News and features from the Worlds Air Forces http://www.airforcesreview.com/ AirTanker Conducts First Passenger Flight Received Relevant Regulatory Approval January 5th http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2013/01/28/199/AirTanker-Conducts-First-Passenger-Flight.html Mon, 28 Jan 2013 03:18:31 EST Northrop Grumman X-47B Pegasus Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The air vehicle arrived by barge from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The USS Truman is the first aircraft carrier to host test operations for an unmanned aircraft. The Navy plans to conduct X-47B carrier deck handling tests aboard the ship. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/11/27/198/X-47B-aboard-USS-Harry-S-Truman.html Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:24:00 EST The 1950's-era KC-135 Stratotankers are slated starting next year to be souped-up with upgraded engines that will extend the nation's global reach for another two decades. At the same time, experts say the improved engines will also burn less fuel and spend less time in maintenance. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/08/9/197/KC-135-upgrades-to-keep-aircraft-flying-for-decades.html Thu, 09 Aug 2012 09:56:39 EDT KEFLAVIK, Iceland -- The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is conducting Icelandic air policing missions here until June 7. The squadron, which is made up of U.S. Air Force and other North Atlantic Treaty Organization personnel, is a specialized team prepared to ensure Iceland's air sovereignty. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/05/23/196/493rd-EFS-flies-to-protect-Icelands-air-sovereignty.html Wed, 23 May 2012 09:25:06 EDT Officials announced at HURLBURT FIELD, Fla on March 9 a popular name change for the MC130-J that honors the Air Commando legacy and capitalizes on the versatility of the aircraft. "Air Force Special Operation Command MC-130 Js will be equipped to fly various missions and will be called Commando II," said Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, AFSOC commander, in the memorandum requesting the change. "This name best reflects the multimission role of the aircraft and the units that will fly them." http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/03/16/195/MC-130-J-name-change-promotes-modern-missions-preserves-heritage.html Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:20:02 EDT Recently, BAE Systems Harrier GR9 ZD461 was transported from RAF Cottesmore to IWM Duxford, where it will undergo conservation work and a rebuild. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/03/16/194/Harrier-GR9-arrives-at-IWM-Duxford.html Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:54:17 EDT No matter what uniform they wear, service members of the 33rd Fighter Wing know the launch of the first F-35 Lightning II flight here March 6 is a small step into the next half century of air dominance. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/03/7/193/Eglin-launches-first-F-35-training-mission.html Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:35:39 EST Boeing on March 4 officially delivered the first production P-8A Poseidon aircraft to the U.S. Navy in Seattle. The P-8A is the first of 13 anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft Boeing will deliver as part of a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract awarded in 2011. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/03/7/192/Boeing-delivers-the-first-production-P-8A-Poseidon-to-the-US-Navy.html Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:23:37 EST March 1, 2012, Moscow — Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov and General Director of the Sukhoi Company Igor Ozar signed a state contract for delivery of 92 Su-34 frontline bombers http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/03/4/191/Russian-Air-Force-orders-92-Sukhoi-Su-34-bombers.html Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:58:06 EST The 100th Air Refueling Wing celebrated its birthday Feb. 1, marking 20 years since the wing returned to East Anglia. The 100th arrived in England Feb. 1, 1992, after being out of the U.K. for 47 years, and was redesignated the 100th Air Refueling Wing. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2012/02/3/190/100th-Air-Refueling-celebrates-20-years-at-RAF-Mildenhall.html Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:59:06 EST The United States will sell 84 new F-15 fighter jets and upgrades for 70 existing aircraft to Saudi Arabia under a nearly $29.4 billion agreement, U.S. officials announced today. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2011/12/29/189/US-to-Sell-F-15-Fighters-to-Saudi-Arabia.html Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:19:08 EST The 305th Air Mobility Wing completed its first 'Elephant Walk' in nearly five years, launching all 12 KC-10 Extenders on the ramp, one right after the other, in a 30-minute time period Dec. 20. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2011/12/29/188/305th-Air-Mobility-Wing-carries-out-first-Elephant-Walk-in-5-years.html Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:54:37 EST The Sukhoi Company has completed delivery of 12 new multi-purpose Su-27SM(3) fighters to the Russian Air Force. They were released under a state contract, signed between the Sukhoi Company and the Ministry of Defence at the MAKS-2009 air show. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2011/12/26/186/Sukhoi-completes-delivery-of-new-Su-27SMs-to-Russian-Air-Force.html Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:52:04 EST Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation has completed production of an S-92 helicopter for operation by CHC Helicopter on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2011/12/26/187/Sikorsky-completes-first-S-92-SAR-helicopter-for-Irish-Coast-Guard.html Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:51:15 EST The Swiss Defence Minister, Ueli Maurer, announced at a press conference on November 30 that the Saab JAS39 Gripen has been selected to replace the Swiss Air Force's F-5E/F Tiger IIs. http://www.airforcesreview.com/news-article/2011/12/1/185/Swiss-plan-to-replace-F-5-Tigers-with-Gripens.html Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:07:23 EST