F-CK-1 Ching-kuo

Taiwan’s ambitious programme to develop an advanced fighter to replace its fleet of F-5s and F-104s began in 1982, after the US government placed an embargo on the sale of the Northrop F-20 and any comparable fighter. The same restrictions were not placed on technical assistance, however, and US aerospace …




Lockheed Martin F-35 STOVL Variant Flies Supersonic

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time June 10, achieving a significant milestone. The aircraft accelerated to Mach 1.07 (727 miles per hour) on the first in a long series of planned supersonic flights.

“For the first time in military …




Boeing P-8A Poseidon Completes 1st-flight Test of Mission Systems

Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft T2 successfully completed the program’s first mission systems test flight on June 8 in Seattle. T2 will be used to verify integrated mission systems performance during flights in Seattle and at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, …




First Three C-130J Super Hercules for India Near Completion at Lockheed Martin Facility

The first three C-130J Super Hercules for India take the final positions on Lockheed Martin’s assembly line in Marietta, Ga. India will receive six aircraft plus support, with the first aircraft arrival in India scheduled for February 2011. The six C-130Js will give the Indian Army and …