US Air Force will announce the winner of the KC-X tanker competition Thursday 24 February 2pm US Eastern Time. Speculation is also rife that the winner will be EADS with its A330 MRTT derivative, the KC-45. We'll see if scuttlebutt can make it 2 out of 2.

F-35 delays shifts USAF focus to F-16 service life

The Secretary of the USAF has said that the USAF's Block 30 series F-16s may need to have their service lives extended to under 11,000 flight hours due to delays with the F-35. Effort and costs involved are expected to be minimal, and it could mean the fighters can add around nine extra years to their service lives.

USAF funding for T-38 replacement jumps tenfold

The plan to replace the USAF's T-38 trainers looks to be gathering pace as funding for the T-X program has jumped tenfold over that allocated last year. US$300 million has been allocated, with the current plan to field a replacement platform by 2017.

AgustaWestland introduces AW139M for US military

AgustaWestland North America has introduced its AW139M military helicopter for the USAF next helicopter program The AW139M is the military version of the AW139 medium-twin helicopter integrated with American military technology for the USAF's Common Vertical Lift Support Program.

Strike Eagles carry out pre-deployment training near Charleston

Normally based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, F-15E Strike Eagles of the 333rd Fighter Squadron will be temporarily operating from Charleston, South Carolina conducting two weeks of pre-deployment training prior to deployment in Afghanistan.

Gorgon Stare to deploy in March

The chief of the USAF's Air Combat Command has said that the Gorgon Stare wide-area surveillance system for UAVs will deploy in March. Gen. William Fraser has said that the problems with the system detailed in a leaked report had been fixed and crews were being trained in the systems' operation.

EADS lowers KC-X bid price; USAF may declare winner in Feb

Despite delcaring it will not make drastic last minute pricing changes, EADS North America has revealed a major shift in pricing strategy and outlined how its proposal may prevail over Boeing's bid. This comes as two senior USAF officials say that the KC-X winner may be declared by the end of the month.

USAF to start training on F-35s at Eglin this year

JSF program executive officer Vice Adm. Dave Venlet has said that the USAF will begin training on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) sometime in 2011. 20 F-35As with Block 1 training software will be delivered so that instructor pilots can begin their training at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

APKWS II to be integrated on USMC Harriers and USAF A-10s

As it approaches IOC with the US Marines' attack helicopters, the US Navy and BAE Systems are entering a program to integrate the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) on the Marines’ AV-8Bs and US Air Force’s A-10s. Integration of the weapon will allow greater standoff range and target engagement closer to friendly troops during CAS missions.

USAF set to take next step on T-38 replacement

Next month, the US Air Force is scheduled to validate a strategy that could lead to the rapid development and fielding of hundreds of trainers to replace the aging supersonic Northrop T-38C Talon if funded for. The T-38's 50th Anniversary of entering USAF service is approaching, and with fifth generation fighters in the pipeline, the T-38 is rapidly showing its obsolescence.

PHOTO: First MC-130J Sees The Light of Day

(Click on thumbnail for high res image)
The first of 15 MC-130Js currently on order for U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command has completed final assembly at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta. Following painting and production flight test the aircraft will be delivered this summer. (Lockheed-Martin Photo)

See related News story at Flightglobal

NTSB reviews near-collision between C-17s, 777

An American Airlines Boeing 777 and two USAF C-17 transports came within a mile of each other in the skies southwest of New York city in January, prompting a National Transportation Safety Board review of the near collision. The C-17s were bound for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

KC-135s make Red Flag possible

Despite the fast movers stealing the limelight, the contribution by the tankers are crucial to the success of Red Flag exercises at Nellis. The current exercise, Red Flag 11-2 saw KC-135s from four units supporting participants from Europe and the Middle East, as well as supporting the exrcise itself.

C-17s deliver largest ever Op Enduring Freedom fuel resupply

Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying 120 bundles dropped the largest resupply of fuel ever to a remote military outpost in Afghanistan. Forward Operating Base Waza K'wah in Afghanistan's Paktika province is completely dependent on airdropped supplies due to poor road infrastructure and the high risk of enemy activity.

Media Release: F-22 to make Australian debut at Avalon Airshow

Airshows Down Under has issued a Media Release about the Australian of the F-22 Raptor at this year's Avalon Airshow. The show will be held at Avalon Airport, Geelong, Victoria in Australia March 1-6 2011.

Boeing to revise bid for USAF's KC-X tanker deal

As we approach the endgame to the saga, Boeing has said it would submit a "best and final offer" for the KC-X contract to supply the USAF with 179 tankers. Boeing and USAF officials had held talks to discuss the company's proposal and revisions would follow. Boeing is offering a modified 767 for the KC-X.

USAF F-35 students to train on Talons, Vipers

In a curriculum similar to that used to train F-22 pilots, the USAF will train future F-35 pilots on the T-38 Talon trainer and F-16 fighter before moving on to the fifth-generation jet. The T-38 is deemed unequal to the task of preparing new aviators for fifth-generation fighters hence a stopgap F-16 bridging course is required until a new trainer is available.

Scrap AWACS, JSTARS; plough funds into F-35: Ex-Secretary of USAF

Former US Air Force Secretary Mike Wynne wants the USAF to get rid of large ISR platforms such as AWACS and JSTARS and take the money saved and shove it into the Joint Strike Fighter program. He suggests that with the advent of stealth fighters and long range SAMs in the hands of potential adversaries, these large manned ISR platforms will be too vulnerable.

Japanese court rejects appeal to halt Kadena night air operations

Upholding a 2009 ruling by the Fukuoka High Court’s Naha branch, the Japanese Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to halt night air operations at Kadena Air Base. The high court, however, awarded about US$68.5 million to 5,519 residents as compensation although litigation is likely to continue.

Global Hawks wrap up Opeval flights

The U.S. Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV has completed its operational test flights in December. Data is currently being analysed from the flights and the UAV expected to begin operations at Beale Air Force Base, Ca. in April after the results are certified.